In the Writing Burrow

In the Writing Burrow is a personal and reflective Substack that navigates the author's life experiences, health battles including heart conditions, the dynamics of book tours, literary accomplishments, and observations on societal issues like healthcare and content moderation. It presents a mix of humor, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for the writing process and community support, while also engaging with broader cultural and political topics.

Personal Health Literary Events Writing and Publishing Societal Commentary Humor Healthcare Systems Content Moderation

The hottest Substack posts of In the Writing Burrow

And their main takeaways

I Do Some Sermonizing

9611 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
  1. Naming is powerful and significant, as seen in the story of Adam naming creatures.
  2. Language is important but can be manipulated for control or deception.
  3. Facing challenges, play your hand well, use your knowledge, willpower, and luck to succeed.

My Poor Little Substack...

21266 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
  1. The author neglected their Substack but has valid excuses like health issues.
  2. The author's Substack may now offer free general content and paid subscriber content for charity.
  3. The author decided to enable paid subscriptions for their Substack to support the platform and charity.

The Report of my Death...

14741 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
  1. The author clarifies that rumors about their death are an exaggeration and explains their upcoming health procedure.
  2. The author shares details about their upcoming pacemaker installation and mentions their family history with similar conditions.
  3. The author expresses disappointment about missing events due to their health but remains optimistic about the future.

The French Revvie, Part V: Off With Her Head!

3459 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. The French Revolution did not prioritize women's rights, despite their active involvement in key events.
  2. Symbols and slogans from the Revolution, like "Liberty," have endured over time and been used by women.
  3. The Revolution had an idealistic view of equality, but women's rights were largely ignored, and progress for women was slow.

The Facedown With My Cheatin’ Heart

7940 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
  1. The narrator has a humorous and ongoing dialogue with their heart about managing heart issues with medication and lifestyle changes.
  2. The pacemaker helps control the lower end of the heart rate during episodes of atrial fibrillation, but managing irregular heart rate spikes requires medication.
  3. The author discusses their personal experience with heart conditions, the progressive nature of the condition, and the challenges in managing it.
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I Promised You a Post-op Tapdance...

10220 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
  1. Margaret Atwood shares a post-op update after treatment.
  2. Expresses gratitude towards the medical team and companions.
  3. Encourages readers to subscribe for more content and offers a free trial.

Substackers, You Are Amazing!

6309 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
  1. A big thank you to subscribers who raised funds for bird banders.
  2. Writing involves perseverance and embracing failure.
  3. Writing is a gamble where you often lose, but everyone who writes is taking a chance.

The Book Tour Life of Unremitting Glamour

10279 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
  1. The author has been on a book tour in Quebec and Montreal, interacting with audiences and sharing humorous experiences.
  2. The author humorously describes battling bronchitis during the book tour, contrasting it with more romantic literary ailments like tuberculosis.
  3. Despite facing challenges like delayed events and illness, the author maintains a sense of humor and continues engaging with readers.

THE EDITORIAL PROCESS!

9237 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
  1. Editing your book involves multiple stages like story editing and copy editing.
  2. Publishing houses aim to make your work the best it can be for reviews and sales.
  3. A good copy editor is crucial in catching errors and saving you from mistakes.

Another Book Tour Comic

9119 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
  1. This post is about a book tour comic by Margaret Atwood.
  2. The post encourages readers to subscribe for more content.
  3. The comic plays with the idea of Dark Ages before Zoom, leaving interpretation up to the reader.

ON THE ROAD. AGAIN. STILL.

8726 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
  1. Book tours aren't always glamorous like you might imagine.
  2. Book tours have changed over time - from busy city schedules to more refined experiences.
  3. Old book tours as described were more grueling with media interactions and travel.

BIG LARRY

8294 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
  1. Big Larry had a larger-than-life personality with a mix of kindness and machismo.
  2. Larry had a colorful past with experiences in the military, writing, and entertainment.
  3. Despite his adventurous life, Larry left a memorable impact on those around him and was fondly remembered in his memorial.

THE SHIELDS PRIZE, AMAZINGLY

7920 implied HN points • 08 May 23
  1. The Shields Prize was a major accomplishment in the literary world
  2. The dedicated team overcame obstacles to make the prize a reality
  3. Prizes like The Shields Prize can change lives and improve job conditions for writers

What Is This Healthcare, Earthlings? #1: THE NURSE ANTIGONE

7901 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
  1. Nurses have been held to unrealistic standards since Florence Nightingale's time.
  2. Nurses are facing understaffing, overwork, and physical attacks, leading to a downward spiral.
  3. Nurses want safer working conditions, not just admiration, to prevent further crises.

What Is This Health Care, Earthlings? #2: THE TOMMY DOUGLAS TEA TOWEL

6210 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
  1. Tommy Douglas was a key figure in implementing public healthcare in Canada.
  2. Before public healthcare, people relied on country doctors who were paid in goods like wood and chickens.
  3. The evolution of healthcare shows the importance of public funding and challenges governments face in sustaining it.

Substack's Dilemma

54 HN points • 28 Dec 23
  1. There is a concern over Substack platforming and monetizing content from Nazis and white supremacists.
  2. The platform's dilemma is whether to stick to its hands-off content moderation approach or take action against such harmful content.
  3. Substack is facing criticism for allowing content that violates its own terms of service, sparking a debate on the platform's responsibility.