Substack Advent Calendar 2025
Publications you don't know that you need to get to know
Every year, I share a round-up of Substacks with fewer than 1,000 subscribers. My aim is to amplify smaller writers and celebrate the people who show up every day and share their beautiful words, even though they don’t have a huge existing following or big celebrity mates to help them get noticed.
Here’s to the ones starting from scratch!
If any take your fancy, give them a subscribe…
Day 1: Emily Hough and Salima Saxton
To kick off, we have TWO Substacks for the price of one.
Emily Hough
Emily Hough writes about home, garden and gratitude.
Working with her husband to renovate their bungalow, Emily shares experiences, triumphs, tribulations, and how they do life together.
Emily is looking to connect with others and build a community here on Substack.
Here’s a recent post of Emily’s that you might enjoy:
Salima Saxton
Salima Saxton is a writer, and an actor, with her debut memoir coming out with Doubleday, Penguin Random House in early 2027.
Salima writes The Year of Undoing, about being a bad patient. Her writing is funny, dark and full of heart.
Here’s a recent post of Salima’s for you to check out:
Day 2: Nature Writing Club
At Nature Writing Club, Janelle Hardacre writes about nature connection, creativity, seeking awe and joy, and overcoming blocks.
Since moving to the countryside three years ago, Janelle’s wonder and curiosity about the natural world has ignited. She loves birding, walking in the woods and getting up early to chase the sun rise! Now she’s excited about marrying her passions of nature connection and creativity.
“I love sharing this enthusiasm to invite others in. I think Nature Writing Club is a gift to my inner child Janelle. ‘We’ just have such a lovely time putting it together. So I feel sure that others will feel the same playfulness and joy by getting involved too.”
Janelle Hardacre
Here’s a recent post of Janelle’s that you might enjoy:
Day 3: Writing From Weird
Leeron Heywood writes daily microfictions, usually speculative fiction, which run the spectrum from horror to cosy - lately they’ve been particularly enjoying lighthearted urban fantasy. Occasionally Leeron also offers personal, reflective essays.
“I’m a lifelong storyteller who post health collapse has given up trying to conform and aim for conventional success and am instead trying to figure myself out, find a way to make a living around my disabilities, and hopefully entertain people and build community along the way.”
Leeron Heywood
Here’s a recent story from Leeron for you to check out:
Day 4: Wavy Thoughts
Ren Riley is a 30-something writer from Northern England. They started this newsletter during a period of intense autistic burnout, and continued writing it because it gives them so much joy.
Wavy Thoughts is all about Ren’s experiences as an AuDHD human and the hilarity that often comes with it.
Here’s a recent post of Ren’s that you might enjoy:
Day 5: Flucking Flourishing
Lisa Bolin 🌸 is a flucking force of nature! I adore this woman and her passion for championing Queenage women. Lisa writes about midlife, flourishing, mindfulness, feminism, creativity, and life.
“I write FF because we need more women’s voices and stories. Historically, women have been silenced and erased so my publication is a way for me to rectify that. I also share ways of living that honour ourselves, that I’ve tried and tested.”
Lisa Bolin
Here’s a recent post from Lisa as she prepares to pack up her life in Finland and move back to her native Australia:
Day 6: The Creative Courage Project
I think Ryn Kingsley’s publication will speak to a lot of Creative Fix-ers, because they write for creatives with low spoons, and/or high stress, and wild creative dreams.
At The Creative Courage Project, we are following our impractical, “I could never do that…(could I?)” desires, and honouring our own creative pace in a world that demands urgency.
“I’m a poet at the intersection of wonder and existential dread and reformed chronic dream-delayer. I write about this because life became something to get through with my dreams tucked away for when I could afford them. And I could no longer afford the cost of waiting to earn my living.”
Ryn Kingsley
Why not join Ryn to play a little creative game…
Day 7: Becky Writes
Becky Handley (she/they) is a writer and artist based in Derbyshire, UK, who writes about being late diagnosed autistic, sobriety and navigating life.
Reading other people’s writing about being autistic really helped Becky when she was awaiting assessment, and now they want to help other people. Becky also writes about being sober in order to help break down the stigma.
“My writing helps me to get to know my true self which, after 37 years of masking, is a really big thing.”
Becky Handley
Here’s a recent post of Becky’s that you might enjoy:
Day 8: Food for thought by Isa
Isabel Knaus writes poetry, usually combined with personal backstory or observation. It’s essentially a collection of thoughts put into words, trying to grasp the complexity of reality.
“I like to find words for situations, emotions that happen, that others might not be able to put into words or haven’t given much thought. I want give a voice to myself & others, certain subtle phenomenons by expressing & being vulnerable to show how there’s so much desire, humanity & complexity around & within us.”
Isabel Knaus
Here’s a recent post of Isabel’s for you to check out:
Day 9: Imaginary Lizzie
ImaginaryLizzie is a publication with a fantastic premise - surviving single parenthood one gin and tonic at a time with the help of Lizzie, my daughter’s imaginary friend. It’s parenting from a very world-weary stance where the author tries to see the funny side, and veers into the occasional feminist rant.
“Life is hard and humour is a survival mechanism. I have a keen sense of the absurd and I cope with things by trying to make them funny. Sometimes I succeed. And a lot of life is fundamentally absurd, isn’t it?”
Imaginary Lizzie
I laughed out loud throughout this post, and I suspect you might too:
Day 10: Shorty’s Shorts and Becoming an Author
We’re into double figures, so it’s another two for one!
Shorty’s Shorts
Lindsay Hornsby is a cartoonist, and late-diagnosed ADHD-er, who creates a highly visual comic called Princess Pups! She posts this comic on Substack along with (usually) short articles about her creative projects, from crochet or buttons to digital illustrations or web dev.
Check out this recent post from Lindsay:
Becoming an Author
Hayley Dunlop is documenting her journey from an anxious mum who had never read romantic fiction to a published romance author (her debut novel – a festive rom-com called It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – was published this year). Hayley also loves interviewing other authors on the newsletter, and sharing her thoughts about balancing motherhood with a creative life.
Check out this recent post from Hayley:
Day 11: It Takes a Village not to Lose a Child
Davina Robertson lost her 19-year-old son to suicide after repeated exclusions from schools and communities. This has led Davina to campaign for better support for neurodivergent children, and to write to combat the shame of not-belonging that many of us have experienced growing up.
“I am seeking connections to dream up new education systems together.”
Davina Robertson
This recent post from Davina is a powerful read:
Day 12: The Art of Feeling it All
Sophie Willow writes about relationships, personal fulfilment, the messiness of our emotions, creativity, navigating change, late discovered neurodivergence, and mundane beauty.
As a writer, artist and AuDHD person living in Edinburgh, Scotland, for a long time Sophie thought life would be better if she could just stop feeling so much. But, over time, she’s come to find that holding the fullness of who we are is an art - one that leads us towards a more truthful and fulfilling life.
“I write The Art of Feeling it All for deep thinkers with big feelings (peeps who suspect they’re probably from another planet), sharing weekly personal essays about what I’m learning, what I’m rubbing up against, what feels magical, and what I’m letting go of.”
Sophie Willow
I found this post of Sophie’s deeply relatable - well worth a read:
Day 13: Neuro Nirvana Collective
Elly Marie (she/her) is one of my favourite people on Substack, and not just because she’s a Divergent Creatives alumna!
Neuro Nirvana Collective is about mindfulness, neurodivergence, chronic illness, and Buddhism - with the added bonus of lots of cat pics!
Elly had been practicing Buddhist mindfulness and meditation for 25 years, then discovered she is AuDHD after menopause hit. Having learned that mindfulness is not always safe for those with mental health conditions, and that a high percentage of neurodivergent people also experience chronic illness and mental health challenges, Elly has set out to help people manage emotional regulation safely by adapting mindfulness and Buddhist ideas to their individual needs.
Here’s an example of the topics Elly writes about:
Day 14: Scattered Crumbs and Tangled Tales
Liza Debevec is a social anthropologist by training, and also a professional career and life coach. She has lived in Africa, and various countries in Europe. A lover of food, literature and life, Liza writes about life and culture in various parts of the world (including Ethiopia and Burkina Faso, but also Portugal where she currently lives).
Liza also has a second publication, Sharing Secrets (and Other Useful Stuff), where she shares coaching and personal growth tips.
Here’s a recent post from Scattered Crumbs and Tangled Tales:
Day 15: A Creative Frenzy
Helen Nesburg was diagnosed with ADHD when she was 38 and her life was falling apart due to a layoff and new baby. Since then she’s been building a creative practice as a writer and illustrator.
This often humorous self-illustrated Substack series is for neurodivergent creatives, neurodivergent parents, late-diagnosed neurodivergent women*, and the sweet sweet normals who love us.
Side Note: Do follow Helen on Notes - she is hilarious and deeply relatable!
“A Creative Frenzy is where I explore life as a neurodivergent creative and mom to two littles, at least one of which shares my diagnosis. It’s a place where I can been completely myself after a lifetime of masking and connect with others who feel the same.”
Helen Nesburg
Here’s a recent post from Helen for you to check out:
Day 16: A Life (Extra) Ordinary
Monique Mulligan writes about the multi-passionate creative life, the (extra) ordinary beauty of the everyday, and living and treading gently.
