A new essay, some fiction, & an old letter. What have you been working on?

No Kings Day 6/14 Richmond. Unlike other “leaders” worried about getting their “hair” wet, in DC, 50501 Virginia will be loudly saying No Kings, -rain or shine- Be a part of history tomorrow. It’s a first amendment right. @indivisibleva.bsky.social @acluva.bsky.social @henricodems.bsky.social

Thank you to everyone who has submitted to our annual literary contest this year! You make our community so wonderful. We can't wait to see what you have in store for us with your stories. Thank you all again for being a part of this with us!

Also sharing this piece from last year, which I read at @awpwriter.bsky.social and hold up here for my #sober & sober curious friends: "Through the Threads," a flash #essay up at Hunger Mountain Review. @vcfa.bsky.social

Briefly stepping out of my social media break to offer this to anyone who needs it—"Creating Differently, & Writing Slumps" #writingcommunity

An incredibly important, moving essay by my friend Alysia Abbott. Please read and share. @mizabbott.bsky.social

TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT! Did you hear? @samuelashworth.bsky.social will be in-conversation with Mary Kay Zuravleff to discuss Samuel's debut novel, THE DEATH AND LIFE OF AUGUST SWEENEY, TONIGHT at 5pm EDT at @busboysandpoets.bsky.social! RSVP for FREE: buff.ly/kAoWoje @susanschulman.bsky.social

yeah fuck it we ball Call for Work: Autistic Protest Poetry This call for work seeks poetry by autistic writers that is socially-engaged, politically-charged, and geared toward raising our voices together against oppression and erasure. Deadline: July 1st More details: medium.com/anomalyblog/...

Writer-teachers! Deadline for this 2-year position is April 29th! Please share!! :) www.higheredjobs.com/institution/...

In the 90s, Toni Morrison found out that one of her books had been banned in a men’s prison because they were afraid it would incite a riot. And she was absolutely delighted. In an interview she smiled and said “how powerful is that?” I want to write books that incite riots and tear down prisons.

Today's the day, AWP friends. We're going to have a blast. Come laugh with us. cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_ful...

Today at 12:10pm! So pumped to talk about freedom and joy in writing sobriety! #awp25 #sobriety @natalielima09.bsky.social @paulhaney.bsky.social @kerryjamesevans.bsky.social

Such a killer new piece by Kat Gonso!

And like the victims sent to Guantanamo and El Salvador, these grabs are made to strike terror in the broader population, to intimidate people out of exercising their rights and freedoms.

Please join us Friday AWP!! :) Can't wait to hear from the audience <3 "Perspective & Perseverance in Writing Sobriety: Hemingway Is Not the Only Way" 12:10pm-1:25pm, Room 518, Level Two #awp25 @paulhaney.bsky.social @natalielima09.bsky.social @kerryjamesevans.bsky.social @awpwriter.bsky.social

A reminder that if you’re using AI to write your novel or memoir or whatever it is you’re trying to develop, you’re absolutely doing it wrong and missing the point entirely of what it means to make art and tend to and honor your creative self.

The memoir is finally down to 88k thanks to my INCREDIBLE readers and friends (thank you!!!!), and thanks to so many years of rewriting and cutting and rewriting and cutting and rewriting. 🥹 #memoir

If you are upset about what's going on but aren't sure what to do: start by calling your reps. This app 👇 makes it easy. Standing up to authority is a muscle. If you haven't had to exercise it before, this is a great first step. I promise DOING one thing will make you feel better & more capable.

Bless the protestors standing outside on busy Broad Street yesterday in the Richmond suburbs.

My first review in The New York Times!! And it’s amazing!!! So so grateful!!! www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/b...

HUGE congrats to @laurenfsharma.bsky.social for her gripping, important novel, CASUALTIES OF TRUTH. I did not want to put it down, did not want it to end. I’m still thinking about Prudence. The writing and the story—just incredible. Get your copy friends!!! bookshop.org/p/books/casu...

