Sara Rauch

Using the word "admirable" when I can see the attempt and can also see that the attempt failed. My former editors HATED this!

One of the many reasons I love my local bookstore.

As a cautionary tale, I got hooked on a novel addiction as a youth and have wandered Mordor, Baker Street, vampire-infested towns, post-apocalyptic landscapes, far-flung galaxies, feudal Japan, Oregon mountains, a lab in the Alps, and seedy N.Y. alleys, among other sites, to feed the habit.

[2025] Sympathy for Wild Girls by Demree McGhee "Then she's off with her friends, laughing and squealing, glancing to look back at me like I'm a secret."

Fuller thoughts on SYMPATHY FOR WILD GIRLS:

Reading & enjoying Demree McGhee's SYMPATHY FOR WILD GIRLS -- first story collection I've read straight through in quite a while; it hangs together v. well.

Essays — March Sadness 90s Edition

It took me too long to get to the last couple of @marchxness.bsky.social extracurriculars, but WOW, if you haven't read @abigailoswald.bsky.social's essay on Pearl Jam, let me just link you up right now. Obsessed with the form. OBSESSEDDDDD marchxness.com/the-essays#/...

Queens by Beth Kanter I am shocked when my Bubbe Sarah sits down across from me at the Shalimar Diner not because she died in 1991, and not because the Rego Park restaurant never re-opened after the Covid shut down, but…

a beautiful portal of discover from Beth Kanter!

"I am shocked when my Bubbe Sarah sits down across from me at the Shalimar Diner not because she died in 1991, and not because the Rego Park restaurant never re-opened after the Covid shut down, but..."

https://www.havehashad.com/mjnr8

"Think summertime sparklers, jellyfish without jelly, an electrical outlet when prodded with a fork." This micro @formermissnj.bsky.social at @bulbregion.bsky.social is just SO damn good.

[1984] Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins "The beet is the most intense of vegetables."

Wrote about #rereading Tom Robbins' JITTERBUG PERFUME as research for an essay-story and what it's like to encounter your past self as a character. #writinglife #writesky

Despite the fact that there remains several inches of crusty snow EVERYWHERE and more is forecasted on the way, the birds are chirping this morning while I write. Which reminds me: "The thing about winter is, you don’t have to believe it will end. But the belief helps, somehow."

Two absolute bummer DNF books in a row has me superstitiously committing to never buying a romance with a predominantly pale purple cover again.

Joan Kwon Glass on the Jersey boardwalk, having just read Strike Sparks by Sharon Olds.

Today we're highlighting Joan Kwon Glass’ poem MASCOT from our JANUARY ISSUE. ✨ You can read about the inspiration behind her piece right here: buff.ly/SJABLw5

How much of writing fiction is just following clues, hunches, suspicions, obsessions drummed up by the mind. It's maddening, but also so so so thrilling.

Letter From Minnesota: “Mad Means Something” The greatest poem ever written about Minneapolis is a curse on the city. It‘s by James Wright, who wrote “The Minneapolis Poem” and published it in Shall We Gather at the River in 1968. He hated th…

More great voices from Minnesota today @literaryhub.bsky.social Here’s Charles Baxter on the righteous anger of poets (and more)
lithub.com/letter-from-...

Cover of paperback book titled "The Platypus of Doom and Other Nihilists" by Arthur Byron Cover. Image in the center of a large platypus in space. The platypus is wearing a bowtie.

Once upon a time you could go into a drug store and buy books with titles like this. Now you have to buy drugs.

While independent bookstores are giving out free whistles, hosting protest sign making events, and donating proceeds to mutual aid, Amazon is *checks notes* providing technology that assists ICE in their terrorizing of communities.

Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.

Finishing up DRACULA (first time reading it) & am reveling in how slow the action is. Diaries dates overlap, characters retire to smoke after dinner before getting to the updates, they take trains & send letters, they get the horses ready. It just feels so—oddly, given the circumstances—civilized.

“No man knows till he has suffered from the night how sweet and how dear to his heart and eye the morning can be.” —Jonathan Harker’s journal, DRACULA

Email me to death Zine Machine Now reading for The Spring ‘26 Edit

Now reading your zine submissions! We’ll feature selected zines in our digital Spring ‘26 Edit AND our zine-vending Zine Machine, which will be stationed at @setandsettingshop. ✨We are a paying market! ✨

Graphic flair by @friendly.dirt.pile 💬

January light 👌

Richard scarry image of pigs eating hot dogs

Feel like he’s breaking the 4th wall bc he realized this is kinda f’d up

named the suburb where it takes place something stupidly spooky. had a dead boyfriend call the protagonist's mom and leave a message. the kids are singing variations on a popular theme song. still probably not even close to finished. but having fun?

been working on a story for about two years. about a year ago, i would have said it was close to finished. but i couldn't finish it (not a good sign). over the last few months i've cut most of it. let the minor characters talk more. gave a houseghost a job as romance novelist.

nice short stories you got there. would be a shame if someone suggests you turn one of them into a novel

The Bulb Region The Bulb Region is an online literary journal dedicated to short form. Prose, poetry, comics, essays, humor, hybrid, and anything in-between.

LAUNCHING SOON 🌷 THE BULB REGION!

Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, prose poetry, hybrid, comics, cultural criticism, personal essays, and everything that falls in-between!

Save the date: January 13, 2026.

bulbregion.com

Legit the scariest thing I've read in a really, really long time. @catrionaward.bsky.social

Will do!

Before we officially announce our issue theme, we’re going to spoil it here: it’s an issue about moms!

Are any writers interested in being interviewed about being a mom, or having a mom, or any mom adjacent subject?

Reply here or shoot us a DM! We’re excited to talk with you!
#opensubmissions

(Tried to DM but it wouldn't let me) Prose writer here and mom to two, stepmom to one--my first story collection explored the decision to become a mom from a bunch of different angles; would LOVE to be a part of the issue!