The hottest Creative Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Thought bubble: I am pleased to report that AI is now a better poet than William McGonagall

Wyclif's Dust • 1877 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. AI has improved a lot in writing poetry and can now create impressive pieces that rival some human authors. This means anyone can reach a decent level of poetic skill using AI.
  2. Different AI models produce varying quality in poetry, with some showing more creativity and better structure than others. It's interesting to compare how each AI interprets and writes about the same topic.
  3. The development of AI in creative fields could raise the overall skill level in those areas, making it easier for everyone to write poetry well, but true expert poets will still stand out.

A chance to share writing

Philosophy bear • 92 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. An offer to help writers promote their work by sharing notes, adding them to recommended lists, or reposting excerpts, while making no promises about results.
  2. A candid admission of sometimes feeling overlooked mixed with gratitude for past breaks and a commitment to pay those chances forward by giving others opportunities.
  3. A clear invitation for writers to post their work in the comments so it can get extra visibility and help make the talent market feel less lonely.

Be It Resolved!

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2156 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Creative Writing
  1. Make time to appreciate the beautiful things around you every day. It can really lift your spirits and change your perspective.
  2. Focus on writing more deeply and ambitiously. Challenge yourself to explore new forms of writing you haven't tried before.
  3. Invest in your friendships by regularly reaching out and making plans. Being a good friend can bring joy to both you and those you care about.

you don't know what's gonna happen

Both Are True • 195 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. You don't know what will happen when you start writing; ideas often change and new things emerge as you go.
  2. If you judge your idea too early you'll stop writing and miss the surprising material that comes out in the process.
  3. The messy, unexpected parts of writing often contain the best stuff—comedy, joy, and even darkness—so it's worth letting the process reveal things and sharing them.

Twisted Lullaby VI-VII

The Lifeboat • 195 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. The joy of childhood is represented through simple things like soap bubbles. Kids find happiness in creating and playing with them, and those experiences shape how they see the world.
  2. The bond between siblings is powerful and protective. A sister and brother rely on each other for support and comfort, creating their own world where they can escape from negativity.
  3. Imagining a safe space, like a bubble, embodies the desire to shield loved ones from hurt. It symbolizes the wish to keep each other safe from the harshness of the outside world.
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The Book of Love

Everything Is An Emergency • 2525 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. The author grapples with how to keep the memory of her deceased husband alive for their newborn daughter. She wants to make him a real part of Athena's life, not just a memory.
  2. Writing serves as a way to confront grief and maintain a connection with the past, helping the author hold onto memories of her husband while also creating new stories with her daughter.
  3. The author reflects on the difficulty of moving forward after loss, balancing the urge to keep her husband's story alive while also accepting that she must let him go in some ways.

Subscriber Writing, February 2025

Freddie deBoer • 1516 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. There's a lot of great writing by subscribers every month, so readers should check it out. Submitting work helps gain more readers too.
  2. The email format is changing because there are more submissions than can fit in one message. This change makes it easier for interested readers to find what they want.
  3. The topics covered range widely, from politics to personal experiences, showing the diverse interests of the community and offering something for everyone.

Defending Adverbs Exuberantly if Conditionally

Counter Craft • 880 implied HN points • 28 May 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Adverbs can be useful tools in writing, despite the common advice to avoid them. They can add depth and nuance to sentences when used thoughtfully.
  2. Many writers misuse adverbs by using them to repeat information that is already clear. It's better to choose words that enhance the meaning rather than say the same thing twice.
  3. Context is key when using adverbs. Sometimes they can provide clarity, but other times, they may slow down the pace. Think carefully about how they affect your writing.

The Mohole

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 587 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Digging down into the earth can feel like a way to escape your worries. When you want to get away from the chaos above, going underground can feel like a better option.
  2. There are many mysterious and unseen creatures living deep beneath the earth's surface. They thrive in darkness and have adapted to their unique environment.
  3. The quest to understand what's below us is an ongoing journey. From drilling projects to scientific exploration, there's still so much we don't know about our planet's depths.

Where Writing Comes From

Castalia • 679 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Writing comes from different sources like imagination, memory, and research. Each source gives a unique flavor to the writing.
  2. Writing can also be reactive or projected, where emotions or empathy shape what we create. These types can feel very honest but may lack depth over time.
  3. To improve our writing, we should tap into our imagination more. By exploring different sources and types of writing, we can express ourselves in richer ways.

