The hottest Book design Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

The Day NY Publishing Lost Its Soul

The Honest Broker • 46411 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
📚 Literature Book design
  1. Big corporate consolidation turned publishing into a hit-driven business that only bets on blockbusters, so midlist authors and patient editorial development mostly disappeared.
  2. That pressure produced formulaic books and cookie-cutter covers, and with newspapers, indie bookstores, and school reading habits weakened, new and diverse work has a much harder time being discovered.
  3. The way back is to nurture and support independent publishers, bookstores, libraries, critics, and reader communities, because real variety and risky, meaningful books are more likely to thrive outside the big corporate system.

All Hail the Paperback of 'John & Paul'!

The Ruffian • 491 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
📚 Literature Book design
  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.

Books as Art Projects

Counter Craft • 397 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
📚 Literature Book design
  1. Books can be made as art objects — creative formats and special editions turn reading into a tactile, collectible experience you want to keep on a shelf.
  2. Many readers like small, pocketable books, and independent publishers are responding with well-designed, compact editions that are cheaper and easier to carry. That portability often matters more than expensive deluxe finishes.
  3. The internet feels flatter and is increasingly full of cheap AI-generated text, so people may seek out real, handmade things like printed books or live events. Authors can stay online while also experimenting with unique physical projects that only work in the real world.

We're at 50 Pages

OK Doomer • 106 implied HN points • 20 Dec 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Book design
  1. The illustrated survival guide has reached 50 pages and is now a real, tangible project tackling practical topics to prepare for a changing world.
  2. The work is drawing excitement and support, with more positive updates promised soon.
  3. An overview and project link are available for people to read, share, and send ideas, and the team is pausing for a short trip before the next update.

The third annual Elysian print volume is here

The Novelleist • 65 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Book design
  1. Elysian Volume III is a collection of one year of work, including essays and a series of letters about various important topics. It's made for collectors who subscribe at the Collector tier.
  2. The book has a unique cover designed by Patricia Faggi, symbolizing two paths: unity or collapse. This theme reflects the uncertainty of where society is headed.
  3. Each volume is designed to match and is filled with essays that cover governance, capitalism, the environment, and philosophy, providing a deep dive into contemporary issues.
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Book Collecting In An Age of Internet Virality

Notes from a Small Press • 13 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
📚 Literature Book design
  1. Collecting rare books can be a comforting way to cope with bleak news and winter gloom, offering a focused, pleasurable escape.
  2. Online marketplaces make treasure-hunting for books easy and addictive, letting people find everything from 18th-century American imprints to Modern Library jackets, WPA guides, and pulp paperback editions.
  3. The book-collecting and small-press scene is social and educational, with short book-proposal courses and events like Winter Institute and AWP that help people connect and learn.

How to judge a book by its cover

Austin Kleon • 1358 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
📚 Literature Book design
  1. Books can be seen as special kinds of zines, which makes them more relatable and less intimidating to create.
  2. Understanding how traditional publishing has evolved helps people realize there are many ways to share their stories.
  3. Making zines can be a fun way to learn about publishing and creativity, plus it's easy to do with kids.

Year In Review

Notes from a Small Press • 16 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
📚 Literature Book design
  1. The small press published thirteen books across genres this year, and the 50 Maps series were the clear top sellers.
  2. The backlist now drives a significant share of revenue, with several older titles selling steadily and newer books showing long-term staying power.
  3. The press is growing operationally—it now has two full-time salaried editors—and it has an active acquisitions pipeline plus plans to meet prospective authors at upcoming conferences.

On choosing typography

subtract • 5 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🪑 Design Book design
  1. Choosing the right typography is crucial for a book's design. A clear heading and body type can greatly impact readability and the overall feel of the book.
  2. Personal preferences can guide typography choices, especially for personal projects. It's okay to stick with what you love even if it's commonly used.
  3. Experimenting with different typefaces is key to finding the best fit. Pairing a grotesque type with a serif can create a nice contrast and enhance the visual appeal.

Illustrations for "The Expedition to Khiva" by Maksud Alikhanov-Avarsky

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 8 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Book design
  1. The illustrations created by Maksud Alikhanov-Avarsky help bring to life his book, 'The Expedition to Khiva'. They provide a visual glimpse of the journey and the locations he experienced.
  2. These images were not included in the book itself, showcasing the unique nature of the collection of drawings.
  3. The book and the illustrations capture the historical journey from the Caspian Sea to Khiva, highlighting important sites and experiences along the way.

Sneak preview!

Meaningness • 0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 20
📚 Literature Book design
  1. The post provides a sneak preview of the new site metarationality.com, exclusively for subscribers.
  2. The site metarationality.com is being developed to host a new book called 'In the Cells of the Eggplant', which is different from the author's previous work 'Meaningness'.
  3. The author previously explained in a post the need for a separate site for 'In the Cells of the Eggplant' due to its unique nature.