In theory, I'd say that a Substack newsletter doesn't need to intentionally mimic the regular schedules of print publishing which, as you say, are grounded in the practical requirements of printers, wholesalers, retailers, advertisers, etc (the whole kit and caboodle of print publishing).
The focus should only be on finding some kind of acceptable balance between your own creative resources and ongoing audience expectations. I accept that the latter will certainly be influenced by the deeply embedded schedules and rhythms of traditional print publishing, but probably less so as older readers inevitably fall away from the market. Audiences will likely become more open to the "unexpected" appearance of a newsletter than we think. (I long ago learned patience when anticipating the arrival of a new Kate Bush album—basically, "it'll appear when it's ready".)
Tina Brown is wrong. And she's not wrong. But as a person with a podcast about magazines (The Full Bleed) I hope she's not wrong in the way I'm thinking but also wrong in the way she's thinking. Mostly.
In theory, I'd say that a Substack newsletter doesn't need to intentionally mimic the regular schedules of print publishing which, as you say, are grounded in the practical requirements of printers, wholesalers, retailers, advertisers, etc (the whole kit and caboodle of print publishing).
The focus should only be on finding some kind of acceptable balance between your own creative resources and ongoing audience expectations. I accept that the latter will certainly be influenced by the deeply embedded schedules and rhythms of traditional print publishing, but probably less so as older readers inevitably fall away from the market. Audiences will likely become more open to the "unexpected" appearance of a newsletter than we think. (I long ago learned patience when anticipating the arrival of a new Kate Bush album—basically, "it'll appear when it's ready".)
But you know all this. 😉
I love the idea of 'the unexpected appearance of a newsletter'. I'll do my bit to make it a thing 😊
Tina Brown is wrong. And she's not wrong. But as a person with a podcast about magazines (The Full Bleed) I hope she's not wrong in the way I'm thinking but also wrong in the way she's thinking. Mostly.
I almost absolutely agree :-)