2025 for the Wins

Situation Normal • 80 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
😂 Humor Creative Writing
  1. A long-running slice-of-life newsletter is being paused so the creator can focus on a new crime/mystery newsletter and their fiction, and paid subscriptions/payments have been paused with refunds available on request.
  2. The year was full of personal wins across health, home, and work — progress in yoga, 20 pounds lost by counting macros, relief from acupuncture, surviving a bathroom remodel, getting a past-due payment, welcoming a puppy, and steady progress on a book sequel.
  3. There’s an emphasis on celebrating small victories and inviting readers to share their own wins to build a light, community-driven conversation.

Match the Classic Work of Literature to the Pitch Proposal!

Castalia • 359 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Some literary proposals describe books with bizarre plots and characters. These unique stories can make it hard to match them with classic literature.
  2. Many proposals have strange themes, like a poem talking to a penis or characters stuck in a horse for years. They show how creative writers can be.
  3. Some pitches mix humor and serious topics, such as a story about a ruthless moneylender who also speaks beautifully. This blend often leads to unexpected twists.

forget thanksgiving its time for fearsharing

Both Are True • 105 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Fearsharing Day is a small holiday on the Sunday after Thanksgiving meant for naming and sharing the things that scare you. It turns year-end anxiety into a communal ritual.
  2. A lot of the fears are about creative insecurity and self-doubt — worrying that work won’t be good enough, that the best ideas are behind you, or that you’re not living true to your values. These also include fears of letting people down and being trapped in a persona.
  3. The piece invites people to publicly share their fears as a healing practice and a collective experiment, with a playful goal (if many join, a video will be recorded reading them). It treats openness and participation as part of the ritual’s meaning.

A Revision Exercise...

Story Club with George Saunders • 61 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. An editing and revision exercise is being offered to help readers practice concrete editing approaches.
  2. The exercise is presented as an experiment previously used with students, so it’s practical and classroom-tested.
  3. The full post is behind a paywall and requires a paid subscription or sign-in to access.

Autofiction Is All We’ve Ever Known

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 518 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Autofiction, or writing based on personal experiences, has always existed and shapes how we understand ourselves. We create our memories and identities based on our interpretations, which makes our stories a mix of truth and imagination.
  2. The rise of social media has changed how we think about writing. Now it’s not just about reading but also about everyone having the chance to share their thoughts, which can blur the lines between genuine self-expression and simply following trends.
  3. We live in a universe where each person's story and perspective matter. Our ability to explore different versions of ourselves through storytelling can lead to a deeper understanding of who we are and how we connect with reality.

Underground Auctioneer Classes

Opaque Hourglass • 199 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative Writing
  1. Learn to speak like a seasoned auctioneer at Mark Leidner's underground classes, where you can develop skills to speak eight times faster than average people.
  2. A limited-time deal offering an eight-week course for $399 instead of $699 is available, providing a $300 discount. This opportunity includes two meals a day and a blanket bundle.
  3. Joining the course promises a transformative experience in a unique setting, filled with dark beauty and secrets, all taught by Mark Leidner who delivers information quickly and clearly.

Subscriber Writing, December 2024

Freddie deBoer • 1330 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. There are many interesting blog posts from different writers. These posts cover a wide range of topics that might capture your interest.
  2. The email roundup indicates that reader engagement is important, as more entries mean more chances for quality writing to be discovered.
  3. Subscribing allows you to participate and share your own writing, offering an opportunity to reach a wider audience.

How I Spent My Summer (essay)

The Lifeboat • 378 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Summer feels more like a series of holidays that quickly come and go. The writer argues that time passes too fast, like seasons changing.
  2. Real experiences often come from confusion and unexpected situations. The writer highlights how something surprising can lead to memorable moments, even if they are messy.
  3. Swearing can express deep emotions better than polite language. The writer feels overwhelmed by emotions during summer and finds swearing to be a comforting way to cope.

The RC Car

Soaring Twenties • 146 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Ray is going through a tough time because his marriage is ending. He tries to support his son Jonah and hopes he doesn't feel responsible for the split.
  2. Ray recalls a childhood memory of a broken toy car that his dad gave him. He feels resentment about the car not working, which symbolizes deeper feelings about his father's care.
  3. There's a sense of acceptance that sometimes things just don't work out, both in relationships and life. The story reflects on how people cope with disappointment and share these experiences with friends.

a love absurd I poem

Tumbleweed Words • 24 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Love becomes an uncontrollable, impulsive force that overcomes reason and restraint.
  2. Her absence turns ordinary objects and memories into aching reminders that deepen the speaker’s longing.
  3. The speaker willingly surrenders to that longing and drifts into peril, with ocean and drowning images showing emotional loss and self-destruction.

