I'm really excited to share that I have now seen a phenomenal letter from a public library board in response to HR 7661, and it'll go out in the Literary Activism newsletter next week.

I received great responses to the pilot episodes of my podcast, I’m With the Banned, last fall. Now I'm launching it for real. Expect bi-weekly episodes. New episode feat. author Rex Ogle is imminent. Until then, here's my interview w/ Randi Pink. Enjoy. jarrettdapier.podbean.com/e/randi-pink...

I found this defense of author Roy Scranton to be compelling. I haven’t read him, but I would like to. According to this author, Scranton posits that the one thing that all living creatures share is the experience of suffering. And therein lies the key to compassion. lithub.com/lessons-in-l...

Finally, some good news: workers at Hachette are unionizing, and you can sign an open letter of support. This is the way! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Chicago! Come out and let's high-five @challengers.bsky.social on Saturday. I'll be there from 3-5p.

Finished reading “Wake Now in the Fire” by Jarret Dapier and AJ Dungo. A harbinger of the broader fight against censorship in the years to come, especially against marginalized voices, it is a story of how every voice matters, no matter how young.

WAKE NOW IN THE FIRE is a phenomenal YA & upper #MGLit graphic novel by librarian @jarrettdapier.bsky.social & illustrated by AJ Dungo An empowering story inspired by Chicago high students who stand up together & fight to overturn the ban of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis.💪🏼 youtu.be/nG3W2Kk9sYw?...

“Censorship of the word does not end on paper, but on the skin of human beings” (Herta Müller) Found in the incredible graphic novel I’m reading — Wake Now in The Fire by Jarret Dapier & AJ Dungo. A fictionalized account of a true event in Chicago, 2013. “A story of censorship, action, love, & hope"

a lot of chatter about Persepolis (deservedly!)--want to to put this new, related graphic novel on the radar

I receive AI scam emails daily. I've read enough to recognize the breathless flattery/vague BS offers. I swiftly delete. Today I received an email from someone running "the literary &editorial support team for author features at KPFA (radio in CA)." Wanted me for an interview. Seemed legit. Nice!

Thirteen years ago, a handful of us fought like hell to protect a book that humanized Iran. Jarrett Dapier and AJ Dungo tell an urgent story beautifully.