The hottest Storytelling Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

Seizing the Means of Perception

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. AI presents huge harms — from job losses and surveillance to massive energy use and even existential risks — that are already reshaping society and the economy.
  2. At the same time, AI is a powerful media tool that can democratize storytelling and spread ideas quickly, so it can be used for good or ill depending on who controls it.
  3. There’s a short window to learn and experiment with AI storytelling so ethical creators can seize cultural influence, build alternatives, and counter the sway of wealthy, malicious actors.

A mug story

Men Yell at Me • 198 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The author values their collection of novelty mugs, with one mug having a special story behind it.
  2. The author mentions sharing the story of their David Brooks mug at book events.
  3. The post is intended for paid subscribers, with an option to subscribe or sign in provided.

18 pieces of writing advice

Tao Lin • 2 HN points • 11 Aug 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Don't be afraid to save your favorite lines for later instead of cutting them out completely. Keeping a separate file can help you use them in a future piece.
  2. Focus on writing about genuine emotions and experiences. Sharing those deep moments can really connect with your readers.
  3. Be patient with your writing process. Revisit your work multiple times and make small changes until you feel it's ready.
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Tyranny and the Plot

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Book 8 of the Iliad focuses on Zeus shaping the plot through divine council and speeches, emphasizing the influence of Gods and Humans in the narrative.
  2. Zeus's control of the plot showcases his authority and highlights the consequences of opposing him, reflecting a theme of power dynamics and storytelling.
  3. Scholars propose book divisions in the Iliad align with potential performances, with Zeus's speeches marking key moments and guiding the understanding of the epic's plot.

Why Are There a Million NIMBY-Themed Movies and No YIMBY-Themed Ones?

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Popular movies lean on a simple underdog-versus-developer story, making homeowners sympathetic and developers easy villains because that emotional conflict is easy to tell.
  2. Pro-housing (YIMBY) stories are hard to dramatize and sell, since supporting development involves complex tradeoffs and lacks a single, easy-to-hate antagonist that fits classic screenwriting beats.
  3. This storytelling bias has real consequences: it hides how anti-development choices harm people by keeping housing scarce, worsening commutes and pollution, and protecting incumbents who benefit from the status quo.

This is not an About page.

Castles in the Sky • 31 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Writing is about taking action, not just thinking. It's important to dive into the work instead of getting stuck in planning.
  2. Reading inspiring essays can spark creativity and help us understand complex feelings. They can make us feel less alone and give us new perspectives.
  3. It's okay to let go of perfection and focus on being curious. The best way to create meaningful work is to experiment and share it with others.

Sunday Strip: Happy XY Day!

Who is Robert Malone • 31 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
😂 Humor Storytelling
  1. The author joked about a lost dog and ended up with a real dog that matched their silly description. It's funny how unexpected situations can happen.
  2. The new dog's behavior is quirky and strange, making it feel like part of a funny story. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but they turn out interesting.
  3. This situation highlights how humor can lead to unusual realities in life. It's a reminder to embrace unexpected moments and laugh at them.

"Is the Sky Ever Green?"

Story Club with George Saunders • 56 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Writing well isn’t just about following rules; it often involves a natural talent that can’t be forced. Sometimes inspiration comes unexpectedly, like catching a fish out of nowhere.
  2. Specificity in writing helps create a vivid picture, but it can also be useful to think about how your reader reacts to each line as they read. This helps you create a more engaging experience.
  3. Colors in prose can surprise readers and enhance the story. Using unique colors can make readers pause and think, which draws them deeper into the imaginary world.

I made my (first) movie

The Next Chapter • 3 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Filmmaking is an emotional and spiritual journey that can move grief and create deep creative fulfillment.
  2. Directing is physically and mentally demanding — it requires stamina, constant presence, and the ability to multitask through long, tiring shoot days.
  3. Building intuition is a process. Know your story and tone early, learn technical filmmaking vocabulary, and use visual prototypes (storyboards, reference images, rough cuts) to communicate and refine ideas.

Happy Sunday

Story Club with George Saunders • 59 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. The post features a mix of content including answers to questions and plans for future group activities. It's great to have something engaging and interactive to look forward to.
  2. The author apologizes for missing a previous post, showing accountability. It's nice to see someone taking responsibility and connecting with their audience.
  3. Content is mainly for paid subscribers, emphasizing a supportive community. Being part of a paid group can give access to exclusive insights and shared experiences.

