Latest news with #digitalage
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - The Wellness Hour - HPB's workplace wellness programme
IT company CEO Andy Byron, captured in a widely circulated video showing him embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert, has resigned. The incident raises questions about public surveillance, workplace boundaries and how quickly private moments can become public in the digital age. Did he need to resign or could a solid crisis communication plan be enough? Hairianto Diman chatted with Hazel Westwood, Crisis and Reputation Management expert to find out.
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Did CEO Andy Byron need to resign after viral ‘kiss cam' controversy?
IT company CEO Andy Byron, captured in a widely circulated video showing him embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert, has resigned. The incident raises questions about public surveillance, workplace boundaries and how quickly private moments can become public in the digital age. Did he need to resign or could a solid crisis communication plan be enough? Hairianto Diman chatted with Hazel Westwood, Crisis and Reputation Management expert to find out.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
How Gen Alpha is rewriting the rules of luxury fashion
Just when it seems like the world has finally figured out the inner worlds of Gen-Zers, along comes Gen Alpha. Born roughly between 2010 and 2024, Gen Alpha is the first cohort to be raised entirely in the digital age, by tech-savvy, hyper-connected parents. Although a sizeable chunk of this group may not be earning their own money yet, they influence — and are influenced by — their millennial parents' shopping decisions, giving them early exposure to luxury brands. According to data by US-based media company Razorfish, 'Older Gen Alpha consumers between the ages of 9 and 13 like to shop and influence purchases, with 68 per cent owning a luxury product by the age of 10'. And luxury brands are taking note. Maire (Mo) Morris, CEO, Morris Global Consulting - Fashion & Lifestyle Experts, says that from her experience of working with luxury clients across the GCC and Europe, she's seen 'a clear strategic pivot in 2024–25 where Gen Alpha are almost the co-creators and brand storytellers in a way.' She adds: 'In the UAE market, Gen Alpha is not just influencing, it's driving luxury purchase decisions, especially in affluent families. Take Harvey Nichols new 'Luxury Family Lounge' for instance, which offers styling services to parents and their kids as a luxury family experience — complete with branded snacks, game tablets and a mini catwalk, turning shopping into a luxury experience for the whole family.' Digital natives explore virtual luxury Gen Alpha and Gen-Z are both children of the Internet, but there is a distinct difference in the way they consume it. Fashion pundits point out that while the latter tends to prefer platforms like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, the former's favourite haunts online are Roblox, Minecraft, Zepeto, and Fortnite. They create digital avatars and engage in everything from trying on virtual luxury fashion items to something slightly more mundane like completing school assignments. They are also more likely to choose brands that invest in new-age technology like augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Hence, it's no surprise that brands like Gucci, Burberry, Prada and Balenciaga have explored in-game marketing or partnered with such popular platforms to deliver interactive, virtual experiences like 'virtual fitting rooms and fashion shows'. Luxury marketing is undergoing a 'radical transformation', points out Morris, as it moves away from celebrity-driven campaigns to 'immersive, co-creative, and gamified engagement'. 'Prada's collaboration with Minecraft this year is a great example of gamified luxury targeting Gen Alpha where in-game achievements were rewarded with discounts. And Moncler's 2025 tie-up with Pokémon was a strategic hit across the GCC and Asia, blending nostalgia for millennial parents and cool-factor appeal for kids,' she says. 'And from a consulting perspective, my team is now developing content pipelines for YouTube Kids and Roblox integrations as part of the 2025-26 strategy roadmap for our GCC luxury brands.' 'Brands are very aware of the importance of these games and technologies, if they want to engage with the younger cohorts,' explains Marguerite Le Rolland, Global Insight Manager — Fashion, at the market research company Euromonitor International. Rolland authored an article titled Generation Alpha: How Fashion Players Can Target Tomorrow's Consumers, where she cites other examples of fashion brands experimenting with virtual stores – like, Spanish retailer Mango's Mango Teen products in Roblox's Outfit Shopping Mall, where 'the platform's users can try on and purchase digital garments'. 'When I look at all the metaverses and gamification experiences, it seems to speak more to the Gen Alphas who are much more into these platforms,' she adds. Amit Keswani, Chief Omni-channel Officer, Chalhoub Group, explains: 'Brands are prioritising personalisation, exclusive events and purpose-driven storytelling to build deeper, more authentic connections with younger, values-driven audiences. On our side, we have prioritised these exclusive viewings with styling lounges where we invite customers behind closed doors and offer them a variety of brands, all done in an intimate setting to understand customers better.' 