The hottest Publishing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

The Quietest Paperback Release Ever

Ladyparts • 1278 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📚 Literature Book release Publishing Author
  1. The paperback release of Ladyparts by Deborah Copaken had a quiet launch due to a publishing mistake.
  2. Bookstores and readers were not properly informed about the paperback release until last minute.
  3. The author is seeking help to get the paperback into bookstores and into readers' hands after the publishing mishap.

Google opens another traffic spigot for publishers

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Media Advertising Publishing Finance Technology
  1. Google Discover is now a major source of traffic for publishers, but it may lead to less meaningful connections with their audiences. Publishers often end up serving low-quality ads to visitors who leave quickly.
  2. Podcasters are looking to change the trend of having the same guests on many shows to make interviews more unique and engaging. Many hosts are tired of recycled content that doesn’t stand out.
  3. Apple is starting to sell ads in Apple News directly, which could mean more revenue for publishers. This shift may help Apple balance its user privacy principles with the need to generate advertising income.
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2024 Year-End Writing Round-Up

Counter Craft • 361 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Essays Publishing Author interviews
  1. The writer saw significant growth in their newsletter, which now has over 18,000 followers. It's nice to see how readers appreciate their work.
  2. They plan to publish a novel called 'Metallic Realms' in 2025, mixing genres like sci-fi and autofiction. They seem excited about this project.
  3. The writer shares valuable writing advice, emphasizing the importance of finishing projects and offers thoughts on writing techniques and publishing myths.

Q&A Thursday

Agents and Books • 668 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Novels
  1. Focus on finishing your book before worrying about your query letter.
  2. You may change the beginning of your book several times during the drafting process.
  3. Don't stress about revealing too much in your query letter; keep an eye on publishing news instead.

One year of my work, printed

The Novelleist • 510 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
📚 Literature Essays Publishing Writing Books Collectibles
  1. A yearly collection of writing is printed to show the progress and creativity of the author. It's exciting to see your work in a real book format.
  2. The 2024 volume has a unique design inspired by the idea of creating connected communities. It reflects deep themes about society and its future.
  3. The author offers subscriptions for collectors to receive this printed work, along with other benefits at a lower cost this year.

Medium's New Earnings Calculation For Writers: Engage More to Earn More!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1119 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Online Platforms Content creation Digital Media
  1. Medium has changed how it calculates earnings for writers. Now, writers can earn more by increasing engagement with their readers.
  2. The new update is designed to encourage writers to produce more compelling content and connect better with their audience.
  3. Overall, these changes are beneficial for passionate online writers looking to grow their earnings and readership.

The Real Money in Books

Notes from a Small Press • 10 implied HN points • 27 May 25
📚 Literature Publishing Genre
  1. Some books become more valuable over time because they are written by popular authors and are often turned into movies or TV shows. This makes collectors eager to find early editions.
  2. The condition of a book greatly affects its value; collectors prefer books that look brand new. Signed copies are also worth more.
  3. Trends in book collecting can reflect cultural shifts, like how men’s books often sell for more than women’s. Knowing what's collectible can help you make smart purchases.

Why the largest creators are bypassing traditional book publishers

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media Entertainment Publishing Digital Social media
  1. Many big creators are skipping traditional book publishers. They can earn much more money by self-publishing their books instead.
  2. Companies are starting to focus more on engaging their subscribers through mobile apps. This helps keep people interested and less likely to cancel subscriptions.
  3. Creators like Kai Cenat are making huge money through platforms like Twitch. This shows how individuals can now earn as much as, or more than, traditional celebrities.

Top Links 594 American consumers flipflop. Questioning the savings glut & the strain of too much scientific publishing.

Chartbook • 286 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
💰 Finance Economy Consumer behavior Savings Publishing Scientific research
  1. American consumers are uncertain about their spending and saving habits right now. It shows there's a lot of confusion about the economy.
  2. There's a discussion about whether there's too much focus on saving money in the economy. Some believe this could be a problem.
  3. The volume of scientific publishing is increasing, and this might be causing stress for researchers. It's important to find a balance in how much gets published.

Substack Tenets (and viva Sarah Fay!)

Castalia • 979 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Self-Expression Creativity Communication
  1. Writing helps us deal with the feeling of being alone. It's surprising that more people don't use writing to fill their time instead of playing games on their phones.
  2. Writing allows people to express themselves without any restrictions from publishers or institutions. It gives a sense of freedom and responsibility in what you say.
  3. Writing can be a personal journey for self-discovery. It lets you explore who you are and find a purpose beyond just making money.

How writers and creators are using the Substack app to publish from anywhere

Substack • 605 implied HN points • 20 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Mobile Apps Publishing Content creation User Experience Social media
  1. The Substack mobile editor is now available for Android, allowing writers to publish posts from anywhere. This lets users share their ideas whenever inspiration strikes, whether they're on the move or relaxing at home.
  2. Since launching the mobile editor, many creators are posting from unexpected places, which adds a fun and personal touch to their writing. They have shared personal stories and insights while being in unique locations.
  3. The app aims to keep improving its features and matching the web editor's capabilities. This means users can look forward to more tools and options to enhance their writing experience on mobile.

