Substacks recommended by Open Secrets Magazine

Recommended by Open Secrets Magazine

Reasons Not To Quit is what it says on the label: insight, humor, and a little bit of asskicking every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from writer/editor Hanne Blank Boyd.

Dispatch from Bewilderness

By Judith Hannah Weiss

Nominated for Best American Essay and Pushcart Prize. Proudly niche since 2006 in posts of 2 minutes or less. A Substack Bestseller in Literature. Subscribe FREE as long as Substack allows. No cost. No risk. No obligation.

[f/k/a cate]

By Cate Stern

writing, reading, new adventures, one times, and sometimes musings on legal issues but not ones that can help you buy a house or break your lease early [not legal advice].

the make light journal

By karen walrond

A journal about how to create and curate a light-filled life, by author Karen Walrond.

THE EMPRESS

By The Empress

Dedicated to the art and science of midlife women thriving, THE EMPRESS brings content, community, and agency to millions of menopausal women through our networks of networks and deep partnerships with cultural changemakers.

Dawn’s Substack

By Dawn Colclasure Wilson

My personal Substack

[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil

In my bestselling newsletter, I share the bittersweetness of old age, from the blessings to the bullshit. I write about the strange contradiction of growing old: it’s wonderful… and it also sucks.

Debbie tackles so many aspects of aging with an open heart and mind, forming a welcoming community to help support one another no matter what your age.

- Open Secrets Magazine

CRAFT TALK

By Craft Talk

CRAFT TALK is a weekly newsletter about writing, creativity and productivity from author Jami Attenberg. This is also the home of #1000wordsofsummer, where, once a year, we write 1000 words a day together for two weeks straight.

Human Stuff

By Lisa Olivera

A newsletter that explores the spiral of aliveness: the aches, the joys, and the liminal, from a therapist/writer/human. When the Ache Remains is out 4/28/26.

The Spark ✨

By Ruthie Ackerman

A weekly newsletter from a big city girl with big bylines (Vogue, Glamour, NYT) about the craft of writing, building a supportive literary community, plus reading, design, and lifestyle recommendations for creatives of all kinds.

Ripped Substack

By Justin Kolber

Welcome to the Ripped Substack, a place to discuss health, body image, food, exercise, pop culture, and all things Ripped

Athena Dixon

Author of The Loneliness Files and The Incredible Shrinking Woman. Nonfiction/Hybrid Editor at Split/Lip Press. Music Lover. Philly via Ohio.

4 Minutes Max

By Andy Horwitz

Periodic microessays on art, culture and society

extended scenes

By Jenn Romolini

ambition+ aging but sometimes i talk about clothes/face creams (from the former co-host of the 'everything is fine' podcast and author of the memoir 'ambition monster')

Jenn GOES THERE when it comes to sharing insights about her life, work, and existential worries in a way that helps readers feel less alone. This newsletter is a perfect postscript to Ambition Monster for anyone who struggles with working too much or just wants to hear from someone who does in real time.

- Open Secrets Magazine

PubStack Success

By Karen Cherry

Start, grow, and make an impact on Substack. Get one easy-to-follow, no-nonsense newsletter per week and grow without FOMO and overwhelm. By a writer who built a $28K+ publication that's not writing about writing.

Her Stories: Writing Craft & Community @Story Circle Network

By StoryCircleNetwork

We help women become the authors of their lives.

Substack Writers at Work with Sarah Fay

The art and business of real Substack growth—with the leading Substack Strategist, Sarah Fay

Sarah Fay has created an invaluable community for anyone wanting to grow their Substack and learn more about how the platform works. She's always up-to-the-minute with what's new and the direction to take to best stay current and develop and ongoing relationship with your readers.

- Open Secrets Magazine

Jenny Bartoy

Writing and editing tips | Book reviews and author interviews | Personal announcements and literary news

Everyday Distractions

By Emily Farris

A sporadic and random newsletter from Emily Farris, author of "I'll Just Be Five More Minutes: And Other Tales from My ADHD Brain" (Hachette, 2024)

The Hyphen by Emma Gannon

✨ a cosy online space for curious readers ✨ from Sunday Times Bestselling author Emma Gannon. Books, work, wellbeing & creativity. "One of Britain’s most prominent Substack writers" — The Times

Best American Essays Newsletter

By Best American Essays Editor

A digital newsletter featuring updates about the Best American Essays series, essays about the essay, interviews, reviews, and more.

If you want to know more about the people behind the personal essays you love, and discover new writers to follow (both classic and modern), this is the newsletter for you.

