Substacks recommended by Taegan MacLean

Recommended by Taegan MacLean

A haven, weaving words into life through Poem, Reflection, and Memory.

Brian is a true craftsman. But what makes his publication especially valuable is his rare ability to display the inner workings of his poetry. It's thrilling and well worth your time.

- Taegan MacLean

Death & Birds

By Chloe Hope

They're both coming for you! (Just kidding, birds aren't coming for you)

Beautifully written and incredibly heartfelt, Chloe's newsletter is essential reading for anyone interested in those two essential, pervasive characters in out lives: death and birds.

- Taegan MacLean

Better Angels

On Saturdays, essays from my rather bizarre life (the numbered ones), exploring how the heck I got to today. On Wednesdays, some random musing or another… And then there’s our Worth Watching podcast where we talk about old movies and TV shows…

Better Angels is a curiosity of fascinating memoir and thoughtful personal explorations. The amount of writing produced, and the quality, is staggering. One of my favourites, highly recommended.

- Taegan MacLean

Tales from the Defrag

By Alexander Ipfelkofer

Fiction at the intersection between man and machine, a speculative journey through time interspersed with adventure, mystery, philosophy and the occasional alien. Stay a while and listen.

Alexander's speculative fiction goes beyond the page. He's an out-of-the-box creative that's pushing boundaries and exploring new mediums. From product trailers to potential card games, I never know what to expect... and I can't get enough.

- Taegan MacLean

when hope writes

By Nadia Gerassimenko

I write about a smorgasbord of subjects, always with a dash of hope. If you love reading about humanity, literature, writing, cinema, video games, and other related and unrelated stuff, let's connect.

Nadia's publication is a meeting place. Art, poetry, video games, essays - I never know what to expect from her, but I know it'll be worth reading and commenting on.

- Taegan MacLean

SLAKE

By Nathan Slake

Slaking your fictional thirst, weekly.

Thoughtful short fiction and prose written by a talented hand. Well worth checking out.

- Taegan MacLean

The Recovering Line Cook

By Wil Reidie

I write essays inspired by my life as a restaurant cook. Subscribe for memoir stories, restaurant cooking tips, and my favourite recipes.

I have a soft spot for chef memoirs and Wil's publication absolutely delivers. Infused with personal meaning and unique recipes, this is one you're going to enjoy. Trust me.

- Taegan MacLean

Heathenish Ramblings

By Kelby Losack

Essays and links to projects from that Dirty South hoodrat novelist Kelby Losack.

Kelby's talents are admirable. Rapper, culture critic, novelist. Everything he does is impressive, and well worth your time.

- Taegan MacLean

Calm

By Jayson Young

Stay alive. Stay curious. Stay calm.

Jayson is an excellent writer that I look forward to reading. Right now, he's working on a terrific series dedicated to Cormac McCarthy novels.

- Taegan MacLean

Old Man Still Howling at the Moon

By Peter Johnson

Essays including a mix of prose poetry and short fiction highlighting the seriocomic musings of a Fairly Intelligent Grumpy Old Everyman.

I enjoy Peter's stories and technical ability. He's a writer's writer, a real good one. Oh, and he's hilarious.

- Taegan MacLean

in•CARSON•ate

By James Brian Carson

FOOD & LIBERATION

There's an energy to James' visuals and writing that inspires me to get out into the world and experience life - the good, the bad, the sweet, the sour. All of it.

- Taegan MacLean

Numb at the Lodge

By Sam Kriss

These heavy sands are language tide and wind have silted here

Sam Kriss is one of those rare writers that other writers to envy. Sharp, intelligent, and able to get to the heart of topics most wouldn't dare touch.

- Taegan MacLean

Life Litter

By Jill

No brand, no message. What’s left

The candor and insight Jill provides into her life is something to aspire to. Personal and joyous in its own way, this is worth the subscription.

- Taegan MacLean

History, Rinse, & Repeat

Documenting the similarities between historical events and modern times with a primary focus on politics and also culture.

Ever feel like you've seen and heard it all before? This publication proves you probably have. Subscribe for deep dives and honest journalism. Love this one.

- Taegan MacLean

The Anastomosing Dendrite

By Truman Angell

Christ, Counter-Mobility, Classicism, Conservatism, Cornbread and Catagenesis

I never know what to expect from Harry's newsletter. Love how his mind works, and his steadfast devotion to seeking the truth is something I admire.

- Taegan MacLean

Vertices

By Buck 65

Insights into the Buck 65 catalogue

Buck 65 is responsible for a special part of the soundscape that made up my teens. A Canadian in the best ways possible. So excited to see him on Substack. Subscribe to him ASAP

- Taegan MacLean

The Economy Rocket

Discover stock investing with a twist as I demystify the stock market with a blend of humor, code, and proven strategies for smarter decisions.

Stock market advice from a non-expert? I enjoy learning and exploring the insanity of modern finance with Economy Rocket. Every post is a blast.

- Taegan MacLean

a passionate creation

By onecloud

current events, poetry, essays, and philosophy for the third millennium https://www.globalsyncmedia.com/

Story Voyager

By Claudia Befu

Exploring our climate future through intelligent, thought-provoking science fiction—crafted for readers who seek depth and discovery in every story.

A fresh, vibrant voice in the Cli-fi niche.

- Taegan MacLean

Spin the Block

By Elijah Adefope

Navigating the intersection of sports, media, technology and culture.

Elijah is lead counsel at Substack. If you're looking for thought-provoking essays and insights into the modern struggles of artists, I highly recommend subscribing.

- Taegan MacLean

Wolf

By radicaledward's wolf

Reviewing old things. Emrys the Fool. Short stories.

No one looks at the world quite like Wolf.

- Taegan MacLean

Fog Chaser

By Matt

A new original instrumental song every month from a Pacific Northwest-based musician and composer, along with visuals, poetry, and more.

Matt is an instrumental artist I admire greatly. I take his music with me everywhere, and I think if you give it a chance, you will too.

- Taegan MacLean

Sherman Alexie

poems, short fiction, essays, opinion, audio, video

Sherman's publication is filled with dazzling poetry and prose - there's no newsletter like it. Highly recommended.

- Taegan MacLean

One Could Argue

By d.w.

Meditations on what I'm reading and watching. All proceeds currently going to charity. New entries are published approximately whenever I feel like it.

dw's newsletter is like stumbling on a great used bookstore. Novels, movies, comics - there's always something to find, including his original cartoons.

- Taegan MacLean

Sucks to Suck

By Mills

A way outback take house operated by Mills Baker, David Cole, and Omar Khalid.

Mills works at Substack. Omar and David are two of his friends. But don't hold that against them. This publication is a favourite of mine. It's the Wu-Tang Clan of newsletters.

- Taegan MacLean