The hottest Book events Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics
The Ruffian β€’ 491 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jan 26
  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.
Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 65 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 26
  1. Touring and talking with readers and collaborators energizes creative work and shows that books build real community. It’s a reminder that live conversation and shared stories matter.
  2. A single book can spark wildly different reactions β€” essays, long interviews, radio features, and even group readings β€” and that range of response can be valuable. The sparks a book makes are part of its success, even if opinions vary.
  3. It’s okay to abandon a draft if you don’t have the desire or joy to revise it; sometimes a manuscript is mainly a way to process experience rather than a project to develop. Trust that the technical and emotional learning from that work carries into future projects, and prioritize projects that give you anticipatory joy and playful uncertainty.
Singal-Minded β€’ 111 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jan 26
  1. There's a live video update and Q&A tomorrow at 5:00 PM Eastern, with the join link sent five minutes beforehand to premium subscribers. It will start with a roughly 10-minute update and then move to audience questions for an estimated 45 minutes, and the recording will be available afterward.
  2. A book about the debate over youth gender medicine is nearing its deadline, which has caused delays in responding to reader questions.
  3. Readers are encouraged to post questions about youth gender medicine now, with the most upvoted questions prioritized during the live session, and the newsletter will have changes announced later this month or in early February.
Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 69 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 26
  1. A new UK edition of the book is available and there are a few upcoming UK events with limited tickets and signed copies for preorder.
  2. A pet recovered from a urinary infection, reminding us not to presume outcomes and to persist calmly through problems, and showing how community support can really help.
  3. Writing advice: you don’t have to surrender to the subconscious to make good work; try different versions, choose the ones that please you, and remember craft tips are just suggestions you can accept or ignore.
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Shades of Greaves β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 02 Nov 23
  1. Correlation does not equal causation, a lesson learned through analyzing book sales data.
  2. Promotional efforts like interviews, podcasts, and social media posts contribute to book sales, showcasing the importance of multiple strategies.
  3. Self-publishing involves hard work and dedication to drive sales; creative approaches are needed to boost book sales further.
Notes from a Small Press β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 24
  1. Winter Institute is an important inside-publishing event for independent booksellers organized by the American Booksellers Association.
  2. Last year, 900 independent booksellers attended the Winter Institute event.
  3. Publishers help fund Winter Institute, making it a valuable platform for independent booksellers.
The Fairest Writer β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 20
  1. There's a Zoom workshop called 'How to Pitch as a Minority' happening tonight. It's a good chance for people from marginalized groups to learn about pitching ideas.
  2. Next week, there will be a discussion on finding the right literary agent. It's important for writers to choose an agent that fits their needs.
  3. Support Black authors by buying their books. It's a great way to show appreciation for diverse voices in literature.