Also, for those of you who don't know, I'll offer a quick bio of my own:
I'm Scott, an architect by day and writer by nights/weekends/any time I can be. I'm originally from Ohio, and after a decade living in New York City after college, I've now lived in my current home of Louisville, Kentucky for almost eight years. I'm married with two kids (ages 7 and 6) and two dogs (ages 12 and maybe 1-2?). I started writing online in 2014 for Every Day Should Be Saturday, a now-defunct college football blog that a number of people have already mentioned in their comments, and I also do frequent freelance writing for Decider.
I launched what would become The Action Cookbook Newsletter in 2019, first to support a short-lived podcast project ("The Seventh Circle", whose DNA remains in me having seven items in each Friday Newsletter), but then as a place to write with more creative freedom and diversity of subject than I'd had in work for others.
I have a very short memory for things I write, as I noted in the post, but last year's Christmas epic, "All of the Other Reindeer" (https://actioncookbook.substack.com/p/theotherreindeer) is probably my proudest achievement.
I'm from metro Detroit, a lawyer by trade, a recreational haruspex by avocation. I started out with EDSBS back when it was number replies, then just never left.
I enjoy the "jazz" format of the newsletter. Meaning, there's a general structure (ish), and things that are regular, but that you're not afraid to follow a tangent to where it leads. Basically, I'm in favor of writing that pleases the writer, as that's generally the stuff that is the most compelling.
Hi, I'm Roy and live in Berkshire, UK. I came across your newsletter by chance when I recently joined Substack and you came up in a search for who to follow. I'm a nuclear scientist by day and an artist by night. I've also written a couple of children's books and have my first novel in the pipeline. Why did I find you? Because I am a coeliac and I have started another Substack publication called The Coeliac Scientist ( https://theceliacscientist.substack.com ) where I want to talk about the disease, review places to eat and provide my recipes. I love your newsletter and it has inspired me to keep writing and engaging with the community. Keep up the good work!
I write Release and Gather, a slice-of-life space where I share my experiences like:
- being a newcomer in a rural town in Mississippi where most people are culturally very different from me
- parenting out-of-the-nest, young adult children--and in this season helping one of them as he works on his recovery in a long-term residential rehabilitation program
- donating stem cells this summer for my brother’s recovery from AML (apparently I have damn good cells that are performing beautifully despite my age and lack of gym experience)
- monthly collections of what I’m cooking, reading, and noticing
I think that’s why I enjoy your posts--you give us a glimpse into your life but also share some really cool recipes. The first post that drew me in was on the best parenting advice you’ve ever gotten. And I stayed.
Don’t change a thing--keep surprising us with whatever you want to throw at us because we’re here for your authentic voice. In a world full of people trying to mimic what everyone else is doing, just being you will stick every time.
I'm Brian, corporate communications professional and recovering journalist. Originally from Kentucky, proud UK graduate, living in Michigan. Been reading since the EDSBS days (the eggs for breakfast piece remains one of the best things I've ever read) and I'm always here for more unhinged fiction.
Also we're seeing a football game together this weekend.
Hello. I'm Maria. Confusing bc it's pronounced Mariah. So that's an indication of how it's all gone since.
I'm a mom, wife, writer, and avid Pats fan in Orleans, MA. I'm originally from San Diego, but moved here for the weather and friendly people.
I love your angle on life -- just the right blend of snarky honesty and tender-loving eye-rolling with regards to all things parenting, sports, food, and culture. Keep up the good work. We need people like you who take the time to craft life in prose.
My name is Betsy, and I'm a veterinarian who doesn't take care of animals based in Harrisburg PA. I grew up in Johnstown PA, and I did my undergrad at Notre Dame. I spent far too long in school, and along the way, lived in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Blacksburg VA, and Indianapolis before ending up in Harrisburg. My wife and I have three dogs and a cat, and relish being the Fun Aunts to our increasing hoard of nieces and nephews.
The Jeopardy prompt is actually an apt one, as I was a one day champion back in 2012 (I also won an episode of a short lived series called Sports Jeopardy with Dan Patrick). Fun fact: those "meet the contestant" questions are supposed to be planned in advance, but evidently Alex Trebek had the latitude to freestyle and ask whatever he wanted. Anyways, that's how I ended up pissing off PETA.
I was a long time EDSBS reader, and I grew up with a corgi, so I think my primary introduction to your work was through Holly. The dogs drew me in, but I stay for the thoughtful writing and the recipes in particular.
