Substacks recommended by River Selby (they/them)

Recommended by River Selby (they/them)

Open Secrets is a lit mag and community for memorable, revealing personal essays about all the subjects we're taught to keep "secret." Contact Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel at opensecretsmag at gmail.com

Beyond with Jane Ratcliffe

Intimate, illuminating interviews with today’s greatest writers. An in-depth look into the craft of writing and what it means to be a heart-centered human in a hard world.

The Land Desk

By Jonathan P. Thompson

Western lands and communities--in context.

The Recovering Academic

By Joshua Doležal

Rebuilding a life and a writing practice after leaving academe.

Glitter Joyride

By Pavini Moray

Trauma-informed somatics meets anti-capitalist magick. Weekly guidance for healing, relationships and resisting with heart, all through a queer/trans lens.

Mystery Cult with Amanda Yates Garcia

Mythology, ecology, embodiment, belonging, animism, and enchantment for art witches with ADHD.

Amanda's Substack is chock-full of treasures. Whether you have practiced witchcraft before or are simply interested in learning more, I highly recommend subscribing, especially at the paid level.

- River Selby (they/them)

Body Grief With Jayne Mattingly

By Jayne Mattingly

Body Grief, Body Image, Chronic illness, Eating Disorder recovery, Disability

FLESH WORLD by Jessica DeFino

Reporting on the absurd world of beauty culture. / “The newsletter the beauty industry fears.” - the Herald.

Jess's newsletter is amazing, full stop.

- River Selby (they/them)

WILDERNESS

By River Selby (they/them)

Historical and current perspectives on conceptions of wilderness, ecology, and fire-suppression, written by River Selby, author of HOTSHOT, doctoral candidate, and former firefighter.

The Publishing Spectrum

By Amanda N. Bray

For Substack writers ready to stop treating their newsletter like a place to post and start tending it as a living publication — with editorial perspective, reader-aware frameworks, data tools and a craft-forward community for building work that lasts.

Amanda's newsletter is a wellspring of resources for any writer, written with an open heart.

- River Selby (they/them)

The Book I Want to Write

By Paul Zakrzewski

Excavating how we tell our stories — in writing and in life. Back in 2026 with new essays, conversations, and a focus on writing, patriarchy, and the work of being honest. Home of The Book I Had to Write podcast.

TRESPASSING

By Trespassing

Ownership, property, power, and what is stolen in the privatization of the commons.

On the Commons is a beautiful newsletter filled with meditative and contemplative nature writing and lots of warmth.

- River Selby (they/them)

More Than Just Parks

Investigative journalism on the people, money, and politics deciding the fate of America’s 640 million acres of public lands. Home of the Congressional Public Lands Scorecard, the only tool grading all 535 members of Congress on their votes.

Qstack | The LGBTQIA+ Community of Substacks

By Mr. Troy Ford

Qstack ❤️🍊💛💚💙💜🩷🩵🤎🖤🩶 | The LGBTQQIP2SA+ Community, Directory & Platform on Substack - Sharing the BEST of queer newsletter creators direct to your inbox.

Amplify Respect

By Rey Katz

You are welcome here if you're LGBTQ+, an ally, or just curious about a nonbinary writer's experience. I share relatable weekly true stories about what it's like to be trans and nonbinary, hiking, travel, martial arts, and building community!

Rey's newsletter is a like having a lovely friend pop into your inbox. I love it.

- River Selby (they/them)

An Irritable Métis

By Chris La Tray

Email newsletter from Chris La Tray, member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians, author of "Becoming Little Shell" from Milkweed Editions (8/20/2024), and 2023–2025 Montana Poet Laureate.

TBR Reading Series

A series created by and for emerging writers in NYC. A space for students, alumni, and indie authors to share new work, experiment in public, and build a creative community outside institutional walls.

Pushing My Wheel of Love

By Cari Luna

Your occasional Cari Luna