Saying Goodbye to The Pen Addict

(Susan M. Pigott is a fountain pen collector, pen and paperholic, photographer, and professor. You can find more from Susan on her blog Scribalishess.)

Back in April, I emailed Brad to let him know about a major life change. As many of you know, I was a professor at a university for 28 years. In February 2020, I was issued a terminal contract, and I finished teaching my final class in May 2021.

As a consequence of my termination, I embarked on an unexpected journey. I've attended an Episcopal church for fifteen years, and during those years I always felt a tugging towards something--the diaconate, the priesthood--I wasn't sure. Three years ago, I started asking serious questions about the priesthood, and last fall, I began the process of discernment. In April I was admitted as a postulant for Holy Orders.

This means I will enter the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, as a full-time student in the Anglican Studies program this fall. When I say "full-time" I really mean it. I'll be taking 12 graduate hours per semester, working 8-10 hours a week on campus, and doing 10 hours a week of field education.

When I realized how intensive this academic year will be, I decided I needed to give up some things. One of those things is writing weekly reviews for The Pen Addict. This was a difficult decision to make. I love writing here. It has been a weekly respite from the many toxic things I endured at my university over the past six years. I'm crazy about fountain pens, inks, and paper, so being a writer for The Pen Addict was a dream come true.

My first review (on the Zebra Sharbo X LT3) was published on March 20, 2015. I remember how utterly nervous I was writing that review. Would it be good enough? Did I know enough about pens to write weekly for the blog? Could I keep up with the schedule while working full time? How often could I slip in pictures of my cats? (Turns out, not very often!)

Writing for The Pen Addict has been a complete joy. I've learned so much as a writer and as a pen addict. I had the pleasure of trying out new products--things I might never have considered using. I developed better clarity about what I love about fountain pens and what I don't. I gained exposure to the wonderful, world-wide pen community. I learned how to test inks and do chromatography. I discovered how much I adore different kinds of paper.

One of my favorite things about writing for The Pen Addict was when Brad would send a Box o' Review Stuff to each of the writers. I got such a kick out of opening those boxes, not knowing what I would find inside. It was a little Pen Addict Christmas every other month or so.

For this, my last post, I decided to reflect on some of my favorite reviews and what made them special to me.

Favorite Fountain Pen Review

Hands down, my all-time favorite review of a fountain pen was the Pelikan M600 Pink Special Edition. I purchased the Pink Pelikan on a whim after maligning the ridiculous "ladies Pelikan" marketing. What made this review special was (a) having to eat crow because it turned out that I loved this pen and (b) taking boudoir pictures of the pen. I think this was my best pen portraiture ever, and I had a blast using lingerie as the background for some of the pictures.

My biggest regret? I sold my Pink Pelikan for a song before I knew it would be one of those Pelikans that are in high demand and command ridiculous prices now. I wish I'd never sold it. I still miss that glorious "Victoria's Secret" pen in a color I thought I hated.

Favorite Fountain Pen Ink Review

My favorite ink review was the Diamine Inkvent Calendarin December 2019. What made this review so much fun is that I started working on it in October and produced twenty-five reviews that Brad posted each day in December until the final big reveal on December 25th. This was one of the most difficult reviews I worked on, because I had to find unique things to say about each of the inks.

I saw a post on Instagram that there will be another Inkvent Calendar this year!

Favorite Notebook Review

I reviewed so many notebooks over the years. I probably have enough notebooks on my shelves to last me the rest of my life. But my favorite notebook of all time has to be the William Hannah A5 Leather Notebook. The William Hannah notebook was my first experience with a disc notebook. The leather was luscious and beautiful and the range of notebook inserts on thick, gorgeous paper was impressive. All the special details indicate a product made with love and the best craftsmanship. I still own this notebook and it remains my favorite.

Favorite Paper Review

Brad sent me the Yamamoto Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection in one of those boxes I mentioned earlier. I didn't realize what that pad of paper was, glancing at it only briefly as I put things in my queue. But when I took it out of the plastic and discovered a bunch of different papers with unique textures and characteristics I was giddy. I wound up writing two full posts (second part here) on the collection, detailing each style of paper as thoroughly as possible. I doubt anyone actually read those ridiculously long posts, but I discovered my inner-paper geek and this is partly what led me into bookbinding and paper making. Plus, I heaped praise on Cosmo Air Light paper before it became a thing!

