Michael Welch
@mbwwelch.bsky.social
EIC at @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social. Words in Electric Lit, Prairie Schooner, Kenyon Review, North American Review, & more.
Pinned
Michael Welch
@mbwwelch.bsky.social
· Jun 23
Preorders are open for "On an Inland Sea: Writing the Great Lakes," coming your way from @beltpublishing.bsky.social on March 10, 2026!
Featuring everything from shipwrecks & ice caves to zebra mussels & manoomin, & 32 writers on why the lakes loom so large.
beltpublishing.com/products/on-...
Featuring everything from shipwrecks & ice caves to zebra mussels & manoomin, & 32 writers on why the lakes loom so large.
beltpublishing.com/products/on-...
"On An Inland Sea" (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) comes out in a month, so we're hosting a release party @roscoebooks.bsky.social on March 10!
Join us for a discussion & reading from contributors including @rsdeeren.bsky.social, Lina Tran, & Kristin Idaszak!
RSVP here: forms.gle/34RkG1WWprCa...
Join us for a discussion & reading from contributors including @rsdeeren.bsky.social, Lina Tran, & Kristin Idaszak!
RSVP here: forms.gle/34RkG1WWprCa...
February 10, 2026 at 9:21 PM
"On An Inland Sea" (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) comes out in a month, so we're hosting a release party @roscoebooks.bsky.social on March 10!
Join us for a discussion & reading from contributors including @rsdeeren.bsky.social, Lina Tran, & Kristin Idaszak!
RSVP here: forms.gle/34RkG1WWprCa...
Join us for a discussion & reading from contributors including @rsdeeren.bsky.social, Lina Tran, & Kristin Idaszak!
RSVP here: forms.gle/34RkG1WWprCa...
Reposted by Michael Welch
Becca Rothfeld, a former critic at the Washington Post, on the death of the paper’s books section. newyorkermag.visitlink.me/zmzLbN
The End of Books Coverage at the Washington Post
Becca Rothfeld, a former critic at the Washington Post, on the death of the paper’s books section.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
February 10, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Becca Rothfeld, a former critic at the Washington Post, on the death of the paper’s books section. newyorkermag.visitlink.me/zmzLbN
Reposted by Michael Welch
As a Hachette author, one who has written an entire novel about book bans, this is so deeply disappointing and maddening.
A publisher makes choices as to what to publish. Choosing not to offer on a book is NOT a ban. It is NOT censorship to say, we'll pass. Publishing a book is a CHOICE.
A publisher makes choices as to what to publish. Choosing not to offer on a book is NOT a ban. It is NOT censorship to say, we'll pass. Publishing a book is a CHOICE.
“I’m telling you this because right now, Hachette’s website is all about book bans: how wrong they are, and how readers like you can (and must) do your part to stop them.” @jaywillis.net on the hypocrisy of Hachette publishing noted book banner Sam Alito’s new book: open.substack.com/pub/ballsand...
Sam Alito’s Publisher Wants You to Buy the Children’s Books He Just Made It Easier to Ban
The author of Mahmoud v. Taylor is writing a book for a publisher that calls the push to ban books with LGBTQ characters an attack on “one of the most important foundations of a free society.”
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:07 PM
As a Hachette author, one who has written an entire novel about book bans, this is so deeply disappointing and maddening.
A publisher makes choices as to what to publish. Choosing not to offer on a book is NOT a ban. It is NOT censorship to say, we'll pass. Publishing a book is a CHOICE.
A publisher makes choices as to what to publish. Choosing not to offer on a book is NOT a ban. It is NOT censorship to say, we'll pass. Publishing a book is a CHOICE.
Look at this beautiful list of incredible writers! 😍
"On An Inland Sea" comes out next month!
"On An Inland Sea" comes out next month!
A shout out and thank you to all of the contributors to our upcoming Great Lakes collection, out 3/10!
@cerena.bsky.social
@minnesotabrown.bsky.social
@gabrielbump.bsky.social
@lilacwaabigwan.bsky.social
@callenh.bsky.social
@lkress.bsky.social
@aeheelee.bsky.social
@cerena.bsky.social
@minnesotabrown.bsky.social
@gabrielbump.bsky.social
@lilacwaabigwan.bsky.social
@callenh.bsky.social
@lkress.bsky.social
@aeheelee.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Look at this beautiful list of incredible writers! 😍
"On An Inland Sea" comes out next month!
