The End of an Era

Hugh Howey reflects on the transformation of writing and publishing brought by artificial intelligence, marking the end of a roughly decade-long era where writing was difficult but publishing was accessible and affordable. He highlights how AI-generated books are now competing with human-authored works, leading to challenges in proving authorship authenticity and reshaping readers’ and publishers’ attitudes. Howey predicts that future literary culture will include coexistence of AI-created and human-authored “meat books,” new tools to document writing processes, and evolving author-reader interactions shaped by AI assistance.

https://hughhowey.com/the-end-of-an-era/

How to Change Scrivener’s Interface Language

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Scrivener allows users to change its interface language independently from their computer's operating system language on both Mac and Windows. On Mac, users can adjust the language for Scrivener specifically via System Settings under Language & Region without altering the overall macOS language, while on Windows, the option is available through Scrivener’s own preferences in the Options menu. This flexibility supports multilingual writers who want to maintain different language settings for their OS and writing software.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/how-to-change-scriveners-interface-language

Bear Now Supports Mermaid Diagrams

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Bear now supports embedding Mermaid diagrams directly in notes, allowing users to create flowcharts, Gantt charts, pie charts, and more using plain text code that renders live as they type. This feature keeps diagrams searchable and easy to update, enhancing Bear's utility for developers, analysts, students, and everyday users who want dynamic visual elements integrated seamlessly into their writing.

https://blog.bear.app/2026/07/bear-now-supports-mermaid-diagrams/

Petergyang/no-ai-slop: Removes 20+ Patterns of AI Slop From Any Piece of Writing.

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The no-ai-slop GitHub project offers a skill that identifies and removes over 20 common AI-generated writing patterns, such as binary contrasts, throat-clearing openings, and superficial analysis, to produce clearer and more natural prose. It integrates with AI tools like Claude Code or Codex, enabling users to edit drafts with minimal changes and confirm improvements through built-in evaluation checks. This tool supports writers in refining AI-assisted output by enforcing fundamentals like leading with the point, using active voice, and preferring concrete details.

https://github.com/petergyang/no-ai-slop

Writing by Hand Is Good for Your Brain – Here’s How to Do It

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Writing by hand engages cognitive processes that enhance memory, learning, and creativity, offering distinct benefits over typing. To harness these advantages, individuals can incorporate activities like journaling, note-taking, and freewriting into their routine, prioritizing consistent practice to strengthen brain function and support deeper cognitive engagement.

https://nealstephenson.substack.com/p/writing-by-hand-is-good-for-your

Mightier Than the Keyboard

The author reflects on their experience switching from typing to writing with fountain pens, noting that handwriting led to more thoughtful, intentional journal entries enriched with personal insight. Supporting this, neuroscientific studies show handwriting activates broader brain regions related to motor, sensory, and cognitive processing, fostering deeper engagement than typing. While some research disputes clear advantages, the author suggests handwriting’s slower pace and increased mindfulness may uniquely benefit creative writing beyond academic note-taking contexts.

https://ennui-vagaries.cc/mightier-than-the-keyboard

Copyright Is Not Enough

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The article examines the challenges copyright law faces in protecting writers and other creators against the unauthorized use of their works in training generative AI models. Legal cases worldwide reveal inconsistent interpretations of whether AI training and output infringe copyright, complicated by the global nature of AI development and differing national laws. Many creators report lost income and commissions due to AI, prompting calls for copyright reform or new frameworks, though proposals like commercial text and data mining exceptions spark controversy over enabling AI companies while potentially undermining creators’ rights.

https://www.thedial.world/articles/news/copyright-law-ai-intellectual-property

How to Use Tables in Scrivener Projects

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Scrivener’s tables offer flexible options for presenting and organizing data within writing projects, useful not only for nonfiction but also for tasks like worldbuilding, character management, and tracking story elements in fiction. Users can insert, format, and edit tables with various tools, including adding rows or columns, adjusting alignment, and customizing styles, while compiled projects preserve tables as formatted or allow combining adjacent tables with matching columns. These features help writers keep research, notes, and drafting details integrated and accessible within their Scrivener projects.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/how-to-use-tables-in-scrivener-projects

Rat Traps

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The article traces the development and current state of the rationalist blogosphere, which began in the late 2000s with communities like LessWrong focusing on applied rationality and epistemic rigor. While once an intellectually vibrant subculture notable for blending science, philosophy, and self-improvement, the genre now faces challenges including stylistic stagnation, ideological insularity, and a recycling of familiar concepts that risk rendering it cliché and less engaging. The author suggests that for rationalist writing to remain relevant and persuasive, its community must diversify sources, embrace stylistic experimentation, and critically refresh its intellectual approach.

https://asteriskmag.com/issues/08/rat-traps

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