My partner and I were up late last night discussing the bleak present and future, and I'm just so tired. But I'm going to keep telling stories and help others do the same. We have to. Also, we have to take breaks.

Loyola is looking for a CNF lecturer, non-tenure track. www.careers.luc.edu/postings/317...

Am I writing or am I searching for interactive cat toys as my indoor/outdoor cat cries and I try to tell her what's been happening to the birds?

I would love to hear more about what everyone is counting as their writing for the day! Helps me feel less anguish at how few words I am writing...lately I've been reading and posting about other people's books and checking email...

Mark your calendars! @shubhasunder.bsky.social is taking OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING on the road this spring. www.graywolfpress.org/events

“I am looking to Lynda Barry and kids and other artists as I try to discover what story I might be writing next—after and between rounds of editing my memoir, and also as we try to survive these uncertain times.” substack.com/@caitlindmcg...

Celebrate Black poets. “blessing the boats” by Lucille Clifton poets.org From Quilting: Poems 1987–1990 by Lucille Clifton. Copyright © 2001 by Lucille Clifton. Reprinted with permission of BOA Editions Ltd. All rights reserved.

Been calling on my friends to help me remember: doing one small thing, one day at a time, is something; also: teaching is a hell of a something. If you are struggling with despair, hope this helps you too.

some forthcoming 2025 books by women of color I’m excited about!!! in this piece out today in @electriclit.bsky.social 🖤 electricliterature.com/48-books-by-...

I’m curating a reading series / book talk season at a (v chill and sexy) wine bar in Portland, Maine — if you’ve been looking for a reason to come through this beautiful city and you’re publishing a book or have work you’d like to read/discuss this spring/summer : DM me/spread the word please 🖤

Writers—I have a long essay (finally down to 6500 words) that I've worked on for years, but now truly feels done. Any suggestions for lit mags publishing longer work? I've tried the top suspects, but, in its 7500-word form, all rejections. Feeling a little low on hope! Hoping to try again in 2025

"I am not offering this poem for judgment. I am not trying to win a poetry prize. I am trying to continue to be able to love in the face of shamelessness and slaughter." Thank you, dear Richard. voxpopulisphere.com/2024/12/13/r...

So so helpful! Ty @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social

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There’s a lot of important journalism in the Atlantic article; some content that made me cry, some that enrages. But I’m glad they outline the below for ppl who don’t know or refuse to know; “Supporting local” on a Hawaiian vacation is not helping us Kanaka (Hawaiians). It is feeding billionaires

This is your annual reminder that buying @librofm.bsky.social gift credits for the audiobook lovers in your life makes them happy, supports indie bookstores, and is the easiest holiday shopping you will ever do. Also right now you can save 10% on gift credit bundles: libro.fm/gift

"I don't think I'm allowed to kill something because I am frightened." —Nikki Giovanni 💔 #poem #poems #poetry

submitting letters of rec for my amazing students applying to MFAs, thinking of how I applied to like, 9 programs? and my amazing professors submitted all those damn letters <3

As of yesterday booksellers at The Strand are on strike. Solidarity with them. Don’t cross the picket line, even virtually.

because I forever find this fascinating: writers who published their memoirs: what was your final, published-version word count?

I loved listening to your recorded Bread Loaf talk on this! Excited to read the book.

Classes done (aside from their final portfolios). One more week til I send this manuscript to a dear reader (so grateful!). Ready for this!! 💜🥹😴

Ending the semester, as usual, with wise words from Toni Morrison: “I tell my students, ‘When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power…

Backflash—Out Today!!!

If I have your email address I’ll be hitting you up in January about special lil events I wish for you to be a part of in the spring and summer for the reissues of my books 🎉

there is no feeling like getting the manuscript you've been working on for a decade back below 99,999 words

I used to have a good essay about why we shouldn’t italicize “other” languages when writing predominantly in English. But I can’t find it! Does anyone have a link to a good one? Thank you!