The hottest Fiction Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics
The Fairest Writer 0 implied HN points 11 Nov 20
  1. There are upcoming writing activities and workshops for those interested in writing. It's a chance to connect with fellow writers and explore new techniques together.
  2. One event will be a book discussion group focusing on writing-related books. Anyone is welcome to join, even if they haven't read the book yet.
  3. Another event is a writing session on Zoom where people can write together. It's a good way to stay motivated and get your writing done.
The Fairest Writer 0 implied HN points 20 Oct 20
  1. There's a workshop coming up that teaches how to use fiction writing techniques in memoirs. It's a great opportunity to learn and improve your writing skills.
  2. A writing session is happening soon for people who want to write together. It’s a nice way to be productive in a group setting.
  3. A new empathy handbook has been released, and it could make a thoughtful gift for family members, especially during the holidays.
The Fairest Writer 0 implied HN points 11 May 20
  1. Memoir is like sculpture; you shape a story from your real life. You start with the material of your experiences and craft them into something meaningful.
  2. Fiction is like painting; you're free to create and imagine without real-life limits. You decide how the story flows and can change things as you go along.
  3. Both memoir and fiction involve creativity, but they ask different skills. Memoir focuses on working with fixed life events, while fiction allows more imaginative freedom.
filterwizard 0 implied HN points 19 Aug 24
  1. Starting something new is important, so take your time to set it up right. A solid beginning helps everything else fall into place.
  2. This platform is for writing about electronics, but there's an interest in also sharing fiction and screenwriting later.
  3. Engaging with your audience from the start is key. Inviting requests can help you understand what readers want.
As If We Were Staying 0 implied HN points 19 Feb 24
  1. Our origin stories shape how we see the world. Different cultures tell different stories about where we come from, and those stories influence our actions and beliefs.
  2. Life on Earth is special and rare. The unique conditions and events that allowed life to flourish here emphasize how precious our existence is.
  3. We have a responsibility to cherish and protect life. By recognizing our position as fortunate caretakers of Earth, we can find purpose and hope in our lives.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Captive Liberty 0 implied HN points 18 Oct 24
  1. Iphigenia and her family had a curse where each woman lost vision in their left eye after being told to bathe in a lake on a specific day. This repeated for generations.
  2. The nixie, a water spirit, cursed the family because of a past deception by Iphigenia's ancestor Helena. He wanted revenge by taking their eyes each generation.
  3. In the end, Marta outsmarted the nixie by showing him a three-eyed fish from a TV show, which lifted the curse and allowed her family to live free from his demands.
Data People Etc. 0 implied HN points 04 Nov 24
  1. Many kids today are missing out on classic books, which is worrying. Reading habits are changing, and it's important to encourage children to engage with literature.
  2. Protocol fiction can explore themes of technology and creativity, like in the story about an artist and her AI assistant. It raises questions about how technology influences our work and connections.
  3. Balancing personal life, work, and friendships is tough. It’s often a choice between two out of three, and it's good to be okay with that limitation.
Orbis Tertius 0 implied HN points 10 Nov 24
  1. Reading a big book like _Infinite Jest_ can be a form of meditation. It trains you to focus your attention and be less distracted by quick entertainment like social media.
  2. The book's length and complexity aren't meant to entertain you immediately but to engage you deeply over time. Your experience of reading is what matters, not just the ending.
  3. All media exists on a spectrum of attention, from mindless scrolling on TikTok to thoughtful reading. Choosing to read can help improve your focus and make even simple experiences feel special.
Bridget’s Newsletter Booked With Bridget 0 implied HN points 14 Nov 24
  1. The Scarlet D is about a woman named Scarlet who rebuilds her life after divorce, showing that it's possible to start over at any age.
  2. Scarlet joins a book club for divorced women, where she finds friendship and support while facing her past and discovering herself.
  3. The story explores unexpected love and the complexities of relationships, emphasizing that it's never too late for new beginnings.
Bridget’s Newsletter Booked With Bridget 0 implied HN points 14 Nov 24
  1. The Scarlet D tells the story of Scarlet, a woman starting fresh after a long marriage. It's about love, self-discovery, and finding hope in new beginnings.
  2. The book highlights the importance of community through Scarlet's experience in a divorced women's book club. The friendships formed help her face her past and grow.
  3. Scarlet's romantic journey includes surprises, like meeting a younger man and an age-appropriate suitor. This shows that love can come in unexpected ways at any age.
Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life 0 implied HN points 21 Nov 24
  1. Dystopian stories often explore future worlds filled with danger and uncertainty. They make us think about the consequences of our actions today.
  2. These narratives can reflect our fears about technology and society. They help us understand what could go wrong if we're not careful.
  3. Reading dystopian fiction can encourage us to discuss important issues. It prompts us to think critically about our own world and the changes we want to make.
The Author Is Dumb 0 implied HN points 08 Dec 24
  1. A new technology called Pythia has the potential to analyze a huge amount of data to make predictions about various events. This could include things like changes in markets or climate.
  2. The story explores uncertainty and confusion among characters as they deal with an unexpected phenomenon called The Body in the sky, leading to discussions about its meaning and implications.
  3. The characters are juggling personal challenges while trying to navigate their professional lives, showing the tension between work stress and their personal relationships.
The Author Is Dumb 0 implied HN points 29 Dec 24
  1. David feels empty and struggles to find something engaging to watch on TV. The constant change of images and sounds adds to his sense of distraction.
  2. He is worried about his job and feels uncertain about his direction in life, especially after a complaint from a student.
