The hottest Fantasy Substack posts right now

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Stealing Signals, Week 8, Part 2

Stealing Signals • 579 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Writing a lot can be exhausting and stressful, especially when trying to make accurate predictions about players. It can lead to self-doubt and frustration when things don't go as planned.
  2. Analyzing players like the Denver Broncos can feel repetitive and tiresome when they don't perform well, but it’s still important to look for reasons why they might improve in the future.
  3. Finding unique insights in discussions about players like Cedric Tillman and Kyle Pitts is crucial, and it’s okay to admit uncertainty about their potential as the season progresses.

Stealing Signals, Week 8, Part 1

Stealing Signals • 679 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. NFL scoring has improved this season, with teams averaging 22.7 points per game, up from the previous years where numbers were lower. This shift shows offenses taking more risks and being more productive.
  2. The tight end position has seen a resurgence, with many players starting to score well again. Guys like Kyle Pitts and George Kittle are performing better, and more TEs are averaging double-digit PPR points.
  3. Certain teams are now focusing more on their run game, which affects how much they pass. The Eagles, for example, have been running more, leading to fewer pass attempts for their key receivers, though that trend might not last.

Input Volatility, Week 8

Stealing Signals • 439 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. In leagues with WR/TE slots, tight ends (TEs) lose their value significantly because they are often less productive than wide receivers (WRs). It’s better to draft WRs instead of focusing on TEs in these formats.
  2. Carrying multiple quarterbacks (QBs) or kickers in fantasy football is usually unnecessary. If your league allows many players at these positions, it’s smarter to use your bench for players with more potential, instead of holding onto backups.
  3. When building your fantasy team, prioritize players with upside and avoid 'roster-clogging' players who don't help you win. It’s important to have flexible bench spots to adapt to injuries or bye weeks.

Should you care about Dalvin Cook?

Stealing Signals • 259 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Dalvin Cook's lack of playing time makes him a risky fantasy add, but the team's decision to activate him shows they are considering him more seriously now. It might be worth adding him to see if he can show some useful performance.
  2. While many people are skeptical about older running backs like Cook, he still has potential based on his past performance and the current state of the Cowboys' backfield. He could surprise and take on a larger role if he performs well.
  3. Overall, adding Dalvin Cook could be a good gamble this week, but keep in mind that it may not pay off. If he doesn't perform, cutting him from your team won't be a hard decision.

Free post: DeAndre Hopkins trade, Pearsall vs. Jennings

Stealing Signals • 479 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. DeAndre Hopkins is traded to the Chiefs, and while there are concerns about his health, he could still be a valuable player for the team, especially with their current WR depth issues.
  2. Rookie WR options like Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings have potential but come with risk; Jennings may offer a higher floor due to his established role in the offense.
  3. It's important to evaluate how new situations can impact players' fantasy value, as trade news and injuries can create opportunities for lesser-known players to step up.
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Stealing Signals, Week 7, Part 1

Stealing Signals • 599 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. The NFL is in a really good place right now, with scoring on the rise and less negativity surrounding the product. Injuries are still a challenge, but overall, fans are enjoying the games more.
  2. Recent changes in player safety rules, like the expedited replay system, have improved the game without causing major disruptions. Players are adapting, particularly to new tackling rules that keep things safer.
  3. The trend of talent influencing outcomes is stronger than ever, as top performers are shining and leading their teams. This makes watching and predicting games more exciting for fans and analysts alike.

Input Volatility, Week 7

Stealing Signals • 479 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. It's hard to predict player performance in crowded backfields where multiple players are used. Sometimes it's better to avoid these players altogether if you're unsure.
  2. Having a few touches can create a low floor for players, but there's potential for upside too. Situational players can still be worth starting in certain circumstances.
  3. Uncertainty in player roles can lead to new opportunities. Sometimes taking a risk on lesser-known players can pay off in surprising ways.

Stealing Signals, Week 6, Part 1

Stealing Signals • 639 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Rookie running backs can experience quick changes in their roles and performances. It's important to track their progress and be patient, as outcomes can shift unexpectedly.
  2. A focused viewing experience can lead to deeper understanding and insights about games. Watching one game at a time allows for better evaluation of player performances and strategies.
  3. Coaching decisions can significantly impact game outcomes. Poor choices, like punting in crucial moments, can waste opportunities and alter the flow of the game.

