The hottest Authors Substack posts right now

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Top Literature Topics

Books that suck you in and spin you out

Austin Kleon • 59 implied HN points • 02 Apr 21
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Some books pull you in and make you feel deeply connected, while others push you out to explore new ideas or authors. It's a fun way to think about how stories can affect us.
  2. Maps in storytelling can really enhance your reading experience. They help you visualize imaginary worlds and can inspire you in your own writing.
  3. Art can be a way to express gratitude and create meaningful souvenirs. It reminds us of experiences or people that matter to us.

Three self editing tips

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Give your writing some time before editing. Letting it sit for a day helps you see it with fresh eyes and improve it better.
  2. Try printing your draft to edit it on paper. This makes the work feel new and helps you spot mistakes more easily.
  3. Reading your writing out loud can help you catch errors and awkward phrases. It’s a great way to make sure your writing flows well.

Letter to Rebecca #24-23

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Pets can sometimes cause unexpected worries, like health issues. It's good to stay on top of their care, like regular vet visits.
  2. Supermarkets collect a lot of data on shoppers, which can feel intrusive. It's interesting how they use this info to target offers.
  3. Ideas for writing can come from anywhere, even just everyday moments. Walking around or doing chores can spark creativity.

One Thousand Misanthropic Pages

Facsimile No. 2 • 19 implied HN points • 29 Nov 21
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The book 'Infinite Jest' by David Foster Wallace is described as a grotesque piece of anti-art, portraying a world that is fundamentally ugly and worthless.
  2. David Foster Wallace uses a nonlinear, plotless structure in his writing as a way to challenge the reader to find meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
  3. Readers who are interested in exploring themes of anxiety and depression may find alternatives like Michel Houellebecq's _The Elementary Particles_ or Lars von Trier's _Melancholia_ more engaging and concise than 'Infinite Jest'.
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2023 Year in Books

From the Desk • 18 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The author read 37 books in 2023, reflecting on the struggle to find time for focused reading in the age of distractions.
  2. There are book recommendations categorized as 'Must Reads', 'Worth It', and 'Skip It', providing insights and reviews for a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles.
  3. The act of reading is viewed as a commitment to deeper thinking and nuance, contrasting with the instant gratification of social platforms.

Reading, Watching 02.25.24

Unpopular Front • 15 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The author mentions a new book available for pre-order and promises more self-promotion about it in upcoming posts.
  2. There is a discussion about the historical figure Martin Buber and his views on Zionism, emphasizing his vision of a binational state for Jews and Arabs.
  3. The post is intended for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive content for those who have subscribed.

Editing, or the lack thereof

Notes from a Small Press • 23 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Book editors have different styles and expectations based on the type of publishing they work in.
  2. Authors should not expect book editors to provide feedback as they write the book.
  3. Generalizing editors in the publishing industry is unwise; editors have varied roles and approaches.

The joys of collaborative writing

The Leftovers • 19 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Collaborative writing can be a joyful and rewarding process, especially when working with friends and editing teams.
  2. Co-authoring fiction books, although less common, can bring a unique and enjoyable dynamic to the creative process.
  3. Exploring collaborative projects and challenging traditional publishing structures can lead to new and exciting opportunities in the world of writing.

My top ten Latin American short stories

The Leftovers • 19 implied HN points • 09 Sep 21
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Latin American short stories have a unique charm and connect closely to storytelling traditions, often outshining longer novels in the region
  2. Authors like Jorge Luis Borges, Juan Rulfo, and Gabriel García Márquez have created exceptional short stories celebrated for their depth and impact
  3. These stories delve into a range of themes, from literary experimentation to societal issues, offering readers a rich and varied reading experience

The poetics of the pile-on

The Leftovers • 19 implied HN points • 13 Aug 21
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Writing fiction can be a process where stories develop gradually during the act of writing, allowing space for creativity and exploration.
  2. Engaging with contemporary issues in writing can be challenging as the fast-paced nature of news events can quickly make a book feel outdated.
  3. In writing about the present, authors may choose to imagine possibilities rather than focus on capturing the exact reality, as fiction allows for the exploration of hypothetical scenarios.

First Draft

The Leftovers • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jul 21
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The author describes attending a literary event and feeling resentful towards writers and the written word, reflecting on his own writing and feelings of obscurity.
  2. The encounter with another writer at the event reveals the protagonist's insecurities and envy towards the seemingly successful and confident writer.
  3. The story takes a fictional turn towards a chance encounter that sparks a moment of clarity and connection, hinting at the possibility of finding inspiration and closure.

If You Don't Have Anything Good To Say

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 6 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. It's better to stay silent than to leave negative reviews. If you can't say something nice, just don't say anything at all.
  2. Instead of tearing others down, focus on lifting them up with positivity. Like your friends' achievements and show support, even if you don't agree with their choices.
  3. Criticism can be easy and tempting, but being a critic isn't a worthy goal. Aim to be a force for good in the world instead.

