Updated 12/27/25
This is my fourth year on âSubstackâ (a newsletter/social platform) but Iâve had many iterations of a newsletter (and blog) for at least a decade, or more, before I got here.
Knowing I could change my newsletter name without having to change the URL left me open to play a bit with different titles over the past 4 years and it wasnât until last year that I realized I could, and would like to, do an annual changing of my newsletter name. A symbol of a fresh new start. And why not? We, as humans, are forever changing. Staying the same is dreadfully boring, after allâŚ
Mid-2021 to 2022 - E.L. Drayton, Storyteller or Erica Drayton, Storyteller
2023 to 2024 - Erica Drayton Writes
2025 - The Happy Place
2026 - Ink After Dark
Think of this place as a combination of a Wordpress blog (where I share my thoughts on various passions and my writing journey), with Mailchimp (where I share my thoughts with you via emails instead of you having to visit my âblog pageâ which you still can if you want to read my past works), and Patreon (where you can support my work monetarily on a regular, monthly or yearly, basis).
Check out my Substack Profile or my Carrd for more info.
What you get when you subscribe â
FICTION
100 Word Stories [daily, ending January 24, 2026] - Stories #001 - 010 are Free-for-All. Stories from #011 to #1000 are behind a paywall, all of which will be available to purchase in book form over time.
Short Stories [monthly] - If itâs a story in one post, a portion is behind a paywall. If the story is divided into Parts, then Part 1 is Free-for-All and the rest are for Paid Subscribers Only.
NON-FICTION
Notes from a Writer - My thoughts and opinions as a writer of fiction and community organizer who wants to help fellow fiction writers pursue their publishing dreams. Nestled within here, youâll also receive emails on the following topics:
First Edition [1st of the month] - Monthly updates on my writing journey. What Iâm working on currently, what Iâve finished, and what I plan on doing next.
OTHER INTERESTS
Murder Pen Society* - Nothing like a good murder mystery or horror to get the blood pumping and mind reeling. I like reading how to write these genres as well as reading/watching/listening these genres and then analyzing them. Book club anyone? If you like horror and mysteries like I do, then joining this society is a must!
Stardate* - Iâm slowly watching every Star Trek television series and movies and reviewing each and every single one. I am a trekkie and proud of it! đđž
Notes from a Gamer* - As a Nintendo Gamer, these are reviews on games Iâm playing both old and new.
NYC Bookworm* - Reviews of books and movies of the past, present and future that Iâve seen, want to see, or Iâm rewatching.
Donât want to receive all of these emails? You can change your subscription by clicking this button. (* = requires you to OPT-IN which you can also do by clicking the button below)
About Erica
Erica L. Drayton was born in the Bronx in NYC. She began writing stories almost immediately after she learned how to read and write from her mother, a former English teacher. As a gay, black, woman, Erica used storytelling as a way to express her feelings through poetry and fantasy novels at a young age.Â
After college, she took her continued passion for storytelling and developed it further, into writing short stories, eventually challenging herself to write 100 word stories.
She lives with her wife, young son, two dogs, and three chickens in the Capital Region in Upstate New York.
a note on paid subscriptions â
First, it means a lot that you would consider becoming a regular subscriber of my work and itâs for that reason I want to give you options:
MONTHLY/ANNUAL SUBSCRIBER
Itâs just $10/m or $100/yr and with this subscription you get:
Archive access to my entire collection of 100 word stories! A daily journey that began on May 1, 2023 and ended on January 24, 2026.
Monthly short stories of horror and mystery.
If you are a paid subscriber and looking for access to your rewards or just want to see if there have been any updates? CLICK HERE.
MAKE A ONE TIME DONATION
Perhaps you donât want to commit, just yet, to a monthly paid subscription? Make a one-time donation and when you do, Iâll comp you one month free to access my paid content. Just use the same name and email for both.
my other publications
I have other newsletters as well. No need to subscribe to them all, but if youâre interested:
