Substacks recommended by Ken Elkes

Recommended by Ken Elkes

TK Hart -- Riding (and Writing) the Spiral

Spiraling out, I examine the world around me. Retreating in, I poke at the dark corners of my soul. Spiral out, spiral in -- always writing. Join me. Let's take a ride.

Trials By Writing by Geoff Mantooth

Join me, a former I.P. attorney and current novelist, in running the obstacle course to find good books and develop our skills to discover compelling stories.

It’s always good to read a Substack on writing that also emphasises good reading - and where to find it.

- Ken Elkes

The Joy of Fixion

By Jo Gatford

Exploring how to fix your fiction. Writing about writing, redrafting, editing, narrative theory, and figuring out where, how and why the magic wording happens.

With its supportive insights into writing, The Joy of Fiction is “A tiny pilot light to keep your faith in your writing alive.”

- Ken Elkes

Accordion FIction: A New Approach to Flash & Other Fictions

By Thaisa Frank

A newsletter for writers who want innovative ways to write & revise.

WestWord

By Amanda Saint

WestWord Lit Mag publishes great micro fictions, flash fictions and short stories.

This Itch of Writing with Emma Darwin

All about fiction and creative non-fiction: writing it, reading it, teaching it and occasionally hating it

Great to see Emma Darwin’s excellent This Itch Of Writing on Substack and its many useful insights into novel writing.

- Ken Elkes

Class Notes by Jon McGregor

Class Notes from the creative writing classes I teach at the University of Nottingham, available to everyone who couldn't make it.

Jon McGregor’s Class Notes is never less than an insightful and intriguing place to visit for writing inspiration. Highly recommended.

- Ken Elkes

Freelance Writing Jobs

By Sian Meades-Williams

Helping writers earn millions of pounds in commissions since 2018. Calls for pitches, creative submissions, freelance and part-time writing jobs. All UK-based. Compiled by Sian Meades-Williams.

At Least it Made a Good Story

By Angela St. James

Featuring flash writing / song pairings. This site is run by a somewhat bitter lawyer who gravitates towards works that embrace mistakes and learning the hard way.

Your Weekly Writing Exercise

By Mary Carroll Moore

My latest writing exercise to inspire and encourage your creativity.

Sub Club

Submission opportunities for creative and professional writers delivered to your inbox weekly.

I know from personal experience how time-consuming and admin-heavy it can be to search for places to submit stories, this really useful Substack takes on some heavy-lifting on behalf of the writer.

- Ken Elkes

Kate Dulson’s Substack

My Writer Substack

The Mindful Writer

By Amanda Saint

The Mindful Writer is all about using our words to create positive human connection. Posts about creating stories filled with compassion, writing for wellness, and living and writing mindfully.

Substack Writers at Work with Sarah Fay

For writers and creators who want real, meaningful growth on Substack ◻️ From the foremost Substack strategist Sarah Fay ◻️ Join thousands of paid subscribers ◻️ A top-3, bestselling, featured Substack globally

The Literary Obsessive

By Eleanor Anstruther

A show case for my work, I stream fiction before it goes to print, publish essays & interviews, and champion indie lit fiction by increasing visibility, challenging stigma, and proving quality.

Prattlefog & Gravelrap

By Matt Kendrick

A monthly article series about the elements of short fiction: ideas for rocket-boosting your writing craft, reading recommendations, and other writing-related ramblings.

Matt’s thoughts on writing craft are always worth investigating!

- Ken Elkes

A Personal Anthology

By Jonathan Gibbs

A weekly guest-editor picks and introduces a personal anthology of twelve favourite short stories

A personal anthology is always and interesting and thoughtful way to discover short stories on Substack, some fresh, some familiar.

- Ken Elkes

The Ghost

By Jeff Goins

On writing and life. Long-form musings on the nature of creativity and the essence of everything. Some poems, too.

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

By The Shit About Writing Team

A twice weekly newsletter chock-full of guidance and support from publishing industry insiders. Expect author interviews, guest blogs, giveaways, and more!

Writing in the Dark with Jeannine Ouellette

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

The best creative writing Substacks are those that mix insight into craft with a passion to ‘pay it forward’ through knowledge and care for the reader. This is very much one of them.

- Ken Elkes

The Writing Shed

By Linda Parkinson-Hardman

Monthly writing prompts that may help change your life, occasional essays and writerly business skills info. Remember, words matter so choose the good ones!

Breakthroughs & Blocks

By Bec and Chris

Get the advice, support, and insight you need to keep writing from Bec Evans and Chris Smith, authors of Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit that Lasts. Upgrade to a paid subscription for exclusive access to our Writing Sprint Club.

Everything is Personal

By Laurie Stone

The story is not about what happened, it's about what the narrator makes of what happened.

52 Writing Prompts

By Suzanne Roberts

Writing prompts, inspiration, notes on the writing life, and virtual writing workshops

The Art of Flash Fiction

By Kathy Fish

Monthly Flash Fiction Craft Articles & Prompts by Writer & Teacher, Kathy Fish

Kathy Fish is both a great flash fiction writer and a great flash fiction teacher, so well worth subscribing. She has both an understanding of the elements of the form and the magical ingredients needed to make your work sing.

- Ken Elkes

Lit Mag News

By Becky Tuch

Writing Talk

Recommended by Ken Elkes