Looking for something to get your brain ticking? We’ve rounded up a bunch of the Substacks we can’t stop thinking about – some silly, some fun, some fashion-y, all awesome. See what these rad lot of writers and makers are up to by subscribing to their newsletters below.

ARTY MAIL

JOURNAL RASH Run by editor-in-chief Esther González (aka Estee Zales), the Spanish mixed-media artist and writer is a big ol’ fan of collage-making. While Journal Rash offers the occasional free post, supporting the newsletter with a paid subscription means you’ll have access to ongoing digital workshops, as well as work-in-progress insights from Esther.

 

 

 

 

 

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SOFT CRAFTS Ella Emhoff – American artist, model, designer and all-round rad crafter – has just the newsletter to subscribe to if you’re looking to keep your hands busy. Soft Crafts is a Substack that sends you a bunch of inspiring how-to guides to help you knit, crochet, paint, weave, bead, make, embroider, sew, draw, and just do general diy-awesomeness.

 

 

 

 

 

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STILL LOSING The brainchild of Sydney/Warrane screenwriter and director Hannah Lehmann, Still Losing is basically a portal into Hannah’s mind. Containing everything from smart long-form essays to get you thinking (about cheesecake, no less!) to lists of all the culture-y things she’s been lapping up lately, Hannah’s newsletter is wonderous, and free.

 

 

 

 

 

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BEST WISHES frankie favourite Minna Gilligan’s newsletter, Best Wishes, delivers weekly roundups of the art she’s been getting down and dirty with, as well as other life happenings. Kind of like an artist’s diary (only it’s public for the world to see) if you’ve ever wanted to see the inside of Minna’s head, Best Wishes is as close as you’ll get.

 

 

 

 

 

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POSTCARDS FROM THE PORTAL Whether you’re familiar with the tunes of Sydney muso Annie Hamilton or not, postcards from the portal is the perfect concoction of essays on songwriting, music-making, the inside of the industry and honesties about being an artist within it. As an avid crafter and all-round awesome artist, you can also expect some work-in-progress sewing project updates, too.

 

 

 

 

 

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FINGERS ON THE PULSE

HIGHLY ENTHUSED A fortnightly newsletter by Sophie Roberts and Sophie McComas-Williams (yes, double the Sophie!), Highly Enthused details all the cool stuff to eat, drink, read, watch, listen to, do and buy. Based out of Sydney, the Sophies seem to have the low-down on all the snazziest places to go and see. Plus, becoming a paid subscriber delivers even more of the good stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

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THE PARIS END For Melbourne/Naarm locals, The Paris End has become something of a cult newsletter. Taking its name from Collin Street’s famous ‘Paris End’, this Substack is chock-a-block with recommendations, long-form essays and witty insights. You’ll find journalists and writers Cameron Hurst, Sally Olds and Oscar Schwartz contributing across the weekly dispatches.

 

 

 

 

 

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MAYBE BABY Helmed by American writer Haley Nahman, Maybe Baby is one of the stalwart newsletters that kicked off Substack's craze. A mix of essays on pop culture, fashion and the human condition, Haley’s writing is top-notch and slightly addictive.

 

 

 

 

 

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SERIOUS LITERARY AUTHOR Exactly as it says on the tin, only with a bucketload of cheek. Written by Daniel Piper, Serious Literary Author is a collection of diary entries (as well as essays, fiction and advice) from the perspective of a Very Serious Author. Describing himself in his 'about page' as someone who “does not believe in humour or jokes”, that pretty much sets the tone for this cheeky lad’s newsletter.

FASHION FORWARD

GUMSHOE The work of New York-based writer and brand consultant Harling Ross Anton, Gumshoe is a newsletter about fashion through the lens of a very stylish lady that wants you to shop less. Chock full of essays that explore our relationship with taste, the perfect wedding guest outfit and everything else under the stylish sun, if you like dressing up (or down!), hit subscribe to Gumshoe.

 

 

 

 

 

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SMOOTH BRAIN The baby of Sydney-based fashion writer Ali Whittle, Smooth Brain is a fashion-y newsletter for the kind of folks who aren't afraid to tell strangers that they love what they’re wearing. Ali’s own style is accessibly chic, and her newsletters cover everything from cool girls in their natural habitat (aka Tokyo) to investigating her male style heroes.

 

 

 

 

 

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SCREENSHOT THIS Editor, writer and content strategist Zara Wong’s newsletter Screenshot This offers clever discourse around ideas of taste, backing up essays and discussion that revolve around Australia’s fashion industries with her own experience as a fashion mag veteran.

 

 

 

 

 

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SHOP RAT Shop Rat by Emilia Petrarca works under the premise of the goal being to go outside and engage with style in real life. It might seem obvious, but Emilia’s nifty shopping guides, essays on trends and how pop culture permeates the fashion world are testament to the writer having her finger on the beating pulse.

 

 

 

 

 

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Keen to feast your eyes on more rad creative types? Spy these Brisbane/Magandjin-based tattoo artists or take a gander at these rad First Nations authors. Plus, sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop.