Remembering Len Deighton, a Literary Legend
RIP to Len Deighton, one of the absolute very best to ever do it https://t.co/T4JoM0Rxh1
Divorce Isn't Tragic: Review of “Lake Effect”
My review of Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s “Lake Effect” is up — a novel about what happens after two marriages fall apart (and why that might not be a tragedy). https://roncharles.substack.com/p/the-divorce-revolution-comes-to-suburbia
Genre Guides, Not Governs: Use It to Elevate Writing
I recently wrote about the downfalls of obsessing too much over your genre. That has sparked author Andromeda Romano-Lax to argue for how genre can inspire and instruct rather than limit. Her take: https://janefriedman.com/genre-as-delight-not-dictator-how-learning-about-genres-helps-you-write-better/
Treat Writing Like a Sport: 9 Mental Fitness Habits
I'm not a "genius" writer. But over the last 10 years, I have: • Published 11 books • Written thousands of articles • Built multiple 7-figure writing businesses The secret? I treat my writing like a mental sport. I use these 9 habits to stay...
Essential Winter Art Books Curated with Quick Reviews
I've picked my Top Art Books to Read this Winter for @worldofFAD - each with a concise review so you can see if it's for you >> https://t.co/b53RyZCsDR #LondonArtCritic #ArtBooks https://t.co/Si1gbPEwTb
Reading Climbs: Women Lead, Adults Average 15 Books
Here are the most recent stats on reading: • The average adult reads 14.6 books per year • Women on average read 20 books a year • Men on average read 13 books a year • 48% of adults read 6+ books in 2025 Overall, it...
The One Must‑Read Book for Youth Financial Literacy
What is one book that every young person must read if they want to build financial literacy? ⬇️
Parenting Expert Endorses “What’s My Baby Thinking?”
Beyond thrilled What’s My Baby Thinking? has been recommended by parenting expert Amy Webb, PhD (known on Instagram as The Thoughtful Parent). Amy says she only recommends baby development books that are research-based, relatable, and answer real questions from parents……so it...
Czech SF Anthology Delivers Vampire and Hard‑SF Gems
I read about half of “21st‑Century Czech SF Short Stories” on the plane. So far, my favorites are the vampire-themed “You Only Live Once” and the hard‑SF piece “Melting Point.” https://t.co/lswf3WuUCs
Essential Insights for Every Working Professional
This book is packed with great insights and is a must read for any working professional.
AI Scammers Ditch My Book, Pitch Other Authors
The AI marketing scammers don’t even want to promote my book anymore. Now they’re sending me pitches for other authors.
Essential Introductory Guide for Aspiring Traders
Highly recommend my friend Peter Robbins' @prrobbins new book The Trader's Journey. Excellent intro-level book for novices looking to get into world of trading for a living. Agree with all the conclusions. Well worth your time. https://t.co/S7AXHkEkIt
Critics Call Bessel Van Der Kolk’s Trauma Theory Pseudoscience
So some of y'all might have some feelings about this but Bessel van der Kolk is not to be trusted He uses pseudoscience and flat out lies to push his agenda in the Body Keeps the Score and while I love that he...
Skeptical of Human‑Authored Certification for Creative Work
I feel conflicted about certifications that a work is human authored. It's not something I'd obtain for my own work. Here’s why: https://janefriedman.com/my-concerns-about-the-authors-guild-human-authored-certification-and-their-comprehensive-response/
Robert Walser Reveals Walking's Truth Beyond Daily Posturing
This is such an unusual and strangely revelatory read: The forgotten visionary Robert Walser, the art of walking, and our daily dance between posturing and sincerity https://t.co/PPg7YGtIKe
Outline First, Write a Book in 30 Days
The secret to writing a 60,000-word book: (It took me 5 years to figure this out) Outlining. This is how I write an entire book in 30 days. Here's how to outline your first book in the next 35 minutes:
Kamal Ravikant's Raw Memoir Reveals Hidden Struggle
Everyone knows @naval. Not enough people know his brother @kamalravikant. That asymmetry is strange. Because Kamal went somewhere Naval never publicly went. He broke completely. And then wrote the most honest book about it he almost did not publish. Here is what I found when I...
