For emerging writers, Substack is a goldmine of insight because it’s written by writers for writers, and many share actionable advice, career reflections, and publishing tips. Whether you’re looking for honest conversations about the writing life, inspiration to keep going, or a sense of community, Substack has become one of the most vibrant spaces for literary discovery online.
Below is a curated list of standout Substacks that provide both creative nourishment and real-world guidance as you begin building your writing life…
The Writing Cooperative
Launched in 2014, The Writing Cooperative holds a great collection of advice, support, and encouragement for writers. Their newsletter shares practical advice for writers, in addition to carefully curated articles which focus on a single topic or theme. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced author, the newsletter is geared toward people who want regular guidance, inspiration, and a sense of community around the habit of writing.
London Writers Salon
Born in London, the London Writers Salon hosts weekly writing contests, daily Writers’ Hour writing sessions, interviews & workshops, and a place to connect with creative friends. The newsletter regularly publishes writing prompts which can spark inspiration and keep you motivated with your own writing in new ways. For example, a recent prompt was ‘Borrowed Time’, focusing on themes of time, choice, and unexpected possibility, and inviting you to write about what happens when you (or a character) are given one extra hour. This opens interpretation and an opportunity to write in any genre that takes your fancy!
Letters From Love with Elizabeth Gilbert
Bestselling author of Eat Pray Love and friend of the Women’s Prize shares her reflections on creativity, writer mindset, and life lessons for artists. In her weekly Letters From Love, Gilbert shares reflective, intimate pieces, often framed as a conversation with Love. Subscribers can also post their own letters and comments, and Gilbert highlights some of these in the feed. This turns the newsletter into an interactive, supportive space rather than just a one-way broadcast.
The Audacity by Roxane Gay
Roxane offers candid advice about voice, creativity, and navigating the literary world, perfect for building perspective as a new writer. The Audacity is a weekly Substack that blends bold personal essays, cultural criticism, reflections on identity, creativity and writing, and often features work from other writers. As part of The Audacity is the Audacious Book Club, where Gay selects a book each month, often by underrepresented or thought-provoking writers, to encourage discussion and the sharing of ideas.
Elif Shafak
Elif Shafak is an award-winning British-Turkish novelist and a champion of women’s rights and freedom of expression. Her books have been translated into fifty-five languages. A friend of the Women’s Prize, having been a shortlisted author in 2022 and a judge in 2016, Elif writes a weekly Substack newsletter called Unmapped Storylands – a space where she shares a mix of personal reflections, creative insights, storytelling, and intellectual musings that you won’t typically find in her novels or mainstream social-media posts. For budding writers, this piece holds gems of insight and tips for what a writer needs.
Penny Wincer
Penny’s Substack centres on writing while juggling everyday demands, especially time management, creative motivation, and how to stay productive when life feels full. She writes often about finding time to write, staying motivated, dealing with setbacks, and the emotional side of a writing life.
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