The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Calling All Future Newsletter Superstars From Europe (Especially Germany)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 839 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
💼 Business Marketing Writing Entrepreneurship Online Platforms Content creation
  1. There are new features for Substack that help non-native writers, like setting a default language for their newsletters.
  2. German-speaking writers want to connect and collaborate more, and there's a new online space for this group to share and improve their skills together.
  3. It's important for writers to stay consistent and confident, even if they feel like no one is reading their work.

On Writing

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 4886 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Creativity Authors Memoirs Books
  1. The key to writing is having a point of view and putting in the effort consistently, regardless of any specific method or process.
  2. Creativity involves both insight and persistence; don't underestimate the value of persistent effort in generating creative ideas.
  3. Writing regularly may involve accepting that initial drafts may not be perfect, embracing bad writing as part of the process, and persisting through writer's block.

one more turn...

visa's voltaic verses ⚡️ • 21 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gaming Writing Leisure Friendship Personal Growth
  1. Playing games like chess and Sudoku can feel really rewarding, especially when there's a sense of progress and learning involved. It's nice to have fun and feel your skills improving over time.
  2. Game sessions can feel well-spent when they involve teamwork and shared goals. Achieving something challenging with friends can create great memories and a sense of achievement.
  3. Writing can be challenging, especially when figuring out how to express ideas in a satisfying way. Finding the right routine and format is key to feeling good about your work.

Are Books Worth Writing?

David Friedman’s Substack • 260 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Nonfiction Writing Publishing Reading
  1. Writing a book can help spread ideas more effectively than blog posts. Books allow for a more organized presentation of related thoughts.
  2. Converting blog posts into a book can save time since it involves editing rather than starting from scratch. It builds on existing content, which can be easier.
  3. There's a possibility to create short books or combine related topics into one longer book. Exploring these options might benefit both the writer and the readers.
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20 books I didn’t read this year

Austin Kleon • 1958 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Books Reading Writing
  1. There's no shortage of books to read, so it's okay not to finish them all. It's a reminder that reading is a journey, not a race.
  2. Having a list of books you didn't read can reflect your interests and ongoing projects. It can actually tell you a lot about what you want to explore next.
  3. Taking breaks from reading or not finishing certain books doesn't mean you're not engaged. Sometimes, other things in life take priority.

Do You Need A.I.?

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 29 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Innovation Digital Media Ethics Writing
  1. Many people want AI for its potential benefits, but it's not clear if we really need it. Some believe it's being pushed too hard by those who stand to profit.
  2. AI has the potential to help in areas like medicine, but there's skepticism about its overall impact on creativity and art. It's hard to see what new art or literature AI has created that we couldn't do ourselves.
  3. Technology like typewriters or the internet filled real needs, while AI seems more like something we want rather than need. Its successes are still uncertain, leading to concerns about its role in society.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 92 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
📚 Literature Writing Fiction Creative Process Storytelling Literary Analysis
  1. It's important to notice areas in your writing that feel off or unsatisfying. These areas can guide you to make better changes and improve your story.
  2. Polishing your writing helps you see new possibilities. Once everything looks clean, you might realize something about the overall structure or flow that needs adjusting.
  3. Practicing writing through revision is key. Focus on small sections of your work and ask yourself how they can be improved, which can reveal new ideas for your storytelling.

How Much Money Can You Make Writing on Medium in 2024?

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1099 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Writing Income Content creation Online Platforms Freelancing
  1. You can make money writing on Medium, but it takes time, effort, and a good strategy. Many writers don't succeed because they rush or lack a clear plan.
  2. Medium has a large potential audience and a payment program that can benefit writers. However, most writers earn less than $100 a month because they don't utilize this platform effectively.
  3. Many new writers quit after a year due to slow growth and unrealistic expectations. It's important to stay committed and focus on improving your writing and promotion strategies.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

History, etc • 1788 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📚 Literature Writing Publication Events Podcasts Fiction
  1. The writer expressed gratitude to the readers for their support throughout the year.
  2. The newsletter has grown to over 12,000 readers with various engaging content like Q&A, interviews, and history quizzes.
  3. Future plans for the newsletter include more content like monthly interviews, history quizzes, and maintaining subscription prices until 2025.

Happy Birthday, Machine Shop

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop • 2614 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Music Creativity Community Visual Arts
  1. The author reflects on the one year anniversary of their newsletter/blogsite, celebrating the community and support they have received.
  2. Throughout the year, the author engaged with their audience through various creative endeavors like podcasting, sharing demos, writing a book, and giving insights into their musical process.
  3. The author expresses excitement for the future of their platform, emphasizing a shift away from mainstream social media to focus on creating a meaningful body of work on The Machine Shop.

Even More Words About Words

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 121 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
📚 Literature Linguistics Language Writing Words Communication
  1. Many words in English have one side that is commonly used, while their pairs are often ignored. For example, you might be 'disgruntled' but have never been 'gruntled.'
  2. Language evolves and new words are created when two concepts come together. Words like 'email' started as 'electronic mail' and have changed over time.
  3. As words change, their pronunciation also shifts. For instance, 'bookshop' is pronounced differently than 'book shop,' showing how language and speech develop over time.

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.

Remembering what you want out of books

Austin Kleon • 1918 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
📚 Literature Reading Writing Authors Books Memoir
  1. Different writers can evoke different feelings. Some are frustrating to read but still valuable, while others are delightful and can leave you feeling a bit lost.
  2. Knowing what you don't want to read is just as important as knowing what you do want to read. It helps you focus on the books that truly matter to you.
  3. Reading can be both a joy and a discipline. It's about finding the balance between what you think you should read and what you actually want to read.

A new and improved Film and TV Newsletter Directory

Textual Variations • 265 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Film TV Media Writing Design
  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.

