Browse newsletters about personal essay

Homeward

by Amanda Hesser

Food52 co-founder Amanda Hesser chronicles her personal journey of building a new home, sharing design insights, practical tips, and witty reflections on domesticity.

Oldster Magazine

by Sari Botton

Editor Sari Botton's Oldster Magazine explores the universal experience of aging, de-stigmatizing it through essays, interviews, and intergenerational dialogue.

Secret Society

by John Hodgman

Join John Hodgman's Secret Society newsletter, where he shares unique insights, secrets, and humorous truths. Paid members unlock exclusive words, sounds, and pictures.

An Irritable Métis

by Chris La Tray

Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray, a Métis storyteller, shares irritable, meandering thoughts on Indigenous issues, white supremacy, capitalism, and the world, often with poetry.

Michael Ian Black

by Michael Ian Black

Comedian Michael Ian Black offers a humorously self-deprecating take on his newsletter, inviting readers to join despite his own 'Ew.' reaction.

Are You Mad At Me?

by Lane Moore

Lane Moore, award-winning author and humorist, delivers empathetic advice on relationships, mental health, and life's struggles, spiced with pop culture analysis.

Saratonin

by Sara Benincasa

Author Sara Benincasa shares funny, smart, and weird original writing and recommendations, co-edited by a powerful elderly cat. Covers creativity, mental health, and humor.

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop

by Colin Meloy

The Decemberists' Colin Meloy shares his creative process from his "Machine Shop," dissecting songs, sharing demos, and serialized stories.

Bad Brain

by Ashley Reese

Ashley Reese's Bad Brain: An authentic, unapologetic exploration of life, death, pop culture, and the internet, ranging from grief to smutty fanfiction.

Cheryl Strayed's Dear Sugar

by Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed, the original Dear Sugar, answers reader letters with profound, empathetic advice on life's toughest questions, delivered monthly.

You've Got Lipstick on Your Chin

by Arabelle Sicardi

Arabelle Sicardi explores the power of beauty, questioning its promises & lies. She links it to anti-fascism, finance, and the pursuit of freedom.

Songs in Four Dimensions

by Shara Nova

Shara Nova delves into the creative process and the essence of song. She shares provocations, poems, and insights to inspire deeper thought and creative living.

A Fan's Notes,

by Nick Hornby

Novelist Nick Hornby offers his takes on music, books, movies, writing, football, TV, and occasional politics. Some longer pieces will be paywalled.

Out of It

by Mary Gaitskill

Acclaimed author Mary Gaitskill offers personal reflections on connecting with the world through writing, exploring topics from literature and AI to politics and society.

Time & Temperature

by Rhett Miller

Rhett Miller, Old 97's frontman, offers a direct connection to his writing, music, songwriting tips, and behind-the-scenes tales from a life in rock.

Parakeet’s Substack

by Parakeet

Polymath artist and Harvard alum Parakeet shares unreserved musings, covering symphonic metal, amateur astronomy, and AI's impact on art and poetry.

Tumse Na Ho Paayega

by Utsav Mamoria

Utsav Mamoria shares monthly long-form insights on life, distilling experiences with fountain pen sketches, watercolors, origami, and mathematics.

Men Yell at Me

by lyz

Journalist and author Lyz explores the intersection of patriarchy and politics in red state America, sharing personal essays on feminism, culture, and life from the Midwest.

the stories club | lina | Substack

by lina

Lina's 'the stories club' shares her weekly column about life, inspiring writers to create stories from everyday experiences and keep writing, even with a busy schedule.

Garbage Notes | Franco Amati | Substack

by Franco Amati

Franco Amati, a published fiction writer, poet, and editor of Scuzzbucket, offers an inside look into his mind, featuring unique poetry, fiction, essays, and commentary.

Michael Mohr's Sincere American Writing | Substack

by Michael Mohr

Michael Mohr's 'Sincere American Writing' critiques both political sides, fostering civil disagreement and the pursuit of truth for art's sake.

For Those Who Are Uncertain | Katerina Eleftheriou | Substack

by Katerina Eleftheriou

Katerina Eleftheriou shares musings from her therapy and journals in "For Those Who Are Uncertain," helping readers find clarity, accept life's messiness, and explore authenticity.

Giulia Blasi | Servizio a domicilio | Substack

by Giulia Blasi

Giulia Blasi's Servizio a domicilio is a weekly, affectionate newsletter covering books, culture, TV, podcasts, politics, feminism, and personal reflections.

Wendy Parker is Eternally Irritated.

by Wendy Parker

Wendy Parker's 'Eternally Irritated' delivers candid, humorous takes on life, offering subscribers a community and directly supporting her dream of retreating to the woods.

rebuzno [y.] | Dromómanos | Substack

by Dromómanos

Dromómanos publishes essays on human errors and critical thought. This community explores original ignorance, questions technology, and navigates life's confusions.

