Karen E. Bender
@karenebender.bsky.social
I write stories and show students how to do it. Teaching in MFAs at SUNY Stony Brook and Alma College. NBA Finalist
Oct. 28, 8 pm at the fabulous Book Club Bar, NYC, come hear what's new at the Stony Brook MFA in Creative Writing! Readings by new faculty--Alison Fairbrother, Eskor Johnson and Dawnie Walton, and faculty with new books: me, Robert Lopez and Susan Minot. Join us!
www.bookclubbar.com/events/35240...
www.bookclubbar.com/events/35240...
What's New in the MFA Creative Writing Program at Stony Brook Manhattan | Book Club Bar
Independent general bookstore and full service cocktail and espresso bar in the East Village of NYC, serving handcrafted drinks in a cozy community space.
www.bookclubbar.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Oct. 28, 8 pm at the fabulous Book Club Bar, NYC, come hear what's new at the Stony Brook MFA in Creative Writing! Readings by new faculty--Alison Fairbrother, Eskor Johnson and Dawnie Walton, and faculty with new books: me, Robert Lopez and Susan Minot. Join us!
www.bookclubbar.com/events/35240...
www.bookclubbar.com/events/35240...
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Trump has told staff not to post photos of the demolition from the Treasury Department building. Photos like this one. (Possibly taken before the edict was disseminated.)
October 21, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Trump has told staff not to post photos of the demolition from the Treasury Department building. Photos like this one. (Possibly taken before the edict was disseminated.)
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Medicare has stopped paying physicians due to the shut down. Standing right on the third rail www.statnews.com/2025/10/15/c...
Medicare payments to doctors paused as government shutdown drags on
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is pausing Medicare payments to doctors, as negotiations tied to the government shutdown drag on.
www.statnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Medicare has stopped paying physicians due to the shut down. Standing right on the third rail www.statnews.com/2025/10/15/c...
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Let ABC know how you feel about their bowing to the thugs in power and cancelling Jimmy Kimmel's show: support.abc.com/hc/en-us/req...
Submit a request – ABC
support.abc.com
September 18, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Let ABC know how you feel about their bowing to the thugs in power and cancelling Jimmy Kimmel's show: support.abc.com/hc/en-us/req...
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
In the days following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, numerous workers have been fired for their comments on his death, among them MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd.
Workers commenting on Kirk's death learn the limits of free speech in and out of their jobs
In the days following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, numerous workers have been fired for their comments on his death, among them MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd.
bit.ly
September 15, 2025 at 5:01 PM
In the days following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, numerous workers have been fired for their comments on his death, among them MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd.
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Fashion and Freud? A new exhibit at The Museum at FIT in New York City explores fashion through the lens of psychoanalysis.
Fashion meets Freud. A new exhibit explores clothes through a psychoanalytic lens
A new exhibit at The Museum at FIT in New York City explores fashion through the lens of psychoanalysis.
bit.ly
September 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Fashion and Freud? A new exhibit at The Museum at FIT in New York City explores fashion through the lens of psychoanalysis.
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
ICYMI, Scoundrel Time litmag folded last year, but the static site has stayed up temporarily. Just a heads-up that the site will be permanently removed soon, likely in the next few weeks, in case you still need to retrieve your work. #writers @karenebender.bsky.social @daisyfried.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
ICYMI, Scoundrel Time litmag folded last year, but the static site has stayed up temporarily. Just a heads-up that the site will be permanently removed soon, likely in the next few weeks, in case you still need to retrieve your work. #writers @karenebender.bsky.social @daisyfried.bsky.social
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Common theme of people I've interviewed recently. At universities, in research centers, in diplomacy, in the legal system, dealing with refugees or immigrants:
The reality inside is much worse than you would think from the outside.
The reality inside is much worse than you would think from the outside.
September 6, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Common theme of people I've interviewed recently. At universities, in research centers, in diplomacy, in the legal system, dealing with refugees or immigrants:
The reality inside is much worse than you would think from the outside.
The reality inside is much worse than you would think from the outside.
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Day 4 #ShortStorySeptember The Words of Dr L & Other Stories by @karenebender.bsky.social featuring the story “Messengers”.
www.shortstoryseptember.co.uk/the-words-of...
www.shortstoryseptember.co.uk/the-words-of...
The Words of Dr. L: & Other Stories ~ Karen E Bender – Short Story September
www.shortstoryseptember.co.uk
September 4, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Day 4 #ShortStorySeptember The Words of Dr L & Other Stories by @karenebender.bsky.social featuring the story “Messengers”.
www.shortstoryseptember.co.uk/the-words-of...
www.shortstoryseptember.co.uk/the-words-of...
Tonight! I'm reading with the wonderful Matthew Gavin Frank about his incredible new work of nonfiction,
"Submersed: Wonder, Obsession and Awe in the World of Amateur Submarines," hosted by Joshua Zeitler and through Ballyhoo Books! Via zoom: link in the comments below. 6:30-7:30 pm EST, join us!
