Substacks recommended by C.J. Heck | "CJ's World on Substack"

Recommended by C.J. Heck

softedgesletters

By Lia

Letters from the quieter edges of life — on beauty, language, and being human.

Empty Vessels

By Elliott Maguire

The Home of Horror // From Author Elliott Maguire

David Peterson

Mind your business 🫠

Margaret Koger

Margaret Koger is a Lascaux Poetry Prize and her poems have appeared in numerous journals. Her works include What These Hands Remember (Kelsay Books,v2022). and If Seasons Were Kingdoms (forthcoming from Fernwood Press).

The Fractal Lounge

By The Bathrobe Guy 👘

Where gravity, grief, and poetry share a cup of tea.

The Nurse Rhymes

By Kristin Swan

My personal Substack

Harley King

Poet, Novelist, Speaker

The Whole World, Woven Into Words

By Siyabonga Mchunu

Threading together diverse content ideas into a cohesive tapestry.

Little Writing Corner

Writing what I love in the space between the forest and the sea in Scotland. Short story writing, working on a novella and taking a break to share skills with you!

Scott Stillman

Author of: I Don't Want To Grow Up, Wilderness, The Gateway To The Soul, Nature's Silent Message, Oceans Of My Mind, Solace Of Winter, and Nature Therapy.

Jaxs1955

The Drafting Dreamer

UK based poet, occasional muser on other things, proud owner of a big fat tartan ass

The Zest of the Lemon

By Dave Karpowicz

The Zest of the Lemon is a collection of the best slices of life created by poets, and authors around the world. Here they share AH HA moments, smiles, and the beauty of small.

Live Out Life

By Tom Hames

Heartfelt stories about life.

Garbled Thoughts

By Marbellys

Poetry, prose and everything in between. Processing garbled thoughts on love, life, heartbreak and healing

Jacob Mascarenhas

On this blog, I share my thoughts, experiences, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, hoping they resonate with those who seek understanding, empathy, and hope in a world that often feels broken.

Marbellys writes

Learning to live again with a burnt soul and a broken heart. Pouring out all the pain and hurt to make room for joy and peace

Ollie - if Only i

Lessons I wish I had learned sooner from living a roller-coaster life.

Kathleen Hobbs

Trying my best one day at a time to help all in need and just be happy.

Musings of a Crone

By Donna Druchunas

I’m here for the warrior women, the wise old crones, the powerful witches, the ones who won’t go back. I’m here to imagine a better future so we can build it together.

Paul Chiddicks

Avid Family History Researcher, Blogger and Writer

Life Teaches

Making Things Better and Learning a Lesson: Experiencing Wisdom Across the Lifespan

Christina Migone-Benfield

Hello and welcome! Like many of you, I write even under water. Well, almost. Prose, poetry, essays and articles on life itself, Philosophy, Literature, Art (I am also an Art Historian). I'd be so touched if you could read my opus and leave a comment.

Hopeful In Life: Wen’s Substack

By Wen

Explore the messiness and beauty of life, one thought at a time

Since When Are You Not Enough

By Heidi White

Musings inspired by nature, personal growth, relationships, grief and animals. May they land, resonate, make you feel less alone, or simply brighten your day.

Heidi White is a gifted writer who shares her inner strength and understanding nature. She has dedicated herself to helping others by writing from her heart to theirs. I'm proud to say, she is also my friend.

- C.J. Heck

B Stings

Captain B or Tio El Sileb or Nate B writes poetry and prose and dances too.

Home-made Creepypasta 💀

By Mark Watson

The serial fiction of Mark Watson, #1 best-selling, multi-award-winning author. Includes serial novels, horror fiction, fantasy, short stories and Home-made Creepypasta 💀

INNER SANCTUM OF BELIEF

By Kathy Napoli

This is a journey I invite you to take with me. Believing someone, even if there are doubts, is the greatest gift to those who speak the truth. Young or old one must have trust. Miracles happen if you believe they exist. Free Speech is real!

Life's Most Unnecessary by Kathy

By Kathy Max

The most unnecessary facts and lessons about music, literature, politics and education combined with some “light reading”.

