Substacks recommended by Charlene Storey

Recommended by Charlene Storey

A place where imagination wanders and where we follow the pencil line wherever it leads, in celebration of creativity, in reverence for nature, and in search of wonder.

A Narrative Of Their Own

By Kate Jones

Essays on the lives and literature of women.

Kate's writing about women writers is so well-researched and fascinating - I always look forward to her letters and the thoughtful conversations in the comments.

- Charlene Storey

Poetic Outlaws

A place for the outlaws of poetry and the written word.

JENOVIA'S WEB

By Jenovia

The agony and ecstasy.

Nova Reid's Substack

By Nova Reid Substack

From race, to books, to healing, I write about whatever moves me, perhaps it might move you too

The Gardening Mind by Jo Thompson

I’m a RHS Chelsea gold medallist and author sharing the simplest ways to garden. Join the community for weekly posts and chats, design guidance and gardening tips led by one of the UK's top garden designers.

Men Yell at Me

By lyz

Written from a journalist in a red state, this newsletter is personal, political, sometimes funny and always raises hell.

Secret Gardens

By Keeley Rees

Here for the dreamers, the makers & the creatives.

The Hyphen by Emma Gannon

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

Emma's Substack is one of the first I subscribed and it's remained one of my absolute favourites - she's so generous with the advice she shares and she interviews the best people too.

- Charlene Storey

Small Stories with Laura Pashby

Searching for magic & meaning—notes from my writing desk & beyond. A space for seekers of everyday beauty. 💫

Laura is one of my favourite creatives - her writing and photography are so beautiful and she's so encouraging and warm. Her book Little Stories of Your Life is also brilliant!

- Charlene Storey

As I Was Saying with Poorna Bell

Social commentary and essays from career to mental wellbeing, capturing the general WTF of life and topical news, by award-winning author, former HuffPost Exec editor and lifter of heavy weights, Poorna Bell.

The Wild and the Quiet

By Susan Earlam

Sharing what keeps this horror author up at night.

Art Dogs

By Bailey Richardson

Meet the beloved pets that lived with beloved artists. Posts delivered monthly.

Things Worth Knowing with Farrah Storr

By Farrah @Substack

A smart new corner of the internet to talk fashion, feelings and creativity with the former editor-in-chief of ELLE & Cosmopolitan. Plus join my invite-only community. We're nice...I promise.

Farrah is a Substack guru: if you want to know how to get started here then her letter is the place to go! She also does great interviews with other writers and runs regular workshops. I always enjoy her writing whether it's on a TV show, diet culture, or gardening - a definite favourite!

- Charlene Storey

Noted

By Jillian Hess

Tips from the world's best note takers

One of my absolute favourite Substacks! Jillian's research and writing is brilliant - she explores the notebooks of inspiring people and inspires me every time I read her work.

- Charlene Storey

Brand Seasons

By Sarah Robertson

Exploring the rhythms of creative life + work through branding, design + writing

The Creative Edge

By J.T. Ellison

Deep dives into fiction and the art of storytelling through craft insights, book explorations, essays on the creative journey, and practical guidance for aspiring authors.

The Simple Letter

By Jessica Rose Williams

A community of like-minded hearts, striving to live the life we want to live rather than the life we think we should. Here, you'll find musings on simplifying life, slowing it down, and embracing the path that’s truly ours.

Jess is the reason I joined Substack as a reader and her community her is just the loveliest! Her writing is beautiful, her workshops are so welcoming and encouraging, and her approach to life is simple and inspiring. 💌

- Charlene Storey

Creatively Conscious by Claire Venus

By Claire

Celebrate the beautiful reality of your dream life and business right here, right now. Updates from a slow-lived life on the Northumberland Coast, thoughtful tools to help enhance your creativity and wellbeing. 💫

Claire has a lovely, warm nature and her community is welcoming and encouraging.

- Charlene Storey

Create Me Free

By Kathryn Vercillo

Where Art Meets Psychology. We are not all "tortured geniuses" and art isn't always therapy but there is so much richness and connection and magic in the in between. Let's play, communicate, and learn there.

Photos, mostly

By Neil Milton

Thoughts on the philosophy and practice of street photography. Also some photographs, the latest photography news, and advice to improve your photography out there on the street.

Letters of Note

By Shaun Usher

Nothing but history's most interesting letters.

Something True

By Maia Toll (Herbiary's founder)

✨Where midlife magic meets mindful living✨ Soon to be reporting in from Edinburgh, Scotland!

Finding Simple & Calm

By Sophie

Welcome to the forest retreat. I write about my journey to finding simple and calm again, and share stories from ND creative small business owners, mothers and those whose body, brain or life doesn’t fit the 9–5. A place to feel held, seen and supported.

Sophie's writing about simplifying life is so inspiring - and her prints and photos are lovely too.

