They only give airtime to the "villain" because he has his hands in their pockets. But it wouldn't matter much if he was actually polite and dignified about these things.
Linda, you just make so much sense. It is always a pleasure to read your work! Especially the one on Bukowski’s poetry, on which I meant to comment, but got distracted… m
I had no idea about subscribers who don't know they're subscribing. I'd love to find out what you learn. Love the book rec and warm thoughts for the gift that Rob Reiner was to us all. Thanks!
It is really sad. But having everything taken away isn't the same as having nothing. My dad had a family member with mental health problems paired with addiction like the Reiner son who is now sitting in jail and it's tragic for everyone involved
1. Just bought both books. Thanks for the recommendations!
2. When I first joined Substack a few months ago, I was trigger happy with the Subscribe button. My eyes were bigger than my stomach, so to speak. I'm slowly making my way through posts and keeping track of the ones I don't gibe with. If three of a writer's posts don't spark my interest, I unsubscribe. As long as it's taking to weed my list, whoever has 600+ either does nothing but read them or has no intention of reading any.
3. I'm with you on turning the focus to the people who deserve it. I could say something great about each of Reiner's biggest movies, but this comment is already too long. So I'll go with The Princess Bride, which taught me a story can be both ridiculous and sentimental without sacrificing either.
No such thing as a comment being too long here, so you know. I swear I have the best comment section on Substack and it makes me happy. And I'm over the moon that you bought both books. Thank you so much. Michelle and Andrew will be happy too, I know.
Totally agree with #2, I did the same and had to clean house too. And I so agree with your thoughts on The Princess Bride. I never thought about it that way, really, but what a delightful take, I like it
When subscribing to an author there’s the option to also subscribe to a few of the Substacks they recommend. I think some people click that without realising. Then if they don’t recognise those ‘extras’ when they first come through they hit unsubscribe at that point.
Completely agree with you about not wanting the focus to be on the villain but on the creator.
I always love book recommendations, but only from people I trust. And you are one of them. It's on my wish list to add to all the other books I keep buying, starting, and don't finish. One about AI taking over? That's a must, and I bet I'll finish it in one sleepless night!
Omg, two days, I only have two chapters left. Can't stop reading this one. When I'm done, maybe I can get more than 5 hours of sleep again lol. And for the record, Michelle's was the same way. Could not put it down
I bought the Kindle version. Started it already. The story is gripping. But, he could have used a proofreader, at least for the Kindle version. Nevertheless, it's not that many booboos, so not too distracting ;-) I'll keep reading tonight.
Oh no! That book was put through the gauntlet, but any errors found are mine and oh, so embarrassing. If you'd like to point it out, I will fix posthaste.
I would be happy to help! I have just started reading your book, so I will make any notes and let you know. Really, small things.
But I was an editor for years, so probably, nobody else will notice. Indeed, I promise, I'll let you know.
But I have to read the whole thing first :-) I love to edit. For free, I might add. I never charge because I am "done with that" as my granddaughter likes to say.
I will contact you via DM when I have finished reading. And maybe it will be only two or three booboos, you never know :-)
Just wanted to recommend a book for you about proofing. Even though I was in the business for years, when I found this in 2023, I realized how much I was missing.
It's a great resource. Invaluable for proofing your own work or other people's stuff. Funny too! "Dreyer's English -- An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style". I have the hardbound book because I love to write in the margins and underline stuff. Plus it's a keeper for life for a writer.
It's quite well-known, I think, but nevertheless, invaluable. It's not a "how to write" rather a HOW TO EDIT and proofread. I love it. Learned a lot. You only need to keep a few rules in mind as you write, and you'll be amazed at the improvement.
I clearly remember drinking something and almost spitting it out, when I heard Estelle Reiner (Rob's mother) say, "I'll have what she's having." One of the best lines ever delivered.
Such a tragic loss, RIP Rob and Michelle.
Substack: I am increasingly disillusioned with Substack for multiple reasons and am currently looking into moving to Ghost for my publication. I will miss the many good writers on Substack but Substack tech bros have one value - greed. I can no longer ignore substack's refusal to ban new-Nazi hate speech, health and medical misinformation, and the quickly growing tolerance of AI use in many of the more popular publications.Their focus on becoming social media rather than a culture of creators and their algorithm push to paid subscribers are the final nails.
That line by Estelle Reiner was great, omg. It is such a tragic loss, indeed.
I really wish platforms like Ghost and even Ko-Fi had tools to let their members grow the way Substack does. It would put pressure on companies like Substack to clean up their content and get rid of what should be seen as hate speech not public discourse
always love a good book recommendation! Thank you! And rest in peace, Meathead. We loved you.
That was really lovely, thanks, Sandra.
They only give airtime to the "villain" because he has his hands in their pockets. But it wouldn't matter much if he was actually polite and dignified about these things.
interested in the reaching out to non-opening subscribers experiment!
On fun - thanks for letting me know. I'm an experimenter and always curious if anyone else is curious lol
I agree with not publicizing the villain. They need no recognition or glory.
I so agree, Pam
So true about so many books on Substack being not-ready-for-prime time!
It really is. Makes me want to celebrate the ones that are great
https://editoronboard.substack.com/p/top-ten-indie-books-of-2025
from Yours Truly, the Editor On Board
Omg lol, I think that's the one I restacked so I can check out the books
Sorry if I overshared...
No such thing when it comes to books. Share everywhere all the time. Here, included. And when I pick some from your list, I'll share again!
As a general rule, many self published books are not ready for prime time.