The End

Story Club with George Saunders • 52 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. The story 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich' has a powerful ending that raises many thoughts and feelings. It's a perfect example of how storytelling can deeply impact us.
  2. As you read stories, pay attention to what captures your interest or confuses you. These moments can lead to deeper understanding and help improve your own writing.
  3. Discussing stories in a group can enhance your experience. Sharing questions and thoughts can lead to exciting discoveries and insights into the text.

The Breadcrumbs Project: My Sister's Hand

The Reclamation Era • 39 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. The bond between siblings is special and unique. Growing up with a brother or sister creates a connection that nobody else can replicate.
  2. Sharing childhood memories can strengthen sibling relationships. These memories can serve as comforting reminders of support and love, especially during tough times.
  3. Rituals between siblings, like saying goodnight, create lasting emotional ties. These small gestures can help foster a sense of security and connection that lasts into adulthood.

The Origin of an Assassin

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 22 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Writing a novel can feel magical when ideas flow easily, but it can also be really challenging. It’s important to keep writing even when things get tough because that helps you find clarity.
  2. Understanding a character's motivation is crucial in storytelling. Characters need realistic reasons for their actions, but sometimes those reasons can be confusing, just like in real life.
  3. Modern technology, like drones, brings new challenges for society and storytelling. The fear of anonymously caused violence is a theme worth exploring in fiction.

Why I’m back on OnlyFans

Sex and the State • 58 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. The main reason for returning to OnlyFans is to earn more money. Earning from Substack alone isn't enough to live on, so diversifying income is essential.
  2. Posting adult content also helps reduce the stigma around sex work. It's a way to show that feminist women can choose to do this work confidently.
  3. Storytelling and representation are important. There’s a belief that making adult content can contribute to changing perceptions about gender and sexuality in society.

Y'all Ain't Gonna Believe This...

The Experiment • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The post discusses the story of a fascinating case where a client shot her husband's testicle and the surprising legal outcome.
  2. McCracken Poston Jr. is highlighted as an exceptional storyteller, with a talent for captivating narratives.
  3. The post shares insights into Poston's life and experiences, showcasing his skills as a lawyer and the journey of writing his book.

Guest Post: Baale and Mugudu

The Story Birds • 39 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The story of Baale and Mugudu is a cautionary Tulu folktale about a brother and sister who turned into fish, emphasizing the consequences of breaking promises.
  2. In Tulunad, festivals like Keddasa are celebrated to honor Mother Earth and mark the blooming season with festivities.
  3. The tale highlights the importance of honoring traditions and following certain rules to lead a healthy and prosperous life.

Star Trek: Resurgence

Have You Played? • 39 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Storytelling
  1. Star Trek: Resurgence is a dialogue-driven adventure game focusing on preventing an interplanetary war.
  2. The game mimics the style of Star Trek: The Next Generation with dialogue choices that affect crew opinions.
  3. The inclusion of unnecessary minigames like stealth and tricorder scanning detract from the core storytelling experience.

The Coming of Enki II

Confections & Reputations • 39 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
⚔ Fiction Storytelling
  1. The story follows a character named Chloe who navigates between the real world and a connected Net
  2. Chloe's advanced linguistic abilities hint at potential issues with the Vāc translation system
  3. The narrative delves into a futuristic world where technology and artificial intelligence play integral roles in everyday life

Writing by a "Dossier" Method (?)

Story Club with George Saunders • 65 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. You can start writing a story just by focusing on your characters first. Get to know them well before adding any plot or action.
  2. There’s no one right way to create a story. Different methods can work, and it’s okay to lean into what feels right for you.
  3. If your story feels a bit flat, try making your characters interact more. This can help bring energy and connection to the narrative.

Experiments in style: Computer-generated version

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 5 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Computers can create stories, but human touch in writing is still valued. While computerized stories can be generated, they often lack the depth and creativity that a human author brings.
  2. Experimenting with writing styles can improve skills. Attempting to rewrite a piece in a different style helps writers learn and grow by challenging their usual methods.
  3. AI-generated content can be surprising and funny. Sometimes, the results can be both unexpected and entertaining, showing that computers can produce amusing or interesting twists on stories.

Mastering the Alchemy of AI Storytelling

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🚌 Education Storytelling
  1. A hands-on, multi-week seminar teaches writers and artists to use AI as a creative ally for making meaningful short-form videos, emphasizing craft, intention, and experimentation rather than button-click tutorials.
  2. Seasoned instructors and guest teachers guide practical workflows and help students make narrative, visual, and thematic choices that keep human agency and embodiment central.
  3. The program aims to be accessible with discounts, a limited-time late-bird sale, and partial or full scholarships available for those in financial need.

