Happy Anniversary to You

Let's celebrate with a flash sale and new perks

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Fourteen months ago, I launched this newsletter by emailing an essay about birth trauma to 18 people. Two months later, Substack featured Overdue on its homepage. Suddenly, more than 400 people signed up to read it.

I’m happy to report that I now have 380 subscribers. Together, you form a community of loyal, engaged readers. I’m not going to pretend this enterprise is profitable (I think I lose money every time I write a post), but it has given me unexpected gifts. I’ve connected with some incredible journalists, such as

Rebecca Gale

and

Katherine Goldstein

, who’ve been writing about child care and maternal health for years. Rebecca helped me secure a grant from the Better Life Lab so I could join her in that work.

Meanwhile, I’ve grown more confident writing about deeply personal topics—something I studiously avoided in my 22 years as a journalist. I’ve discovered that people REALLY care about topics like birth trauma and maternity care, and they want to learn more.

With that in mind, I’m working on a book proposal. And my amazing book coach, Danielle Jernigan, thinks it could actually sell. I’m also working on a podcast collaboration with my dear friend,

Alissa Wible

, a therapist who specializes in helping people heal from trauma. Stayed tuned for that.

Now, let’s build on that community. This year, paid subscribers will have the chance to:

• Share your birth story. If you’d like to write about your experience giving birth, or do a phone interview so I can share your story, let me know. We’ll figure out an approach that works for you.

• Participate in monthly chats. I’ll throw out a topic—about books we’re reading, adaptogenic seltzers we’re drinking, or Netflix specials that are helping us survive the winter—and we can discuss. Venting about toddler tantrums welcome.

• Read archived essays. I’m going to put some of my more personal essays behind a paywall, since they are relevant to my book. Paid subscribers can always read them.

• Support my book. By paying for a subscription, you’re showing publishers there’s a real, marketable interest in a book about birth trauma and maternal health care. And you can be part of it, by sharing your stories with me.

To thank you for your support, I’m offering an incredible deal. From now until this Friday, Nov. 29, you can get 20% off an annual subscription. Click here to redeem the offer!

I hope this newsletter has made you laugh, cry, feel more seen and less alone. I hope we keep showing up for each other, because as mothers, we need all the help we can get.

Thank you, as always, for reading.

With gratitude,

Lisa