Hello! Abby here from northern Kentucky/Cincinnati (originally Cleveland). I'm a structural engineer (sorry Scott, we're natural enemies) who does primarily analysis of existing and/or damaged residential structures. I'm a lazy but excitable birdwatcher, and mostly known around here as Toaster the cat's human. I started following you a couple years ago on Twitter based on a recommendation from my little brother, who loves corgis and sports. I'll be honest, I was hooked by the "Holly Meets a Horse" photo. I'm a big fan of Ohio Content, especially Cleveland sports history, as someone who has never quite lived up to her inheritance of a multi-generational love of all things Cleveland Sports - like, I was never 100% clear as a child why we hated Art Modell (may he burn in hell), but I knew we did. And at risk of being cringily earnest, I also really enjoy your parenting and "getting older" type writing, as I'm about 10 years younger than you and feeling like I haven't, and can't yet, put down roots - I've moved around a lot since graduating from college and am currently waiting for Residency Match in March to see where my husband's training will take us. It's nice to see/read about your adventures as a Real Adult with your own House and Family and Career but also that you're still figuring stuff out. Oh and Olaf. Don't tell Holly but he's my favorite dog on the internet.
I'm a nonprofit arts organization administrator slash writer slash performer in Philadelphia. My oldest friend introduced me to ACBN some years ago and I haven't looked back. I'm mostly here for the food and drink and dogs, but also love a good essay.
Hi everyone! This is Matt, I grew up in Southern Maine, went to college on the banks of the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie and now live in Western Massachusetts for the past 10 years. I’ve been married for 17 years and we have two kids, dancing 12 year old girl (that happens to have Down syndrome) and a 9 year old boy who’s hockey and lacrosse goalie when not practicing his yo-yo tricks.
Scott’s tweets would get sent into my timeline so much that I clearly needed to follow and it’s was one of my better internet decisions to date. I was honored that one of my recipes was featured in the Friday Newsletter during the lockdown (dirty rice and I hereby apologize to the Louisiana folk after seeing the LSU tailgate photos, I promise to do better next time)
Looking forward to more recipes and Holly/Olaf content in the future
I'm Nate from Atlanta. Dog-parent of Mando the bull terrier and Edie the beagle-mix. Software engineer by day, aspiring powerlifter by night. I fell into the Action Cookbook orbit from the EDSBS days and loved the intersection of food, sports, and day jobs. Although I'm not a parent, I've used the parent-specific newsletters as examples of why my friends should subscribe to this newsletter. Personally, love anything Kentuckiana Hot Loin (and its many iterations) and Olaf (Holly is THE superstar, but the smooth-brain, adrenaline-and-instinct nature of Olaf is something that I identify with). Although the one newsletter that had me cackle out loud was the "Peloton at the end of the world" story.
Also, a request! I'm a teetotaler by choice, so I'd love to get some mocktail recommendations or recipes for squares like me.
I am Fathah; university student; I write at introvertedstoryteller.substack.com Somehow chanced upon your newsletter, started reading to see what other write about; continued reading because it's nice to read. Used to play soccer; but not anymore.
Like Scott, I'm a forty-something dad of two, but unlike Scott I'm not in lvl nor can I mix cocktails. Came to FL from OH by way of an ex, stayed because the idea of returning home and starting from scratch again was too much for me to handle. Worked out pretty good, just celebrated 16 years with my better better half last month.
Came by way of Edsubbies, followed to the Seventh Circle, and eventually here. Just reinforces the idea from last week - even though the current megaphone may stop working, if the voice is worth listening folks will find a way to hear it. I dunno if I have a favorite segment, but the scripts/third person narratives are always good laughs or interesting ways to process the current world. There's so much good, I feel like it's downplaying any of the great content you provide, Scott.
What would I like to see more of? Maybe more a suggestion, kinda playing into this theme of ask the audience - might work for subscription drives, but set up some random drawing for a guest recipe, and either the winner can prepare, discuss, and photo, or send you the deets to see if you do nana's recipe justice. Might be a fun way to learn more about the community one member at a time.
Hi, I'm Angie. I'm a mid-twenties law student from Colorado, camping out in the Midwest for school. (Yes, I will be scurrying back to Colorado as soon as possible -- no offense to the Midwest.) My dad sent me this newsletter; specifically, the "I Still Hear You Roar" issue. I'm not a parent, but before law school I worked as a nanny and the director of a children's summer camp, so I feel like I've moved around in the parent-adjacent space for a long time. I think the newsletters about your kids and parenting and hanging on by your fingernails but still love every minute (mostly) are your best work, and they are the issues I read the most. I also really, really enjoy the issues like "Boyhood in Seven Costumes" and "Five Parents You Meet at a Birthday Party." They provide the kind of tears-on-my-face-belly-laugh that I desperately need during law school. Thank you for continuing to write them!
