Substacks recommended by Jenifer Jorgenson

Recommended by Jenifer Jorgenson

Death's first apprentice is sent to live as a human on Earth for 365 days, awkwardness ensues.

Something Appropriate exists to complain about the fucked-up-ness of life until it turns funny, or at least easier to live with

Kelly is a master of dry humor, self awareness, and understatement. She also seems like a pretty fantastic human being. Check this out!

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Bent But True

By BentButTrue

For the ones who feel too much, think too hard, and refuse to disappear. I write fractured fairy tales, raw memoir, and horror that shows the monster is never just a person—it’s the system that erases us. This is truth that doesn’t flinch—Bent But True!

Bent But True combines exquisite prose with deep and meaningful stories. If you appreciate speculative fiction that makes you think, this one's always worth your time.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Bellageist

By Derek James Kritzberg

Science Fiction shorts from the Bellageist universe. Humanity is split into two species by technology that transfers consciousness from flesh to machine. Also snarky reviews and occasionally a horror short.

Whimsy & Woe

By Brude Bowyer

Brude Bowyer writes dark, whimsical tales about questionable heroes, felonious puppets, and ancient horrors. Welcome to the Illuminated Earth.

Spencer’s Cult of Forbidden Horrors

By Spencer D.W.

Horror. The cosmic and Body kind and anything else I want to write about I guess.

Poetry and short stories that will pull you in and make you want to read more. The addiction is real.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Dark Matter

By Bruno Rothgiesser – Dark Matter Sci-Fi Serial

An unsettling science fiction story where humanity is judged by its own creations.

This is a compelling and complex sci fi serial exploring concepts of consciousness, AI and humanity. Definitely worth reading!

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Top In Fiction

By TiF Team

Where Fiction Lives!

Quiet Little Journeys

By Asteria Geisterblum

Quiet Little Journeys combines eerie dark whimsy and playful shenanigans. It's often referred to as "4:44 series". Subscribe to follow shopkeeper Orrin, his moody, sentient shop, and a bratty clay knight called Little Sir Menace on their little adventures

Judith Ashcraft

Writer of fiction. Horror, speculative, a smattering of sci-fi. The real world is brutal, and I try to make sense of it through fiction. I have one serialized novel up on Substack, with another coming in 2026.

Amanda Writes, Etc

By Amanda Izzo

A home for all of my literary publications, manic writings, and 2AM thoughts.

Amanda writes deeply personal stories that touch on difficult topics in a way you can truly feel. If you're interested in true slice-of-life views from someone who has really lived, she's worth reading.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

The Writer's Journey

By Bradley Ramsey

The Writer's Journey chronicles the ongoing creative projects of author Bradley Ramsey, as well as his personal thoughts on the craft of writing, and exclusive short stories for subscribers.

Bradley Ramsey might just be the single most valuable resource a fiction writer on Substack could have. His writing is stellar, his world-building is genius, and his heart is gold.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

FicStack

By Gary Mucklow

FicStack's Substack

If you support making it easier to find fiction on Substack, you should support FicStack. Period. If you also support finding GOOD fiction on Substack, then that's even more incentive. Highly recommend.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Vinny Reads

A newsletter providing reviews and commentary on works of literature, as well as essays, and occasional short fiction.

Vinny gets it. And he shares it. That's a pretty killer combo.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Speculative Fiction and Dark Tales | Nocturnal Narrator

By The Narrator

Dark speculative fiction and psychological horror. Definitely not a cult. Not legally, anyway.

Mina Howell

The manifestation of the whispers of the void. Uncover secret knowledge within; knowledge that should be forbidden.

Mina Howell's Penny Dreadfuls podcast is a great way to explore new content and writers on Substack. She also writes killer stories. Not stories about killers, necessarily. Just stories that slay...

- Jenifer Jorgenson

The Archive of Felix Thornfell

Short fiction and speculative mysteries from the off-kilter edges of reality

Ghost Horses Writing

Aspiring horror fiction writer and fan of all things sinister, strange, and spine-chilling! A psychology MSc graduate currently working for the University of Oxford

Ghost Horse explores and explains urban myths and legends and how contemporary society creates its own shared stories. Fascinating stuff!

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Nobodi's Tales

By Gil Nobodi

Genre-bending mind pits to inspire.

Em Dash by Matthew Donnellon

Dispatches from modern life as well as short fiction.

J.A. Evans Speculates

I write stories that are strange, philosophical and sometimes haunted. Sometimes horror, sometimes science fiction, sometimes even I have no idea what it is.

J.A. Evans writes speculative fiction that is creative and unique, and sometimes deeply personal. Always worth a read.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Milk & Honey

By M.N. Straun

Milk & Honey is an intertwining collection of fiction, poetry, and personal truths. Where the milk curdles and the honey burns.

Milk & Honey is an amazing place to share thoughts and ideas about horror stories and writing. The prompts and contests are fantastic!

- Jenifer Jorgenson

BookTotem’s Substack

By Trash Panda Books 📅🎇

My personal Substack

BookTotem reads SO many books, and the reviews are relatable and make it easy to know if you should check out the work or not.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Pagewake

By Cae Hawksmoor

For writers of fantasy and science fiction who want to deepen their craft and rekindle their wonder. Advice from a developmental editor and story guide.

If you're looking for advice or guidance about publishing your speculative fiction. Cae Hawksmoor is a great place to get started. Her tips are practical, based on experience and freely shared with all.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Radical Alchemy

By Rachel Nasatka

Recovering corporate shapeshifter turned executive coach. My multitudes cannot be contained in a bio of any length. Follow / Subscribe for existential musings, poetry, personal essays, and anything else my multitudes mandate.

Rachel shares very personal poetry, as well as tips for surviving corporate life while still being a decent human being.

- Jenifer Jorgenson

Bitter Ink

By Jasmine

Where stories steep — bitter, strange, and slow-burning.

"Pretty" Mess

By Kevin Mahoney

A W.I.P. story about a scrappy, angst-filled, misunderstood "kid" sister who struggles to find her footing in the same world her brothers left behind.

The Storyteller

By typo

I love stories. Hopefully you do, too! This is a substack devoted to stories: telling them, discussing them, imagining them, pondering them, dissecting them, debating them. Join the fun.

Wonderful stories that hook you and keep you reading. Definitely check out The Web!

- Jenifer Jorgenson