Because We're Worth It

The Oprah and Gwyneth of newsletters is entering our empire era. Ready, set...

What would make the perfect women’s magazine? Juicy yarns, hot goss, big ideas, deeply personal examinations of women’s lives—and none of the advertiser obligations. Welcome to the Spread, where every week two editors read, listen, and watch it all, and deliver only the best to your inbox.

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Spreadizens, 

The day you watch your former intern get the New Yorker treatment is the day you realize it’s time to level up. So while we’re still reeling from Amanda Petrusich’s gosh-darn-excellent profile of the yes-she’s-talented one-time Elle features intern Maggie Rogers¹, we are excited to announce that today marks a Big One in the life of our dear Spreadlandia. For 108 issues, we’ve had enormous fun keeping you abreast of the essential stories, need-to-know writers, and chocolate-cream-filled gossip that define “the conversation.” And today, in honor of issue #109—a number with no significance whatsoever—folks, we are ready to drop the gate. 

“You’ve been givin’ the milk away for more than two years, Rachel and Maggie. Why cut off our supply now?” 

Because, all jokes aside, we’re serious about what we’re doing here. We bring a combined 45 years of media-world expertise to this endeavor, and—though we have been loath to hit the guilt-trip note too hard here—we do have the proverbial mouths to feed and professional self-respect to maintain. We believe in the exchange of ideas that the Spread represents, and we want to build a real, sustainable business, a community. The only way we can do that is if more people pay for it. (We also dream of a day when we can compensate our wildly overqualified copy editor in more than margaritas.) 

“But wait, I already pay to Spread!”

Thank you, thank you! You’re the wind beneath our wings. Keep on keeping on. It’s because of your support that we’ve been able to get this far. Our hope is that, with more paying customers, we’ll be able to give you even more “value add,” as the kind of people who say “put a pin in it” might put it. It’s been awfully nice of you to pay for this out of the kindness of your hearts. As of today, you’re paying for something that only paying people can see. In other words, #winning.

“I haven’t ponied up yet—but I might!”

No hard feelings—but now’s the time. To continue receiving the full-fat, mouthwatering Spread you know and love (our weekly list of reads and riffs), you’ll need a paid subscription. Because we are salesy businesswomen now, we’re offering a 25 percent discount for your first year as a paid subscriber if you sign up in the next week. Nab the deal here!

“I’m just gonna keep eatin’ your Cheetos for free, dudes.”

Cool cool. We will not drop you from our group chat. Unpaid subscribers will continue to hear from us, and get the occasional unique and delicious tidbit—interviews, podcast eps, deep thoughts. But you might be left feeling a little… peckish.

“I can’t afford to Spread right now!” 

No problem. Get in touch at thespread@substack.com or reply to this email, and we’ll send you a free sub.

OK, now that we got that out of the way…on with the show! 

Love,

Rachel & Maggie

P.S. Those who go paid today will be entered to win this priceless Troop Beverly Hills koozie²! (No really, we will mail this koozie, along with a lock of Rachel’s hair, to your home!) 

P.P.S. Are you a fellow Substacker interested in a trade of free subscriptions? Hit us up on email. You scratch our back, we’ll scratch yours.

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Here’s what paid subscribers are sinking their teeth into this week: 

• Confessional queens: Wurtzel, Gould, Pratt, and…that woman who published that wild “rich hubby” essay for the Cut a couple weeks ago. 

• Our new favorite ingénue. (He cute!) 

• Peeping the National Magazine Awards: Maybe all the women were just…hoarse that day? 

• We’ll have another! The martini- and celebrity- fueled LA stay is baaack.  

• A whistleblower’s story, on ice. 

• It doesn’t add up: everyone’s being gaslit—yet no one will admit to being a gaslighter.