Brian Halley
@brianbhalley.bsky.social
Executive Editor at University of Massachusetts Press, based at UMass Boston. Views here don’t reflect them. Feminist, progressive, 🏳️🌈, into books, dogs, ocean, print culture, lit studies, environmental studies/climate justice, and more.
Pinned
Boston Independent Activist Publishing: A History
bostonindiepubs.blogspot.com
Well, I've slowly started a new blog (!) focusing on some recent history of leftist #Boston #publishers, specifically those in or connected to my own South End neighborhood. I've like to get into their founding and the context for it. Check it out and provide any leads, please. #publishing #books
C’mon man… I already cried to this yesterday, on another platform!
February 6, 2026 at 4:36 PM
C’mon man… I already cried to this yesterday, on another platform!
Reposted by Brian Halley
Same goes for humanities scholars! Editors love quick responses, even "no," as much as we love suggestions!
As a former editor: PLEASE do this!
A quick e-mail saying: "I don't have time, but try [A] or [B]" can speed up the review process by *weeks*. And it also helps the many junior scientists who need reviewing experience on their CVs, but struggle to get invited.
A quick e-mail saying: "I don't have time, but try [A] or [B]" can speed up the review process by *weeks*. And it also helps the many junior scientists who need reviewing experience on their CVs, but struggle to get invited.
3) When you decline, suggest at least one other reviewer, preferably a junior scientist who tends to do a great job and is likely not on the radar of the editor.
February 6, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Same goes for humanities scholars! Editors love quick responses, even "no," as much as we love suggestions!
Reposted by Brian Halley
Working link: www.typotheque.com/blog/cheroke...
February 5, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Working link: www.typotheque.com/blog/cheroke...
Reposted by Brian Halley
The cycle from Amazon killing bookstores to Bezos axing the books section of the Post is something
February 4, 2026 at 2:35 PM
The cycle from Amazon killing bookstores to Bezos axing the books section of the Post is something
Reposted by Brian Halley
How about a thread of some favorite pieces that came out of the Post's book section?
John Williams, Becca Rothfeld, Ron Charles, Nora Krug, Becky Meloan, Sophia Nguyen, Becky Meloan, Jacob Brogan, Stephanie Merry, etc—the work these folks did, the space they created, deserves to be celebrated.
John Williams, Becca Rothfeld, Ron Charles, Nora Krug, Becky Meloan, Sophia Nguyen, Becky Meloan, Jacob Brogan, Stephanie Merry, etc—the work these folks did, the space they created, deserves to be celebrated.
February 4, 2026 at 4:53 PM
How about a thread of some favorite pieces that came out of the Post's book section?
John Williams, Becca Rothfeld, Ron Charles, Nora Krug, Becky Meloan, Sophia Nguyen, Becky Meloan, Jacob Brogan, Stephanie Merry, etc—the work these folks did, the space they created, deserves to be celebrated.
John Williams, Becca Rothfeld, Ron Charles, Nora Krug, Becky Meloan, Sophia Nguyen, Becky Meloan, Jacob Brogan, Stephanie Merry, etc—the work these folks did, the space they created, deserves to be celebrated.
I’m so sorry, Bezos was not “watching,” he was *overseeing* layoffs. That’s an important distinction. Thanks to @npr.org for correction.
Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post'
The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security.
www.npr.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:55 PM
I’m so sorry, Bezos was not “watching,” he was *overseeing* layoffs. That’s an important distinction. Thanks to @npr.org for correction.
Amazon got its start selling books and still takes some pride in doing that, and yet its billionaire owner is watching as the newspaper he also owns - the @washingtonpost.com - shutters their books department completely. So tired of this. Don’t trust billionaires, y’all.
February 4, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Amazon got its start selling books and still takes some pride in doing that, and yet its billionaire owner is watching as the newspaper he also owns - the @washingtonpost.com - shutters their books department completely. So tired of this. Don’t trust billionaires, y’all.
Reposted by Brian Halley
The city would be doing people a huge financial favor by charging for parking and encouraging them to get rid of their cars. If people can leave them sitting in a row like this covered in show for over a week, they don’t need them and are wasting their money and should get rid of them.