- Charlene Storey

Nedra Nuggets

By Nedra Glover Tawwab

Nedra Nuggets is a heart-to-heart with a therapist—short, practical, and packed with wisdom! Each week, I break down boundaries, relationships, and mental health into bite-sized, relatable advice you can actually use. No fluff, no jargon—just real talk.

The Camont Journals with Kate Hill

By Kate Hill's Winter Words

The Camont Journals, published almost weekly, are based on a lifetime of French inspiration from the kitchen, garden, farms, and markets of Gascony and written at the Relais de Camont, my home and creative writer’s residency in Southwest France.

Humor Saves!

By Sheila Moeschen

Where curiosity meets comedy. Topical investigations of an irreverent nature.

cuídate

By Josefina

heartfelt musings and soulful reflections for intentional living ☼ A monthly newsletter dedicated to the art of mindfulness where simplicity and slowness create space for joy, gentleness, and a renewed sense of purpose.

The Clearing by Katherine May

By The Clearing with Katherine May

A newsletter and community for wild minds, winterers and enchantment-seekers with internationally bestselling author Katherine May.

Katherine's writing is beautiful and her community is just the same - a wonderful online space to find ease and take a deep breath.

- Charlene Storey

In the Writing Burrow

By Margaret Atwood

Whatever comes into my addled, shrinking brain.

A Writer's Notebook

By Summer Brennan

essays, art, and inspiration from an American writer in Paris

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 Matterhorn: truth in fiction

By Kathleen Clare Waller

Writing on the Margins of Fiction and Life

because she has to

By Janelle

Hello. Janelle here. I write because I have to (hence the title) usually about creative blocks, writing, self-doubt, seeking beauty and joy. I'm still not ready but doing it anyway. I've miraculously managed to write here consistently since April 2023

Everyday Knitter

By Louise Tilbrook

A cosy, creative community for yarn lovers, celebrating all things warm & handmade. A space to chat about what makes you happy, brings you comfort & what’s on your needles. Join us for weekly chats & inspiration. Grab a coffee, cosy up & tap to subscribe!

The Haven

By Gabrielle Treanor

I write about life with ADHD (suspected or diagnosed) as an introverted, sensitive and empathetic woman in midlife - one or two emails a month from a quiet, late-diagnosed ADHD coach.

SoulStack by Beth Kempton

📖 Insights into the creative life from bestselling British non-fiction author Beth Kempton. ✍️Home of the SoulCircle writing community. All welcome ❤️ The most popular British 'education' Substack in the world 🥰 recommended by over 1000 other Substacks

Patti Smith

The reader is my notebook

Draw Your World

By Samantha Dion Baker

I believe everyone is an artist, including you. I share motivation & inspiration to look at the world around you to find the perfect thing to draw to express who you are and the moment you are in. From bestselling author of the Draw Your Day book series.

Maya C. Popa

Writing on the inner conditions of serious creative work

What Now? with Lindsay Johnstone

#21 in Parenting: Asking and attempting to answer various flavours of this question as I rattle roughshod over the peaks and troughs of perimenopausal midlife from home in Glasgow, Scotland

Lindsay's writing is beautifully vulnerable and open - reading her work always leaves me feeling inspired and encouraged.

- Charlene Storey

Life Litter

By Jill

No brand, no message. What’s left

Jill's series entitled The Notebook is brilliant and frequently hilarious. Her writing is always sharp, real, and open. I feel immersed in her memories when I read her work and always look forward to her appearing in my Inbox.

- Charlene Storey

The Wild Forgotten 🍂

By Natalie

A wildlife artist passionate about inspiring a deep and compassionate connection between your wild heart, and the wild world you are a part of.

Slower Space

By Jodie Rogers

A space where we explore living a little slower. Includes weekly letters, the monthly journaling club and more

Creative Fuel with Anna Brones

A weekly newsletter dedicated to exploring the intersection of creativity and everyday life with Anna Brones. Home of 24 Days of Making, Doing, and Being digital Advent calendar.

Beyond Bloomsbury

By Victoria K. Walker

An ongoing anthology of historical artist and writer biographies and curated gallery and library collections.

The Lighthouse with Cait Flanders

Stories of a Canadian author who found herself living in the middle of nowhere in the UK. It’s deeply reflective and also intentionally lighthearted. There’s enough darkness online and in real life. Let's hangout in the light. 🕯️

Cait's writing is honest, vulnerable and creative - an inspiring Substack!

- Charlene Storey

For Dear Life with Maggie Smith

A newsletter about writing & other things that make this life dear—from the poet, not the dame

How To Know

By Kayte Ferris

Essays and stories about everything and truth

Conversations I Have With Myself

By Jen Carrington

Exploring the human side of entrepreneurship.

Jen shares the most generous, encouraging insights into the behind-the-scenes of her creative coaching business in her letters here. I've followed and loved her work and podcasts for years - I'm so glad she's joined Substack!

- Charlene Storey