Finding and Carrying Your Inner Light
I Touched the Sun – a tender illustrated fable about how to find and bear your inner light https://t.co/I6uFCzCfZO
Third AI-in-Finance Book Now Available for Pre‑Order
Excited to announce my third book on AI in finance coming in a few months. Pre-order now: https://t.co/pqBz1Qkiyg
Physical ARCs of “The Intrigue” Arriving Soon
For any one who is curious about promo related stuff, my publisher is going to start sending out physical ARCs of my 1940s noir The Intrigue at the end of the month. Some ARCs were already gifted at a couple...
Small Kindnesses Can Save Lives, Says Saint‑Exupéry
How to save a life – Little Prince author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who was once a prisoner of war, on the power of the smallest kindnesses https://t.co/4oUrLLfPoK
Most Regret Safe Jobs; Pursue Passion Over Money
Loving Bill Gurley's new book: "Runnin' Down a Dream" Bill Gurley's core argument is that a broken education system and family pressure push too many young people onto a conveyor belt toward a small subset of "safe" jobs — and that...
Unwritten Stories Will Break Your Heart, Says Lamott
“It’s going to break your heart if you’ve always wanted to write a memoir or novel but never got around to it.” -Anne Lamott on her Substack, 3/12/26.
From Library Babysitter to Published Author
Growing up in Philadelphia, the library was my babysitter. I waited for my mom to come and pick me up after work, and books became my safe place. I got lost in the Amelia Bedelia and American Girl book series. I...
The Borrowed Mind Tops Kindle Cognitive Psychology Rankings
A nice early moment for The Borrowed Mind. 👉The book is currently #1 New Release in Cognitive Psychology on Kindle and climbing in Epistemology. 🙏Thank you to everyone helping this conversation about AI and human thought get started. https://t.co/D7TcstgnY1
Picked Up Soji Shimada's Revised Complete Edition
I saw the revised complete edition of “Kisou, Ten wo Ugokasu” by Soji Shimada in the new releases section at the bookstore, so I bought it. https://t.co/hz4z2q6huB
Book Perfect for Graduation Gifts—Offer Assistance Here
I’m hearing this from others, that the book would make a great graduation gift. Let me know in this thread if I can help in any way.
Pre‑order “The Meaning of Your Life” For Exclusive Launch Event
My new book, The Meaning of Your Life, comes out March 31. If you’d like to pre-order, you’ll get access to the virtual launch event on March 27. You can find all the details here: themeaningofyourlife.com
Discover How Writers Earn: New Career Paths Book
My new book, Writer Career Paths, comes out March 24th! You can pre-order the eBook or print on Amazon. I've read hundreds of books on the subject of writing. But this is a book I've never been able to find—explaining the "different...
Watching My Manuscript Get Read, Pretending to Be Chill
Mr Science is always the first person to read the latest book I wrote, which inevitably means I just sit beside him with a different book, rereading the same page 3 times while pretending I’m not watching him read my...
Top Nonfiction Picks: Magic of Code and A Giant Leap
Good non-fiction choices include: Magic of Code (essays) - @arbesman A Giant Leap - @Bob_Wachter
Embrace Carnivore Leadership: Lead Boldly, Not Passively
What are we reading? Title: “Carnivore Leadership - Taking Charge Instead of Taking Shit” Author: Ramón “CZ” Colón-López @therealczcolonlopez #Books #Sales #Leadership #Marketing #Reading CC: Lori, Christina and ThePRFreelancer @theprfreelancer https://t.co/Qj7yJUamhJ https://t.co/NR9uonnxVc
Fairy Tales Boost Children's Intelligence, Says Einstein
"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be very intelligent, read them more fairy tales." On Einstein's birthday, his delightful advice on education: https://t.co/Bvsu80aPWl
Beauty Moves Us Before We Can Explain It
Beauty often moves us before we can explain it. Source: Introduction, pages 37–38 of my latest book, “The Meaning of Your Life,” to be released on March 31st. You can pre-order your copy here: TheMeaningOfYourLife.com Source: Chapter 8, “Surround Yourself with Beauty,”...