February 3, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The city would be doing people a huge financial favor by charging for parking and encouraging them to get rid of their cars. If people can leave them sitting in a row like this covered in show for over a week, they don’t need them and are wasting their money and should get rid of them.
Perspective.
"Put another way, during the entire 20th century, U.S. publishers released an estimated 2.5 million titles. Since the millennium, that many new books have appeared every year or two."
—Michael Castleman, "The Untold Story of Books: A Writer's History of Publishing"
—Michael Castleman, "The Untold Story of Books: A Writer's History of Publishing"
February 3, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Perspective.
The Epstein files reveal a world of privilege & abuse possibly worse than many if us could imagine, full of people banking off tax cuts and avoidance, and yet Trump & co want you to blame immigrants for higher costs, taxes, and any other ills. I hope we’re smart enough as a country to know better.
February 2, 2026 at 7:54 PM
The Epstein files reveal a world of privilege & abuse possibly worse than many if us could imagine, full of people banking off tax cuts and avoidance, and yet Trump & co want you to blame immigrants for higher costs, taxes, and any other ills. I hope we’re smart enough as a country to know better.
Well, I've slowly started a new blog (!) focusing on some recent history of leftist #Boston #publishers, specifically those in or connected to my own South End neighborhood. I've like to get into their founding and the context for it. Check it out and provide any leads, please. #publishing #books
Boston Independent Activist Publishing: A History
bostonindiepubs.blogspot.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Well, I've slowly started a new blog (!) focusing on some recent history of leftist #Boston #publishers, specifically those in or connected to my own South End neighborhood. I've like to get into their founding and the context for it. Check it out and provide any leads, please. #publishing #books
“There is one story: our country is on the brink of an authoritarian takeover. In Minneapolis an innocent poet and an ER nurse at a VA hospital were both killed in cold blood by federal agents. It is happening now.” -Francine Prose, @theguardian.com
America feels like a country on the brink of an authoritarian takeover | Francine Prose
This is the news we should be paying attention to. At least for the moment, everything else is a distraction
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:45 PM
“There is one story: our country is on the brink of an authoritarian takeover. In Minneapolis an innocent poet and an ER nurse at a VA hospital were both killed in cold blood by federal agents. It is happening now.” -Francine Prose, @theguardian.com
The idea that the Trump administration is asking folks for $1 billion for a place on so-called Board of Peace… it just sounds like he’s now monetizing poverty, a war-ravaged country, dying children. Have these people no souls? What is even happening?
January 20, 2026 at 3:32 AM
The idea that the Trump administration is asking folks for $1 billion for a place on so-called Board of Peace… it just sounds like he’s now monetizing poverty, a war-ravaged country, dying children. Have these people no souls? What is even happening?
Reposted by Brian Halley
The president
-Is occupying a major city with armed paramilitiaries
-Is blackmailing treaty allies to hand over their sovereign territory
-Is trying to set himself up as chairman for life of a UN rival with $1B fees for permanent membership
-Is talking about canceling elections
-Is occupying a major city with armed paramilitiaries
-Is blackmailing treaty allies to hand over their sovereign territory
-Is trying to set himself up as chairman for life of a UN rival with $1B fees for permanent membership
-Is talking about canceling elections
January 18, 2026 at 5:45 PM
The president
-Is occupying a major city with armed paramilitiaries
-Is blackmailing treaty allies to hand over their sovereign territory
-Is trying to set himself up as chairman for life of a UN rival with $1B fees for permanent membership
-Is talking about canceling elections
-Is occupying a major city with armed paramilitiaries
-Is blackmailing treaty allies to hand over their sovereign territory
-Is trying to set himself up as chairman for life of a UN rival with $1B fees for permanent membership
-Is talking about canceling elections
@alexanderchee.bsky.social brilliantly explains the queer power of #heatedrivalry, h/t @smcpickles.bsky.social
I Would Start A War In Your Arms
A Heated Rivalry Notebook
querent.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:08 PM
@alexanderchee.bsky.social brilliantly explains the queer power of #heatedrivalry, h/t @smcpickles.bsky.social
NYTimes, in your daily email, why take cheap shots at academics and students? What an odd and outdated binary. Some profs and students can write clearly and with wit, too. Check out some university press books as proof!