Stealing Signals, Week 6, Part 2

Stealing Signals • 519 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Davante Adams has been traded to the New York Jets, which impacts Garrett Wilson's potential target share but might not decrease his overall value too much. Both players could still have significant roles in the Jets' offense.
  2. Brock Bowers is highlighted as a top tight end prospect, expected to perform well in the second half of the fantasy season, especially with favorable matchups in weeks 15-17.
  3. Amari Cooper's trade to the Bills is seen as a chance for him to have some big games, but he might not be as consistent as players on the Jets. His situation involves some uncertainty with the new team's chemistry.

Agents of Counter-Spoliation

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1402 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. A grassroots, author-driven book sale discounts and cross-promotes indie titles so readers can discover non‑mainstream books without going through mainstream publishing gatekeepers.
  2. 'Based' books are defined by a coherent view of human nature, clear moral truths, and attention to beauty and craft, often reaffirming traditional values rather than following woke trends.
  3. The strategy against cultural spoliation is to make and promote non‑woke art, repurpose public‑domain elements, and build direct fan support and neo‑patronage so creators can thrive outside mainstream channels.

Stealing Signals, Week 5, Part 2

Stealing Signals • 499 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Offensive football is evolving, with more exciting plays and downfield shots happening. Quarterbacks are becoming better at making big plays, which makes the game more enjoyable.
  2. In fantasy leagues, it's important to play for high-scoring potential rather than just trying to avoid losses. Playing safe can lead to missed opportunities and a loss, so always aim for the best possible plays.
  3. Analyzing football can be a complex task, and it's common for analysts to have blind spots. It's crucial to keep digging deep and not rely only on surface-level insights to make informed decisions.

Input Volatility, Week 5

Stealing Signals • 559 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. The Falcons have shown potential in their passing game, with players like Kyle Pitts and Drake London stepping up. Despite some inconsistencies, their improved offense could lead to better performance in future games.
  2. Bijan Robinson is still in a good position despite recent struggles. His workload suggests he can bounce back and have strong games, especially as the team's offensive performance improves.
  3. Depth in fantasy football is crucial, particularly as bye weeks begin. Having strong options helps teams manage injuries and maintain competitiveness through tougher weeks.

Input Volatility, Week 5, Part 2

Stealing Signals • 519 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Pay attention to the New England Patriots' running backs. Rhamondre Stevenson might not start, but he could still play, making him a risky start depending on his fumbles.
  2. When trading players like Breece Hall and Ken Walker, consider the long-term outlook. A good game from one player can quickly change their value, so timing and player reputation matter.
  3. Don't underestimate rookies like Keon Coleman. With injuries on the team, they might get more chances to shine, making them worth considering for your lineup.

while the end happens

The Trick Revealed • 396 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26
⚔ Fiction Fantasy
  1. The cavern is an otherworldly place where sound and perception are distorted, making the narrator question whether they are alive.
  2. A hooded flame-bearer confronts the narrator and forces an existential dialogue about being dead or alive and what counts as proof of existence.
  3. Play is presented as a way to forget or live through endings; we don't play to escape the end, we play while the end happens.

Why You Should Read Gene Wolfe (and Where to Start)

Counter Craft • 699 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. Peace is a haunting, beautifully written novel that makes a great entry point for readers who usually avoid genre fiction, because it feels literary while hiding speculative layers. You can enjoy it for the prose and atmosphere even if you don’t chase the underlying puzzle.
  2. Many of the other works are written like puzzle-boxes full of unreliable narrators, obscure allusions, and blink-and-you-miss mysteries that reward careful rereading. That dense, cryptic style is brilliant to some readers but can be impenetrable to others.
  3. There are clear ways to start depending on your taste: Peace for the skeptical, The Fifth Head of Cerberus for a compact, challenging SFF experience, a short-story collection for variety, and The Book of the New Sun if you want a huge, idea-packed epic. Pick an entry based on how much puzzling and worldbuilding you’re ready for.

My sci-fi novel recommendations

Noahpinion • 25588 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. The post provides recommendations for sci-fi novels from a personal favorite list.
  2. The recommendations cover a wide range of subgenres and themes, from space adventures to post-apocalyptic worlds.
  3. There are also fantasy book suggestions included as a bonus at the end of the post.