"On An Inland Sea" comes out next month!
Reposted by Michael Welch
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-...
Reposted by Michael Welch
@storystudiochicago.bsky.social's Pub Crawl is in full swing, and we wanted to invite you to our FREE panel on 2/27 w/ CHIRB editors @reemasabrina.bsky.social, @rachellayown.bsky.social, and @gregzimmerman.bsky.social, moderated by @mbwwelch.bsky.social—sign up below!
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
February 4, 2026 at 6:20 PM
@storystudiochicago.bsky.social's Pub Crawl is in full swing, and we wanted to invite you to our FREE panel on 2/27 w/ CHIRB editors @reemasabrina.bsky.social, @rachellayown.bsky.social, and @gregzimmerman.bsky.social, moderated by @mbwwelch.bsky.social—sign up below!
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Michael Welch
The guy who owns Amazon shutting down the books section of the Washington Post is beyond parody
WaPo also closing Books section and downsizing International and Metro sections
February 4, 2026 at 2:05 PM
The guy who owns Amazon shutting down the books section of the Washington Post is beyond parody
Reposted by Michael Welch
"The gift to spend more unstructured time moving between the US and Latin America deeply informed how I was thinking about the instability of narrative truths."
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Sarah Bruni is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/02/03/c...
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Sarah Bruni is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/02/03/c...
“Care works in direct opposition to abuses of power”: Sarah Bruni Discusses “Mass Mothering” - Chicago Review of Books
I first met Sarah Bruni some 26 years ago at a party in Iowa City, where we were both undergraduates at the University of Iowa. I don’t recall what we initially talked about, maybe our friends, classe...
chireviewofbooks.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:49 PM
"The gift to spend more unstructured time moving between the US and Latin America deeply informed how I was thinking about the instability of narrative truths."
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Sarah Bruni is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/02/03/c...
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Sarah Bruni is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/02/03/c...
Reposted by Michael Welch
From thrilling noirs and captivating literary mysteries to new releases from some of our most exciting authors working today, February is shaping up to be a match made in heaven for readers, @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes. Check out our most anticipated books!
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/02/02/1...
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/02/02/1...
12 Must Read Books of February 2026 - Chicago Review of Books
Here are the 12 books you need to read this February 2026.
chireviewofbooks.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:26 PM
From thrilling noirs and captivating literary mysteries to new releases from some of our most exciting authors working today, February is shaping up to be a match made in heaven for readers, @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes. Check out our most anticipated books!
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/02/02/1...
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/02/02/1...
Reposted by Michael Welch
We're officially 10 years old today!
It's been quite a decade. Nearly 3,000 published reviews, interviews, essays, book lists, cover reveals, and more. Millions and millions of views. Ten years of CHIRBy awards, readings, and events bringing our literary community together...
It's been quite a decade. Nearly 3,000 published reviews, interviews, essays, book lists, cover reveals, and more. Millions and millions of views. Ten years of CHIRBy awards, readings, and events bringing our literary community together...
February 1, 2026 at 8:53 PM
We're officially 10 years old today!
It's been quite a decade. Nearly 3,000 published reviews, interviews, essays, book lists, cover reveals, and more. Millions and millions of views. Ten years of CHIRBy awards, readings, and events bringing our literary community together...
It's been quite a decade. Nearly 3,000 published reviews, interviews, essays, book lists, cover reveals, and more. Millions and millions of views. Ten years of CHIRBy awards, readings, and events bringing our literary community together...
Reposted by Michael Welch
I was so happy to write about the brilliant Toya Wolfe for @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social series on Chicago books of the past 10 years! We are absolutely living in the New Chicago Renaissance, and there's a lot that sucks about the world right now but the Chicago lit scene is not one of those things.
Our second installment in the Chicago Renaissance series is about Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe (@wmmorrowbooks.bsky.social, 2023), chosen by novelist @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social.
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/28/t...
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/28/t...
