An Update from Bidwell Hollow
The past four months of providing Bidwell Hollow has been incredibly rewarding. Many of you have emailed or commented to let me know the spot that Bidwell Hollow fills in your lives.
When I first started this, I wondered if anyone would care. Many of you do. And I’m thankful for it.
But producing a daily blog and podcast takes time. Time isn’t something I’ve had much of lately.
Bidwell Hollow is a mostly solo venture.
Someone helps with background research. And there are a couple of folks who graciously work to obtain poems I can publish. But some additional research and all of the writing, recording, and editing are done by me.
The challenge is that Bidwell Hollow is not my only focus. I have a job, one that requires many hours each week.
One of the biggest mistakes I made was launching Bidwell Hollow without already having several weeks’ worth of episodes ready to go. I underestimated the work required to produce each day’s episode.
There have been nights when I’m up until 2 a.m., or mornings when I awake at 3, to finish the next day’s episode. It’s work I do gladly, though, because I believe Bidwell Hollow matters to you.
Even with this level of effort, I was one unforeseen event away from missing a day’s episode. Last week, the unforeseen occurred when I had a death in my family.
That’s why Bidwell Hollow hasn’t been updated in several days. And it’s going to be a little longer before I resume a new schedule.
A Change in Schedule
Bidwell Hollow will begin publishing twice a week starting May 21. New episodes will publish Mondays and Thursdays.
This is a necessary change, for now, and one I believe will still give you something to enjoy on a regular basis.
One of my goals with Bidwell Hollow is to tell the stories of people who create written art. If I was content to provide just a list of birthdays and a poem, I could continue daily publishing. But I’m not.
I have high hopes and big plans for Bidwell Hollow. Getting back to daily episodes is one of them.
For now, though, I need to make an adjustment to the publishing schedule.
Thanks for continuing to support Bidwell Hollow. I appreciate you. And I hope you continue to be a part of our community.
See you on May 21.
Jan
Thank you for all you do! I enjoy the fruits of your labor, but you must take care of yourself first!
Nicholas E. Barron
Thank you, Jan!
Maureen
Nick, you are doing a great job. Sorry for your loss. I think if you published once or twice a week, that is still a very worthy contribution.
Thanks,
Maureen
Nicholas E. Barron
I appreciate it, Maureen. Thank you!
Ralph
Nick, First of all I am sorry to hear of your loss. I am glad you took time away. That is definitely important.
Secondly, no problem withe new schedule. I have really enjoyed site and I missed it when it wasn’t there. I am glad to see it is back, and I hope it can become daily again. Until then, I will enjoy the “visit” as it comes.
Ralph
Nicholas E. Barron
Thank you, Ralph. I’m excited to get back to publishing, twice a week for now, perhaps daily again in the not-too-distant future.
Joan
Nick — My sincere condolences and my gratitude for your commitment to this site. Whatever you can share with us will be deeply appreciated.
Joan
Nicholas E. Barron
Bless you, Joan, and thank you.
James Allison
So sorry to hear about your loss. Thank you so much for your intention, effort and gift. Don’t let the perfect ruin the good. Sometimes the right thing to do is to take a step back.
“Never mistake motion for action.” – Ernest Hemingway
Peace be with you.
Nicholas E. Barron
Excellent words, James, and a befitting quote. It took a battle inside myself before accepting that doing something good is better than not doing something that’s perfect.
Pat Raia
Hugs from here
Nicholas E. Barron
Thank you, Pat!
David
I’m sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You’re doing fantastic work and it is appreciated. Thank you for your efforts.
Nicholas E. Barron
This means so much to me, David. I’m thrilled every time I hear that someone enjoys Bidwell Hollow.
MaryB
I am so grateful to have Bidwell Hollow and relieved it will continue. Your work is thoughtful and inspiring.
Thank You!
Nicholas E. Barron
My pleasure and my appreciation to you, Mary!
Brinid
I teach middle school English and relied heavily on that other old website for new poetry to share with my students. You are providing a valuable service in sharing written word. Thank you for your ventures. Please continue- two days is still two days more with poetry.
Nicholas E. Barron
You got it, Brinid. There have been a few teachers who’ve reached out to me with similar sentiments to yours. It never occurred to me when starting this that educators could use something like Bidwell Hollow. Knowing that this is the case gives me even greater purpose.
Phil Oliver
Thanks, Nick, and deepest condolences. Looking forward to the next installments.
