I have a confession: I’m a writing newsletter addict. Every time I see one of those pop-up boxes, I sign up and confirm I’m a human a few times a day. It’s not shocking I like to read! I get subscriber’s remorse later as I open my inbox. I only have 24 hours a day to read. So I’ve put a limit on the number of writing newsletters I subscribe to these days. The rest, I’m sad to say, I had to say “Unsubscribe” (I’d pick one and cut the other to limit any redundancy. Personally, I like the Adieu better).

I must also admit, I like an organized inbox. I find it easier to manage my subscriptions by setting up folders dedicated to each newsletter and setting a time each week to read them.

To spare you from subscriber regret, here are my 10 must-read writing newsletters:

1. Weekly Update from Poets & Writers: If you only subscribe to one writing newsletter, this is it. Each week you will receive excellent writer interviews, suggestions for productivity tools; and notications for writing jobs and upcoming contests. At the start of each month, I write out my writing goals and use this newsletter to decide which contests or magazines I will submit my work.
2. Craft Talk: Jami Attenburg started the newsletter for her summer writing challenge #1000wordsofsummer which lasts two weeks. Each day during the challenge, she emails inspiring wisdom to the writers to keep going. I have kept her newsletters for those days when I wonder why I write. Now, about once a week she sends an encouraging newsletter, knowing just the right thing to say to get writer’s in their chairs writing. There is both a free and paid version of her newsletter.
3. The Art of Flash Fiction: Kathy Fish is a flash fiction writer and teacher. This is a free monthly newsletter by Fish with a writing prompt. I’ve taken several of her writing workshops and highly recommend her wisdom, even if you’re not into flash fiction.
4. Horror Tree: The folks over at Horror Tree send out a weekly newsletter, filled with writing roundups (they do the work of finding writing articles around the web), writing articles, markets and the latest contests. Another great resource to use when you’re deciding on your next writing project.
5. Wonder Tools: I recently discovered this newsletter, written by Jeremy Caplan, over at Substack. Each week, he sends out information on useful sites, apps and tools for your creative productivity needs. I’m all about finding tools that will help me save time and write more productively.
6. Wow! Markets Newsletter: This is a monthly newsletter brought to you by Wow! Women on Writing. This is another one I save to look through the section from the ‘Editors Seeking Writers & Pitches’ column. They do all the hard work putting together this valuable section on what editors are looking for around the web.
7. Electric Speed: This free weekly newsletter, written by Jane Friedman is chock full of digital tools and resources for writers and freelancers. I also recommend workshops by Friedman. Excellent quality and not super expensive.
8. Writing Mastery Newsletter: This is a free, monthly newsletter, written by Jessica Brody. I discovered Brody from her excellent writing book, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel. I recommend the books and writing workshops as well if you’re writing a book.
9. Reedsy Writing Prompts: Do you like to write short stories? If so, you need to subscribe to the weekly writing prompt newsletter brought to you by the folks at Reedsy. Even if you don’t enter their weekly short story contests (I haven’t yet) the writing prompts are excellent sparks to a story idea.
10. The Novelleist: Elle Griffin is the writer behind this Substack newsletter. I’m fascinated by her venture into publishing a fiction novel as a series exclusively to her Substack readers. She goes into her plan and it’s something I’m thinking about doing as well.

Please feel free to share your must-read writing newsletter recommendation in the comments below. I can add one or two more to my inbox. Happy writing!

Photo by Mikaela Wiedenhoff via Unsplash