January 30, 2026 at 5:07 PM
I was so happy to write about the brilliant Toya Wolfe for @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social series on Chicago books of the past 10 years! We are absolutely living in the New Chicago Renaissance, and there's a lot that sucks about the world right now but the Chicago lit scene is not one of those things.
Reposted by Michael Welch
For our 10th anniversary, we've started the New Chicago Renaissance series to revisit exemplary works of literature about Chicago from the last 10 years, and explore their continued relevance. Stay tuned for one every month!
January 28, 2026 at 4:03 PM
For our 10th anniversary, we've started the New Chicago Renaissance series to revisit exemplary works of literature about Chicago from the last 10 years, and explore their continued relevance. Stay tuned for one every month!
Reposted by Michael Welch
Our second installment in the Chicago Renaissance series is about Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe (@wmmorrowbooks.bsky.social, 2023), chosen by novelist @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social.
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/28/t...
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/28/t...
January 28, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Our second installment in the Chicago Renaissance series is about Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe (@wmmorrowbooks.bsky.social, 2023), chosen by novelist @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social.
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/28/t...
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/28/t...
Reposted by Michael Welch
Why continue to make art?
Making art is an act of rebellion.
Loving yourself is an act of rebellion.
Loving other people is an act of rebellion.
Caring about people, community, nature, is an act of rebellion.
Don’t let the apathy sink in. Don’t let the cynicism sink in.
Don’t be like them.
Making art is an act of rebellion.
Loving yourself is an act of rebellion.
Loving other people is an act of rebellion.
Caring about people, community, nature, is an act of rebellion.
Don’t let the apathy sink in. Don’t let the cynicism sink in.
Don’t be like them.
January 27, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Why continue to make art?
Making art is an act of rebellion.
Loving yourself is an act of rebellion.
Loving other people is an act of rebellion.
Caring about people, community, nature, is an act of rebellion.
Don’t let the apathy sink in. Don’t let the cynicism sink in.
Don’t be like them.
Making art is an act of rebellion.
Loving yourself is an act of rebellion.
Loving other people is an act of rebellion.
Caring about people, community, nature, is an act of rebellion.
Don’t let the apathy sink in. Don’t let the cynicism sink in.
Don’t be like them.
Reposted by Michael Welch
So much love for @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social
“Everything We Do Matters.” Minneapolis’s Moon Palace Books is a Hub For Anti-ICE Resistance
Angela Schwesnedl from Moon Palace Books in Minneapolis picked up my phone call on Saturday almost two hours to the minute after Alex Pretti was murdered in the street by ICE officers. “If you have…
lithub.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:12 PM
So much love for @moonpalacebooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Welch
It's time to abolish Trump’s ICE.
January 24, 2026 at 7:26 PM
It's time to abolish Trump’s ICE.
Reposted by Michael Welch
ANNOUNCING: Applications are now open for our 2026 StoryBoard Conference! Now in its 7th year, StoryBoard is our annual week-long writing workshop.
Just look at this incredible line-up of instructors! 🤩
More info and how to apply is here: buff.ly/xGOkq8Z
#writingcommunity
Just look at this incredible line-up of instructors! 🤩
More info and how to apply is here: buff.ly/xGOkq8Z
#writingcommunity
January 22, 2026 at 9:01 PM
ANNOUNCING: Applications are now open for our 2026 StoryBoard Conference! Now in its 7th year, StoryBoard is our annual week-long writing workshop.
Just look at this incredible line-up of instructors! 🤩
More info and how to apply is here: buff.ly/xGOkq8Z
#writingcommunity
Just look at this incredible line-up of instructors! 🤩
More info and how to apply is here: buff.ly/xGOkq8Z
#writingcommunity
Let’s have a drink at AWP and talk about really really big lakes!
Going to AWP? Then you are also going to the @beltpublishing.bsky.social happy hour featuring special guests @mbwwelch.bsky.social and @greatfartsoflit.bsky.social! I'll be there the and maybe I'll buy you a beer, who knows
January 22, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Let’s have a drink at AWP and talk about really really big lakes!
Reposted by Michael Welch
INTO this. regional literature and regional scenes are my jam
This is going to be a really special series!
