Jenny Shank
@jennyshank.bsky.social
Representing Jenkind. Writer, reader, eater. Books: MIXED COMPANY & THE RINGER. Teach: Lighthouse Writers Workshop. Words: The Atlantic, Washington Post, McSweeney’s. Newsletter: The Tumbleweed, jenny.shank.substack.com
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Jenny Shank
@jennyshank.bsky.social
· Aug 14
I Am the Overtourist and I’m Here to Marry Your Town
I am the Overtourist. I’m here to overtour your picturesque town or world-class city. Shooting water pistols at me only hydrates and emboldens me.
...
bit.ly
In June I took the jammed train from Paris to Giverny to visit Monet's house. One guy bickered with another using a seat for a cello, while I stood in the aisle and began this piece. "I Am the Overtourist and I'm Here to Marry Your Town" is up on McSweeney's today! bit.ly/4fzlmzz
Watching Olympic snowboarding, I thought back to my summer internship with a concert promoter in the ‘90s, when I had to come up with a glossary of skateboarding terms to promote the first Warped Tour, and I marvel at the evolution of pretty much everything since then! bit.ly/4bZ9nf1
How Awe-Inspiring Olympic Snowboarding Eased my Grumpiness about Accelerating Change
Plus new books and movies about technology, robots, and headaches.
bit.ly
February 16, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Watching Olympic snowboarding, I thought back to my summer internship with a concert promoter in the ‘90s, when I had to come up with a glossary of skateboarding terms to promote the first Warped Tour, and I marvel at the evolution of pretty much everything since then! bit.ly/4bZ9nf1
I'm so proud of my friend Rachel Weaver, whose memoir DIZZY is published this week, and received this glowing review on @npr.org Fresh Air by Maureen Corrigan, who is one of my very favorite book critics! If you suffer from vertigo or migraine or just want a great read, check out DIZZY!
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Top stories in the U.S. and world news, politics, health, science, business, music, arts and culture. Nonprofit journalism with a mission. This is NPR.
npr.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:56 PM
I'm so proud of my friend Rachel Weaver, whose memoir DIZZY is published this week, and received this glowing review on @npr.org Fresh Air by Maureen Corrigan, who is one of my very favorite book critics! If you suffer from vertigo or migraine or just want a great read, check out DIZZY!
Hey la, hey la, my Jokic’s back! @nuggets.bsky.social
January 31, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Hey la, hey la, my Jokic’s back! @nuggets.bsky.social
Here's to a real one, Dr. Daddio, who brought Black radio to Denver. In 1968 he bought KDKO and shifted the format from country to R&B. Hiphop came late to Denver's airwaves, because Dr. Daddio didn't like it, but in the '80s, KDKO's late night DJs snuck some on.
www.denverpost.com/2026/01/30/j...
www.denverpost.com/2026/01/30/j...
Famed Colorado radio broadcaster, civil rights activist James ‘Dr. Daddio’ Walker dies
Colorado civil rights activist and pioneering Denver radio broadcaster James “Dr. Daddio” Walker has died, his family confirmed Tuesday.
www.denverpost.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Here's to a real one, Dr. Daddio, who brought Black radio to Denver. In 1968 he bought KDKO and shifted the format from country to R&B. Hiphop came late to Denver's airwaves, because Dr. Daddio didn't like it, but in the '80s, KDKO's late night DJs snuck some on.
www.denverpost.com/2026/01/30/j...
www.denverpost.com/2026/01/30/j...
I'm teaching a 4-week class at Lighthouse Writers Workshop starting Feb. 9, and it's all about revision!
Why did nobody say yay? Friend, you need to revise.
Join me on Zoom on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. mountain time, and I'll share my best tips and ideas for revising your book.
bit.ly/4q2CLnR
Why did nobody say yay? Friend, you need to revise.
Join me on Zoom on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. mountain time, and I'll share my best tips and ideas for revising your book.
bit.ly/4q2CLnR
4-Week: Seeing the Big Picture—Techniques for Revising Fiction and Nonfiction Books
Ann Patchett has described the process of writing a book as "somewhat akin to a very long police interrogation in which the detective leans over the table littered with the butt ends of cigarettes and...
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 6:25 PM
I'm teaching a 4-week class at Lighthouse Writers Workshop starting Feb. 9, and it's all about revision!
Why did nobody say yay? Friend, you need to revise.
Join me on Zoom on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. mountain time, and I'll share my best tips and ideas for revising your book.
bit.ly/4q2CLnR
Why did nobody say yay? Friend, you need to revise.
