Today is the first birthday of the column I began when I turned 65 – one year ago.
I thought that since I wrote opinion at four newspapers beginning at the age of 26, I would not have a single qualm about starting a weekly column on my own. But I was wrong. True, I had done a lot of writing and editing for other people for the last 10 years, but I had let my own writing lapse. So, despite all my decades of experience, I had to take a deep, shaky breath and overcome my own insecurities before launching my column on substack, a website for writers to make a living off their work.
I named it Casey’s Catch because I enjoyed the idea of casting a net for topics. Also, every single name I thought of had been grabbed by other writers on the substack platform. (Jackals!)
So Casey’s Catch began a year ago with a readership of four – my brother Tim, sister Claudia, and my two kids, Anna and Tim. Five, if you count me. Six, if you count my relentless editor, former Connecticut AP bureau chief, Elaine Hooker. (Bless her! Yes, every writer needs an editor, and she was the first person I turned to for help mopping up my mistakes.)
But my buddies and others quickly added to that.
My brilliant friend Courtney Martin was nice enough to recommend my writing to subscribers on her substack. When fellow opinion writer, author and BFF Connie Schultz launched her own substack column, we recommended each other’s work. It helped a lot.
So here we are. You, kind friends, and curious onlookers have added your own subscriptions until last week, I topped 600. This graphic shows where we are at as of this morning.
I am forever grateful for your kindness, your willingness to read and comment every week, and give me a shot at making a living doing what I love best -- messing with words.
Best 66th birthday ever.
600...damn! I'm lucky if I can get Joanie to read my stuff. Congratulations Maura. You possess a true gift.
We celebrate you, your ideas and your words!