Oh man. I loved interviewing author Cleyvis Natera for The Grand Paloma Resort! mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/interview-...

When I turned 40, I had 320 short story rejections and no books published. A few years later, I've published a short story collection and two novels with another on the way. Believe in yourself like someone who loves you.

My Friday newsletter for @niemanstoryboard.org: Featuring @newyorker.com, Jane Mayer, Erika Hayasaki, @lesleymmblume.bsky.social, @vanityfair.com, @mauricenow.bsky.social, @jamiattenberg.bsky.social, and @brendanomeara.bsky.social niemanstoryboard.org/2025/08/08/a...

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Kate!

My Friday newsletter for @niemanstoryboard.org: Featuring @danaawilliams.bsky.social, @cmtapper.bsky.social, @texasmonthly.bsky.social, @mallarytenore.bsky.social, @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social, @minakimes.bsky.social, @pablo.show, @mauricenow.bsky.social niemanstoryboard.org/2025/07/18/t...

This is my second interview with Oldster. Sari Botton always makes me pay more attention to my time on earth. open.substack.com/pub/mauricec...

You Need to Know Your Value. mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/you-need-t...

Karisma Price's great first short story! joylandpublishing.com/fiction/what...

Catch me in Key West this January. www.kwls.org/writers_work...

Thank y'all. Sold out!

They're running a special. You can buy The American Daughters hard cover for only $9. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0593...

A reminder: Authoritarian capitalism, in which corporations ally themselves with repressive or anti-democratic political regimes, benefiting from protection and impunity.

Give the photographer the Pulitzer Prize

My Substack is for writers, thinkers, and anyone trying to find their creative way.

THIS SATURDAY. The Souf Got Something to Say.

My Substack is for writers, thinkers, and anyone trying to find their creative way.

I published a new poem in Louisiana. Hold it for me, would you? 64parishes.org/poetry-by-ma...

Hi to all the writers and creators out there. I'm Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of three fiction books. Follow me on Substack for illuminating essays, interviews, and podcast episodes about the creative experience.

It's always nice to chat with the great Morgan Jerkins! mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/the-interv...

I had thoughts about the plantation burning. Lots of thoughts. time.com/7287295/burn...

The great @mauricenow.bsky.social on the burning of Nottoway and how we look at places with horrific histories time.com/7287295/burn...

Returning with two online craft seminar classes this summer. The first meets on two Sundays in July, a look at several approaches to creating an essay collection, and includes suggested readings and writing prompts for essays, 3 per class. www.theshipmanagency.com/classes/craf...

I had thoughts about the plantation burning. Lots of thoughts. time.com/7287295/burn...

It really is! Only my guy did it three times.

Join me next month!! myfivethings.com/class/mauric...

Be careful of the stories you tell yourself about yourself.

THREAD: So what did I hear at the oral argument in the birthright citizenship case this morning? What was clear from when the cert petition was filed: Trump & his lawyers tried to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Trying to squeeze a win out of his serial losses in federal district courts in….1/

EVENT NEXT WEEK! I’ll be leading a roundtable talk with the wildly talented Mary Annaïse Heglar (@maryannaise.sky.social ) !! We’ll be discussing the topic of “journalism as activism” at the BK House (in the FQ) from 6 to 8 PM! Event info to follow 🧵

Today, I discuss research techniques for novelists. Hope this helps! mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/elements-o...

Listen, there are bigger, more directly destructive cases of this government’s spiral into a satire but shipping in white South Africans — the apotheosis of modern white supremacy — to underscore that this is a white nationalist empire…pushes my buttons in a very specific way.

Here are five good tips for writers and creators. mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/five-remin...

Fresh craft episode up now! mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/elements-o...

Embracing your inner self can have huge benefits. This technique is especially helpful in artistic pursuits. mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/34-embrace...

I think you should Embrace Your Inner Self. The benefits can be greater than you might imagine! mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/34-embrace...

On embracing passion in your writing practice. New episode up today! Available in the Apple podcast store and Spotify. mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/33-the-pas...

💐💐💐💐💐

Let's talk about writing the other. This is a question that comes up all the time. mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/32-writing...

Let's talk about writing the other. This is a question that comes up all the time. mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/32-writing...

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/p/elements-o...

Amidst all the struggle and tumult, I ask a simple question. How is everyone? Today, on Maurice Carlos Ruffin's Sitting in Silence. You're invited to participate. open.substack.com/pub/mauricec...

michelle williams meeting michelle williams is so important to me as a fan of michelle williams and michelle williams

Join me next month!! myfivethings.com/class/mauric...

My writing goal is pretty simple: make cool stories.

I really enjoy teaching creative writing at LSU. My students are so great!

What are the best books on storytelling? Look no further! I'm quoted herein. niemanstoryboard.org/2025/04/17/n...