We are a magazine of personal essays that explore life lessons, self-discovery and the raw truths that come from overcoming adversity. We work with a diverse range of writers to give our readers a real & raw insight into the human condition.

Why subscribe?

Free subscribers receive regular authentic personal essays and access to KTHT community chats.

Become a paid subscriber and get full access to:

  1. Extraordinary Essays (some stories are too powerful or personal to be free).

  2. Early Access to Select Essays (be the first to read some of our most powerful essays — two weeks before anyone else).

  3. Monthly Newsletter for Paid Subscribers:

    • Behind-the-Scenes Insights — A look at key chats from the month.

    • Writing Focus — A focus on a particular aspect of personal essay writing.

    • Subscriber Q&As — Answering subscriber or writer questions.

    • Editorial Reflection — A short personal note from one of us about something we learned.

    • Interviews with authors.

    • Curating essays  — Diana and May will pick a handful of essays to showcase.

  4. Behind-the-Scenes Writer-Editor Chat

    There is a dedicated space for paid subscribers and writers to chat. Providing a behind the scenes look inside the workings of the magazine.

    • There will be discussions about such things as what makes an essay stand out, common pitfalls, and real-time insights from editors and writers.

    • Every so often, we will offer exclusive writing prompts.

    • There will be weekly structured chats with specific themes. Subscribers can ask writers/editors questions in real time.

5. Archive Access

Our free stories change to paywall status after six weeks. Paid subscribers are given full access to ALL past essays.

6. Writing Mentorship for Monthly Paid or Founder

Struggling with essay structure or truth in storytelling? Our mentorship program offers guidance and support to help writers craft compelling personal essays with clarity and impact.

Diana and May have been writing and editing personal essays for many years and want to share what they have learned with you!

We understand that our readers, or often writers and with this in mind, our mentorship program - available to all yearly paid or founder subscribers, will focus on key aspects of writing personal essays and creative nonfiction.

  • Crafting compelling personal essays

  • Balancing truth in creative nonfiction

  • Structuring narratives with a strong arc

  • Effectively working with memories in storytelling

  • How to use reflection effectively

  1. As a founder, you can also gift a membership to someone of your choice - or we can help you choose.

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You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the free newsletter goes directly to your inbox.

Join the crew

Be part of a community of people who want to share their stories, learn from others, and grow together on a journey of self-discovery.

To find out more about the company that provides the tech for this newsletter, visit Substack.com.

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Subscribe to Know Thyself, Heal Thyself

We feature personal essays that explore life lessons, self-discovery, and the raw truths gleaned from overcoming adversity. A real & raw glimpse into the human condition.

People

Writing fearless fiction on my Substack & personal essays for KTHT. Founder of the Cocktail Club. May More paid subscribers get full comped access to Juniper Berries🫐
I am multicultural and multilingual (Chinese, English, French, and Spanish). I love topics that touch my heart and stimulate my brain.
Seeker of Mysteries 🍁 Poet 🦋 Animal Lover ☀️ Wisdom Keeper 🌿
I am the creator of Lavender Marie 💜 series coming soon! I write poetry, fiction and personal essay. I enjoy discussing topics about mental health, parenting, and relationship. I hope you sense my passion and authenticity through my writing.
Writer | Poet – I explore what it means to live, love, and grow while helping curious, open hearts and minds find meaning, joy, and connection along the way.
Advocacy journalist. Investigative researcher. Abuse recovery bud. Ex-cop abolitionist. Apply liberally to the affected area 🌬️🏳️‍🌈❤️‍🩹
Poet, substitute teacher, tutor, workshop leader, & student of A Course in Miracles plus other mystical teachings. Often found puttering in the garden, sitting under a tree, singing "Getting to Know You" to my inner child.
A survivor of life’s mind fucks & emotional mercenary picking up the remnants of my former self by filling the empty spaces with words that pulsate perseverance. Reflections on sobriety, emotional abuse, mental health, adoption trauma, and identity.
And just when she thought she couldn't go on, she did - with wicked humour and a will to survive | Shameless Sugar Addict | Cake is Life
Poet, essayist, and unabashed nerd. Challenging taboos, exploring resilience, and exercising freedom one story at a time.
Mom of three, proud Brooklyn native, and magazine editor, Dani writes personal essays, memoirs, and poetry. She’s also a dog lover, music fan, and always, always a dreamer.
Retired Jill of all trades turned Travelling Poet, transforming chaos into peace. Full-time problem solver, half-philosopher, 4x author, 70+ travels and floating on many life lessons. You are "Too Much" and that's fine. Live. Travel. Heal. Transform.
Writer. Mindfulness practitioner. Observer and wondering wanderer.
I focus on Reflective Writing. If you’re looking to foster growth, build self love and feel uplifted during tough times, you’re at the right spot.
CSA survivor navigating the messy, non-linear path of healing. Life through my eyes as I piece it all together. Bizarre sense of humour, lover of blisteringly hot chips & quirky as hell.
A wordsmith, a fixer, and a purveyor of interesting things.
Writer of fact & fiction; sometimes transgressive, sometimes erotic, always about life. Born in SA, rooted in NL. What you see is what you get!
Mystical Musings by Cyn seeks to share her knowledge and experience of healing from trauma and awakening to the spiritual path to assist you on your own path of awakening to who you are. Keeping it real.
I am Andrew Milner, musician, author, and soon to become course creator. I am helping you have better days, one song or story at a time. I am a punk, rock, pop-rock, cinematic, orchestral, medieval, shoegaze, post rock, and new age musician.
Reality storyteller who can't keep my cards close to my chest! Laying it all out on the table, one story at a time.
Multi-genre author writing short and serial fiction. Romance, transgressive fiction, sizzling spice, humor, and memoir content on the menu.
I am a curious traveler, a spiritual being with a wanderlust to learn and grow. I seek to increase my gifts of intuition and empathy. I write non-fiction, what's closest to my heart. My passion is Argentine tango as it is a dance of Connection.
often introspective | occasionally impulsive | sometimes zesty | always curious
For me, writing is more than words—it's a way to connect, reflect, and grow. I share insights on personal development, self-improvement, and RevOps, believing that with self-confidence, anything is achievable. Let’s explore together.
Writer of intimate fictions and uncomfortable truths.
Hi, I am Sue. "Be kind. You never know where and how you will end up." Me. A healthcare professional believing that readers and writers have a symbiotic relationship!
I’m a 1970s & 1980s girl writing about all the things - mostly personal. Sometimes, VERY personal. No holding back. Short fiction, poetry, and personal essays.
Heather Zoccali. Award winning advocate, founder, and writer. Writing about all the brutally beautiful bits that create the brutiful.
From the Far Side
A homebody who romanticizes cozy mornings but will leave the house for good food, deep conversation & gut-altering laughs. 🐶 mama∙soft-life enthusiast• 📚 Kindle addict