What next for BRG?

Time to take the plunge (ahead of schedule) and see if this thing can walk the walk.

The first month (and a bit) is over, and the data tells a story of things going very well at BRG, and that is down to the engagement and encouragement of the readership. Personal feedback has been frequent, surprising, far-reaching, and when I started it I was entering into something that I imagined had potential to grow over time, and I would add to it when I had something to say and the time and space to say it. Due to a confluence of circumstances over the first month, there has been plenty to say, and I’ve had the time to say it.

All this means that I have decided to bring some ideas forward and click some things into gear. After today’s newsletter, some paid-subscriber-only-material will be going out. Newsletters that used to go to all subscribers, will now only be fully readable if you pay for them. And if enough of you upgrade, then that will mean BRG can continue with its regularity.

So, what does that mean?

As long as BRG is attempting a daily newsletter, then free subscribers will be able to read a couple of them a week in their entirety. The rest will be paywalled. There will be regular bonus newsletters for both free and paid subscribers, depending on whether I think something should be more widely shared etc.

Also, BRG will in future be a place where I can write about writing a bit more (which was part of the original intention), and there will be spaces to discuss ideas and create workshop spaces. I will be writing about different ideas, techniques, and discussing other writers’ wisdom on the craft of writing.

There will also be a new audio strand - which will be for all - but the articles and forums that sprout from the audio strand will be for paid subscribers only. (More news of this soon).

There will also be news and special offers - including (hopefully) a cash discount on my new book for my paid subscribers (more news of this very soon, too, as we hurtle toward the publication date).

The important thing to remember is that free subscribers remain the driving force and lifeblood of all successful Substacks, and there will still be plenty of writing for everyone. But those who have the means and inclination to upgrade to paid will be heartily embraced by BRG and hopefully you’ll be able to see BRG go from strength to strength.

Gary Raymond is a novelist, author, playwright, critic, and broadcaster. In 2012, he co-founded Wales Arts Review, was its editor for ten years. His latest book, Abandon All Hope: A Personal Journey Through the History of Welsh Literature is available for pre-order and is out in May 2024 with Calon Books.