Novelist Emma Lou Thayne used to write an essay a day as a writing warmup. Do you have a writing warmup or ritual to get you in the right (write?) headspace?

At 83 years old, political scientist and feminist activist Judy Dushku is publishing her debut novel. I got to interview her for the Exponent II blog exponentii.org/blog/judydus... 1/4

MHA paper accepted 🎉 "Blanche Berry: Harlem Renaissance Actress and Mormon Feminist Poet?"

Nothing in the world has greater potential than a beautiful, empty notebook. No, I will not be answering questions about how many such notebooks I have purchased in the last decade.

I had a five year plan to enter a PhD program to become a historian and writer. . . and became a historian, writer, editor, speaker, and ghostwriter along the way without entering that program 😬 Launching a new phase of my career as I head into 2025 with a new bio to match.

It’s the end of the year, so let’s count down my Top Ten Books in Mormon Studies! A few notes: 1) these reflect my preferences & interests. Smarter people may have better lists. 2) I tried, but did not read *everything*. So I’m sure I missed some. 3) I cheated & included more than 10. /thread

#6 Last case of cheating by combining: @katieludlowrich.bsky.social & Heather Sundahl, FIFTY YEARS OF EXPONENT II (Signature) Claudia Bushman, I, CLAUDIA (Kofford) Engaging/moving accounts of modern Mormon feminism. Exponent 2 is crucial moment in LDS feminism, & Claudia was one of the founders.

Is Mormon feminism dead? What does it look like now? Is writing Mormon women's history just a service project? John Dehlin asks these questions and more on @mormonstories.bsky.social Grateful for the chance to talk about Mormon feminism and Fifty Years of Exponent II. youtu.be/33mKKbPMFow?...

All pleasures are guilty pleasures if you have high enough anxiety

A Mormon feminist gift guide? Yes please! exponentii.org/blog/a-femin...

I finally watched Heretic last night. I found it interesting and not overly gruesome for a horror movie. But there was one scene that made me cry. The missionaries know at this point that they are in serious danger, and Sister Paxton turns and thanks Mr. Reed. 1/3

Sonia Johnson led Mormons for ERA and was excommunicated by the LDS Church in 1979. I've read her memoir, From Housewife to Heretic, and I knew that shortly after that was published she ran for president of the US in 1984. 1/2

4yo: Momma, can you get me some milk? Me: Some milk? 4yo: Yes Me: Just milk? 4yo: Well, and some Oreos to go with it. They go perfectly together. There it is. (Memory from 2 years ago)

Any recommendations on where to pitch an essay on lessons from the women's movement and the scrappy Mormon feminist organization Exponent II on how to prioritize community over ideological purity in order to find allies (even with Trump voters!) to prevent losing every fight that is to come?

The first known use of singular “they” is so old that not only does it pre-date singular “you,” it wasn’t even spelled with a “th” When William and the Werewolf, in 1375 CE, used singular “they,” it was spelled with a Thorn

I feel so honored to be speaking at Snow College's Convocation Art and Lecture series. If you are in the Ephraim, Utah, area on December 5, I hope you'll join us! "Mormon and Feminist? Navigating Dual—and Dueling—Identities through Exponent II"

That feeling when you untick the word count box for "includes footnotes and endnotes" and suddenly you only have to cut half as many words as you feared 😅

What's a movie that you are (mostly) glad you watched and never want to see again?

Anyone else prepping for Thanksgiving dinner yet? I froze shaped dough for my butter crescent rolls. I'll set them out for at least four hours on Thanksgiving to let them thaw and rise, then bake these to golden perfection.

Grateful for the KINDEST review of Fifty Years of Exponent II by Connor Hilton for the Association of Mormon Letters: www.associationmormonletters.org/reviews/curr...

When I was a TA for a history class (in 2007 😱) the professor told me to grade papers with a purple gel pen. "No one gets mad at comments made in purple." Teachers and editors, what's our equivalent for digital comments?