FYI-“Onthisday.com” helps fill a hole, and Keillor’s “Writers Almanac” archive is now online. I’ve been revisiting May ’17, “today’s” poem is John Updike’s “Marching Through a Novel”-
Each morning my characters
greet me with misty faces
willing, though chilled, to muster
for another day’s progress
through dazzling quicksand,
the march of blank paper…
https://www.writersalmanac.org/index.html%3Fp=7985.html
Nicholas E. Barron
Great resources, Phil. Thanks for your thoughts and for sharing!
Phil Oliver
CORRECTION: The Updike poem was actually from the May 7, 2016 “Writer’s Almanac” broad/podcast. It’s a deep archive.
Toni Kief
I discovered your site a couple weeks ago, in Poetry History month. As a writer trying to maintain an author page, books, research, author pages, marketing and leading a writers cooperative I say. Walking it back to a lot of work, but manageable is commendable. I’m sticking with you.
Nicholas E. Barron
Thank you, Toni! I’ll do my best to not disappoint.
Deirdre Reid
You do what you can do. I’m happy to receive this once a week if that means a better quality of life for you. Thank you for the time you’ve put into this. I’m sure the few of us who are speaking up here represent a much bigger group of fans.
Nicholas E. Barron
I appreciate it, Deirdre. It’s hearing from people like you that make the time worthwhile.
Lara Dolphin
Thank you, Nick, for your efforts with Bidwell Hollow. My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Nicholas E. Barron
Thank you, Lara!
michael forrest
Death is the worst thing that can happen in any family. Sorry to hear of your loss. I’m glad you’re not letting Bidwell Hollow go, though. It’s something very special and magical. Good Luck with everything.
Nicholas E. Barron
What wonderful words, Michael. I’m happy you enjoy Bidwell Hollow. Thank you for reading and writing.
Alan M Klein
Thank you for all of it!
Nicholas E. Barron
My pleasure, Alan!
Pat Livingston
Dear Nick – I want to support you on your schedule change. I can imagine the pressure a daily post like this entails. Thank you for continuing to write 2 posts a week. Actually, I agree with those who said that even once-a-week posts would be gratefully received.
Sympathy to you on the loss in your family.
Always take care of yourself first!
With gratitude,
Nicholas E. Barron
This is great to hear, Pat. Much thanks to you!
Shelia C
Nick,
I am sorry for your loss. I have enjoyed Bidwell Hollow and I’m glad to hear it will continue. I have often thought of the amount of time you have to put into each episode with the research, music and photos. I am glad it will continue.
Shelia
Betsy Vinz
Important not to lose yourself in your project . . . no matter how worthy, no matter how much your readers appreciate your efforts. Post as you have time. We’ll keep our eyes out. Take care . . . and thank you, THANK YOU!
v harris
Nick, I am so sorry for your loss and your thoughtful update about your recent absence which had the side benefit of allowing we fans of Bidwell Hollow to learn – and appreciate – what it takes for you to keep the spirit of “Writer’s Almanac” alive. Even a twice weekly post is truly appreciated as you try to develop needed assistance to resume your daily posts. Have you thought of making $$ contributions possible to help you in this regard? I am sure that I am one of many who would step up to the plate to ensure that Bidwell Hollow achieves its full potential.
Nicholas E. Barron
Thank you for your condolences. I’ve considered various funding options for Bidwell Hollow. And more than a few folks have suggested this. I’m not sure I’m much of a businessman. I also worry that money will complicate things. But it does seem that additional funding could return Bidwell Hollow to a daily entity, while also improving the quality of the product and offerings. So, long story short, I’m researching options for bringing funds into Bidwell Hollow, while minimizing the negative impact on readers and listeners.
Michael O Sullivan
Hi Nick,
Take your time coming back, you’ve earned a good rest. A twice weekly entry in time will be much appreciated. Jane Kenyon’s poem “notes from the other side” gives us all hope when we lose somebody close to us. Keep up the good work but and mind yourself.
Regards
Michael O Sullivan
Nicholas E. Barron
I’ll check out the poem, Michael. Jane Kenyon, whose birthday is on May 23. 😉
Brian
Mr. Barron, I too have enjoyed the stories about literary figures and events and poetry you have posted, and was glad to hear that you intend to keep posting, albeit in a more abbreviated fashion, which is completely understandable. Keep up the good work. And thank you. Brian