The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Meander, Spiral, Explode

lifeboat • 157 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing doesn't always need a linear narrative arc; explore different structures like meanders and spirals.
  2. Finding patterns and modulations in writing can help with structuring, instead of just plotting timelines.
  3. Consider visualizing your writing as a river, tree, or collage of colors for a more artistic and patterned approach.

The Write Way - 10 Essays Later

Aurora's Almanac • 157 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing helps improve thinking by forcing you to slow down and reflect.
  2. Embrace quantity over quality to exercise your writing muscle and allow quality to emerge.
  3. Embark on a public reflection journey to share lessons learned with others and evolve personal missions.

April Update

Shades of Greaves • 157 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The author finished writing a book and is now preparing for proofreading and printing, with an option for pre-ordering.
  2. The author highlights the importance of supporting Black women athletes and shares recent writing on the topic of criticisms in sports.
  3. The newsletter includes a fun and humorous quiz comparing Thomas Pynchon novels to 90's R&B groups, showcasing light-hearted content.

Reflections of a new author (thank you, community!)

Cozy Philosophy • 79 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. The author reflects on their journey of becoming a new author and the support received from the community, highlighting the experience of sharing their book with the world.
  2. The author invites readers to join a virtual Cozy Cafe session to nurture creativity and connection, offering a space for casual chats and creative work.
  3. The author shares recent treasures like a podcast on nurturing creativity, an article on being a multi-potentialite, and a lively theatre show, providing creative inspiration.

A new and improved Film and TV Newsletter Directory

Textual Variations • 265 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The Film and TV Newsletter Directory has been updated and is back up and running. It showcases various film and TV Substack newsletters.
  2. The updates to the directory faced challenges due to technical issues and design limitations within the Substack platform. A new format was developed to make it visually appealing and user-friendly.
  3. The directory allows authors to be mentioned and notified when their newsletters are highlighted. However, there are concerns about some authors disabling mentions, which posed a problem when trying to update the directory.
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Diary Entry #5: Correlated Numbers

Shades of Greaves • 137 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Correlation does not equal causation, a lesson learned through analyzing book sales data.
  2. Promotional efforts like interviews, podcasts, and social media posts contribute to book sales, showcasing the importance of multiple strategies.
  3. Self-publishing involves hard work and dedication to drive sales; creative approaches are needed to boost book sales further.

Grow your following on Substack (a workshop)

The Novelleist • 553 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Writing
  1. The workshop offers guidance on how to grow your following on Substack and an 8-week challenge to increase subscribers by 500 people.
  2. Investing in and offering support to writers can help spark a Renaissance of literary thinkers on Substack.
  3. The goal is to expand reach and inspire the next generation to be dreamers and problem solvers through creating new ecosystems of writers.

I Wrote a Book

The Reclamation Era • 79 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The author finished writing a book after many months of hard work and revisions, organizing her thoughts and ideas like puzzle pieces.
  2. She felt a strong emotional connection to her late friend while writing, which motivated her to complete the book.
  3. The final manuscript turned out to be 191 pages long, which has special significance to her as it's her lucky number.

Spring Master Publishing Classes with Susie

SBJournal • 78 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🚌 Education Writing
  1. Classes by Susie Bright are for authors and editors aiming to be read.
  2. Students will learn how to make an impact and establish a livelihood in publishing.
  3. The classes cover essential topics like asking for favors, writing pitch letters, understanding contracts, and marketing strategies.

Clarity of thoughts

10x your mind • 159 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🚌 Education Writing
  1. Clarity in writing is crucial for effective communication. Your message should flow seamlessly like a river, and not leave your audience confused.
  2. The 3-1-1-1 framework is a helpful tool to enhance clarity in both writing and conversation. It involves condensing your thoughts from 3 pages to 1 sentence, improving storytelling skills.
  3. Applying the 3-1-1-1 framework can benefit not only children but also adults in various aspects of communication like work presentations and emails. It helps in delivering concise and impactful messages.

The most common red flags I see in nonfiction book proposals by otherwise qualified authors

How to Glow in the Dark • 359 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The most common red flags in nonfiction book proposals by qualified authors indicate focusing on personal needs over audience.
  2. Fixing editorial problems at a higher level requires deep introspection and addressing emotional barriers.
  3. Recognizing signs like lack of emotional connection in book proposals may signal the need for emotional growth and self-understanding.

Why do I Write?

Theory Matters • 3 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing is driven by mixed motives: a private need to understand yourself and enjoy the craft, plus a desire for external validation and sometimes income.
  2. Rejection and the fear of banality make writing emotionally risky, so readers, subscribers, and feedback feel like personal validation.
  3. Market pressures and AI push people toward formulaic, pitch-driven work that can hollow out a unique voice, but genuine writing still requires struggle and can’t be fully shortcut.

Sam, I Am

Ladyparts • 299 implied HN points • 03 Jan 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Allegra Goodman's journey from a young writer to a published author can inspire others to pursue their own creative dreams.
  2. Reading the works of successful authors like Goodman can ignite courage and determination in aspiring writers.
  3. Goodman's novel 'Sam' explores the struggles and transitions from girlhood to womanhood with depth and beauty.

How the written internet died

The Rectangle • 84 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Writing
  1. Pocket is shutting down, marking the end of an era for how people save and read articles online. It was a popular tool for many who wanted to keep track of interesting content.
  2. The rise of video content on social media platforms shifted focus away from writing. This change has made the internet feel different, with more people consuming short videos instead of reading articles.
  3. With Pocket’s closure, it seems like the written internet is fading away. Many feel nostalgic for when writing was a central part of the online experience.

