The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics
Political Currents by Ross Barkan β€’ 64 implied HN points β€’ 06 Dec 25
  1. Life is full of secrets and untold stories, especially within families. It can be hard to ask the tough questions that reveal deeper truths about our loved ones.
  2. Writing can be a way to explore and process personal experiences, even if it involves diving into uncomfortable truths or hidden aspects of our lives.
  3. Loss can deepen our understanding of relationships and the complexities of those we love. After someone is gone, we may reflect on what we wished we had learned or shared with them.
Fragmentary β€’ 550 implied HN points β€’ 22 May 23
  1. The author feels calm after book publication
  2. The political situation is described as chaotic and filled with nonsense fatigue
  3. The author dreams of living in a wood-frame passive house by a lake or sea, but worries about dramatic weather events
Fragmentary β€’ 550 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 23
  1. Before book release, authors experience a mix of nerves and poor decision-making.
  2. It's important for authors to take breaks and engage in activities that recharge them.
  3. Author reflects on releasing book without parents' feedback for the first time.
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PASSAGES β€’ 339 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. Balancing marriage and staying true to yourself can be challenging.
  2. Exploring Yellowstone through horseback riding and visits to the Grand Canyon can offer unique experiences.
  3. Communication and understanding are crucial in navigating differences and potential conflicts in a relationship.
Everything Is Amazing β€’ 923 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 24
  1. Good writing should make readers feel something. When words connect with the senses, it creates a deeper experience, almost making them live the moment.
  2. Felt writing is more impactful because it uses vivid details to evoke memories and emotions. This helps the reader connect with the story and remember it better.
  3. Mastering felt writing can help you communicate more effectively. It's about picking the right details to engage readers quickly and make every word count.
Why is this interesting? β€’ 965 implied HN points β€’ 24 Oct 24
  1. Your writing style can show how you think and might predict your success. It's not just about the words you use, but how you organize your ideas.
  2. Some people can express a lot of different ideas briefly, while others might take longer to get through them. This can affect how effectively they communicate their thoughts.
  3. Understanding how successful people manage their ideas can help us improve our own writing and storytelling skills. It’s useful to have data to back up what we believe about writing.
Why is this interesting? β€’ 723 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jan 25
  1. David McCloskey is a former CIA analyst who became a spy novelist. His experiences give depth to his fiction writing.
  2. He prefers reading books over watching TV news and enjoys exploring various topics, especially through literature.
  3. McCloskey recommends reading older spy novels, particularly by Charles McCarry, for a better understanding of the genre.
Castalia β€’ 699 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jun 23
  1. Writing is a personal journey, and it's important to express yourself authentically without worrying about pleasing others. This way, you can share your true thoughts and experiences here.
  2. There’s a shift happening in writing that values individual voices over traditional publishing authority. People want to hear from real individuals rather than just big organizations.
  3. Writing can be an ongoing process where you learn and grow while sharing. It's possible to merge your work and personal interests, making writing something you love to do all the time.
Agents and Books β€’ 314 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
  1. The post is about a Q&A session on reading habits of an agent
  2. The author discusses how agents read full manuscripts
  3. Readers can access the full post with a 7-day free trial subscription
L'Atelier Galita β€’ 339 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
  1. I always loved writing, from school to creative teenage years.
  2. There was a struggle between loving to write but not writing, like singing.
  3. Consistency in writing every day helped overcome the writer's block and self-doubt.
if not, Paris β€’ 530 implied HN points β€’ 30 Mar 23
  1. The author reflects on rediscovering their identity and self-perception through writing and self-awareness.
  2. Starting a Substack helped the author find joy in writing and create a community of readers.
  3. After struggles and transformations, the author is proud of the progress made in their writing journey.
Culture Study β€’ 2051 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jan 24
  1. The author shares about fulfilling Trans Santa gifts with donations and the impact it had, showcasing the power of community support.
  2. The post discusses upcoming content on resistance to the Airbnb Space decorating style and invites readers to share their experiences with alternative rental aesthetics.
  3. The author mentions enjoying reading a fantasy series and gathering various links and recommendations to share with paid subscribers.
Read Max β€’ 2555 implied HN points β€’ 12 Oct 23
  1. Read Max newsletter has become a sustainable business over two successful years.
  2. The newsletter has seen significant growth in subscribers and engagement.
  3. Future plans include expanding content with more writers, a possible podcast, and additional subscriber-only newsletters.
Castalia β€’ 479 implied HN points β€’ 17 Oct 23
  1. Periods are like your own voice, giving rhythm to your writing. They bring a sense of closure.
  2. Commas are your dependable partners, helping to organize ideas and making them clearer, even when there are little disagreements about how to use them.
  3. Dashes add excitement and new possibilities to your writing. They let you explore long thoughts in a fresh way, even if they feel a bit chaotic.
Default Wisdom β€’ 222 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jul 25
  1. Originality isn't everything for writers. Instead, it's about how well you can market your ideas and connect with your audience.
  2. Many writers face idea theft, but it's often just a matter of timing and who presents an idea first, rather than straightforward copying.
  3. Success today relies more on adaptability than being original. The best writers understand their audience and keep creating content consistently.
Fragmentary β€’ 491 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jul 23
  1. Pedantry in language can be a vice, but also adds to the evolution of language.
  2. Using terms like "12pm" for lunchtime can lead to confusion due to lack of clarity.
  3. The 12-hour clock system can be confusing; switching to a 24-hour system may be simpler.
Software Design: Tidy First? β€’ 1988 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
  1. The new companion model called Rent-a-Kent combines blog posts with a trained language model to promote reader interaction.