For the afternoon crowd: I mad an attempt at a Scholars of American Religion starter pack, which has been greatly benefited by y’all’s additions. Please let me know who else to add. go.bsky.app/5qBDaNp

"I admit to preferring vinegar to honey, being less interested in catching flies than in rousing the faint." —Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, "Border Crossings," Dialogue, 1994

I'm a writer and scholar of Mormon women's history and feminist history who likes visiting art museums, bookstores, and listening to audiobooks (any romantasy and romance readers on here?) I'm a 💙 in Utah trying to figure out community after religion. Algorithm, do your magic!

I've been sitting with the feeling of what to do next, and thinking about what I've learned about organizing and the women's movement. I think there needs to be a return to consciousness raising groups - small in-person meetings in living rooms where people share and debate and educate each other.

My husband: Should we go to the world's largest independent bookstore during our trip to Portland? Me: Say less

This was the subject of my dissertation and is the focus of my current research The #1 predictor of sales is the size of the author advance, #2 is fame of the author Book quality does not matter Link to slides in reply

Fifty Years of Exponent II is out today! 🎉 Join us this Thursday, August 29, 6 p.m. MT for a virtual launch party. All are welcome. Register: TINYURL.COM/EXIIPARTY

“Park infuses every chapter with women’s voices.” I really appreciate @katieludlowrich.bsky.social’s generous and incisive review of AMERICAN ZION in Exponent II, especially given how central the magazine has been for modern Mormonism. exponentii.org/blog/america...

It takes a lot to surprise me; I was surprised all weekend by the conversations I heard at the Sunstone Symposium: open.substack.com/pub/leahsott...

How much are essential temple ordinances for the deceased worth in the LDS church? Well, if you were a woman in the 1880s, only 67% that of a man.

Caesar you have to stop. Your rubicon is too crossed. Your diadem too rex. Your sacrifice to Jupiter too feigned. they’ll kill you

If Niners fans want to listen to music about heartbreak and persevering through it then I have a suggestion for them but they might not want to hear it right now

That’s a new angle on things.

I always thought this was an urban legend, but the woman taking the BYU test without pants was the woman who would become Utah’s first female attorney general. She died this week at 74. An absolute icon 💔

“Provo art show will feature diverse paintings by Latter-day Saints from around the world” https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/01/25/thats-not-jesus-lds-artists-team/

Modern Mormonism is the product of 200 years of culture wars, societal conflicts that took place within both the faith and the nation that shaped it. My new book, AMERICAN ZION, published today, tells the origins & growth of America's homegrown religion.

It feels a bit surreal to have my book featured in the Salt Lake Tribune, given how significant the paper has been in Mormon history. Even more humbling to be covered by Peggy Fletcher Stack, the legendary journalist. Very grateful. Two days until publication! www.sltrib.com/religion/202...

AHHHHHHHHHHH www.signaturebooks.com/books?tag=Fo...

“this exercise helps release emotional trauma from your body, ready?” absolutely not don’t touch any of that i have a system

One of the absolute best parts of being a writer in community with other writers is reading unpublished manuscripts. Last week I read a historical fiction novel that I LOVED and tonight I started a Mormon history book that has me tearing up, saying "Amen," and wishing everyone could read it already.

My 36th birthday included going around Salem dressed as a witch in the place that my 9th great grandmother, Rebecca Towne Nurse, was falsely accused and killed for witchcraft. Still teasing out my feelings on how far we've come and how far we've yet to go.

In a couple of weeks I'll be traveling to see a high school production of one of my plays. They are working so hard and are really excited for me to come out and see it. Hearing from their teacher today is a bright spot in an otherwise weird week. #playwrightlife

Hello, Bluesky! Last year my family ate my birthday cake without me. I was driving myself to Instacare for a broken toe. . . acquired while playing duck, duck, goose.