Since I read my first byline in the Carey Junior High School Tumbleweed newspaper, I’ve been more interested in the notes in the margins than the polished text in the middle.

The crossed-out sentences. The arrows pointing nowhere. The questions scribbled in pencil that say, “Wait, what about this? That’s where the thinking happens. That’s where the truth sneaks in.

That’s why I’m launching Marginalia on Substack.

The Marginalia is a home for the in-between thoughts, the ideas that don’t arrive fully formed, the stories that reveal themselves while you’re working them out, and the observations you make when you’re paying attention instead of chasing certainty. It’s less about having the final answer and more about asking better questions.

If you’ve been a subscriber to my newsletter, this is a natural extension of what I’ve already been sharing with you, just more focused, more regular, and more conversational. On Substack, Marginalia will be a place where I publish ongoing stories and essays about writing, publishing, creativity, and the strange business of trying to make something worthwhile in a very noisy world.

Some posts will pull back the curtain on publishing. We’ll post about what works, what doesn’t, and what nobody tells you until you’ve already learned it the hard way. Some will be about the daily practice of writing, like self-doubt, momentum, rejection, revision, and the victories that don’t show up on social media.

Others will be thoughtful pieces reflecting on current events, on how we make sense of what’s happening, and on how we stay human while everything competes for our attention.

The Marginalia is a place to think out loud with intention, and slow down just enough to notice what matters. I’ll leave room for complexity, humor, and the occasional wrong turn.

Substack values the direct relationship between writer and reader. No algorithms shouting over one another. No chasing clicks. Just words showing up in your inbox when they’re ready. It feels closer to how writing is supposed to work with one person speaking, another listening, and a conversation unfolding over time.

If you subscribe to Marginalia on Substack, you’ll get:

• Regular essays and stories about writing and publishing

• Honest reflections on creative life and creative doubt

• Thoughtful responses to current events—measured, human, and grounded

• A space that welcomes imperfect drafts and unfinished ideas

• Become a paid subscriber, and you’ll get discounts and free stuff

The Marginalia is for readers who like thinking alongside the writer, not just consuming the finished product.

If that sounds like your kind of place, I’d love to have you there. You can subscribe to Substack and join me as this publication takes shape, one note in the margin at a time.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for sticking around. And thanks, as always, for caring about the words between the lines.