Reading Matters & Substack Recommendations

Hello June! I'm dedicating this month to Substack and encourage you to subscribe to writers. So buckle up!

Last year, I wrote a blog post about reading. The topic came up again recently when I was leading a writing sprint, and the participants were chatting about what books, stories, blogs, and Substacks they were enjoying. One writer mentioned she must use her available time to write and consequently has no time to read.

While I understand how precious free time is and how challenging schedules can be (insert my panic here—there’s a huge list of stuff I’m supposed to be doing), reading is so important for us writers. For me, I prioritize reading because it isn’t a distraction from writing; it’s a key contributor to my writing process.

Substack suggestions for you to follow.

For starters, I read gothic writings to immerse myself in a mood. Whether I study the feeling of an isolated manor house, the tension of a dark secret, the terror of a ghostly presence, or the titillation that something ancient and unsettling waits just beyond the candlelight, these stories help me internalize the eerie and chilling sensations I want my readers to feel from my stories.

I’m just as intrigued by romantasy. Reading the mix of fantasy and magical beings can spark a hundred new ideas. A dragon encounter, a mysterious fae prince, a glimpse of an impossible haunted object—these features expand my imagination. One author’s vision often leads me to ask, “What if?” And that question is where shiny new ideas begin for me and blossom into a new story. (If you want to read about where I get inspiration, read The Story Behind the Vampire Story.)

That’s why I feel so lucky to have discovered a treasure trove of wonderful Substack writers to tap—which is what I want to leave you with: an invitation to test the works of a few of the writers whom I follow. These folks are writing about what’s spooky and strange and/or experimenting with creative works. Even if your schedule is jammed, you can snatch a few minutes—on a commute, say, or after the kids are in bed?--to enjoy a short article or story, which are conveniently available when you are. Most importantly, your imagination will get the fuel it needs to take off with your wonderful work.

Substack Recommendatons

• Tales from a Wilted Rose - https://coralevermore.substack.com/ Coral Evermore explores speculative fiction prose and poetry and also shares updates on her progress on her first novel—an intriguing vampire western. What I love about this author is the fresh eyes she brings to everything! When I read her work, I always feel like I’m discovering something new.

• Gods and Monsters - https://godsandmonstersinfo.substack.com/ - This author posts daily, tapping into a broad swath of cultures and their myths. And since I sometimes feel authors focus on a narrow range of culture stories, so that the same mythological creatures appear over and over, you can expose yourself to other traditions and beliefs on this Substack. Mysterious firebirds, avenging mermaids, trickster monkeys, and many more strange beings come to life. The folk tales and myths will help you explore unfamiliar territory in your own writing.

• Jacobs Mother A Novel - https://jacobsmother.substack.com/ This is a serialized novel, with strange and otherworldly elements, and while I haven’t read every single installment, what I’ve read stays with me long after I’ve closed the app. Getting the reader to come back to the book is a special feat, which the author, Laura Ellis, demonstrates skillfully. You’ll learn a lot from her work.

I also want to mention two Substacks that focus on the writing of gothic and gothic-adjacent books:

• Metaphysical Girl - https://substack.com/@saint S.T. Gibson, the author of A DOWRY OF BLOOD and SAVAGE BLOOMS and many other novels, discusses her experiences in the gothic and fantasy genres and analyzes familiar tropes. Her voice challenges me to examine my work and dig deeper for a new perspective or an original slant.

• The Gothic Cabinet - https://cjcooke.substack.com/ C.J. Cooke, the author of THE LAST WITCH and THE GHOST WOODS, among many others, shares insights from her gothic research and travels and how what she’s learned is shaping her writing. She brings a richness of history and lots of reading to the gothic story, which I find fascinating.

I hope these Substack suggestions result in you being inspired to write your next story! And don't forget that I'm on Substack, where I share about my writing and experiment with short fiction: Romance at a Dark Wood's Edge. Plus, if you have suggestions you want me to know about, please romance the comments box below! I’d love to subscribe to more interesting people!