'Gen Alpha's affinity for gamified e-commerce, virtual try-ons, and AI-curated content is pushing brands to innovate far beyond traditional touchpoints,' he adds. Blurring the line between real and virtual When we speak, Rolland points out that although Gen Alpha likes such virtual experiences, they also want their online world to spill over into the real world as seen in the case of the Minecraft franchise, which now includes a movie, merchandise and an immersive experience in cities like London and Dallas. 'So, in fashion, experiential shopping is super important and it needs to be visually stunning, engaging and easy to share on social media. We'll see more investments in these real-life experiences which Gen Alpha typically responds well to,' she adds. It might be unfair to generalise an entire generation, but Gen Alpha generally gravitates toward brands that are seen as cool, sustainable and inclusive of diverse body shapes, sizes and skin tones. And as Rolland points out, they do not hesitate to express their disappointment online if they feel like brands don't represent them well enough. Breeding brand loyalty Morris explains that luxury companies understand that 'early exposure to a brand's world builds long-term loyalty'. 'Balenciaga's Fall 2024 activation with Fortnite, where they launched a real-life capsule collection that mirrored the in-game items, wasn't just about selling skins (or, virtual outfits or costumes) — it was about embedding the brand into the cultural memory of an 11-year-old who'll make their first designer sneaker purchase by 16.' Rolland also points out that more luxury fashion brands will transform into lifestyle brands by branching out into sectors like hospitality, food service and bespoke travel. This strategy is not targeted at Gen Alpha and is more of a 'short-term decision to boost revenue streams, to diversify, and limit risks', but it will nevertheless influence younger customers by delivering brand-driven experiences that have great recall value. For instance, a 10-year-old might be too young to buy Tiffany jewellery, but she will definitely remember having a lovely time at Tiffany's Blue Box Cafe as a child. Sarah Silsbury, a Dubai-based stylist, personal shopper and image consultant who has curated looks for leading brands in the UK and UAE, too, agrees. 'Tiffany & Co.'s 'Return to Tiffany' silver range acts as a gateway collection, designed to capture a younger audience early in their luxury journey, giving them that first taste of the Tiffany magic without the hefty price tag,' she explains. 'It still feels special, still carries that iconic blue-box moment, but it's more within reach. The hope, of course, is that once they're in, they'll stick with the brand as they grow up and eventually come back when they're shopping for engagement rings and proper grown-up jewellery.' Silsbury also explains that most of her clients have Gen Alpha kids, who they end up shopping for. 'Gen Alpha is younger and often exposed to luxury through their family's purchasing habits. There are lots of 'mini-me' collections now — brands like Gucci, Dior and Balenciaga have all launched kidswear that mirrors adult collection,' she says.
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A Cybersecurity Primer For Businesses In 2025
Encryption your data. Binary code and digital Lock. Hacker attack and data breach. Big data with ... More encrypted computer code. Safe your data. Cyber internet security and privacy concept. Database storage 3d illustration Key perspectives and strategies to defend against the ever-growing tide of cyber risks. Understanding the fundamentals of cybersecurity is increasingly important in our digital age. Cybersecurity, at its core, involves protecting computer systems, networks, and data from attacks, damage, or unauthorized access. As society becomes increasingly reliant on technologies, the risks associated with cyberattacks grow exponentially. In today's interconnected world, common threats such as malware, phishing, and ransomware have become more prevalent. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in software and human behavior to gain access to valuable data. And cyber threats are not limited to high-profile incidents against government entities or large corporations; they pose a direct risk to small and medium companies, individuals, infrastructure, and the economy as a whole. Cybersecurity is essential for the digital age: cybersecurity is not just a technological issue but a security problem. It is crucial for survival and thriving in the digital age, not just a business cost item. Moreover, the implications of neglecting cybersecurity can be severe, affecting a company's reputation, financial standing, and legal compliance. This reality makes it clear that a solid cybersecurity strategy is necessary for success. Isometric illustration of a hacking attack or security breach. 