The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Full Saturation

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 542 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Published far fewer but steadier pieces in 2025—about twenty posts—and plans to keep that pace in 2026, including one paywalled piece and at least one short story.
  2. Had several big creative wins: a standout viral article, the Historical Tech Tree project, fellowship pieces that led to print, and a short story that won 2nd place and a cash prize.
  3. Went through a major personal season—an end to a long relationship, then a new, intense romance—and came away feeling like life is more vivid, with deeper friendships, more travel, and new professional opportunities.

What Victor Hugo taught me about writing during political upheaval

The Novelleist • 586 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Political upheaval can derail creativity and make you overly reactionary, leaving you unsure what role your writing should play.
  2. Art can be a powerful tool of resistance; shifting form and tone lets writers attack injustice while still holding onto ideals.
  3. Decide whether you’ll cover the daily political trenches or use art to point toward a better future, and prioritize work that unites people around beauty, freedom, truth, and love.

Meta: 5,000

lcamtuf’s thing • 8366 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Writing
  1. Reaching 5,000 subscribers is a big deal for a project that went against the usual trends. It's great to see growth, even if it seems small compared to others.
  2. Writing a newsletter is unique because you don't get much direct feedback from readers. It's interesting to see who signs up or leaves but hard to know what they really think.
  3. Three articles worth revisiting cover complex topics: discrete Fourier transforms, fractals, and core concepts in electronic circuits. They offer in-depth discussions that are easy to understand, even for beginners.

Beyond Interpassivity

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 656 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Using AI for writing is becoming more common, and it can be just as valuable as human writing. It's important to focus on how the text impacts readers, regardless of who or what wrote it.
  2. The idea of blending human and machine writing is gaining acceptance, and it might change how we judge quality in writing. This change could lead to new standards that respect all forms of creative expression.
  3. Overall, the goal is to create texts that challenge and inspire readers, no matter the source. This approach emphasizes results and reader experience over origins.
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Idea gardens

Austin Kleon • 3976 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Creative ideas grow like plants, and they take time to develop. Just like gardening, you need to nurture your ideas to see them flourish.
  2. Not every idea will succeed, and that's okay. Some ideas might not grow well or will need more attention as you work on them.
  3. It's important to revisit your ideas over time. By looking back at your creations, you can see what ideas are worth pursuing and what needs to be pruned away.

Why don’t you try typing?

Austin Kleon • 4056 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing can feel really difficult, and it often brings back memories of hard school assignments. It's important to remember that writing doesn't have to be a punishment; it can also be a creative and enjoyable process.
  2. Like the actors who approach their roles differently, we can also choose how we face challenges in our creative work. Sometimes, maybe we just need to jump in and start, rather than overthink it.
  3. Getting caught up in complicated planning can make us feel stuck. Instead, putting our fingers to the keyboard and just typing can help us make real progress on our ideas.

How to write

Striking 13 • 2475 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing is about being in touch with your feelings and having confidence in sharing them.
  2. Good non-fiction writing starts with curiosity and understanding that everything can be interesting if approached correctly.
  3. Boredom and frustration when writing is a guide to improve the content for readers by finding ways to present information in engaging ways.

Every writing book is good

Austin Kleon • 3317 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Every writing book can help you start writing. Even if it feels hard, just getting words on a page is a big step.
  2. It's normal for your first drafts to be messy and not great. Writing is a process, and you can fix things up later.
  3. Writing can be tough for everyone, no matter how many books you've written. It's okay to feel challenged and scared about creating something new.

Choose Nonbook Review Finalists 2025

Astral Codex Ten • 4611 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. There are 141 entries for a Non-Book Review Contest that need to be narrowed down to about a dozen finalists. Everyone is encouraged to help out by reading and rating these entries.
  2. You should try to read different reviews randomly to get a fair spread of votes. If you read them in order, early reviews might get too many votes compared to the later ones.
  3. The voting deadline is June 20, and the finalists will be announced after counting the votes. So make sure to participate before then!

Undead

ASK MOLLY • 6662 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The author reflects on societal expectations and challenges faced by unfamous women writers
  2. Exploring the pressure to conform to traditional roles and the struggle to be authentic and outspoken
  3. Discussing the importance of speaking out and sharing experiences, despite societal expectations

From Beginner to Substack Bestseller | Interview with Valentin Bunea

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 999 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
💼 Business Writing
  1. Being successful in writing a newsletter takes hard work and dedication, not just a few hours a week. Many successful writers manage their time early in the morning or late at night to fit their writing into a busy life.
  2. You can build a profitable newsletter business in a reasonable amount of time each day. It's about focusing on the right tasks that bring the most value to your readers.
  3. Believing in yourself and being consistent with your writing can lead to great opportunities. Just like with fitness, doing daily reps in writing can make a big difference.

