Big Changes Coming: Retirement Means Passing the Baton

As the old saying reminds, “Everything has a season…” My season as a commercial writer and author of books on the subject is coming to a close.

For the past year or so I’ve been pretty much retired. Yes, I’ve still published the E-PUB, and done a little coaching, but it’s been a while since I’ve taken on a client project.

I started this wild ride back in early 1994, and last year, I decided (after realizing, I could, in fact, retire), that 30 years was enough.

And what a 30 years. At the risk of cliché, I mean it sincerely when I say it’s been a blessing and a privilege to be able to do something for three decades that I enjoyed, was good at, and was well paid for.

And of course, with my books and spinoff directions, to be able to leverage that experience into something that’s made a demonstrable difference in the lives of so many, is a gift I’ll always cherish.

PASSING THE BATON TO…

For some years before deciding to step back, I pondered how to do it. Of course, I could just walk away, and leave this part of my life behind.

But I also thought that the Well-Fed Writer brand was a good one, and that it’d be cool to have someone take it over after I’ve exited.

So, I put out some feelers over the past few years, and after many discussions and back-and-forth, I’m delighted to report that I found that person.

I’ve known Jennifer Mattern for over 20 years. In that time, my respect for her, both personally and professionally, has grown exponentially.

In addition to being a seasoned, successful and highly capable copywriter, she’s also the founder of the critically acclaimed writing site, AllFreelanceWriting.com.

Moreover, Jenn’s a lovely human being—kind, helpful, honest, patient, straightforward, good natured, and fun to talk to. Plus, just like me, she’s committed to excellence in everything she does.

On top of all that, I’ve been blown away by her technical skills. She’s saved my bacon several times over the years when I found my computer/website/technical thingamajiggy acting up, and was helpless to figure it out.

We get constant laughs out of my more or less eternal techno-cluelessness, contrasted with her guru-of-things-techno chops.

Of course, she, in turn, developed a strong respect for my work over the years, and can see the potential to build on a solid foundation. Put it all together, and she’s the perfect person to pass the baton to.

NEW, MORE “FINDABLE” SITE

Over the past year—amidst a full workload, a geographic move full of challenges, and ongoing maintenance of the AFW site, she’s totally rebuilt the Well-Fed Writer site to her specs (AND to make it more “findable” in organic searches), and she’ll be taking over the day-to-day operation of the site.

We’ve already transitioned over to her new version of the site (in case it looks a little different than what you’d remembered…).

I’ve pretty much told her, “This is your baby now. Whatever you want to do with it, go for it!”

That will very likely mean updating TWFW in the years to come, and who knows what else?

THE E-PUB LIVES ONE…WITHOUT ME

And yes, as part of my stepping back, and with a little sadness, I will end my tenure as the editor/publisher of The Well-Fed E-PUB after 23 years (without missing a month!). Count on one more issue from me next month (March), and then I’ll step back.

Jenn has told me that she will definitely continue publishing the E-PUB, though the final format and relaunch date is to be determined, though she’s said her goal is to not miss any issues! AND…

I KNOW she’ll want to hear from you, so, please, please, please, support her with your submissions as much as you did for me.

Send submissions to epub@wellfedwriter.com, and please whitelist it, as it’ll be the “send-from” address she’ll use for the E-PUB moving forward.

A FEW OTHER NOTES…

We have merged the wellfedsp.com site into the newly built wellfedwriter.com site, and you’ll soon be able to find new self-publishing content from both of us in the archives, with the blog re-launching with new content on Monday, March 3rd.

Jenn’s said she’ll likely post to the blog once or twice and month, and will include frequent guest posts.

I will still be around in the background, and may very likely submit a piece or two to the new incarnation of the E-PUB from time to time.

But I will be focused more on enjoying retirement, and figuring out exactly what that ultimately looks like.

LOOKING BACK AND AHEAD

Thanks to all of you who’ve partnered with me in this three-decade journey, whether as a customer, an E-PUB (or book!) contributor, a “coachee,” or more likely, a combination. None of it would have been possible without you.

The commercial-writing world has gone through some pretty massive shifts in recent years. Given Jenn’s technical chops and her long-proven talent for having her finger on the pulse of the industry, I know in my bones that she will serve both you and the WFW brand well in the years to come, and will indeed, as I always say, help make all your writing “well-fed.”

Be well.

PB