Also, for those of you who don't know, I'll offer a quick bio of my own:
I'm Scott, an architect by day and writer by nights/weekends/any time I can be. I'm originally from Ohio, and after a decade living in New York City after college, I've now lived in my current home of Louisville, Kentucky for almost eight years. I'm married with two kids (ages 7 and 6) and two dogs (ages 12 and maybe 1-2?). I started writing online in 2014 for Every Day Should Be Saturday, a now-defunct college football blog that a number of people have already mentioned in their comments, and I also do frequent freelance writing for Decider.
I launched what would become The Action Cookbook Newsletter in 2019, first to support a short-lived podcast project ("The Seventh Circle", whose DNA remains in me having seven items in each Friday Newsletter), but then as a place to write with more creative freedom and diversity of subject than I'd had in work for others.
I have a very short memory for things I write, as I noted in the post, but last year's Christmas epic, "All of the Other Reindeer" (https://actioncookbook.substack.com/p/theotherreindeer) is probably my proudest achievement.
My name is Diego Montoya. You killed my father. (You know the rest.)
I'm Blanx. I have always been here.
I'm from metro Detroit, a lawyer by trade, a recreational haruspex by avocation. I started out with EDSBS back when it was number replies, then just never left.
I enjoy the "jazz" format of the newsletter. Meaning, there's a general structure (ish), and things that are regular, but that you're not afraid to follow a tangent to where it leads. Basically, I'm in favor of writing that pleases the writer, as that's generally the stuff that is the most compelling.
Also, the food.
Hi, I'm Roy and live in Berkshire, UK. I came across your newsletter by chance when I recently joined Substack and you came up in a search for who to follow. I'm a nuclear scientist by day and an artist by night. I've also written a couple of children's books and have my first novel in the pipeline. Why did I find you? Because I am a coeliac and I have started another Substack publication called The Coeliac Scientist ( https://theceliacscientist.substack.com ) where I want to talk about the disease, review places to eat and provide my recipes. I love your newsletter and it has inspired me to keep writing and engaging with the community. Keep up the good work!
I write Release and Gather, a slice-of-life space where I share my experiences like:
- being a newcomer in a rural town in Mississippi where most people are culturally very different from me
- parenting out-of-the-nest, young adult children--and in this season helping one of them as he works on his recovery in a long-term residential rehabilitation program
- donating stem cells this summer for my brother’s recovery from AML (apparently I have damn good cells that are performing beautifully despite my age and lack of gym experience)
- monthly collections of what I’m cooking, reading, and noticing
I think that’s why I enjoy your posts--you give us a glimpse into your life but also share some really cool recipes. The first post that drew me in was on the best parenting advice you’ve ever gotten. And I stayed.
Don’t change a thing--keep surprising us with whatever you want to throw at us because we’re here for your authentic voice. In a world full of people trying to mimic what everyone else is doing, just being you will stick every time.
I'm Brian, corporate communications professional and recovering journalist. Originally from Kentucky, proud UK graduate, living in Michigan. Been reading since the EDSBS days (the eggs for breakfast piece remains one of the best things I've ever read) and I'm always here for more unhinged fiction.
Also we're seeing a football game together this weekend.
Hello. I'm Maria. Confusing bc it's pronounced Mariah. So that's an indication of how it's all gone since.
I'm a mom, wife, writer, and avid Pats fan in Orleans, MA. I'm originally from San Diego, but moved here for the weather and friendly people.
I love your angle on life -- just the right blend of snarky honesty and tender-loving eye-rolling with regards to all things parenting, sports, food, and culture. Keep up the good work. We need people like you who take the time to craft life in prose.
Hi-Diddily-Ho, commentariat-arino.
My name is Betsy, and I'm a veterinarian who doesn't take care of animals based in Harrisburg PA. I grew up in Johnstown PA, and I did my undergrad at Notre Dame. I spent far too long in school, and along the way, lived in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Blacksburg VA, and Indianapolis before ending up in Harrisburg. My wife and I have three dogs and a cat, and relish being the Fun Aunts to our increasing hoard of nieces and nephews.
The Jeopardy prompt is actually an apt one, as I was a one day champion back in 2012 (I also won an episode of a short lived series called Sports Jeopardy with Dan Patrick). Fun fact: those "meet the contestant" questions are supposed to be planned in advance, but evidently Alex Trebek had the latitude to freestyle and ask whatever he wanted. Anyways, that's how I ended up pissing off PETA.
I was a long time EDSBS reader, and I grew up with a corgi, so I think my primary introduction to your work was through Holly. The dogs drew me in, but I stay for the thoughtful writing and the recipes in particular.