3D rendering Understanding The Rapidly Evolving Threat Landscape The landscape of cybersecurity is a complex environment that is changing rapidly, driven by persistent threats like ransomware and state-sponsored cyber warfare. Ransomware attacks have surged, targeting organizations of all sizes. These attacks often involve encrypting critical data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. The financial implications can be severe, forcing many companies to reconsider their cybersecurity strategies and invest in advanced protection measures. Hackers' use of AI tools has increased the risks that businesses face from cyberattacks. They use AI to create advanced malware and automated phishing efforts that may evade traditional security measures in order to create adaptable threats. Cybercriminals are currently employing AI to generate phony company profiles and counterfeit identities and using large language models to craft more convincing spear-phishing messages. The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices adds another layer of complexity to this threat landscape. Many IoT devices have weak security protocols, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Once compromised, these devices can serve as entry points for larger attacks on networks, potentially leading to significant data breaches. With the increasing number of connected devices in homes and businesses, the risk of exploitation only grows. In this environment, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive, adjusting their defenses to counteract new types of threats. As attacks become more advanced, protection strategies must also adapt. This defensive posture will require not only technological upgrades but also a commitment to understanding regulatory and ethical considerations surrounding cybersecurity. Risk The Need for A Cybersecurity Risk Management Strategy A well-rounded cybersecurity strategy requires several key components to effectively protect against threats and manage risks. That includes doing risk assessments. Organizations should first identify and evaluate their vulnerabilities, understanding which assets are most at risk and the potential impact of distinct types of attacks. This assessment informs priorities, enabling institutions to allocate resources effectively. Once risks are understood, implementing security measures becomes the next logical step. These measures can range from technical solutions like firewalls and encryption to procedural practices such as employee training and incident response planning. Each element should align with the organization's overall risk management goals, creating a cohesive approach that supports both security and operational efficiency. Continuous monitoring and response are equally important. Cyber threats evolve rapidly, making it essential for organizations to stay vigilant. This involves not only detecting and responding to incidents promptly but also regularly reviewing and updating security protocols in response to new threats. If a business is considering AI-related technologies. To effectively manage and use AI-based technology, the business will need to set up a cybersecurity and AI risk framework A proactive approach, rather than a reactive one, is crucial for maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture. A strong cybersecurity risk management strategy must be dynamic and integrated. It evolves in response to both external pressures and internal developments, adapting to new threats and leveraging emerging technologies as strategic assets. The journey toward robust cyber resilience is ongoing and requires continual reassessment, investment, and cross-functional engagement to protect sensitive data and maintain stakeholder trust. Industrial Revolution 4.0 Age of Technology Automation Industry Factoring Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity Emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of cybersecurity, responding to the growing challenges posed by cyber threats. Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly enhancing security measures. AI and machine learning are increasingly being adopted to analyze vast amounts of data, identify anomalies, and predict potential threats before they can cause harm. These technologies enable organizations to act proactively, strengthening their defenses against cyberattacks. Blockchain technology offers a decentralized approach to data security, providing transparency and reducing the risks associated with data tampering. By ensuring that information is recorded in a way that cannot be altered, blockchain can enhance trust between users and organizations, a crucial element in cybersecurity strategies. With the rise of quantum computing, there are further implications for cybersecurity. Quantum technology presents both risks and opportunities, as it has the potential to break current encryption methods while also enabling new, more secure forms of data protection. Quantum technology promises unprecedented security measures through advanced encryption methods that can safeguard sensitive data against sophisticated cybercriminals. This convergence of technologies signifies a shift in how cybersecurity can be approached. As these innovations continue to develop, the effectiveness of protecting sensitive information will improve. However, the evolving landscape poses new challenges that demand continuous adaptation. Understanding the nature of these emerging threats is essential for organizations aiming to safeguard their digital assets in an increasingly precarious ecosystem. Organizations are adopting advanced technological measures not only to protect their assets but also to stay ahead of cybercriminals who continuously adapt their tactics. Business, Technology, Internet and network concept. Labor law, Lawyer, Attorney at law, Legal advice ... More concept on virtual screen. Addressing Regulatory and Ethical