The hottest Authors Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

The kind of author you *don't* want to be

How to Glow in the Dark β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Commercial book editors and readers expect authors to adopt a specific persona on the page.
  2. Avoid coming off as annoying in your writing to connect better with commercial audiences.
  3. Authors who are too focused on their trauma or too self-absorbed may struggle to engage readers and may not be ready to write a commercial book.

On GarcΓ­a MΓ‘rquez's 'Lost' Novel and the Ethics of Disregarding an Author's Wishes

Vremya β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 20 May 24
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. When an author dies, their wish regarding unpublished works can leave readers feeling torn. We may want to read more from them, but there's a question of respecting their choice not to publish.
  2. Some novels may be considered lost or incomplete, but authors might not actually want them published. The case of GarcΓ­a MΓ‘rquez highlights how his sons chose to publish a book he wanted destroyed.
  3. This situation raises an ethical dilemma about whether we should publish an artist's work against their wishes. While great art can benefit society, the personal intent of the author should also be considered.

Fogwill

The Leftovers β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 02 May 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Fogwill's _Cuentos completos_ is recommended for its range of writing styles and deep character exploration
  2. Fogwill's complete works offer insight into his transition from successful market executive to acclaimed writer
  3. Personal exchanges with Fogwill reflected his mischievous nature and highlighted the impact of his work on the author

Duelling quills

The Leftovers β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jul 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. The feud between The London Magazine and Blackwood's in 1820-1821 led to a tragic outcome: one of the editors involved in the verbal dispute ended up dead after a duel.
  2. The London Magazine had a rich history dating back to 1732, with various publications under the same name over the years, but not all with direct continuity.
  3. The different editorial tones between The London Magazine and Blackwood's were initially civil and even playful, but eventually escalated into a fatal confrontation.
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Coming soon

Devon’s Substack β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. A new Substack newsletter is launching soon. Stay tuned for more updates.
  2. You can also follow the author on X for additional content.
  3. The author's book, 'Theft of Fire: Orbital Space #1', is available to read online or buy.

New box set: Something has found us.

The Reader Crew β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 31 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. New box set for the Gunn & Salvo series is out, completing the storyline in 8 episodic books.
  2. Author is considering using AI for narration in upcoming books and seeks feedback from audiobook fans.
  3. Check out box sets of complete series from the author and collaborator Daniel on Amazon.

Metazoa

Eliot Peper β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Writing for yourself can lead to surprising results that resonate with others.
  2. Exploring scientific topics through literature can offer valuable insights into human nature.
  3. Sharing recommendations and feedback with others can enrich the collective cultural experience.

Where Have All The Cowgirls Gone?

Sounds Good! β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 19 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Authors
  1. Good travel writing is about good writing - the genre matters less than the quality of writing.
  2. Some notable travel writers like Bill Bryson and P.J. O'Rourke have made significant contributions to the genre.
  3. There is a lack of representation of female and non-binary voices in the field of travel writing.

Mountain of Devils and Creation Science

Sundman figures it out! β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 23 May 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. The author is working on two novels: 'Mountain of Devils' and 'Creation Science'.
  2. The novel 'Acts of the Apostles' was initially written without a detailed outline, following a 'pantsing' approach.
  3. Research and inspiration for the novels include studying cults, charismatic leaders, 70's music, and feminist classics.

A Slightly Urgent Warning...

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 43 implied HN points β€’ 04 Aug 25
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Beware of fake messages pretending to be from trusted people. One member received a suspicious message claiming to be from someone's mother.
  2. Always suspect fraud if you get requests for money or unusual offers. The real person will not ask for fees outside of what you normally pay.
  3. If you encounter any suspicious messages, report them right away. It's important to alert the person and help stop the fraud.

How Much of a Courtier Is Walter Isaacson Þese Days?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality β€’ 507 implied HN points β€’ 04 Sep 23
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Authors
  1. Reading journalism written by a courtier can be frustrating because the true meaning might not be clear.
  2. It's important to critically analyze claims and information presented in articles, especially those involving high-profile figures.
  3. Having more background knowledge can help in decoding underlying messages in journalistic pieces.

Borges and the Essay

Orbis Tertius β€’ 546 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jul 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Essays used to be more popular in literary circles than stories, according to Borges and Eliot Weinberger.
  2. The rise of journalism led to a decline in free-ranging essays, but the internet and platforms like Substack may bring back the golden age of the essay.
  3. Substack's network structure fosters criticism, experimentation, and avant-garde essays, revitalizing the demand and development of the essay form.

Literary Affluenza: F. Scott Fitzgerald's Prescience about Luxury Beliefs

Holodoxa β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novels explore the destructive impact of luxury beliefs and the allure of high status characters.
  2. Various theories attempt to explain our fascination with status and prestige, but fiction like Fitzgerald's offers a unique window into these complex dynamics.
  3. Fitzgerald's works, like 'The Beautiful and Damned,' serve as social commentary on wealth, status, and the moral dilemmas of the affluent, inviting readers to reflect on their own pursuits and values.

