The hottest Authors Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Welcome to new subscribers

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1022 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The Substack newsletter welcomes 500 new subscribers with free access and showcases the work of writer Lorenzo Warby.
  2. The author, Helen Dale, uses her platform to promote and support Lorenzo's essays and work.
  3. The newsletter covers a wide range of topics including politics and culture, with a focus on unique perspectives and interpretations.

Listening to audiobooks

Austin Kleon • 1738 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Audiobooks are easy to access through apps like Libby and Hoopla, making it simple to enjoy books while doing other activities like walking or cleaning.
  2. Finding the right audiobook can be tricky because you need to enjoy both the story and the narrator's voice, which can really affect your experience.
  3. Recording audiobooks can help you connect more deeply with the text, just like reading out loud can give you a different perspective on a story.

Happy New Year, Dear Readers!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 619 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The author feels hopeful for the new year and appreciates the support of readers in 2023 and 2024.
  2. Watching her young daughter learn and get excited brings her joy and optimism.
  3. She shares a personal moment about her daughter reading one of her romance novels, connecting family and creativity.

Books Gave Me the World

The Biblioracle Recommends • 511 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The author recounts their experience of reading all Newbery Medal winning books in sixth grade.
  2. Reading books as a child provided adventurous and insightful stories that shaped the author's love for literature.
  3. The author reflects on the impact of books on their life and the importance of reading for personal growth.
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"The Reader in Mind Is Me"

The Biblioracle Recommends • 904 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Cormac McCarthy and Elizabeth Gilbert were late bloomers in their writing careers.
  2. McCarthy's distinctive style focused on themes of evil and hope in his novels.
  3. Gilbert's relationship with her audience reflects a balance between social and parasocial connections.

The Profile Dossier: Stephen King, the Master of Suspense

The Profile • 1308 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Stephen King's success story is a testament to perseverance and the support of loved ones.
  2. King's writing tips emphasize simplicity, perseverance, and the importance of enriching readers' lives.
  3. Key lessons from King include focusing on active idea generation, avoiding adverbs, and taking care of personal well-being.

Call for Subscriber Writing, February 2025

Freddie deBoer • 959 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. There's a call for writing submissions from subscribers to share their work with a large audience. It's a great chance for writers to get noticed.
  2. You need to use a specific Google Form to submit your work by the deadline. Make sure to follow the instructions to avoid missing out.
  3. This is only for written pieces, like blog posts or articles, not for promoting podcasts or social media. So focus on sharing your writing!

How You Can Help

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 8 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
📚 Literature Authors
  1. A new novel called Colossus is coming out on April 28, described as a shorter but ambitious book set in the 2020s that probes the American psyche.
  2. Preorders are being pushed because they help bookstores carry the book, attract reviewers, and build early momentum, and buying the book is presented as an affordable way to support the creator instead of paying for a subscription.
  3. There will be a launch party in New York in early May and a mini-tour to follow, and people who want to host or arrange events are encouraged to get in touch.

Poor Charlie’s Almanack is out now

Stripe Press • 569 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Charlie Munger's wisdom is being celebrated and shared through a new edition of Poor Charlie's Almanack.
  2. Charlie Munger's impact extends beyond investments, to his family, values, and shared wisdom.
  3. The new edition of the book aims to be faithful to the original, inviting readers to explore various intellectual topics.

Circle jerks: in praise of negativity

The Leftovers • 479 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Negativity in literary culture is often repressed, leading to toxic behaviors like sabotaging peers on platforms like Goodreads.
  2. Year-end book lists can sometimes involve favoritism and promotion rather than honest critique, affecting the authenticity of recommendations.
  3. Encouraging fair and open criticism among writers and reviewers is essential for a healthy literary discourse and reducing toxic behaviors.

What people like me mean when we tell you that sad book you're working on "needs to be more uplifting"

How to Glow in the Dark • 479 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Feedback to make a sad book more uplifting is not about toxic positivity, but finding hope in the story.
  2. Readers of dark books seek recognition, catharsis, and guidance, not denial or toxic positivity.
  3. Editors advising to make a book 'more uplifting' aim for authors to find the hope in their story to satisfy readers' expectations.

In conversation with: Julian Simpson

So Here’s a Thing • 688 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Don't wait for the perfect conditions or confidence to pursue your passion or career choice, sometimes taking a leap of faith can lead to unexpected success.
  2. Regardless of the challenges and changes in the creative industries, the core value of storytelling remains significant and enduring.
  3. The landscape of publishing and entertainment industries is evolving, creators must adapt to new challenges while staying true to their passion for creating stories.

Bowden on Spengler

The Oswald Spengler Project • 559 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Oswald Spengler is a significant intellectual known for his work 'The Decline of the West'.
  2. Spengler believed in the cyclical nature of cultures, where they rise, decline, and fall like living organisms.
  3. Despite some errors, 'Man & Technics' serves as a condensed overview of Spengler's major work, focusing on human societies' development and decline.

The Monday Media Diet with Crispin Burke

Why is this interesting? • 904 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Consuming a lot of media is essential for staying informed. Many people start their day by checking multiple news sites and apps.
  2. Reading physical books with highlighters can enhance memory and engagement compared to digital reading. People often find physical interaction with print books more satisfying.
  3. Exploring unique travel destinations can be rewarding. Places like Hood River, Oregon, offer great food, hiking, and easy access to different climates.

The Poems of Maxim Morel I

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 345 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Maxim Morel II has taken his father's old poems and created a new work that includes his own writings and thoughts. This blend helps to show the relationship between them and the themes of love and loss.
  2. The poems are not just about his father; they also explore complex feelings around love, grief, and memory, especially regarding a young girl named Faustine, who has a significant impact on his father's life.
  3. Getting this poetry published has been a challenge, but it’s important to share these unique voices that often don't fit into mainstream poetry, emphasizing the value of personal and unconventional stories.