"Submersed: Wonder, Obsession and Awe in the World of Amateur Submarines," hosted by Joshua Zeitler and through Ballyhoo Books! Via zoom: link in the comments below. 6:30-7:30 pm EST, join us!
September 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Tonight! I'm reading with the wonderful Matthew Gavin Frank about his incredible new work of nonfiction,
"Submersed: Wonder, Obsession and Awe in the World of Amateur Submarines," hosted by Joshua Zeitler and through Ballyhoo Books! Via zoom: link in the comments below. 6:30-7:30 pm EST, join us!
"Submersed: Wonder, Obsession and Awe in the World of Amateur Submarines," hosted by Joshua Zeitler and through Ballyhoo Books! Via zoom: link in the comments below. 6:30-7:30 pm EST, join us!
An easy way to write your Member of Congress to demand covid boosters in the fall! ofhttps://actionnetwork.org/letters/write-members-of-congress-will-covid-19-vaccines-be-available-this-fall/
Write members of Congress - Will COVID-19 vaccines be available this fall?
It is clear that HHS Secretary RFK Jr. is on a dangerous and fast-moving path to make COVID-19 vaccines totally unavailable here in the U.S. With COVID-19 cases on the rise in many parts of the US an...
actionnetwork.org
August 30, 2025 at 1:16 PM
An easy way to write your Member of Congress to demand covid boosters in the fall! ofhttps://actionnetwork.org/letters/write-members-of-congress-will-covid-19-vaccines-be-available-this-fall/
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
"Pritzker’s health department in Illinois is currently exploring the possibility of purchasing Covid-19 vaccines in bulk straight from manufacturers in response to the mess in Washington"
Attn: @governor.ca.gov - this Californian is asking you - please follow Pritzker's lead.
Attn: @governor.ca.gov - this Californian is asking you - please follow Pritzker's lead.
Trump’s Decapitation of CDC Takes Darker Turn—and Hands Dems a Weapon
Illinois’s JB Pritzker is leading a charge other Democratic governors should take up: In our America, we’ll make sure public health systems remain strong.
newrepublic.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
"Pritzker’s health department in Illinois is currently exploring the possibility of purchasing Covid-19 vaccines in bulk straight from manufacturers in response to the mess in Washington"
Attn: @governor.ca.gov - this Californian is asking you - please follow Pritzker's lead.
Attn: @governor.ca.gov - this Californian is asking you - please follow Pritzker's lead.
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Steve Shirley escaped the Holocaust as a child & went on to found one of the earliest software startups. The really impressive part? She employed women programmers who had been pushed out of the workforce after having kids, & allowed them flexible, family friendly, work from home jobs—in the 1960s!
@histoftech.bsky.social Am obit of interest that you might have seen already. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/b...
Stephanie Shirley, Who Created a Tech World for Women, Dies at 91
www.nytimes.com
August 22, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Steve Shirley escaped the Holocaust as a child & went on to found one of the earliest software startups. The really impressive part? She employed women programmers who had been pushed out of the workforce after having kids, & allowed them flexible, family friendly, work from home jobs—in the 1960s!
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
The Trump deportation nightmare is even worse than we feared.
A new report reveals that ICE has detained *50* children under 18 in the NYC area since January. At least 4 as young as 6 years old. 38 children have already been deported.
This achieves nothing other than cruelty.
A new report reveals that ICE has detained *50* children under 18 in the NYC area since January. At least 4 as young as 6 years old. 38 children have already been deported.
This achieves nothing other than cruelty.
Deportation of 6-Year-Old Puts Spotlight on ICE’s Detention of Families
www.nytimes.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:32 AM
The Trump deportation nightmare is even worse than we feared.
A new report reveals that ICE has detained *50* children under 18 in the NYC area since January. At least 4 as young as 6 years old. 38 children have already been deported.
This achieves nothing other than cruelty.
A new report reveals that ICE has detained *50* children under 18 in the NYC area since January. At least 4 as young as 6 years old. 38 children have already been deported.
This achieves nothing other than cruelty.
Congratulations to former Iowa Summer Writing Festival student Brunda Moka-Dias, whose terrific flash fiction, "Bridal Wear" was just published in Lost Balloon magazine!
lost-balloon.com/2025/08/20/b...
lost-balloon.com/2025/08/20/b...
Bridal Wear by Brunda Moka-Dias
Nigel’s mother wants you to wear the lily-white wedding gown with a tiara headpiece and a thin gauzy veil. She is a Catholic Brahmin matriarch. Your mother, a Hindu Brahmin matriarch, wants you to …
lost-balloon.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Congratulations to former Iowa Summer Writing Festival student Brunda Moka-Dias, whose terrific flash fiction, "Bridal Wear" was just published in Lost Balloon magazine!
lost-balloon.com/2025/08/20/b...
lost-balloon.com/2025/08/20/b...
The beloved and Iconic Iowa Summer Writing Festival, both in person and online, was abruptly shut down this week. This festival has been going on for 30 plus, is internationally renowned--this is unjust and awful. Please sign this petition.
www.change.org/p/save-the-i...
www.change.org/p/save-the-i...