January 16, 2026 at 3:26 PM
NYTimes, in your daily email, why take cheap shots at academics and students? What an odd and outdated binary. Some profs and students can write clearly and with wit, too. Check out some university press books as proof!
Whenever I hear another public service panicking about deficits - the MBTA here in Boston (subway), public universities (I’m not just an employee of one, I’m an alum of another) - I think of all the corporations and very wealthy jumping thru hoops to avoid taxes. Our suffering is their cleverness.
January 16, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Whenever I hear another public service panicking about deficits - the MBTA here in Boston (subway), public universities (I’m not just an employee of one, I’m an alum of another) - I think of all the corporations and very wealthy jumping thru hoops to avoid taxes. Our suffering is their cleverness.
The Trump administration has harmed millions of people, those living with HIV/AIDS and more around the world, thru funding cuts. Now they're letting so many die right here with budget cuts, and it's cruel and deeply mean-spirited. Reminder: we are a very very wealthy nation. Unconscionable.
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services. The cuts could total as much as $2 billion.
www.npr.org
January 14, 2026 at 9:13 PM
The Trump administration has harmed millions of people, those living with HIV/AIDS and more around the world, thru funding cuts. Now they're letting so many die right here with budget cuts, and it's cruel and deeply mean-spirited. Reminder: we are a very very wealthy nation. Unconscionable.
Reposted by Brian Halley
Freedom of speech 💚!!
January 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Freedom of speech 💚!!
Reposted by Brian Halley
This is where I live. If you're not in the Twin Cities area (or if you are) and you're wondering what you can do, give money to this GoFundMe. Food distribution is rocking here, and finding money for rent is way more difficult. Jason is my council member. This is vetted.
The Powderhorn Park neighborhood has been the biggest target of immigration enforcement in Minnesota. It’s home to a large immigrant community who is now struggling to pay rent. Kidnappings are on the rise because people cannot stay home. Please help us out. Link is in my bio.
gofund.me/350c67697
gofund.me/350c67697
Donate to Support Powderhorn Families with Urgent Rent Relief, organized by Powderhorn Neighbors
We are a small group of Powderhorn neighbors, and we have cre… Powderhorn Neighbors needs your support for Support Powderhorn Families with Urgent Rent Relief
gofund.me
January 14, 2026 at 6:05 PM
This is where I live. If you're not in the Twin Cities area (or if you are) and you're wondering what you can do, give money to this GoFundMe. Food distribution is rocking here, and finding money for rent is way more difficult. Jason is my council member. This is vetted.
Reposted by Brian Halley
ICE rammed into a car at 34th and Park And then began to question the immigration status of U.S. Citizen Latino’s they crashed into.
They also deployed chemical irritants into the eyes of the press. Abolish ICE now.
They also deployed chemical irritants into the eyes of the press. Abolish ICE now.
January 12, 2026 at 7:07 PM
ICE rammed into a car at 34th and Park And then began to question the immigration status of U.S. Citizen Latino’s they crashed into.
They also deployed chemical irritants into the eyes of the press. Abolish ICE now.
They also deployed chemical irritants into the eyes of the press. Abolish ICE now.
Reposted by Brian Halley
ICE killed a member of our community today. ICE showed up at my kid’s daycare today. ICE is bragging about the number of families they’ve torn apart in a matter of days, and promising that their campaign of terror isn’t done.
January 7, 2026 at 10:51 PM
ICE killed a member of our community today. ICE showed up at my kid’s daycare today. ICE is bragging about the number of families they’ve torn apart in a matter of days, and promising that their campaign of terror isn’t done.
Reposted by Brian Halley
If you're headed to #MLA26 and want to have project (even in early stages) considered at @umasspress.bsky.social, set up a meeting with me at this link. See you there! @modernlanguage.bsky.social
MLA meetings with UMass's Brian Halley - Brian Halley
Please book a time to chat with me about your book project, even if it is early days. I look forward to it.
calendly.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:26 PM
If you're headed to #MLA26 and want to have project (even in early stages) considered at @umasspress.bsky.social, set up a meeting with me at this link. See you there! @modernlanguage.bsky.social