Considerations Regulatory and ethical considerations in cybersecurity are becoming increasingly important as organizations work to protect user information. Data privacy regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), set important standards for how organizations must handle personal data. These regulations require businesses to be transparent about data collection and usage, ensuring that users have control over their information. Compliance with such regulations not only fosters trust but also helps avoid legal penalties. Governance will also be necessary for artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Access control, encryption, and data reduction should all adhere to legal requirements (GDPR, CCPA). Data governance will aid in preventing misuse of cybersecurity. Organizations will need to navigate the balance between security measures and compliance, adapting their practices to meet both security needs and legal obligations. The journey toward robust cyber resilience is ongoing and requires continual reassessment, investment, and cross-functional engagement to protect sensitive data and maintain stakeholder trust. By focusing on these areas, we can foster greater security and trust in an increasingly digital world Check mark 3d symbol on the glossy futuristic surface with abstract glowing dots and lines A Cybersecurity Checklist: How businesses and consumers can fortify their defenses and mitigate risks associated with today's dynamic cyber threat landscape Cybersecurity Awareness: There is a need for a cultural shift within organizations regarding cybersecurity awareness. Understanding these threats is crucial for anyone who uses technology, whether in a corporate setting or at home. Awareness of potential risks allows individuals and organizations to proactively implement security measures. Cybersecurity cannot be viewed solely as an IT issue but should be integrated into the broader organizational culture. Employee Mindsets: By fostering a mindset where every employee understands their role in protecting sensitive information, organizations can create a proactive security environment. This involves collaboration between IT teams, executive leadership, and all employees to ensure that security protocols are not only implemented but actively maintained across every level of the organization. implementing regular training sessions, workshops, and simulated cyberattack scenarios, which can enhance employees' awareness and preparedness in the face of potential threats. Regular training, transparent communication regarding potential threats, and the establishment of clear reporting procedures foster an environment where security is a shared responsibility. Embrace Cyber Hygiene: Businesses and consumers must not underestimate the importance of cyber hygiene. Basic practices like strong passwords, multifactor authentication, and vigilance against phishing attacks are vital for both individuals and companies. Protect The Supply Chain: Addressing supply chain vulnerabilities: attackers exploit the weakest links in the supply chain, often targeting third-party vendors and insider threats, and emphasizes the need to strengthen these areas. Secure IoT devices: As IoT proliferates across various sectors, the importance of implementing stringent security protocols for these interconnected devices grows. Each device presents a potential entry point for cyber threats; thus, organizations must prioritize securing their networks against vulnerabilities inherent in IoT ecosystems. Digital transformation and data management: The shift towards cloud and hybrid cloud environments stresses the importance of effective data management and the role of Chief Data Officers in leveraging the abundance of data generated by emerging technologies. Deploy Emerging Tech: Leveraging emerging technologies for cybersecurity: automation, AI, and machine learning can serve as essential tools for enhancing cybersecurity by enabling real-time threat detection and analysis. Organizations must adopt a mindset of continuous improvement, ensuring that their cybersecurity policies evolve in tandem with technological advancements and emerging threats. Incident management and resilience: Recognizing that breaches are inevitable, companies and consumers need to focus on incident management and build resilience by backing up and encrypting data and developing actionable response plans. Public-private collaboration: Utilize strong public-private partnerships, based on shared research and development, prototyping, and risk management frameworks, to address the evolving cyber challenges. NIST offers operational security frameworks for many businesses that are industry-specific. Need for proactive and layered defense strategies: with the changing threat landscape, there is a need for a multi-layered security approach, including "Security by Design," "Defense in Depth," and "Zero Trust" architectures, to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As cyber threats continue to evolve, building a strong defense is not just about technology but also involves understanding the human factors and processes that contribute to a secure environment. An integrated approach will empower organizations to better protect themselves against the growing array of cyber threats. Shaping and adapting strategies that will safeguard digital infrastructure and foster a secure technological environment for the future is a critical path.