Signals Gold Q&A, Week 5

Stealing Signals • 39 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. A weekly livestream Q&A session will be held for subscribers. It's a chance for members to ask questions and engage in discussions.
  2. The livestream is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET, which sets a clear time for attendees.
  3. Subscribers can upgrade to the Signals Gold plan for access to exclusive content and features.

Preseason Sunday: Fantasy Football is Much More Fun When You Accept What You Can't Control

Freddie deBoer • 1392 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Fantasy football is a game influenced by factors beyond your control, like player injuries or unexpected coaching decisions. Understanding this makes it more enjoyable instead of stressful.
  2. Many people take fantasy football too seriously, often leading to conflicts and anxiety. It's best to see it as a fun way to connect with friends rather than a high-stakes competition.
  3. Embrace the randomness of the game; it's part of what makes it exciting. Celebrating small wins, like a lucky player pick, can enhance your enjoyment of the season.

Vampire the Masquerade story hooks

Philosophy bear • 14 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
⚔ Fiction Fantasy
  1. A wide toolbox of short rumours and scenarios is provided to drop into a chronicle, from small local mysteries to plots that threaten the whole world.
  2. The piece offers alternate vampire lore that can reshape power and history, like automatic falling generations, composite Antediluvians, and rituals that change generation or resurrect the dead.
  3. Many hooks mix modern technology and moral horror—biotech experiments, weaponised vitae, fusion-powered rituals, and mundane apocalypses that force brutal, complicated choices.

The Dream Catcher's Diary - A Short Story

Subtle Digressions • 119 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
⚔ Fiction Fantasy
  1. A boy named Billy meets the Dream Catcher, a mysterious figure who collects dreams. They have a deep conversation about dreams and the importance of keeping secrets.
  2. Billy learns that he dreams but often forgets them, which leads him to question why he doesn’t remember. This reveals a hidden connection between his dreams and his father.
  3. The story explores themes of curiosity, fear, and the bond between a child and a parent, showing how dreams can reveal deeper truths and emotions.

Is Your Worldbuilding Up To Code?

Counter Craft • 530 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. Worldbuilding can be done in many different ways, and it's not just about strict rules. Writers should feel free to explore and be creative instead of sticking to one method.
  2. Focusing too much on worldbuilding can cause writers to spend so much time planning that they forget to actually write their stories.
  3. There's a rich history of different storytelling styles that offer unique ways to create worlds, such as surrealism and magical realism, which don't fit into the rigid rules of typical worldbuilding.

Schrödinger's Gender

ajkay • 982 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy
  1. Failing to validate the preferred gender of trans-identifying people can impact their existence.
  2. Material reality is measurable and observable, different from what exists solely in one's imagination.
  3. Refusing to validate trans-identifying individuals is an ethical choice, even if it amounts to denying their existence.

Culture Study Goes Full ACOTAR

Culture Study • 3308 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Fantasy
  1. These books have explicit sex scenes that focus on female pleasure, offering multiple builds and payoffs, with a perspective that centers around women's desires.
  2. The hotness in the books is rooted in monogamous fantasies, exploring the idea of soulmates and eternal monogamy as very sexy concepts.
  3. The series grapples with the complexity of first loves and the trauma of realizing someone may not be your perfect match, providing a rare depiction of challenging romantic realities.

Adventure Time and the Subversion of Whimsy, or How The Rightwing Lost Their Children

Trantor Publishing • 738 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy
  1. Conservatives lost the ability to pass down their values to the youth, showing the importance of storytelling and children's entertainment in shaping culture.
  2. Children's stories should be taken seriously, as they can convey deep meanings in a way that is understandable and impactful to young minds.
  3. The show Adventure Time delves into complex themes and characters but also contains dark and subversive elements, reflecting a trend in modern storytelling where innocence is lost in pursuit of adult themes.

Stealing Signals, Week 1, Part 1

Stealing Signals • 959 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Jaguars and Colts had fun playing with good coaches in a game with exciting plays.
  2. Ridley looked like a legit No. 1 with strong performance after layoff.
  3. Calvin Ridley, Travis Etienne, and Elijah Moore had positive signs for their roles.

Spawn

Soaring Twenties • 100 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
⚔ Fiction Fantasy
  1. The main character, Noah, gets pulled into a dangerous mission involving an out-of-this-world conspiracy after he has an affair with a student. This changes his life forever.
  2. Noah discovers that the project he is involved in has a connection to ancient civilizations and dark gods, leading to a thrilling, chaotic journey in space.
  3. In the end, Noah realizes he has a daughter with the otherworldly being Tiamat, raising questions about the future and what truly lies ahead.

