Jill Pollack
@jillwritergrrl.bsky.social
Writer, teacher, author of Creative Muscle newsletter, founder of StoryStudio Chicago, born to resist, can't help zigging when others zag. Jillpollack.substack.com
Reposted by Jill Pollack
We are so thrilled for @poetpatriciasmith.bsky.social, who just won a National Book Award!! In 2023, @recycledgiraffe.bsky.social interviewed her about “Unshuttered” (@nupress.bsky.social), check it out as we celebrate her win in Chicago 🥳
chireviewofbooks.com/2023/03/13/u...
chireviewofbooks.com/2023/03/13/u...
Summoning the Past Through Words and Images: A Conversation with Patricia Smith About "Unshuttered" - Chicago Review of Books
A list of Patricia Smith’s achievements in poetry could take up much of this interview. A poet, playwright, essayist, educator and mentor, she’s deservedly won nearly every accolade and award, includi...
chireviewofbooks.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
We are so thrilled for @poetpatriciasmith.bsky.social, who just won a National Book Award!! In 2023, @recycledgiraffe.bsky.social interviewed her about “Unshuttered” (@nupress.bsky.social), check it out as we celebrate her win in Chicago 🥳
chireviewofbooks.com/2023/03/13/u...
chireviewofbooks.com/2023/03/13/u...
Reposted by Jill Pollack
It’s cold in Sweden but they can still deliver sick burns.
Swedish Deputy PM: Sweden needs to pick its friends wisely, and we are choosing Canada… So when we come to America, we come to Canada now.
November 19, 2025 at 10:28 PM
It’s cold in Sweden but they can still deliver sick burns.
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Thank you to Charlotte Indivisible for sharing this toolkit tinyurl.com/CIPAjobs 🤝
#Charlotte #NorthCarolina #CommunityDefense
#Charlotte #NorthCarolina #CommunityDefense
November 19, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Thank you to Charlotte Indivisible for sharing this toolkit tinyurl.com/CIPAjobs 🤝
#Charlotte #NorthCarolina #CommunityDefense
#Charlotte #NorthCarolina #CommunityDefense
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Whether your fancy is online or in person, we have the 8-session Creative Writing Essentials class for you!
-- Online kicks off January 19 with Sarah Terez Rosenblum
-- In person starts February 17 with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social
Register for these great classes now! buff.ly/mPerrQr
#writers
-- Online kicks off January 19 with Sarah Terez Rosenblum
-- In person starts February 17 with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social
Register for these great classes now! buff.ly/mPerrQr
#writers
November 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Whether your fancy is online or in person, we have the 8-session Creative Writing Essentials class for you!
-- Online kicks off January 19 with Sarah Terez Rosenblum
-- In person starts February 17 with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social
Register for these great classes now! buff.ly/mPerrQr
#writers
-- Online kicks off January 19 with Sarah Terez Rosenblum
-- In person starts February 17 with @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social
Register for these great classes now! buff.ly/mPerrQr
#writers
Reposted by Jill Pollack
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Tired of being told how to think about events that are happening so quickly you barely have time to finish reading one headline before the next, even crazier one, pops up.
Here's a lesson on how stop and notice, to make sense of it all #creativemuscle #usefulrage #writingisthinking buff.ly/eL1KuBX
Here's a lesson on how stop and notice, to make sense of it all #creativemuscle #usefulrage #writingisthinking buff.ly/eL1KuBX
Will It Matter In Two Months?
Let's make a list, shall we. Once connections are apparent and we can look back and notice--really notice--what truly matters will be revealed.
buff.ly
November 15, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Tired of being told how to think about events that are happening so quickly you barely have time to finish reading one headline before the next, even crazier one, pops up.
Here's a lesson on how stop and notice, to make sense of it all #creativemuscle #usefulrage #writingisthinking buff.ly/eL1KuBX
Here's a lesson on how stop and notice, to make sense of it all #creativemuscle #usefulrage #writingisthinking buff.ly/eL1KuBX
Reposted by Jill Pollack
No joke, one of my greatest life decisions:
FIVE @storystudiochicago.bsky.social Novel in a Year classes are open for applications right now, but move quickly—those apps are due 11/14!
