John-Paul Flintoff
For a long time, I sent new subscribers an automated welcome email that was all about me. But that bored me rigid. ❡ So, for a change I’m going to make it all about you. ❡ That is: about some of the people who have subscribed in the past (maybe still do). ❡ They include: Authors of non-fiction, fiction, travel books, poetry and books for children. Journalists. People who may not have been published yet but just love writing (and reading). Performers (stage and TV). A film director. A Mercury Prize-nominated musician. Artists (paint, sculpture, typography, photography). People who just love art. Publishers (including a Booker Prize-winning publisher). Speechwriters (UK, Europe and elsewhere). Some of my north London neighbours. Nosy friends of my daughter(!). Academics. Coaches (mostly working with execs). Corporate trainers. Lawyers. Accountants. Feminists. Speechwriters. ❡ I’m sure I have forgotten some others, will kick myself when I remember. ❡ (Therapists!) ❡ But that’s enough to be going on with. ❡ I hope some of the types I’ve listed might seem familiar to you. ❡ What are they interested in? ❡ I wish I could tell you, exactly. ❡ I sometimes imagine that these are people who already do some of the things I do and are curious about other things I do. ❡ For instance: artists might be interested in writing (I do both). Writers may be interested in public speaking (one of my books was about that). People with “proper” jobs may be interested to know what it’s like to be (as I am) self-employed. ❡ Really, I’m guessing. I don’t know. ❡ If you haven’t unsubscribed already - and I see you are still here! hurrah! - please sign up, and send a reply to my welcome email. ❡ That way, your email system will recognise my address as basically OK (not spam). ❡ Help me to understand why you subscribed. ❡ But if you can’t be bothered, or can’t really explain, just say “Hello”. ❡ Even that will do the job.