70 Comments

Jeff, prayers abound. You're a pillar of the community, no doubt, and it will take some adjusting for the rest of us to bear the weight of your absence. Take whatever time you need--uncertainty is a scary thing, it's hard to be more macabre than that. But you took an idea (themed days) and turned it into an institution (THIS THING RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW). You've got a lot to be proud of, and this community has a lot of reasons to be grateful for you. Thank you for all you have done and--no doubt--will continue to do.

We're going to miss you. It is an honor to be mentioned in that list of fine people, and it is a real blessing to have been able to share this journey with you in one form or another.

Please don't be a stranger. This is "see you later" and not "goodbye". But in the meantime--I'll be praying hard for you. God bless you, friend!

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Oh man Scoot, I can't tell you how much that means to me. Thank you. It really has been a blessing sharing this journey with you and many others. I really can't express in words all the rich memories you've all given me in the last year. That's crazy to think about--a month from now will have been a year for me on Substack. It's been a wild ride that I will always look back to fondly.

My only request to you is that you never, ever stop being you. You're such a great dude with so much talent. I will be an avid supporter of you as long you keep pumping out these masterful works of literature. Keep reaching for greatness and inspiring others!

We'll definitely leave it at "see you later"!

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Oh Jeff, I'm so sorry to hear about this. It has been such a joy getting to know you here on this platform, and you'll definitely be leaving an empty space behind you that no one can truly fill.

You, my friend, are a force. That's never going to change. Thank you for everything you've done for fiction, for Substack, and for the lives you've touched through Macabre Monday. You created something truly beyond any of us, and it's showing no signs of stopping!

Stay spooky, and (if you'll permit me) I'm praying for this next chapter, for you and for your family. You are loved!

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I can say it has been just as joyful watching you absolutely dominate the fictionstack. You were my original inspiration to be more than just a writer lurking in the shadows here. I owe a lot of what I have done on this platform to you. I caught the inspirational bug from you that you are so good at infecting people with and just knew I had to do more. So thank you for just being you!

I appreciate everything you said more than you know. Thank you for being apart of Macabre Monday and helping lift us up so that we could be as successful as we were! I cannot wait to see how Talebones continues to succeed and how far you take you career as an author. Thank you for the prayers, and best of luck to you in the future :)

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Jeff, I’m sending you all the macabre love in the world. I don’t know you personally but the day last fall when you responded to one of my notes asking if I wanted to join MM was the day I first felt I belonged on Substack. MM is such an important part of my world now. I love getting to read everyone’s work every week and I live for The Cemetery roundups. Absolutely wishing you all the best.

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It warms my heart to hear that Macabre Monday made you feel welcome here and that it plays such a large role in your world. You've contributed some amazing stuff since you joined (I would know since I looked through it all!) and I hope you never stop. Thanks for the well wishes EJ.

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I'm so sorry to see this; I'll be praying for you and your family for sure. Good luck and God bless!

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Thanks Michael, I sure could use it. Good luck to you as well in all your endeavors!

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Take care of yourself, Jeff. That's the most important thing to do. I say this as someone who had to quit working a day job for about 4 or 5 years because of my own medical issues. I'm sending you lots of positive vibes to get you through it.

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Oh, I've been there myself. Never fun, but we do what we gotta do. Thanks for the positive vibes, they will certainly be used.

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Jeff, you've been a wonderful force in the community, and in an incredibly short time you managed to gather up a group of folks and create something special here. As Scoot said, prayers abound. No matter what you're going through, whether you're hanging around Notes or not, you'll be in my prayers. I suspect if I ever had a health scare, the Lunar Awards would be the first to go, and I often think about the fact that I need to bring some others into the fold. It shows what a great leader you've been, motivating others to continue on with Macabre Monday. Even if it didn't continue, your involvement here is always going to be fondly remembered. If you need anything, feel free to reach out via DM.

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This means the world coming from you, Brian. You have no idea how much you and the Lunar Awards inspired me in order to take on this project. I hope to see the Lunar Awards continue to grow and prosper into everything you dream it to be. Thank you so much for the well wishes and prayers.

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Sorry to hear you’re facing a serious medical challenge and I wish you all the luck, stamina and love you need. Thanks and good luck

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Thank you so much!

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Thank you for creating a community for so many folks around something so good: creative writing. One day at a time, one hour at a time. I believe in you.

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Absolutely. It has been one of my greatest pleasures fostering such an amazing community. Thank you!

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Praying for you, Jeff. I’m so glad to have met you through Macabre Monday, and even though my contributions of late have been meagre, I do appreciate the MM community, and you especially. Thank you for everything you did for us here. Wishing you all the best going forward.

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I am glad to have met you as well! It was my pleasure. Thank you for your kindness, Andrei.

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Thank you for everything 🤝 All the best with everything Jeff!

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Thank you! Can I also just say, I absolutely love your page and everything you've contributed over all this time. I can say without a doubt, when I made the digest/directory, I was always excited to see what you had in store for everyone.

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That means a lot. I'm glad I found a place for my writing, and you were a big part of that. Thank you my friend

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Hi Jeff, I've only been on the scene since March but Macabre Monday welcomed me with open arms and I have been so happy to be part of this awesome theme day. I wish you all the best with your family and your health and even though I don't know you or have all this history on substack, I was saddened to hear you've had to call it a day and wish you well.

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Hey, whether you've been part of MM for months, weeks or days we are all one big happy family. I am so happy that you felt so welcomed by the community--it's all I could have hoped for. Thank you for your well wishes. Here's to hoping I have a triumphant return one day!

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Thank you for creating this community! <3 Good luck on your next chapter!

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My pleasure, Sean and thank you. Just so you know, Cherry Kills still lives rent free in my mind. Probably always will.

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❤️

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I'm sorry that you need to take a break, especially under these circumstances. I hope your health improves and you're able to return.

Thank you for all you've done to create Macabre Mondays. You did good! 👍

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I appreciate the well wishes, thank you Jennifer. Of course, it was absolutely my pleasure!

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You will be sadly and sorely missed, my friend, sending bountiful positive thoughts and energy to your recovery. ❤️‍🩹

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Thank you Jennifer!

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I am sad I didn't get to know you especially since I just recently joined in the Macabre Monday community, but I have seen the interactions between those involved and I would say what you accomplished stood a great deal to making Substack a pleasant experience for newcomers like myself.

I am saddened to read you are having medical problems and can only hope that it will be something you can overcome. Just focus on the things that matter in your life, your health and those you love and care for.

I am certain that should things improve on your end and you come back, you will find the warmest of eager embraces by people here and if you occasionally seek engagement, there are many here that will gladly engage with you.

That being said. I wish you all the best and I hope your health improves. Keep fighting the good fight with life forward but never forget to take the rest you need.

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You may not know me, know me but you know me through the community as it is an extension of myself. The day you joined Macabre Monday you became part of one giant family. I am so happy to hear that it has made your experience pleasant when joining Substack.

I can't thank you enough for your kindness and words of encouragement. It means more to me than you know. I hope in the future there is time to get to know one another better. I wish you the best going forward with MM, as well as all your personal endeavors.

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I've only been around a bit, but this newsletter is perhaps the best combination of 'welcoming' and 'professional' I've seen. Take all the time you need - I'd say you've earned it. Thank you for this outstanding community you've built.

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I'm glad to hear it! The newsletter certainly has come a long way since the cringey beginning. Thanks Sam, here to hoping you thrive in and out of the community.

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