Dan O'Brien
@bydanobrien.bsky.social
Plays, poems, prose http://danobrien.org
Pinned
Dan O'Brien
@bydanobrien.bsky.social
· Sep 11
Opinion | What 9/11, Cancer and the Palisades Fire Taught Me (Gift Article)
We’ll never know with certainty that carcinogens in the smoke, dust and ash from the World Trade Center caused my wife’s cancer and my own.
www.nytimes.com
I’m grateful to editors @sternbergh.bsky.social, Vanessa Mobley, @dansaltzstein.bsky.social, and the design team at the Times, for publishing so beautifully my essay about catastrophe, luck, resilience, and hope. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Includes a heroic crown of sonnets for my late brother 🙏🏻 @kenyonreview.bsky.social
kenyonreview.org/contributor/...
kenyonreview.org/contributor/...
January 19, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Includes a heroic crown of sonnets for my late brother 🙏🏻 @kenyonreview.bsky.social
kenyonreview.org/contributor/...
kenyonreview.org/contributor/...
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Breaking news: The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation alleging that they are impeding federal law enforcement officers’ abilities to do their jobs in the state.
Justice Dept. launches criminal investigation of Minnesota governor
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation into impeding law enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Applications open today @sewaneewriters.bsky.social — through March 1 sewaneewriters.org I’ll be teaching with playwrights David Adjmi, Nathan Alan Davis, and Lauren Yee
January 15, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Applications open today @sewaneewriters.bsky.social — through March 1 sewaneewriters.org I’ll be teaching with playwrights David Adjmi, Nathan Alan Davis, and Lauren Yee
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
If you think time at MacDowell might be beneficial to your art (fwiw I bet it would be) then APPLY. They are incredibly welcoming and supportive, the experience was transformative for me and many others, and no, you don’t have to be a superstar to get accepted. So, apply! @macdowell1907.bsky.social
Apply to MacDowell
The application period for Fall 2026 Winter 2027 residencies is now open!
For more information and to apply, visit macdowell.org/apply
Join Our Admissions Q&A Session!
Date: January 21 • Time: 2:00 p.m. ET •
To register, visit: bit.ly/4fMgTd1
The application period for Fall 2026 Winter 2027 residencies is now open!
For more information and to apply, visit macdowell.org/apply
Join Our Admissions Q&A Session!
Date: January 21 • Time: 2:00 p.m. ET •
To register, visit: bit.ly/4fMgTd1
January 15, 2026 at 6:20 PM
If you think time at MacDowell might be beneficial to your art (fwiw I bet it would be) then APPLY. They are incredibly welcoming and supportive, the experience was transformative for me and many others, and no, you don’t have to be a superstar to get accepted. So, apply! @macdowell1907.bsky.social
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
Esther Allen (@eallen.bsky.social) can spin the woolliest yarn with scholarly precision… You know who else was known for such things?
January 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Esther Allen (@eallen.bsky.social) can spin the woolliest yarn with scholarly precision… You know who else was known for such things?
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
Very happy to be back at @sewaneewriters.bsky.social this summer — come join us on the mountain ✍️ sewaneewriters.org
January 11, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Very happy to be back at @sewaneewriters.bsky.social this summer — come join us on the mountain ✍️ sewaneewriters.org
Very happy to be back at @sewaneewriters.bsky.social this summer — come join us on the mountain ✍️ sewaneewriters.org
January 11, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Very happy to be back at @sewaneewriters.bsky.social this summer — come join us on the mountain ✍️ sewaneewriters.org
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
Editorial in the National Catholic Reporter: "The vice president's comments justifying the death of Renee Good are a moral stain on the collective witness of our Catholic faith. His repeated attempts to blame Good for her own death are fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel."
Catholic Vice President Vance takes to social media to justify killing of Renee Good
After the tragic shooting of Renee Good at the hands of ICE, the Catholic vice president of the United States took to social media to justify the killing.
www.ncronline.org
January 8, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Editorial in the National Catholic Reporter: "The vice president's comments justifying the death of Renee Good are a moral stain on the collective witness of our Catholic faith. His repeated attempts to blame Good for her own death are fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel."