I want all the book recommendations and tutorials! Always. 😊
Kate, you always make me smile about a mile wide. Thank you! :)
Linda, you just make so much sense. It is always a pleasure to read your work! Especially the one on Bukowski’s poetry, on which I meant to comment, but got distracted… m
I'm glad you liked that one, Robert, I liked that one too
Huzzah! Toward wish 3: "Have fun storming the castle!" 💛👑
lol right? Made ma laugh.
I had no idea about subscribers who don't know they're subscribing. I'd love to find out what you learn. Love the book rec and warm thoughts for the gift that Rob Reiner was to us all. Thanks!
I didn't know either Kady. Boy, was I surprised. I'm looking forward to this one, I think it might be fun
You can appear to have everything and still have nothing. Very sad for the Reiner family.
It is really sad. But having everything taken away isn't the same as having nothing. My dad had a family member with mental health problems paired with addiction like the Reiner son who is now sitting in jail and it's tragic for everyone involved
Elizabeth Day wrote a beautifully respectful piece about Rob and Michele Reiner here - https://open.substack.com/pub/theelizabethday/p/what-rob-reiner-taught-us-about-love?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer
Oh, thank you Hannah. I look forward to reading that
suffice to say, she's a fan of his films! I'm planning to watch When Harry Met Sally tonight x
Oh, it's SO good. You're going to love it. Come back and tell me what you thought, okay?
1. Just bought both books. Thanks for the recommendations!
2. When I first joined Substack a few months ago, I was trigger happy with the Subscribe button. My eyes were bigger than my stomach, so to speak. I'm slowly making my way through posts and keeping track of the ones I don't gibe with. If three of a writer's posts don't spark my interest, I unsubscribe. As long as it's taking to weed my list, whoever has 600+ either does nothing but read them or has no intention of reading any.
3. I'm with you on turning the focus to the people who deserve it. I could say something great about each of Reiner's biggest movies, but this comment is already too long. So I'll go with The Princess Bride, which taught me a story can be both ridiculous and sentimental without sacrificing either.
No such thing as a comment being too long here, so you know. I swear I have the best comment section on Substack and it makes me happy. And I'm over the moon that you bought both books. Thank you so much. Michelle and Andrew will be happy too, I know.
Totally agree with #2, I did the same and had to clean house too. And I so agree with your thoughts on The Princess Bride. I never thought about it that way, really, but what a delightful take, I like it
Thank you, Matt!
Of course! I look forward to reading it.
When subscribing to an author there’s the option to also subscribe to a few of the Substacks they recommend. I think some people click that without realising. Then if they don’t recognise those ‘extras’ when they first come through they hit unsubscribe at that point.
Completely agree with you about not wanting the focus to be on the villain but on the creator.
Ohhh, you're right Wendy. That could be part of it, for sure. Thanks for reminding me of that!
That’s what I tell myself if someone unsubscribes, anyway!
I can't believe I forgot about that lol
You got me Linda! I do relate and receive much from your work. ;-)
I always love book recommendations, but only from people I trust. And you are one of them. It's on my wish list to add to all the other books I keep buying, starting, and don't finish. One about AI taking over? That's a must, and I bet I'll finish it in one sleepless night!
Omg, two days, I only have two chapters left. Can't stop reading this one. When I'm done, maybe I can get more than 5 hours of sleep again lol. And for the record, Michelle's was the same way. Could not put it down
I bought the Kindle version. Started it already. The story is gripping. But, he could have used a proofreader, at least for the Kindle version. Nevertheless, it's not that many booboos, so not too distracting ;-) I'll keep reading tonight.
Oh no! That book was put through the gauntlet, but any errors found are mine and oh, so embarrassing. If you'd like to point it out, I will fix posthaste.
I would be happy to help! I have just started reading your book, so I will make any notes and let you know. Really, small things.
But I was an editor for years, so probably, nobody else will notice. Indeed, I promise, I'll let you know.
But I have to read the whole thing first :-) I love to edit. For free, I might add. I never charge because I am "done with that" as my granddaughter likes to say.
I will contact you via DM when I have finished reading. And maybe it will be only two or three booboos, you never know :-)
You are a wonderful human.
Just wanted to recommend a book for you about proofing. Even though I was in the business for years, when I found this in 2023, I realized how much I was missing.
It's a great resource. Invaluable for proofing your own work or other people's stuff. Funny too! "Dreyer's English -- An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style". I have the hardbound book because I love to write in the margins and underline stuff. Plus it's a keeper for life for a writer.
It's quite well-known, I think, but nevertheless, invaluable. It's not a "how to write" rather a HOW TO EDIT and proofread. I love it. Learned a lot. You only need to keep a few rules in mind as you write, and you'll be amazed at the improvement.
I clearly remember drinking something and almost spitting it out, when I heard Estelle Reiner (Rob's mother) say, "I'll have what she's having." One of the best lines ever delivered.
Such a tragic loss, RIP Rob and Michelle.
Substack: I am increasingly disillusioned with Substack for multiple reasons and am currently looking into moving to Ghost for my publication. I will miss the many good writers on Substack but Substack tech bros have one value - greed. I can no longer ignore substack's refusal to ban new-Nazi hate speech, health and medical misinformation, and the quickly growing tolerance of AI use in many of the more popular publications.Their focus on becoming social media rather than a culture of creators and their algorithm push to paid subscribers are the final nails.
That line by Estelle Reiner was great, omg. It is such a tragic loss, indeed.
I really wish platforms like Ghost and even Ko-Fi had tools to let their members grow the way Substack does. It would put pressure on companies like Substack to clean up their content and get rid of what should be seen as hate speech not public discourse
I also am disillusioned. Going to check out Ghost before long. I’ve seen that platform mentioned a lot lately.