24 Comments
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Will Boucher's avatar

Hell yes, honored to be mentioned in the same breath as Barbara...love her stuff

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

i knew you would!

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Ciel Skål's avatar

Im really enjoying these!

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

thanks ciel! hopefully you discover some writers you really like

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Will G.'s avatar

Love this!

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

thanks for reading will!

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Scott MacLeod's avatar

Nice job, service to readers and support for writers!

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S.K.Rocky's avatar

Not inviting an argument — just sharing my thoughts on “using AI” here, instead of in my own Note which doesn’t have much reach yet.

I take pride in my ideas. That’s what I consider my real asset.

As a non-native English speaker, I chose to write in English for broader reach. For me, both language and AI are simply tools that help me express those ideas.

I just wish people could loosen up a bit.

And just to clarify: I’m not defending mindless, copy-pasted AI pieces.

What I’m pointing out is that some publications even reject “AI-edited” stories — and that’s the attitude I’m addressing.

And honestly… if you’re someone who uses AI for the idea but writes it in your own beautiful style — then don’t worry, I’m judging you back, affectionately.

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

i agree rocky. people do need to loosen up. my stance is more about giving people their due recognition, not so much a hate on AI. you do you

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Colton Merris's avatar

Ahoy friend, thanks for including me on your list. That's very generous of you.

I do bark my head off about people submitting their work to other places, but I do have a couple caveats:

I'm all about people posting their fiction on Substack just for fun, or if they are experimenting with something.

I think masterpieces should be protected, and sent off to paying magazines. Even if there is a story you might not be able to sell to a magazine, it might be worth hoarding so you can bundle it with a collection.

I want to see you guys get paid for your work! I want to see someone who's never heard of Substack reading your book at the airport.

Anyway, I'm excited to check out the other writers on this roundup :)

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

you're making me come around. i sorta get paid for my work by loving patrons on Substack already. but i want to get in airports too. i'm thinking in the future i might protect some stories, or hoard them.

idk if you already know featuree Anthony Marigold, but he's of a similar mind of you and started his own lit mag, so i feel like you'd get along.

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Caroline Beuley's avatar

LOVE that you're doing this!

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

love that you're reading it! thanks caroline

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Neural Foundry's avatar

Your curation work here is valuabe for the Substack fiction community. The way you spotlight writers with different voices, from Carla's economical storyteling to Barbara's wonderfully weird perspectives, shows real discernment. Appreciate the clear stance on AI too. These recommendations feel like discovering gems rather than algorithmic suggestions.

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

what a really nice comment. thank you

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Carla  Miles's avatar

Yikes, this was a surprise! I'm grateful to be noticed among such strong writers. Many thanks and you're the best.

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

thank YOU carla!

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Tamara Casey's avatar

Thanks, I look forward to checking these folks out.

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

thank YOU tamara

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Elizabeth Lamont's avatar

Oh Will is on Mt. Substackmore too!!!

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

mr. boucher? oh yes

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Elizabeth Lamont's avatar

Love your recommendations, Clancy. Barbara and Judith are carved on Mt. Substackmore. Can't wait to acquaint myself with this latest crop you single out. Thank you because you're very busy!

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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

Mt. Substackmore, love it haha.

the only thing I'm busy with is this. i need to do some writing before steadwell jr arrives.

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Elizabeth Lamont's avatar

I’ve wanted to ask about the little mustached one.

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