As writers, we’re constantly bombarded from all angles with enough craft advice to make our heads spin. While it’s impossible to completely block out the noise of social media, many authors have turned to Substack as a way to make direct, candid connections with their audience. Whether you’re starting a new novel, beginning the querying process, or simply wanting to be part of a bookish community, these Substacks led by authors familiar with the publishing industry will be helpful guides in your writerly journey.

Before and After the Book Deal with Courtney Maum

Maum, known best for her bestselling publishing guidebook with the same title as her Substack, offers aspiring writers a bounty of advice about craft, querying, writer’s block, and more. Some content is available for free, but you’ll need a subscription to access all posts and critiques of other subscribers’ query letters.

Blackbird’s Flight School with Jennifer Lauck

Those looking to kickstart their manuscript and stretch their writing skills to the limit might benefit from Lauck’s rigorous course, which she formulated to serve as an equivalent to a creative writing MFA program. The course is composed of three parts: The Bones of Storytelling, Scene/Exposition/Progression, and Path to Publication. The courses are paid, but Substack subscribers get a discount, and the shorter program allows you to go further with less upfront cost.

Craft Talk with Jami Attenberg

Attenberg, a New York Times bestselling novelist and memoirist, is well known in the writing community for the #1000wordsofsummer project, where participants write 1000 words a day for 2 weeks. Beyond this project, she offers insight about writing, editing, navigating the publishing industry, and being a creative person in a turbulent world.

Crone Sandwich with Catherine Newman

If you’re looking for a creative refuge between writing sessions, you might want to check out Newman’s Substack, which reads like your favorite blog back in the day. She writes about life and the act of writing with a unique voice and sense of humor. All of her content is free to enjoy.

Diary of a Novel with Soman Chainani

Chainani, who is best known for the bestselling middle grade series The School for Good and Evil, started this Substack with the intention of chronicling his arduous journey writing his upcoming novel Young World. From discussions of craft and writer’s block to pop culture, each post is a breath of fresh air delivered directly to your email inbox.

Get it Write with Andrea Bartz

It can be hard to demystify the publishing industry, but Bartz is committed to sharing her experiences and knowledge as a Big 5 author in order to break down barriers for aspiring authors. A staggering amount of information is available for free, including a massive compendium of successful query letters from published authors. Even without a subscription, this Substack serves as a phenomenal starting place for aspiring authors.

SubMakk with Rebecca Makkai

Best known for her novels The Great Believers and I Have Some Questions for You, Makkai has created a welcoming corner of the internet for readers and writers alike. She regularly shares her insights on craft and storytelling, as well as time management tips to ensure that you actually have time to write. Paid subscribers also get access to an exclusive writing advice column and deleted scenes from previous novels.

The Audacity with Roxane Gay

If salient writing advice and a book club from a powerhouse feminist writer and cultural critic is what you crave, look no further than Gay’s delightful Substack. Most of the content is reserved for paid subscribers, but each dollar is well-spent considering the amount of insight subscribers receive. Perfect for writers looking for some guidance or readers wanting to discover boundary-pushing fiction from diverse voices.

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing with Bianca Marais, CeCe Lyra, and Carly Watters

This incredible team of literary agents and authors bring unmatched industry insight to the masses through their podcast and Substack, which share the same name. Readers receive querying advice, updates about the publishing industry, and exclusive Q&As with published authors. No matter where you are in your writing journey, this Substack meets you where you’re at and encourages you to take the next steps.