The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

The [Tuesday] Media Diet with Paul Theroux

Why is this interesting? • 1327 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Books Authors Novels Reading Writing
  1. Paul Theroux emphasizes the ease of staying updated on world events via online news sources and the convenience of assessing contradictions.
  2. Theroux recommends starting with Shakespeare for reading and emphasizes the satisfaction of diving into his works.
  3. Theroux prefers trains over planes for travel and advocates for road trips for the sense of freedom they offer.

Advice for Young Writers

Reactionary Feminist • 22 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Criticism Journalism Education
  1. Writing for politics can be a specific career path if you're social and good at following trends. If you like engaging with popular ideas and have a good writing style, consider internships and networking.
  2. If you're more of a lone thinker and have unique interests, traditional paths might not suit you. Instead of chasing a flashy job, think about how to create your own space to learn and share ideas.
  3. It's important to recognize that gaining experience and refining your writing skills takes time. Focus on learning and growing rather than expecting immediate attention for your opinions.
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A Search for Vulnerability in Photography

In the Flash • 2038 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Creativity Intimacy Writing Emotions
  1. Photography can serve as a shield to hide personal fears and insecurities, but writing can bring out vulnerability more easily.
  2. Starting a newsletter allowed the author to express intimate thoughts and emotions that were hard to convey through photography.
  3. Transitioning from amateur to professional photography can lead to a loss of personal storytelling and a shift towards voyeuristic work.

Productive procrastination

Austin Kleon • 2957 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Design Music Writing
  1. Productive procrastination can help you get things done while also allowing you to avoid tasks you might not want to do right away. It's about using your distractions to make progress on other things.
  2. Book design is important and can greatly impact how people perceive a book. Great designs, like those of Carin Goldberg, can become iconic in the literary world.
  3. Enjoying the little moments, like sitting around a fire, can help you focus better and recharge creatively. It's okay to take time for yourself in a busy world.

Modern heists, Wikipedia porn and bygone tickets

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 658 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Music Media Writing Internet
  1. Forcing ourselves to be constantly engaged with podcasts and media might be hindering our ability to have independent thoughts.
  2. Our constant consumption of content may lead to a passive existence where we are not actively choosing what we listen to, limiting our experiences.
  3. Reflecting on the impact of modern technologies like QR codes in theaters can help us appreciate the changes in our daily interactions and the loss of physical records.

Brilliant Young Voices

Story Club with George Saunders • 74 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Poetry Writing Reading Education
  1. True love means accepting someone's flaws and growing together. It's about being there for each other, no matter what changes occur over time.
  2. Caregiving is tough, but it is a profound act of love. It shows how much we care about someone, even when the work feels heavy and challenging.
  3. Love is messy and complicated, but choosing to love anyway is what truly matters. Recognizing our own flaws while being there for those we care about is a big part of being human.

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.

Let The Espresso Martinis Speak!

Castalia • 619 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Fiction Storytelling Expression Creativity
  1. Writing is about taking risks and pushing your limits. It's more meaningful when you explore ideas outside your comfort zone, even if it feels hard and messy.
  2. Every piece of writing starts with an initial idea or feeling. It's important to stay connected to that idea, as it shapes the entire work.
  3. Writing should come from intuition rather than overthinking. It helps to let your subconscious guide you, similar to how a performer relies on instinct during a show.

Writing 'Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'

Animation Obsessive • 4036 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Writing News Industry Culture
  1. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends was a script-driven animated series with a personal touch from the creators.
  2. The animation news highlighted 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' success globally and updates from various countries.
  3. The writing process for animation, such as the scripting, revisions, and voice recordings, is crucial for creating successful animated series.

Secret Query Tips

Agents and Books • 1139 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🚌 Education Writing Tips
  1. Agents may overlook minor details in a query letter if they really like your book.
  2. It's important to include key information about your book in a query, such as title, genre, and word count.
  3. Including your email but not your phone number won't necessarily lead to rejection by agents.

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.

Notebooks in movies

Austin Kleon • 2657 implied HN points • 17 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Film Writing Art Media Literature
  1. Notebooks often play important roles in movies. Examples include Indiana Jones' diary and the many notebooks in Se7en.
  2. These notebooks can inspire people to start their own journaling or note-taking habits. Many viewers are motivated to express themselves creatively after seeing these films.
  3. Films frequently explore themes of documentation and memory through notebooks. They show how writing can reflect a character's thoughts and experiences.

Bookish words,& their surprising stories

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 5 implied HN points • 30 May 25
📚 Literature Writing Books Reading Language Criticism
  1. Reading around a subject can deepen your understanding, even if it doesn’t directly relate to what you're studying. For example, exploring historical or literary contexts can provide valuable insights.
  2. The book 'Bookish Words' explains the origins and meanings of certain words and phrases that we often use. It makes learning about words fun and interesting.
  3. 'Bookish Words' is short and easy to dip into whenever you want to know more about language. It can also be a neat reference for impressing friends with your word knowledge.

tyranasoraus recs

Both Are True • 111 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Humor Art Writing Society Philosophy
  1. Life is full of surprises, and sometimes we face losses that feel tough, like not winning an election. It's important to keep going and learn from the experience.
  2. Every day, we have the chance to be new and different from who we were yesterday. Our thoughts and feelings can change, even if our routines stay the same.
  3. When it comes to big events, like elections or competitions, what happens in the past can really shape the outcome. Success doesn’t just come from one moment; it’s built over time.

Twenty Years Ago, Everyone Thought My Gay Teen Novel Would Flop. They Were Wrong.

Brent and Michael are Going Places • 1002 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Books Writing Social Issues Literature
  1. The author's gay teen novel, Geography Club, was initially rejected by many but went on to become a success, selling over 100,000 copies and being adapted into a feature film.
  2. The publication of Geography Club contributed to a rise in LGBTQ YA literature, leading to more diverse representation in the genre.
  3. The author reflects on the changing landscape of LGBTQ rights since the release of Geography Club, highlighting progress made while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

Vague Blue

gen yeet • 491 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📚 Literature Poetry Writing Films Fashion Essays
  1. The newsletter has a new name and will feature weekly reviews for subscribers.
  2. The author reflects on a poem by Frank O'Hara and its relevance to their life in New York.
  3. The author discusses influences and mentions relevant reporters and writers in internet culture.