Writers
The "Writers" section of our directory celebrates the storytellers, wordsmiths, and thinkers who craft compelling narratives and essays on Substack. From poets and novelists to essayists and journalists, this space is dedicated to showcasing creators who wield the written word with passion and precision. Whether exploring personal stories, analyzing culture, or offering creative writing prompts, these writers invite readers into worlds shaped by their imagination and insight.Discover voices that resonate, inspire, and challenge perspectives as you explore the diverse range of writing talent within the Substack community.
Danyel Smith - C a l i f o r n i a
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction)
She/Her
“ Danyel Smith is the author of Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop. She is a contributing writer at the New York Times Magazine, and creator/host of Black Girl Songbook, a Spotify Original podcast centering Black women in music. Danyel was editor of Billboard, and editor-in-chief of VIBE. The New Yorker calls her “one of the nation’s most astute chroniclers of pop and hip-hop culture.”
Francesca Bossert - Switzerland and Spain
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction) - She / her
Francescabossertauthor on Instagram
While working on my third novel I got sidetracked by poetry, which took me completely by surprise. I have written over 300 poems in the past year. My romantic comedy, Just Like A Movie, is being developed as a screenplay in America, and is available on Amazon. I will be releasing a book of poetry with my daughter’s beautiful illustrations in spring 2025!
Jess Janiga - Florida
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction) - She/her
Hi! I am a poet, writer, & digital art creator. I enjoy helping creators grow their platforms, & writing about current culture, social, & political issues including racism, homophobia, Palestine, religion, & femininity (among many others).
Tiktok (social): @whitemessexpress Insta/Threads (social): @whitemessexpress Patreon (social): @whitemessexpress BlueSky (social): @whitemessexpress Insta (writing): @silvajanepoetry
Kathryn Vercillo - San Francisco
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction)
“I am a writer-artist exploring the complex relationship between art and psychology, aiming to break down the binary tropes of "art always heals" and "artists are tortured geniuses, suffering for their work" and instead deepen understanding of the ways in which emotional, psychological and physical health impact creative process, productivity, content, medium, identity and business. I write books, articles, essays, lists. I also collage, crochet, create found poetry, dabble in photography.” Kathryn Vercillo
Lyn - Atlanta
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction)
I can't not create. The hardest part is choosing a primary art form. When not painting, I'm writing. When not writing, I sew. When not sewing I garden. It pours forth in passion.
Luqman Abdin
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction)
“I have been a blogger for 3 plus years, exploring topics on self-improvement through subtopics on mindfulness, minimalism, and creativity. I have recently started drawing and would like to incorporate them into my writings to create something collectively meaningful, relatable, and timeless.” Luqman Abdin
Miki Hellerbach - LA (From Baltimore)
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction) - He/Him
www.authory.com/MikiHellerbach
IG: @mikihellerbach X: @mikimontebello
Miki Hellerbach is a music and culture journalist from Baltimore based in LA. His previous work can be read and heard on platforms like Complex, Okayplayer/OkayAfrica, NPR, WYPR Baltimore, Artnet, and more. His organic beat he’s adopted has been covering music producers with the same integrity as vocalists. He does so best on his Substack, Inside The Credits.
Sienna Morgan - Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction) - she/her
https://linktr.ee/siennalm
Sienna L. M. who publishes literary art as Sienna L. M., is a poet born, living, and writing in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Currently a Reader Board Member for Sundress Publications, Sienna is a 2025 Periplus Fellow. She was an emerging poet mentee in The North Carolina Poetry Society's 2024 Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series. She is a 2022-23 recipient of a Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge, Artist Support Grant. She is the author of the poetry chapbook, Palmade Poiēmas: For This Is My Handiwork (self-published, 2023). She was the 2022 Sims Library of Poetry Bookmark Design Contest Winner. In 2021, she served as a guest judge for the Colorism Healing Writing Contest. Her poems, short stories, and essays are published or are planned to be published by Colorism Healing, The Black Light Project, Black Oak Society Magazine, midnight & indigo, The Arrow: A Journal of Wakeful Society, Culture & Politics, The North Carolina Poetry Society, and more.
Wendy Ella May - Selma, NC
Writing (Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction) - They/them/she
Wendy Ella May is a non-binary artist and writer with over 50 years of experience. They’ve created hundreds of books, thousands of poems, and stunning artwork, all dedicated to uplifting the community. Join Wendy in a vibrant journey of creativity and advocacy!
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