Umami Notes

A farewell and an invitation

In the last newsletter, I wrote about moving. We have moved, partially, on August 18. It was a challenge getting internet connection as fast as we needed it, but we managed. Then, it took days to get things for the pantry and freezer.

As of today, only one of the three bedrooms is habitable, and only one bathroom is usable. The garden is still a mess and the laundry area is still for rehabiliation.

But we already have a small dining area and a functional kitchen. I’m ready to start publishing new recipes, and just as ready to start telling my newsletter subscribers about everything that’s new in the blog, plus much more.

But there is still one move that I have to make. I’m leaving Substack. But there will still be a newsletter hosted by Wordpress. I do, however, have to ask you to sign up again. Let me explain why.

This newsletter has an open rate of 42%. That means 42% of the subscribers open the newsletter when it hits their inbox. That’s pretty high, really, because the average open rate is 32%.

Now, I haven’t the foggiest idea why the remaining 58% don’t bother. But I’d much rather have fewer subscribers who are really interested in reading what I write.

If you’re one of the 42%, know that you’re the kind of reader that every writer dreams of. Engaged and constant. I hope you stay on and continue to grant me the privilege of being part of your regular reading habit.

Below is the link explaining why I’m leaving Substack and the subsciption form for the new newsletter. The first new newsletter will be sent out over the September 7-8 weekend and every weekend thereafter. The archive of old newsletters on Substack will be moved shortly.