Referential
Michael Colbert, Summer WrobelWriters, artists, and other creatives chat about their work and artistic process
| Platform |  | Pricing | Freemium | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 111 | Founded | 4 years ago | Last Issue | 5 days ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
referential.substack.comLatest Issues
Let’s go to Red Rocks, Hell’s Gate, the Target parking lot
If you’ve ever had a story publish in a literary magazine, chances are that you’ve, at some point, asked, “Who the hell is actually going to read this?”
While the thrust of this anxiety can be professional (i.e. will an agent or someone w...
The darkest material is what inspires me most
To say Scott Heim has had a big summer is an understatement. The writer’s debut novel, Mysterious Skin, was reissued by Harper Perennial in July with a new afterword by the author, a not-to-be-missed accompaniment that asks the reader to co...
Talismans, bad colors, punishment cleaning
If you’ve been following Referential for a while, you might know that I swoon for a graphic novel or memoir. So, I’m thrilled to be returning from Referential’s August break with a look inside of cartoonist, illustrator, and designer Emil W...
Autofiction, Eve’s Bayou, my favorite journals
September 2026 MASH ft. current nightmares, bygone dreams, a sneak peek of an interview I’m so excited about
Rabbit rabbit, I’m excited to be back after a month unplugged from the newsletter. The month off gave me valuable time to rest, ge...
Okay, don’t actually disappear for two months
Thank you for reading Referential—your support through reading and subscribing allows me to keep having conversations with creative people doing interesting work. If you enjoyed the last two weeks’ guest essays, these were both made possibl...
Key Facts
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for Referential.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 69 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
Explore More
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Writer, editor, books at the Press Herald
Summer Wrobel is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, NY. Her work appears or is forthcoming in The Adroit Journal, The Sonora Review, and Hayden’s Ferry Review, among others. She co-hosts The Cusp Reading Series in Crown Heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for Referential?
You can find recent issues that have been published by Referential on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does Referential have?
To see how many people subscribe to Referential, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in Referential?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch Referential as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like Referential?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact Referential using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to Referential?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like Referential. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact Referential?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.