Substack – the next step.
I am now preparing for stage two; launching the paid subscription section of this Substack project.
A massive thanks to all of you who have subscribed to date. I have now rocketed past my initial target number of 150 subscriptions.
Just to be clear; the free weekly posts will continue, this is an EXTRA, no pressure. If you have enjoyed the content so far and feel you would like to read articles which go into greater depth, then sign up for the up-and-coming additional content. The cost would pretty much suit most people’s pocket – just think of it as buying me a coffee once a month.
Why am I doing this?
I have mentioned before that in the past I have published longer articles, which took lots of time and research to produce; don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the process but I was finding that I was getting ripped off all over the Internet, without a mention or a credit. I think I sulked for a very long time, always with a mind to take greater control of my content, and then I found Substack.
Substack is growing as a platform and attracting some big names in writing and journalism. And it encourages networks!
What to expect.
My plan remains flexible but I am looking to post at least once a month (perhaps twice).
A glimpse at articles already lined up.
· ‘Let’s Dance’. An appreciation of the talents of the late Takamizawa Sensei.
· ‘Clockwork Soldiers’. A technical article rethinking the concept and practise of training combinations.
· ‘Developments in Wado – personal perspective’. This will be a serialised autobiography, some of which I have already given sneak previews of on Wordpress. It will include many anecdotes and stories, layered in with my take on how Wado evolved in the UK over the last fifty years (hoping not to ruffle feathers, but I can only tell it like I have seen it).
· ‘Otsuka and Motobu’. Research and speculation on the very earliest influences on Wado.
· ‘Meditation and the martial arts’. A serialised examination of the whole issue of meditation, religions and spiritual practices as seen within martial arts training.
Obviously, this is a developing and evolving project. Your engagement is vital for its success. I welcome feedback and suggestions for future posts. Please use the ‘comments’ section at the bottom of each post; it is great to get a discussion going.
Thank you all.