How This Writer Killed His Former Self (Drugs, Jail and Student Loan)​ and Totally Transformed His Life

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 799 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Accepting your current situation is the first step to real change. Acknowledging where you are right now helps you figure out what to do next.
  2. Reading and learning can change your life. Putting in the effort to improve yourself opens up new opportunities.
  3. Hard work is necessary for success, but luck plays a role too. By working hard, you create chances for unexpected good things to happen.

I want to share your writing

The Intrinsic Perspective • 4533 implied HN points • 16 May 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. There's an opportunity for paid subscribers to share their writing. You can submit links to your work for others to read.
  2. Submissions should be something you wrote and published publicly, like blog posts. Make sure it's interesting to the audience.
  3. The deadline for submissions is June 20th, so be sure to send your piece before then.

my variations

sweater weather • 4894 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Repetition compulsion and variation are key elements discussed.
  2. Reflection on personal growth and understanding of past selves.
  3. Importance of staying true to one's unique perspective in creative work.

Literature needs young men more than young men need it

The Intrinsic Perspective • 9247 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Literature is becoming more popular with women, while fewer young men are writing and reading it. This shift raises concerns about the future of literary culture.
  2. Many believe that this decline in male readers is harmful, as reading novels can help improve emotional intelligence and personal understanding.
  3. The argument is made that contemporary literature actually needs young men more than they need literature, suggesting a crucial void in the literary landscape.

The Future Belongs to The Imposter Writers

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 739 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Feeling fear and self-doubt is normal and can even help you grow. It means you're pushing yourself and trying new things.
  2. Everyone has their own journey, so don't compare your start to someone else's success. You are exactly where you need to be right now.
  3. Instead of letting fear hold you back, use it as a motivator. Embrace your feelings and take risks for the chance of amazing rewards.

Note on Friedman Contest

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2311 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
😂 Humor Writing
  1. There is a contest related to Thomas Friedman where you can submit your own lyrics for a song called 'Mean Mr. Mustache'.
  2. The winner will receive an autographed Rollie Fingers jersey as a prize.
  3. To enter the contest, send your submissions via email or Twitter as specified.

Substack and Other Blog Recommendations

Don't Worry About the Vase • 3404 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🚌 Education Writing
  1. Writing on Substack can help you gain subscribers, especially through recommendations from other blogs. It's a system that works well for networking.
  2. Choosing which blogs to recommend is important, and it's better to focus on quality over quantity. Recommendations should be meaningful and relevant to your audience.
  3. Engaging with diverse perspectives is valuable. Reading voices you don't always agree with can provide new ideas and challenge your thinking.

How I Write Posts

Construction Physics • 21087 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education Writing
  1. The author's writing process involves mainly two types of posts: explanation-driven and exploratory. They often write to understand complex topics themselves and then share their findings.
  2. Extensive research is a crucial part of the author's writing process. They gather information from a variety of sources like books, dissertations, and online resources.
  3. The author follows a structured approach starting from research, reading, and thinking, then moves on to compressing and structuring content, before finally drafting, editing, and posting their work.

From $147 to $1.5M Writing Online | Interview with Ayodeji Awosika

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 779 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Writing
  1. Writing can be a real career path; look at those who have succeeded and learn from them.
  2. Building a strong community and engaging with followers is crucial for success; it's better to be known and have strong opinions than to be ignored.
  3. Having an email list is key to connecting with your audience and making money; start building yours today!

Medium Isn't Dead. It's The Era of Smaller and New Writers.

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1198 implied HN points • 09 May 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Many new and smaller writers are finding success and growing their audience on platforms like Medium. It's a good time for fresh voices to emerge and make their mark.
  2. Big-name writers leaving Medium often create noise, but writers should trust their instincts and explore their own path instead of just following trends.
  3. The landscape of writing platforms is changing, but opportunities still exist. Writers can still build careers and connections if they put in the effort and adapt to new demands.

Protocolized Writing Workshop

Breaking Smart • 49 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The workshop is a free, AI-positive program that teaches magazine-style longform writing and the emerging "protocol" genre, combining broad coverage with deep, genre-specific training.
  2. It runs four online sessions across Friday and Saturday, led by experienced editors and writers; Saturday sessions have limited capacity and attendees who complete the workshop and submit a strong pitch can get an anthology copy.
  3. Organizers are building a self-publishing "factory" around AI, using tools as research, administrative, and writing collaborators to accelerate turning archival and new material into many books, with the main bottleneck now being human follow-through.

Is Honest Writing the Next New Thing in Journalism?

The Honest Broker • 18551 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Honesty in writing can be a powerful tool to break down obstacles and strengthen your writing and thinking.
  2. There are many reasons why writers are dishonest, such as to please editors, gain favors, or increase popularity.
  3. Embracing an 'honest writing style' can lead to a shift in your writing, making it more conversational and impactful.

Why Did I Start The Ruffian and Has Paul McCartney Read My Book?