The Guardian
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Where authors gossip, geek out and let off steam: 15 of the best literary Substacks
A peculiar aspect of the dawning of the digital age is that it has, in some respects, returned literary life to the 18th century. A hullabaloo of pamphleteers, the effective abolition of copyright – and a return to patronage networks and serial publication. In this context, then, the way in which literary writers are now turning to Substack – a platform that allows authors to send emails to a list of subscribers, and allows those subscribers to interact in comment forums – seems entirely natural. Literary Substacks don't follow a single pattern. For some, it's a way of getting new work into the world, whether publishing a novel in serial form or hot-off-the-keyboard short stories; for others, it's a way of interacting directly with readers (while building a handy marketing list); for still others, it's a home for criticism, journalism, personal blowing off of steam, self-promotion, or a more direct version of the traditional writerly side hustle, teaching creative writing to aspiring authors. Most of them offer tiers of subscription: a monthly fee (usually a fiver or so) gets you paywalled posts; there'll be a discounted yearly fee; and a 'founder member' platinum tier that, for a substantial hike in costs, offers some extra benefit such as signed copies, exclusive events or other interactions with the author. Most Substacks also let you sign up to public posts for free. The selling points to its users are its immediacy and the freedom it gives writers to speak to the people interested in their work or their lives without corporate gatekeepers. And for those who can build up a solid list of paid subscribers – like the big-name journalists who ditched traditional media for Substack and made more money doing so – it has the potential to be a nice little earner. Emma Gannon, described last year by the Bookseller as 'one of the most popular novelists on Substack', says that 'the thing I love about it is it's sort of unlike classic social media. It's based on interests, rather than the humblebragging of showing your life as a highlight reel. People are geeking out on Substack about the things they love: writing, knitting, gardening. It's got a different vibe to it, because people are showcasing what they're interested in rather than what they are doing.' It is, she says, 'like old-school blogging, but people are having long interactions with each other in the comments, which feels really healthy'. She adds that the mechanism for recommending other Substacks means that 'it's got a real generosity of spirit built into it'. In an age when writers make less and less money, the patronage aspect – 'People want to support me financially because they like what I'm doing, and it feels like a kind of: 'I will pay you, not for a word count, not for a content transaction, just to kind of keep you going'' – has a human value. Another prominent Substacker, the Israeli writer Etgar Keret, shares that view. He says that with most social media the algorithm is the boss (a viral post he made on Facebook earned him 200,000 comments and dozens of death threats), but with Substack you're engaging directly with people who are interested in your work: 'I don't want to outsource the decisions about this community to something that is inhuman and that has commercial interests.' When you interact with someone on Substack, he says, 'I wouldn't say it's human – but it's almost human.' Author Margaret AtwoodTitle In the Writing BurrowCost £5 a month or £47 a yearTypical post 'The Oracle Mouths Off, Part 2'What you get With characteristic puckish directness, Atwood promises subscribers a dose of 'whatever comes into my addled, shrinking brain'. In practice, that means all sorts of sprightly stuff – a months-long digression on the French Revolution; notes from a book tour; prognostications about American politics; or personal material such as the inside story of Atwood getting a pacemaker ('The Report of My Death ...'). It's like getting letters from a wise, spiky and confiding aunt. Author Hanif KureishiTitle The Kureishi ChroniclesCost £5 a month or £35 a year; £240 for 'founding member' (extra benefit: 'a copy of one of my books, signed with an inked thumb, as I am unable to use my hands')Typical post 'Small Town Rebels'What you get Kureishi's Substack started with a catastrophe. At the end of 2022, the writer suffered a fall that injured his spine and deprived him of the use of his limbs. He wrote (or, rather, dictated) his way through his experience of this sudden disability ('Your writer,' was the moving sign-off to his tweets from his hospital bed) and his 2024 memoir, Shattered, went on to tell the story of his illness. This Substack was and remains a very intimate, episodic first draft of his experiences, a characteristically unsparing and humorous account of day-to-day life ('Heidi comes down, empties my urine bag [...] before putting the kettle on') mixed with a generous selection of essays, interviews and other material new and old. Author Mary GaitskillTitle Out of ItCost FreeTypical post 'Have Salt in Yourselves'What you get Longform letters, about twice a month (though Gaitskill