Here are your options🧵
Here are your options🧵
November 13, 2025 at 5:53 PM
No joke, one of my greatest life decisions:
Stay focused, Chicago.
Bovino and many of his agents are headed to another city. Reports indicate that Charlotte and NOLA are upcoming targets. But there will still be ICE attacks in Chicago, as there were before, and we need to remain responsive. We also have a lot of deep prep work to do, bc they will be back in force.
November 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Stay focused, Chicago.
So unbelievably proud and grateful!!!!! All of our @storystudiochicago.bsky.social and Stories Matter Foundation community and beyond will benefit. Thank you, MacArthur Foundation!!!!
Sooooooo....this happened. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
HUGE ANNOUCEMENT: We are beside ourselves with excitement to share with you that we've been awarded a $100,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
November 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
So unbelievably proud and grateful!!!!! All of our @storystudiochicago.bsky.social and Stories Matter Foundation community and beyond will benefit. Thank you, MacArthur Foundation!!!!
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Chicagoans chanting, "no ICE! No ICE!"
November 6, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Chicagoans chanting, "no ICE! No ICE!"
Reposted by Jill Pollack
❗️ RALLY TONIGHT. A child care teacher was abducted by ICE this morning in Chicago's Roscoe Village/North Center.
📢 Alderman Matt Martin & @onenorthside.bsky.social announce an emergency rally TONIGHT Wed Nov 5, 6:30 pm at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N. Damen.
📢 Alderman Matt Martin & @onenorthside.bsky.social announce an emergency rally TONIGHT Wed Nov 5, 6:30 pm at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N. Damen.
Rally to protest the teacher violently taken by federal agents at a private daycare this morning on Addison near Western.
November 5, 2025 at 9:03 PM
❗️ RALLY TONIGHT. A child care teacher was abducted by ICE this morning in Chicago's Roscoe Village/North Center.
📢 Alderman Matt Martin & @onenorthside.bsky.social announce an emergency rally TONIGHT Wed Nov 5, 6:30 pm at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N. Damen.
📢 Alderman Matt Martin & @onenorthside.bsky.social announce an emergency rally TONIGHT Wed Nov 5, 6:30 pm at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N. Damen.
Reposted by Jill Pollack
This is in our area. 😔
Donate to the teacher's GoFundMe to support any legal fees: www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...
Sign a petition demanding her release: www.change.org/p/demand-the...
Stream Quigley's presser here: youtube.com/@repmikequig...
Attend the rally at 6:30 pm at 4100 N Damen.
Donate to the teacher's GoFundMe to support any legal fees: www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...
Sign a petition demanding her release: www.change.org/p/demand-the...
Stream Quigley's presser here: youtube.com/@repmikequig...
Attend the rally at 6:30 pm at 4100 N Damen.
November 5, 2025 at 7:13 PM
This is in our area. 😔
Donate to the teacher's GoFundMe to support any legal fees: www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...
Sign a petition demanding her release: www.change.org/p/demand-the...
Stream Quigley's presser here: youtube.com/@repmikequig...
Attend the rally at 6:30 pm at 4100 N Damen.
Donate to the teacher's GoFundMe to support any legal fees: www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with...
Sign a petition demanding her release: www.change.org/p/demand-the...
Stream Quigley's presser here: youtube.com/@repmikequig...
Attend the rally at 6:30 pm at 4100 N Damen.
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Beyond proud to be a part of this amazing team and community! Chicago will never bend to fascists.
October 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Beyond proud to be a part of this amazing team and community! Chicago will never bend to fascists.
