Dearest reader,
I launched Esoterica with a vision to democratize publishing, breaking down the barriers for sophisticated and talented writers to beautifully showcase their work. I came across many talented writers who were not finding a venue. The barrier to entry for writers remains high, but there were too many sentinels at the gate, in my opinion. There are too many conglomerates controlling what we read. As a life-long journalist, that trend continues to concern me.
It’s been satisfying to publish so many good authors in 2022 — and to see them find an audience. Esoterica’s Substack (yes, the one you are reading now!) has been named a finalist for the Canadian Online Publishing Award’s list of best consumer newsletters. The winner will be announced in February, so stay tuned.
We sent out 90 newsletters via Substack, and while our number of readers remains in the several hundreds, we are aiming to get it to several thousand in 2023. This is where you come in. Yes, you. We don’t ask a lot but if you share this newsletter with three people, and they join, you will be doing a lot to support creative writers and thinkers around the globe.
Short Stories
Since we launched, in mid-2021. we’ve received hundreds of submissions via Submittable. We’ve published 40 short stories. It’s hard to choose favourites but George F. Walker’s new play, Alone on a Bridge, which we ran in three sections, was definitely a highlight. Read Part Two and Three here.
We also loved Step Nine, Shigeru’s Shadow and Butch.
Big Ideas:
In the last year, we also published 36 Big Ideas, or non-fiction essays/memoir pieces. Here are my favourite:
I loved: Tea and Sympathy and Lies by Edward M. Cohen
A Very Kurt Conversation by Robert Basler.
Goodbye American Democracy, Hello Civil War by Bernd Debusmann
Podcasts:
For video podcasts, we’ve recorded over 25 interviews with authors and experts. Some of our favourites include:
Interview with Terry Fallis, author of Operation Angus. Loved his feminist perspective on the way he illustrates female characters.
Interview with Samantha Bailey, author of Watch Out for Her.
Interview with Barry Levine, author of “The Spider,” on Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Contest!
We launched our first contest — winner to be announced in the New Year.
Susan Catto Joined as our Editor-in-Charge!
Susan Catto joined Esoterica this year! Susan is an award-winning writer and editor who has been a regular contributor to publications including The New York Times and The Economist. Susan earned a doctorate in British Literature from the University of Oxford and a B.A. from Columbia University. Her first piece for Esoterica was The F-Boys of Jane Austen.
What to expect next year?
Substack: We’ll keep bringing you surprising short stories and intriguing Big Ideas.
Podcasts: Look for January interviews with authors Jowita Bydlowska, Luciano Wernicke and Cara Robertson.
More Great Writing: As word gets out about Esoterica, we will be able to bring you an even greater range of terrific writers.
Coaching: Have a book to write? We can help.
Also, our big reveal in 2023! We are in the early stages of creating a book publishing venture.
What you can do?
Share this newsletter with five people. Yes, five. Tell them to subscribe. Ask them to submit.
And share your thoughts with us! What was your favourite short story or article of 2022? Have you been checking out our podcasts? Finding out what you’ve loved will help us source more to love in 2023.
Yours truly,
Leah Eichler, Managing Editor of Esoterica