These online interactions will likely be lost to the internet 'hole' soon, I would think, and having some record of them may prove to be quite valuable over the next years. A replacement for all the missed real life conversations that can no longer be easily had, out in the world. On a darker note, I may be burned at the stake for my comments, but at least I will be in good company!
Dec 17, 2023·edited Dec 17, 2023Liked by Lawrence Butts
I love the idea of a book with the comments from readers. Your Substack is so valuable. Future readers will NEVER believe the INSANITY the world over has and continues to live through. Thank you for shedding so much light on the TRUTH!
“Substack” in the title may not be the best idea for trademark reasons. It is not an important word in itself, but I would first contact the Substack staff about it, anyway.
From my work in the publishing business: we always spent a lot of time on the title. Is it accurate? Is it a reflection of the contents? Is it carrying a message? Is this message what the author or the readers will want to see at the first sight? Is it short enough? And the most important: is it interesting enough to make the prospective reader reach for this title?
“My Substack chronicles of the covid years” sounds very promising and immediately provokes questions. I am deliberately trying to find weaknesses, which is not a critique in any way, but an attempt to “sink” the book. If we can do it before you release it, the chances for the book won’t be high, probably.
First is “my” - the reader may ask “And who are you to write about it?” And if they find out that “you” is “one of us”, it won’t help, because (theoretically) why would anyone be interested in reading impressions of “one of us”. Replace it with “The first Alien’s on the Earth chronicles…” and you see the difference.
“Substack” narrows down the scope and limits the possible evolution of the contents. Does Substack pay for the advertising?
“Chronicles” sounds like Narnia. Serious, sophisticated, biiiig. Like 600 pages? You will compete with Harry Potter, and it’s a tough spot for chronicles.
Advertising and promoting “covid” in the title is intriguing and sounds like a promise that you will write something very informative about covid, competing with RFK Jr.’s book. Readers may also expect some militant and controversial stuff, considering the changes in the society.
“Covid years” sounds like an opening of a saga. Again, a long-term commitment, 20, 50 years? This is only 4 years now, which is already within the forgetting frame of the human mind. Will you write in detail, year by year, month by month? Will you give a “historical” overview?
These are all reactions you may expect from a person who finds your title somewhere online. If it were me, I probably wouldn’t even click on it.
The cover is the part that sells the book, meaning: it will make the reader to decide in a split second “yes” or “no”. And you won’t have a second chance. This cover is not attractive in any way, it doesn’t look a stock type, it doesn’t stand out when you put it among other covers (try it, a nice experience), and it doesn’t have any hierarchy of importance of cover elements. Plus, the author’s name is almost as large as the title, which is justified only when the name sells the book, no matter what is inside. If you are not in the pope, dictator, actor or president category, no reason for large size. Emphasizing the author on the cover or inside is a typical beginner’s mistake.
Again, no criticisms, this is what we would normally talk with the editors/owners of the publisher about candidate titles. It may look like merciless, but it saves low energy after you put a lot of work into - very often - valuable and good material.
The following is a re-post of a comment I made on another substack. Maybe it sort of fits in here. Feel free to include it in your book if you like. Cheers.
Okay, this gets personal, but here we go. The initial Great Coof Mass Hysteria of March 2020 started a chain reaction (which is still ongoing by the way) that, among other things, resulted in me living in a tent for several weeks. Luckily that was in the was in the summer of 2021 when the weather was sufficient and the planet had not yet reached peak insanity. I actually considered to write a book about my whole story, but I won't because I realized that people are not interested in reading or hearing or talking about it. I just say this: Although I suffered several nervous breakdowns and this whole psyop at some points pushed me beyond desperation, it was, in a weird way, one of the greatest experiences of my life. It destroyed so many things that I can't talk about. But I gained so many new perspectives and insights. Among other things, I'm less scared of life itself than I was before "The Virus" was thrust upon us.
The relationship with my family is largely the same as in the Before Times. I don't know the vaxxination status of all my family members (cousins etc), but of those I know, I'm the only science-denying, plague-ratting, conspiracy-theorizing "The Unvaxxinated™". But no one labeled me as such and I don't blame anyone for falling into the mass hypnosis.
I never had many friends, which makes every single friendship much more valuable for me. One of them was terminated in early 2021. We had known each other since we were 3 years old, went to kindergarten together, went to elementary school together, went to high school together, later met on x-mas and similar occasions, those kind of things. Very smart buddy, now professor, highly educated. Largely bought the narrative from day 1. We didn't fight or something, but we obviously had fundamentally different views about all the "pandemic" proceedings and somewhat mutually ceased contact. In retrospect, I realize this might have been a mistake. I now know why even very smart people can easily fall for that kind of propaganda. Still, I have currently no desire to try to reestablish that friendship. Can't say why exactly, I guess I'm generally not interested in people who can be easily manipulated.
