The hottest Authors Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

An interview with Mary Ruefle

Austin Kleon • 3337 implied HN points • 26 Mar 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Mary Ruefle loves to create poetry by painting over old texts, which makes her work unique and interesting. It's a fun way for her to express creativity.
  2. She prefers to communicate through typewriter and postal mail instead of using technology like computers or Zoom. This shows her love for traditional methods.
  3. Ruefle believes in doing things simply because they are enjoyable, like her erasure poetry. This perspective encourages people to pursue what they love.

All Hail the Paperback of 'John & Paul'!

The Ruffian • 491 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
📚 Literature Authors
  1. A new UK paperback edition of John & Paul features a striking design, review quotes on the cover, and a short Q&A, and it’s available for pre-order and sale later this month.
  2. The cover photos were taken in Liverpool in 1965 for a Granada TV special and give the book a tender, boyish feel.
  3. The book has picked up positive press, including a Times recommendation, and there is a London event where it will be discussed with Helen Lewis.

1000 WORDS is Out in the World

CRAFT TALK • 5680 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. 1000 WORDS book is published and available for purchase in various formats.
  2. The author shares her love for different books and authors in the same genre.
  3. The author expresses gratitude to the community for supporting her book.

The Monthly Salon: January

The Abbey of Misrule • 270 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
📚 Literature Authors
  1. All articles are now free to read, with voluntary paid subscriptions encouraged so those who can afford it can support readers who cannot; occasional donations are also accepted via a simple payment page.
  2. The book Against The Machine has seen strong sales and multiple reprints internationally, and it has sparked creative reader engagement such as musical readings and family gift exchanges.
  3. Recent talks and a highlighted Wendell Berry lecture are available online, a writers' workshop is accepting applications, and the monthly salon invites readers to set the agenda and start conversations.
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Willa Cather's case for reading the great books

The Common Reader • 3047 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Reading classic literature connects us with the feelings and experiences of people from the past. It gives us a glimpse into their lives and challenges.
  2. Great books can influence our thoughts and ambitions, inspiring us to pursue different paths in life. Just like reading can make someone want to become an architect.
  3. Engaging with literature helps us understand ourselves and our relationships better. It opens our minds to new perspectives and ways to see the world.

Boys, Flesh, Christie, Hours, Trollope, Diana, Perfection, audiobooks

The Common Reader • 4040 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Some new books are getting lots of attention, but not all deserve it. It’s important to read critically and think for yourself.
  2. Certain novels well capture the complexity of life and character growth. Books like 'Flesh' show how transformative experiences can shape a person.
  3. Biographies can be engaging, especially when they thoughtfully connect a writer's life to their work. Good biographies help readers appreciate the author more.

The 25 best British and Irish novels of the 21st century?

The Common Reader • 2622 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The top five British and Irish novels of the 21st century include 'Bring Up the Bodies' and 'The Line of Beauty.' These books are highly praised.
  2. There is some debate on the list, with some suggesting it would be better if it focused only on British novels. A few books, like 'Piranesi,' are considered missing from the top spots.
  3. The list has sparked ideas for new reading and shows a range of choices, though it may not generate as much discussion as similar lists from other cultures.

Every writing book is good

Austin Kleon • 3317 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Every writing book can help you start writing. Even if it feels hard, just getting words on a page is a big step.
  2. It's normal for your first drafts to be messy and not great. Writing is a process, and you can fix things up later.
  3. Writing can be tough for everyone, no matter how many books you've written. It's okay to feel challenged and scared about creating something new.

The Future Belongs to The Imposter Writers

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 739 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Feeling fear and self-doubt is normal and can even help you grow. It means you're pushing yourself and trying new things.
  2. Everyone has their own journey, so don't compare your start to someone else's success. You are exactly where you need to be right now.
  3. Instead of letting fear hold you back, use it as a motivator. Embrace your feelings and take risks for the chance of amazing rewards.

Help!—AI Is Stealing My Readers

The Honest Broker • 21443 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Authors
  1. Impersonation scams are evolving, with AI being used to create fake authors and books to mislead readers.
  2. Demand for transparency in AI usage can help prevent scams and maintain integrity in content creation.
  3. Experts are vulnerable to having their hard-earned knowledge and work exploited by AI, highlighting the need for regulations to protect against such misuse.

Medium Isn't Dead. It's The Era of Smaller and New Writers.

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1198 implied HN points • 09 May 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Many new and smaller writers are finding success and growing their audience on platforms like Medium. It's a good time for fresh voices to emerge and make their mark.
  2. Big-name writers leaving Medium often create noise, but writers should trust their instincts and explore their own path instead of just following trends.
  3. The landscape of writing platforms is changing, but opportunities still exist. Writers can still build careers and connections if they put in the effort and adapt to new demands.

Why Did I Start The Ruffian and Has Paul McCartney Read My Book?

