I’m very pleased, and very touched, to be able to say here that my subscriber numbers are creeping up, with what feels like willful perversity. I haven’t reached any sort of numerical milestone, and I see that many writers I like are growing subscribers far faster than I am.

But this is understandable, given the neither-fish-nor-fowl nature of my writing. I work hard, but that’s the one consistent element when I’m posting comic writing, serious analysis of fiction and other art, thoughts about writing style and technique, and political content that skews orthodoxy on all sides.

I want to thank everyone who got interested in my writing, either because of chats we’ve had on Notes, or through the kind recommendations of others. And I’m grateful for the recommendations, and for the friendly conversations I’ve had on here. This is the social media platform I’ve always wished for, and after my many dispiriting experiences elsewhere, Substack seems too good to be true.

I’ll be expanding my output over the next few years, with more music, more writing, and more teaching about songwriting and other musical skills. Please stick around for any of those things that appeal to you; I look forward to reading more writers here, and chatting with more readers.

Thanks also to the wonderful substack team, who have always treated me kindly and made me feel important, even though I’m a tiny and salty anchovy in this sea.

(Pictured: the jacket I wear while I write my pieces. It was custom-made by my friend and colleague Gina Pala at facebook.com/groups/gin…)