Exploring Life through the Written Word
Dear friends,
Thank you for reading Beyond the Bookshelf. Whether you're already a subscriber or just browsing, this article will help you make the most of your time here. I am delighted to have you join the community and the conversation as we explore life through the written.
With new subscribers constantly joining the community, I thought it would be a good idea to have a quick guide to the publication available. I originally published this article in December 2024, but have updated it with a few small changes. Thanks so much for being here as we explore beyond the bookshelf together.
Introductions
My name is Matthew. For 24 years, I traveled the high seas in the Navy. Now, I read, write, and walk my dog in rural Tennessee. I love reading, drinking dark roasted coffee, and listening to classic jazz. I believe in the power of lifelong learning and the transformative impact of the written word.
One of my earliest memories of reading is sitting on my dad's lap, feeling the warmth of his embrace. As he read from Charlotte's Web, his voice had a captivating resonance that soothed and fascinated me. These compelling words changed my life by opening a doorway in my mind to imagination and wonder.
Books have played a significant role throughout my life, as I often sought guidance from the written word. My military career took me around the world, providing exposure to many cultures and their influences on literature. No matter where I traveled, my love for the written word remained. Now, as a husband and father entering a new season of my life, I continue seeking lessons from the things I read. I hope you will join me as we explore life through the written word.
Publication Schedule
Beyond the Bookshelf - my regular weekly publication exploring life through the written word - Tuesday mornings at 0500 Central Time.
Deep Reads Book Club - a special weekly publication exploring specific works of literature more deeply - Friday mornings at 0500 Central Time.
Navigating the Publication
There are many ways to enjoy the essays published each week. The default method of publication is email, which many of you receive directly in your inbox. Beyond the Bookshelf is published via the Substack App, a personal website, and email. If you like the convenience of having an app on your phone or other mobile device, then that option is available to you. This might be convenient if you subscribe to many different publications.
Even if you read via your email or the App, there may be times when you want to visit the Beyond the Bookshelf website. The website contains my complete archives and a rotating list of other publications I recommend.
Community
One of the many things I love is the great community of readers and writers who participate in the discussions. Please join the comments section of the articles and engage in the discussions there. You can email me anytime by responding to any essay in your email. You can also send me a direct message if you have the App. I respond to as many comments and messages as I can.
Support
Beyond the Bookshelf is currently my full-time work. It is a work of passion and love, so I do not have paywalls on my content. However, if you have the means and desire to support Beyond the Bookshelf, please visit my support page to see how you can help continue our mission of exploring life through the written word. I offer several different options for supporting my work here. Every bit helps keep me writing about this wonderful exploration of life and the written word.
Finally, my promise to you, my readers, is that you are getting 100% genuine Matthew in this publication. I don’t use AI to generate images or text. I am not judging anyone who uses AI. For Beyond the Bookshelf, I simply want it to be an authentic and genuine discussion among people who are passionate about life and literature. I include a graphic at the end of each essay that says, “Created with human intelligence.” For better or worse, what you are getting is me.
Until next time,