The Ruffian • 356 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Authors
  1. A newsletter grown from social platforms can become a sustainable, full-time project if you stick with it, move to a monetizable platform, and keep improving the product.
  2. Effective writing often isn’t the result of a rigid system: regular deadlines, saving half-ideas, and committing to a messy first draft help you find what you actually think.
  3. Singular cultural phenomena like the John‑and‑Paul partnership were tied to a specific historical moment, so today’s fragmented, niche-driven media landscape makes an equivalent global creative dominance unlikely.

The Lonesome Dove Edition

Why is this interesting? • 2352 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Reading 'Lonesome Dove' slows you down and helps you appreciate details in life. It takes time for the story to unfold, teaching you patience.
  2. The characters are deep and relatable, each showcasing different aspects of human experience. Their friendships and struggles make them memorable.
  3. The book combines beauty with harsh realities, showing how the myth of the West fades away. It challenges what you think you know about Westerns.

Call for Subscriber Writing, December 2025

Freddie deBoer • 556 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Paying subscribers can submit links to their writing for a bimonthly roundup by using the Google Form, and the deadline is Sunday, December 7 at 10 PM EST.
  2. Submissions must be entered in the exact Markdown format requested (bolded name, bracketed title with https link, blank line, short description) or they won’t be included.
  3. This roundup is only for links to already-hosted written work (not podcasts, streams, or to post full text here), so link to a blog post, Substack, publisher page, or Amazon listing so readers can access your piece.

Literary Philosophy and Philosophical Literature

Counter Craft • 590 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Fiction and philosophy often overlap, with many philosophers writing novels and literary writers borrowing philosophical ideas; stories can make complex ideas vivid and accessible to general readers.
  2. The analytic/continental split is an oversimplification, but broadly speaking some philosophical traditions prize rigorous, technical argument while others emphasize literary style and aesthetic expression.
  3. Pairing novels with philosophical texts and reading widely across both fields can deepen understanding and spark new insights, since literature and philosophy can mutually enrich each other.

Roxane Gay Presents...

The Audacity. • 2594 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Roxane Gay is launching a new project called 'Roxane Gay Presents' in partnership with Everand.
  2. The series features long essays by different writers, starting with Julia Turshen's essay on powerlifting.
  3. Upcoming essays will cover topics like single motherhood, psychedelics, and American gun culture.

Strange things

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2436 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The author rediscovered and reread her own novel, which had been set aside for years, reflecting on the transformative power of myth and fairy tales in her work.
  2. A new online fairy tale psychology training program will be offered at Pacifica Graduate Institute, focusing on narrative techniques for therapy and personal development.
  3. Recommendations for thought-provoking novels are shared, emphasizing the importance of being open to unsettling stories and the beauty of rich prose styles.

What a bawling and a tearing of hair there will be!

Letters of Note • 2790 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Lewis Carroll's father exhibited playful absurdity in his letters, which likely influenced his son's fantastical writing.
  2. Charles Sr. wrote a whimsical letter to his son, Charles Jr., showcasing imaginative and humorous storytelling.
  3. Through the letter, Charles Sr. creatively fulfilled his son's request for a file, screwdriver, and ring from Leeds with a vivid and whimsical tale.

How Are You Shaped By How You Write?

Castalia • 559 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The tools you use for writing affect how you express your thoughts. Each medium, like paper or a typewriter, has its own energy and style.
  2. Writing by hand can feel personal and intimate, while typing might allow for faster expression but can also lead to distractions.
  3. The place you write also matters. Using a smart phone means you can jot down ideas anywhere, but it might make your writing less focused.

Virginia Woolf's other centenary

The Common Reader • 3012 implied HN points • 21 May 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Virginia Woolf's book _The Common Reader_ is a significant work of critical essays that deserves more recognition. It's often overshadowed by her novel _Mrs. Dalloway_ and should be celebrated too.
  2. Woolf was influenced by Samuel Johnson, a major critic from the past. She adopted his style of mixing biography and criticism, and her essays reflect his impact.
  3. Today’s literary essays often focus too much on personal opinions rather than solid criticism. Woolf’s approach can inspire critics to return to more insightful and meaningful analysis.

On Literary Sidepieces

CRAFT TALK • 2338 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Having side projects can help keep momentum if feeling frustrated with the main project.
  2. Sometimes working on a lighter side project can provide a break from emotionally heavy writing.
  3. Sidepiece projects can evolve into something more significant and meaningful.

Sharon Olds's huge archive of thinking and feeling

Subtle Maneuvers • 3321 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Sharon Olds writes by hand and fills notebooks with writing as a way to think and feel through the world.
  2. Olds organizes her writing and creates a huge archive of thinking and feeling, even if not all of it gets published.
  3. Having fun with writing, treating it like drawing or dancing, can be an important part of the creative process.

