18 Comments
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KJ Harlow's avatar

Loving that it's been such a wildly successful year for you and Jan. Perhaps 2026 is the year that you get the MVP of the author-centric Goodreads-killer out into the wild. Like stories, tech does a lot better with a human-centered approach.

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Ed the Editor's avatar

Thanks KJ! I would like to spend more time on the app MVP in 2026.

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Nav Rao's avatar

We should talk about the app. I've been plugging away at the Substack alternative where our content is our own, and not a product of the American investors.

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Ed the Editor's avatar

That’s exactly what I want to make.

Blending the social aspects that are healthy and allow authors to interact with readers. Where it’s easier for readers to find stories and read them. Focusing on fiction. But where the authors own their work and can get better compensated for it.

Substack’s payment model is flawed.

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KJ Harlow's avatar

I’ll need to dust off my old UXD boot camp materials from 2019 so I can be of help. All I remember is the double diamond 💎💎😬

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Ed the Editor's avatar

🙌

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Nav Rao's avatar

As a bald man, I must say, that was incredibly wrong of you to try to take Santa's hat. The hat protects us. It keeps us safe. Maybe you didn't deserve your end but to take a balding man's hat, is to invite trouble.

Excellent read, and I look forward to more in the new year.

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Ed the Editor's avatar

Haha. I’m starting to bald, my head was cold. He left it behind!

Thanks for reading!

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Caroline Osella (they/them)'s avatar

" I could kill Santa with my bare hands and keep the hat forever, feeding off its power to do good with cozy and cheer". Bloody brilliant story, 👏🏾

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Ed the Editor's avatar

Thanks you! I liked the irony in that line 😂

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RM Greta's avatar

This was awesome! Flucksed! Lol. The battle with Santa was hilarious. Excellent horror and especially body horror.

Santa's such a bastard for spitting on your dust pile hahah

Excellent writing, as always! I loved seeing both yours and Jan's milestones. Congratulations to both of you for a great year!

2026 will be fantastic!

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Ed the Editor's avatar

Yeah, Santa's a dick! lol

This was very dry and cold body horror. No squelches 😔. Probably not going to be confused as anything but horror 😅.

Thank you!

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RM Greta's avatar

I don't know! I definitely saw some questionable parts...

I'm back to say that I loved the idea of your sudden cozy possession being due to the magic hat.

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Ed the Editor's avatar

Uh oh...

Haha. Like I'm frosty the snow man, just a different hat.

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Ed the Editor's avatar

Please point them out 🫣

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RM Greta's avatar

Hahah do you want a restack or just a quiet list in the comments? *Cracks knuckles*

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Ed the Editor's avatar

I like the idea of someone finding a restack and expecting something completely different 😂

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Anthony Michael Malec's avatar

It was a pleasure, my man. Never thought I’d record myself saying “I punched Santa in the face” but I’m glad it happened.

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