Substacks recommended by Ken Elkes

Recommended by Ken Elkes

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We are a community of writers, run by writers seeking to develop the quality of their work and create exciting new platforms for the short story form.

The Joy of Fixion

By Jo Gatford

Exploring ways to 'fix' our fiction by focusing on the joy. Writing exercises, observations, glimmers, and creative curiosities from an award-winning author and editor.

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

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

This Itch of Writing with Emma Darwin

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

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 is a lit mag and community for writers. We run inspiring writing workshops and courses dedicated to fiction.

Good Trouble: The Art of Storytelling

By Tommy Dean

Welcome to Good Trouble, where I love to break down writing craft and highlight great writing and entertaining stories.

From the Course's Mouth

By Matt Kendrick

A monthly round-up of flash and short fiction writing courses, workshops and events from your friendly neighbourhood freelancers, lit mags and awesome independents.

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

Alone in a Room: Joy Baglio's Writing & Craft Newsletter

By Joy Deva Baglio

All things writing, storytelling, language, sentence-level craft obsession, and general literary goodness.

Stunning Sentences

By Nina Schuyler

Admiring, mooning over, loving, and learning to write stunning sentences

Art & Flash

By Anika Carpenter

Ekphrastic writing workshops with prompts, writing sprints and the opportunity to share what you have written. Each month participants are introduced to a new contemporary artist and their work.

Art & Flash are monthly ekphrastic writing workshops that take place online once a month and are run by writer and artist Anika Carpenter. Published once a month, the Art & Flash Substack includes information about the month’s featured artist, an additional writing prompt (there are three in the online sessions) and an art-related recommendation. Recommendations take the form of films, podcasts, interviews, short stories and more.

- Ken Elkes

Mondettes

By Matt Kendrick

Little worlds. Worlds on a postage stamp. A whole universe inside a thimble. Each month a different writer recommends ten pieces of flash fiction they've enjoyed.

The Art of Flash Fiction

By Kathy Fish

Free monthly Flash Fiction Craft Articles & Prompts / Weekly Posts & Community Writing Events for paid subscribers from 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

Wild Writing with Sanjida

By Sanjida Kay

Teaching writers who want to be published by Sanjida Kay, award-winning thriller & nature writer.

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 Mindful Writer

By Amanda Saint

The Mindful Writer is where we live and write more mindfully and use our words to bring more peace, love and unity to the world.

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.

Writing Talk

Recommended by Ken Elkes