Four Books I Loved Coming Out This Spring

Counter Craft β€’ 319 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. The author recommends four excellent books coming out soon that they have read and loved.
  2. The books cover a range of genres and writing styles, from contemporary fiction to surreal and fantastical literature.
  3. The author shares insights on the books including plot summaries and their personal connections to some of the authors.

The Poetic Plant

To Asra β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Wordsworth's poetry focuses on the connection between the natural world and human emotions, portraying nature as a source of solace and vitality.
  2. Hardy's work presents a melancholic and tragic image of nature and plants, emphasizing themes of universal loss and the frailty of existence.
  3. Both Wordsworth and Hardy depict the poetic plant differently, with Wordsworth highlighting vibrancy and independence, while Hardy explores decay and mortality.

The Black Prince

Regress Studies β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jul 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Iris Murdoch wrote the novel 'The Black Prince' which explores the relationship between love and art.
  2. Martha Nussbaum and Clare Coffey discuss animal welfare and the philosophical approach of 'capabilities'.
  3. Isaac Wilks examines the sociological effects of distinctively Zoomer ills in his work 'The Zoomer Question'.

On Thornton Wilder's Town and Moments in Eternity

Vremya β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 26 Nov 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Thornton Wilder's play _Our Town_ shows everyday life in a small town, focusing on universal themes like love, death, and the passage of time. It's a unique look at how special everyday moments can be.
  2. The play highlights how people often miss the beauty of life while they are living it. Characters in the story find it hard to appreciate their lives until it's too late.
  3. Wilder suggests that artists, like saints and poets, can capture and share the meaning of life. Their work helps us pause and reflect on life's significance, making it easier to appreciate our experiences.

The Performance of Pride

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano β€’ 85 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 25
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Shuggie Bain learns to dance as a way to escape his tough life, but he still feels the pressure of others watching him. His mother encourages him to keep dancing despite the difficulties.
  2. The novel highlights how appearances can hide deeper sorrows, like Shuggie's mother trying to maintain a sense of pride even in hard times. It's about how people present themselves to the world, even when they are struggling inside.
  3. Shuggie feels different and vulnerable due to his sexuality and difficult home life. The story shows how environments can trap people, making it hard to break free from poverty and pain.

Melville in Jeopardy!

All Visible Objects β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Melville and Moby-Dick have been featured on Jeopardy since the very beginning, with various trivia related to the author and his works cropping up in clues and questions.
  2. Contestants on Jeopardy have a high success rate in answering Melville-related questions, showing a strong familiarity with the author and his famous novel, Moby-Dick.
  3. Jeopardy includes a wide range of Melville-related topics in its questions, covering not only Moby-Dick but also other works like Billy Budd, Bartleby, and even including deep cut references to Melville's life and lesser-known works.

An Officer and a Spy; Lichtenstein on Mike Davis; Danilo KiΕ‘ on Nationalism; Thiel and Girard

Unpopular Front β€’ 28 implied HN points β€’ 10 Aug 25
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Peter Thiel's writings hint at his support for authoritarian ideas, using clever language to hide his true intentions.
  2. Mike Davis was a significant thinker whose work explored the impact of capitalism and urban life, drawing from a rich intellectual background.
  3. Danilo KiΕ‘ critiques nationalism as a form of cowardice, suggesting that it stems from a frustrated desire for individual identity and agency.

Men, Substack, Novels

Notes from a Small Press β€’ 45 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jun 25
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. The decision to publish a novel is not based on the author's gender, but on the quality of their work and insights about literature.
  2. Substack offers a new way to serialize and share stories, making literary works different from traditional novels.
  3. Many independent presses support good literature, but they can't compete with big publishers in terms of money and marketing, focusing instead on quality over quantity.

Issue 57 takes wing

Crow & Colophon β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 Apr 24
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Issue 57 of The Bombay Literary Magazine is now live with a diverse collection of stories, poems, and more from different eras and backgrounds.
  2. The concept of a Table of Contents (TOC) has been around for a long time, but its true usefulness for readers is questioned, emphasizing the importance of letting the content speak for itself.
  3. The completion of literary works happens when they reside in the reader's mind, suggesting that art remains incomplete until interpreted and understood by individual readers.

reading/writing: how to herd your attention

bookbear express β€’ 258 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Watching content like the Reesa Teesa TikTok series on faster speed while working out can be a fun and engaging way to consume information.
  2. Balancing structured writing times with breaks for chores, reading, and exercise can help maintain productivity and prevent distractions like endless social media scrolling.
  3. Creating personal routines and boundaries, even without external accountability like meetings, can help manage time effectively and avoid unproductive habits like excessive online browsing.

Is Literature Donna Tartt's Little Friend?

