The hottest Author Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

What Does Enough Mean?

CRAFT TALK • 3950 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. Be gentle with yourself and acknowledge when you have accomplished enough.
  2. Focus on creating something that can make a lasting impact, even if it's just one thing.
  3. What feels like 'enough' is subjective and can vary from person to person.

Myth Take: C.S. Lewis’s ‘Till We Have Faces’

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 1788 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. The book 'Till We Have Faces' by C.S. Lewis presents the idea that sometimes the questions we ask already hold the answers we are seeking.
  2. C.S. Lewis transformed the myth of Cupid and Psyche by re-centering the narrative through the perspective of Orual, Psyche's step-sister.
  3. The involvement of Joy Davidman played a significant role in inspiring and collaborating with C.S. Lewis during the creation of 'Till We Have Faces'.
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Breaking Up with Your Words

CRAFT TALK • 3144 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. Editing ruthlessly is important in creating a concise and impactful story.
  2. Letting go of words during the editing process is necessary for the evolution of the story.
  3. Receiving praise for your work brings relief and joy, validating the effort put into crafting your story.

Conversations with a Friend

CRAFT TALK • 2692 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. Allow yourself to write without pressure or obligation, just letting your pen move freely.
  2. Approach writing by treating characters as friends, imagining interactions and feelings to enhance your work.
  3. Experiment with writing prompts that involve observing, listening, and feeling to create a more genuine and dynamic story.

SIGNED BOOKS FOR SUBSCRIBERS!!!

History, etc • 1474 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. The author is giving away signed copies of their books to subscribers.
  2. To enter the giveaway, subscribers need to comment 'DOGS' or 'WOLVES' and be a paid subscriber.
  3. Being a paid subscriber gives perks like participating in giveaways and supporting the newsletter.

Inside the Writerly Life of Joan Didion

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 1159 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. Joan Didion's early writing experiences shaped her as a writer since childhood, emphasizing the importance of practicing and developing writing skills from a young age.
  2. Joan Didion's keen attention to sentence structure and style was influenced by authors like Hemingway, Conrad, and James, showcasing how studying others' works can inform one's writing.
  3. Joan Didion viewed writing as an integral part of her thought process, using writing as a tool for exploration and self-discovery, and recognizing the impact of her writing tools on her thought process.

Why I Wrote LATE ADMISSIONS

Glenn Loury • 1448 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. The author wrote a memoir to understand and explain his unique life experiences.
  2. Writing the book helped the author reflect for readers' benefit as well as his own.
  3. By reading the memoir, readers can form their own judgment about the author's story.

Conversations with women (over 40): author Helen Garner, 81

The Shift With Sam Baker • 619 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Author
  1. Helen Garner values human contact gaze over the erotic gaze in her work and conversations.
  2. Helen Garner, a respected Australian novelist at 81, is finally gaining recognition worldwide for her 13 books.
  3. Garner shares personal stories about her relationships with family members, highlighting the complexities and changes that come with age and life experiences.

Morning Stretches

CRAFT TALK • 2083 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. This newsletter is about writing and creativity.
  2. The author is working on finishing two books.
  3. To get back into writing, the author is doing morning stretches like reading shorter novels and taking care of their health.

Since You Asked

Chuck Palahniuk's Plot Spoiler • 2083 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. Writing is about risking looking bad and giving others the same opportunity.
  2. A proposed series may fail to find a large readership and face challenges with publishers.
  3. Persisting through challenges is important in creative pursuits like writing.

Hello From Taiwan!

Am I Doing This Right? • 1081 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Author
  1. The author is in Taiwan working on their third book and finalizing edits on the second book.
  2. The second book's official announcement occurred a few weeks ago, with more details to come in upcoming months.
  3. Paid subscriptions to the author's work will resume soon, providing access to exclusive content and updates on their upcoming projects.

Old Flames, New Strains

Ladyparts • 679 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. The author discusses a brilliant novel by Roxana Robinson about late-in-life love and its complexities.
  2. The pandemic affected the author's ability to read for the first time in their life, causing frustration.
  3. To access the full post archives, readers can start a 7-day free trial of Ladyparts.

A Few Thoughts on Martin Amis

Letters from Suzanne • 1886 implied HN points • 22 May 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. Martin Amis' death had a significant impact on many people, even those who were not huge fans of his work.
  2. The news of Martin Amis' death left people feeling shocked and discombobulated.
  3. The emotions surrounding Martin Amis' death can be complex and difficult to fully explain.

The Quietest Paperback Release Ever

Ladyparts • 1278 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. The paperback release of Ladyparts by Deborah Copaken had a quiet launch due to a publishing mistake.
  2. Bookstores and readers were not properly informed about the paperback release until last minute.
  3. The author is seeking help to get the paperback into bookstores and into readers' hands after the publishing mishap.

April Bookclub reveal

The Shift With Sam Baker • 279 implied HN points • 13 Apr 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. The Shift Bookclub has revealed its April selection, and it includes a discussion event with the author, Emily Howes. You can find more details on their Substack page.
  2. The book being featured is inspired by the fascinating story of Styllou Christofi, a woman who was hanged in Britain. The narrative sheds light on lesser-known historical figures like her.
  3. Paid subscribers get exclusive access to this content, so consider subscribing if you want to uncover more about the bookclub's pick and related discussions.

New Feature Announcement!

So Here’s a Thing • 825 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. New feature announcement of a growing short story library for paid subscribers only. First story release is free for all.
  2. Stories will be delivered every two weeks in e-book format with new covers designed by the author, offering value for subscribers.
  3. If there is enough interest in the initial series of short stories, a second series may follow, encouraging engagement and growth.

Trailers, Tension and Tranquility

Fragmentary • 550 implied HN points • 12 May 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. Before book release, authors experience a mix of nerves and poor decision-making.
  2. It's important for authors to take breaks and engage in activities that recharge them.
  3. Author reflects on releasing book without parents' feedback for the first time.

I'm giving away 100 notebooks + all my digital versions with the hardcover

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 63 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
📚 Literature Author
  1. Free physical notebooks are being given away for Black Friday — you just pay US shipping and a discount is applied at checkout.
  2. Buying the premium hardcover bundle includes all digital editions (PDF, EPUB, Kindle), audiobook codes or links, and other freebies if purchased before Christmas; email your receipt to get the files.
  3. This approach mixes price-tiered bundles and gift-giving as experiments in generosity and audience-building, and it comes with a curated list of recommended reads.

Story: HELL HATH ENLARGED HERSELF

So Here’s a Thing • 275 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. The story 'Hell Hath Enlarged Herself' is part of an online collection and has been reprinted multiple times, showing its lasting appeal.
  2. The story is only available to paid subscribers, offering them exclusive access as a benefit.
  3. Readers have the option to refer friends to the Substack for potential paid benefits, showcasing a community-driven approach to gaining access to content.

Science Fiction Review: Steelstorm

Aristophanes Athenaeum • 452 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📚 Literature Author
  1. Steelstorm is a speculative science fiction story with multiple timelines, including a Cold War setting and a dystopian future.
  2. The author successfully switches between different perspectives, like a psychopathic character and a soldier, keeping the story coherent.
  3. The book is short but written with unique prose that captures grand imagery and deep themes, making it a satisfying read.

The Joshua James reader

The Reader Crew • 157 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📚 Literature Author
  1. Joshua James writes smart thrillers for smart sci-fi fans
  2. Joshua James has 5 main series, 3 are near-future and 2 are far-future
  3. Each series by Joshua James features a diverse and entertaining cast of characters