Join me on Zoom on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. mountain time, and I'll share my best tips and ideas for revising your book.
bit.ly/4q2CLnR
Bravo, @adamserwer.bsky.social. I love the idea of "neighborism." Read this article, neighbors: bit.ly/4r93IqU
January 27, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Bravo, @adamserwer.bsky.social. I love the idea of "neighborism." Read this article, neighbors: bit.ly/4r93IqU
How have I never seen the live auction of the junior champion steer at the National Western Stock Show on TV before? It’s cinema. The cow’s owner is 13 and she wants to be a doctor. The steer is gorgeous: fluffy, glossy. And with a winning bid of $320,000, it’s going to pay for med school.
January 24, 2026 at 2:19 AM
How have I never seen the live auction of the junior champion steer at the National Western Stock Show on TV before? It’s cinema. The cow’s owner is 13 and she wants to be a doctor. The steer is gorgeous: fluffy, glossy. And with a winning bid of $320,000, it’s going to pay for med school.
I hate how this Nuggets game is ending, but the ref’s “more than marginal contact to the groin area” proclamation is a phrase that will linger in my consciousness.
January 21, 2026 at 5:27 AM
I hate how this Nuggets game is ending, but the ref’s “more than marginal contact to the groin area” proclamation is a phrase that will linger in my consciousness.
I can't wait to read all these great finalists! Happy reading to me.
Announcing the 2025 National Book Critics Circle Finalists for the John Leonard Prize!
January 20, 2026 at 5:07 PM
I can't wait to read all these great finalists! Happy reading to me.
In 1983, my first grade drawing of Dr. King was chosen to represent my school at a Denver art show to raise support for Colorado's adoption of the MLK holiday in 1984. Dr. King was one of the first famous Americans I ever learned about in school, along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
January 19, 2026 at 9:41 PM
In 1983, my first grade drawing of Dr. King was chosen to represent my school at a Denver art show to raise support for Colorado's adoption of the MLK holiday in 1984. Dr. King was one of the first famous Americans I ever learned about in school, along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
In this month's Tumbleweed, I share new research about how to enhance curiosity and recommend some books and upcoming literary events by poets Andrea Rexilius and Violet Mitchell, and the new season of Reading Den with @vitcavage.bsky.social, C. William Langsfeld and more!
bit.ly/4jNNMZ0
bit.ly/4jNNMZ0
Curioser and Curioser: How Curiosity Makes Life Better
Casa Bonita reigns supreme, Jamal Murray gets a mole-themed tribute, and literary events galore.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 7:27 PM
In this month's Tumbleweed, I share new research about how to enhance curiosity and recommend some books and upcoming literary events by poets Andrea Rexilius and Violet Mitchell, and the new season of Reading Den with @vitcavage.bsky.social, C. William Langsfeld and more!
bit.ly/4jNNMZ0
bit.ly/4jNNMZ0
One of the best parts of Marty Supreme was all the real faces--people with unaltered noses, fat, wrinkles, scars, expressions. Actual, distinctive human beings whose faces told stories. It adds depth to the experience.
December 30, 2025 at 7:14 PM
One of the best parts of Marty Supreme was all the real faces--people with unaltered noses, fat, wrinkles, scars, expressions. Actual, distinctive human beings whose faces told stories. It adds depth to the experience.
Nuggets season is flashing before my eyes. I’m glad I watched Joker play as much as I could these past few years.
December 30, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Nuggets season is flashing before my eyes. I’m glad I watched Joker play as much as I could these past few years.
Thanks to Christine Sneed for interviewing me for her illustrious Substack, Bookish!
Always in Good Company: A Conversation with Fiction Writer, Humorist, and Book Critic Jenny Shank
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Always in Good Company: A Conversation with Fiction Writer, Humorist, and Book Critic Jenny Shank
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Always in Good Company: A Conversation with Fiction Writer, Humorist, and Book Critic Jenny Shank
Her award-winning story collection is MIXED COMPANY
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Thanks to Christine Sneed for interviewing me for her illustrious Substack, Bookish!
Always in Good Company: A Conversation with Fiction Writer, Humorist, and Book Critic Jenny Shank
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Always in Good Company: A Conversation with Fiction Writer, Humorist, and Book Critic Jenny Shank
open.substack.com/pub/christin...
Reposted by Jenny Shank
NSF is about to dismantle NCAR at Russell Vought's direction to protect the fossil fuel industry. It's hard to communicate just how much NCAR does, so let's take a look: I've never worked at NCAR, and I've worked with NCAR researchers once ever. What scientific discoveries has NCAR made possible? 👇
December 17, 2025 at 4:14 AM
NSF is about to dismantle NCAR at Russell Vought's direction to protect the fossil fuel industry. It's hard to communicate just how much NCAR does, so let's take a look: I've never worked at NCAR, and I've worked with NCAR researchers once ever. What scientific discoveries has NCAR made possible? 👇
Sunrise in Boulder, Colorado this morning.
