When I started The Contender I had only the vaguest sense of what a newsletter was. Michael had just begun the ACL newsletter and it was going well. So he called and convinced me to start my own I got off the phone, immediately started writing, pushed send and The Contender was live. It was a late Friday afternoon in August, the worst time to launch anything.
I already had The Contender, a website (never a blog!), it’s still there if you want to take a look. I never would have started that site if it hadn’t been for Emilie who made it all happen (I think it launched on a Friday a few Julys earlier —I have to improve my timing).
Now here we are. Hundreds of newsletters and endless hours of podcasts later. And it’s crazy to say (but true) that this newsletter has connected with thousands of readers and that audience—you—has changed my professional life. Together we’ve analyzed bad beer, fishing lodges and the power of ice. And of course Oxford cloth shirts and chinos with diabolical attention. It’s been wonderful obsessing over details with other people who care about these things as much as I do.
But this newsletter doesn’t go in one direction; it’s a circle. From the very first week four summers ago I answered your questions and since then we’ve been talking to each other. I’m glad that we’ve created a small, civilized corner of the internet—what I always wanted from online life. Sartorial obsessions, travel ideas, fishing advice, packing theories, all the good things you share with friends are in Q&A sessions and the comment boards.
What have I learned writing this newsletter? That people don’t just want to read about where to eat in Paris and what every man should own (though they do). They’ll also read slower pieces about subtlety, about good design about modest resolutions. Oh, and of course, about the power move.
So on this day, let me tell you how grateful I am. That you contribute to this newsletter means a lot to me. I try to do my part and write often and openly, while keeping this space clean: no sponsors, no affiliate links. But you’re the ones who’ve support the project and it couldn’t happen without you.
After four years, The Contender still celebrates starting traditions, dressing well and tipping generously. We don’t need to argue about roller bags today. But even that is a fun disagreement between friends.
So here’s to another year of knit ties and brown trout. Will the Vikings win it all? We know they won’t. But we’ll go on with our spirits high.
Thanks for sharing the ride.
Onward!
DC
My favorite thing about this newsletter is that it is full of interesting ideas. It feels conversational and never promotional. So much of what I see online feels like it's a part of this unstoppable capitalism/consumerism. The Contender is a quiet rebellion! I look forward to it each week.
Congratulations, good sir! It has been a beautiful corner of the online world to step into. I thank you. Also, congratulations on another fantastic book, The Believer, finished it back in June.