The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Award Ceremonies and a Book Proposal Course

Notes from a Small Press β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 25
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Being part of award ceremonies is exciting and offers great opportunities to support authors. It feels rewarding to celebrate their achievements.
  2. Teaching online courses about nonfiction book proposals is a key focus. These courses help people understand how to write effective proposals and develop their ideas.
  3. The community formed during these courses is important. Participants often continue supporting each other after the course ends, creating lasting writing groups.

If I Don't Write It Down, Will I Remember It?

The Reclamation Era β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 10 Nov 23
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Writing down memories and thoughts can help preserve them better. This practice helps keep our experiences alive even as time passes.
  2. Childhood experiences shape who we are and influence our creative paths. It's important to acknowledge how these moments impact our lives.
  3. The bond between siblings is unique and plays a significant role in our storytelling. Sharing these stories can strengthen relationships and inspire creativity.

the ways to say, I love you | poem

Tumbleweed Words β€’ 28 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 25
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Spanish has more ways to express love compared to English, showing cultural richness in emotional expression.
  2. Expressions of love can be simple and come from the heart, not necessarily using many words.
  3. In Latin America, affectionate gestures like kisses and hugs are common, making love visible and accessible to everyone.
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Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 86 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. The dilemma of balancing personal ambitions with family responsibilities is common and challenging.
  2. Sometimes being a responsible parent may mean pursuing one's artistic ambitions.
  3. It's important to consider how fulfilling personal goals can positively impact family life.

New(ish) Books

Castalia β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 22
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. The book 'Less' by Andrew Sean Greer explores themes of aging, love, and living in the moment. It shows how life can be rich and meaningful even if it's not traditional or perfect.
  2. In 'Bad Sex,' Nona Willis Aronowitz shares her personal experiences but often comes off as judgmental and hypocritical. Her attempts to connect sex and feminism reveal the challenges of aligning personal desires with political beliefs.
  3. Both books offer different insights into life and relationships, with 'Less' being more uplifting and 'Bad Sex' being more critical. They both reflect on how personal experiences shape broader conversations about identity and society.

Book Blurbs

The Analog Family β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 26 Apr 23
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Getting positive endorsements for a book feels amazing and validating. It's like receiving an A+ report card for your hard work.
  2. Writing a book is a big commitment, often without immediate feedback. It can feel scary, but it’s important to trust your instincts throughout the process.
  3. Having supportive blurbs from respected authors can motivate you to keep going, especially when preparing for a book launch. Each endorsement feels like a helpful push forward.

Agents, Awards, Taylor Swift, The Day Job, and This Very Thing You Are Reading

Notes from a Small Press β€’ 26 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 25
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. It’s important for writers to understand the role of agents in the publishing industry. Agents can help negotiate deals and represent a writer's best interests.
  2. Awards can play a big role in a writer's visibility and career. Winning an award can open doors and attract new readers.
  3. It's okay to have other jobs while pursuing writing. Many successful authors started out with a day job before making it big.

Some of the stupidest things I've heard about writing

The Leftovers β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 22
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Some writers believe you can only write well in your native language, but many successful authors have excelled in multiple languages.
  2. Don't limit yourself creatively based on outdated ideas - great writing comes from passion and skill, not language barriers.
  3. Exploring different languages can enhance your writing and bring unique perspectives to your work.

Symposium: Is the orchestrator dead or alive?

Data People Etc. β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Writing
  1. A symposium is being hosted to explore the question of whether the orchestrator is still relevant in 2023.
  2. The symposium encourages submissions of essays with a single, unique idea presented in argumentative and spirited manners.
  3. The submission process allows for both direct publication on Data People Etc. or cross-posting from personal Substack accounts.

American Made: Or, What I'm working On

Notes from a Small Press β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 12 Aug 25
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. AI is becoming a big topic in the publishing world, and it's important to understand its impact on writing and authorship.
  2. Many people have different opinions about how AI should be used in publishing, making it a complicated issue.
  3. Staying informed and discussing these issues can help authors navigate the changing landscape of publishing.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 83 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. On getting an agent: Agents are essential gatekeepers in the publishing world, helping with submissions and negotiations.
  2. Agent relationships: A good agent can relieve pressure by handling business aspects, letting the writer focus on their art.
  3. Agenting advice: Prospective agents should not charge for reading work, should be transparent about edits and submissions, and communication should be open and respectful.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 74 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Editing is a complex process that involves both line editing and structural editing.
  2. Metaphors play a significant role in writing but should not be mistaken for the actual process of revising.
  3. Approach editing with the right spirit, aiming for a balance between being too harsh and too lax to bring out your best work.

