Leah Umansky
@leahumansky.bsky.social
Writer/ Poet/ educator/ artist/ feminist/
Host + Curator of @coupletseries.bsky.social in NYC since 2011
Curator/creator of #staybrave substack
Repped by Annie DeWitt
https://linktr.ee/leahumansky
Pinned
Leah Umansky
@leahumansky.bsky.social
· Sep 14
I'm going to be leading a 'Dream Walk' event at The Guggenheim on Sunday, October 12th. More info below. Get your ticket!
www.guggenheim.org/event/museum...
Such a dream come true. I am grateful to @tracibrimhall.bsky.social & The Guggenheim Museum
www.guggenheim.org/event/museum...
Such a dream come true. I am grateful to @tracibrimhall.bsky.social & The Guggenheim Museum
Reposted by Leah Umansky
After 20 years, I've been laid off at The Washington Post.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I’ve Been Laid Off. I’m Not Done.
After 20 years at The Washington Post, I’m suddenly on my own — and still writing about books.
substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:17 PM
After 20 years, I've been laid off at The Washington Post.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Grateful to Kristen for sharing this with the world, though I wish she didn't have to write it.
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.
www.theverge.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Grateful to Kristen for sharing this with the world, though I wish she didn't have to write it.
Reposted by Leah Umansky
We hopped on the B68 to the Nitehawk Prospect Park for a matinee; the bus was full of families, each with a sled or two, on their way to play in the snow. Children bundled up, excited. It made my heavy heart heavier, but heavy with lightness.
January 26, 2026 at 11:38 PM
We hopped on the B68 to the Nitehawk Prospect Park for a matinee; the bus was full of families, each with a sled or two, on their way to play in the snow. Children bundled up, excited. It made my heavy heart heavier, but heavy with lightness.
Thank you to everyone who is reading and subscribing to my #staybrave substack. I love getting the notifications. Thank you for reading and subscribing. NOW is the time to be brave. Thank you.
Traci Brimhall is our 'Stay Brave' feature for January. Enjoy. Read. Share. Subscribe
#staybrave
staybrave.substack.com/p/stay-brave...
#staybrave
staybrave.substack.com/p/stay-brave...
'Stay Brave' with Traci Brimhall
‘Stay Brave’ is an interview series by woman-identifying creatives for woman-identifying creatives to inspire bravery in the creative life. [Created and curated by Leah Umansky]
staybrave.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Thank you to everyone who is reading and subscribing to my #staybrave substack. I love getting the notifications. Thank you for reading and subscribing. NOW is the time to be brave. Thank you.
I already have a good list, and several anthologies, but thought I'd ask here: What are your favorite poems about nature -- for high schoolers?
January 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM
I already have a good list, and several anthologies, but thought I'd ask here: What are your favorite poems about nature -- for high schoolers?
Reposted by Leah Umansky
Alex Pretti was already restrained when federal agents shot and killed him in Minneapolis, a New York Times analysis of video shows. The footage contradicts the Department of Homeland Security’s account of the shooting.
Timeline: How the Shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti Unfolded
A moment-by-moment analysis of video from the scene shows that Mr. Pretti was already restrained when fatal shots were fired, which appears to contradict the federal government’s account of the event.
trib.al
January 25, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Alex Pretti was already restrained when federal agents shot and killed him in Minneapolis, a New York Times analysis of video shows. The footage contradicts the Department of Homeland Security’s account of the shooting.
Do you want to draw, paint and sip? This great class starts on Friday in person in Downtown Manhattan
www.churchstreetschool.org/drawpaintsip
www.churchstreetschool.org/drawpaintsip
Draw, Paint, & Sip | Church Street School
Join interdisciplinary artist and educator Scott Walsh every Friday at 6:30pm for a fun exploration of drawing and painting for adults.
www.churchstreetschool.org
January 25, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Do you want to draw, paint and sip? This great class starts on Friday in person in Downtown Manhattan
www.churchstreetschool.org/drawpaintsip
www.churchstreetschool.org/drawpaintsip
Did you know I have a newsletter at mailchimp? Here's the new January one? Subscribe!
mailchi.mp/367db4c902ea...
mailchi.mp/367db4c902ea...
Leah Umansky Newsletter
Mailing List for Leah Umansky, writer, artist, teacher, curator and blonde. More at www.leahumansky.com
mailchi.mp
January 24, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Did you know I have a newsletter at mailchimp? Here's the new January one? Subscribe!
mailchi.mp/367db4c902ea...
mailchi.mp/367db4c902ea...
