Friends,
You’ll be getting this week’s newsletter in a few moments, but I wanted to take a minute to share big news first!
The response to Meze over the past few weeks has been overwhelming. It seems there are a lot of you out there who enjoy an insider’s look into life in Istanbul and the food cultures of the region I call home. What a blessing that I love writing them, too.
As of today, I'm making paid subscriptions available.
Why am I doing that? Because that’s what will enable me to dedicate the time to research, write and send new articles and unique recipes on a regular basis. As a freelance writer, I'm currently taking time away from other (bill-paying) projects to write these newsletters. As much as I love writing them, I can't operate in this way forever.
If you enjoy the newsletter and are able to, I hope you'll consider a paid subscription. At $6/month or $50/year, it's only the cost of about a cup of coffee a month.
So what will change, you may ask?
The short answer is not very much – at least for now. I want to keep as much as I can open for all to enjoy. The main thing you'll be paying for, is to enable the newsletters to keep coming. Free and paid ones.
The Wednesday newsletter, with a short essay and a few recipe links, will remain free. Everyone will receive it.
The Friday recipe newsletter will remain free for the next couple of editions. After that, it'll be primarily for paying subscribers, with occasional free ones.
A note in full transparency: These are new waters for you and me both. I want to keep an open mind as to how this evolves. The format, perks and balance of free/paid may change over time, based on your feedback and my experience. I also plan on taking occasional breaks for holidays and to recharge. Expect 45–48 weeks of newsletters per year rather than 52.
I of course fully understand that not everyone can or want to get a paid subscription. That’s totally fine! You’re still as valued as a subscriber and more than welcome to continue receiving the free newsletters (which I’m hoping will be most of them) for as long as you like.
But I hope enough of you will find a paid subscription worthwhile, so that I can keep the Meze newsletters coming your way on a weekly basis.
Thank you so, so much for your support.
Vidar