The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

How to Write a Speech: Tips from MLK’s Notes

Noted • 904 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Speeches
  1. There are formulas for writing speeches that have been used for centuries, but the key is adding your unique style to them.
  2. Martin Luther King Jr. mastered sermon delivery formulas and added his own unique style to them.
  3. Following MLK's speech templates is a good starting point for becoming a better public speaker.

15 Random Things That Will Probably Help Your Publishing Career Much More Than an MFA Ever Could (or Writers’ Conferences, or AWP)

How to Glow in the Dark • 825 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
📚 Literature Publishing Writing Success Career Commercial
  1. Success in book publishing is unique and can't be replicated by following the traditional path
  2. MFAs and writers' conferences have value, but they don't guarantee commercial success as an author
  3. Factors like platform, artistic skill, and personal artistic style are crucial for achieving a big book deal

Why are famous writers suddenly terrible when they write on Substack?

The Intrinsic Perspective • 7343 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing Authors Publishing Substack
  1. When famous writers switch to Substack, their writing often changes in quality and style.
  2. Traditional publishing involves a pipeline of manuscript workshops, agent and editor contributions that can shape a writer's work.
  3. Writing online on platforms like Substack demands more frequent and authentic output compared to industry standards.
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The Arc of it All

CRAFT TALK • 3636 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Novels Books Creativity Inspiration
  1. The author reflects on their writing journey and the unexpected evolution of their career.
  2. Writing novels is challenging but familiar, while exploring self-help books presented a new set of difficulties.
  3. The upcoming book focuses on creativity and writing, drawing inspiration from various voices to guide aspiring writers.

In pursuit of a masterpiece

The Novelleist • 901 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Novels Art Creative Process Inspiration
  1. The author values creating a masterpiece in their writing, taking time to explore and research different elements.
  2. The author emphasizes the importance of incorporating personal experiences and uniqueness into artistic work to differentiate it from others.
  3. The author recognizes the need to slow down the creative process to pursue a masterpiece, allowing for deeper exploration and refinement.

Declaration of an Independent

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 963 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
📚 Literature Biography Autobiography Writing Reading Memoir
  1. Benjamin Franklin was a self-taught writer who used creative exercises to improve his style and vocabulary.
  2. Franklin's independence and determination are evident in his self-made man mentality and unique approach to life.
  3. His commitment to self-improvement, public service, and scientific innovation showcase his individualism and contribution to society.

Breaking Up with Your Words

CRAFT TALK • 3144 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing Editing Author
  1. Editing ruthlessly is important in creating a concise and impactful story.
  2. Letting go of words during the editing process is necessary for the evolution of the story.
  3. Receiving praise for your work brings relief and joy, validating the effort put into crafting your story.

Fall Vibes

CRAFT TALK • 3321 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Creativity Self-care
  1. Fall is a good time to reflect on accomplishments and creative projects.
  2. Identify blind spots in your work and seek feedback to improve.
  3. Take a gentle and nourishing approach to self-care and writing in the final season of the year.

Giving it all away

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 3215 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
📚 Literature Books Writing Poetry Storytelling Novel
  1. Growing up in a working-class family, Dr. Sharon Blackie defied societal expectations to become a writer.
  2. Writing formula fiction wasn't for Dr. Blackie, who found her authentic voice in crafting scenes with compelling imagery.
  3. Through mentorship, Dr. Sharon Blackie learned the importance of the craft of writing, emphasizing the beauty of language and evoked images.

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.

The Novel as Shaggy Dog Joke

Counter Craft • 556 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📚 Literature Novels Authors Writing Meaning
  1. In novels, it's okay to break traditional writing rules and do something unexpected.
  2. Shaggy dog jokes delay the punchline for as long as possible, focusing on the journey of storytelling.
  3. Some novels, like Kafka's 'The Castle,' deny expected resolutions, finding meaning in the denial.

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.

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.

Data at Depth 11: Diversity, Adversity, Case Study With GPT-4 and External Validation

Data at Depth • 59 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Data Analysis Writing Machine Learning
  1. Documenting and analyzing your journey as a creator can help identify patterns of growth and areas for improvement, like diversification across social media platforms.
  2. Engaging in strategic thinking, research, and creation can lead to significant accomplishments, such as getting articles published and boosted, validating your skills as a writer.
  3. When using tools like GPT-4 for tasks like title generation, it's crucial to validate their output externally to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

My Thoughts on Getting Paid on Substack

Lore Ferguson Wilbert • 2594 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Social media Digital Platforms Personal Finance Content creation
  1. Subscription models for writers can provide a way for readers to support them financially.
  2. Freelance writing often pays very little in relation to the amount of work that goes into it.
  3. Being supported by reader subscriptions can allow writers to focus more on their writing and less on social media and algorithms.

Sea Change

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1317 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
📚 Literature Nature Writing
  1. The post is about early writing on place from 2008, dug up from the author's computer. They were living on a croft by Loch Broom at the time.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive content on the topic.
  3. Readers can subscribe to get access to more of the author's content about 'Sea Change'.

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.

Proud Flesh

The Audacity. • 3380 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Motherhood Trauma
  1. The post is about an essay titled "Proud Flesh" by Catherine Gray, an emerging writer from Mississippi.
  2. Catherine Gray's work explores themes of motherhood, loverhood, and healing from sexual trauma.
  3. The essay "Proud Flesh" was published on audacity.substack.com for paid subscribers.

Publishing Amid the AI Deluge

Risk Musings • 458 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction AI Publishing Writing Career
  1. During the pandemic, there was a surge in manuscript submissions to publishers.
  2. AI technology like ChatGPT is being used to generate online book content, affecting discoverability and quality.
  3. The future of novel-writing as a career is uncertain due to AI's impact on the industry, with potential polarization into superstars and hobbyists.

Why it’s so hard for writers to ask for money for their work

Subtle Maneuvers • 4206 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Creativity
  1. Asking for money for writing can be challenging for writers due to internal conflicts and complexities.
  2. Writers may struggle to ask readers for payment because of feelings of guilt and the fear of burdening others.
  3. One possible explanation for the difficulty in asking for money is the internal conflict arising from seeking compensation for creative work.

life is like an enormous pavlova

sweater weather • 4107 implied HN points • 24 May 23
📚 Literature Writing Book Reviews
  1. The author reflects on the release of their new book and shares personal insights about the writing process.
  2. The author talks about learning to disconnect their self-worth from how their work is perceived by others.
  3. The author describes a joyful celebration of their book release, overcoming past feelings of unworthiness and enjoying the moment.