For-Profit Academic Publishers Love LLM Garbage

Never Met a Science • 116 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Publishing Research Literature Ethics Technology
  1. For-profit academic publishers are more focused on making money than helping science. They charge high fees for publishing papers, leading to a system that doesn't prioritize true academic progress.
  2. The move to Open Access journals has created financial burdens, especially in social sciences and humanities. Many academics end up paying significant fees just to publish their research.
  3. There's growing concern that using AI tools to write academic papers can dilute the quality of research. Scholars need to ensure that the focus remains on meaningful work rather than just producing more papers.

Increase the Odds of Getting Boosted by Submitting Your Stories to These 60 Medium Publications

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 739 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🚌 Education Writing Marketing Self-Improvement Publishing Content creation
  1. Submitting your stories to Medium's Boost-eligible publications can greatly increase your chances of getting noticed. It's like giving your work a better chance to shine.
  2. When a story gets Boosted, it can earn significantly more money and engagement than a non-Boosted story. Getting Boosted really can make a big difference.
  3. There are many active publications on Medium, so you just need to find the right fit for your writing. Once they see your amazing stories, you'll have a better shot at success.

New(ish) Books

Castalia • 419 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews Fiction Non-fiction Publishing Cultural critique
  1. Labatut's book 'The MANIAC' explores the dangerous implications of artificial intelligence and how certain brilliant figures, like John von Neumann, led to a shift in human consciousness towards a more logic-driven existence.
  2. Nocera and McLean's 'The Big Fail' argues that the pandemic revealed serious flaws in America's systems, especially in public health, and critiques the profit-driven mindset that worsened the crisis.
  3. The authors emphasize the importance of trust in government and public health responses during the pandemic, highlighting that a lack of open dialogue and transparency led to deep societal divisions.

Pity the Short Story Writer

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 54 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Publishing Writing Short Stories Literary Criticism
  1. Getting published as a writer can be really tough. Many writers spend a lot of time submitting stories and getting rejections before they find success.
  2. The traditional path to publishing, like getting into the New Yorker, is harder now. Writers may need to build their own audience through platforms like blogs or Substack instead.
  3. Self-publishing is becoming more accepted now, and many talented writers are finding ways to share their work without relying on big publishers.

Jewish Nationalism, publishing, public relations, and Hollywood

Yasha Levine • 393 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Publishing Public Relations Hollywood
  1. The novel 'Exodus' had a significant impact in promoting Jewish nationalism among American and Soviet Jews.
  2. The book was essentially zionist propaganda, helping to shape narratives and ideals for Jewish communities.
  3. The creation and promotion of 'Exodus' was part of a strategic public relations effort by the Israeli government to influence American perspectives on Israel.

Brainfooders - Join this

Recruiting Brainfood • 805 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Community Social media Subscription Publishing Networking
  1. The future of publishing and community platforms may revolve around LinkedIn, Twitter, and Substack.
  2. Substack Notes is a new feature that got Elon Musk's attention and led to Twitter blocking the sharing of Substack links.
  3. Substack Notes offers an ad-free, spam-free environment for sharing thoughts and only shows content from those you subscribe to.

An easier way to publish, mobile editor, search Notes, and more

Substack • 620 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Publishing Mobile Apps Media Social media
  1. Publishing on Substack is now much simpler, making it easier to create posts and gain subscribers without any complicated setup.
  2. You can now use Substack's mobile app to write and edit posts directly from your phone, which is great for staying connected while on the go.
  3. Finding specific topics in Substack Notes is easier now, as they added a search filter to help you explore more content across the platform.

Live video, Substack Summer Recaps, and new tools and features

Substack • 432 implied HN points • 24 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Publishing Digital Media Content creation Live Streaming User engagement
  1. Substack now offers live video features, allowing creators to host events and engage directly with subscribers. This could help users connect better with their audience and share real-time updates.
  2. Publishers can edit images directly from the post editor, making it easier to manage visuals. This update simplifies the process of adding or modifying images in posts.
  3. Category tabs have been introduced to help readers find relevant content easily. This makes it simpler for subscribers to explore topics they are interested in.

*Tell Us a Childhood Story*, Part 1

Bet On It • 120 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
📚 Literature Memoir Childhood Storytelling Writing Publishing
  1. Memories from childhood can be really fun to share, especially the funny or mischievous stories from when we were kids. It's great to connect with our own kids by telling them about our past adventures.
  2. Writing about my childhood was a breeze because I have so many vivid memories. It felt exciting to dive into those stories and create something new like a book.
  3. I'm open to exploring new opportunities in writing, even if it's a challenge. I believe that persistence pays off, and I'm excited about the possibility of sharing my childhood stories with a wider audience.

In conversation with: Julian Simpson

So Here’s a Thing • 688 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Storytelling Authors
  1. Don't wait for the perfect conditions or confidence to pursue your passion or career choice, sometimes taking a leap of faith can lead to unexpected success.
  2. Regardless of the challenges and changes in the creative industries, the core value of storytelling remains significant and enduring.
  3. The landscape of publishing and entertainment industries is evolving, creators must adapt to new challenges while staying true to their passion for creating stories.