Total Editor Death

The Carousel β€’ 32 implied HN points β€’ 05 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The role of editors is really important for great writing; many famous writers had editors who helped shape their work. Without skilled editors, quality in mainstream writing seems to be declining.
  2. Today's editors often don't believe in finding true talent and instead focus on what's already popular. This can limit the discovery of new, unique voices.
  3. Creative industries seem stuck in a loop, choosing familiar successes over new ideas because of decision fatigue. There's hope that this might change as more people explore DIY platforms for fresh talent.

Tripwire Minds, Clockwork Days

Breaking Smart β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jul 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. There isn't a one-size-fits-all health routine for being creative. Some great creators thrived despite poor health, while others were fit and still achieved less.
  2. Having a regular schedule can help get more work done, but real breakthroughs often come from changing things up or dealing with strong emotions.
  3. Creativity seems to need both structure and some chaos. A mix of steady habits and moments of intensity is often the best way to spark new ideas.

πŸŽ›οΈ Kernel 5 Pitches Now Open!

Reboot β€’ 26 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Kernel Magazine is looking for creative and nonfiction pitches for Issue 5. You can share your ideas by February 1.
  2. The theme for this issue is about 'rules'β€”how they shape our lives and can both help and restrict us.
  3. They're interested in unique formats and styles, like experiments in form or creative interpretations of modern issues.

Brook Trouting Through Armageddon

Slack Tide by Matt Labash β€’ 141 implied HN points β€’ 26 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Finding solace and beauty in nature can provide a much-needed escape from the overwhelming negativity of the news cycle.
  2. Spending quality time with loved ones, like children, in nature can bring joy and a sense of completeness.
  3. Fishing and connecting with nature can offer a reprieve from the challenges of writing as a profession.

Summer

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jul 25
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Cryptic crosswords are tricky puzzles that require solving clues in a playful way. Unlike regular crosswords, you need to think creatively and not take clues at face value.
  2. In cryptic crosswords, clues can have double meanings, leading you to the answer in unexpected ways. For example, words like 'wicked' can relate to 'wick' in 'candle' instead of 'bad'.
  3. The fun of cryptic crosswords comes from the challenge and the groans you make when you finally figure out a clever clue. It's all about enjoying language and wordplay.

Think Again

CTOrly β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 30 Aug 22
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Writing down your thoughts helps you truly think and solidify ideas
  2. Crafting and molding your thoughts can give them weight and impact
  3. Regularly writing and forcing yourself to think better can be beneficial for your present and future self

How I reached 1000 followers on my blog after a few months?

layoffpreneur β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 23
πŸ’Ό Business Writing
  1. Understand what readers on Medium are looking for - authenticity and real stories rather than generic content.
  2. Avoid promoting your posts externally on Medium to focus on reaching subscribed members and maintaining a good read ratio.
  3. Maintain consistency in publishing new posts, set realistic goals, and write for a specific niche to engage followers effectively.

Pawel about Pawel

Pav writes β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jun 23
🚌 Education Writing
  1. PaweΕ‚ values distilling knowledge and brevity in writing
  2. He aims to overcome cognitive biases and prioritize precision in arguments
  3. PaweΕ‚'s writing focuses on simplicity and communicating complex ideas in an understandable way

The Newest Song?

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 11 Aug 23
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Painful Signs is a new Substack created by Joel Christensen to share longer essays and older idea renewals, focusing on ancient Greece and Rome, particularly the _Iliad_.
  2. The site will have both free and paid subscriptions, with free subscribers having access to shorter posts and paid subscribers gaining access to longer posts and the archive.
  3. All funds generated from paid subscriptions will be donated to non-profit organizations that support the study of the ancient world and prioritize public engagement, with annual statements about the fund allocation.