A fun end-of-year gift for you! 🎁

Tech and Tea • 98 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. A 30-day Absurd Hypotheticals Advent Calendar runs from December 3 through New Year’s on 750 Words, offering one strange writing prompt each day that’s only available on its assigned date.
  2. The prompts use playful scenarios (like pizza bets and turtle assassins) to spark levity and reflection, helping people explore themes like money, values, identity, and creativity.
  3. Participants can earn three new badges for answering 10, 20, or all 30 questions, discuss prompts with the community, and there’s an optional deeper course called Creating Space for further exploration.

Arcadia ego: An urban fantasy setting for everything

Philosophy bear • 50 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
⚔ Fiction Creative Writing
  1. Arcadia Ego is an endless, liminal city where people from many worlds arrive after near-death experiences, feeling like an afterlife that’s impossibly close to life yet utterly separate.
  2. Even though the inhabitants are (presumably) dead, they must participate in a functioning society with an economy, governments, courts and many religions, but those institutions are inconsistent, strange and often unjust.
  3. The city is a crossroads for all kinds of supernatural beings and settings, its suburbs vary wildly, navigation is conceptual rather than geographic, and everyone is driven by a restless search to escape or understand their soul.

On and of erotic undercurrents of Infinity

The Lifeboat • 298 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Infinity is boundless and always leads us to new discoveries, but it also brings challenges and decay. Life and growth often lead us to explore beyond limits, but this can create chaos and uncertainty.
  2. Humans tend to view the world in a negative light, focusing on what is missing rather than appreciating what is present. A beautiful perspective can often be overlooked because of this habit.
  3. The relationship between the earthly and the celestial is complex, with both having masculine and feminine qualities. This dynamic influences how we experience existence and connections with the world.

One essay could change the future

The Novelleist • 1118 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Writers have the power to inspire new ideas and change the future. Their words can make us think differently and encourage action.
  2. There is a need for more positive and solution-focused writing. Many writers currently focus on problems, but ideas that show what's working can help us imagine better futures.
  3. Supporting independent writers is important for a healthier media landscape. By funding those who create constructive content, we can promote better discussions and potentially create a brighter future.

On regret: Two poets from two different centuries

Subtle Digressions • 99 implied HN points • 30 May 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Many people feel deep regret about not pursuing their creative passions as they reach the end of their lives. It's important to honor your creative urges and make time for them.
  2. According to poets Mary Oliver and Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, the regrets often come from things left undone rather than mistakes made. Missing opportunities can lead to heartache.
  3. Both poets highlight the emotional weight of unexpressed feelings and neglected connections. It’s a reminder to reach out and do the things that matter to us.

The honest pursuit of a literary writer I must reads

Tumbleweed Words • 14 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Writing is a lifelong, often lonely commitment that costs relationships, money, and comfort. Writers keep going through isolation and repeated rejection because the work compels them.
  2. Daily discipline and brutal editing are essential; writers must write even when they don’t want to and discard far more than they keep. Honest self-critique and relentless revision turn rough drafts into meaningful work.
  3. The aim is honest storytelling: observe quietly, turn truth into fiction, and serve the story above fame or readership. Authenticity and ritual practice matter more than praise or recognition.

my kind of people I poem

Tumbleweed Words • 17 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Writing can feel lonely when it's bad, but when it's good it builds a defiant, joyful sense of belonging.
  2. Imagination is used as a weapon against boredom — inventing playful figures like ninjas to make the room come alive.
  3. A teasing, judgmental view of teenagers suggests 'stupid' is a pointed, possibly unfair label, and it leaves the question of who is really foolish open.

Bloody Mary

Castalia • 159 implied HN points • 07 Apr 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Family history can deeply affect our lives, sometimes it's filled with strange or dark stories that shape our perceptions. Caitlin learns about her family's past and how it relates to her own experiences.
  2. Mental health issues can impact family dynamics in complex ways. Caitlin's mother's struggles with mental health change how Caitlin views her family and herself.
  3. Personal growth often comes from difficult experiences and self-reflection. After facing betrayal in her relationship, Caitlin starts to reconsider her life choices and what truly matters to her.

clueless

Poems, Short stories and other things.. • 14 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Feeling directionless and drifting without a clear destination, wanting someone or something to point the way.
  2. Not sure what to want or why to feel a certain way, which makes it hard to know what to look for.
  3. Real beginnings often come from breaking apart and facing unfinished pieces, so embracing the mess helps form a complete story.

