The deadline for proposals for BAMS/ MSA in Loughborough is just TWO weeks away. It's going to be a great conference with lots of opportunities to socialize and the usual MSA panels, roundtables, workshops, seminars. If you can't join us in person, submit a proposal for an online panel/ roundtable.

I sent this to someone yesterday who had no idea it existed and so I’m sharing it here—if you are trying to find a publisher for your scholarly monograph and not sure who to approach, start with this, courtesy of our pals at @aupresses.bsky.social

This is completely correct.

Morning dog walking path

Simultaneously laughed out loud and felt deep admiration at the description of attending a Jimi Hendrix concert: “how can I be bourgeois after I’ve seen that?”

Delighted to listen to the twentieth anniversary celebration of Entitled Opinions, a show that has kept me company for many years. Here’s to many more.

For my print culture, periodical studies, and comics studies friends: this account is a great one. Give it a follow!

New Lynda Barry comic alert

The deadline for the joint BAMS/ MSA conference is fast approaching! It's exactly one month away on December 1, 2025. Please note it's the same deadline for panels, papers, roundtables, and workshop/ seminar proposals. You can propose in-person or online panels/ roundtables (but not hybrids).

Slow! Horses!

Always two, no more, no less.

With the Mariners sadly missing out on the World Series, RSL falling flat in the playoffs, and Leeds flailing near the bottom of the table, it’s up to the Mammoth to resuscitate my sports fandom. So far, they’re meeting the moment.

We’ve been to orchards across New England, but the best apples I’ve ever had in my life are from Blackfoot, Idaho.

Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness.

For the last five years, being a Vanderbilt alum has been an exercise in humiliation. But today is easily the biggest humiliation of them all.

Scenes from the pumpkin patch

2000 people, maybe the largest protest in Pocatello history.

A dramatic morning in Pocatello

Did you know the next MSA Conference in the UK will be a joint conference with BAMS @modernistudies.bsky.social? And if you can't make it to the UK next summer, there will be opportunities to present in online panels and roundtables at this conference. More information in the CFP:

Believe it or not, it's already time to think about MSA 2026 in Loughborough, UK. The conference will meet July 1-4, and proposals for panels, papers, roundtables, workshops, and seminars is December 1. Please note this MUCH earlier deadline. The CFP is here: www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M...

Yesterday I spent time at one of my favorite places, talking to owner/all-around wonderful person Tony Davis. Even after a decade away, I still think of it as a third place. Grateful for independent bookshops and the people who make them what they are. See you soon, @myp-comics.bsky.social.

I am at a conference staying up until 1am to watch a baseball game and I’ve never been happier about that decision.

Unexpected delight: returning to @harvardbookstore.bsky.social for the first time in a decade and discovering that I have an unused frequent buyer discount still on the books.

Morning run from the conference hotel to the hospital where my older daughter was born, and if this isn’t a metaphor for something I don’t know what is.

You could be reading a book right now.

“There is no end to the process of forming ourselves into people who are genuinely open to what the world has to teach us.” So good an affirmation of the humanities, and of what higher education should be.

Sad to see this news, belatedly. I was lucky to attend a week-long seminar with Lear as a graduate student, and he was incredibly kind despite (or perhaps because of) how green I was. 1/2

Absolutely thrilled with the cover @univnebpress.bsky.social has designed for my book, The New Old Style: Anachronism in Contemporary Comics (coming August ‘26)! And special thanks to the wonderful and generous Cole Closser for allowing me to use their art.

Absolutely thrilled with the cover @univnebpress.bsky.social has designed for my book, The New Old Style: Anachronism in Contemporary Comics (coming August ‘26)! And special thanks to the wonderful and generous Cole Closser for allowing me to use their art.

Don't forget to register for the 2025 MSA Conference in Boston, starting Oct. 9. We have an exciting schedule of panels, roundtables, workshops, seminars, and plenaries. Plus we'll be celebrating all the amazing book prize winners. Register here: www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M...

Proud to have an essay in this volume. And congrats to Jon for his fabulous work as editor! @upmississippi.bsky.social

It kills me that I live an easy drive from this archive (I mean, @rlevay.bsky.social even worked on the same campus!) but have never visited. Friends, let me know if you’d like to help rectify that by making a trip to Logan.

Thrilled to see my childhood team in the playoffs. But here’s hoping the Mariners take the whole thing.

Let’s go M’s

We have an incredible schedule of panels and roundtables at the MSA in Boston in TWO weeks. Also, don't forget to check out the TWO amazing keynote plenaries with Kelly Rich and Jina Kim AND with Kevin Quashie and Evie Shockley. Don't forget to register ASAP! See you in Boston!!!

Got outside

Bruce Hornsby and the Range, Scenes from the Southside

Battling doomscrolling with five small pleasures: The sound of a clothes dryer at night Baseball on the radio, also at night Old newspapers, especially the comics Browsing eBay with no intention to buy Making lists

If we’re sticking with television, any self-contained, early-ish episode of The X-Files that sees Mulder and Scully visiting a small town, interviewing a series of eccentric locals, and poring through decidedly un-digitized records.

The news I needed: new Vikingur Ólafsson album coming this fall.

I reviewed this book for @mmodernity.bsky.social a few years ago, and it’s incredible. Check it out!

In all seriousness: play this one at my funeral.

Made some sleepy friends at the Eastern Idaho State Fair.

Little Free Library comes up again.

I desperately want every single one of these.

School starts tomorrow for us. Back to “English lit”

Just one more reminder that MSA early bird registration closes on Aug. 31, and it's not too late to register for a Seminar, even if you're not presenting at the conference this year.

Almost forgot to post something to commemorate Leeds’ glorious return to the Premier League. Here’s hoping for an equally glorious season.

Exciting news! The CFP for the joint MSA/ BAMS conference in Loughborough next July is out now. Because this is a joint conference in the UK, there are a number of changes to note for MSA members, including the earlier deadline (Dec. 1) for papers, panels, workshops, etc. More details at the link!