I reviewed many other things over the past six years--pen cases and other accessories, desk supplies, a zillion notebooks, and all sorts of writing instruments. But the posts I enjoyed the most were the ones that diverged from the usual: My interview with Shawn Newton (I sure wish I had done more of these like I intended);

the Penventory post;

and posts discussing my forays into bookbinding and paper making.

I want to thank Brad Dowdy for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be a Pen Addict writer. Brad, you are absolutely the best person to work with. Thanks to my fellow Pen Addict writers, Jeff and Sarah. Although we've never met in person, I think of you as colleagues and friends. Thanks also to you, the readers of Pen Addict. You are gracious and helpful (often adding to the posts with your comments) and supportive. You are the reason we research and write!

I hope to contribute occasional reviews in the future, because, duh! I'm not giving up fountain pens or ink or paper! But this will be my last weekly post. Goodbye for now!

Hello, I’m Brad.

Welcome to The Pen Addict!

Every now and then, I like to share with you all of the fun things I am up to in and around the amazing world of stationery. There are new readers here every day, and long-time readers who may not know all of the shenanigans I am up to. Here we go!

I started The Pen Addict in 2007, with The Pen Addict Podcast following in 2012. As of January 1st, 2016, this became my full-time job. Yes, this is what I do for a living, so all of your clicks and downloads and dollars are important to me, and I want to make sure I’m doing my best work in return.

Each week on the blog, I post 3 to 4 product reviews with the help of an awesome staff of paid Pen Addict writers. We cover everything from your simple $1 wooden pencil, to fountain pens worth hundreds - and everything else in between. We try to keep it fun and loose, while providing you helpful information if you are in the market for new stationery.

Every Wednesday, I jump behind the microphone to talk with my friend Myke about all of the goings on in the stationery world. We discuss new products, how we use the products we own, and answer your questions. With 467 episodes in the can as of this post, you are sure to find some stationery fun along the way. If you have never listened and are interested in jumping in, Myke and I created a new starting point at Episode 400 to catch you up on what you have missed.

One of my latest fascinations has been Twitch.tv. I’ve been streaming for almost three years, but decided to make it a focus in the last year or so. You can catch me discussing stationery live each Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. Eastern, and on Wednesday around 11:30 for a post-podcast stream. I hop on at other times randomly as well. If you miss the live stream, all of the replays are uploaded to YouTube to view at your leisure.

I also make stuff! At Nock Co., I make pen cases and paper goods, and at Spoke Design, I partner with my friend Brian to make standard pens, fountain pens, and mechanical pencils. In The Pen Addict Shop I offer all kinds of branded merchandise, ranging from stickers and swag to custom pencils and pens.

Possibly my favorite thing I do is offer a Pen Addict Membership, which is the single best, and most direct, way to support my work here at The Pen Addict. Each week, I send out Refill, the Pen Addict members newsletter. It contains a new article from me on a wide range of topics - mostly stationery, but also life - along with links and commentary on other articles I find interesting, monthly giveaways, discounts to The Pen Addict Shop, and more. I have over five years under my belt in offering this program, and am completely thrilled with how it is progressing.

On the socials, I can be found mostly on Twitter and Instagram. You can email me too, but Twitter is the place if you are looking for a quick response.

What else? I’m sure I’ve missed something. Regardless, thank you all for hanging out with me for all of these years and allowing me to call this my job. I feel very fortunate, and take none of this for granted, so let’s see what the future holds!

A Holiday, an Update, and a Story

It’s Labor Day here in the US, and with this federal holiday, I am taking a federally mandated day off from writing a review. Just kidding - at least about the mandate! I’ve just been super busy, so skipping review day needed to happen. What have I been working on instead? I’m so glad you asked!

— Retro 51 Celebration shipping: I’ve shipped through backer #500, which means I have about 300 more to go. Not bad! The big question remaining is will I have any left over to sell once I’m done. The best answer I can give right now is that I don’t know. It’s going to be close, but if I do, I’ll post here with the details on how I’ll be handling it.