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
a major american city is being forced to close schools because armed government agents are raiding and pepper spraying and terrorizing children and teachers for social media content
Minneapolis public schools canceled classes officials after Roosevelt High School said armed Border Patrol officers came on school property during dismissal Wednesday and began tackling people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical weapons on bystanders
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Minneapolis schools cancel classes after Border Patrol clash disrupts dismissal at Roosevelt
Minneapolis schools closed for the week citing safety concerns after an encounter involving armed Border Patrol agents near Roosevelt High School.
www.mprnews.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:53 PM
a major american city is being forced to close schools because armed government agents are raiding and pepper spraying and terrorizing children and teachers for social media content
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
Last night, at the corner where an ICE agent murdered Renee Good, thousands of Minnesotans gathered in the frigid dark to protest her killing. In the face of this administration’s lawless violence, solidarity is the answer.
They want to mold America to their cruelty. We refuse.
They want to mold America to their cruelty. We refuse.
January 8, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Last night, at the corner where an ICE agent murdered Renee Good, thousands of Minnesotans gathered in the frigid dark to protest her killing. In the face of this administration’s lawless violence, solidarity is the answer.
They want to mold America to their cruelty. We refuse.
They want to mold America to their cruelty. We refuse.
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
I’m grateful to editors @sternbergh.bsky.social, Vanessa Mobley, @dansaltzstein.bsky.social, and the design team at the Times, for publishing so beautifully my essay about catastrophe, luck, resilience, and hope. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | What 9/11, Cancer and the Palisades Fire Taught Me (Gift Article)
We’ll never know with certainty that carcinogens in the smoke, dust and ash from the World Trade Center caused my wife’s cancer and my own.
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I’m grateful to editors @sternbergh.bsky.social, Vanessa Mobley, @dansaltzstein.bsky.social, and the design team at the Times, for publishing so beautifully my essay about catastrophe, luck, resilience, and hope. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
I've watched thousands of videos from the Jan. 6 riot as part of NPR's reporting and archive project on that day.
Here are some of the lesser known videos that have really stuck with me.
🧵
Here are some of the lesser known videos that have really stuck with me.
🧵
January 6, 2026 at 1:23 PM
I've watched thousands of videos from the Jan. 6 riot as part of NPR's reporting and archive project on that day.
Here are some of the lesser known videos that have really stuck with me.
🧵
Here are some of the lesser known videos that have really stuck with me.
🧵
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
It's an old and obvious pattern. An unpopular president - failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home - decides to launch a war for regime change abroad.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
January 3, 2026 at 5:08 PM
It's an old and obvious pattern. An unpopular president - failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home - decides to launch a war for regime change abroad.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
Book birthday — two years since True Story, my trilogy of documentary/memoir plays, was published by @dalkeyarchive.bsky.social. Many thanks to @chadwpost.bsky.social, Kaija Straimanis, & readers 🙏🏻 dalkeyarchive.store/products/tru...
True Story: A Trilogy
By Dan O'Brien ISBN: 9781628975130 Publication Date: 1/2/2024 True Story: A Trilogy gathers together three documentary plays by acclaimed playwright and poet Dan O’Brien concerning trauma, both polit...
dalkeyarchive.store
January 2, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Book birthday — two years since True Story, my trilogy of documentary/memoir plays, was published by @dalkeyarchive.bsky.social. Many thanks to @chadwpost.bsky.social, Kaija Straimanis, & readers 🙏🏻 dalkeyarchive.store/products/tru...
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
Maybe 15 years ago I was in Western Massachusetts with a partner who wanted to check out the Norman Rockwell Museum. I only knew of Rockwell as 1950s kitsch and had low expectations. As it happened, we showed up while an exhibit on Rockwell's Civil Rights legacy was on display. Blew my mind.
"Norman Rockwell was antifa," his granddaughter says. (Fact check: literally true.)
www.thebulwark.com/p/norman-roc...
www.thebulwark.com/p/norman-roc...
The MAGAfication of Norman Rockwell
Trump uses the artist’s work—like other cultural icons—to promote Gestapo tactics and nativist ideas.
www.thebulwark.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Maybe 15 years ago I was in Western Massachusetts with a partner who wanted to check out the Norman Rockwell Museum. I only knew of Rockwell as 1950s kitsch and had low expectations. As it happened, we showed up while an exhibit on Rockwell's Civil Rights legacy was on display. Blew my mind.
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
In 2023 I became obsessed with videos of dads in cargo shortswaiting in parking lots during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. So when she came to town, I grabbed a camera and headed down to talk to them. I thought it'd be funny. It turned out to be something else entirely.
