“Every place you go on Earth, there is more nonsense.”
― Ottessa Moshfegh, Homesick for Another World
Welcome to the MAGICAL OVERTHINKERS newsletter.
Hi! I’m Amanda.
And I’m an overthinker. I’m also a writer, linguist, podcaster, and the author of the nonfiction books Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language, and the New York Times bestseller The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality. I’m a creator and host of the podcast, Sounds Like A Cult, as well as the brand new Magical Overthinkers podcast. I write about language, power, and delusion; my reporting has appeared in The New York Times, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and more.
About this substack:
Are you a magical overthinker?
A thought spiraller, but also a dreamer? A person who’s curious about the mind—specifically, why we are the way we are right now?? Welcome to MAGICAL OVERTHINKERS club. I’m enchanted that you’re here.
Inspired by my book THE AGE OF MAGICAL OVERTHINKING: Notes on Modern Irrationality, this newsletter is essentially the only place on the internet that keeps the buzz in my head at a decibel I can stand.
Stay up to date!
Oh goodie, there’s so much good stuff coming your way.
Both free and paid subscribers can expect periodic mishmashes of writing prompts, authorly Q&As, book tour news and other updates, and a list of my “cult faves” (books, podcasts, activities, etc.).
Then, there are *exclusive* cult posts. For paid subscribers, I’ve released serialized audiobook commentary for my book Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism. Like a podcast, you can hear me read excerpts from the book and share juicy never-before-heard stories and analyses.
And of course, some posts are for MAGICAL OVERTHINKERS. Paid subscribers can access early and ad-free episode of the Magical Overthinkers podcast, cut material from The Age of Magical Overthinking, behind-the-scenes looks at the writing & publishing process of my new book, special access to giveaways and meet & greet opportunities, and more.
Meet fellow “magical overthinkers”
Join my latest “cult” ;) This newsletter is not just content, it’s also a community. You can connect with fellow lovers of books, linguistics, sociology, philosophy, pop culture, cults, and respectful discussion. A parasocial playground. Hope to see you “there.”
xo, Amanda Montell
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