12+ literary icons (including Rebecca Makkai, Nathan Hill, & more) writing about a Chicago book from the past 10 years that exemplifies what our city & its literary culture is today.
We're building a portrait of a new literary renaissance in Chicago!
12+ literary icons (including Rebecca Makkai, Nathan Hill, & more) writing about a Chicago book from the past 10 years that exemplifies what our city & its literary culture is today.
We're building a portrait of a new literary renaissance in Chicago!
This is soooo exciting! Join the @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social as it embarks upon a New Chicago Renaissance!
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/22/i...
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/22/i...
January 22, 2026 at 5:29 PM
INTO this. regional literature and regional scenes are my jam
This is going to be a really special series!
12+ literary icons (including Rebecca Makkai, Nathan Hill, & more) writing about a Chicago book from the past 10 years that exemplifies what our city & its literary culture is today.
We're building a portrait of a new literary renaissance in Chicago!
12+ literary icons (including Rebecca Makkai, Nathan Hill, & more) writing about a Chicago book from the past 10 years that exemplifies what our city & its literary culture is today.
We're building a portrait of a new literary renaissance in Chicago!
This is soooo exciting! Join the @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social as it embarks upon a New Chicago Renaissance!
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/22/i...
chireviewofbooks.com/2026/01/22/i...
Introducing the New Chicago Renaissance Series - Chicago Review of Books
Introducing a new series honoring Chicago's newest literary renaissance and the art it's produced.
chireviewofbooks.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:17 PM
This is going to be a really special series!
12+ literary icons (including Rebecca Makkai, Nathan Hill, & more) writing about a Chicago book from the past 10 years that exemplifies what our city & its literary culture is today.
We're building a portrait of a new literary renaissance in Chicago!
12+ literary icons (including Rebecca Makkai, Nathan Hill, & more) writing about a Chicago book from the past 10 years that exemplifies what our city & its literary culture is today.
We're building a portrait of a new literary renaissance in Chicago!
Reposted by Michael Welch
We had so much fun at our first annual Chicago Writers Showcase last night!!! Thanks to everyone who came and braved the cold to be there 🥰 You warmed our hearts with your beautiful words and brilliance.
January 22, 2026 at 4:56 PM
We had so much fun at our first annual Chicago Writers Showcase last night!!! Thanks to everyone who came and braved the cold to be there 🥰 You warmed our hearts with your beautiful words and brilliance.
Reposted by Michael Welch
TOMORROW NIGHT
Our next Chicago Writers Showcase reader is @danielkraus.com reading from his new novel PARTIALLY DEVOURED (@catapultbooks.bsky.social).
forms.gle/H8wKFygqizcx...
forms.gle/H8wKFygqizcx...
January 20, 2026 at 7:51 PM
TOMORROW NIGHT
Reposted by Michael Welch
Really happy that @storystudiochicago.bsky.social is co-sponsoring a fundraiser to support the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights on Saturday, January 24th at 4:30pm 🧵
www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser...
www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser...
January 15, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Really happy that @storystudiochicago.bsky.social is co-sponsoring a fundraiser to support the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights on Saturday, January 24th at 4:30pm 🧵
www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser...
www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser...
Big thanks to The Millions for including "On An Inland Sea" in their 2026 Most Anticipated list!
The anthology comes out on March 10 from @beltpublishing.bsky.social 🌊
The anthology comes out on March 10 from @beltpublishing.bsky.social 🌊
January 15, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Big thanks to The Millions for including "On An Inland Sea" in their 2026 Most Anticipated list!
The anthology comes out on March 10 from @beltpublishing.bsky.social 🌊
The anthology comes out on March 10 from @beltpublishing.bsky.social 🌊
Reposted by Michael Welch
Our next Chicago Writers Showcase reader is @adrianmatejka.bsky.social reading from BE EASY ( @liveright.bsky.social). The Editor-in-Chief of POETRY magazine, Adrian has published several book-length works of poetry and one graphic novel Last On His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century🧵
January 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Our next Chicago Writers Showcase reader is @adrianmatejka.bsky.social reading from BE EASY ( @liveright.bsky.social). The Editor-in-Chief of POETRY magazine, Adrian has published several book-length works of poetry and one graphic novel Last On His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century🧵