Reviews of My Life

Nice Try • 379 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Unicycles seem to be a funny way to show how society has changed, and not always for the better. It's kind of silly to find two of them in the woods.
  2. Dealing with quirky problems, like porcupines eating your house, can push someone to become inventive. Adding salt licks to trees is a clever idea to keep them away.
  3. Electricity in old buildings can be a big headache. It’s good to know that if things go wrong, it can often just be a personal issue, not something beyond our control.

Love poem

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 27 May 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. The speaker expresses a clear affection for someone they like. It's simple but sweet!
  2. They mention an adventure in Africa, suggesting a desire for shared experiences.
  3. The invitation to hold hands shows a longing for connection and intimacy.

Rêves trouvés

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 293 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. The author found a lost notebook that had a note asking to be returned to its owner, which sparked a journey to reconnect it with that person.
  2. The contents of the notebook revealed dreams written by someone, which were personal and at times eerie, showcasing the complexities of human emotions.
  3. There was a moral dilemma about returning the notebook, as the author reflected on the past experiences with its owner while trying to do the right thing.

After the Heist

Opaque Hourglass • 319 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. The narrator describes riding a giant monarch butterfly after a heist, feeling rich and content despite the physical strain.
  2. The leaky bag of coins dropping from the butterfly smooths out its flight over time, attracting a crowd of crows following the coins.
  3. The imagery in the text compares the burden of holding money bags to the burden of philosophical truth, intertwined with themes of grace and richness.

Poetry at Midlife

The Reclamation Era • 119 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Midlife can feel like a second adolescence where people reflect on their lives and embrace creativity. It's a time for exploring new ideas and breaking away from old patterns.
  2. Women at midlife have a chance to reinvent themselves by sharing their unique voices and experiences. It's important to stop editing ourselves and create freely.
  3. Acknowledging personal power can help in navigating life changes. Instead of feeling trapped, we should recognize our ability to create our own paths and find freedom.

What's Up Bro

NOW IS GOOD • 432 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative Writing
  1. Embrace the unknown and jump in with your whole heart.
  2. Sometimes you need to zoom out and put things on an infinite scale to see the bigger picture.
  3. Even in serious moments, remember that most things aren't that serious in the grand scheme of things.

WILD, WILD WOMEN: FLORA AND FAUNA (PART 2)

Secretum Secretorum • 505 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative Writing
  1. Women have a strong connection to nature and can embody wildness in their spirit. Embracing this can lead to a deeper appreciation for the environment.
  2. The characteristics of flora and fauna can be seen as reflections of feminine energy. Understanding these connections can enrich our perception of both women and nature.
  3. Celebrating wild women means recognizing their power and resilience. It's essential to honor and uplift these qualities in ourselves and others.

A Story For Us

Story Club with George Saunders • 47 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Stories make meaning through little, beautiful excesses—small memorable quirks and bumps—and a satisfying ending has to reckon with those details.
  2. Kind, inventive group discussion deepens understanding and creates a bright, encouraging space for readers and writers.
  3. Revisiting an influential short-story work can reveal it to be stranger and more wonderful than remembered, so it’s worth bringing such pieces into shared study.

[OVERRIDE]

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 673 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. The work consists of ten chapters that form a serial metafiction written by the same author, despite featuring different fictional names. Each chapter contributes to a bigger story that explores themes of authorship and reality.
  2. The author emphasizes that from this point onward, nothing else can be considered a part of the 'Work'. Any future contributions under fictional names will either be collaborations or individual essays, and misunderstanding them as part of the 'Work' is a reader's concern.
  3. There is a call for deeper engagement from readers to understand the complexities of internet-specific fiction. The author aims to challenge readers' attention spans and encourages them to explore the narrative more richly.

The Long Battle

Castalia • 239 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Art has a deep impact on personal identity and growth. Both Peter and Dorothy explore their backgrounds and how they shaped their artistic journeys.
  2. Friendship can be complicated by competition and insecurities. Peter admires Dorothy's talent but is also aware of the competitive dynamics in their social group.
  3. Tragedy can change how we view someone's life. Dorothy’s suicide makes Peter reflect on her artistic genius and what she went through, showing a contrast between her vibrant work and her struggles.

What I Learned From Mike Esser

As Ever • 5 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
📚 Literature Creative Writing
  1. Real skill comes from repetition and hard work. You don't really know how to do something until you can do it twice, and talent often needs to be chiseled by constant practice and disciplined habits.
  2. Treat art seriously and hold yourself to the highest standards. A kind of elitism or hierarchy lets you reach people more deeply and gives your work the structure it needs.
  3. Make room for beauty and vulnerability by taking risks and learning to let go. Letting go is itself a discipline born of steady effort, and you must use your gifts despite wounds or privilege.