The hottest Publishing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Letter to a Friend: Why Write Online

Juan David’s Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
📚 Literature Writing Essays Publishing Self-Expression Creativity
  1. Writing should be a daily habit, even if it's just for a few minutes. Treat it like brushing your teeth—make it a regular part of your day.
  2. Having an audience can help you stay motivated to write and improve your skills. Sharing your work adds a little pressure to keep your ideas sharp.
  3. Editing is best done with others. Getting feedback from friends or readers can make your writing stronger and help you connect with interesting people.

Building a Second Income Stream by Writing a Book

The Fat Software Engineer • 119 HN points • 14 Mar 23
💼 Business Passive Income Book Writing Marketing Publishing
  1. Having multiple income streams, especially passive ones, is a good strategy for financial independence.
  2. Writing a book can be a challenging but rewarding way to build an income stream and grow your personal brand.
  3. Negotiating royalties, researching publishers, and building an audience are key steps to consider before committing to writing a book.

How to Write a Book

The Analog Family • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Editing Research Book launch
  1. Writing a book requires a clear proposal that outlines your ideas and structure. It helps you think deeply about what you want to say and who will read it.
  2. Research is crucial and can be organized effectively using physical notes like index cards to help you remember important information.
  3. The writing and editing processes are intense but rewarding. It can feel like a long journey, but it's an opportunity to share something you love with the world.
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Jobs and Opps at Faber Academy, SWNS, the BBC, Channel 4, and Many, Many More 📻

Journo Resources - The Opportunities • 59 implied HN points • 02 May 23
💼 Business Journalism Media Communication Writing Publishing
  1. Various job opportunities are available at companies like Faber Academy, SWNS, the BBC, and Channel 4.
  2. The media industry is facing challenges such as layoffs, but it is important to stay hopeful and keep honing your craft.
  3. There are diverse roles in journalism and adjacent fields, with opportunities for writers, editors, reporters, and content coordinators.

Too many books

The Leftovers • 39 implied HN points • 12 Nov 22
📚 Literature Books Publishing Authors Reading Memoir
  1. The publishing industry often thrives on the thievery of our time and brain cells, with many books being published that may not bring value to humanity.
  2. Not every book is a noble object, and the world wouldn't lose much if a vast majority of books disappeared, leading to more trees and less ideological issues.
  3. Consider subscribing to The Leftovers for more insightful content and a 7-day free trial to explore the full post archives.

Book Blurbs

The Analog Family • 39 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
📚 Literature Book Reviews Publishing Writing Parenting
  1. Getting positive endorsements for a book feels amazing and validating. It's like receiving an A+ report card for your hard work.
  2. Writing a book is a big commitment, often without immediate feedback. It can feel scary, but it’s important to trust your instincts throughout the process.
  3. Having supportive blurbs from respected authors can motivate you to keep going, especially when preparing for a book launch. Each endorsement feels like a helpful push forward.

From Papyrus to Preprints

Reboot • 7 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Peer Review Publishing Science Policy
  1. Preprints are changing how research is shared. They allow scientists to share their findings quickly, before formal peer reviews, which helps speed up the conversation in the scientific community.
  2. The traditional peer review process can be slow and has limitations. Sometimes, important discoveries don’t get published because they don't fit the narrow criteria of journals.
  3. Platforms like arXiv have democratized access to research. They let everyone see new ideas and findings, but they also require us to be careful about the quality of information we trust.

S&T: 'A conversation with Sydney Brenner: How academia and publishing are destroying scientific innovation' - Elizabeth Dzeng's 2014 Interview

James W. Phillips' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🔬 Science Academia Publishing
  1. Sydney Brenner and his colleagues made significant contributions to biology, including establishing the genetic code and using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism.
  2. Young scientists face challenges in today's academic environment, such as pressure to publish in high-impact journals and the need for funding for risky, innovative research.
  3. There is a growing movement towards open access publishing and a reevaluation of the metrics used to judge research quality in academia.

I have a book coming out!

Notes from a Small Press • 27 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
📚 Literature Authors Books Publishing Essays Nonfiction
  1. The book 'Best of the Rust Belt' features personal essays from a region often labeled the Rust Belt, showcasing diverse perspectives and voices.
  2. The book aims to shift the narrative of the Rust Belt region, moving away from stereotypical coverage during election cycles to more nuanced, authentic storytelling.
  3. The creation of the book was a collaborative effort involving multiple editors, writers, and contributors, emphasizing the importance of community and collective storytelling.