— Pen Addict x Caran d’Ache 849 launch: I’ve been holding these until I get closer to finishing the Celebration shipping so as not to crush myself, but it is almost time. Pen Addict Members will be notified first, and will also receive 25% off. You should join!

— Nock Co. Waxed Canvas Brasstown and Sinclair Kickstarter: I’m not crazy, you are! Yes, another project on the plate, and one I am super excited about. I have most of the photography done for the launch, I just need to write it up and get it going. It could come as early as next week, so sign up for the Nock Co. Newsletter to be notified. Plus, there will be a business announcement in there that you don’t want to miss.

— Raffle for St. Jude: The annual Relay FM charity drive for St. Jude is underway, and I’ll be doing my part by raffling off the wonderful urushi Lamy Safari that Jonathan Brooks donated. I know how I am going to do it, but I need to finalize the details to launch it. Soon!

— Now Streaming at Studio PA: My home internet upgrade is complete, which means I’m streaming from home now. It’s a load off! There is a lot of work to be done on my stream setup, but that is taking a backset for now. That hasn’t stopped me from going live every Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. Eastern at Twitch.tv/PenAddict. Come hang out! And, if you can't join me live, you can catch all of the replays on YouTube.

— And finally: I wrote the below piece for Refill, the Pen Addict Members Newsletter, a few weeks ago. I mostly talk about stationery in those pages, but sometimes it gets personal. This was one of those times. I hope you enjoy it, and if so, please consider signing up. It’s the single biggest way to support me directly, and I’m forever grateful to everyone who has. Enjoy.

Refill #240

I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. And today, as I write this on my 49th birthday, not growing up has put me exactly where I want to be.

When I graduated high school (barely, as I mentioned last week,) I had no college plan. I went to a local college, because that’s what you are supposed to do, and dropped out of each of the first two semesters I attempted. I was lost.

I took a year off, worked at a golf course, and tried to figure out my next move.

The move involved getting a degree of some type just to say I had one, so I enrolled at the Art Institute of Atlanta in the Music Business program. It was a two-year associate degree program - not great, but hey, it checks a box I’m supposed to check. And almost immediately after graduation, I turned down an internship at a record company and moved to Chattanooga to take my first golf pro job. Those two years at school only brought me one thing: Debt. But that’s what I was supposed to do.

As I worked in Chattanooga, I fell out of love with the business side of golf, and fell in love with the woman who would become my wife. She was just starting her school journey, a six-year program that would lead to her Doctorate of Pharmacy degree. She knew what she wanted from the jump, went for it, and is still in the field today.

I shuffled from job to job during her six years of school, which included a move back to Atlanta. I was always searching for a career I could sink my teeth into and have it become part of me. I was always good with computers, so I started back to school once again. This time, in an IT program, while continuing to work a retail job. Because that’s what you are supposed to do.

My break into the IT field came when a friend told me about an entry level sys admin job at his company. I applied, got the job, and left school for good. I am not a school person, clearly.

That job began a 15 year career for the same company. I liked the work, and it was stable. I had health insurance, a 401k, and a good support network. My wife had the same. Because that is what we were supposed to do.

But I had a bug. I didn’t like school, but I liked discovering and sharing information. The internet made both of those things easier, so I started a baseball blog. And not just any baseball blog, a highly specific baseball blog that only covered the Atlanta Braves minor league system. That was my escape from the day job. I liked it, and gained a small following.

I eventually gave that up, but that idea stuck with me. The idea of exploring something small but important to me, learning more about it, and then sharing it with others.

Maybe I should start a pen blog? I wanted to find pens that worked better for me. They were out in the world, but there was almost no accessible information on them. I bought what I could, wrote about them, got some feedback, learned more, shared that information, and kept doing that over and over again.

Writing about stationery was my escape from my day job. I liked the job, but working at a 24/7 data center brings along certain stresses, and using stationery, and sharing what I discovered, helped me get away when I wasn’t working.

9 years after starting this strange little blog about pens as an escape, I left my 15 year IT career behind. It’s not what I was supposed to do. And I’m thankful every day that I did it.

I’m right where I was meant to be.