Four Years Ago

Helping me support you better

Apr 09, 2026

Four years ago I wrote my first essay on Over the Field. Since then, I have written over 110 essays, had numerous essays and book reviews externally published, given two lectures, and have launched two online reading groups. It has been a lot of fun and as I look back, I am encouraged to see how I have grown as a writer/thinker and how some of my core philosophical beliefs have matured and become more rooted. I now know what I stand for and I hope this is evident in what I write.

**I would love to hear what is your favourite or most memorable essay that I have written from these four years of writing. Please put a link to them in the comments section below**

Reader survey

The publishing and writing scene has changed significantly in these four years, especially on Substack, with many inboxes suffering Substack overload. Conscious of this, I wish to serve you all better by taking these changes into consideration. Hence, I am launching this reader survey to gather your expectations in order to meet them to the best of my ability.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the survey.

The Village Green

You may not know but Over the Field has a sister publication, The Village Green. Here is where I post my nature writing, natural history primers, rural studies, and old church tours. Below is my most recent post:

The Village Green

Churches along the Great River

Up here in the North of England, one gets used to churches of various shades of grey made from rocks hewn from the mountains. I have grown to love these churches, their austere character, weathered texture, and the way they blend in seamlessly into the rugged, drystone walled landscape. From time to time, though, one longs to see a different colour than the various shades of grey…

a month ago · 11 likes · 2 comments · Hadden Turner

Supporting Over the Field

It is harder than ever to be an independent writer. Not only is there now so much writing out there that it can be difficult to stand out, but writers now have AI to contend with. I am (like any writer) therefore in need of your support.

There are a number of ways you can do this.

Read, share, like, and engage with my writing. As other sources of publicity have dried up, sharing, liking, re-stacking, and engaging with my writing is now more important than ever in helping me find new audiences. Even giving my posts a like (the heart button) helps so much as it shows this piece is worth reading to new readers. I am so grateful to those who support me in this most valuable way.
Take out a paid subscription. This helps me financially and also opens up some benefits for you: access to Wendell Berry AND Against the Machine Reading Groups, full access to paywalled essays, access to my agrarian principles and agrarian essay archive.
Get 20% off forever
Consider becoming a patron/Founding Member. This is more significant financial investment. I am working on developing a format whereby patrons to Over the Field have greater say in its direction and themes, and also have more direct engagement with me as a writer and thinker.
Tip me. For those who cannot afford a paid subscription but would like to support me, I put a link to a tipping platform at the end of each essay. Every £1/$1 is a great encouragement.
Tip jar
Message me. I love to receive comments, emails, and letters — hand written or not. Writing can be a lonely business at times, so these thoughtful comments and messages mean a great deal (and though I am not the most prompt at replying I do try to reply to most).