GRANTED: My summer reading list and our book club

Granted • 19 implied HN points • 23 May 21
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Reading allows you to learn in a few hours what authors spent years researching.
  2. Consider joining book clubs like the Next Big Idea Club for a curated selection of new reads and community engagement.
  3. Adam Grant recommends a list of new releases covering topics like leadership, courage, decision-making, and communication.

The Maintenance Race was just the beginning

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. A new platform called Books in Progress has been launched for collaboration with authors on draft chapters.
  2. Stewart Brand's upcoming book 'Maintenance: Of Everything' will explore the philosophy and practice of maintenance.
  3. The platform offers the first section of Chapter 2 on vehicles, focusing on what motorcycles can teach about maintenance.

Review: The Oulipo and Modern Thought

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The Oulipo movement plays with constraints and mathematical devices to create new writing, advocating for unique approaches in literature.
  2. The Oulipo group was against surrealists, focusing on a mechanical approach to writing that aimed to cut out the author, leading to innovative ideas like computer-generated creative content.
  3. The Oulipo's methods are now embraced beyond the group itself, with the term 'Oulipian' belonging to everyone interested in creating new forms of literature.

The Twenty-First Century Category Error

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 12 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The essay discusses the novelist Bret Easton Ellis and his latest novel, revealing the impact of his podcast on his work.
  2. The mention of Walter Kirn in the essay raises questions about the categorization of individuals based on their political views and affiliations.
  3. Literary publications should strive to go beyond categorizing writers based on political leanings and instead focus on their contributions to literature.

Critical or Commercial Success

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 5 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Artists often face a dilemma between choosing to be a critical success or a commercial success. It's usually difficult to achieve both.
  2. Popular mainstream art is often considered lowbrow compared to more niche, highbrow art. Taste of the masses isn't always sophisticated.
  3. The dynamics of the book industry have changed, with authors now needing to actively create buzz for their work, unlike the older days when browsing in bookstores was more common.

Finish What You Start

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 5 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Finishing what you start is important for personal growth and success.
  2. Having a high tolerance for frustration helps to push through tough times in new endeavors.
  3. Perseverance and dedication are key to achieving long-term goals, even when faced with challenges.

Things that caught my eye #6

Natural Selections • 4 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🔬 Science Authors
  1. Research suggests it's better for the environment to buy conventionally grown food than grow it yourself.
  2. Shoulders have an interesting origin connected to skeletal evolution.
  3. Author Edith Wharton's work gets a new appreciation over time.

Links for Winter 2024

Perambulations • 3 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Large teams develop, while small teams disrupt science and technology.
  2. Rituals help coordinate social beliefs and actions.
  3. Pro-Palestine protests may have influenced the 2023 Dutch Prime Minister election.

Booksbooksbooks 02/2024

GOOD INTERNET • 3 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The novel 'The Trees' is a dark allegory on racism and lynchings in the US, told with humor and ghostly elements.
  2. The book 'Morals: The Invention of Good and Evil' explores the history of moral psychology, discussing cultural evolution and societal paradoxes.
  3. In 'When We Became Cities,' urban avatars fight alt-right tentacle monsters in an entertaining but occasionally wokism-filled story.

A Mosaic of Moments

Joe Tourville • 4 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Reading classics like 'Notes from Underground' can offer new insights with each reread as the reader ages.
  2. Literature can bridge the past and present, impacting the reader with timeless narratives and vivid imagery.
  3. Books like 'Notes from Underground' serve as reflections of society, inviting readers to ponder on universal themes and personal echoes.

GRANTED: Making small talk less painful, plus my favorite books to read this fall

Granted • 19 implied HN points • 05 Sep 16
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Danish schools have a tradition where students share problems and help each other each week, showing empathy and happiness.
  2. Hiring people who have faced failure can lead to success in bold endeavors, as seen in Amazon's strategy for its grocery delivery service.
  3. Putting on a 'happy mask' at work can be draining, and being told to be happy doesn't necessarily make people feel upbeat.

From MANUALS to YOUTUBE

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Stewart Brand discusses the importance of both manufacturer and third-party manuals for devices.
  2. Robert Persig carried two manuals on his motorcycle: one from Honda and one from Chilton's Motorcycle Troubleshooting Guide.
  3. Manuals that go deeper and wider than manufacturer manuals can provide unique insights with an outsider attitude.

Dangerous Things

The Author Is Dumb • 1 implied HN point • 02 Jul 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Books can provide us with new worlds and experiences that change us for the better
  2. Libraries play a crucial role in providing access to diverse works and should be supported
  3. Digital formats like Kindle can offer privacy and access to books, making reading more inclusive

Xgau Sez: February, 2023

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Explore key books to learn about the development of rock & roll in the '50s and early '60s.
  2. Pop music stars who reflect on relevant topics beyond fame can be more compelling than those focused solely on musicality.
  3. Assigning an album an A plus rating is a careful process that reflects personal experiences and resonance of the music.