On February 12, 2024, I sent the very first Ad Hoc letter to friends that I’d manually added to my mailing list. I didn’t know much about Substack, but I had been reading
for six months and I was itching for a new creative project. I had dropped the English major and wasn’t writing as much as I wanted to. I was swimming in directionless energy and precious TIME.So, I came up with the concept for Ad Hoc and wrote my first letter. I wasn’t scared to publish it. One of my best traits is that I’m really good at not being embarrassed about vulnerability on the internet.
One year later, I’ve sent 50 letters and grown a readership of over 5,000 of you. I’m so grateful for every person who generously allows me into their inbox and reads the letter every Monday. Ad Hoc has been my favorite part of the week, every week, even when the practice of writing feels hard. It’s often on those slow, uninspired Sundays when I write the letters that resonate the most.
I’ve also met incredibly smart, dedicated, and kind people through this project. Some of my friends and favorite authors include (but are not limited to)
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,, , , , , and . Reading their work makes me a more careful, curious, empathetic writer.In celebratory fashion (it is a birthday after all), here are some of my favorite Ad Hoc letters I’ve sent, sorted by category. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I could say it a million times and it wouldn’t be enough.
School:
Aesthetics:
Internet:
ADHOC:
Personal:
THANK YOU I LOVE YOU!!! HAPPY ONE YEAR!!!
Arden!!!!!! you are so special- i adore you and your writing, never stop please!
Congratulations on 1 year!! Super glad I found your writing through Emily's suggestion. Reading your piece during my sunday routine has easily become one of my favorite parts of the week.