This is Monique’s journey back to basics - making time for rediscovery and reconnection with the muse; the “little girl” inside who sees the beauty in the extraordinary ordinary. Along the way, she’s exploring a slower way of living. Stopping to pause and wonder. Making time for wandering, wondering, musing … and for the people and things that matter most to her in life. The simple things.
“In a world that celebrates busy and rewards productivity, I needed to make a change: more slow, less busy. To make and take time to live well. To go gently and fall in love with life again, rather than going through the motions. To pause to muse about the beauty in simple, everyday life and the joy of creative play. I’ve learned that a little time out does wonders for my creativity and my Self.”
Monique Mulligan
Here’s a recent post from Monique to check out:
Day 17: bookmarks & bindweed
Kasey Butcher Santana is a former jail librarian turned alpaca farmer and freelance writer. At bookmarks & bindweed, she writes Sunday reflections for those with dirt under their fingernails, looking for bugs, hoping for a better world.
Expect nature, spirituality, curiosity, creativity, empathy, community.
Kasey also writes about about the alpacas, bees, etc. as well as creativity and trying new things over on Life Among the Alpacas.
Here’s a recent post from bookmarks & bindweed for you to check out:
Day 18: Tales to Tickle a Pig to
George Prew-Stell is an archaeologist (specifically, a Treasure Trove Officer - what a great job title!), using writing as a creative outlet after a decade in higher education, too busy for any hobbies.
Tales to Tickle a Pig to is where he shares his short stories - cosy weird fiction, bringing a bit of whimsy to people’s days.
“I love to write and I love strange, funny, quirky stories which make people smile and, if I’m doing a good job, laugh.”
George Prew-Stell
This story is a great example of George’s work:
Day 19: Missing From History
Esther Freeman writes about people you should know about from history, but probably don’t - and yes, predictably, they are mainly women.
According to Art UK, only 4% of statues in Britain are of women. Research from End Sexism in Schools revealed that 59% of KS3 history lessons featured no women at all. Only 12% featured women as their main focus. This gender bias is reflected in other GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) institutions, where women often feature as part of special exhibitions, but not permanent displays. Women deserve their place in our historical narratives, and Esther is doing her part to redress the balance.
This recent post from Esther is a fascinating read:
Day 20: Notes from Saving the World
Catriona Knapman has spent years working in the aid sector, living in 10+ countries on four continents and in lots of cultural contexts. She has written many technical reports about gender and land (as a woman farmers land right expert), but they didn’t capture what she knew about the topics through her own experiences as a woman.
So Catriona set out to share a more real account. Notes from Saving the World is where she shares personal essays which offer reframes and new ideas about nature, gender, journeys, global systems and … saving the world.
“I wanted to write about these different sides of what a full journey looks like, the vision from the heights but also the challenges of going through change, uprooting and rebuilding after traumatic experiences, including rebuilding hope that we can change the world even when we have met a lot of disillusion and darkness.”
Catriona Knapman
Here’s a recent post by Catriona that you might enjoy:
Day 21: Heartbeats and Saz’s Little Fictions
It’s the final day of the Creative Fix Substack Advent Calendar! Happy Winter Solstice!
We’re finishing off with two fantastic publications for you to enjoy.
Heartbeats
Mariah Friend writes about creativity, motherhood, and community, because these things are all closely connected.
“A mother without resources (including childcare) won’t have the same ability to nurture her creativity as a parent or caregiver who’s more resourced...and the way we all generate more resources is through community!” - Mariah Friend
Check out this recent post of Mariah’s:
Saz’s Little Fictions
Sarah is a pharmacist living and working in rural Australia. She was inspired to write a children’s book for her son’s first birthday and has been hooked ever since.
“I’ve discovered that I love writing flash fiction (<150 words) or short stories (~1000 words). They are stories I can finish in the gaps between parenting and allow me to explore all sorts of stories and genres. I describe my stories as full of whimsy, wonder and the everyday.” - Sarah Tinney
Here’s a recent flash fiction story by Sarah for you to enjoy:
That’s it, we’re all wrapped up!
Please do check out some of these writers, and subscribe to a few of them. We all know what it takes to keep showing up, to keep writing, day in and day out, and how hard it can be to build a following from the ground up. So let’s support each other and lift one another up over the festive season.
I’m off to wrangle two over-excited children on a sugar high - wish me luck!
If you want to escape the festive chaos for a bit of calm creative time, don’t forget that my Creative Dreaming Retreat takes place (online and entirely on your own schedule) from 27th - 31st December.
Join me for five days of creative prompts to nurture your creative dreams:
Thanks for the shout out Allegra. I've said it before but it's worth repeating - this is such a beautiful and generous way to support other writers here. I so appreciate the thought and effort that you put into this. x
Thanks so much for the inclusion!