Why Some of My Work Is Paywalled — And Why Memberships (and Substacks) Exist

It’s not uncommon for me to see frustration when someone clicks on a blog and realises it sits behind a paywall. Sometimes that frustration turns into a refusal to pay — and the content is simply left unread.

I understand where that reaction comes from. We’ve become very used to information being immediate, free, and endlessly available.

At the same time, as a student and professional who regularly pays to access academic articles, journals, and the work of authors I value, I also understand what sits behind that work. Research, writing, editing, and years — sometimes decades — of study don’t appear without cost.

For context, publications like New Scientist charge around £8 a week, and for many readers the value far exceeds the price. Articles often draw on studies that have taken 30 years or more to complete. What we’re paying for isn’t just the final paragraph — it’s the time, expertise, and infrastructure that made it possible.

That’s the space my own work sits in too.

Some of my writing lives behind a paywall because it’s research-led, time-intensive, and built on paid access to academic material. Memberships — each with their own dedicated Substack space — exist to support that work in a way that’s sustainable, ethical, and transparent.

They’re not about limiting access. They’re about making sure this work can continue to exist at all.

This Work Is Built on Research, Not Opinion

Much of what I write is researched, referenced, and evidence-led.

That means:

• Paying to access academic journals and DOI papers

• Reading and cross-referencing research across disciplines

• Translating dense, technical language into something usable and humane

• Checking welfare, ethics, and real-world application

• 
  

Sometimes hours of work go into a single sentence — not for effect, but for accuracy and responsibility.

Transcribing and Translating Research Is Labour

A large part of my work involves transcribing, summarising, and contextualising academic research.

That process:

• Helps dog guardians understand complex science without needing academic access

• Supports colleagues who want clear, ethical interpretations

• Assists students — many of whom are mature students continuing CPD — who cite my blogs and use them as learning scaffolds

This isn’t about replacing original research. It’s about making it accessible, traceable, and usable — and that takes time, skill, and care.

Why There Are Memberships — and Multiple Substacks

I currently run six memberships, three of which include their own dedicated Substack accounts as part of the subscription.

These exist so that:

• Content can be tailored to different audiences and learning needs

• Learning can be deeper, slower, and more structured

• Subscribers can follow the strands most relevant to their work or study

• Long-form, research-heavy writing has a sustainable home

Each Substack supports a different layer of education — whether that’s guardianship, professional development, or reflective practice — without forcing everyone into the same space.

Time, Energy, and Sustainability

Beyond financial cost, there is time — and a lot of it.

Research-led writing involves:

• Research days

• Drafting and redrafting

• Cognitive and emotional labour

• Accessibility checks and clarity passes

• Reflection on ethics and impact

As a disabled professional, this time comes from a limited energy budget. Paywalls and memberships help protect that capacity so the work can continue without burnout or compromise.

Free Content Still Exists — and Always Will

Accessibility is a core value for me.

That’s why there will always be:

• Free posts

• Free resources

• Open discussions

• Signposting and community learning

Paywalled work doesn’t replace this. It sits alongside it — allowing me to go deeper where needed.

About Emails, Access, and Visibility

I know email sign-ups aren’t everyone’s favourite thing.

They exist so that:

• Readers are notified when new work is published

• I can understand what’s being read and used

• This remains a consent-based, transparent learning space

If someone has seen a post go live, it’s usually because they’re already connected to that system — notifications don’t happen by accident.

Supporting Ethical, Independent CPD

When you subscribe or join a membership, you’re not just accessing writing.

You’re supporting:

• Research access and academic subscriptions

• Time spent translating science into practice

• CPD-friendly resources that can be cited and revisited

• Independent education not driven by ads or sponsorships

For many of us — guardians, professionals, and students alike — learning doesn’t stop after qualification. Memberships help make ongoing, ethical CPD possible.

A Gentle Boundary

I’m always happy to explain, discuss, and signpost free resources.

What I can’t do is give away work that exists specifically to keep this space sustainable.

That boundary isn’t personal — it’s professional and necessary.

If my work helps you learn, reflect, or practice more ethically — thank you. If you’re able to support it through a subscription or membership, that support genuinely matters.

And if not, you’re still welcome here — learning where you can, when you can.

Want to go deeper, at your own pace?

Explore memberships and find the space that fits you → (No pressure. Learn where and when it works for you.) Mischief Membership tiers