Hello friends
Do you scan your inbox every morning for something interesting to read? I know I do!
I love getting emails from people I know in real life, but failing that, I enjoy reading newsletters from people I don’t know personally, but who send me stuff that’s interesting and entertaining.
I’ve been thinking about starting my own newsletter (it’s a work in progress) and this has led me to do quite a lot of research about what kind of email platforms are available, but also to think deeply about what sort of content I enjoy. The experts say that you should write the book you’d like to read, so I figure you should send out the newsletter that you’d like to receive. For me, this is usually a mixture of funny, interesting or inspiring things, with a few recipes thrown in for good measure.
These are my favourite newsletters at the moment:
Mary Laura Philpott, author of I Miss You When I Blink sends out a newsletter every couple of weeks with different book recommendations plus a few other tidbits: a link to something interesting or funny, a great tune, and a little cartoon or art of some sort. It’s short and fun. You can subscribe here.
The food writer and podcaster Jenny Rosenstrach has a newsletter called Three Things, which I love because the recipes are so simple and appealing. We have a lot of limes on our tree at the moment and I have become slightly addicted to gimlets (a cocktail involving gin, limes and elderflower cordial). The recipe for this, plus a simple angel-food cake, is here.
If you are a writer, think about subscribing to Craft Talk, by Jami Attenberg, author of many books which I admire. Her newsletter is always honest and inspirational without being cloying. You can subscribe to a paid or a free version, (I have taken the free option because I’m a cheapskate), but note that she donates most of the proceeds from the paid version to charity, and if you are an educator, you can sign up for free.
I always enjoy browsing through this newsletter from Jo Goddard which contains a nice mix of culture, fashion and articles about relationships. I especially enjoyed this article featuring the apartment of illustrator Carly Martin because I love looking at pictures of where people live.
This is just a small sample of the newsletters I’m currently subscribed to, but they are the ones that I always open and read. I’d be interested to know if you have any favourites and I’d especially like to know what it is about them you really find engaging? I’m still in the research phase, so please share what you like (and don’t like) about any newsletters you’ve signed up for.
Have a great week!
Marg
Margaret Moon 
As usual I have procrastinated over my response, waiting to be struck by something profound to post. Blogging is such a public affair Margaret I do admire your willingness to share with us your thoughts and ideas. Anyway I only subscribe to two – I have got bored with many others – one is Farnham Street and the other is from Cal Newport. Both are on similar themes – how to think – with Farnham Street focusing more on thinking for decision making and Cal Newport on thinking as a professional activity. Guess that means I find thinking interesting. Not sure I turn the email content into action as often as I’d like – I seem to approach it a bit like a painting in a gallery – I look lovingly, have all the paint gear at home, but don’t get paint in my hands as often as I’d like
Hello my friend!
It’s lovely that you took the time to comment on my post. I appreciate all comments, but being profound is not a requirement. It’s just nice to know that people are out there reading your stuff. Blogging is a weird hobby. I often feel as though I’m writing into a void, but since I’ve retired, I’ve had more time to write, but also more time to think so I have lots to say, not all of it interesting or coherent!
Your recommendations are great. I’ve read Cal Newport’s book but didn’t know he had a newsletter and I’ve never heard of Farnham Street, so I’ll check out both of them.
I agree that sometimes you subscribe to a newsletter because you are in a ‘phase’, but after a while you get bored, either with the content or the fact that you aren’t actually acting on the advice. But I guess the advice is seeping into your subconscious and doing something to your psyche? (Something good, hopefully).
I’ve been studying newsletters, too, to see what I like. I also enjoyed “Craft Talk.” I like Jane Friedman’s newsletter because it’s so informative. Janna Marlies Maron has a good one, very uplifting and positive. I also like “What to Read If…”
Oh, I forgot to include Jane’s newsletter, which is excellent. Thanks for the two other recommendations, I’ve just subscribed to both of them.
I’ve just started subscribing to Chat 10 Looks 3 newsletter which contains links to interesting information such as recently short listed books for various prizes, good podcasts to listen to, what’s happening in short series etc on pay TV a d of course some feast recipes.
I also like the Conversation but I’m not sure if you would call this a newsletter. What I like are the links to various articles on recent topics of interest.
I have listened to the Chat 10 Looks 3 podcast on the odd occasion, but I didn’t know they also have a newsletter, so thanks for the tip. I’m not sure why I think I need more entertainment – it’s not as though I don’t have enough books to read – but I always like having a lot of options. Sometimes you need different things on different days, depending on your mood.