  2. Creating the companion model felt more like programming than writing a blog post, with less control over the model's responses.
  3. This new form of literature allows for immediate questions and comments without the delay of waiting for replies, but may lack the human connection found in traditional comment sections.
Vague Blue β€’ 479 implied HN points β€’ 10 Aug 23
  1. The concept of time for freelancers is different with a focus on personal freedom and measuring productivity in unique ways like word count and joy.
  2. Artists blur the boundaries between work, leisure, and art, showcasing how time is a complex tool for creativity without strict divisions.
  3. Certain artworks and films like _Blue_ by Derek Jarman challenge traditional narrative structure and compel viewers to explore abstract experiences, highlighting the fluidity and constraints of time.
The Abbey of Misrule β€’ 295 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jun 25
  1. Taking a break is sometimes necessary for our health. It's okay to slow down, especially when you feel unwell.
  2. A new book is coming out soon, and there are plans for a North American tour. This is an exciting time with many activities to promote the book.
  3. Plans for a podcast mini-series are underway to explore the book's themes in conversation with others. Engaging with different perspectives can bring deeper insights.
Freddie deBoer β€’ 1763 implied HN points β€’ 21 Feb 24
  1. Promote lesser-known creators and explore a variety of content to find hidden gems.
  2. Consider implementing more efficient processes in your work to save time and reduce errors.
  3. Expand your interests and explore different topics to discover unique perspectives and valuable insights.
Vague Blue β€’ 299 implied HN points β€’ 31 Dec 23
  1. The post discusses pleasure lists and opening lines that hold significance.
  2. It includes a curated list of opening lines from various literary works.
  3. The author references past reading reviews and offers a 7-day free trial to continue reading their content.
So Here’s a Thing β€’ 471 implied HN points β€’ 15 Apr 23
  1. Ideas for writing can come both actively and passively - sometimes they drop into your head, other times you need to create the right circumstances for them to appear.
  2. You need to understand what triggers your creative mind - it could be a specific place, activity, or even reading certain types of books.
  3. The creative impulse needs nourishment - figure out what fuels your creativity to keep it going.
The Octavian Report β€’ 216 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jul 25
  1. Short stories in magazines like The New Yorker play a vital role in showcasing American literature over the decades. They highlight different writing styles and evolving themes from the past hundred years.
  2. Even with concerns about the short story's relevance, it is thriving today due to more writing workshops and the rise of authors who produce both stories and novels. People still enjoy reading short fiction.
  3. There is no strict formula for writing a good short story. The key is to ensure there's change or development, so the reader feels they've experienced a complete narrative.
Wild Holy & Free β€’ 739 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jul 23
  1. The author finds joy and inspiration in writing and crafting every sentence.
  2. The author sold a new book project and is excited about the creative process.
  3. Updates on a Patreon meeting, Jay Z's Anti Book Ban Initiative, and Illinois abolishing cash bail.
Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet β€’ 293 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jun 25
  1. The author found a lost notebook that had a note asking to be returned to its owner, which sparked a journey to reconnect it with that person.
  2. The contents of the notebook revealed dreams written by someone, which were personal and at times eerie, showcasing the complexities of human emotions.
  3. There was a moral dilemma about returning the notebook, as the author reflected on the past experiences with its owner while trying to do the right thing.
Shades of Greaves β€’ 294 implied HN points β€’ 29 Dec 23
  1. Wizardstack supports freedom of speech and expression, even controversial viewpoints.
  2. Wizardstack allows content that some might find offensive or disturbing, emphasizing the importance of free discourse.
  3. The platform's decision to host diverse perspectives, including extremist ones, sparks debate about censorship versus freedom of expression.
lifeboat β€’ 393 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 23
  1. Winter brings darkness, but it's time to embrace it and find beauty in it.
  2. Darkness isn't just the absence of light; it has its own role and significance.
  3. Exploring darkness can lead to insights about creativity and nature's wonders.
Data Analysis Journal β€’ 452 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jul 23
  1. The author reflects on three years of writing a newsletter about analytics, thanking supporters and subscribers.
  2. The author's newsletter aims to document their journey, bridge the gap between academics and industry, and encourage classic data analysis.
  3. The author shares insights on their writing strategy, the power of being small and independent, and future plans for the newsletter.
quite useless β€’ 452 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jul 23
  1. Persistence in writing is important, but flexibility and adaptation are key.
  2. Consider finding your own way to create the ideal writing environment instead of traditional residency programs.
  3. Choosing a well-paying job unrelated to your passion can provide stability and the freedom to pursue your creative endeavors without being solely dependent on them.
Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet β€’ 794 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 24
  1. Reading and writing are changing as new technologies emerge. The way people engage with texts is evolving, such as using visual signs and orality, like in Snapchat.
  2. Young people are still writing a lot, especially through fan fiction, even if it's different from traditional literature. This form of writing allows them to express their creativity.
  3. There are concerns that the current generation is losing interest in classic literature, but there are ideas on how to make these works more appealing to young readers. Solutions may include breaking up long books into smaller, more engaging editions.
Boundless by Paul Millerd β€’ 283 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jun 25
  1. Having a regular writing practice helps keep creativity flowing. It's a great way to express thoughts and connect with others.
  2. Quality doesn't always need to be perfect; what's important is to keep sharing. Sometimes, just getting your ideas out is the best part of the process.
  3. Building a community around your work can lead to unexpected friendships and opportunities. Engaging with your audience is rewarding and fulfilling.