Substacks recommended by Debra Engle

Recommended by Debra Engle

Thoughts on Embodiment, Spirituality, and Healing After Trauma

I’ve had the joy of mentoring Deborah Svec-Carstens and watching her unique voice unfold. The Spiral Staircase is a beautiful reflection of her insight, heart, and depth — each piece invites you to see life with fresh eyes and deeper understanding.

- Debra Engle

Reporting from Quiltropolis

By Marianne Fons

Marianne Fons writes from the small town of Winterset, Iowa, reporting on quilty and non-quilty topics.

What the Hell is Michael Jamin Talking About?

By Michael Jamin

I'm a TV writer/showrunner. (King of the Hill, Beavis & Butt-Head, Just Shoot Me, Wilfred, Maron, Rules of Engagement, Out of Practice, Brickleberry, Tacoma FD) I share my knowledge on the craft of writing, creativity, as well as my forthcoming work.

Piecemaker: Musings of a Midwest Maker

By Sarah

Musings of a Midwest maker.

Minding the Gaps

By Kali White VanBaale

Stories about gaps in mental health, social justice, crime, and more

The Write Thing

By Nicole Baart

Weekly writing tips, tricks, and advice from bestselling author, Nicole Baart. With over 15 years of industry experience and 11 traditionally published books, Nicole has much to share about craft, productivity, the writing industry, and inspiration.

Arnold Garson: Second Thoughts

A unique perspective on public affairs built on commentary, historical perspective, and subject matter that is deeply researched.

This Stays Here

By Nicole Baart

A Substack about community for people who want to be better neighbors. Life in my small, rural, Iowa town is idyllic--and also really hard. I imagine the same can be said about wherever you live. Come join the conversation!

Substack Writers at Work with Sarah Fay

For people who want real, long-term Substack growth: Expert guidance from the leading Substack Strategist, Sarah Fay * A top-10, featured Substack

Out With Lanterns

By Julie Barton

Out With Lanterns, a daily poetry practice with Julie Barton

Dispatches from the Heartland

By Suzanna de Baca

Reflections on change and transformation.

Dave Busiek on Media

How to be a more informed news consumer and understand why journalists do what they do

Along the Mississippi

By Ed Tibbetts

News, opinions and ideas from the Quad-Cities, where the river runs east to west

Black Iowa News

Black Iowa News is an independent news platform designed to highlight Black perspectives, showcase the Black community and amplify the voices of Black Iowans — online and in print.

Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger

...Iowa, small towns, and saddle shoes

Mary Swander’s Buggy Land

By swandermary@gmail.com

A tale of two homesteads, one among the Amish, the other in Connemara, Ireland. A serialization of a new book of non-fiction.

Art Cullen’s Notebook

A view from rural America: immigration, agriculture, environment, politics

The Iowa Mercury

By Douglas Burns

Fourth-generation Iowa journalist dives deep with unpredictable, well-reported writing on rural America's people, politics and culture.

Iowa politics with Laura Belin

Where you get in-depth coverage and exclusive reporting about Iowa politics

Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

By Julie Gammack

Linking readers and professional writers who care about Iowa.

For Dear Life with Maggie Smith

A newsletter about writing & other things that make this life dear—from the poet, not the dame

Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture

By Robert Leonard

The politics and culture of Iowa, the Midwest, and beyond.

In the Dirt by Beth Hoffman

Learn more about the economics of farming, the dirt on the politics of agriculture and tales from our ranch, Whippoorwill Creek Farm.

Julie Gammack and Guests

If Iowa had a group chat, this would be it. Hosted by Julie Gammack, this Substack blends independent journalism, lively opinion, and unexpected voices from across the state. Think potluck, but with more insight and fewer Crock-Pots.

For years, Julie held in-person potlucks to bring women together for conversation and networking. Now she does the same in this column, sharing her own wisdom and the insights of others. Highly recommended.

- Debra Engle

Intimations: A Writer's Discourse

By Grant Faulkner

How we write is how we live. And how we live is how we write. A dose of creative writing for the soul.

The Cottage

By Diana Butler Bass

Part retreat, part think tank. A place for inspiration and ideas about culture, faith, and spirit.

Chris Best

Co-founder and CEO of Substack

A World of Your Own

Recommended by Debra Engle