Soul Epidemic

The Lifeboat • 240 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. A sudden 'soul epidemic' has caused everyone to gain a soul, leaving people confused about what that really means and how it will change their lives.
  2. The main character feels a mix of confusion and frustration about having a soul, feeling like it adds unnecessary complexity to her already busy life.
  3. Despite the chaos of the epidemic, the main character decides to rebel against adulthood and its responsibilities, wanting to embrace her individuality instead.

Room

ASK MOLLY • 530 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy
  1. Shares of this fantasy are falling faster
  2. Someone in the house has a crush on Pedro Pascal
  3. Post is for paid subscribers only

Francine

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 241 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. René Descartes had a daughter named Francine who died young, and her story reflects a deep love and complex emotions about loss.
  2. Descartes experimented with ideas about the soul and body, believing he could bring Francine back to life through a combination of philosophy and mystical practices.
  3. The narrative explores themes of love, grief, and the boundaries between life and death, showing how powerful connections can influence thoughts and actions.

David Lynch, 1946-2025.

The Bottom Feeder • 630 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Fantasy
  1. David Lynch was a unique filmmaker who made strange but influential art that didn't always make sense. His work often blended reality with surreal elements, creating something both unsettling and captivating.
  2. Lynch believed in having the final cut of his films, which meant his vision was fully realized without outside interference. This independence can inspire other creators to prioritize their artistic integrity.
  3. Modern fantasy often makes magic too clear and predictable, which can take away its mystery. Lynch's work reminds us that magic can be strange and elusive, making it much more compelling.

Flights of fancy

Vague Blue • 239 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. Fantasy can be integral to a fulfilling life, but relentless pursuit of fantasy can lead to downfall
  2. Life is more of a tragicomedy than a rom-com with fixed happy endings
  3. Desire for more can be a slow-burning poison leading to dissatisfaction with one's current life

Stealing Signals, Week 3, Part 1

Stealing Signals • 579 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. NFL scheduling can be unbalanced with too many games in one window, affecting fan experience
  2. Fantasy football plays a big role in NFL popularity and viewership
  3. Player performance and game outcomes can be influenced by small details and decisions

Guest Post: Medieval Warfare Was Bad, Actually

Thing of Things • 255 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Fantasy
  1. Medieval warfare in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is depicted fairly accurately according to military historian Bret Devereaux.
  2. The size of armies in medieval settings and the logistical challenges they faced were realistically portrayed in the novels.
  3. Warfare in medieval Europe involved widespread devastation, looting, and rape, challenging the idealized portrayal often seen in popular media.

Stealing Signals, Week 2, Part 1

Stealing Signals • 579 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🎾 Sports Fantasy
  1. Week 2 saw an increase in explosive plays and scoring in the NFL
  2. D'Andre Swift had a standout performance with a massive role for the Eagles
  3. Falcons showed a concerning tendency to abandon the pass game for the run game, impacting player involvement

A Cold Front

slow motion multitasking • 734 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Fantasy
  1. The post discusses the characteristics and activities of Yetis.
  2. Yetis have unique features like communicating through musical instruments.
  3. The article provides insights into the making of Summer Camp, highlighting the different factions and art styles.

When Writing Fantasy, Kill Your Darlings. Literally.

The Bottom Feeder • 703 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. Killing characters can add emotional weight to a story. When a character dies, it can make the readers feel more suspense and connect emotionally to the narrative.
  2. It's important to time character deaths well in a story. Too many deaths can numb the audience, while too few can make a story feel cluttered and lacking in stakes.
  3. Character deaths should serve a purpose. They should reflect the story's themes and impact the narrative, making the audience feel the reality of loss and its significance.

The Library of Slaanesh

Thicket Forte • 959 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
📚 Literature Fantasy
  1. The library is a strange place filled with endless walls showing beautiful women, but they aren't real and can't be touched. Men lose themselves in this fantasy, forgetting the life outside these walls.
  2. As men begin to remember real women and experiences from their past, they realize there's more to life than just the pleasure from the walls. This sparks a desire to find and connect with others.
  3. Different men respond to their situation in various ways, some deny the existence of the outside world while others seek to escape it. The struggle between accepting this reality and longing for something more defines their lives.