“What was his name? Mark Carson!”
At BuzzFeed, images of New York’s Rally Against Hate.
The rally came in response to recent anti-gay hate crimes, including the murder of Mark Carson, who was shot in the West Village on May 18.
...morePosts by: Lisa Dusenbery
Oklahoma
Our thoughts are with the people of Oklahoma as the rescue effort continues in the wake of yesterday’s devastating tornado.
Oklahoma City’s KFOR-TV has live streaming coverage online.
Here are a few ideas on how to help the victims.
A Facebook group is helping to link up victims with their strewn belongings.
...moreHappy Birthday, Longreads!
“Things You Should Know About Isaac Fitzgerald”
Boston Marathon Explosions
There are reports of serious injuries after two explosions detonated at the Boston Marathon finish line.
Live updates can be found here.
Our thoughts are with the victims and the city of Boston.
UPDATE: President Obama will address the nation at 6:10 ET.
...moreAlgren, The Movie
Check out the trailer for the forthcoming documentary on writer Nelson Algren, “recipient of the first National Book Award for Man With a Golden Arm, Simone de Beauvoir’s ‘Chicago Bohemian’ lover, a Beat writer before the Beats, a forerunner of the Gonzo movement, drinking buddy of Roger Ebert.”
...morePeter Rock Rocks SF
Peter Rock will be in San Francisco this weekend, reading from his latest novel, The Shelter Cycle.
Join him on Saturday, April 13, 7:00pm – 8:00pm at Green Apple Books (506 Clement Street). And stick around for drinks afterward at Abbey Tavern.
...moreTonight in SF: Julia Weldon at Bottom of the Hill
Bay Area! Julia Weldon, Kitten Grenade, and E&M are performing at Bottom of the Hill tonight!
Ages 21 & over. Doors at 8:30pm, show at 9.
Buy your tickets right here!
...moreThanks, Bitch!
Bitch included FUNNY WOMEN #98: Classic Novels Rejected by Modern Publishing Houses in yesterday’s feminist news roundup.
Thanks, Bitch! You’re on our radar, too!
...moreL.A. Women
“There’s a creative renaissance currently flourishing in Los Angeles and these women are central figures.”
This week, KCET’s L.A. Letters explores iconic women in literary L.A.
The writers and musicians featured include Saturday Rumpus editor Zoë Ruiz!
...moreRIP Chinua Achebe (1930–2013)
We’re saddened by the news that novelist and poet Chinua Achebe passed away today.
Here are just a few conversations from his long and impacting legacy:
In a 2009 interview with All Things Considered, Achebe discussed his first and most famous novel, Things Fall Apart.
...moreUtne Media Award Nomination!
We have some good news, folks. We’ve been nominated as one of four finalists for the 2013 Utne Media Award in the category of Best Writing!
Presented by the editorial staff of Utne Reader, the award is in its 24th year.
Big congrats to all the excellent nominees in each and every category! Get the details after the jump:
...moreRumpus Ink
Last year, we published Chris Stedman’s essay “Sympathy for the Devil” with accompanying artwork by the one-and-only Jason Novak. Now, Chris has turned Jason’s illustrations into tattoos!
Of his new ink (which you can check out after the jump), Chris says:
...moreI hope they will serve to remind me to respond to intolerance and fear with patience and empathy (as well as sense of humor).
“The skies are filled with bees”
At Berfrois, Rumpus columnist Nicholas Rombes shares two new poems.
“Drone Wars: Episode II” begins:
Let me press yourself into your fucking
self until you disappear completely.
Read the rest here.
...moreCOMIQUES: The Show
If you’re a New York-based fan of COMIQUES, Anne Emond’s delightful Rumpus column, listen up.
There will be a week-long show of Emond’s comics and drawings at Superchief Gallery from March 25-31st. The opening will be held on March 30 from 7-10pm.
...moreTonight: Get Out of My Crotch Reading
This evening, Rumpus columnist Sari Botton, along with Elissa Bassist and Betty MacDonald, will be reading from Get Out of My Crotch: 21 Writers Respond to the War on Women’s Rights and Reproductive Health.