December 23, 2025 at 9:18 PM
In 2023 I became obsessed with videos of dads in cargo shortswaiting in parking lots during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. So when she came to town, I grabbed a camera and headed down to talk to them. I thought it'd be funny. It turned out to be something else entirely.
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
The American College Theatre Festival has suspended its affiliation with the Kennedy Center after nearly six decades of partnership. www.broadwayworld.com/article/Amer...
American College Theatre Festival Suspends Affiliation With Kennedy Center
The American College Theatre Festival announced it has suspended its long-standing affiliation with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, citing a misalignment of values while confirming its national and regional programs will continue.
www.broadwayworld.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The American College Theatre Festival has suspended its affiliation with the Kennedy Center after nearly six decades of partnership. www.broadwayworld.com/article/Amer...
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
The Northwest Review is alive and now on Bluesky. We are reviving this historically great magazine in 2026. We are now open for submissions. Send us your best fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. northwestreview.submittable.com/submit
Northwest Review Submission Manager
Thank you for your interest in the Northwest Review. We look forward to reading your work.Founded at the University of Oregon in 1957, the Northwest Review publishes fiction, poetry, creative nonficti...
northwestreview.submittable.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The Northwest Review is alive and now on Bluesky. We are reviving this historically great magazine in 2026. We are now open for submissions. Send us your best fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. northwestreview.submittable.com/submit
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
We've got gift options galore and our annual end of year sale is still on! Link below for details. 🎁📚🎉 #booksky
Attention book lovers! It's our end of year holiday sale! Code: ACREHOLIDAYHAUL30 for 30% off all of our print titles, including free shipping. Sale through mid-December. Additional details at
acre-books.com/acre-books-h...
acre-books.com/acre-books-h...
December 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
We've got gift options galore and our annual end of year sale is still on! Link below for details. 🎁📚🎉 #booksky
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
"Another challenge was to fit in writing between part-time and full-time work and, later, cancer treatment. I have four fewer organs now than when I started the book. So to at last see it published is, for me, an arrival that I don’t take for granted."
A long journey for this book begun in the MA16 workshop and just published by OUP: 'the lively and frequently jaw-dropping story of Alan and Joan MacLeod’s 1963 journey from Dunedin to the Isle of Skye in Scotland with their six children, aged five to fifteen.'
www.ketebooks.co.nz/en/interview...
www.ketebooks.co.nz/en/interview...
A house-truck across the world: Hannah Bulloch
Author of OVERLAND TO THE ISLAND, Hannah Bulloch, delves into the writing and research processes that brought her book to life. ...
www.ketebooks.co.nz
December 13, 2025 at 12:59 AM
"Another challenge was to fit in writing between part-time and full-time work and, later, cancer treatment. I have four fewer organs now than when I started the book. So to at last see it published is, for me, an arrival that I don’t take for granted."
Some of my recent books, bendable for placement inside stockings — available in the usual ways, but links are @ www.danobrien.org @acrebooks.bsky.social @dalkeyarchive.bsky.social @cbeditions.bsky.social @poetrylondon.bsky.social @calquepress.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Some of my recent books, bendable for placement inside stockings — available in the usual ways, but links are @ www.danobrien.org @acrebooks.bsky.social @dalkeyarchive.bsky.social @cbeditions.bsky.social @poetrylondon.bsky.social @calquepress.bsky.social
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
Amazing to me, but @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social and I began @badlilies.bsky.social five years ago this coming spring. Five years! A lockdown project of optimism in a sad time. The world continues to disappoint. Bad Lilies keeps going. Explore our archive: www.badlilies.uk/issues
Issues — Bad Lilies
Issues of Bad Lilies, a digital poetry journal.
www.badlilies.uk
December 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Amazing to me, but @andrewjamesneilson.bsky.social and I began @badlilies.bsky.social five years ago this coming spring. Five years! A lockdown project of optimism in a sad time. The world continues to disappoint. Bad Lilies keeps going. Explore our archive: www.badlilies.uk/issues
Reposted by Dan O'Brien
New work from Acre poet @bydanobrien.bsky.social! 🎉🎉🎉
A poem for my brother in @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social, in fine company. Many thanks to editor @jamiepcameron.bsky.social thelondonmagazine.org
December 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
New work from Acre poet @bydanobrien.bsky.social! 🎉🎉🎉