Reposted by Leah Umansky
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: "To everyone listening: Stand with Minneapolis. Stand up for America."
January 24, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: "To everyone listening: Stand with Minneapolis. Stand up for America."
@hjm.bsky.social I loved the new movie so much. I cried through the whole film. Claire Foy is amazing, but oh Brendan Gleeson!! Congratulations! So beautiful. I'd still love to interview you for my Stay Brave Substack. Message me or email me through my site. I hope you come to NYC someday soon!
January 24, 2026 at 9:25 PM
@hjm.bsky.social I loved the new movie so much. I cried through the whole film. Claire Foy is amazing, but oh Brendan Gleeson!! Congratulations! So beautiful. I'd still love to interview you for my Stay Brave Substack. Message me or email me through my site. I hope you come to NYC someday soon!
Go see H is for Hawk the film! @hjm.bsky.social changed my life with that book. It changed me, inspired a chapbook/pamphlet of mine, I became a bird lover, birds entered my poems, I started paying attention to nature, & became hooked on nonfiction. I love Helen's work; it's my favorite memoir.
January 24, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Go see H is for Hawk the film! @hjm.bsky.social changed my life with that book. It changed me, inspired a chapbook/pamphlet of mine, I became a bird lover, birds entered my poems, I started paying attention to nature, & became hooked on nonfiction. I love Helen's work; it's my favorite memoir.
Reposted by Leah Umansky
Please join us when Thea Matthews reads via zoom for PathwaysArts -- Tuesday nite 1/20 7:30 ET -- link will be available on Tuesday afternoon. Her latest collection is GRIME via @citylightsbooks.bsky.social ...
January 17, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Please join us when Thea Matthews reads via zoom for PathwaysArts -- Tuesday nite 1/20 7:30 ET -- link will be available on Tuesday afternoon. Her latest collection is GRIME via @citylightsbooks.bsky.social ...
Traci Brimhall is our 'Stay Brave' feature for January. Enjoy. Read. Share. Subscribe
#staybrave
staybrave.substack.com/p/stay-brave...
#staybrave
staybrave.substack.com/p/stay-brave...
'Stay Brave' with Traci Brimhall
‘Stay Brave’ is an interview series by woman-identifying creatives for woman-identifying creatives to inspire bravery in the creative life. [Created and curated by Leah Umansky]
staybrave.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Traci Brimhall is our 'Stay Brave' feature for January. Enjoy. Read. Share. Subscribe
#staybrave
staybrave.substack.com/p/stay-brave...
#staybrave
staybrave.substack.com/p/stay-brave...
Reposted by Leah Umansky
Today on Glass!
"Numbering the Days" by Erin Elizabeth Smith (@sundresserin.bsky.social)!
www.glass-poetry.com/journal.html
"Numbering the Days" by Erin Elizabeth Smith (@sundresserin.bsky.social)!
www.glass-poetry.com/journal.html
January 14, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Today on Glass!
"Numbering the Days" by Erin Elizabeth Smith (@sundresserin.bsky.social)!
www.glass-poetry.com/journal.html
"Numbering the Days" by Erin Elizabeth Smith (@sundresserin.bsky.social)!
www.glass-poetry.com/journal.html
A new ars poetica is live today at @sixthfinch.bsky.social inspired by my favorite @toriamos.bsky.social . Thank you for saying YES, Rob. Sixth Finch is a journal I've long admired and have been submitting to for 14 yrs! #grateful. Don't give up on yourself, friends.
sixthfinch.com/umansky1.html
sixthfinch.com/umansky1.html
Sixth Finch - Winter 2026 - Leah Umansky - ARS POETICA IN TERCETS WITH A MANATEE AND TORI AMOS
Sixth Finch - Winter 2026 - Leah Umansky - ARS POETICA IN TERCETS WITH A MANATEE AND TORI AMOS
sixthfinch.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:23 PM
A new ars poetica is live today at @sixthfinch.bsky.social inspired by my favorite @toriamos.bsky.social . Thank you for saying YES, Rob. Sixth Finch is a journal I've long admired and have been submitting to for 14 yrs! #grateful. Don't give up on yourself, friends.
sixthfinch.com/umansky1.html
sixthfinch.com/umansky1.html
Here's the link: kellyfordon.substack.com/p/my-persona... Thank you to @onbeing.bsky.social Poetry Unbound for the original inspiration. This poem lives in my manuscript Ordinary Splendor and was originally published in @ampoetryreview.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Here's the link: kellyfordon.substack.com/p/my-persona... Thank you to @onbeing.bsky.social Poetry Unbound for the original inspiration. This poem lives in my manuscript Ordinary Splendor and was originally published in @ampoetryreview.bsky.social
Reposted by Leah Umansky
Forgot the link when I posted this comment this morning! I'm a dingbat but here it is at last @leahumansky.bsky.social kellyfordon.substack.com/p/my-persona...