Whistles and block clubs in Chicago are organizing for ICE watches...and it's working! Here's a little history... #icewatch #chicagoresistance
October 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Whistles and block clubs in Chicago are organizing for ICE watches...and it's working! Here's a little history... #icewatch #chicagoresistance
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Organized Communities Against Deportations has launched a new mutual aid fund to support immigrant families in Chicago impacted by ICE raids
Link to donate: donorbox.org/mutualaid2025
Link to donate: donorbox.org/mutualaid2025
October 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Organized Communities Against Deportations has launched a new mutual aid fund to support immigrant families in Chicago impacted by ICE raids
Link to donate: donorbox.org/mutualaid2025
Link to donate: donorbox.org/mutualaid2025
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Chicago shows out massively for No Kings
October 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Chicago shows out massively for No Kings
Reposted by Jill Pollack
WAR-TORN PORTLAND
October 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
WAR-TORN PORTLAND
Reposted by Jill Pollack
A WGN video producer was handcuffed and taken into custody by federal agents on Friday morning while documenting the arrest of a Latino man, and one legal analyst warned the move defied a court order.
Federal officers warned they may face jail time after new arrests
A WGN video producer was handcuffed and taken into custody by federal agents on Friday morning while documenting the arrest of a Latino man, and one legal analyst warned the move defied a court order. Debbie Brockman was shown face down on the pavement with her pants pulled down. Chicago local Josh ...
bit.ly
October 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
A WGN video producer was handcuffed and taken into custody by federal agents on Friday morning while documenting the arrest of a Latino man, and one legal analyst warned the move defied a court order.
Reposted by Jill Pollack
HUGE CONGRATS!
This is so well-deserved!
This is so well-deserved!
We are absolutely THRILLED to announce the 2025 winner of the Adam Morgan Literary Leadership Award is @samiraahmed.bsky.social!!! As a national leader of Authors Against Book Bans, Samira uses activism to combat censorship, and we are so grateful for the work she does.
October 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
HUGE CONGRATS!
This is so well-deserved!
This is so well-deserved!
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Now's the time to claim your spot! @bcdreyer.social's "Four Lessons on the Art, Craft, and Refinement of Prose" begins one week from today -- Monday, October 6.
Register now for this four-session online class:
Register now for this four-session online class:
A Copy Editor’s Guide: Four Lessons on the Art, Craft, and Refinement of Prose, with Benjamin Dreyer - StoryStudio Chicago
Benjamin Dreyer, retired copy chief of Random House and the author of the New York Times bestseller Dreyer’s English, will unpack his capacious bag of tricks, previously secret advice, and all-round…
buff.ly
September 30, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Donald Trump's militarization of our city streets isn't about fighting crime or public safety — it's about consolidating power in his hands.
What he plans to do with that, now or during the 2026 elections, should worry all of us.
What he plans to do with that, now or during the 2026 elections, should worry all of us.
September 30, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Donald Trump's militarization of our city streets isn't about fighting crime or public safety — it's about consolidating power in his hands.
What he plans to do with that, now or during the 2026 elections, should worry all of us.
What he plans to do with that, now or during the 2026 elections, should worry all of us.
Reposted by Jill Pollack
In any other country, if federal agents fired upon journalists when unprovoked — what would we call it?
If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?
Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?
Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
September 30, 2025 at 12:01 AM
In any other country, if federal agents fired upon journalists when unprovoked — what would we call it?
If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?
Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
If federal agents marched down streets demanding papers — what would we say?
Authoritarianism — let’s not pretend it’s something else when it happens in our American cities.
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Reposted by Jill Pollack
Things People are Begging for:
1. Cheaper groceries
2. No Medicaid and SNAP cuts
3. Release of the Epstein Files
Things People are NOT begging for:
1. An authoritarian power grab of major cities
1. Cheaper groceries
2. No Medicaid and SNAP cuts
3. Release of the Epstein Files
Things People are NOT begging for:
1. An authoritarian power grab of major cities
Trump: After we do this, we will go to another location and make it safe too. Chicago is a mess. That will probably be our next one after this. They are screaming for us to come. African American ladies, beautiful ladies are saying "Please President Trump, come to Chicago, please."
August 22, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Things People are Begging for:
1. Cheaper groceries
2. No Medicaid and SNAP cuts
3. Release of the Epstein Files
Things People are NOT begging for:
1. An authoritarian power grab of major cities
1. Cheaper groceries
2. No Medicaid and SNAP cuts
3. Release of the Epstein Files
Things People are NOT begging for:
1. An authoritarian power grab of major cities