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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Love this. I too will be working on my about page! Good timing! 💜

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Andrew Smith's avatar

This is great, Joyce. I like calling attention to other authors who are doing things right.

Also, just updated my "about" page and still wrestling with it, so: very timely for me!

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Thanks, Andrew ... I see a long line of About Page changes scrolling off into my future... especially now that we have an almost magical example to follow.

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Andrew Smith's avatar

Feel free to use me as an "accountability buddy" if that's helpful. I know this is so much better than it was a couple of days ago, but I can't help but hate it knowing how much it can be improved: https://goatfury.substack.com/about

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Andrew, love the photo, but would crop it ... just tried to send you a copy. If you don't receive it, email me at jwycoff@gratitudemojo.com. I like what you're saying but would like to see you say it a little "slant" and less I-talk. Your reader needs all those things you. talk about ... seduce them a bit. IMHO, of course. ;-)

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Russell Nohelty's avatar

I love Cosmographia so much. It’s one of my favorites. I’m trying to decide if I’m going to upgrade before it raises at the end of the month. @M. E. Rothwell presents a very compelling case.

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Worth every cent, regular or discounted. I'm saving a fortune on traveling ... especially to places I don't have the nerve to go to on my own. ;-)

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M. E. Rothwell's avatar

Wow, Joyce - thanks so much for writing these very kind words! I’ve never been described as a wizard before and shall treasure that label for the rest of my days! 😂

I must have been through about 100 variations of my About Page, trying to distil what exactly it is that I want to write about, because as you noticed, the topics could be considered quite diffuse. Same with the design and aesthetic, and even the name Cosmographia is on its second iteration.

Very happy with how it looks now, and it seems to be communicating what I think it is communicating as everything you wrote here is exactly what I want readers to think when they come to my publication for the first time.

I certainly no expert, but it seems trial and error is the way!

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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Glad you like the designation and appreciate the behind-the-scenes look at your development of this work. I believe it takes a mindset of experimentation to achieve a vision, not only here on Substack, but also in life. And, having examples such as yours, reminds all of us what can be done within the confines of this two-dimensional, constrained format. Looking forward to more travels to the faraway with you.

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