December 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Sunrise in Boulder, Colorado this morning.
Other readers make year-end best book lists, but I bestow book awards on behalf of all Jenkind. In this month's Tumbleweed, it's the 4th Annual Jenfolk Book Awards! @loriostlund.bsky.social @jfkane.bsky.social @erikakrouse.bsky.social jennyshank.substack.com/p/the-fourth...
The Fourth Annual Jenfolk Book Awards
Four years into this, and no Jen has stopped me yet.
jennyshank.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Other readers make year-end best book lists, but I bestow book awards on behalf of all Jenkind. In this month's Tumbleweed, it's the 4th Annual Jenfolk Book Awards! @loriostlund.bsky.social @jfkane.bsky.social @erikakrouse.bsky.social jennyshank.substack.com/p/the-fourth...
This should be a movie: Andrew Young, twice hospitalized for weed-induced psychosis, claws his way back to sanity by writing raps about the Denver Broncos. These raps catch on and spark the creation of the Bronco Gang fan club. Also Andrew quit smoking weed. www.denverpost.com/2025/12/11/b...
The Mad Fanatic cultivated a following rapping about the Broncos, and built Bronco Gang along the way
Spitting bars about the Broncos brought Andrew Young back from the edge of insanity — and tacked on a worldwide football family in the process.
www.denverpost.com
December 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
This should be a movie: Andrew Young, twice hospitalized for weed-induced psychosis, claws his way back to sanity by writing raps about the Denver Broncos. These raps catch on and spark the creation of the Bronco Gang fan club. Also Andrew quit smoking weed. www.denverpost.com/2025/12/11/b...
It feels like the U.S. is going through some version of King Lear, Act 1 right now. So that means everything is just going to get more batshit.
December 10, 2025 at 10:08 PM
It feels like the U.S. is going through some version of King Lear, Act 1 right now. So that means everything is just going to get more batshit.
Reposted by Jenny Shank
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
December 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
I had a great time reading small press books this year to winnow my choices to three excellent books to recommend on the @literaryhub.bsky.social 100 Notable Small Press Books of the year! bit.ly/3KzB82n
December 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I had a great time reading small press books this year to winnow my choices to three excellent books to recommend on the @literaryhub.bsky.social 100 Notable Small Press Books of the year! bit.ly/3KzB82n
I’ve texted with more family members about Aaron Gordon’s hamstring injury last night than we ever text about most global events. If Mr. Nugget could heal off of well wishes alone he’d be up and running today. That man might be the most beloved person in Colorado.
November 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I’ve texted with more family members about Aaron Gordon’s hamstring injury last night than we ever text about most global events. If Mr. Nugget could heal off of well wishes alone he’d be up and running today. That man might be the most beloved person in Colorado.
Jokić scores 55 against the Clippers by #nbapaints. I think I would like this in a plush doll. www.instagram.com/nbapaints/?h...
November 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Jokić scores 55 against the Clippers by #nbapaints. I think I would like this in a plush doll. www.instagram.com/nbapaints/?h...
In this month's Tumbleweed, I write about how I frequently spot running celebrities when I jog near my house, including Olympic medalists Yared Nuguse and Frank Shorter, and recommend some great books to read by such fabulous writers as Sarah Elgatian and @juliaelliott.bsky.social bit.ly/48hp0vY
Surround Yourself with Inspiring People or Consider Becoming One Yourself: How I Ran Near Olympic Medalists Yared Nuguse and Frank Shorter
Plus, book recommendations, a new class, and Bronco-shaped chicken nuggets!
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 7:36 PM
In this month's Tumbleweed, I write about how I frequently spot running celebrities when I jog near my house, including Olympic medalists Yared Nuguse and Frank Shorter, and recommend some great books to read by such fabulous writers as Sarah Elgatian and @juliaelliott.bsky.social bit.ly/48hp0vY
This conversation on @citycastdenver.bsky.social today, about how arts in our city have over three times the economic impact that sports do, is so important. My colleague R. Alan Brooks is on, talking about how art has inherent value aside from its economic one. megaphone.link/CC6850366538
Polis Takes On Car Insurance, Arts Over Sports, and a Lauren Boebert Win? by City Cast Denver
megaphone.link
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This conversation on @citycastdenver.bsky.social today, about how arts in our city have over three times the economic impact that sports do, is so important. My colleague R. Alan Brooks is on, talking about how art has inherent value aside from its economic one. megaphone.link/CC6850366538