- Open Secrets Magazine

The Word Cave

By Lilly Dancyger

Short essays and missives about writing, reading, and art from Lilly Dancyger, author of First Love and Negative Space. Plus occasional writing course listings.

Publishing Confidential

By Kathleen Schmidt

News and analysis about the book publishing industry that you won't read anywhere else.

Kathleen offers the inside scoop on publishing from someone who knows the industry firsthand, plus insights into her life and what to read next.

- Open Secrets Magazine

Articulated Alchemy

By Gretchen Corsillo

Musings on leadership + being a 30-something woman in today's world. Mostly serious, but my Jersey snark has become a personality trait. Views are my own.

Unsolicited Press Newsletter

Unsolicited Press strives to produce exceptional works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from award-winning authors. Unsolicited Press is based out of Portland, Oregon and focuses on the works of the unsung and underrepresented.

Iowa politics with Laura Belin

Where you get in-depth coverage and exclusive reporting about Iowa politics

Queen of Seasons

By From Mou

Mou (pronouned "Mo") offers insight & inspiration to support your liberation

Being a Dad is Hard as F*ck

By Michael Venutolo-Mantovani

A weekly newsletter about how f*cking hard it is to be a dad.

Michael shares entertaining and moving insights into parenting.

- Open Secrets Magazine

Embedded

By Nick Catucci

Your essential guide to what’s good on the internet. Written by Kate Lindsay and edited by Nick Catucci.

Poor Man's Feast

By Elissa Altman

The James Beard Award-winning narrative journal about the intersection of sustenance, storytelling, and the creative spirit (and sometimes, a recipe).

Feelings & Co. by Nora McInerny

Podcasts & Essays from Nora McInerny.

Lit Mag News

By Becky Tuch

Latest News in Lit Mag Publishing

The price of xyz

By alissa bader clark

I'm a writer and a parent and I'm tired.

Emily, of Folly Journal

By The Editor

Folly is an international literary and art publication based in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Dailyness

By Madeleine Dore

Observations on the varying rhythms of our days—and how we can be more present to the many lives within them ✨

Deez Links

By Delia Cai

the media & culture newsletter that everyone in media & culture reads

The Memoirist

By KiKi Walter

The Memoirist is a welcoming community for writers to share memoirs and personal essays. You can also find us at thememoiristquarterly.com and on Medium at thememoiristpub.com.

Estelle Erasmus/Writing That Gets Noticed

How to find your voice, become a better storyteller, and get published. Paid subscribers receive exclusive craft breakdowns, publication strategy, and direct interaction.

Anodyne Magazine

We're an arts and lit mag advocating for FLINTA* health equity. Subscribe to receive updates about open submissions, award cycles, and more. Become a paid supporter and receive the biyearly print copy, critique support, and more. Thank you!

Karmen Lee

Karmen Lee is a lifelong Southerner living it up with her kid, her cats and humidity. When not at her nine-to-five, she can be found drinking coffee at night, watching House Hunters International and dreaming up ways to show her readers a good time.

Writing in the Dark with Jeannine Ouellette

By Jeannine

For people who do language. Writing saved my life—so I teach writing as if it can save yours.

G is for Goal

By Tracey Gee

G is for Goal is a personal development newsletter dedicated to the cure for the common goal. I write from my insights in coaching to help you be enchanted with your own life, reclaim imagination and agency, and creatively live what you were made for.

Ford Knows Books

By Mr. Troy Ford

Essays, stories & curiosities | Home of the novel "Lamb" - "The Books We ❤️ Club" - and "The Road to Published" - the choose-your-own-adventure approach to writing and publishing books

Beyond with Jane Ratcliffe

The internet’s most intimate, illuminating interviews with today’s greatest writers—get an in-depth look into the craft of writing and what it means to be a heart-centered human in a hard world.

gotham girl

By Alisa Kennedy Jones

gotham girl is a reader-supported newsletter for inquisitive readers from bestselling author Alisa Kennedy Jones. "One of America’s funniest, most singular voices on Substack" — The New York Times

Live Like You're Mortal

By Susan Lieu

Honesty, hope, and humor in this chaotic world.

Deborah Copperud Volunteers

I write about books, politics, Minneapolis, podcasts, and writing.

Geek Out

By Brenden O'Donnell

A memoir, criticism, and craft newsletter.

Safe Passages

By Tara

Do you wish you traveled more? Feel addicted to tech? You're not alone. I provide practical digital safety guidance so you can explore the world confidently and stay meaningfully connected. Start with my FREE essential packing list!

L.A. Montana

L.A. Montana’s work has been previously published in various online magazines. She is based in Boston.