diff --git a/relay.go b/relay.go
index aa8d862..0d78cd1 100644
--- a/relay.go
+++ b/relay.go
@@ -318,10 +318,10 @@ func (r *Relay) HandleRelayMessage(envelope Envelope) {
 }
 
 // Write queues a message to be sent to the relay.
-func (r *Relay) Write(msg []byte) error {
+func (r *Relay) Write(msg []byte) <-chan error {
 	ch := make(chan error)
 	r.writeQueue <- writeRequest{msg: msg, answer: ch}
-	return <-ch
+	return ch
 }
 
 // Publish sends an "EVENT" command to the relay r as in NIP-01.
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ func (r *Relay) Publish(ctx context.Context, event Event) (Status, error) {
 	envb, _ := EventEnvelope{Event: event}.MarshalJSON()
 	debugLog("{%s} sending %v\n", r.URL, envb)
 	status = PublishStatusSent
-	if err := r.Write(envb); err != nil {
+	if err := <-r.Write(envb); err != nil {
 		status = PublishStatusFailed
 		return status, err
 	}
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ func (r *Relay) Auth(ctx context.Context, event Event) (Status, error) {
 	// send AUTH
 	authResponse, _ := AuthEnvelope{Event: event}.MarshalJSON()
 	debugLog("{%s} sending %v\n", r.URL, authResponse)
-	if err := r.Write(authResponse); err != nil {
+	if err := <-r.Write(authResponse); err != nil {
 		// status will be "failed"
 		return status, err
 	}
diff --git a/subscription.go b/subscription.go
index 5625630..b7fbbf2 100644
--- a/subscription.go
+++ b/subscription.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (sub *Subscription) Fire() error {
 	debugLog("{%s} sending %v", sub.Relay.URL, reqb)
 
 	sub.live = true
-	if err := sub.Relay.Write(reqb); err != nil {
+	if err := <-sub.Relay.Write(reqb); err != nil {
 		sub.cancel()
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write: %w", err)
 	}