We're thrilled to present the shortlist for the 2026 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction:

the Wigleaf Top 50 is out! it's always a joy reading for this and always a struggle to pick favorites to nominate when there are so many great stories out there. congratulations to the winners and everyone who made the long list! you don't make it easy, that's for sure

2026 Firecracker Awards Winners! www.clmp.org/press-center...

Enjoyed this rundown of thoughts on the expanded World Cup field this year. goldengoalmag.substack.com/p/who-else-b...

I love the fact that in the Yacht Rock universe, Kevin Bacon has bacon-centric superpowers. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEw3...

This weekend is the one-year anniversary of the release of my newest comedy special Positive Reinforcement! I'm really proud of it, and I'd really appreciate if you'd consider checking it out and/or sharing it with a friend! Thanks! :) www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAvN...

On Mel Brooks's 100th birthday, it's a great reminder to put on Puttin' on the Ritz. youtu.be/rHetse6nUT8?...

"We tried to innovate. The market decided." Oh fuck off. theeditorial.news/culture/the-...

I have zero plans to see the new Uwe Boll film, but I am glad that some smart critics have chronicled how utterly troubling its plot and execution sounds. Here's @nathanrabin.bsky.social... nathanrabin.substack.com/p/citizen-vi...

"The part of your brain that understands dying doesn’t turn on until you get older. My high school home ec teacher told me that, while my group waited for our lemon meringues to crisp up." www.vol1brooklyn.com/2026/06/28/s...

Friends? Saša Kalajdžić did a Landon Donovan and I am so, so happy.

Algeria-Austria was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible. God, I love this game.

Camera just showed an Austria supporter in full Mozart cosplay. We'll done, sir, especially on a hot night in Kansas City.

Started reading Henry Bean's THE NENOQUICH earlier today. Not expecting David Milch to be one of the subjects of its dedication, but hey! www.mcnallyeditions.com/books/p/the-...

Going to need to cover this on the podcast, I think. www.rogerebert.com/reviews/in-t...

Fun fact: in 2014 I saw the USMNT play Türkiye in a friendly at the stadium then known as Red Bull Arena. It was fun right up until the time someone barfed on me from the upper deck. This is also why I own a USMNT Landon Donovan t-shirt.

En route to a hotel from a rehearsal dinner with my folks. Driving on Harrisburg Pike; my impromptu rendition of "Mass Pike" with alternate lyrics is not going over well with two people who have never heard the Get Up Kids. Alas.

If my writing has meant anything to you over the years, please read the article below and think about subscribing to Episodes.

Good reporting here, and I'm very impressed that no one involved made a "Rave & Buster's" joke. slate.com/business/202...

Today I learned that today is Global Beatles Day. I hope all of you are having a pleasant one!

Tobias Carroll (@tobiascarroll.bsky.social) reviews Jedediah Berry's new novel, Kill All Wizards, a fantasy full of action and ideas that calls back to the work Fritz Lieber. reactormag.com/book-review-...

At @publisherswkly.bsky.social, I wrote about boutique blu-ray distributors — @a24movies.bsky.social, @vinsyn.bsky.social, and @severinfilms.bsky.social among them — crossing over into the book world. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

At @vol1brooklyn.bsky.social, I talked with Brad Neely about his new collection Creased Comics (out on @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social). www.vol1brooklyn.com/2026/06/24/b...

Saw (and dug) The Death of Robin Hood earlier this week. Does anyone have recommendations on books collecting some of the medieval ballads that inspired said film?

It’s the same job.

Brad Neely on “Creased Comics” and the World of Absurdism www.vol1brooklyn.com/2026/06/24/b...

Coming on Dec. 10, 2026: my contribution to the Timecodes series, about the film Kill List. And now, it has a cover! www.bloomsbury.com/us/kill-list...

Pleasantly surprised by the NYC primary results thus far.

Highly recommended!

Books written for younger audiences are being relocated to adult sections at alarming rates. We asked experts to predict what that means for the rest of us.

For whatever reason, whenever I see that Murray Bartlett is in something, my brain expects to see Brett Gelman playing Murray from 'Stranger Things.' This led to me being very confused while watching 'The Death of Robin Hood' earlier tonight.

I have a wedding to attend next weekend, and I'm thinking of getting the happy couple the gift that keeps on giving: a pregnant cat. Now, to figure out how to gift-wrap a cat without it scratching me to death.

Has there been any writing about the role that race plays in the film Backrooms?

Good writing here on the overlap of books & politics from @colindickey.com. newrepublic.com/article/2112...

Wrote another book about one of my favorite movies with @laurentheisen.bsky.social, and it's OUT at the END of SEPTEMBER. Including thoughts on: -It's a Wonderful Life as Frank Capra's apotheosis -WWII PTSD -IAWL's politics -Bert & Ernie: gay??? Preorder here: www.harpercollins.com/products/eve...

Again one of the overlooked but still incredible storylines from this World Cup is just how much the A-desk FOX studio team absolutely fucking LOATHES Alexi Lalas.

One for @dubdobdee.bsky.social of course.

Also highly recommended: Andy Cush on playing the music of Glenn Branca, at @hearingthingsco.bsky.social. www.hearingthings.co/a-symphony-f...

Loved @sabs.bsky.social's interview with Cat Fitzpatrick, especially the bits about reverse-engineering as a writing technique. defector.com/cat-fitzpatr...

sick of corporate consolidation and greatly exaggerated reports of the death of movie theaters? want to see some lovable scamps figure out if america's indie movie theaters can save cinema? consider throwing us a couple bucks!

Not sure I'll ever write another book in the style of IN THE SIGHT — i.e. using a band's album as a template for it — but if I do, it's going to be Pulp's WE LOVE LIFE.

At last, I am writing about Community, a show about which I have previously been quite mum. This edition is free to all! And take advantage of our Pride Sale for 20 percent off!!

AR-PHARAZÔN THE GOLDEN: What you have to remember also is he appeared in fair form. CHOTINER: The next time the invasion of Valinor and the destruction of Númenor come up, I'll keep in mind that Sauron was handsome when it happened. AR-PHARAZÔN: He was. Not that that excuses it. CHOTINER: Right.

Also, wrote about two classic novels well worth your time. tobiascarroll.info/2026/06/17/i...

Wrote about Nick Cutter's The Dorians for @reactorsff.bsky.social! reactormag.com/book-review-...

"Just call everyone 'love'."

This remains one of the best essays I've ever read. granta.com/if-god-exist...

Always here for more explorations of the fiction of Joel Lane. reactormag.com/poetry-from-...

This is veering strangely close to the plot of the Eddie Murphy vehicle 'The Distinguished Gentleman.'

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