ChatGPT as a Straussian Writing Tool

Age of AI β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jun 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Writing
  1. ChatGPT can help generate poetry from your notes, keeping your original ideas hidden.
  2. ChatGPT can assist in presenting different viewpoints in a dialogue to obscure your own stance.
  3. ChatGPT may not excel in generating original analogies, but it can be a useful brainstorming tool.

Relating as beneficent space

Meaningness β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jul 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Writing
  1. The post discusses a Vajrayana Buddhist approach to relationships, aimed at resolving stuck patterns in personal interactions.
  2. The writer mentions upcoming topics including software engineers, stage theory, and the future of stage theory as science.
  3. The writer is contemplating the value of producing a paperback/Kindle version of their AI book based on potential readership numbers.

Discovering New Writing Topics With AI

Grant's Writing β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 02 May 23
πŸ•Ή Technology Writing
  1. AI can help generate new writing topics by exploring different directions for your post.
  2. Using AI as a research assistant involves giving specific and detailed instructions for better results.
  3. Prompting AI for new directions involves providing detailed context and being descriptive in asking for output.

Linda Pastan (1932-2023)

The Golden Notebooks β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. Linda Pastan was a poet known for her philosophically bold and unpretentious writing.
  2. Pastan's poetry explores the theme of aging, offering rich layers of different life stages and perspectives.
  3. Pastan's work reflects on the idea of being a dutiful student and the pressure to measure up in different aspects of life.

The evolution of The Quack Doctor

The Quack Doctor β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 25 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. Started as a blog sharing fascination with history of medical advertising and led to non-fiction book commissions.
  2. Struggled with feeling repetitive in blog posts without a PhD, but moved to Substack to explore broader topics like health and crime.
  3. Transitioning blog to formal encyclopedia of patent medicine and planning to introduce a podcast on Substack.

Student assignments in a time of language modelling

imperfect offerings β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 21 Apr 23
🚌 Education Writing
  1. Educators can design accountable writing assignments to help students develop critical thinking skills and focus on aspects of human writing that large language models struggle with.
  2. Encouraging students to write from different positions or points of view, reflecting on personal experiences, and engaging in writing as part of a community can enhance accountability and support the development of writing skills.
  3. Using language model tools critically involves questioning their accuracy, biases, and potential impacts, while utilizing them creatively should be balanced with considering the limitations and risks associated with these tools.

Notes from the Week - W28

Notes in the Margins β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jul 23
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Writing
  1. Reflect on your week and don't let time slip away without achieving your goals or taking risks.
  2. Asking yourself questions and setting boundaries can lead to personal growth and progress.
  3. Engaging in writing exercises, such as group workshops, can be a powerful tool for introspection and learning.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. The readers expect a cohesive story to lead them in a certain direction, answering questions as they arise.
  2. In writing with multiple points of view, the author should feel the book's need for additional voices rather than adding characters for the sake of it.
  3. One approach is to give each character enough backstory to make the current moment make sense, without unnecessary elaboration.

Cid in the architecture

Soaring Twenties β€’ 69 implied HN points β€’ 26 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. The story shares an excerpt from a novel in progress, set in a cyberpunk version of Boston, featuring multiple narrators and a mysterious character named Cid.
  2. Cid, a cab driver with unique abilities, gets entangled in a dangerous situation involving a woman named Terrah who seeks his help in delivering an item to the mysterious Gee building.
  3. The narrative weaves elements of technology, architecture, and suspense, creating a compelling and intriguing story that hints at larger mysteries and character dynamics.

Re;iNvent

Splattern β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 05 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Writing more often can help overcome the fear of failure. It's not about making it perfect, but simply sharing thoughts regularly.
  2. Sincere smiles come from genuine joy, so it's better to be authentic than to force a smile. If you truly feel happy, a smile will come naturally.
  3. Appearing unimpressed can make a strong impression on successful people. Authenticity stands out more than flattery or fake enthusiasm.

Musings #1

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jul 25
πŸ“š Literature Writing
  1. The Fibonacci sequence is a fun and creative way to structure writing, making sentences grow longer in a natural pattern.
  2. When writing reviews, it's important to be honest about a book's downsides, but personal touches can make the reviews more engaging.
  3. Science fiction has played a big role in shaping our current technology, showing that imagination can lead to real-world innovations.