Writing in the Dark

Writing in the Dark

Writing in the Dark is a popular Substack newsletter and creative community founded by award-winning author and teacher Jeannine Ouellette. Described as a home for writers “determined to keep creating through relentlessly uncertain times,” the platform focuses on the intersection of craft, curiosity, and the “living process” of writing. Ouellette provides subscribers with high-level instruction on creative nonfiction and fiction, often breaking down complex concepts into actionable frameworks, such as her widely cited “11 Urgent & Possibly Helpful Things” for manuscript evaluation. The newsletter is celebrated for its generous approach to teaching, offering a mix of deep-dive essays, “Syllabus” posts, and live virtual “Write-Ins” that foster a sense of collective accountability and focus.

The platform has grown into a vibrant ecosystem that includes specialized “intensives”—such as The Infinite Small for micro-flash fiction and The Power of Place for immersive setting work—alongside a growing directory of published work by its community members. By emphasizing vulnerability and “attention as a form of prayer,” Writing in the Dark seeks to demystify the professional publishing world while protecting the sacredness of the creative act. Whether through its “Thursday Threads” discussing industry trends or its intensive 12-step essay workshops, the newsletter serves as both an elite masterclass and a supportive “burrow” for over 15,000 writers worldwide.