Downtime is a newsletter for people who think too hard about what to read next, care deeply about their throw pillows, and can’t resist a beautifully constructed sentence.
It’s a curated grab bag of book recs, cultural dispatches, essays, interviews with creatives, and delightful recommendations (like really good throw pillows) — the kind of stuff that makes your brain fizz in a good way.
Downtime is one of Substack’s top culture newsletters, with hundreds of thousands of readers. Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll join us by subscribing.
xo,
Alisha
“It’s like getting an email from your smart, funny, in-the-know friend.”
What do I get with a subscription?
Free subscribers receive:
Previews of every email, with the occasional essay or book post
Paid subscribers receive the full experience, including:
The Friday Recs, in all their glory: a weekly dispatch of books, links, articles, and assorted cultural ephemera
The midweek post, where I share book reviews, cultural deep dives, essays, interviews, curated finds to click (and maybe buy), and behind-the-scenes stuff
Access to our reader community, aka smart, thoughtful people who actually like commenting on the internet (they exist!)
Occasional surprises, little extras, and the general satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting independent work that’s algorithm-free and crafted with care
Your subscription keeps this whole operation running — and I’m genuinely grateful. Thank you for reading, sharing, and showing up.
Who’s behind Downtime?
I’m Alisha Ramos — a writer, editor, and creative strategist. I used to design tech products and founded the Girls’ Night In newsletter and community. Now I focus on writing full-time and consulting behind the scenes with brands and other newsletters.
I live just outside Washington, D.C., with my husband and two-year-old daughter. I’m always reading five books at once, perpetually reorganizing my Notes app, and am especially interested in how women make creative lives work — both on the page and off.
Where should I start?
Try a Recs post — short, high-signal, and built for skimming.
Then maybe jump into one of these past posts…
Who Am I Without My Ambition? - On identity, work, and motherhood.
3 Good Things with Jessie Randall - A thoughtful conversation with the designer behind Loeffler Randall.
My Favorite Reads of 2024. - A reading list I stand by.
Bookmarked with Carley Fortune. An interview with a beloved romance author.
Answers to Your Toughest Gifting Questions. Useful, specific, and highly requested.
How can I reach you?
General inquiries: alisha@downtimenewsletter.com
Brand partnerships or sponsorships (selective): kristin@downtimenewsletter.com
Tech or billing questions? Visit Substack’s FAQ.
