Substacks recommended by Eric Pierce

Recommended by Eric Pierce

Once upon a time I worked in magazines. Now I’m writing about life as an Expat in Amsterdam.

I write about mental health, addiction, and parenting, and share art in the most vulnerable and meaningful way I know how.

The Dillon Empire: Simon Dillon on Substack

By Simon Dillon

Film Reviews, Short Stories, Essays on Cinema History, and more.

Simon Dillon is my favorite film reviewer. His opinions are grounded in decades of devotion to film and its practitioners, and his writing is deeply insightful and very entertaining. You'll learn, you'll laugh, and eventually you'll come to love your benevolent Emperor.

- Eric Pierce

The Things That Matter

By Paul Combs

I was going to call this "Talking Books, Music, Film, Faith, and History," but that's entirely too long for a title. Then I remembered that great John Cusack quote from High Fidelity: "Books, records, films - these things matter." I just added two more.

The Death Star Human Resources Department Newsletter

By Death Star Human Resources

Star Wars news...from a certain point of view.

Go Double Plus

By Marmi

Anyone here ever read Grant Naylor? Well, that was the pen name of Rob Grant and Doug Naylor who made the excellent Britcom Red Dwarf back in the day. "Go Double Plus" was the main character Lister's caffeine pills. Yay for hyperbole! Go big or go home :)

Marmi has one of the freshest, funniest voices I've read. Come for the pop culture, stay for the hilarious trips down memory lane.

- Eric Pierce

The Judean People's Front by Reuben Salsa

Outlandish stories. Fabricated opinions. Several layers of blasphemy. The JPF delivers a middle digit to the internet's monoculture of conformity.

The Bible like you've never seen it. Absolutely hilarious.

- Eric Pierce

Smillew Top Hat Seminar

News, Tips, Insider Info for members of the Smillew Top Hat Seminar Society

Jokien with Tolkien

By JRR Jokien

"Lore, Laugh, Lord of the Rings" is the unofficial motto of this weekly, often humorous, sometimes earnest, always genuine "2023 Substack Featured Publication" concerning hobbits, faith, and culture by a lifelong Tolkien fan. Subscribe & get a FREE eBook!

Widening the Lens

By Robin A Henderson

Diverse hidden gems in film and television.

Robin is one of the smartest writers covering pop culture. She's the kind of writer that makes me reconsider my own talent. I learn something new every time I read her work, without fail.

- Eric Pierce

It's Just Foam

By Lindsay Rae Brown

Memoir that makes you smile.

LRB is possibly the most outrageously funny writer on the planet. Her slice-of-life stories read like "Good Housekeeping" by way of "Superbad." Observational humor has never been funnier, but profound lessons lurk amid the humor.

- Eric Pierce

Boy Movies

By allison picurro

Girl talk, boy movies

5AM StoryTalk

By Cole Haddon

A place to talk about stories in all their forms, the craft that goes into them, and the role art plays in our lives.

Living in the Past

By Sam

All about how things were, way back when, before the Interwebs. Remember?

Gen X nostalgia wrapped in a warm blanket. Samantha is an amazing writer!

- Eric Pierce

Stay Curious

By Sheila Moeschen

Humorous conversational writing about life and other absurdities

Ahch-To Baby

By Matthew Freeman

A newsletter about Star Wars by award-winning playwright Matthew Freeman.

What I've always wanted: Star Wars taken seriously, by someone with real writing chops. Matthew is a writer's writer--thoughtful, erudite, a true wordsmith--and also a giant fan of all things Star Wars. One of my personal favs.

- Eric Pierce

Nicci’s Notes

By Nicci Kadilak

A weekly mashup of reflections on writing, motherhood, and what it means to be a human in this messy world. Equal parts empathy, deep breaths, and levity.

Bev Has All The Answers

By Bev Potter

1st Place Winner online humor in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists 2023 Contest, Honorable Mention in the 2024 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition. Hankerin' to start a podcast.

Bev is one of the funniest writers I have ever read. She has a thoughtful yet witty way of stepping back to look at modern life and asking: What's that about, anyway? Highly recommended!

- Eric Pierce

The Long Take

By Jen Sopchockchai Bankard

Film and television reviews of Star Wars, Marvel, other pop franchises, and Oscar contenders.

Amanda Reads

By Amanda Kay

Weekly tidbits from the life of a freelance writer, book witch, and resident video game enthusiast.

Amanda is a prolific reader with exquisite taste. Come for her recommendations, stay for the shrewd and witty commentary.

- Eric Pierce

The Screen

By Akos Peterbencze

Reviews, features, op-eds, and essays about film, television, and culture.

Akos is a veteran freelancer with bylines at some of the biggest outlets. Pop culture fans will not want to miss his Substack.

- Eric Pierce

Textual Variations

By Mikhail Skoptsov

Subscribe to learn why so many movies exist in multiple versions, and what this means for film history and culture. Also, some quality criticism.

Smart, in-depth writing. I learn something every time I read Mikhail's work.

- Eric Pierce

Made From What's Not Real

By David Perlmutter

The writings and musings of Canadian historian and speculative fiction writer David Perlmutter

I have followed David for years on Medium. He is an intelligent and witty writer. I've enjoyed his superhero stories in particular!

- Eric Pierce

Time2Thrive

By Tim Ebl

Simple ways to get healthier, eat with intention and take care of your body. Learn the truth about what causes so many modern health problems.

On Repeat by Kevin Alexander

By Kevin

Hot takes on cool records.

Kevin is one of the most knowledgeable music writers that I know of. Covering new bands and classic tunes alike, his newsletter is a welcome bit of fun.

- Eric Pierce