What an excellent idea! Mouse cramp hand eh? Not heard of that before, sounds like you've spent too long squashing mice with your bare hands!!!!
Your articles, along with various other Substackers, have been a lifeline back to sanity. The world went mad and has stayed mad and most of the people on it have just wobbled from one hysterical topic to another. Covid, lockdowns, masks, Black Lives Mattering, long dead possible slaver traders, jabs, boosters, Ukraine, Putin, boiling planet, 15-minute cities, perfectly normal Unexpected Deaths, Israel, Palestine. It goes on and on and sort of all runs parallel and it's exhausting, crazy nonsense.
So voices like yours are reminders that there are other sane, logical folk out there being completely baffled by it all but holding onto certain truths and principles.
Good luck with the book! Don't forget it's C*v*d and Va*c*i*nes otherwise Amazon and Co won't let you publish!!!!
Lawrence, CONGRATS on this very important project! I'm new to your stack and glad I found you.
A gentle SUGGESTION for its title: Perhaps consider placing "My Substack Chronicles" in the SUB-title rather than main title. Why? So that you might pique the interest of non-Substack readers (...unless Substack readers are your sole intended audience). Unfortunately, most of the people I know have, unfortunately, never heard of Substack. Some who've heard of the platform know it by name (rather than content) only.
I see big and good things for your project and hope that it will reach a broad audience beyond or outside of this terrific platform.
I have already come to accept my social credit score when the CBDC comes into fruition will be in a deficit, but hey ho, I feel it was more painful keeping it all in and saying nothing, I hope one day the written word is somehow kept in some format that can be used for future generations, however a political analyst I follow reckons this shitshow will continue until 2032, and it can go one way or another , he reckons the great Reset will fail, but to think of another 9 years of this is quite painful.
Lawrence, I think it's an awesome ideal because it's important to have all of this documented for generations to come. It's like books full of letters from soldiers during the wars. They were on the front lines, reporting what they saw, what they felt, they saw the good, the bad and the ugly, they were united with their fellow soldiers and so have we been these last four years. In fact, maybe that could be a good name: "From the Front Lines". Or "Perspectives from 2020 and Beyond". I'm no marketing/publishing expert as Dan is, but, in my opinion having "covid" in its title makes me sick to my stomach because I'm so tired of hearing it, so many books have it in its title, and the word just reiterates the lies of these past four years and many don't want to hear about it anymore.
Lawrence, i too have found that on substack there is a treasure trove of amazing comments from readers...in fact the comments are actually essential reading in that they provide additional sidebars and links and refs that are worth marking and noting.
I like it! I am also documenting new studies that come out, collecting what we were given at work, little notes, mostly; the unfolding in a rural LTC and hospital. Some email I have sent reporting all the death I was seeing after the mass vaxx clinic. Now, more friends deaths. That doesn't touch all the nasty side affects. No, I saw no covid deaths, nor any serious cases. We really didn't have much except some reported "positive tests" after our bi-weekinly nose private. Most who tested positive were not even I'll. The whole thing wreaked ...
People will want to know truth, and they are hiding all the can. We must gather and create a defense to stop them
I have always enjoyed reading your posts Lawrence. It is hard to find honest writers anymore. I may not agree with your posts on Geert Vanden Bossche, but I still read them and respect that you have your own opinions regarding this. I have a feeling that there is still more to come, even worse than the ‘pandemic’.
I recently watched Leave the World Behind, and I think that the way they are going to do it will be a combination of biological warfare through whatever is in the ‘vaccines’ and microwave weapons. I suspected this in 2020 and I’m even more convinced now.
I appreciate the fact that you’re not scared to delve into deeper issues, issues that many are too scared to face and believe it is all just doom and gloom and we must all be more positive. This unfortunately is not real life. We must all be ready to face what is coming. I believe that what you have written about will happen and I appreciate that you are willing to face it and not whitewash or sugarcoat things. I prefer honest writers who are always searching for the truth.
Hi. Former college English instructor offering editing help if you need it. Wishing you the best with this important project in any event. Writersquarry@hotmail.com
Really looking forward to this Lawrence. The book of poems was great, and I have continued to work on that short story of mine - the matrix of the vaccinated )
These online interactions will likely be lost to the internet 'hole' soon, I would think, and having some record of them may prove to be quite valuable over the next years. A replacement for all the missed real life conversations that can no longer be easily had, out in the world. On a darker note, I may be burned at the stake for my comments, but at least I will be in good company!
