Come As You Are

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

Personal essays about relationships, my dysfunctional family, recovery and living and thriving in a creative life.

essays, memoir, food analogies

The James Beard Award-winning narrative journal about the intersection of sustenance, storytelling, and the creative spirit (and sometimes, a recipe).

Thoughts, free-writes, a poem or two, an essay here and there, upcoming book chapter previews. Live, from my little adobe at the bottom of the canyon.

Essays on kindness, pop culture, and occasionally poop. Cancer survivor x2. Father of awesome daughters. Four-time Best American Essayist.

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

Essays, bad jokes, rants, and unsolicited advice from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Hough, and a dog named Woody Guthrie.

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

Nominated for Best American Essay and Pushcart Prize. Proudly niche since 2006 in posts of 2 minutes or less. A Substack Bestseller in Literature. Subscribe FREE as long as Substack allows. No cost. No risk. No obligation.

Exploring what it means to travel through time in a human body, at every phase of life.

I'm not here to sell you anything bought or processed, you know, as a career. I’ve found that writing honestly about my life has connected me with others in a most meaningful way. I would love to learn from you as well, let’s get real together ❤️

Women don't vanish after 40. Who knew?! Amplifying and celebrating the voices of women in midlife and beyond by the former editor of Red, Cosmopolitan (and Just 17!)

Sea cows belong to the Sirenians, named for the mythological seabird-women who bewitched sailors with song. I’m drawn to sirens, selkies, and the goddess Io who swam the seas in the form of a cow. Most of my writing is about women, whales, and cows.

Developing a strong writing discipline.

Musings and pictures, and sometimes poetry, that offer an intimate glimpse into the ongoing process of becoming.

Your literary agony aunt. I solve your problems with advice from classic books.

The long monologues and rants and pieces of writing that don't belong anywhere else.

Written from a journalist in a red state, this newsletter is personal, political, sometimes funny and always raises hell.