takes the occasional apologetic pause) on whatever crosses the mind of this outstandingly sharp and clear-eyed writer. Gaitskill – author of the short story collection Bad Behavior and the novels This Is Pleasure and Veronica – says she's using her Substack 'for the same reason I started writing a long time ago; to connect with people'. Literary meditation, memoir, rapturous appreciation of a pole-dancing video ('basically tickled my will to live'), or commentary on Donald Trump's re-election through the prism of the memoirs of the eccentric, heroin-addicted British dandy Sebastian Horsley. Author Elif ShafakTitle Unmapped Storylands with Elif ShafakCost £7 a month or £65 a year; £195 for 'founding member' (extra benefit: personalised messages and signed copy of her new book)Typical post 'Reading Books in the Age of Angst'What you get Audio, video, images, text. Shafak sees her Substack as a multimedia home for 'literary fragments' and 'vignettes from a bookish life'; a way of connecting directly with her readers. You'll find reflections on Flaubert, Proust and George Sand, updates on Shafak's globetrotting interventions, and meditations on the writing life and the life of the spirit. Author George SaundersTitle Story Club with George SaundersCost £5 a month or £39 a yearTypical post 'About This Here Sentence Right Here'What you get A masterclass in the mechanics and techniques of short story writing from an outstanding critic of the form and a Booker prize-winning practitioner of fiction. The jumping-off point was Saunders's book about the Russian masters, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain. He's interested in what short stories can tell us about ourselves and the world, too. Posts on Sunday (for paid subscribers) and every other Thursday (for everyone) include page-by-page close readings, as well as writing prompts and other discussions of the craft. Feedback and interaction are encouraged. Author Salman RushdieTitle Salman's Sea of StoriesCost $6 a month or $60 a year; $180 for 'founding member' (extra benefit: 'I'll come up with something! For now, thank you very much')Typical post 'The Seventh Wave, Episode 7'What you get As well as a strong strand of the author's musings on literary nonfiction ('Journalism as Literature'), which is one of the courses he teaches at New York University, the main sell for paid subscribers is access to emailed instalments of Rushdie's serial novel The Seventh Wave: An Entertainment in 51 Episodes, which he has been writing since autumn 2021. His last Substack post was in August 2022, but the hiatus isn't down to laziness. Five days later came the nearly successful attempt on his life. Author Etgar KeretTitle Alphabet SoupCost £4 a month or £39 a year; £115 for 'founding member' (extra benefit: 'immortalised by having a problematic character in a future Alphabet Soup story named after them')Typical post 'God the Midget'What you get Keret is a hugely prolific Israeli writer of short stories whose Substack is the one that Rushdie ('So witty and enjoyable, and he's clearly having a wonderful time doing it') credits with getting him on board with the platform. In this newsletter, his 'About' page says: 'We serve two types of soup'. 'Fresh soup' is a new text or first English publication (he writes a lot in Hebrew) of one of Keret's texts – from stories to poems to screenplays to fragments of memoir or other nonfiction. 'Canned soup' is something that's been in print before. You can even get 'alphabet audio soup', which … makes your ears wet? Author Roxane GayTitle The AudacityCost £6 a month or £55 a year; £265 for 'Ride or Die' (extra benefit: 'my endless, boundless gratitude')Typical post 'Private Rites: Lesbianpalooza'What you get Gay is a novelist, memoirist, essayist, podcaster, comics writer (making her one of the first Black women, with co-writer Yona Harvey, to write a Marvel comic), journalist, cultural critic and academic. So you get a bit of all of that when you sign up for The Audacity. The heart of it is the Audacious Book Club, where Gay introduces a book every month (recent featured authors include Laila Lalami and Kevin Nguyen), with regular prompts for community discussion in the newsletter. There are also opportunities for paid subscribers to join an interview with the author over Zoom. Author Howard JacobsonTitle Streetwalking with Howard JacobsonCost £5 a month or £55 a year; £150 for 'founding member' (extra benefit not specified)Typical post 'The Necessity of Offence'What you get Jacobson is as distinguished a journalist as he is a novelist, and his Substack hops tracks ad lib. Sometimes it's an opinion column, sometimes whimsy (he kept a post about pleated trousers behind the paywall because, he notes wanly, 'readers who might otherwise be circumspect are happy to pay for fashion tips'). There's cultural commentary (including an excellently feeling post on the cultural appropriation of bagels) and in response to Trumpism and the war in Gaza, some characteristically acidic reflections on free speech and antisemitism. He's a grouchy man, with good reason to be grouchy, and few grouch more eloquently. Author Miranda JulyTitle Miranda JulyCost £5 a month or £47 a year; £135 for 'founding member' (extra benefit: 'you'll be the first