No. 037 • 06/28/2026

Dear readers,

I'm switching things up!

First, I'm moving my newsletter writing back to FREE. You can catch all my weekly / every couple of weeks hot takes here. Same intel as you've been getting, only more. And, for more less-money.

I'm doing this for two reasons:

1. To quote the great Dave Pell (of Next Draft fame, not the other one), I write for reads. I want as many people as possible within my audience to read what I have to say. And, while I've loved writing for a subset of my subset of readers, I find myself wanting to give this group something more (see below).
2. Putting writing behind a paywall means you gotta consistently deliver on the meat and potatoes of the paywall. I think I deliver the potatoes (if not always the meat). And, I think I do so pretty consistently, but "pretty consistently" when money is involved doesn't feel honest.

So, what does this mean for you?

If you're currently subscribed to this paid email, you're moving to my free account (if you aren't there already). I'm guessing you won't mind, since you're currently paying. But, if you don't want that to happen, you can easily unsubscribe. I'll be sending out an email to that list shortly. The link to unsubscribe will be, as always, at the bottom of the email.

The next question: Should you cancel your paid subscription to this account?

Answer: Not if you want my new and improved offer!

A monthly, 1-hour, AMA on writing, writing for readers, writing for clarity, note-taking, self-publishing, and research.

I've always wanted to offer my readers something that's considerably hard to get from working artists: time and attention. That's what I want to give you—my time and attention. This way, I can speak to the nitty gritty of what's actually coming up for you in the writing process. No more making assumptions on my part. If you have questions, I'll provide the best answers I can. If you have experiences, I'll contextualize them in my own experience and in the experiences of the many writers I've known. I'll also try and bring in guest writers from time-to-time. I want this to be fun, dynamic, and directly applicable to your creative life.

So, if you're interested in this more focused, more actionable, more applicable offering, don't do anything. You're already signed up to what's now called, COMPOSITION+ (see the new header above). If you want nothing to do with this, click the "manage your subscription" link at the bottom of this email. If you previously unsubscribed, and want the new offer, scroll to the PS at the bottom.

What's next?

I'll be sending out details on the first COMPOSITION+ session in a few days (I'm traveling overseas starting tonight). This email will contain pertinent information related to the technicalities of the sessions (how to send in questions, will they be recorded, etc.), as well as when the first session will be.

Hmu if you have any thoughts or inquiries.

Very excited for this.

Bob

PS: If you're not a paid subscriber, and you're getting this email, you won't be moved to my free account. And, if you want my new offer (see above), you'll need to resubscribe to the paid account.

Get my book

Pick up my latest book, A System for Writing, [here].

What people say about my newsletter(s):

"It's one of my favorite things to see in my Inbox." —JS

"I love everything you speak on!" —MA

"I'm fine with it." —MG

Got a video, article, or post tip? Send me what you're thinking!

BOB DOTO.COMPUTER