The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Alan Moore: Part 1

Pizza Party • 56 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
💥 Comics Writing
  1. A practical guide breaks the craft of comics into concrete parts like structure, plot, scripting, and scene-specific pacing to help you plan and shape stories more effectively.
  2. A philosophical perspective shows that storytelling is many interlocking disciplines and that writing functions as a technology for preserving ideas, shaping consciousness, and informing creative choices.
  3. Even dense, idiosyncratic lessons contain useful pieces you can apply; mixing practical techniques with broader ideas will strengthen your creative process.

Not writing, but typing

Austin Kleon • 2677 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Using typewriters can make writing more fun and slower, helping you pay better attention to your words. They allow you to enjoy the writing process rather than rush through it.
  2. Typing out poems or favorite excerpts can be a great way to connect with the text. It feels like you're playing the words, which can deepen your understanding and appreciation.
  3. You can share your typed poems with friends in a fun way, similar to how restaurants use check pads. It’s a creative method of sharing and enjoying writing together.
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The vibration is the way in

Austin Kleon • 2977 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Good creativity comes from knowing when to take ideas and when to create something new. It's about making the right choices in what to borrow and what to invent.
  2. Getting to explore exciting events, like SXSW, can be a great way to find new ideas and inspirations. Even without a badge, you can enjoy the vibe and discover new experiences.
  3. Just like flowers, people thrive in different conditions. Some need more nurturing, while others can grow strong anywhere.

A Very Thankful Thanksgiving

Inland Nobody • 160 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Moving to a new city can lead to exciting and unexpected experiences, like finding love almost immediately.
  2. Having a good year can boost your mood and motivation, making you feel like things are going your way.
  3. It's important to take your time with creative projects to ensure they are the best they can be before sharing them with others.

No expectations

Austin Kleon • 3137 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Embrace what you have instead of wishing it were different. Focus on what's in front of you rather than dreaming about an imaginary version.
  2. When reading or writing, ask better questions like 'What is this?' instead of thinking about how to fix it. This helps you appreciate the work instead of getting distracted.
  3. Using old notebooks or diaries to inspire new ideas can be helpful. Often, there are gems in past writings that can spark fresh thoughts today.

Lo, a Substack

So Here’s a Thing • 1415 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The Substack will have a variety of content like writing thoughts, art, music, and recipes, making it an interesting mix for readers.
  2. The author promises not to spam your inbox with multiple emails and aims to be at least the second or fourth most interesting thing you read in a day.
  3. The first substantial post on the Substack is scheduled for tomorrow.

1,000 Words About A One-Liner

Technohumanism • 79 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Even with new technology, old writing lessons are still important. It's key to understand the basics of humor for effective writing.
  2. Humor can be challenging, but learning from failed attempts can help improve skills. Just like understanding a joke, getting good at writing takes practice.
  3. Making connections between topics can inspire creativity. For example, thinking about whales and AI sparked a unique comedic idea.

How I Met My Wife and Business Partner

Opaque Hourglass • 259 implied HN points • 19 May 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The post talks about a unique and interesting meet-cute scenario involving a dagger and a paintbrush.
  2. The story emphasizes the unexpected and oddly poetic nature of the encounter in the narrative.
  3. It highlights the idea of shared fate or destiny, where the protagonists unknowingly select a brush and blade attached to a single handle from a barrel.

Twenty Years Ago Today, My Life Began

Welcome to Garbagetown • 991 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Twenty years ago today, the author's first chapbook was published.
  2. The author expresses gratitude for the support and belief of key people in her life.
  3. Reflecting on 20 years in publishing, the author acknowledges the transformative power of books on readers and the tumultuous journey of personal growth.

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 • 839 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing
  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

New dreams?

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 46 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. There’s a strong sense of questioning and standing at a confusing crossroads, with many zig-zagging paths and no clear next step.
  2. Career dreams shifted a lot over time—from childhood ideas like dentistry, to writing or law, to chasing big entrepreneurial goals—showing ongoing exploration.
  3. Big ambitions and others’ expectations shaped choices but often faded or didn’t pan out, prompting reflection and a need to rethink what to pursue next.