Sign the Petition
Save the Iowa Summer Writing Festival
www.change.org
August 15, 2025 at 1:17 AM
The beloved and Iconic Iowa Summer Writing Festival, both in person and online, was abruptly shut down this week. This festival has been going on for 30 plus, is internationally renowned--this is unjust and awful. Please sign this petition.
www.change.org/p/save-the-i...
www.change.org/p/save-the-i...
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Shout out to the colleagues who ask why I bother studying a settled issue like women’s suffrage.
Pete Hegseth shares a clip saying women shouldn’t have the right to vote, the 19th Amendment should be “repealed,” and women should “submit” to their husbands: “All of Christ for All of Life”
August 10, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Shout out to the colleagues who ask why I bother studying a settled issue like women’s suffrage.
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Please consider giving to the Astoria Food Pantry, which serves immigrants in Queens, many of whom have been prevented from going to work because of fear of ICE raids. The line of those waiting for food was down the block when I passed by today. www.astoriafoodpantry.com/donate-money...
August 2, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Please consider giving to the Astoria Food Pantry, which serves immigrants in Queens, many of whom have been prevented from going to work because of fear of ICE raids. The line of those waiting for food was down the block when I passed by today. www.astoriafoodpantry.com/donate-money...
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
IS THIS THE LAST YEAR YOU SWIM AT ROCKAWAY BEACH? Trump wants to bury a pipeline off the coast of Queens, Bklyn, & Staten Island. And release cancer-causing toxins like arsenic, lead, mercury, PCBs, dioxin from under the seabed.
NY rejected this deadly pipeline in 2020. @governor.ny.gov say no now!
NY rejected this deadly pipeline in 2020. @governor.ny.gov say no now!
August 3, 2025 at 2:56 AM
IS THIS THE LAST YEAR YOU SWIM AT ROCKAWAY BEACH? Trump wants to bury a pipeline off the coast of Queens, Bklyn, & Staten Island. And release cancer-causing toxins like arsenic, lead, mercury, PCBs, dioxin from under the seabed.
NY rejected this deadly pipeline in 2020. @governor.ny.gov say no now!
NY rejected this deadly pipeline in 2020. @governor.ny.gov say no now!
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Want to believe?! 👣 @giano.bsky.social has written a book that will have you cheering for (and believing in) Bigfoot. Read the interview and pick up your copy of AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY wherever books are sold!
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/07/15/a...
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/07/15/a...
The Proof Is Out There: An Interview with Giano Cromley - Chicago Review of Books
Our interview with Giano Cromley about his new book, "American Mythology."
chireviewofbooks.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Want to believe?! 👣 @giano.bsky.social has written a book that will have you cheering for (and believing in) Bigfoot. Read the interview and pick up your copy of AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY wherever books are sold!
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/07/15/a...
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/07/15/a...
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
yikes! Trump sounded guilty as hell talking about Ghislaine Maxwell in 2020
July 22, 2025 at 8:17 PM
yikes! Trump sounded guilty as hell talking about Ghislaine Maxwell in 2020
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
July 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Farmworkers and advocates announced a national labor pause from July 16-18, requesting a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented workers.
www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air/its-g...
www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air/its-g...
‘It's got to stop.' Farmworkers call for 3-day strike after ICE arrests in Ventura County
Farmworkers and advocates announced a national labor pause from July 16-18, requesting a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented people. Karma Dickerson reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Mond...
www.nbclosangeles.com
July 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Farmworkers and advocates announced a national labor pause from July 16-18, requesting a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented workers.
www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air/its-g...
www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air/its-g...
Reposted by Karen E. Bender
Some personal news…
@roxanegay.bsky.social and @debbiemillman.bsky.social are relaunching @therumpus.net!!! And I’m excited to be joining their team as poetry editor! 🤓 WEEEEE!!! You can submit your poetry for consideration here: therumpus.submittable.com/submit
@roxanegay.bsky.social and @debbiemillman.bsky.social are relaunching @therumpus.net!!! And I’m excited to be joining their team as poetry editor! 🤓 WEEEEE!!! You can submit your poetry for consideration here: therumpus.submittable.com/submit
The Rumpus Submission Manager
The Rumpus publishes original fiction, poetry, literary humor writing, comics, essays, book reviews, and interviews with authors and artists of all kinds. Founded in 2009 and independent from the star...
therumpus.submittable.com
July 15, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Some personal news…
@roxanegay.bsky.social and @debbiemillman.bsky.social are relaunching @therumpus.net!!! And I’m excited to be joining their team as poetry editor! 🤓 WEEEEE!!! You can submit your poetry for consideration here: therumpus.submittable.com/submit
@roxanegay.bsky.social and @debbiemillman.bsky.social are relaunching @therumpus.net!!! And I’m excited to be joining their team as poetry editor! 🤓 WEEEEE!!! You can submit your poetry for consideration here: therumpus.submittable.com/submit