Substacks recommended by Susan Nolen | Down the Rabbithole with Susan B Nolen

Recommended by Susan Nolen

This Itch of Writing with Emma Darwin

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

Interesting and useful advice on the craft of writing historical fiction.

- Susan Nolen

Reading the Past

By Sarah Johnson

News, views, and reviews of historical fiction.

Pen on Fire

By Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

Mostly about writing and the business of writing but sometimes about other things that relate.

Barbara and Marrie have the best podcast for writers in the known universe: Writers on Writing. If you love the podcast, you will love the stack.

- Susan Nolen

Tree Farm Tuesday: Musings from a Working Forest

By Ann Stinson

A weekly observation of life in the woods, in the city, with ancient parents and lots of books.

SubMakk

By Rebecca Makkai

Rebecca Makkai's Substack: mostly writing and books! but also Zillow, true crime, etymology, food, general inanity

Rebecca has exceptionally useful stuff for writers of all levels of experience. She tackles the tough topices (POV! Internality!) in clear and comprehensive posts with a sense of humor. Highly recommend!

- Susan Nolen

Everything is Personal

By Laurie Stone

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

What can I say about Laurie? An amazing writer and a generous mentor. Subscribe -- you will not be disappointed.

- Susan Nolen

Hidden Herstories

By Maya Rodale

Women’s history for modern feminists

I am constantly re-stacking this woman's posts. Great information about amazing women in history - highly recommend!

- Susan Nolen

15th Century Feminist

By 15thCenturyFeminist

Here we'll explore how medieval misogyny informs modern philosophy while uncovering the feminisms of the Middle Ages. No longer will the women of the Middle Ages be erased, minimized, or villainized.

A Word About...

By Benjamin Dreyer

Words. Words about words. Words about copyediting. The occasional cultural observation.

OK, grammar nerds -- you who read Strunk & White cover to cover and of course, Dreyer's English, fellow former English teachers, and so forth and so on: Subscribe immediately and inject some humor into your English lesson!

- Susan Nolen

Deleyna’s Drift

By Deleyna Marr

Writing, Web Design, and Publishing Shenanigans

Occasional posts and the opportunity to connect with someone who really understands author websites. I've learned a ton from Deleyna!

- Susan Nolen

sweater weather

By Brandon

essays about literature, culture, and so many feelings.

Oldster Magazine

By Sari Botton

Exploring what it means to travel through time in a human body, at every phase of life.

Sari is amazing. Anyone who is aging (and we are all aging!) should subscribe to Oldster. Interviews & quesionnaires with famous artists and those who should-be-famous, recommendations, essay by terrific guests, and lots of soul.

- Susan Nolen

Precipice & Cusp

By Jennifer Ruth Keller

From the edge of exposure to connection.

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!

Great stuff about how to query (thanks Carly & CeCe!) and interesting and informative author interviews with Bianca. Check out their popular podcast, too!

- Susan Nolen

Maren Halvorsen

I'm a writer and former educator living on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Trained as a medieval historian, I write historical fiction, personal essays and short stories.