and possibly only people to know about certain things')Typical post 'What is fun and how to fun and why fun'What you get The Onion once published an article headlined: 'Miranda July Called Before Congress to Explain Exactly What Her Whole Thing Is'. Accordingly, July's Substack makes no promises to stay in its lane, and it offers subscribers 'New writing! Lists! Dance videos! Other body things! Experimentation! Free form!' July is a multidisciplinary writer and artist, and if her Substack has a guiding principle it's July's magpie sensibility. So in addition to the newsletter the site hosts podcasts and vlogs, there's a commenting community which July hopes will be 'an actual good way for people to make friends, colleagues, lovers', and an unboxing post commemorates the arrival of a vintage lavender dress July ordered on the internet. Author Jami AttenbergTitle Craft TalkCost $8 a month or $60 a year; $100 a year for 'dreamboat supporters' (extra benefit not specified)Typical post 'I Want You to Be Both Gentle and Tough With Yourself'What you get Attenberg's Substack is strongly tilted towards aspiring writers. The novelist and short story writer known for The Middlesteins and All This Could Be Yours has been running what she calls an 'accountability practice' for writers called 1,000 Words on her newsletter since 2018. For two weeks each summer the Substack features #1000wordsofsummer – 'a 52,000-strong community of writers of all levels who are all supporting each other to write 1,000 words a day for two weeks'. Which means a daily keep-it-up email from Attenberg, additional thoughts from a published writer guest-star most days, and a Slack and social media community for participants to share encouragement and brag about their word counts. The rest of the year sees Attenberg posting on aspects of literary craft – prompts, vignettes from the writing life, and even the odd interview – once a week, every week. Author Chuck PalahniukTitle Chuck Palahniuk's Plot SpoilerCost £5 a month or £35 a year; £150 for 'founding member' (extra benefit: 'lifetime admission to Study Hall perks as Chuck invents them, personalised shit')Typical post 'The Orgy Moment: Cascading Payoffs'What you get Chuck Palahniuk's lunch spoiler, potentially. The author of Fight Club has always had a taste for extreme material, and as he told me a few years back, Substack gives him 'complete licence to put anything on the page that I want, and not be curbed by the timidity of the editor'. Subscribers can enjoy his Substack-exclusive serial novel Greener Pastures, as well as 'short, upsetting fiction from me'. But it's also a writing community, where Palahniuk showcases the work of his best students, dishes out 'homework' (watch Animal House, 'the douchiest movie ever', carefully), offers giveaways and discusses craft in a direct and unpretentious way. Author Emma GannonTitle The Hyphen by Emma GannonCost £8 a month or £69 a year; £100 for 'I can expense this!' (extra benefit: 'my eternal love and appreciation')Typical post 'How I Make Six Figures on Substack'What you get Gannon has a millennial's ease in the multimedia environment: she's a popular novelist, a podcaster, a journalist, trained life coach, wellbeing and business influencer, and all-round self-facilitating media node. She's very engaged with her community and generous in paying it forward: a fortnightly 'Slow Sunday Scroll' rounds up her recommendations of books, links, podcasts and consumer items she likes. Typical posts are savvy and friendly stuff about professional life and hanging on to your sanity in the social media age. Author Catherine LaceyTitle Untitled Thought ProjectCost £4 a month or £43 a year; £75 for 'founding member' (extra benefit: 'my endless thanks')Typical post 'Oh, God'What you get Lacey, author of the astounding short story collection Certain American States, and fugitive postmodern novels such as Pew, Biography of X and Nobody Is Ever Missing, never writes the same book twice. Accordingly, perhaps, her Substack promises 'a place of confusion and curiosity, a repository for open emails and things that are not quite essays'. Her special sauce in the Substack are her Oulipian micro-essays – exactly 144 words each, 'a dozen times a dozen, also known as 'a gross', a term I learned while doing an inventory of nails and screws in my family's hardware store'. A particularly charming aspect of the Substack is that the word limit means that even though the posts are 'only for paid subscribers', you get the whole micro-essay in the preview pane anyway. Author Elif BatumanTitle The Elif LifeCost £5 a month or £47 a year; £115 for 'founding member' (extra benefit: 'Periodic mini photo-essays of things I find interesting')Typical post 'Adventures in Molybdomancy'What you get Batuman's bouncy brain bouncing into your inbox. Here, she muses on 1924, the connections between James Baldwin and Henry James, and the person who dissected Lenin's cerebellum. There, she realises what the Beach Boys have to tell us about environment and culture, and how Surfing USA can, besides, cheer up the crosspatch writer. And elsewhere, she offers a bonus multimedia post 'about my experience trying to have my fortune told with Turkish coffee grounds'. Erudite, elliptical and irrepressible.
