I noticed today that the ‘about’ text at our Substack is old. I wrote it almost two years ago when I was re-launching the magazine.

I’m going to update it shortly but let’s have a quick look at that expired old text to archive and reflect upon it.

New Escapologist was a small press magazine for over a decade, beginning with a pilot issue in 2007 and ending with a chunky final edition in 2017. Since then, I’ve kept the spirit alive with a blog (digested monthly in this newsletter), a column in the Idler, and two books.

Hah. “Final edition.” Whenever New Escapologist was spoken about in the past tense (between 2017 and 2023), it gave me a pang of mild sadness. That alone wasn’t enough to bring it back, but I’m glad it’s back.

The theme of this franchise has been escape, typically from the alienating concerns of work and consumerism, with a sense of style and grace and humour.

I’d like to cover more kinds of escape than the escapes from work and consumer culture. I already know that Issue 17 will see some examples of that.

Over the years, New Escapologist saw contributions from Alain de Botton, Caitlin Doughty, Mr Money Mustache, Will Self, and Tinky Actual Winky from Teletubbies. Most importantly, we published over 200 essays designed to temper the work ethic.

And with two interviews per issue now plus a roster of columnists, we’re attracting more prominent citizens than ever before. Famous names is no reason to buy the magazine. But the thoughtful things these cherrypicked favourites happen to say is a good reason to buy the magazine.

In 2023, it’s clearer than ever that “honest hard work” is not the answer to poverty, loneliness, boredom or ill health.

And in 2024 it’s clearer still. Recent news stories include a “presenteeism epidemic,” people being unable to afford sick leave, graduates who’d be better off if they hadn’t gone to university, and a cleaner sacked for eating a sandwich.