She's a very interesting lady with a lot to say on various issues of import in today's chaotic world.

- C.J. Heck

Vibrant Visibility Challenge (September 2025)

By Claire

Home of joyful growth challenges on Substack. Build with clarity & confidence so that you can earn sustainably, share your work with joy and build a publication that truly supports you and lights you up. By Claire Venus, Substack Expert.

Marilyn’s Substack: Lessons from the Horse’s Mouth

By Marilyn Graham Werden

My personal Substack shares thoughts, feelings, poetry gleaned from 70+ years of living, never assuming an expert voice.

Charley’s Sounding Board

By Charles Huckabee

Common sense thought on things common to all of us, as well as the news and the bloated distractions that are passed off as news.

Gopher Farm

By Sharon Hudson

Poetry, fiction and memoir coming from Santa Cruz every Sunday. It's free!

Thin Air Fiction

By Terry A. Fries

The world is a mystery. We pull miraculous and dreadful things from thin air every day.

C.’s Substack

By C. Mercaldi-Cotton

My personal Substack

Picking Up the Pieces of Me

By Petrena Wilbur

A newsletter collecting poetry, short stories, essays, and novels written by Petrena Wilbur

Sandra’s Health Is Wealth With Frugal Strategies FOR YOU!

By Sandra Dingler

My Personal Mission is to empower persons by sharing ideas and resources to improve well-being. We cook our own food and use label reading and other strategies that have successfully helped us save money. https://buymeacoffee.com/sandra.f Thank You!

The Wary One

By Bob Dunning

Join Bob Dunning, a highly opinionated columnist with over 50 years of experience, as he dives into a variety of topics with insight, humor and irony. From everyday happenings to family and community issues, Bob discusses the nuances of life.

Hodgepodge, Connie J. Casella's Substack

By Connie J. Casella

My personal Substack I have been writing since I was a young teen. My subjects were and are The Beatles but I also have written poems on other subjects too. I also have written Christmas poems. If you love The Beatles Christmas, and life, please read!

Ken’s Substack

By Ken Macko

Random thoughts of a (former) trainman

Ken is an interesting man with an interesting background and overflowing with talent for putting all of the interesting into words. Plus, he's a nice guy.

- C.J. Heck

Carole’s Substack

By Carole Roseland

Few and far between, my poems are for the enjoyment of my friends, not judges.

mitch’s Substack

life love and close to the end

This young man has had a very difficult life and he is writing his memoirs about it. If anyone had a reason to be bitter and resentful, he does, but he's warm and compassionate and a wonderful friend. Mitch has used his past to reshape his present and future.

- C.J. Heck

What Comes Next?

By Abigail Thomas

Something odd will cross my mind, or a memory will catch me off guard, or my monkey mind will swing from the ceiling fan, or a tiny ant will crawl up the bookcase next to my chair. Then I get curious and curiosity is the first step in an unknown direction

To Be Livin' Poetry and Prose

By Wendy Gray

Words! L-O-V-E THEM! You, too?! Join me at the table to share what's on the Menu: poetry, prose, discuss featured writers, and more. Taste the daring to the divine! It'll be YUMMY!!!

The Perceptive Pea

By Priya Singh

Pea explores life and discusses psychology and spirituality from its unique perception, sometimes sprinkled with art and illustrations.

Whisked Away

By Ryan Goh

A weekly newsletter all about baking.

Guide Dog Life

By Patricia Timmermans

The adventures of one remarkable and opinionated guide dog, Cooper, and his ghostwriter, me.

Le Substack de Guy Boulianne

Chroniqueur indépendant, Guy Boulianne est membre du réseau Authorsden aux États-Unis, de la Nonfiction Authors Association (NFAA), ainsi que de la Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).

Jane Sez...

By Jane Deegan

I am a middle-aged woman who is navigating mid-life challenges. I am also a wife, a mother of a teen, a pet mom, a small business owner and a writer in my soul.

Diary of a Dreamer

By Simone Kornalijnslijper

Poetry and Stories that are full of love and hope ✨ by a writer who dreams of a world in peace ✨ I believe that we are all connected✨🧡