Letter From The Editor

Letter From The Editor

Hello Readers,

This is my first personal message. I hope you will take a moment to read it.

You may have noticed we have sent out a few emails lately about supporting us on Patreon. We have also added Patreon links to many of our webpages. First, I want you to know that this was not a choice we took lightly, particularly during quarantine. And, rest assured, nothing is changing.

However, I want to talk about the reason for our recent Patreon push. In short, it’s about time, money, and burning the candle at both ends…

While you simply see the short stories, a great deal happens in the background, from selecting the stories, to publishing them. We typically read 20+ stories to find just one to publish.  And we pay the writer. And we pay for the artwork. And the website. And, and, and…

I did a quick estimate. Two weeks of short stories and podcasts represent about 40-45 hrs of unpaid work and about $250-$300 in hard-costs. In spite of this, we give away most of our short stories because we believe in our mission to spread thoughtful conversations. But, without your help and support, this is not a long-term model.

The point is, we don't ask for your support lightly.  Literally, every penny from Patreon goes right back into the publication. In 2020 alone, we have given away 10,000 short story downloads and are growing at a rate of 35% per month! We are hoping, and asking, that a few of our fans who download stories will help us lighten our burden by providing a small amount ($5?) of monthly financial support. The cost of a cup of coffee…

In short, I humbly ask you to join us and others as partners in spreading thoughtful conversation by supporting us on Patreon. Thank you!

~ Kolby @ After Dinner Conversation