January 10, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Forgot the link when I posted this comment this morning! I'm a dingbat but here it is at last @leahumansky.bsky.social kellyfordon.substack.com/p/my-persona...
So happy for my friend Cornelius Eady 💛
Very pleased that New York City will have an inaugural poet and such a fine one in the great Cornelius Eady. Poet Elizabeth Alexander of the Mamdani arts and culture transition committee doing good work: “Poets and artists…can say things that politicians can’t say.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/n...
‘This Is Our Time’: Acclaimed Poet to Honor Mamdani With Inaugural Poem
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:30 PM
So happy for my friend Cornelius Eady 💛
Reposted by Leah Umansky
Happy Holidays from the IHLR Staff!
We're closing up the Iron Horse office for Winter Break, but we'll still check in on our social media accounts. Our latest issues, IHLR 27.2 and our Chapbook, just shipped.
In January, we'll be posting info about our Open Issue submissions!
We're closing up the Iron Horse office for Winter Break, but we'll still check in on our social media accounts. Our latest issues, IHLR 27.2 and our Chapbook, just shipped.
In January, we'll be posting info about our Open Issue submissions!
December 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Happy Holidays from the IHLR Staff!
We're closing up the Iron Horse office for Winter Break, but we'll still check in on our social media accounts. Our latest issues, IHLR 27.2 and our Chapbook, just shipped.
In January, we'll be posting info about our Open Issue submissions!
We're closing up the Iron Horse office for Winter Break, but we'll still check in on our social media accounts. Our latest issues, IHLR 27.2 and our Chapbook, just shipped.
In January, we'll be posting info about our Open Issue submissions!
@coupletseries.bsky.social returns on Feb 6, 2026 at 7pm EST with a wonderful line-up of six great poets! More below. Register for in-person ticketing.
www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-c...
www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-c...
December 17, 2025 at 8:22 PM
@coupletseries.bsky.social returns on Feb 6, 2026 at 7pm EST with a wonderful line-up of six great poets! More below. Register for in-person ticketing.
www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-c...
www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-c...
Good things coming in 2026!
December 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Good things coming in 2026!
Reposted by Leah Umansky
the fear of this vast dumb brute of the sea, was chained up and enchanted in him; he had no voice
December 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
the fear of this vast dumb brute of the sea, was chained up and enchanted in him; he had no voice
Reposted by Leah Umansky
Everything blue is made of distance
December 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Everything blue is made of distance
Reposted by Leah Umansky
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December 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Poetry Daily is a nonprofit and none of our work connecting readers to poetry is possible without your support.
Donations of any size this month gets you access to an exclusive "Staff Picks Favorite 2025 Books" list!
Make your gift today:
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Make your gift today:
Reposted by Leah Umansky
From “Ars Poetica: Contact Beauty” by Leah Umansky @leahumansky.bsky.social
#SWWIMEveryDay #SWWIMWithUs #Poetry #Poem #WomenPoets #WomenPublishingWomen #Ciswomen #TransWomen #Nonbinary #Intersex #GenderExpansive #Inclusive #ArsPoetica:ContactBeauty #LeahUmansky #FridayPoem
#SWWIMEveryDay #SWWIMWithUs #Poetry #Poem #WomenPoets #WomenPublishingWomen #Ciswomen #TransWomen #Nonbinary #Intersex #GenderExpansive #Inclusive #ArsPoetica:ContactBeauty #LeahUmansky #FridayPoem
December 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
From “Ars Poetica: Contact Beauty” by Leah Umansky @leahumansky.bsky.social
#SWWIMEveryDay #SWWIMWithUs #Poetry #Poem #WomenPoets #WomenPublishingWomen #Ciswomen #TransWomen #Nonbinary #Intersex #GenderExpansive #Inclusive #ArsPoetica:ContactBeauty #LeahUmansky #FridayPoem
#SWWIMEveryDay #SWWIMWithUs #Poetry #Poem #WomenPoets #WomenPublishingWomen #Ciswomen #TransWomen #Nonbinary #Intersex #GenderExpansive #Inclusive #ArsPoetica:ContactBeauty #LeahUmansky #FridayPoem