Let’s party.

I turned 50 last month, and that milestone age got me thinking about purpose. I know, I know. But for someone who’s so long considered herself to be a “writer,” I sure feel a bit… aimless when it comes to my craft, at least inasmuch how I’ve been practicing it lately.

Hence, a newsletter—yes, it’s June 2025; now that I’m in the AARP demo, it’s OK that I'm coming a bit late to a trend!—that will let me stretch my limbs a bit beyond the shorter material I’ve been mostly putting out these days. I have a fairly healthy audience (hi there), and I have a lot of interests, and I have a lot to say that I shouldn’t constrain to quick-hit quips.

What to expect from this? Thoughts on new music; riffs on professional wrestling; reactions to books; overviews of recent trends that I’ve spotted within the algorithmic hiccups of my TikTok For You page; observations on food; marginalia from the fringes of academia; maybe, Lord help us, thoughts on politics. Links to things I’ve written, links to pieces I’ve enjoyed, playlists for my radio shows. Also, long pieces on these—or other!—subjects. This last bit is where you might be able to come in.

I’m hoisting a paywall for this thing, because if working in online journalism as a practicer and a professor for a quarter-century has taught me one thing, it’s that you can be good, but resources can make you even better. I’ve made various admission-price tiers available, some of which are what one might call “big swings.” (But if you’ve always wanted me to write at length on a topic you’re passionate about, check out the High Roller tier.)

Mostly I want to be able to cover things that don’t fit into any of the outlets to which I currently contribute—and to have fun. You’re invited, too—just hit that subscribe button.