I love the idea of a book with the comments from readers. Your Substack is so valuable. Future readers will NEVER believe the INSANITY the world over has and continues to live through. Thank you for shedding so much light on the TRUTH!
“Substack” in the title may not be the best idea for trademark reasons. It is not an important word in itself, but I would first contact the Substack staff about it, anyway.
From my work in the publishing business: we always spent a lot of time on the title. Is it accurate? Is it a reflection of the contents? Is it carrying a message? Is this message what the author or the readers will want to see at the first sight? Is it short enough? And the most important: is it interesting enough to make the prospective reader reach for this title?
“My Substack chronicles of the covid years” sounds very promising and immediately provokes questions. I am deliberately trying to find weaknesses, which is not a critique in any way, but an attempt to “sink” the book. If we can do it before you release it, the chances for the book won’t be high, probably.
First is “my” - the reader may ask “And who are you to write about it?” And if they find out that “you” is “one of us”, it won’t help, because (theoretically) why would anyone be interested in reading impressions of “one of us”. Replace it with “The first Alien’s on the Earth chronicles…” and you see the difference.
“Substack” narrows down the scope and limits the possible evolution of the contents. Does Substack pay for the advertising?
“Chronicles” sounds like Narnia. Serious, sophisticated, biiiig. Like 600 pages? You will compete with Harry Potter, and it’s a tough spot for chronicles.
Advertising and promoting “covid” in the title is intriguing and sounds like a promise that you will write something very informative about covid, competing with RFK Jr.’s book. Readers may also expect some militant and controversial stuff, considering the changes in the society.
“Covid years” sounds like an opening of a saga. Again, a long-term commitment, 20, 50 years? This is only 4 years now, which is already within the forgetting frame of the human mind. Will you write in detail, year by year, month by month? Will you give a “historical” overview?
These are all reactions you may expect from a person who finds your title somewhere online. If it were me, I probably wouldn’t even click on it.
The cover is the part that sells the book, meaning: it will make the reader to decide in a split second “yes” or “no”. And you won’t have a second chance. This cover is not attractive in any way, it doesn’t look a stock type, it doesn’t stand out when you put it among other covers (try it, a nice experience), and it doesn’t have any hierarchy of importance of cover elements. Plus, the author’s name is almost as large as the title, which is justified only when the name sells the book, no matter what is inside. If you are not in the pope, dictator, actor or president category, no reason for large size. Emphasizing the author on the cover or inside is a typical beginner’s mistake.
Again, no criticisms, this is what we would normally talk with the editors/owners of the publisher about candidate titles. It may look like merciless, but it saves low energy after you put a lot of work into - very often - valuable and good material.
The following is a re-post of a comment I made on another substack. Maybe it sort of fits in here. Feel free to include it in your book if you like. Cheers.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, this gets personal, but here we go. The initial Great Coof Mass Hysteria of March 2020 started a chain reaction (which is still ongoing by the way) that, among other things, resulted in me living in a tent for several weeks. Luckily that was in the was in the summer of 2021 when the weather was sufficient and the planet had not yet reached peak insanity. I actually considered to write a book about my whole story, but I won't because I realized that people are not interested in reading or hearing or talking about it. I just say this: Although I suffered several nervous breakdowns and this whole psyop at some points pushed me beyond desperation, it was, in a weird way, one of the greatest experiences of my life. It destroyed so many things that I can't talk about. But I gained so many new perspectives and insights. Among other things, I'm less scared of life itself than I was before "The Virus" was thrust upon us.
The relationship with my family is largely the same as in the Before Times. I don't know the vaxxination status of all my family members (cousins etc), but of those I know, I'm the only science-denying, plague-ratting, conspiracy-theorizing "The Unvaxxinated™". But no one labeled me as such and I don't blame anyone for falling into the mass hypnosis.
I never had many friends, which makes every single friendship much more valuable for me. One of them was terminated in early 2021. We had known each other since we were 3 years old, went to kindergarten together, went to elementary school together, went to high school together, later met on x-mas and similar occasions, those kind of things. Very smart buddy, now professor, highly educated. Largely bought the narrative from day 1. We didn't fight or something, but we obviously had fundamentally different views about all the "pandemic" proceedings and somewhat mutually ceased contact. In retrospect, I realize this might have been a mistake. I now know why even very smart people can easily fall for that kind of propaganda. Still, I have currently no desire to try to reestablish that friendship. Can't say why exactly, I guess I'm generally not interested in people who can be easily manipulated.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading.
