The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics
The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 28 Oct 20
  1. Writing a newsletter regularly helped in becoming more comfortable with public writing. It was hard at first, but it got easier over time.
  2. This experience showed that sharing ideas publicly can reduce the fear of being judged and encourages clearer communication.
  3. Looking ahead, there's an openness to changing the newsletter's focus and format for the next year, inviting ideas from readers.
Critical Mass β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
  1. Jonathan Kay's diverse background in engineering and law, along with his writing across the political spectrum, makes his work intriguing and non-ideological.
  2. Kay's investigative piece on a false sex-ring claim at a university sheds light on how false news can spread and the role of media in such situations.
  3. The unique career path of Jonathan Kay, from a tax lawyer to becoming a journalist, contributes to his fresh perspective on journalism and news reporting.
Political Currents by Ross Barkan β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 23
  1. To succeed in writing, be polite but don't be afraid to be aggressive in pitching ideas and networking.
  2. Being reliable and meeting deadlines consistently is a key factor in building trust and advancing in the writing world.
  3. Embrace your uniqueness and find your voice; don't be afraid to be different in a field that often rewards conformity.
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WriMoReMo β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jan 25
  1. Reading widely helps you gather ideas and information. The more you know, the easier it is to write about interesting topics.
  2. Writing consistently is key to improving your skills. Just like throwing darts, not every piece will be great, but the more you write, the better you get.
  3. Mixing different ideas together can make boring topics more engaging. By connecting various points, you create a more intriguing narrative.
The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 19 Aug 20
  1. A book can be interesting to many types of readers, not just one specific audience. It can appeal to people who enjoy high-end cuisine or want to know more about restaurant culture.
  2. People often wonder why traditional ways of running businesses don't work well anymore. Understanding new hiring and goal-setting methods can help create better workplaces.
  3. Publishing is tricky because books often have to fit into one category. This can make it hard for unique books to reach the right readers.
CB β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 18
  1. The post titled 'Nothing to see here' hints at future content to come
  2. The author, Chris Best, encourages readers to subscribe for updates
  3. Readers are invited to leave comments with ideas for future posts
We're Gonna Get Those Bastards β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 24
  1. Jared Dillian is taking a break from writing essays to work on a second book that includes exclusive content and some great short stories.
  2. He will be restarting his podcast and has other writing projects, marketing efforts, and a big move planned, so we can expect new content from him in the summer.
  3. Jared encourages readers not to unsubscribe and mentions an opportunity to buy his book 'NO WORRIES' during his hiatus.
We're Gonna Get Those Bastards β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
  1. Artists often face a dilemma between choosing to be a critical success or a commercial success. It's usually difficult to achieve both.
  2. Popular mainstream art is often considered lowbrow compared to more niche, highbrow art. Taste of the masses isn't always sophisticated.
  3. The dynamics of the book industry have changed, with authors now needing to actively create buzz for their work, unlike the older days when browsing in bookstores was more common.
We're Gonna Get Those Bastards β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
  1. Finishing what you start is important for personal growth and success.
  2. Having a high tolerance for frustration helps to push through tough times in new endeavors.
  3. Perseverance and dedication are key to achieving long-term goals, even when faced with challenges.
Perspective Agents β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 28 Sep 23
  1. Generative AI is changing the way we think and write.
  2. Tools like AudioPen, Consensus, and Readwise are valuable for idea generation, research, and interpretation.
  3. While genAI tools can assist in writing, human creativity and critical thinking are still essential for compelling narratives.
Devansh’s Newsletter β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 20 Aug 23
  1. Getting feedback on writing drafts can improve clarity and overall quality.
  2. Encouraging multiple drafts helps writers hone their message and improve their work.
  3. Iterative writing processes, similar to design thinking, can be effective in teaching and learning writing.
Venture Prose β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 26 Apr 18
  1. Don't worry about competing with others in writing, focus on improving your own abilities and writing for yourself
  2. Writing is about self-fulfillment and expressing your thoughts, not about pleasing others or attracting fans
  3. Starting to write is about doing it for yourself, because it feels right and because you want to
GOOD INTERNET β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jan 24
  1. The novel 'The Trees' is a dark allegory on racism and lynchings in the US, told with humor and ghostly elements.
  2. The book 'Morals: The Invention of Good and Evil' explores the history of moral psychology, discussing cultural evolution and societal paradoxes.
  3. In 'When We Became Cities,' urban avatars fight alt-right tentacle monsters in an entertaining but occasionally wokism-filled story.
The Prism β€’ 4 HN points β€’ 20 Feb 23
  1. Practice epistemic humility by aiming to be less wrong rather than always right.
  2. Understand opposing views as well as your own to strengthen your own arguments.
  3. Be cautious of survivorship bias and remember that the information you see online is often a selection of the extraordinary, not the ordinary.
Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 24
  1. Terry Freedman's newsletter is for nonfiction writers and readers, covering a range of topics from book reviews to experimental writing.
  2. The newsletter offers a mix of free content and a paid tier for those interested in deeper techniques and technology insights from the writer.
  3. The content includes personal reflections, book reviews like 'The Comfort of Strangers,' and experimentation with different writing styles.
Perambulations β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jul 23
  1. Some people believe that writing helps them reveal and correct deficiencies in their thinking process.
  2. The author finds it difficult to write and think simultaneously, preferring to have a structured idea before writing.
  3. Engaging in activities like playing video games can help the author's subconscious mind solve problems related to writing.