Delicious Tacos

by Delicious Tacos

Delicious Tacos offers a candid, humorous look at his motivations for writing, revealing his desire for subscriber money, the feeling of success, and subtle bragging rights.

At the Mountains of Sadness | Mike Drucker | Substack

by Mike Drucker

Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Mike Drucker shares humorous and self-deprecating takes on video games, movies, news, and the pervasive sadness of everyday life.

The Cranky Guide | Ines Bellina | Substack

by Ines Bellina

Ines Bellina shares candid musings on her nomadic freelance writing life, navigating non-traditional adulthood and making a living amidst media instability.

Brad Phillips | Substack

by Brad Phillips

Artist and writer Brad Phillips shares his unedited work, spanning art criticism, personal reflections on his mind's workings, and insights into his creative process.

Memoir Land | Sari Botton | Substack

by Sari Botton

Sari Botton's Memoir Land delivers weekly curated personal essays, original narratives, craft interviews, and stories about NYC's enduring pull.

The Funny Mumblings | Jenny Wynter | Substack

by Jenny Wynter

Jenny Wynter, comedian and creator of Funny Mummies, offers 'The Funny Mumblings,' a humor-filled e-newsletter designed to brighten your day.

Fully Alive by Elizabeth Oldfield | Substack

by Elizabeth Oldfield

Elizabeth Oldfield explores living a meaningful, soulful life in turbulent times, drawing on poetry, theology, and community experiences to clarify personal values.

Lisandra Vazquez

by Lisandra Vazquez

The provided 'About' section for Lisandra Vazquez's newsletter does not include details regarding its specific topics or content focus.

Jane Green. A Writer, A Woman, Rewilding

by Jane Green

Jane Green shares her unique perspective as a writer and a woman, exploring personal growth and connection to nature through 'rewilding'.

postmorton | kyle morton | Substack

by kyle morton

Kyle Morton of the band Typhoon offers updates on the band and, for paid subscribers, shares unreleased solo demos, recording experiments, and personal drawings.

Telling the Bees

by Tell the Bees

This newsletter provides a community for readers to connect, share their interests, and engage in active discussions within the comments section.

Hoppe Columns

by Nick Hoppe

Hoppe Columns by Nick Hoppe offers occasional commentary exploring the absurdity of everyday life.

From the Brain of Lynn Cartia | Substack

by Lynn Cartia

Lynn Cartia delivers a unique, humorous mix of ramblings on current events, cocktails, and anything in between, promising an unpredictable and engaging read.

Four Track Substack | Joe Pernice | Substack

by Joe Pernice

Joe Pernice shares new and rediscovered finished songs in their simplest form on Four Track Substack, offering a personal look into his unique craft.

Cryn’s Substack

by Cryn Johannsen

Cryn Johannsen, a self-described robust and prolific writer, delivers a consistent stream of her work to readers.

Little Loves | Mackenzie Horan | Substack

by Mackenzie Horan

Mackenzie Horan (Design Darling) shares musings on motherhood, identity, and finding small joys in everyday life, offering thoughtful recommendations.

Tuesbetter Newsletter

by Craig Benzine

Tuesbetter Newsletter by Craig Benzine. A Writing category newsletter. Described as 'My journey to becoming the all seeing, all knowing Space Baby.'

BEAUTYSHAMBLES

by CAT MARNELL

Cat Marnell's BEAUTYSHAMBLES covers her life as a writer and recovering party girl in New York City, featuring 80+ archived columns and new bi-weekly posts.

The Querent

by Alexander Chee

Alexander Chee, author of acclaimed novels and essays, delivers critics notebook pieces, writing advice, travelogues, political thoughts, and personal reflections.

april & the fool | Substack

by april

April explores human connection. Informed by her diverse background, she examines how people connect across cultures, race, and differences.

Pášșíòņ Pįť | Pąșśìóň Pïț | Substack

by Pąșśìóň Pïț

Michael John Angelakos, frontman of Passion Pit, shares exclusive, personal content and 'weird stuff' direct to fans, offering a unique, unfiltered look into his world.

Angels in the Architecture

by Joanne Fedler

Author Joanne Fedler reflects on troubling times, crafting meaning and giving voice to life's "nameless spooks" through her distinctive, personal writing.

Tommy Dixon | Substack

by Tommy Dixon

Tommy Dixon shares deeply personal essays across a patchwork of topics. His writing aims to resonate, settle the mind, and provide a sense of coming home.

The asher Newsletter | Substack

by asher

Asher shares cartoons, thoughts, and updates, seeking to connect directly with readers beyond the algorithmic platforms where his work has typically appeared.

The Wise Wang

by Yueyue Wang

Yueyue Wang shares juicy personal stories and monthly insights on human nature and life. She also offers writing coaching.