Ron, one big reason you’re succeeding is that you’re such a good writer. You’re fun to read even when not reviewing a book. And it’s not too late for Booknanza. Team up with another substack book person— or w a famous writer like wolitzer— and maybe your combined followings would create interest at Spotify or somewhere. There aren’t many good book podcasts that I know of. The NYT has one but it’s not exactly riveting. You’re so funny; that’s half the battle.
Ron, I am not joining the chorus for a podcast! First, podcasts take a lot more production work than a newsletter, that is either more time-consuming for you or money-consuming to pay others. Second, and more importantly, many of us read because, well, we like to READ. Listening to a podcast is not the same as reading at all. Walking around with earbuds is not the same as being available to the world we live in. Third, podcasts are performance-oriented, completely different from a writing a newsletter. Finally, there are some writers, like Paul Krugman who do audio interviews and include a transcript. I choose to read the transcript, but I know that it will be much more disjointed than one of Krugman’s highly effective composed combination of explanations and observations about economics.
Today, we are told that “it is all about screens.” When television arrived, the prediction was that there was no future in radio. Eighty years later, radio is still with us, and some, like Minnesota Public Radio have found ways to be successful programmatically as well as financially.
You made a wise choice in sharing your reflections. I am sure the responses will be valuable and thought-provoking for you. Take some time and contemplate what you are learning from this first six months and people’s observations here, and then device the form of expression that is most rewarding for you! Best wishes!
HCR also has a team to help her. She admits again and again that she couldn't do what she does without her team. It astounds me sometimes how much she does even with her team.
I'm joining the chorus encouraging Booknanza. Of course, I seldom listen to podcasts, and I'm curious how many of us do (although I think most of us try to squeeze in HCR, at least as frequently as possible) since there are too many books to read and listen to!
I love your humor, your literary knowledge, and your informative reviews. Teaching the appreciation of literature on the college level was one of my greatest joys,and now I rely on your reviews to find great books to enrich my life since I retired. I had to retire to care for a very ill husband who died after a two year illness, and, at this time, reading your column and the books you recommend is one of my chief pleasures. While you and I, for different reasons, had to leave jobs we loved, literature still is a way to find connection with others. While we do not have the same financial income for our wallets, at least you give me intellectual and comic support which is also very necessary. Thank you. I hope you realize what emotional uplift your honesty and reviews provide. Sandy Didner
You have survived the Rapture with astonishing grace, finesse, brio and dash. Particularly dash. Keep dashing. I miss bumping into you in the WaPo foyer and hitting you up for a book suggestion. You were always right. And still are. That's got to be monetizable, even today. Stand on a corner with a sign: Will Always Be Right For Food.
I also work for myself and have no IT support except for my husband! I hope you will find as you go that the pros outweigh the cons of being your own boss. I am also excited that you are getting nibbles from some publishers, so if you do take a job elsewhere, do let us know. I rely on your reviews, and your love of books. Thank you!
1. Happy to subscribe today - thanks for making it reasonable.
2. Don't overwork yourself, please. Quality over quantity.
3. At the WaPo, you replied to an inquiry from me, complaining that Amazon seemed often to blank out the Table of Contents for its book "Samples." You showed me where to look to find it. Always amazed and grateful for your guidance on this. You are the most famous person I have ever received a response from.
4. I saved your list of great comic novels and go to it when I need a major lift in my reading. So much good stuff. Thank you.
Don't reply to this. Knowing you read each one is good enough for me.
I left the Post before they did their last round of layoffs, which included you. The biggest regret I had in cancelling my subscription was losing access to Book World and your terrific reviews. Thank you for starting this Substack account. It has prompted me to buy lots of books, including Good People, Land, and There Is No Place for Us. Thank you for everything you do, and hang in there. And if you do accept an offer to write for another paper, please keep the Substack account going! On top of everything else, your sense of humor always gives a lift to my day :)
So many people have substacks. Many should not. I so looked forward to reading the Book World in the Post. Now, I look forward to reading your reviews in your substack. I will continue to tell other readers where to find you, and will force them to pony up the cash.
Thanks for being such a human. Great post about surviving without the Post, but wishing it did not have to be so. Keep on keeping on: there are so many of us who would be living lives of despair in this era were it not for books and those who write and read them.
So many books. So little time. You can’t possibly read them all so don’t feel guilty that you can’t review as many as you want. When I found out that you’d been made redundant (I love that term!) by the Post, I was crushed. So glad you found a place to land!
Hey Ron, I think you're doing everything right/write. It's only been six months. (Where was your head when you were six months into working at WaPo?) It's a process and you're refining it. Would love it if you also re-considered the podcast start-up. Yeah, everyone has a podcast and everyone is on Substack, but cream rises to the top.
Wait wait. you don't understand the importance of your meanderings. There is so much shocking angry threatening Trump news that we can't do anything about-- your pieces provide the only opportunity to read something that makes me smile...that lifts my day...
I was so relieved when you decided to continue on Substack and to keep writing your reviews and newsletter, as I value both. The lame joke made me bust out laughing.
Ron, one big reason you’re succeeding is that you’re such a good writer. You’re fun to read even when not reviewing a book. And it’s not too late for Booknanza. Team up with another substack book person— or w a famous writer like wolitzer— and maybe your combined followings would create interest at Spotify or somewhere. There aren’t many good book podcasts that I know of. The NYT has one but it’s not exactly riveting. You’re so funny; that’s half the battle.