Unstylish style in Vanity Fair.

The Common Reader • 956 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. There is a difference between 'style' and 'stylish'. Style is about how someone expresses themselves, while stylish means following trends or being fashionable.
  2. William Shakespeare, for example, has a diverse range of styles but isn't necessarily considered stylish because he doesn't conform to any one fashionable way of writing.
  3. Modern writers are often seen as stylish because they write in a polished manner, but not all styles, even if they are complex or intricate, are considered stylish.

The Heteronym Edition

Why is this interesting? • 904 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Heteronyms are creative identities that authors use to express different voices, separate from their real selves. This can add depth and variety to literature, allowing for unique perspectives.
  2. Augusto Monterroso created a fictional translator named Eduardo Torres, who never existed, to showcase the art of heteronyms. He used this persona to publish works that read like they were from a real author.
  3. The concept of heteronyms reminds us that everyone has different sides to their personality. As we grow, we create versions of ourselves that reflect our changes over time.

SITREP

THREE SEVEN MAFIA • 1139 implied HN points • 31 May 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Upcoming MEET-UP in Chicago on 6/9/2023 may have changes; stay tuned for updates.
  2. Exciting developments in content creation with Season 2 of MINDPHASER podcast and 7HOMAS TV channel in progress.
  3. Dedicated time on book manuscripts, including the third installment of the STEELSTORM series and a book on international jurisprudence.

The Ishiguro-Waits Edition

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Kazuo Ishiguro was inspired to improve his book after hearing Tom Waits' song 'Ruby's Arms.' It shows how music can impact writing and creativity.
  2. Ishiguro thought his manuscript for 'The Remains of the Day' was done before the song inspired him to change it. This highlights the importance of revisiting and editing one's work.
  3. Winning the Booker Prize and Nobel Prize shows that the extra effort can lead to great recognition and success in writing. Persistence can pay off big time.

The Monday Media Diet with Emanuel Derman

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Emanuel Derman has had a diverse career, changing paths from theoretical physics to finance and teaching, showing how one can blend different interests into a fulfilling life.
  2. He prefers reading over other media like podcasts, which reflects a desire for control over his pace. His media diet includes mainstream newspapers, literary journals, and financial newsletters, focusing on written content.
  3. Derman highlights the importance of poetry and fiction in his reading, and emphasizes a personal connection to understanding his roots through his writing.

The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet

Do Not Research • 239 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet is a 208 page book documenting how we adapted to an adversarial internet over five years.
  2. The anthology includes eleven pieces from various authors, covering topics like the Dark Forest Theory, the Cozy Web, and generative AI.
  3. The book is available for purchase, offering a print edition and PDF version on Metalabel.

HOISTED FROM THE ARCHIVES: Big Serious Books Can Really Be Your Intellectual Friends

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 292 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Books can be seen as friends that engage with you if you learn to read them actively. They respond to your thoughts and questions, making your reading experience lively.
  2. It's important to treat your books with respect and see them as conversations with the authors. This mindset can transform your understanding and enjoyment of reading.
  3. Instead of focusing solely on academic achievements, let your genuine interests in the topics guide your writing. This way, your accomplishments will be a natural result of engaging deeply with the material.

The Monday Media Diet with David McCloskey

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. David McCloskey is a former CIA analyst who became a spy novelist. His experiences give depth to his fiction writing.
  2. He prefers reading books over watching TV news and enjoys exploring various topics, especially through literature.
  3. McCloskey recommends reading older spy novels, particularly by Charles McCarry, for a better understanding of the genre.

⬜ Waiting for books

One Thing • 336 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Waiting for books from the library can be a slow and unpredictable process, but it adds a layer of excitement and anticipation to reading.
  2. Having multiple books on hold at a time allows for a diverse selection and prevents the pressure of reading one book quickly.
  3. The time it takes for a book to arrive from the library creates a low-stakes adventure and allows the reader to engage with the content without external influences.

What I've Been Reading

Notes from a Small Press • 15 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
📚 Literature Authors
  1. The content is behind a paywall and marked as paid, so full access requires a subscription.
  2. A 7-day free trial is offered to let readers access the full post archives before subscribing.
  3. There are clear links to start a trial or to sign in for existing paid subscribers.

Book publishing's sonic boom

SHuSH, by Kenneth Whyte • 235 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Audiobooks continue to experience significant growth, representing a considerable portion of book sales.
  2. Audible, owned by Amazon, remains dominant in the audiobook market, with a large lead over competitors like Spotify and Apple.
  3. The audiobook industry is crowded, with various retail platforms and production houses vying for content and market share.

Rob Henderson's Reading List

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1609 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Rob Henderson has put together a free reading list with 31 impactful books.
  2. The topics in the reading list cover human nature, psychology, and social class, among others.
  3. To get the free reading list, pre-order Rob Henderson's book 'Troubled' and email proof of purchase.

A Luminous, Brave, and Unputdownable Article about Blurbs

Counter Craft • 470 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📚 Literature Authors
  1. Blurbs, or quotes of praise on book covers, are often seen as necessary but can be annoying to writers and readers alike. They take up a lot of time and often sound overly exaggerated.
  2. While blurbs can be helpful in promoting books, especially for authors who are just starting out, there's a growing conversation about their relevance. Some believe they may not be needed at all as readers can judge books on their own.
  3. To make blurbing better, suggestions include limiting the number of blurbs per book, avoiding requests for manuscripts that haven't sold yet, and stopping requests from already successful authors, letting newer voices shine instead.