Substacks recommended by Jacob Souva

Recommended by Jacob Souva

Comics and musings about illustrating, life, and navigating my 30s through the end of the world.

Una carta que deslizo en tu mail para contarte historias, casi al oído, a partir del tejido entre literatura, arte textil, poesía, cine y todo lo que me inspira.

Office Hours

By Christopher Thornock

Office Hours is where I, Chris Thornock, spill the good stuff from years of teaching, drawing, and figuring it out as I go. It’s part advice column, part studio confessional—for anyone trying to make creative work that matters.

the coop

By danamarie hosler

a little bit of everything from the shiny feathers to the poop of life, and all the art in between!

Notes on Illustration

By The Illustration Department

Thoughts, Insights, and Lessons on the Art, History, and Practice of Illustration | Written by Giuseppe Castellano

Creativi-Tea Time

By Eliza

A 2-min break for Creative Folks for a bite of creative process and sip of inspiration.

Random Orbit

By Brian Biggs

Talking about drawing, drawing about writing, videos about art supplies.

Slowpoke

By Carson Ellis

Arts & Entertainment from Carson Ellis

Reading Middle Grade

By Afoma

Get weekly tailored book recommendations for tweens ages 8-14, from Afoma Umesi, the founder of Reading Middle Grade.

Paper Films

By Erik Winkowski

Handmade films about art and life.

Hear Me Out

By Amy Farris

A voice actor's take on picture book read-aloud-ability. Offering insights for authors, narration tips for caregivers, honest reviews, and plenty of snark. The books may be for kids, but this space is decidedly for grown-ups.

Kidlit Survival Guide

Navigate the wild world of creating books for children with Vicky Fang and Christine Evans who have published over 30 books between them.

Thoughts on Illustration with Mr. Tom Froese

The Official Newsletter of Mr. Tom Froese. Sign up to receive regular updates on the podcast, writings, classes, events and more. FREE. 🤗

Chrissie Writes Newsletter

By Chrissie Wright

Kidlit recs, library ideas, and beyond from @librarychrissie, a K-5 Teacher-Librarian in the PNW.

Serendipiting

By Devon Holzwarth

Serendipiting: the art of life happening, sprinkling in magic as needed. Picture books, illustration, story building, a little rebellion, hope and color. Let's make things together.

Number Five Bus with Erin Stead

Essays on children's books, tutorials about my own illustrations, thoughts on literacy, and trying to translate children for grownups who might not remember what it's like.

Planting Seeds

By Lily Williams

In order for new ideas to grow, we have to plant the seeds. Welcome to my world as an Author and Illustrator. My name’s Lily.

Follow along Lily’s journey as an author and illustrator. Insightful and honest!

- Jacob Souva

Picture Practice

By Jennifer M Potter

How to start (and survive) your illustration career!

Odd Thoughts

By Kayla Stark

Updates and odd thoughts from me, Kayla Stark, about illustration, life, inspiration, and whatever else I might be up to.

Kayla makes me think and approaches picture book making in an accessible way. Highly recommended 💪!

- Jacob Souva

Artist in Progress Club by Milena Milak

Join a community of artists and grow your skills. Get monthly process videos, guides, and live draw-alongs, guided by a recovering perfectionist who understands self-doubt and those days when progress feels almost invisible

MOONBOW

By Taylor Sterling

Moonboow is a newsletter for adults about children's books.

Moonbow is a well-researched and rich deep dive into the magic of books for children. I adore this substack.

- Jacob Souva

The Wahlflower

By Phoebe Wahl

Missives from the studio of author & illustrator Phoebe Wahl

Drawing on Daydreams

By Sarah Lovell

Sharing illustrations, poems, stories and process videos, inspired by wildlife, wanders through forests, swimming in lakes and hikes up mountains.

The Late-bloomer Club

By Valerie Parizeault

The Late-bloomer Club is a newsletter about starting a career later in life, with insights on creativity, ADHD type humans, industry tips (mostly in illustration) and personal growth.

AT THE KID TABLE

By Rachel Michelle Wilson

I make books for kids now, because I hated the kid table as a kid. I longed to be treated as an equal. This newsletter is my invitation to adults to sit with the child they left behind. Will you sit with me AT THE KID TABLE?

Rachel is funny, authentic, and awesomely curious about writing and illustrating for children! Highly recommend.

- Jacob Souva

The Enthusiast by Brad Montague

A weekly reminder there are things worth celebrating.

News from a messy desk

By Charlotte Durance with News

Insights into my illustration from a messy desk to your inbox: sketchbooks, process, inspiration and picture books.

Austin Kleon

Weekly art, writing, and creative inspiration from the author of Steal Like an Artist and other bestsellers.

Elayne Crain, Writer of Childish Things

Bits and Bobs from Elayne Crain's Brain; signing up gets you a monthly e-newsletter. BONUS: the Welcome email also links to my 27-page(!) "There's Something Odd About the Babysitter" activity kit, stacked with activities your kiddos will enjoy!

Ten Minute Artist - Drawing and Journal Prompts

By Adam Ming

Discover Daily Creative Joy via drawing and journaling prompts. Build a 10 minute creative habit and start attracting true fans. Written by Adam Ming, a startup co-founder turned award winning children’s illustrator at 40.

Adam is unrelenting in his quest for creative success! His tips and techniques for consistent growth are top notch.

- Jacob Souva

Vicky Fang’s Newsletter

Book news, activities, and giveaways! Published monthly.

The Page Turn

By Victoria McGinley

For the love of picture books.

Library Must Haves

By Andrea Wickert

Sharing the very best in picture books straight to your inbox

⭐️ Story Makers Art Club ⭐️

By Alina Chau Newsletter

A weekly art diary for illustrators and visual storytellers—sketchbooks, process, and reflections on culture and creativity.

Betsy Bird

The Little Things

By Cait B.

Welcome to The Little Things, a note where I peel open my journals, sharing my creative endeavors, discoveries, inspiration, and tips to apply to your own practice.

Kelly King Studio

Illustrations, fairy tales

Nōto by Erika Tovi

Eclectic, ever-evolving notes on life, creativity, and children’s literature. 📒

PICTURE DAY

By Adam Rex

Hi, I'm Adam Rex—I write and illustrate kid's books. Mostly this is about that.

mocculere's letters

Picture book illustrator & author of Childhood Memories comics ✶ Publishing monthly newsletter about my work and life & weekly comics about childhood memories.

Looking at Picture Books

By Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen

Conversations about how picture books work.

Mac’s Newsletter

By Mac Barnett

From the Desk of Mac Barnett

The Textured Page

By Caroline McPherson

Writing and illustrating for a young audience and all the fun that goes with that =)

Diary of an Illustrator

By Katie Kordesh

Sharing the trials and tribulations of a working artist

Katie’s Newsletter & Summer Project Club ☀️

By Katie Stack

Weekly tips for artists working in Children's Illustration and Surface Pattern--let's grow together! Also join the Summer Project Club and make progress on your projects ☀️

Studio Secrets

By Anoosha Syed

✸ I'm a children's book author + illustrator and this is a peek into my studio (and also secrets) ✸

Ask the Agent (the Newsletter)

By Jennifer Laughran

children's book publishing, from an agent's point of view.

Inkygirl by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

By Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Inkygirl Newsletter

Debbie Ridpath Ohi writes and illustrates books for young people. Her posts include nuts & bolts tips about the craft and biz, behind-the-scenes process, bibliophile comics.

Secret Sketchbook

By Nanette Regan

Sharing the mess and magic as well as the bumps and bruises of working as a children’s book illustrator.

Sharon Bottle Souva