Friends, I just resigned my column at The American Conservative.
Let me be clear: this is no reflection on TAC. None whatsoever. I think the world of that magazine and everyone who works for it. They’re the finest folks in the industry, and I will happy to continue writing for them as a freelancer.
The truth is, I missed The Common Man. I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me, writing this newsletter. It really does feel like I’m banging out an email to a few thousand of my closest friends. And I think—I hope—that joy comes through in my writing.
Ever since I started The Common Man, I’ve found it difficult to write for other publications. There isn’t the same freedom, the spontaneity, the joy. I don’t know and love their readers the way I know and love all of you. It’s just not as much fun.
But there’s more to it than that.
The principles we stand for at The Common Man—radical Christocentrism, everyday mysticism, the primacy of the spiritual, the romance of orthodoxy—are not very popular in the mainstream press. Even many conservative publications shy away from content that’s too explicitly religious, too “Jesusy.”
If I want to sail under these colors, I need my own boat.
So, yes: I’m glad to be focusing on The Common Man again. There’s just one trouble. Resigning from TAC has taken a big bite out of my income.
I don’t really mind that. Honestly, I don’t. My wife and I had many long conversations before I resigned, and we’ll be fine.
Let me say, too, that I am 100% committed to keeping The Common Man free for everyone to read. But I believe that some of you good folks would pay to subscribe if I asked you to. And I don’t think it would be fair to my family if I didn’t give you the opportunity to chip in.
So, as of today, I am giving readers the option of paying $5 a month for a premium subscription.
Let me be clear: paid subscriptions are purely voluntary. If you can’t afford the five bucks—or even if you just don’t feel like it’s worth the money—you won’t be penalized. None of my writing will go behind a paywall. But if you believe in the work we’re doing here and want to help out, you may do so. And you’ll have my deepest gratitude.
As an added incentive, the first and the hundredth paid subscribers will get free signed copies of my book The Reactionary Mind.
Starting next week, I will go back to publishing this newsletter every Friday. For me, it will be a pleasure. I hope it will for you, too.
If nothing else, please pray for me—and be assured of my prayers for all of you.
Peace and the Good!