Sharing My Current Read: How To Catch A Leprechaun
📗 Currently reading: "How To Catch a Leprechaun" 📋 Anything fun on your reading list this week?
9 Hard Truth
I'm 35. And over the last decade, I have: • Self-published 11 books • Wrote thousands of articles • Generated $20,000,000 from my writing And in this time, I've faced these 9 uncomfortable truths:
10 Must‑Read Books That Decode Human Thought and Behavior
10 Books That Reveal Why People Think And Act The Way They Do, According To Psychology https://t.co/PygSZiZfBF
Now's the Time to Get This Excellent Book
If you haven’t already gotten a copy of this excellent book, now is the time.
Grateful for the Flood of TBR Shelf Additions
Too many folks to reply to, but thanks to everyone adding this to their TBR shelves on Goodreads and/or Storygraph today. *tips hat*
Authors Discuss Science Under Siege at Penn
March 26, I look forward to joining my good colleague and friend @MichaelEMann in Philadelphia @Penn @PennCSSM to discuss our recent book #ScienceUnderSiege @public_affairs https://t.co/Aigz3ETAAS
Realized My Vietnam Knowledge Was Blank, Read Hastings
afterthought had a paper due on 'vietnam'. i realized i knew nothing. here is the crushing one-volume. Sir Max Hugh Macdonald Hastings. https://t.co/ZSzLbMriI2 https://t.co/q3otI4wU71
Boost Book Club Sessions with Author Q&A and Guides
🎉 Want a fun way to kick off or wrap up your book club? 🗣️ I shared ideas like an author visit for a final session Q&A. 📚 I also mention study guides as a planning tool, including my free EdTech Essentials...
Rediscover Forgotten Neo‑Gothic Gems Worth Reading
Reposting this because I really think there are many people who would love to read this if they knew it existed. There are so many books that are forgotten and I can just feel they could find a new audience...
Exploring “TV Brain” Prose and Novel Interiorities
Had a great time chatting with Austin Wilson about novel writing, interiority, and what I’ve called “TV brain” prose. Give it a listen here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-190857559
Elsevier Wins Six 2026 PROSE Awards Across Sciences
Elsevier received the 2026 #PROSEAwards recognition for six books across Biological Sciences, Biomedicine, Clinical Medicine, Nursing, and Physical Sciences. Grateful to the authors, editors, and #publishing teams who brought these titles to life. See the award winners: https://t.co/ds2dpNXIJh #Elsevier #Health...
Linguists Aren’t Just Etymology Fact‑Checkers, McWhorter Explains
I started reading @JohnHMcWhorter’s book about the history of English. It’s so great. The first several pages are a rant about how people think that linguists are etymologists, with their little cocktail party factoids any about specific word histories.
Write Authentically, Not for Trends, and Connect Readers
Stop writing to trends. Stop writing what you think publishing wants. Stop writing to please others. And start writing what feels right and true to you. When you tune out the noise and instead honor YOUR unique voice, your readers will: 👉 Relate to your...
Terrifying Horror Books Keep You Sleeping with Lights
and for the lady, perhaps a horror book so terrifying that you have to sleep with the light on for weeks?
Find True Greatness Amid Chaos and Burnout
From @BStulberg's inspiring new book "The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World" — a book particularly welcome during a time of growing isolation and what Brad calls "zombie burnout." You can read...
Old Friends Reimagine Past, Turning 1995 Story Into Book
I shot this 15 yrs ago. One of my first with instagram. The people gave me the idea for how I could take a short story from 1995 and turn it into a book. What happens when old friends, people...