Changing retraction criteria for Science family

Science Forever • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jan 23
🔬 Science Research Errors Publishing Corrections
  1. Extensive corrections in scientific papers may lead to a retraction if confidence is lacking
  2. Retracting a paper could be considered if there is an accumulation of errors, causing editors to lose confidence in the data integrity
  3. Transparently correcting errors in scientific research is crucial to maintain the integrity of the self-correcting process of science

Jobs and Opps at PinkNews, The Know, Nosy Crow, The Guardian, and Many, Many More 🐦‍⬛

Journo Resources - The Opportunities • 19 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
💼 Business Jobs Opportunities Freelancing Publishing Media
  1. Don't be afraid to try new things and give yourself space to be imperfect.
  2. Explore various job opportunities in journalism, ranging from social media to editorial roles.
  3. Upcoming events, workshops, and bursaries in the journalism field offer learning and growth opportunities.

Homewaters: One Year Anniversary

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 21 Apr 22
📚 Literature Books Authors Publishing Literary Events Reviews
  1. The book 'Homewaters' has sold over 4,700 copies in its first year. This is considered a great success for a regional book.
  2. The author received positive feedback and kind words about both the book and his talks, emphasizing the importance of Puget Sound's history and stewardship.
  3. The endnotes of the book contain interesting facts and stories that didn’t make it into the main text, adding extra value for readers.

Questions about Questions

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
📚 Literature Writing Essays Publishing Reading Creativity
  1. Questions can lead to deeper thinking and understanding. It's important to ask the right questions to explore a topic thoroughly.
  2. External influences like a good book or song can inspire creativity. Sometimes, a simple change in our environment can spark new ideas.
  3. Writing can be a great way to reflect on thoughts and feelings. Putting ideas down on paper helps clarify and develop them further.

The Problem with 'American Fiction'

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 14 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction Critique Publishing Novelists Adaptation
  1. The film 'American Fiction' critiques corporate publishing and shallow identity politics of 2010s.
  2. Contemporary elite literary fiction focuses on professional class struggles over traumas from marginalized communities.
  3. The movie 'American Fiction' highlights issues of representation and commodification in the literary industry.

I'm Thankful For My Subscribers!

Silent Lunch, The David Zweig Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💼 Business Media Writing Publishing Podcasts Subscription
  1. The author values genuine engagement in conversations and believes that conflict and debate are essential for real relationships.
  2. The author expresses gratitude for the support of subscribers and the autonomy of working on their newsletter, Silent Lunch.
  3. The author plans to expand Silent Lunch with more investigative pieces, guest writers, and a podcast in the coming year.

First we read, then we write

Austin Kleon • 99 implied HN points • 28 May 21
📚 Literature Reading Writing Books Authors Publishing
  1. To write well, it's important to read a lot first. Reading helps improve writing skills and creativity.
  2. Keeping track of your reading materials can boost your productivity. Good indexing and filing systems let you find and use your resources easily.
  3. Old books have timeless insights. They remind us that human experiences are often funny and relatable, even centuries later.

The Crack in the Sidewalk

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
⚔ Fiction Literature Storytelling Creative Writing Publishing Narrative
  1. A new fiction book is now available at major bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million. You might not find it immediately in all stores, but it should be there soon.
  2. You can also order the book online if you prefer shopping from home. Just check the provided link to get a copy.
  3. There’s an option to subscribe for a free trial to access more content related to the book and the author's work. It's a good way to explore other stories they have written.

Literature in the Age of Content Production

The Leftovers • 39 implied HN points • 03 Sep 21
📚 Literature Criticism Writing Publishing Authors Community
  1. Literature faces challenges in the age of content production, with authors struggling to make a living and facing difficulties in publishing and selling books.
  2. The traditional path to becoming a writer, such as pursuing expensive MFAs, may not guarantee success or recognition, highlighting the need for continuous writing and learning.
  3. Despite concerns about the state of Literature, it remains alive and thriving in the passion for words and storytelling, existing beyond the superficial debates and challenges of the modern age.