Welcome, writer.

The world is flooded with writing by machines. But we are not machines, and we are not supposed to let machines take writing away from us. Don't let them. Root around in words like a truffle pig. Chicken-scratch with your claw hands. Pull sentences apart with your gnarling teeth. Write like an animal.

Each week, I'll post a little lesson that will teach you something I know about writing, share insight into my own process, and inspire you to keep putting words on the page. I write across poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, so the lessons will draw from all of these genres. Let me help you write like the messy, warm-blooded creature you are.

Why subscribe?

If you sign up as a free member, you'll get full access to the website, the archive of everything that's been posted so far, as well as email newsletters with new content when it's available. You'll also join a community of writers who share the same commitment to warm-blooded prose and poetry.

If you choose a paid subscription (starting at $10 monthly), you can also get access to a new nature writing community on Skool: Nature Writing Lab. That gets you access to:

🌱 Courses, starting with Writing in the Weeds, a short course in everyday nature writing, with more to come each month

🌱 Craft: weekly tips, prompts, and feedback to keep you writing

🌱 Career advice: submitting your work, building an audience, and making a living as a writer

🌱 Social content: how to share your writing on Instagram and beyond without losing your voice

🌱 Book recommendations: nature writing worth reading, from classics to newer voices

🌱 A supportive community to share work, ask questions, and celebrate wins

Higher subscription tiers get you personalized feedback and coaching! Check out the subscription options and sign up here.

About Me

I'm an Australian environmental writer living in California whose work explores the tangles between humans and the natural world. My poetry, essays, and stories have appeared in publications like Orion, Scientific American, and Planted Journal. I also work in communications for The Nature Conservancy.

You can find some of my work and info at aylagard.carbonmade.com or follow me on instagram at @aylagardening.