That's 57 more times than I have! Despite having obsessed over A Wizard Of Earthsea so much, it's only recently that I've reached the final books in the series (thanks to this gorgeous omnibus: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Earthsea-Complete-Illustrated/dp/1473223547/ref=asc_df_1473223547/). I am about to read the final book, The Other Wind, for the very first time. And then my first-time Earthsea journey will be complete. I'm already grieving, even as I look forward to it.
The Other Wind is a fantastic book. Maybe even my favorite in the series (it's hard to say, i have a strong childhood attachment to 'A Wizard of Earthsea'). And now I have to urgently buy this whole set.
My parents were from Yorkshire. A mate of mine from there told me that when he was little his parents were too poor (or too cheap, more like) to buy him clothes. But for his fourth birthday they bought him a cap so he could look out the window.
What more could a Yorkshire lad need? Eeeeee. Ah, but 'e were lucky. A window? LUXURY. All we 'ad were a drawing of a window on the wall in chalk. AND we were 'appy.
(Jane: Sharon's been my tireless encourager-from-afar for over a decade now, all the way through the time when I stopped writing, and I will always be grateful for this.)
Some people think that I'm a petty and spiteful man with a near-transparently-thin skin, a childishly knee-jerk competitive nature, and a pathetic, gleeful willingness to be as crass and base as possible in order to mean-spiritedly score a meaningless point or two against his peers, in the hope that makes him look good, which it never, ever does.
These people are of course wrong, and I enjoy rising above all of it. But I *will* say that my interview currently has 8 Likes more than your interview, when Jane interviewed you in January. And if I go remove my Like, that would be NINE Likes more. I'm sure that some people would argue that this logically reflects the growth of Jane's audience and how well she's doing - but I'm taking it as a sign that everyone likes me more than you, Alex. Everyone.
A real pleasure of a read, thank you. ‘give away some of your best advice entirely for free, no strings attached, to someone who might need it. Just go help, properly’ is very very fine advice
Cheers, Mark! Thanks for reading, and for the kind words.
Yeah, I know that the "DON'T EVER WORK FOR FREE" thing is hugely popular, especially amongst cash-strapped freelancers who have been burned by unscrupulous PR - but I hate that the fallout of that kind of abuse is that generosity and altruism get looked down upon as a sign of Not Being Good At Business. To me, the opposite seems very much true! Carefully, of course - we don't allow ourselves to be taken to the cleaners - but it works. Adam Grant's "Give and Take" is such a good overview of how smart this can be: https://adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/
The entire exchange between you and Mike Sowden was so wonderful as are each and every one of your 11 question interviews, I just love them so much! You have such a way of drawing out the the light in someone...it's so beautiful.❤️✨
(For the record, I met Michael in London a while back, and we got on famously. Also, I am sure he could easily beat me up, and I'm far too much of a coward to forget this.)
What an excellent interview. There were so many unexpected turns it was delightful, from the parrot to getting fired to embracing the unknown. Thank you so much Mike and Jane.
Thank you for being kind enough to want to do that, Vicki! Although, always be careful when those people are Brits. There's a reason we British people make the best villains in movies...
We love Mike!!!
So much!!!
*lower lip wobbles alarmingly*
HELP HELP I THINK I'M HAVING AN EMOTION, I'M BRITISH, I'M NOT BUILT FOR THIS.
Thank you, Bailey. :) Back atcha.
Mike is one of the greats in the Substack community — generous, encouraging, hard-working. Loved reading this.
I agree! And I'm so glad!!
😭❤️
Great interview. Thanks for sharing your wisdom Mike.
So glad you enjoyed it, Sally!
Thank you, Sally!
It’s hilarious as he likes everything I don’t! People are worried about the algorithm right?! 🤣😂🤣
So many different tastes, yes! I'm not sure what you mean about how Mike's answers impact the algorithm, but I'm also not great with technology!
Just my ramblings!
Hooray for everyone having something different that they care about! Life would be very boring otherwise. 😁
"A Wizard Of Earthsea" has been my favorite book too since I was 13 years old! I must have read the whole Earthsea cycle at least 57 times.
Great interview.
Thank you, Tanya! I somehow have not read that book and after reading Mike's words about it I think I now must!
Yes! I'm a little bit jealous of people who are yet to read it for the first time :)
That's 57 more times than I have! Despite having obsessed over A Wizard Of Earthsea so much, it's only recently that I've reached the final books in the series (thanks to this gorgeous omnibus: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Earthsea-Complete-Illustrated/dp/1473223547/ref=asc_df_1473223547/). I am about to read the final book, The Other Wind, for the very first time. And then my first-time Earthsea journey will be complete. I'm already grieving, even as I look forward to it.
The Other Wind is a fantastic book. Maybe even my favorite in the series (it's hard to say, i have a strong childhood attachment to 'A Wizard of Earthsea'). And now I have to urgently buy this whole set.
My parents were from Yorkshire. A mate of mine from there told me that when he was little his parents were too poor (or too cheap, more like) to buy him clothes. But for his fourth birthday they bought him a cap so he could look out the window.
Oh my gosh! I don't know if I should laugh or cry at this story! But I can definitely picture this little kid with his cap on staring out the window!
Apocryphal, I'm sure, but those Yorkshiremen love their flat caps!
😹
I’m sure they were pulling your leg!
AYE LAD.
What more could a Yorkshire lad need? Eeeeee. Ah, but 'e were lucky. A window? LUXURY. All we 'ad were a drawing of a window on the wall in chalk. AND we were 'appy.
You were lucky. We dreamt of picture of a window on 't wall. Our picture were boarded up!
just lovely-thanks for sharing..
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Karen!
You never disappoint.
So true! Glad you enjoyed it!
And you are never not kind. Thank you, Sharon.
(Jane: Sharon's been my tireless encourager-from-afar for over a decade now, all the way through the time when I stopped writing, and I will always be grateful for this.)
Ugh this was really good. Fuckin sucks
Haha. Glad you enjoyed it!
Some people think that I'm a petty and spiteful man with a near-transparently-thin skin, a childishly knee-jerk competitive nature, and a pathetic, gleeful willingness to be as crass and base as possible in order to mean-spiritedly score a meaningless point or two against his peers, in the hope that makes him look good, which it never, ever does.
These people are of course wrong, and I enjoy rising above all of it. But I *will* say that my interview currently has 8 Likes more than your interview, when Jane interviewed you in January. And if I go remove my Like, that would be NINE Likes more. I'm sure that some people would argue that this logically reflects the growth of Jane's audience and how well she's doing - but I'm taking it as a sign that everyone likes me more than you, Alex. Everyone.
Everyone.
*Everyone.*
😺
A real pleasure of a read, thank you. ‘give away some of your best advice entirely for free, no strings attached, to someone who might need it. Just go help, properly’ is very very fine advice
So glad you enjoyed it, Mark! Yes, very good advice, indeed!
Cheers, Mark! Thanks for reading, and for the kind words.
Yeah, I know that the "DON'T EVER WORK FOR FREE" thing is hugely popular, especially amongst cash-strapped freelancers who have been burned by unscrupulous PR - but I hate that the fallout of that kind of abuse is that generosity and altruism get looked down upon as a sign of Not Being Good At Business. To me, the opposite seems very much true! Carefully, of course - we don't allow ourselves to be taken to the cleaners - but it works. Adam Grant's "Give and Take" is such a good overview of how smart this can be: https://adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/
I agree! And thank you - off for a read of Adam's link
Another terrific interview. TY, Jane.
Thank you, Jennifer! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
"Joyful possibility residing in uncertainty" ✨❤️
Love this quote! ❤️
The entire exchange between you and Mike Sowden was so wonderful as are each and every one of your 11 question interviews, I just love them so much! You have such a way of drawing out the the light in someone...it's so beautiful.❤️✨
Oh gosh, Niki, thank you. That means so much! ❤️
HARD AGREE. Jane is so good at this. (And thank you for reading, Niki!)
Ah, thank YOU...I learned so much!🙏
Lovely interview with a lovely man.
Thank you! And Mike is such a lovely man!
Unless you cross him! THEN LOOK OUT!!! 😜😜😜
NOBODY UNSUBSCRIBES FROM MIKE'S SUBSTACK
CAPICHE?
Man, am I glad I just reupped. I might not have if there was still an ocean between us. But Scotland's too darn close to risk it...
NICE APARTMENT YOU HAVE IN SPAIN THERE.
NICE STAIRS.
BE TERRIBLE IF SOMEONE
...TRIPPED
IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, MICHAEL.
(For the record, I met Michael in London a while back, and we got on famously. Also, I am sure he could easily beat me up, and I'm far too much of a coward to forget this.)
I SAID I PAID!!! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM ME!!! SOMEONE CALL ANNE KADET AND TELL HER MIKE IS THREATENING ME!!! HELP! SOMEONE? ANYONE?!?!
TAKES ONE TO...MISTAKE ONE.
Thank you, Michael. :)
I love this!
I'm so glad!
HAI FLORENCE. Thank you. :) And hope all's well with you!
What an excellent interview. There were so many unexpected turns it was delightful, from the parrot to getting fired to embracing the unknown. Thank you so much Mike and Jane.
Haha. That's so true! Quite a beautiful journey! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, Donna! All true, I promise, especially the least convincing-sounding bits.
Love getting to know the people behind the newsletters I regularly read 😀
I know, it's fun! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for being kind enough to want to do that, Vicki! Although, always be careful when those people are Brits. There's a reason we British people make the best villains in movies...
I know. I'm British myself! There’s a reason I defected to the other side of the world 😂