Holodoxa β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Donna Tartt's novels blur the line between literature and commercial fiction, drawing attention to questions of value and literary merit.
  2. Tartt's work, including "The Little Friend," showcases elements of nostalgia, blending different styles and genres in a somewhat predictable manner.
  3. While praised for prose and aesthetic content, Tartt's novels, such as "The Goldfinch," may rely on derivative characters and trite tropes, potentially diminishing their literary contribution.

At the Movies with F. Scott Fitzgerald

Litverse β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 19 Dec 22
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. F. Scott Fitzgerald's later works, like 'The Last Tycoon,' moved away from the Jazz Age portrayal of New York to explore the silver screen dreams of Hollywood.
  2. Fitzgerald's time in Hollywood as a screenwriter showcased his struggle with the Hollywood model of writing by committee, emphasizing the importance of the creative process over the final product.
  3. In 'The Last Tycoon,' Fitzgerald delves into the industrial scale of the movie industry, illustrating how dreams are crafted piece-by-piece by producers like Monroe Stahr, highlighting the intricate and sometimes ruthless nature of Hollywood's dream factory.

What's Missing from AI Writing

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano β€’ 315 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Literature has evolved over time to focus more on individual perspectives rather than collective narratives.
  2. Great essays are distinguished by the unique perspective and voice of the writer, not just the subject matter.
  3. Effective writing, whether about architecture or any other topic, requires a distinct and engaging narrative voice to provide depth and connection for the reader.

Science Fiction Authors Fear Their Creations

The Algorithmic Bridge β€’ 233 implied HN points β€’ 14 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Science fiction authors fear their creations coming to life, even when it was once their escape from reality.
  2. Static laws of life and the world provide stability and structure, allowing us to make sense of our existence.
  3. The desire to break free from mundane reality can lead to fear and insignificance when faced with the vast unknown of the universe.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 77 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jan 25
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. When writing with two characters, ask if both are really needed in the story. Sometimes one character might be enough.
  2. Look at the important events in your story and see how each character adds to them. One character might end up being more essential than the other.
  3. Try cutting down the slower character's sections to meet key story moments. This can help balance their pacing and keep the story flowing better.

The Hard Truths of Writing

Trantor Publishing β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 02 Nov 22
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Writing is hard work that requires consistency and dedication over time to improve and complete projects.
  2. It's important to finish your work and put it out to an audience for feedback and building a fanbase.
  3. World building is essential but should not overshadow the storytelling aspect; focus on story first and use world building to enhance it.

Writing visually

The Leftovers β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 09 May 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. The author embraces visual elements in writing by considering and emphasizing them as crucial to their own voice
  2. Visual effects in fiction can be achieved through elements like using the present tense in narration, maintaining a fast pace, and employing dialogues for character and plot-building
  3. The British author Philip Pullman criticized fiction in the present tense; however, the author believes that embracing stark opinions regarding tense in narration can limit literary creativity

Help me read my way through the history of the novel.

Castles in the Sky β€’ 26 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jul 25
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Building a reading list can be a fun way to focus on both classic novels and new, interesting titles. It's about balancing the well-known with the unique.
  2. When choosing books, it's helpful to separate what you want to read, what you have to read, and what you feel you should have read. This makes the process less stressful.
  3. Reading takes time and effort, especially with complex novels. Scheduling dedicated reading time can help make it part of your busy life.

Genre Grapevine for July 30, 2023

Genre Grapevine β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jul 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Twitter has undergone drastic changes under Elon Musk's leadership, impacting various user communities.
  2. Alternative social media platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky are gaining traction amid Twitter's changes.
  3. The science fiction and fantasy community is engaging in important conversations around AI, copyright, and representation in genre awards.

What I've Been Reading | August 2023

Caleb’s Newsletter β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 31 Aug 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. The Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante is a complex series exploring female friendships and societal projections.
  2. Bronze Age Mindset by Bronze Age Pervert provides wild speculation and insight on evolution and societal norms.
  3. Nazi Literature in the Americas and By Night in Chile by Roberto BolaΓ±o offer intriguing perspectives on fascist literary figures and political reflections.

Genre Grapevine for June 1, 2023

Genre Grapevine β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Professional organizations in the science fiction and fantasy genre need to take a stand against the use of copyrighted works by large language models like ChatGPT without authors' permission or notification.
  2. Genre magazines are facing challenges with a surge in AI-generated submissions, prompting some magazines to ban AI works and artists who submit them.
  3. Genre magazines are also facing a potential crisis with the impending end of magazine subscriptions through the Kindle Newsstand platform, leading to a need for increased support from subscribers.

Genre Grapevine for April 24, 2023

Genre Grapevine β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 24 Apr 23
πŸ“š Literature Authors
  1. Twitter faced backlash after changing verification policies, leading to a movement to block verified accounts.
  2. Fandom must navigate anti-drag laws in states affecting conventions and safety of attendees.
  3. Various awards in the sci-fi/fantasy community have finalists and winners announced, recognizing notable works in the genre.