28 Comments
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Brandon Jenkins, ACC's avatar

I love your recognition of how this was effecting your energy and ability to continue providing at the high level you expect from yourself, Matt.

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Matthew Long's avatar

Thanks brother, your words of encouragement mean a great deal to me. Love seeing you integrate your work on this platform as well.

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Brandon Jenkins, ACC's avatar

Thanks! It’s fun learning a new platform.

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Snow and Pink Roses's avatar

I have to admit that I missed your poetry anthology the first time round. Thanks for adding it here, I look forward to reading it!

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Matthew Long's avatar

I hope you enjoy it!

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Emily Kaminsky's avatar

Thank you for the update! Indeed we only expect what is best for you! What kind of community would we be if we expected otherwise.

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Matthew Long's avatar

Thanks Emily. Your support and encouragement is indeed valuable.

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Patti Petersen's avatar

Offering an annual subscription for $1 @ month is a great idea. I may steal this. I want people to be able to afford choosing to support my work, it's my only job at the moment, also.

The AI interview was interesting. Gosh, so much controversy and a lot to think about.

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Matthew Long's avatar

Thanks Patti. Glad to have you here.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Matthew you are always proactive, please, have no fear in that department! That said I have a feeling Substack runs a good few of us ragged, its a lot of beauty to take in, every day! I was wondering just this evening whether to cut down a little on the amount I write, albeit only once a week, with a full time job and smallholding on top I am exhausted. I will see how the weeks ahead go. In the meantime I look forward to you up-coming posts - thank you for letting us know. 🙏🏼

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Matthew Long's avatar

Thank you Susie. One thing I recognize is Substack has opened my eyes to how many amazingly talented people are out there writing their hearts out or sharing the world through their art. It is wonderful, but it is a lot. Balancing that with the things in our lives requires some self-examination. So glad you are a part of my journey. Your words have a powerful impact on me.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

AS do yours Matthew, thank you 🙏🏼

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Matthew, reassessing your commitments makes a lot of sense. I'm looking forward to the month of May and the upcoming interviews and guest post. Thank you for such a welcoming space.

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Matthew Long's avatar

Thanks Jody. Glad to have you here and share your words with the community.

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Tiffany Chu's avatar

I appreciate this update, Matthew, and respect your ability to recognise your own limits. You're doing excellent work here.

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Matthew Long's avatar

Thank you my friend. I know that you understand my need to pull back some when I am overextended.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Matthew, I ran myself ragged posting 400 posts from July 2023 until a month ago. Speaking as a person who has been writing online since 2006, built multiple websites, wrote 5 - 10 posts a day when writing politics and news, had 4 websites at once, and other feats of the internet world, I can attest, we all get ragged when we do too much at once. The connection and community makes us want to give more than we sometimes have the energy for. I purposely don't set a posting schedule for that reason.

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Matthew Long's avatar

That is a good idea Pamela. Thanks for your understanding.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Matthew, Writing is hard work. It can also be a lot of fun!

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Maia Duerr's avatar

Thanks for the conscientious communication, Matthew!

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Matthew Long's avatar

You are welcome and thanks for being here Maia.

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Maria Hanley's avatar

Acknowledging that we cannot do it all is so refreshing. Thanks for setting a great example of honoring your reality and adjusting as necessary. Thanks for including the anthology. And an essay collection! How wonderful, Matthew. I look forward to reading both.

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Matthew Long's avatar

Thank you Maria. I am learning to be more honest with myself as I get older and acknowledge what makes sense for my life at this time. I appreciate having your here and watching your journey as well.

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Karen J Ohliger's avatar

Please do what is best for you and your community is here to support that always. We want you around for the long haul!

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Matthew Long's avatar

Many thanks Karen!

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

So happy to read this … the ‘foot on the ball’ reassessment. Your work is admirable; the quality is incredible and your community has grown amazingly. But you have so many interests and the year is chasing on, it makes sense to find balance between the things you relish for yourself and your fabulous commitment to family and friends, who also end up being central to our ability to pursue our personal journeys. I would love to write a guest post - in the Autumn when I am travelling I have a notion to look at our rail journey through some of the literary connections. Do let me know if you would like to explore that … or a chat/check in with some encouragement … and, of course, happy to read anything of yours at all. Warmly, as ever. Barrie

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Matthew Long's avatar

Thank you my friend! I would love to have you do a guest post. I think the rail journey idea sounds amazing. I really enjoy reading about your upcoming adventures. You have been and remain a good friend.

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Tara Penry's avatar

Your newsletter is rich, no matter how you schedule it! I’m enjoying your thoughtful interview questions and looking forward to appearing here in May.

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