A rare case of something feeling totally worth it. Your KLF book is one of the all time greats and your news letter you wrote during the kings coronation was so great
re reading and linking point you stressed in the book, K Campbell, rabbits and stones, island and money to burn ... the metis vs. techne vs. poesis; I mean that metis seems the medicine for what we are experiencing in terms of decadence and appalling violence.
Late to the game here, but I wanted to say that this particular subscriber, who lives in what is now indisputably the worst country in the world, is willing to pay an extra fee to defray the impact of any tariff on the yearly book shipment.
I'm in! Love the new the subscription idea - I'm always a sucker for an annual, and this one looks like a peach. Thanks for the copy of Lynchian, it's on top of my reading pile for the hols. A very Merry Mid-Winter to you and your family. Alan xxx
Fair enough, it is far from ideal. My feeling is that it is by far the largest and most effective online platform for distributing the written world, and to walk away and cede that to the Nazis would be a mistake. There are many people on it who use it to say "Fuck Nazis". But I understand your position.
It’s ok, at first it took me to just 2 options - £85 per year or £9 per month. Then I tried it again and got to the right one. Have subscribed for £60 a year now.
That's weird - it shouldn't be that! It seems to be working okay and I haven't heard of anyone else getting that, but will keep an eye on it. A glitch in the Matrix?
Hello John, although I haven’t watched much telly recently: would be fascinated to know if you have and indeed what might have interested or moved you? Perhaps one day when telly is great again, or at least with some interesting weirder bits (wonder if there’s a modern equivalence to Penda’s Fen you discussed a while back? or perhaps a xms Box of Delights trip these days).. if you can reclaim this form from the spam box with some revelations, I would love to read. Merry solstice and festive days : )
Merry Solstice to you too, John! I'm just watching Mandy and Slow Horses these days, that's about my level. It's not telly but I enjoyed Tond, the Broken Veil Christmas ghost story, if you follow that podcast?
I haven't heard of that podcast but it sounds like it could be perfect listening for my journeys into the Highlands this Christmas.
To reciprocate with a few bits on the spooky n' strange tip – there's a nice little article on 17c poet John Clare's encounter with a Will-O-The-Whisp, or perhaps a UAP in today's parlance: https://substack.com/home/post/p-165350944
There's also a short BBC archival video from the 1970s on a similar weird and wonderful theme occurring in Warminster
Finally, I recently saw the 40 Minutes documentary episode called 'Ghost Train' which I think was shown on BBC 2 in the late 80s and there's an authenticity to it that you might appreciate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USALdwWFQgo
Apologies for spamming your comment section with blooming Youtube links! : )
These are excellent, I am struck by how many Warminster UFO-spotters of the 70s went out into the fields at night in suit and tie. Also, I have now learnt the name 'Jenny Burnt-Arse', so many thanks! If you haven't heard Broken Veil, then start at the beginning, you are in for a treat
I am in! The high strangeness/chapel perilous encounters in settings fertile for the imagination/paranoia inducing along with possible shadowy intelligence reminds me of some of my favourite telly and films growing up (the shadowy military or industrial corporation was always up to no good!); reminds me of Colin Wilson’s books on the Occult too.
On the Warminster ‘Thing’, you must remember that there was a prediction, a prophecy even of an actual landing occurring that very night! It’s always best to be in smart attire just in case they were required to form a welcoming committee. That location fascinates me in terms of mass-witnessed events of unexplained phenomena - seemingly hundreds during the era of ‘the flap’.
Yes, I think it's a lot to do with the visuals - a full moon looks awesome, especially with a few wisps of cloud drifting across, it's hard to compete with that. The new moon being a day before the solstice was far from ideal for launching this now, with people paying and then having to wait nearly a full lunar cycle to get anything, but what can you do? When you commit to these cycles you are locked in
I was going to upgrade straight away but you made the mistake of comparing it to the price of a pint. No way I’m drinking one less Guinness!
I’ve had a think and I’m going to upgrade AND buy the same amount of booze. Have a cool Yule and a gear new year, John.
Cheers Steven. I like your priorities. I probably owe you at least one pint of Guinness anyway. Have a great Christmas and here's to 2026!
A rare case of something feeling totally worth it. Your KLF book is one of the all time greats and your news letter you wrote during the kings coronation was so great
Thanks. One of the pieces I'm planning to write for the first Midsummer Annual grew out of the King's Coronation piece, so that's coming
In for a penny…
You star!
That all sounds pretty damn enticing for the price (or less) of a pint a month. I’m upgrading, thanks, John.
You star, thanks Tim. Yes, I figured the price of a pint was reasonable - and not a central London pint!
Subscription upgraded! Looking forward to this, thank you John 😊
Thank you sir!
I try from an eon to gift you my videogame...
Very kind, thank you sir!
I read every two months your book about KLF ... from three years, it's that one the real manual to create new worlds.
We could do with creating some better worlds at the moment
re reading and linking point you stressed in the book, K Campbell, rabbits and stones, island and money to burn ... the metis vs. techne vs. poesis; I mean that metis seems the medicine for what we are experiencing in terms of decadence and appalling violence.