What an excellent idea! Mouse cramp hand eh? Not heard of that before, sounds like you've spent too long squashing mice with your bare hands!!!!
Your articles, along with various other Substackers, have been a lifeline back to sanity. The world went mad and has stayed mad and most of the people on it have just wobbled from one hysterical topic to another. Covid, lockdowns, masks, Black Lives Mattering, long dead possible slaver traders, jabs, boosters, Ukraine, Putin, boiling planet, 15-minute cities, perfectly normal Unexpected Deaths, Israel, Palestine. It goes on and on and sort of all runs parallel and it's exhausting, crazy nonsense.
So voices like yours are reminders that there are other sane, logical folk out there being completely baffled by it all but holding onto certain truths and principles.
Good luck with the book! Don't forget it's C*v*d and Va*c*i*nes otherwise Amazon and Co won't let you publish!!!!
Lawrence, CONGRATS on this very important project! I'm new to your stack and glad I found you.
A gentle SUGGESTION for its title: Perhaps consider placing "My Substack Chronicles" in the SUB-title rather than main title. Why? So that you might pique the interest of non-Substack readers (...unless Substack readers are your sole intended audience). Unfortunately, most of the people I know have, unfortunately, never heard of Substack. Some who've heard of the platform know it by name (rather than content) only.
I see big and good things for your project and hope that it will reach a broad audience beyond or outside of this terrific platform.
Onward!
I have already come to accept my social credit score when the CBDC comes into fruition will be in a deficit, but hey ho, I feel it was more painful keeping it all in and saying nothing, I hope one day the written word is somehow kept in some format that can be used for future generations, however a political analyst I follow reckons this shitshow will continue until 2032, and it can go one way or another , he reckons the great Reset will fail, but to think of another 9 years of this is quite painful.
Lawrence, I think it's an awesome ideal because it's important to have all of this documented for generations to come. It's like books full of letters from soldiers during the wars. They were on the front lines, reporting what they saw, what they felt, they saw the good, the bad and the ugly, they were united with their fellow soldiers and so have we been these last four years. In fact, maybe that could be a good name: "From the Front Lines". Or "Perspectives from 2020 and Beyond". I'm no marketing/publishing expert as Dan is, but, in my opinion having "covid" in its title makes me sick to my stomach because I'm so tired of hearing it, so many books have it in its title, and the word just reiterates the lies of these past four years and many don't want to hear about it anymore.
Lawrence, i too have found that on substack there is a treasure trove of amazing comments from readers...in fact the comments are actually essential reading in that they provide additional sidebars and links and refs that are worth marking and noting.
This looks like a great read...cannot wait.
Thank you so very much for doing this. I know it is taking a lot of your time to do this.
When is this going to press?
I like it! I am also documenting new studies that come out, collecting what we were given at work, little notes, mostly; the unfolding in a rural LTC and hospital. Some email I have sent reporting all the death I was seeing after the mass vaxx clinic. Now, more friends deaths. That doesn't touch all the nasty side affects. No, I saw no covid deaths, nor any serious cases. We really didn't have much except some reported "positive tests" after our bi-weekinly nose private. Most who tested positive were not even I'll. The whole thing wreaked ...
People will want to know truth, and they are hiding all the can. We must gather and create a defense to stop them
I have always enjoyed reading your posts Lawrence. It is hard to find honest writers anymore. I may not agree with your posts on Geert Vanden Bossche, but I still read them and respect that you have your own opinions regarding this. I have a feeling that there is still more to come, even worse than the ‘pandemic’.
I recently watched Leave the World Behind, and I think that the way they are going to do it will be a combination of biological warfare through whatever is in the ‘vaccines’ and microwave weapons. I suspected this in 2020 and I’m even more convinced now.
I appreciate the fact that you’re not scared to delve into deeper issues, issues that many are too scared to face and believe it is all just doom and gloom and we must all be more positive. This unfortunately is not real life. We must all be ready to face what is coming. I believe that what you have written about will happen and I appreciate that you are willing to face it and not whitewash or sugarcoat things. I prefer honest writers who are always searching for the truth.
Hi. Former college English instructor offering editing help if you need it. Wishing you the best with this important project in any event. Writersquarry@hotmail.com
Yay !! I'd like to buy a copy of your book when it's available.
Really looking forward to this Lawrence. The book of poems was great, and I have continued to work on that short story of mine - the matrix of the vaccinated )