Monday, March 4th, 7 pm at Bluestockings Bookstore, Café, & Activist Center (172 Allen Street, New York).
...moreTribute to Newtown
The Newtowner magazine, based in Newtown, CT, is working on a special tribute issue in response to the events of 12/14.
They’re looking for submissions of poetry, nonfiction, photography, and art that would be appropriate in an issue dedicated to the people and places of the town.
...more“Everything you think you have can be lost in five episodes”
Funny Women editor Elissa Bassist opens up about a Netflix binge and how, after seven days and 52 episodes, an Australian teen drama called Dance Academy became her raison d’être.
...moreI was an undiagnosed addict with a modern addiction, one that might fall under an umbrella epidemic of loneliness in the digital age.
Dirty Words
Link Love
At The Cut, Ann Friedman cited Roxane Gay’s “searing takedown of the racist and sexist humor that pervaded Oscar night.”
Feministing also praised Roxane’s essay.
We love you both back big time!
...moreNot An Email
This is a letter in two parts. It didn’t start out that way but I got to thinking about joy and revision. So when I say goodbye the first time, you’ll see there’s actually more to go.
So begins Gabrielle Calvocoressi’s Letter in the Mail, which City Lights has posted in honor of Letter Writing Month.
...moreFight Song Giveaway! (Is now over)
In celebration of yesterday’s interview with Joshua Mohr, we’re giving away three copies of his novel Fight Song, “a call to arms against complacency, a rally towards reclaiming one’s own individuality.”
The first three readers to email lisa AT therumpus.net will receive a free copy!
...more“a better, funnier form of commencement wisdom”
Trop Magazine is throwing a writing contest.
...moreThe Trop Short Fake College or High School Class President Commencement Address contest is an opportunity to write in the wisest, most bombastic, most grandiose way possible. Most of us didn’t get selected to give our commencement addresses.
Small Press Love Fest
If you’re in the Bay Area and want to show some love for indie writers, come to the Small Press Love Fest at Alley Cat Books tomorrow!
Twelve writers from San Francisco, Oakland, and New York will be reading short excerpts of their work (including Rumpus intern Lauren O’Neal).
...moreAdobe Lives!
Bay Area! Come out and party for Adobe Books this Saturday.
The beloved bookstore (and neighbor of Rumpus HQ) is launching a fundraiser and Crowdfunding Campaign to keep its doors open after 25 years in the Mission.
Saturday’s celebration will feature readings by Marina Lazzara, Chris Carlsson, Maw Shein Win, & Sarah Wishby.
...moreTHIS IS NOT AN EMAIL
In honor of Letter Writing Month, City Lights is publishing a few of our Letters in the Mail!
First up is Deb Olin Unferth’s letter. Stay tuned for another by Gabrielle Calvocoressi.
Want more information on Letters in the Mail?
...moreJoshua Mohr and Susan Steinberg Book Party (Tonight!)
Bay Area, get ready for an evening of art and comedy!
Featuring Joshua Mohr, reading from his new novel, Fight Song! Susan Steinberg, reading from her new short story collection, Spectacle!
Comedy by Sean Keane! Music by Michael Mullen of The Size Queens!
...more“My Parasite”
Ploughshares reviews Gina Frangello’s short story “My Parasite” for their “Best Story I Read in a Lit Mag This Week” series.
“Perhaps what is most important is that Frangello’s characters are larger than the futuristic space they occupy, and I’m not sure that many narratives in such a setting can boast this.”
Thanks, Ploughshares!
...moreThanks, MetaFilter!
MetaFilter linked to “Sick,” Amy Butcher’s essay on friendship, mental illness, and more.
We love you back, MetaFilter!
...moreWrits of Passion
In case you missed it last week, check out Steve Almond’s “Why I Write Smut: A Manifesto.”
It’s an excerpt from Writs of Passion, a set of six tiny books made up of Almond’s stories and essays that are too dirty for prime-time.
...more