I've used the about form in your web site.
Love the Venn diagram! Did you make it up?!
Supporting the subscribe in spirit for now until I'm less financially challenged. It sounds like true value.
Much appreciated. Yes, I made that up, I do like a Venn diagram where things can be more than one thing at the same time
Yes! And applies to all creative endeavours maybe.
Late to the game here, but I wanted to say that this particular subscriber, who lives in what is now indisputably the worst country in the world, is willing to pay an extra fee to defray the impact of any tariff on the yearly book shipment.
Wonderful news! Def worth paying for. Thanks John. Have a fantastic Xmas and New Year. Read Lynchian the other day and it’s brilliant!
That's very kind and much appreciated - Merry Christmas Dave!
I'm in! Love the new the subscription idea - I'm always a sucker for an annual, and this one looks like a peach. Thanks for the copy of Lynchian, it's on top of my reading pile for the hols. A very Merry Mid-Winter to you and your family. Alan xxx
Much appreciated Alan!n Here's to 2026!
Unfortunately, I won't be giving any money to Substack, promoting Nazis isn't acceptable, and I'm not paying to help do it. I understand why people doing stuff for free pick the platform. They've been doing it for years, they aren't going to change. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/07/substacks-nazi-problem-wont-go-away-after-push-notification-apology/
Fair enough, it is far from ideal. My feeling is that it is by far the largest and most effective online platform for distributing the written world, and to walk away and cede that to the Nazis would be a mistake. There are many people on it who use it to say "Fuck Nazis". But I understand your position.
Oh it’s not £6 per month. It’s £9.
What's £9 a month? Surely not a pint?
It’s ok, at first it took me to just 2 options - £85 per year or £9 per month. Then I tried it again and got to the right one. Have subscribed for £60 a year now.
That's weird - it shouldn't be that! It seems to be working okay and I haven't heard of anyone else getting that, but will keep an eye on it. A glitch in the Matrix?
All sorted, John, it might’ve been when I pressed the subscribe button rather than your link button…?
Looks like it provides £9 in the Substack app but £6 from the email/newsletter link. Look forward to midsummer (my birthday too!!)
That is interesting - I'm guessing you're on iPhone, and that is Apple adding their 30% cut? I don't use any Apple products so I'm not seeing this
Wow! Didn’t realize they took their cut that way!
It does seem to be a thing - I'll warn people to use the web https://www.isabelleroughol.com/how-substack-delivered-its-users-onto-apple/
Hello John, although I haven’t watched much telly recently: would be fascinated to know if you have and indeed what might have interested or moved you? Perhaps one day when telly is great again, or at least with some interesting weirder bits (wonder if there’s a modern equivalence to Penda’s Fen you discussed a while back? or perhaps a xms Box of Delights trip these days).. if you can reclaim this form from the spam box with some revelations, I would love to read. Merry solstice and festive days : )
Merry Solstice to you too, John! I'm just watching Mandy and Slow Horses these days, that's about my level. It's not telly but I enjoyed Tond, the Broken Veil Christmas ghost story, if you follow that podcast?
Hi John,
I haven't heard of that podcast but it sounds like it could be perfect listening for my journeys into the Highlands this Christmas.
To reciprocate with a few bits on the spooky n' strange tip – there's a nice little article on 17c poet John Clare's encounter with a Will-O-The-Whisp, or perhaps a UAP in today's parlance: https://substack.com/home/post/p-165350944
There's also a short BBC archival video from the 1970s on a similar weird and wonderful theme occurring in Warminster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnMSCKZ811Q
Finally, I recently saw the 40 Minutes documentary episode called 'Ghost Train' which I think was shown on BBC 2 in the late 80s and there's an authenticity to it that you might appreciate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USALdwWFQgo
Apologies for spamming your comment section with blooming Youtube links! : )
All best,
John
These are excellent, I am struck by how many Warminster UFO-spotters of the 70s went out into the fields at night in suit and tie. Also, I have now learnt the name 'Jenny Burnt-Arse', so many thanks! If you haven't heard Broken Veil, then start at the beginning, you are in for a treat
I am in! The high strangeness/chapel perilous encounters in settings fertile for the imagination/paranoia inducing along with possible shadowy intelligence reminds me of some of my favourite telly and films growing up (the shadowy military or industrial corporation was always up to no good!); reminds me of Colin Wilson’s books on the Occult too.
On the Warminster ‘Thing’, you must remember that there was a prediction, a prophecy even of an actual landing occurring that very night! It’s always best to be in smart attire just in case they were required to form a welcoming committee. That location fascinates me in terms of mass-witnessed events of unexplained phenomena - seemingly hundreds during the era of ‘the flap’.
Yes, I think it's a lot to do with the visuals - a full moon looks awesome, especially with a few wisps of cloud drifting across, it's hard to compete with that. The new moon being a day before the solstice was far from ideal for launching this now, with people paying and then having to wait nearly a full lunar cycle to get anything, but what can you do? When you commit to these cycles you are locked in