Hello! Abby here from northern Kentucky/Cincinnati (originally Cleveland). I'm a structural engineer (sorry Scott, we're natural enemies) who does primarily analysis of existing and/or damaged residential structures. I'm a lazy but excitable birdwatcher, and mostly known around here as Toaster the cat's human. I started following you a couple years ago on Twitter based on a recommendation from my little brother, who loves corgis and sports. I'll be honest, I was hooked by the "Holly Meets a Horse" photo. I'm a big fan of Ohio Content, especially Cleveland sports history, as someone who has never quite lived up to her inheritance of a multi-generational love of all things Cleveland Sports - like, I was never 100% clear as a child why we hated Art Modell (may he burn in hell), but I knew we did. And at risk of being cringily earnest, I also really enjoy your parenting and "getting older" type writing, as I'm about 10 years younger than you and feeling like I haven't, and can't yet, put down roots - I've moved around a lot since graduating from college and am currently waiting for Residency Match in March to see where my husband's training will take us. It's nice to see/read about your adventures as a Real Adult with your own House and Family and Career but also that you're still figuring stuff out. Oh and Olaf. Don't tell Holly but he's my favorite dog on the internet.
I'm a nonprofit arts organization administrator slash writer slash performer in Philadelphia. My oldest friend introduced me to ACBN some years ago and I haven't looked back. I'm mostly here for the food and drink and dogs, but also love a good essay.
Hi everyone! This is Matt, I grew up in Southern Maine, went to college on the banks of the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie and now live in Western Massachusetts for the past 10 years. I’ve been married for 17 years and we have two kids, dancing 12 year old girl (that happens to have Down syndrome) and a 9 year old boy who’s hockey and lacrosse goalie when not practicing his yo-yo tricks.
Scott’s tweets would get sent into my timeline so much that I clearly needed to follow and it’s was one of my better internet decisions to date. I was honored that one of my recipes was featured in the Friday Newsletter during the lockdown (dirty rice and I hereby apologize to the Louisiana folk after seeing the LSU tailgate photos, I promise to do better next time)
Looking forward to more recipes and Holly/Olaf content in the future
I'm Nate from Atlanta. Dog-parent of Mando the bull terrier and Edie the beagle-mix. Software engineer by day, aspiring powerlifter by night. I fell into the Action Cookbook orbit from the EDSBS days and loved the intersection of food, sports, and day jobs. Although I'm not a parent, I've used the parent-specific newsletters as examples of why my friends should subscribe to this newsletter. Personally, love anything Kentuckiana Hot Loin (and its many iterations) and Olaf (Holly is THE superstar, but the smooth-brain, adrenaline-and-instinct nature of Olaf is something that I identify with). Although the one newsletter that had me cackle out loud was the "Peloton at the end of the world" story.
Also, a request! I'm a teetotaler by choice, so I'd love to get some mocktail recommendations or recipes for squares like me.
It was Olaf.
Somehow, twitter’s algorithm matched me with your posts and then I saw one of the pics of his amazing vacuous stare. I would fight a chainsaw for him.
I’m Gerald, a lawyer in southern Kentucky who walks a delicate line between fostering animals and being a hoarder.
Just officially joined the sub stack this weekend, so excited to be here.
I am Fathah; university student; I write at introvertedstoryteller.substack.com Somehow chanced upon your newsletter, started reading to see what other write about; continued reading because it's nice to read. Used to play soccer; but not anymore.
Like Scott, I'm a forty-something dad of two, but unlike Scott I'm not in lvl nor can I mix cocktails. Came to FL from OH by way of an ex, stayed because the idea of returning home and starting from scratch again was too much for me to handle. Worked out pretty good, just celebrated 16 years with my better better half last month.
Came by way of Edsubbies, followed to the Seventh Circle, and eventually here. Just reinforces the idea from last week - even though the current megaphone may stop working, if the voice is worth listening folks will find a way to hear it. I dunno if I have a favorite segment, but the scripts/third person narratives are always good laughs or interesting ways to process the current world. There's so much good, I feel like it's downplaying any of the great content you provide, Scott.
What would I like to see more of? Maybe more a suggestion, kinda playing into this theme of ask the audience - might work for subscription drives, but set up some random drawing for a guest recipe, and either the winner can prepare, discuss, and photo, or send you the deets to see if you do nana's recipe justice. Might be a fun way to learn more about the community one member at a time.
Hi, I'm Angie. I'm a mid-twenties law student from Colorado, camping out in the Midwest for school. (Yes, I will be scurrying back to Colorado as soon as possible -- no offense to the Midwest.) My dad sent me this newsletter; specifically, the "I Still Hear You Roar" issue. I'm not a parent, but before law school I worked as a nanny and the director of a children's summer camp, so I feel like I've moved around in the parent-adjacent space for a long time. I think the newsletters about your kids and parenting and hanging on by your fingernails but still love every minute (mostly) are your best work, and they are the issues I read the most. I also really, really enjoy the issues like "Boyhood in Seven Costumes" and "Five Parents You Meet at a Birthday Party." They provide the kind of tears-on-my-face-belly-laugh that I desperately need during law school. Thank you for continuing to write them!