  3. There is tension in his personal life, as he communicates with Anna about worries for their family and friends, showing a longing for connection and understanding.
Something interesting 0 implied HN points 01 Jan 25
  1. This year, there were a lot of poetry publications, with ten poems published in total. Starting with three poems in a magazine, the author continued to share their work throughout the year.
  2. For fiction, two excerpts from a novel were published as short stories. Despite the challenges in finding representation for the novel, the author is still sharing segments of it.
  3. The author has a website where they highlight their favorite books and other enjoyable things from the past year. It's a space for reflecting on their experiences and sharing their work.
The Author Is Dumb 0 implied HN points 05 Jan 25
  1. The story shows a man who feels watched and can't look away from the sky. He seems stuck in his thoughts, not paying attention to anyone around him.
  2. As he stares, a crowd gathers, confused and frustrated, trying to get his attention. They want to know what he's looking at and why he won't respond.
  3. In the end, the man finally speaks, telling the crowd they're being watched too. This makes everyone turn their gaze to the sky together, creating a shared moment of curiosity.
The Author Is Dumb 0 implied HN points 26 Jan 25
  1. David is feeling stressed about a student's complaint regarding his teaching approach. He believes the complaint is more about the student’s expectations than his teaching style.
  2. Dr. Meriweather is concerned about David's well-being and thinks he might be losing passion for his work. He suggests that David should take time off to recharge and focus on his family.
  3. David acknowledges he has been drifting and may need to reflect on his teaching and personal life. He recognizes that he needs to reconnect with what he is teaching.
The Author Is Dumb 0 implied HN points 23 Feb 25
  1. Friends often engage in reckless games, like running into traffic, to feel something exciting and alive. It shows how teenagers sometimes seek thrills together.
  2. The struggle of growing up with social media is tough. One person reflects on being treated like a product by parents who cared more about views than their child.
  3. Relationships can change when people focus too much on appearances or success instead of genuine connection, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.
Pizza Party 0 implied HN points 21 May 25
  1. The main character of the story is Madame Kitty. She seems to have an interesting and engaging personality.
  2. This piece is the opening scene of the first book in a series. It sets up the story and invites readers to share their thoughts on it.
  3. Readers can subscribe for free to get updates on new posts and support the author's work. It's a way to stay connected with the ongoing story.
The Author Is Dumb 0 implied HN points 01 Jul 25
  1. The first book in the 'Bodies Bodies' series is now available, and it might lead to more stories or novellas.
  2. This novella mixes styles like found documents and narratives to explore deep themes and characters facing an uncertain future.
  3. It's only available in paperback, and readers are encouraged to support local bookstores when purchasing.
Bridget’s Newsletter Booked With Bridget 0 implied HN points 19 Jul 25
  1. The story features Livvy Mercer, a smart and funny bartender who gets involved in a mystery at a wedding. She's not just solving crimes; her personal and work life is also part of the fun.
  2. The authors mix humor and suspense well, making the book entertaining and keeping readers guessing about what will happen next.
  3. It's a cozy thriller that not only focuses on the mystery but also on Livvy's character development, making her relatable and engaging.
Poems, Short stories and other things.. 0 implied HN points 23 Aug 25
  1. The joy of the journey is often more important than reaching the destination. Enjoying the ride can be more fulfilling than just focusing on the end goal.
  2. Looking back at memories can be painful because some people may no longer be with us. Time changes our relationships and the way we remember them.
  3. New dreams and goals are always on the horizon, and we just need to keep looking ahead, even if obstacles come in our way. Staying hopeful and persistent can help us reach new heights.
Strange Stories by Shantnu 0 implied HN points 02 Nov 25
  1. Elderwick is a small town struggling with a bad reputation due to supernatural events, and it relies heavily on summer tourism. Despite its issues, it has beautiful natural sights like a sandy beach and a forest.
  2. Lady Mirabelle, the owner of a new age shop, has a magical charm that draws people to her, making them act devotedly towards her. She's seen as a helpful ally in the community and has a knack for gathering local information.
  3. The narrator discovers a dangerous cult operating in the area and realizes he might need to confront them directly, as the local police may not take the situation seriously. He is prepared for a difficult battle, both against the cult and the threats surrounding it.
Strange Stories by Shantnu 0 implied HN points 28 Sep 25
  1. The author hasn't posted in over a year and invites anyone who wants to leave to unsubscribe without hard feelings.
  2. They used to write stories but stopped, but now they feel encouraged to write again and are bringing their blog back to life.
  3. The author is currently working on a detective story featuring a client who is dead, and they plan to share this and other writings for free with subscribers.
Bridget’s Newsletter Booked With Bridget 0 implied HN points 07 Nov 25
  1. The novel 'Devil's Margarita' mixes family drama and corporate espionage with a murder mystery. It creates a gripping story that's hard to put down.
  2. Livvy Mercer is a strong main character who is skilled at reading people, helping her navigate the dangerous situations she faces.
  3. The story is set in a tense atmosphere where every character may have hidden motives, making it exciting to figure out who can be trusted.
Kartick’s Blog 0 implied HN points 17 Nov 25
  1. The dream featured a unique transport system where people rode on a moving pipe without any safety systems. It was a tough environment that required a lot of balance and skill.
  2. In this dream world, objects only came in one size per shape. For example, if you wanted a ball, it could only be small, while bigger objects had to be cubes.
  3. The dream presented a surreal and harsh reality, where basic laws of geometry and size didn't apply like they do in our world.