A clarification around subscriptions
I believe I owe you some clarification on our subscription options as we have had a few readers email us with some confusion. Plain Values first sent files to a printer more than 12 years ago. We began on a monthly cadence with print being the only option. As more families learned of our approach to the stories we chose and the why behind it all and subscribed, we saw the need to begin dabbling in the digital arena. At times, I don’t know we have ever left the dabbling pool, but a few years ago, after first hearing of and learning about Substack, we chose to setup shop here as our digital content provider.
I love magazines. In fact, I love all things print. But if you asked me to drill down on that, I would admit the quarterly print magazine is my favorite. The heft, the variety... everything! I love it so much. That is why we have moved to that exact model for Plain Values. Instead of pushing deadlines to write, edit, sell ads, proof, design, and make it to the press on time every month with only 64 pages, we have chosen to build margin into our new quarterly publication and bring you 100 additional pages. It gives our team the time and head space to focus, to go deeper and farther into the stories, and the depth with which we can share them. Its a win-win for everyone.
So, here is the rub. Right now, our quarterly print subscription is $29 for the year. Because of Substack’s rules, our digital subscription runs at $30 annually. I don’t know about you, but that makes no sense at all. Which is why, in the future, our print subscription will go up… a good bit. As you may have noticed, these last few years have brought major cost increases to nearly everything; and to print and mail a hefty magazine to your door costs nearly the amount we ask for… today.
Now, I will admit, as to the digital side, we have some pretty cool things coming. To begin with, we just finished building our podcast studio and while it's not a professional-grade thing, it's pretty all right. We are already interviewing guests for the magazine here in our studio, and it is not a heavy lift to bring you the rest of the story in podcast form here on Substack. So, if thats your cup of Earl Grey, you might love the digital side of Plain Values. Otherwise—if you're not already a print subscriber—you can subscribe and get our work in your mailbox every three months.
As always, may you find joy in the simple things of life,
Marlin