The Monday Media Diet with Chris Nashawaty

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Reading physical newspapers and magazines provides a unique experience that's hard to replace with digital media. The tactile feel of paper and ink makes it more enjoyable for many readers.
  2. Hard Case Crime books are a thrilling dive into classic crime fiction that's not only fast-paced but also very entertaining. They bring old-school hardboiled stories back to life for modern readers.
  3. Conversations about film history can be incredibly engaging, and books like 'Pictures at a Revolution' show how pivotal moments in cinema reflect larger cultural changes. It's a great prompt to explore other recommended reads.

Almost everything I've written seems wrong now

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 2302 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Many writers feel that their past work no longer reflects their current ideas. They might find their old writing overly simplistic or disagreeable.
  2. Personal growth and changing beliefs make it hard to reconcile old writing with new thoughts. It's challenging to explain complex ideas that now contradict previous statements.
  3. Instead of worrying about regrets or how future readers will judge them, writers find peace in seeing their work as an offering. They hope that readers will learn and grow from both the mistakes and successes in their writing.

Has My Social Media Addiction Sadly Caused Me To Pathetically Overuse Adverbs?

Singal-Minded • 623 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Social media can negatively affect mental health, making people more anxious and less focused. It's important to be aware of how it can influence daily life.
  2. Adverbs are often overused in writing, which can weaken the message. Effective writing should focus on strong nouns and verbs instead.
  3. Longform writing differs from social media posts because it requires more thought and pacing. Readers expect a gradual unfolding of ideas rather than quick, flashy statements.

"Oh, You're a Writer?"

Agents and Books • 1297 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. When asked to read someone's book, be kind but firm if it's not your genre
  2. If you have to read a book that's not your taste, be polite but honest in your feedback
  3. If you notice big issues in a book, provide constructive criticism tactfully

A Search for Vulnerability in Photography

In the Flash • 2038 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. Photography can serve as a shield to hide personal fears and insecurities, but writing can bring out vulnerability more easily.
  2. Starting a newsletter allowed the author to express intimate thoughts and emotions that were hard to convey through photography.
  3. Transitioning from amateur to professional photography can lead to a loss of personal storytelling and a shift towards voyeuristic work.

On Writing

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 4886 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing
  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.

Productive procrastination

Austin Kleon • 2957 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Productive procrastination can help you get things done while also allowing you to avoid tasks you might not want to do right away. It's about using your distractions to make progress on other things.
  2. Book design is important and can greatly impact how people perceive a book. Great designs, like those of Carin Goldberg, can become iconic in the literary world.
  3. Enjoying the little moments, like sitting around a fire, can help you focus better and recharge creatively. It's okay to take time for yourself in a busy world.

Modern heists, Wikipedia porn and bygone tickets

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 658 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  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 Second Paris Substack Meetup

if not, Paris • 1257 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Getting writers to attend events can be challenging due to their introverted nature.
  2. Sometimes, the hardest part of socializing is just getting out the door.
  3. Substack fosters a community where writers can connect without pressure to network or aim for fame.

Writing in solitude

The Stoic Journal • 40 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Your best thinking happens when you stop performing and just relax into yourself.
  2. Writing for no one often reveals your most honest and important ideas.
  3. Everyday private moments — showers, walks, late nights — create the space where unguarded thoughts arise.

You Gotta Have Taste

The Biblioracle Recommends • 707 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Develop your own taste and don't be swayed by external opinions.
  2. Resist the influence of algorithms and prioritize trusting your own reactions.
  3. Exploring and articulating your taste is part of knowing yourself and resisting a culture of consumption.

Three Years of Investment Talk

Investment Talk • 1198 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
💼 Business Writing
  1. Consistent writing forces you to learn and create tangible output from your research.
  2. Network effects are powerful in growing audience; focus on maximizing them.
  3. Be genuine, give more than you expect back, and connect with readers authentically.

Q&A Thursday

Agents and Books • 668 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing
  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.

Let The Espresso Martinis Speak!

Castalia • 619 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing is about taking risks and pushing your limits. It's more meaningful when you explore ideas outside your comfort zone, even if it feels hard and messy.
  2. Every piece of writing starts with an initial idea or feeling. It's important to stay connected to that idea, as it shapes the entire work.
  3. Writing should come from intuition rather than overthinking. It helps to let your subconscious guide you, similar to how a performer relies on instinct during a show.

Dream Plagiarism

Opaque Hourglass • 419 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Dreamt lines of poetry belonging to another poet in your dream are considered plagiarism.
  2. Dreaming of poetry is seen as a unique act of copyright infringement.
  3. Belief in the connection between dreams and copyright can lead to complex ethical dilemmas.