The Ruffian • 356 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. A newsletter grown from social platforms can become a sustainable, full-time project if you stick with it, move to a monetizable platform, and keep improving the product.
  2. Effective writing often isn’t the result of a rigid system: regular deadlines, saving half-ideas, and committing to a messy first draft help you find what you actually think.
  3. Singular cultural phenomena like the John‑and‑Paul partnership were tied to a specific historical moment, so today’s fragmented, niche-driven media landscape makes an equivalent global creative dominance unlikely.

Why AI writing is mid

Democratizing Automation • 712 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Writing
  1. AI models aren't great at writing because they're trained to prioritize different qualities like helpfulness over style, which makes good writing harder to achieve.
  2. Models are created to be predictable and cater to average user preferences, so unique writing styles or quirks often get lost.
  3. To improve AI writing, models need to be designed with specific voices or personalities that can express opinions and emotions, making the writing more engaging.

a close read of my MFA statement of purpose

sweater weather • 4166 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. A statement of purpose for MFA programs is about explaining your reasons for pursuing the degree.
  2. In writing, the concept of 'purpose' can be elusive and complex, leading to a struggle in articulating one's creative goals.
  3. Regardless of the challenges faced during the MFA program application process, it's essential to stay true to your writing ambitions and seek to make those aspirations a reality.

Announcing The Mind Reels, and Why Only You Can Make It a Success

Freddie deBoer • 5909 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The author is excited to announce their new book, 'The Mind Reels', which is about a college student facing mental struggles. They feel proud of the work and appreciate the chance to publish it.
  2. For the book to succeed, the author emphasizes the importance of grassroots support from readers since mainstream media may not cover it fairly. They hope that readers will help spread the word and support independent publishing.
  3. There’s a chance for subscribers to win an advanced copy of the book in a giveaway, encouraging readers to engage and participate in the launch excitement.

Summer reading assignment

Austin Kleon • 7713 implied HN points • 30 May 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Get a library card to access tons of free resources. Libraries offer books, movies, and more without any cost!
  2. Don’t hesitate to ask a librarian for help. They can give you a tour and show you how to use all the library services.
  3. Try to borrow something from the library. It's a great way to support local libraries and start reading!

Why Write Anything

CRAFT TALK • 5070 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Having a quiet space like a porch can impact your creative process positively.
  2. Social media can be a mixed bag for creativity and connection.
  3. Meaningful writing requires genuine intent and thoughtfulness.

Call for Subscriber Writing, December 2025

Freddie deBoer • 556 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Paying subscribers can submit links to their writing for a bimonthly roundup by using the Google Form, and the deadline is Sunday, December 7 at 10 PM EST.
  2. Submissions must be entered in the exact Markdown format requested (bolded name, bracketed title with https link, blank line, short description) or they won’t be included.
  3. This roundup is only for links to already-hosted written work (not podcasts, streams, or to post full text here), so link to a blog post, Substack, publisher page, or Amazon listing so readers can access your piece.

Deleted scenes from Leave Society

Tao Lin • 539 implied HN points • 25 Jun 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. There are many scenes and sentences that didn't make it into the final version of 'Leave Society.'
  2. The author is considering using some of this deleted content in upcoming essays.
  3. They are thinking about naming the essay collection either 'Reasons to Live' or 'Life in Wartime.'

Minda Honey Tells Us

Cheryl Strayed • 4933 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Don't be afraid to show your emotions and allow yourself to cry to process feelings.
  2. Small habits like flossing can make a big difference in your health and well-being.
  3. Don't downplay your achievements and be proud of your work to put yourself in the running for opportunities.

Against Branding (and Sarah Fay)

Castalia • 4895 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Writing should be about exploration and self-discovery, not just about building a brand or following. Writers should feel free to express their thoughts without worrying about market trends.
  2. The idea of 'branding' can limit creativity and individual expression. People should resist pressure to conform to easy, recognizable formats in their writing.
  3. Substack was meant to be a platform for genuine writing, not just a marketplace for consumer-driven content. It's important to keep the spirit of originality and experimentation alive.

The Slop School of Internet Success and other lies about cyberspace

Experimental History • 19425 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Making a living on the internet doesn't have to involve creating 'slop' content like clickbait or scams.
  2. Success online can come from creating honest, original, and interesting content that people genuinely enjoy and share.
  3. Supporting creators financially for content you enjoy can help create a better internet ecosystem and encourage more quality content.

Shorter Writing is Not Better Writing: An Argumentative Treatise

Freddie deBoer • 8694 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Short writing isn't always better writing. Sometimes, longer pieces can explain complex ideas better than short ones.
  2. The push for brevity in writing often leads to dull and similar-sounding work. Good writing should capture unique voices and ideas without fear of being too lengthy.
  3. Many writers feel pressured to write short because of trends, not because it's the best way to express their thoughts. Confidence in one's own style is important.