Writing As Performance

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Writing should be a heartfelt expression, not just about craft or style. It’s important to connect with your audience sincerely.
  2. Courage and honesty are key in both acting and writing. Pushing through discomfort makes the performance more engaging.
  3. The physical presence in performance is different from writing, but both should strive to create a genuine and relatable experience for the audience.

The Magic Of Showing Up Every Single Day

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 259 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Being consistent in your creative work helps you connect with your audience. When you show up regularly, it shows that your voice matters.
  2. Writing and publishing often helps you improve your skills and gain confidence. Each story you share is a step towards becoming a better writer.
  3. Your words can inspire and impact others in ways you may not realize. Publishing consistently can create a ripple effect that reaches many people.

A Novel for the Trump Age

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 22 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing a novel takes practice and effort, much like sports or music. It's important to focus on creating and not get stuck overthinking.
  2. Interesting characters are more important than likeable ones. Even if a character has flaws, their story can still be engaging and meaningful.
  3. Novels should explore the complexity of human experiences without being overly moralistic. Readers want to connect with characters that reflect real-life messiness and contradictions.

Recommendations

Nice Try • 139 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Bud Smith will start two weekly series on his newsletter: 'Reviews of My Life' on Tuesdays, which is free for all readers, and 'Good Luck' on Thursdays, which is a paid series about his memories and creative life.
  2. He discussed the musical rivalry between Brian Wilson and The Beatles, clarifying that Wilson was inspired to create 'Pet Sounds' after the American version of 'Rubber Soul'.
  3. After reading several Stephen King novels, he decided to take a break, feeling that they were entertaining but not challenging enough, and instead chose to read more classic literature like Flaubert's 'Sentimental Education'.

The Superette

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 725 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. A Superette is a unique word that combines aspects of a supermarket and convenience store, with some preliminaries and follow-ups.
  2. The author discusses the challenge of evolving as a writer while staying true to their own style, without being influenced by readers' preferences.
  3. The essay delves into the author's critical views on music genres like rock and rap, exploring the cultural and racial dynamics of different musical movements.

Scatterbrain: a letter from the North Pole

The Leftovers • 79 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The importance of storytelling and who gets to tell stories, questioning the media's focus on certain tragedies over others.
  2. Reflection on the never-ending process of writing, revising manuscripts, and the challenge of knowing when to stop.
  3. Critique of demanding representation in mainstream media and cinema, emphasizing the need to create cultural spaces that challenge the status quo.

Information is not Communication

Sunday Letters • 99 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🚌 Education Writing
  1. Information isn't the same as communication. Communication is more about how well the other person understands you.
  2. When sharing ideas, focus on the listener's reaction rather than just giving all the details.
  3. It's your responsibility to make your message clear. If someone doesn't get it, think about how you can communicate better.

Word Homicide

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 72 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Cutting out words in writing is often necessary, even if it feels sad. It helps create a smoother piece, like making sure all parts fit together.
  2. Sometimes writings feel like lost thoughts or orphans, waiting for a place they belong. These words may have value, but not every idea finds a home in the final draft.
  3. Feeling empty after achieving goals can be common. It's sometimes better to fail because at least you have a reason for that emptiness.

This is the dream

Odds and Ends of History • 804 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
💼 Business Writing
  1. The author is considering launching a paid tier on Substack to support their writing.
  2. They have calculated that converting a small percentage of their subscribers could make it financially viable.
  3. If the paid tier is launched, the author plans to alternate free and paid content and provide additional posts for subscribers.

Words

The Leftovers • 99 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. It's important to be able to write with whatever tools you have available, but also nice to have tools that you enjoy using, as they can influence your writing output.
  2. Having a variety of writing tools at your disposal can help you develop different styles and avoid being a one-dimensional writer.
  3. Notebooks can serve as important tools for developing writing techniques, similar to practicing scales and arpeggios as a musician.

Underpinning Your Horror in the Uncanny

Counter Craft • 675 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Horror often mixes the familiar with the strange to evoke the uncanny.
  2. The uncanny feeling arises when something is simultaneously eerie and familiar.
  3. To create an uncanny atmosphere in writing, make something familiar seem strange or the other way around.

"I'm not Korean American. But I had to discover that I wasn't white."

The Recovering Academic • 138 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The book explores themes of identity and race through multiple generations of a Korean American family, highlighting the complexity and evolution of individual experiences over time.
  2. The collection features a diverse set of narrators, each reflecting different stages of life and unique perspectives, shedding light on the nuanced journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration.
  3. The concluding novella presents a symbolic homecoming and reflects the ongoing process of cultural mixing, emphasizing the interconnectedness of diverse cultures through various time periods.

The Power of Vulnerability

Eliot Peper • 137 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown is a recommended audiobook that combines storytelling and research.
  2. Make art that inspires others.
  3. Collaborate with talented designers and experts in different fields for impactful projects.

A Scared Firefighter up in the Bucket, part one

Sundman figures it out! • 137 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. The author shares a personal story of being a scared firefighter in a bucket during a fire incident.
  2. The essay touches on the author's experience as a firefighter, encounters with AI technologies, and memories of philosophical discussions.
  3. The narrative combines elements of fear, existential pondering, and the author's personal reflections on life and mortality.

Research papers used to have style. What happened?

Secretum Secretorum • 555 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🔬 Science Writing
  1. Scientists in the past were more open about uncertainties and used more expressive language in their research papers.
  2. Old scientific articles had a charming style with vivid descriptions and engaging narratives.
  3. The rigid structure and format of modern scientific writing may hinder creativity and the development of new ideas.