What I'm reading and listening to this holiday season

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2835 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Dr. Sharon Blackie shares her current reading and music choices for the holiday season, expressing gratitude for her subscribers.
  2. She highlights six books she plans to read, ranging from gothic novels to dystopian fiction, showing a diverse taste in literature.
  3. Blackie also lists six songs on her winter playlist, including nostalgic tracks and modern reworkings of traditional folk music.

What Are My Favorite Max Lucado Books? (I've worked with him for 18 years)

DruGroup • 119 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Authors
  1. Max Lucado excels at story-telling, especially when he focuses on individual Bible characters. His books can help readers connect deeply with their lives and experiences.
  2. One of his standout books is about Joseph, showing how he faced many hardships but kept going. It teaches valuable lessons about resilience and faith.
  3. Max emphasizes grace and courage, particularly in his books about characters like Esther and Jacob. These stories highlight that everyone has flaws, yet they can still find hope and strength.

For the Strikers

CRAFT TALK • 3871 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Encouragement to continue writing for oneself, even in difficult times.
  2. Reflection on finding joy in writing through personal experiences and storytelling.
  3. Affirmation of the value in writing and importance of maintaining a love for the craft.

Let us toast to animal pleasures

Letters of Note • 2162 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Hunter S. Thompson toasts to animal pleasures, escapism, and the good life in a letter from 1958.
  2. Martha Gellhorn values friendship and stands against tyranny in a letter to Betsy Drake from 1983.
  3. E. B. White humorously suggests changing the date of Christmas to simplify American celebrations in a letter from 1984.

This is not a letter

Letters of Note • 1945 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The text presents quotes from Katherine Mansfield's letters to different recipients.
  2. Mansfield's messages often started by stating 'This is not a letter,' implying a more personal connection.
  3. Her letters were filled with genuine expressions of care, love, and unique observations.

Books are made out of books

Austin Kleon • 5335 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Books are often inspired by other books and authors, creating a blend of ideas. For example, Cormac McCarthy's work is a mix of classic literary influences.
  2. Good editors are essential for great writing, as they guide authors and improve stories. A famous editor once advised a writer to make readers 'turn the page' to keep them engaged.
  3. Listening to audiobooks can be fun and brings stories to life in new ways. For instance, an audiobook version of 'Don Quixote' can be really enjoyable, especially with a great narrator.

George Eliot's intellectual life

The Common Reader • 2551 implied HN points • 20 May 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. George Eliot, originally known as Marian Evans, started as an intellectual and didn't aspire to be a novelist at first. She had a deep interest in philosophy and religious studies.
  2. Her friendships with free-thinking neighbors inspired her to explore literature and different ideas, leading her to question traditional religious beliefs.
  3. Eliot believed that art, like novels and paintings, can help us understand and empathize with others, expanding our experiences and connections with people.

Northanger Abbey and the critics

The Common Reader • 1736 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Jane Austen's novels, especially Northanger Abbey, are admired for their ability to depict ordinary people and their lives in interesting ways. Readers often see familiar characters that reflect their own experiences.
  2. Critics from the past recognized Austen's talent for keen observation and humor, appreciating her portrayal of society without resorting to harsh satire. They felt her writing was relatable and insightful.
  3. Northanger Abbey was initially seen as simply about a young girl's story, but over time, it has gained recognition for its deeper themes and was eventually regarded as one of Austen's best works.

A big number

Austin Kleon • 4196 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The book 'Steal Like an Artist' has sold over a million copies, showing how much people love its message. It's amazing to see such a huge number.
  2. Reading short books after finishing a big one can feel refreshing. They can be powerful and enjoyable, even if they're under 200 pages.
  3. Sometimes, it's fun to explore different topics in books or articles that interest you. Whether it's science or art, there's always something new to learn about.

Coriolanus book club

The Common Reader • 389 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The book club will be discussing the play Coriolanus on Sunday at a specific time for UK and Eastern attendees.
  2. Attendance is now open to everyone without a fee, so subscriptions can be canceled if archive access is not needed.
  3. Participants are encouraged to share their opinions on the play and any experiences with its productions.

Remembering what you want out of books

Austin Kleon • 1918 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Different writers can evoke different feelings. Some are frustrating to read but still valuable, while others are delightful and can leave you feeling a bit lost.
  2. Knowing what you don't want to read is just as important as knowing what you do want to read. It helps you focus on the books that truly matter to you.
  3. Reading can be both a joy and a discipline. It's about finding the balance between what you think you should read and what you actually want to read.

Purple Rage? A Book to Offend Almost Everyone

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 1238 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Alice Walker's 'The Color Purple' is beloved, banned, and has won prestigious awards.
  2. The book faced controversy due to its explicit content, anti-religious sentiment, and depiction of domestic violence.
  3. Despite being a source of offense, the novel has deeply resonated with readers, including individuals who have experienced trauma.