It is my birthday and here is why you should subscribe to my Substack, if you want to.

(Note: birthday alone is not a reason, but it is my excuse for this blatant self-promotion today)

1- I'm a real person writing about books and the humor we can find in the everyday grind.

2- I don't use AI in any aspect of my writing (or the pictures I use) and I frown on those who do.

3- I try hard to lift up other writers and their articles here on Substack and on other social media platforms-- there are many absolute gems lying hidden beneath the algorithm and I firmly believe fame and talent are not linked

4- Did I mention I write about books? We all need more books and less scrolling in our lives!

5- Sometimes I'm funny! I used to be funny on Twitter and then it turned into a fascist hellscape so now I have to channel that energy into long-form creativity (and the occasional Bluesky post).

6- If you love Jane Austen, we will almost certainly be friends.