The High Realm Trilogy

Trantor Publishing • 39 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. When choosing books to review, focus on those that are enjoyable, not well-known, and offer something interesting to discuss.
  2. Creating children's literature with conservative values is important to provide alternatives to modern ideological narratives.
  3. In storytelling, it's crucial to balance delivering moral lessons with engaging and entertaining narratives.

Screenwriting

Story Club with George Saunders • 57 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Writing for film and TV is different from writing books. In screenwriting, many choices depend on how the scene is shot and performed, which isn’t just up to the writer.
  2. Screenwriting can feel frustrating because it limits the writer's control over language and detail while also feeling liberating since writers can imagine big, wild scenes without needing to describe every detail.
  3. It's common for writers to have strong opinions about their work in fiction, while they might be more unsure when writing scripts. This can lead to both hesitance and exploration in screenwriting.

All the prompts & ideas

Both Are True • 24 implied HN points • 28 May 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Joining the BATCAVE gives you access to many prompts and ideas for writing.
  2. New prompts are added regularly, especially after live writing sessions.
  3. It's a membership for paid subscribers, so sign up to get involved!

Why Podcasts Are A Cultural Artefact

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Podcasts have become a cultural artefact, deeply embedded in the aesthetic aspect of culture, and are here to stay
  2. The success of a technology within a cultural system is influenced more by norms, behaviors, customs, and traditions than by economic models
  3. The primary reason podcasts are a cultural artefact is their ability for audio storytelling, which is a fundamental human survival mechanism

The Explorers Club Edition

Why is this interesting? • 120 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. The Explorers Club has a rich history of adventurers and remarkable achievements like reaching the North Pole and diving to the ocean's deepest point.
  2. The club features fascinating artifacts such as a Yeti scalp, Egyptian writings, and rare animal specimens, creating a real-life 'Night at the Museum' experience.
  3. Through narratives like 'As Told at the Explorers Club,' the journal presents contemporary stories of adventurers like Thomas Baker Slick Jr., who sought legendary creatures like the Yeti.

Redemption

Skunk Ledger • 184 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Limiting storytelling structures can restrict your understanding of the world.
  2. Being too focused on intellectual pursuits can lead to missing out on life's richness.
  3. In the end, simple stories may be all that matter.

Catechism

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Sometimes, stories that seem fascinating can feel boring in real life. The excitement gets lost during retelling.
  2. The editing process is really important in filmmaking. Editors can completely change how a story is perceived.
  3. People in the industry often have their own struggles and past experiences that influence their work and attitudes.

Diary #11

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The writer describes being in a box, feeling isolated and unheard, reflecting on the concept of 'shriek' and the time spent waiting.
  2. An interaction in the kitchen highlights the repetitive use of 'vibe' by a colleague, showcasing how language can lose meaning through overuse.
  3. Observing a chaotic meeting from within the box, the writer reflects on time management and the uncertainty of future opportunities.

Stand for something

Soaring Twenties • 255 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Stand for something in life, have a purpose or a cause that you believe in.
  2. Sometimes getting stuck in a mundane job can lead to reflecting on personal values and taking actions to change the situation.
  3. Questioning what you stand for can lead to moments of self-realization and empowerment to make bold decisions.

"Theft"

Story Club with George Saunders • 54 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. The story explores deep feelings of loss and how they impact our lives. It shows that remembering past losses can affect our present emotions.
  2. Katherine Anne Porter's 'Theft' invites readers to think about the nature of storytelling. It provides insights that can help us understand stories better.
  3. There’s an interesting trivia piece related to the story that sheds light on its themes. Learning these little facts can enhance our appreciation of the narrative.

On Titles

Story Club with George Saunders • 57 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Titles should be simple and not give too much away about the story. A good title can grab the reader’s attention without being too clever or obvious.
  2. Many titles come to the writer naturally while working on the story. They might pop into the writer's head without much effort.
  3. It's important for a title to resonate with the story after it's read, adding extra meaning while still not being overly complicated or distracting.

Nothing ever happens / everything happens all the time

The Leftovers • 59 implied HN points • 17 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. Sometimes unexpected encounters and coincidences can lead to introspection and a desire for change in life.
  2. The exploration of doppelgängers, mundane events, and abrupt endings in storytelling can spark contemplation on the nature of existence and personal identity.
  3. Sharing experiences and moments of synchronicity with others can create a sense of connection and shared purpose, transcending individual narratives.