Ron, I am not joining the chorus for a podcast! First, podcasts take a lot more production work than a newsletter, that is either more time-consuming for you or money-consuming to pay others. Second, and more importantly, many of us read because, well, we like to READ. Listening to a podcast is not the same as reading at all. Walking around with earbuds is not the same as being available to the world we live in. Third, podcasts are performance-oriented, completely different from a writing a newsletter. Finally, there are some writers, like Paul Krugman who do audio interviews and include a transcript. I choose to read the transcript, but I know that it will be much more disjointed than one of Krugman’s highly effective composed combination of explanations and observations about economics.
Today, we are told that “it is all about screens.” When television arrived, the prediction was that there was no future in radio. Eighty years later, radio is still with us, and some, like Minnesota Public Radio have found ways to be successful programmatically as well as financially.
You made a wise choice in sharing your reflections. I am sure the responses will be valuable and thought-provoking for you. Take some time and contemplate what you are learning from this first six months and people’s observations here, and then device the form of expression that is most rewarding for you! Best wishes!
YES! I book podcast would be great! Somehow Heather Cox Richardson has a podcast in addition to her Substack letters.
HCR also has a team to help her. She admits again and again that she couldn't do what she does without her team. It astounds me sometimes how much she does even with her team.
She’s a workaholic, like Paul Krugman.
Yes, Cheryl, I was just going to write a similar comment.
I'm joining the chorus encouraging Booknanza. Of course, I seldom listen to podcasts, and I'm curious how many of us do (although I think most of us try to squeeze in HCR, at least as frequently as possible) since there are too many books to read and listen to!
I love your humor, your literary knowledge, and your informative reviews. Teaching the appreciation of literature on the college level was one of my greatest joys,and now I rely on your reviews to find great books to enrich my life since I retired. I had to retire to care for a very ill husband who died after a two year illness, and, at this time, reading your column and the books you recommend is one of my chief pleasures. While you and I, for different reasons, had to leave jobs we loved, literature still is a way to find connection with others. While we do not have the same financial income for our wallets, at least you give me intellectual and comic support which is also very necessary. Thank you. I hope you realize what emotional uplift your honesty and reviews provide. Sandy Didner
You make me laugh Ron. So valuable in these times. And you’re the best book critic ever! Where you go, I will follow. 😄
You have survived the Rapture with astonishing grace, finesse, brio and dash. Particularly dash. Keep dashing. I miss bumping into you in the WaPo foyer and hitting you up for a book suggestion. You were always right. And still are. That's got to be monetizable, even today. Stand on a corner with a sign: Will Always Be Right For Food.
I also work for myself and have no IT support except for my husband! I hope you will find as you go that the pros outweigh the cons of being your own boss. I am also excited that you are getting nibbles from some publishers, so if you do take a job elsewhere, do let us know. I rely on your reviews, and your love of books. Thank you!
1. Happy to subscribe today - thanks for making it reasonable.
2. Don't overwork yourself, please. Quality over quantity.
3. At the WaPo, you replied to an inquiry from me, complaining that Amazon seemed often to blank out the Table of Contents for its book "Samples." You showed me where to look to find it. Always amazed and grateful for your guidance on this. You are the most famous person I have ever received a response from.
4. I saved your list of great comic novels and go to it when I need a major lift in my reading. So much good stuff. Thank you.
Don't reply to this. Knowing you read each one is good enough for me.
Well wishes to you and your family.
I'd love to see that list of great comic novels!!!
Yes, please.
I have posted the list. 😃
Where?
It is in his profile, under “likes and replies,” about 4 posts down from the top.
Found it and copied it. Thank you.
Please publish the list of comic novels again. I unfortunately did not save it.
I left the Post before they did their last round of layoffs, which included you. The biggest regret I had in cancelling my subscription was losing access to Book World and your terrific reviews. Thank you for starting this Substack account. It has prompted me to buy lots of books, including Good People, Land, and There Is No Place for Us. Thank you for everything you do, and hang in there. And if you do accept an offer to write for another paper, please keep the Substack account going! On top of everything else, your sense of humor always gives a lift to my day :)
I love reading your words! You’ve never steered me wrong on what book to read and I hope you know how grateful this reader is!
So glad to hear that, Kathleen. Many thanks for your support.
So many people have substacks. Many should not. I so looked forward to reading the Book World in the Post. Now, I look forward to reading your reviews in your substack. I will continue to tell other readers where to find you, and will force them to pony up the cash.
Also this !!!
Thanks for being such a human. Great post about surviving without the Post, but wishing it did not have to be so. Keep on keeping on: there are so many of us who would be living lives of despair in this era were it not for books and those who write and read them.
So many books. So little time. You can’t possibly read them all so don’t feel guilty that you can’t review as many as you want. When I found out that you’d been made redundant (I love that term!) by the Post, I was crushed. So glad you found a place to land!
PS. Love your politics and your sense of humor!
Gregor lives!!
Hey Ron, I think you're doing everything right/write. It's only been six months. (Where was your head when you were six months into working at WaPo?) It's a process and you're refining it. Would love it if you also re-considered the podcast start-up. Yeah, everyone has a podcast and everyone is on Substack, but cream rises to the top.
Wait wait. you don't understand the importance of your meanderings. There is so much shocking angry threatening Trump news that we can't do anything about-- your pieces provide the only opportunity to read something that makes me smile...that lifts my day...
The Washington Post owner is an idiot to let you go. Thank you for your new venture.
I was so relieved when you decided to continue on Substack and to keep writing your reviews and newsletter, as I value both. The lame joke made me bust out laughing.