The End of an Era: Saying Goodbye to Southern Sonoma Country Life on Typepad and Reflecting on the Future of Independent Journalism

After close to two decades of publishing my work on my Southern Sonoma Country Life site on the Typepad platform, I've received news that marks the end of an era: the platform will be shutting down at the end of September. For those of us who came up after print in the golden age of blogging, this feels like more than just the closure of a service—it’s the closing chapter of a digital revolution that gave writers, thinkers, and independent journalists a space to find their voice, connect with readers, and build communities outside of mainstream media.

When blogging took off in the early 2000s, it was a democratizing force. Platforms like Typepad allowed anyone with an internet connection and something to say to publish freely and without gatekeepers. Over the years, blogs became trusted sources of alternative news, commentary, and personal reflection. They were messy, passionate, imperfect—and essential.

But times have changed. The rise of social media and algorithm-driven platforms has shifted how readers consume content. Quick hits, bite-sized updates, and the constant scroll have largely replaced the long-form, open-ended blog post. Meanwhile, newsletters, podcasts, and subscription-based models have emerged as new lifelines for independent creators.

As Typepad prepares to shutter, I’m left with decisions about where to take my work next. I remain active on social media, and I also maintain a newsletter through my author website. Still, I’m considering how best to stay connected with readers who value thoughtful, independent journalism.

So I turn to you—my readers and supporters—who have followed my work over the years:
Where do you prefer to read articles and updates from independent journalists like me?
Do you value newsletters in your inbox? Do you prefer following updates on social media, or are you still seeking spaces for longer-form content?

Your input will help shape what comes next. And whatever that looks like, I remain committed to sharing stories, analysis, and reporting that matter—with integrity and independence. I hope to post a couple more articles before the end of September. 

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Comments

[NextMoon]

Hello, Frances. For our business, we've signed up with Substack. I typically read blogs via Medium and Substack.

I checked with my friend and now-retired business partner, Nancy Egan, of newvoodou.com in Santa Fe. She said that her website is on Squarespace, and she creates the blog posts there and uses the Squarespace posting service.

You'll love her blog posts, and her books on blurb.com — "Folk Art Misbehaving" and "If These Clothes Could Talk."

Best,
M.