Two Years of Writing Emails

Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith • 2535 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Community Personal Growth Body Image Feminism
  1. Virginia Sole-Smith started Burnt Toast newsletter two years ago after leaving freelance writing for corporate media.
  2. Paid subscriptions from the community made it possible to sustain Burnt Toast, support marginalized voices, and fund various projects.
  3. The newsletter created a safe space for discussing body liberation, anti-fat bias, and building a supportive community.

Another Boringly Obvious Observation

Chuck Palahniuk's Plot Spoiler • 2437 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
📚 Literature Writing Storytelling Experience Education
  1. Recall incidents like the Ross Steering Gear crisis can have broader impact on industries and supply chains.
  2. Combining personal experience with technical skills is crucial for writers to create meaningful work.
  3. According to one study, people tend to create their masterpiece around the age of thirty-one by combining formal education with life experiences.

Deep-research an article with me

The Novelleist • 445 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🚌 Education Workshops Research Writing Learning Collaboration
  1. There is a six-week workshop for writers where they can learn about researching articles in real time. It will involve weekly calls to discuss research processes.
  2. Participants can bring their own story ideas or topics to explore alongside the main research topic. This helps everyone stay engaged and learn together.
  3. The workshop is open to paid subscribers who want a more intimate learning experience and will have access to recordings if they miss a session.

Quick Advice on Writing Essays

Niko McCarty • 399 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🚌 Education Writing Research Teaching Essays Literacy
  1. Start your essay with a focused idea. Make sure it's specific enough to explore and not too broad.
  2. Outline your essay and list the questions you want to answer. This helps you stay organized and focused on what you need to research.
  3. Research answers to your questions one at a time, then compile your findings into a structured essay. This makes writing easier and clearer.

On Franz Kafka and Escaping into Literature

Vremya • 159 implied HN points • 21 Jul 24
📚 Literature Literary theory Authors Writing Reading Cultural criticism
  1. Franz Kafka had a tough relationship with his dad, which influenced his writing. He often used literature to express feelings he couldn't say in person.
  2. Writing and reading can both serve as escapes from reality, but they have different effects. Writing is more about creation, while reading can feel more passive.
  3. Even though literature can help us face our fears and express hopes, we can't truly escape our lives. Writing helps us process experiences rather than run from them.

Hitting Reset Part 2

CRAFT TALK • 2358 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Authors Rejection Career
  1. Rejection is a common part of a writer's career, but it's important to bounce back and find the right fit.
  2. Finding the right publisher/editor is crucial for an author's success and growth.
  3. Building a supportive community and staying focused on writing are key to navigating the ups and downs of the publishing world.

Old notes to myself

Austin Kleon • 2358 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art Writing Creativity Literature Personal Growth
  1. Don't get too caught up in your own ideas. It's important to think about the bigger world outside of your thoughts and not just what you've read.
  2. Creating art is like sharing energy. The connection between the artist and the audience brings the work to life.
  3. Inspiration comes from what's around you, not just from within. Pay attention to the world and gather ideas from your surroundings.

Reflections on Exadelic

Gradient Ascendant • 11 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
📚 Literature Fiction Science fiction Writing Book Reviews Publishing
  1. The author's science fiction novel, 'Exadelic', mixes many ideas and is designed to challenge readers, making it a unique read. It's exciting and chaotic, similar to a roller coaster.
  2. The book reflects the author's thoughts on humanity and the future, using various themes like tech culture and dark elements to explore serious questions about being human.
  3. Readers generally find 'Exadelic' polarizing, with both fans and critics agreeing on its fast pace and high idea density, making it a memorable but divisive story.

THE JC PENNEY DEBACLE

Cintra Wilson Feels Your Pain • 1316 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion Social Issues Media Art Writing
  1. The author faced backlash and public condemnation for an article she wrote about JC Penney that was perceived as snobbish and cruel.
  2. The incident led to the author being publicly renounced by The New York Times, causing significant personal and professional consequences.
  3. Despite the backlash, some individuals supported the author and appreciated her humor and writing style.

When does a diary pay off?

Austin Kleon • 2797 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Personal Growth Creativity Reflection Memory
  1. Keeping a diary helps you pay attention to your life. It makes you notice what's happening and appreciate your everyday experiences.
  2. Writing in a diary allows you to track your personal patterns and understand yourself better over time.
  3. Having years of diary entries gives you a chance to look back and reflect on your growth and memories, making it easier to connect with your past.

Dear Subscribers

Dada Drummer Almanach • 110 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Arts Music Literature Media Writing
  1. A new program called Dada Drummer Platinum™ is starting, giving paid subscribers special access to music recommendations. This is meant to help encourage more people to support the newsletter financially.
  2. Despite a growing readership, the number of paid subscribers has not increased in the past year. The author is trying to figure out how to boost those paid subscriptions.
  3. The author values free access to articles on public advocacy and wants to keep them available to everyone. They are cautious about what content to place behind a paywall.

We've Come a Long Way

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 3655 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
📚 Literature Memoir Publishing Book Sales Writing
  1. The author shares their journey from financial struggle to success, highlighting how generosity from readers helped him transition to writing full-time.
  2. Pre-ordering a book can significantly impact its success by influencing bookstore orders, placement, and potential to become a bestseller.
  3. The book "Troubled" contains personal narratives about foster care, social class, and challenging societal norms, aiming to promote important conversations in the culture.

The First and Best Writing Advice I Ever Received

Counter Craft • 2350 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Advice Fiction
  1. Finishing your writing projects is crucial - don't get stuck tinkering, but complete and move on to the next
  2. The best writing advice is often simple - just finish your work before worrying about other aspects like querying agents or publicity
  3. Failure is part of the process - finishing means making mistakes, learning from them, and improving your writing over time