Of Novelists and Politics
In 2015, to be an influential fiction writer means only to wield influence within a niche audience of people who are already of the same mind… American political discussion is…
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Mary Allen
112 posts
Mary Allen is a writer working, crafting, and making bad puns in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Whiteness of Literary Landmarks
From Alice Walker: Standing there knocking on Flannery O’Connor’s door, I do not think of her illness; her magnificent work in spite of it; I think: It all comes back…
You’ll Claw Yourself with Pleasure
NPR presents the art, science, and history of the book blurb.
The Price of Instant Gratification
In their continued quest to conquer the world, Amazon has quietly launched a new program, called Amazon Flex, which hires contract delivery drivers on demand, much like Über. Read more…
Why Choose?
The birth of the ebook has been a source of fear among literary consumers for years now, but it seem, based on current sales trends, print is making a comeback.…
Strunk & White: The Grammar Police
It’s “whom,” motherfucker. William Strunk and E.B. White’s The Elements of Style is foundational reading for most aspiring writers. But you’ve never seen it like this. Go check out your…
Let’s Talk About Abortion
Book Riot discusses the lack of female protagonists who’ve had abortions in literature: For millions of women, abortion is not a statistic or a political platitude. Although public discourse around…
Funny Women
Love our “Funny Women“ column as much as we do? Find out who “Funny Women” editor Elissa Bassist thinks is hilarious, courtesy of Vela Magazine.
A Newly Blooming Blume
Missing favorite childhood author Judy Blume? Well not for long. She is returning with her first new novel in a decade. And its for adults! Find out more here.
Finding Home
Growing up all over the place makes you skilled at adapting, but it also makes you hungry to belong, something that in part motivates my writing: carving out a space…
Wimpy Bookstore with Strong Ideas
How does a child experience a book? It’s such a different experience reading on a tablet or a smartphone. A physical book has a heft, a permanence that you don’t…
Texting with bell hooks
Ever find yourself in a risky situation where you are being asked to give your number to a not-so-awesome-but-also-frightening-and-possibly-aggressive person? Here’s your solution! Give out this number instead and avoid…