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Nov 7·edited Nov 7Liked by Amran Gowani

"If you know who Paul Heyman, Eric Bischoff, and Paul Levesque are, if you know what the terms “heat” and “jobber” and “schmozz” mean, and if you can succinctly explain the “Montreal Screwjob,” please seek the help you need."

BAHAHAHAH.

For the record, I don't. But I did have "Mr. McMahon" bookmarked to watch. Something about WWE, combined with, and I quote, "an ambitious entrepreneur behaving like a complete psychopath" makes me feel warm and cozy inside. Like being wrapped up in my nostalgia blankey in front of the fire.

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Haha! I did know all of the stuff I mentioned because I need a serious intervention. During the mid-2010's I went deep on pro wrestling -- current and past content -- and learned a ton about the industry. If you're more of a novice, you'll really dig the series.

Plus, all kidding aside, you can learn A TON about writing from pro wrestling. It's all plot lines and character development, and I legit credit the genre with developing my storytelling chops.

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Nov 7Liked by Amran Gowani

I can’t wait and I am serious I’m afraid.

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Nov 7Liked by Amran Gowani

*tries to go back and insert commas but can’t “edit” on Substack app***

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Nov 7Liked by Amran Gowani

Can you speak to the practice of companies selling products at the same(ish) price but in smaller quantities and hoping we don't notice? I've always been fascinated by the "pound" of ground coffee that is actually 12 ounces, and the complete disappearance of the "half-gallon" carton of ice cream.

I attended that Jane F. webinar! Twas excellent. I keep thinking I need to cough up the cash for a one-on-one with her RE: my newsletter strategy -but that viewing was a good starting point for brainstorms. Still missing the piece where I'm a published author that people actually want to connect with ... but ... baby steps.

Thanks for the good reads and salty sanity.

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Yes, what you mentioned is specifically called "shrinkflation." In essence, you're getting less than you used to but paying the same price, which means the per unit cost (e.g., per oz/per pound) has gone up. This is another way companies juice profits at the expense of consumers.

Ironically, because American food is such garbage, I've wondered if this could be a good outcome health-wise despite its obvious financial harm to many people.

Re: Jane, maybe pitch her on a business clinic the same way I did. You can frame yourself up as an indie author looking to monetize existing work while pursuing the dual path of seeking an agent/trad publisher for new work. You've got a big enough subscriber footprint -- plus the Fictionistas connection -- to make the pitch appealing.

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I always knew McMahon was shady- but not THIS shady...

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Like so much related to the billionaire class, it's far worse than you can imagine.

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Definitely. Those guys have too much money and not enough brain cells.

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Nov 7Liked by Amran Gowani

But the question remains: how evil was Ed McMahon? What was behind that forced jolly laugh night after night for, what, 50 years?

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I can only imagine the horrors...

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