Rebecca Makkai
@rebeccamakkai.bsky.social
Pulitzer finalist for THE GREAT BELIEVERS; new novel, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU, out now. Artistic Director at StoryStudio Chicago. Trying to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. You should, too.
rebeccamakkai.substack.com
https://rebeccamakkai.com
rebeccamakkai.substack.com
https://rebeccamakkai.com
This is a sad memorial post for a bunch of people/institutions, but there’s good poetry in it, I promise.
rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/a-mess-of-...
rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/a-mess-of-...
February 6, 2026 at 3:22 PM
This is a sad memorial post for a bunch of people/institutions, but there’s good poetry in it, I promise.
rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/a-mess-of-...
rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/a-mess-of-...
If, a few months ago, you saw me post about that Uptrek retreat in Spain and thought, “I’ll bookmark that and think about it,” but promptly forgot, I have good news—there are FOUR last spots remaining 🧵
uptrek.com/retreat/star...
uptrek.com/retreat/star...
February 4, 2026 at 9:01 PM
If, a few months ago, you saw me post about that Uptrek retreat in Spain and thought, “I’ll bookmark that and think about it,” but promptly forgot, I have good news—there are FOUR last spots remaining 🧵
uptrek.com/retreat/star...
uptrek.com/retreat/star...
If you live near Chicago, and you’re a writer, musician, or visual artist between 18-30, apply to Luminarts for a $10,000 fellowship plus ongoing support. I love serving on the board of this amazing organization, & want these grants going to brilliant young writers 🧵
luminarts.submittable.com/submit
luminarts.submittable.com/submit
Luminarts Cultural Foundation Application Manager
Luminarts Cultural Foundation FellowshipApplications for open. Fellowship Programs are listed below. For general questions about program eligibility please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or...
luminarts.submittable.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:48 PM
If you live near Chicago, and you’re a writer, musician, or visual artist between 18-30, apply to Luminarts for a $10,000 fellowship plus ongoing support. I love serving on the board of this amazing organization, & want these grants going to brilliant young writers 🧵
luminarts.submittable.com/submit
luminarts.submittable.com/submit
Reposted by Rebecca Makkai
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
Welp, democracy sure does die in darkness, doesn't it.
February 4, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Welp, democracy sure does die in darkness, doesn't it.
Really looking forward to the next installment of Writers on Writing, with brilliant visiting author Edwidge Danticat and Chicago’s own Rachel DeWoskin!
www.newberry.org/calendar/wri...
www.newberry.org/calendar/wri...
February 2, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Really looking forward to the next installment of Writers on Writing, with brilliant visiting author Edwidge Danticat and Chicago’s own Rachel DeWoskin!
www.newberry.org/calendar/wri...
www.newberry.org/calendar/wri...
FREE! TONIGHT! FOR WRITERS! An online intro to publishing class with the brilliant @finejuli.bsky.social to kick off @storystudiochicago.bsky.social's monthlong Pub Crawl (where you can learn a LOT more about publishing), but tonight is commitment-free and you can just get the lay of the land! 1/
February 1, 2026 at 6:52 PM
FREE! TONIGHT! FOR WRITERS! An online intro to publishing class with the brilliant @finejuli.bsky.social to kick off @storystudiochicago.bsky.social's monthlong Pub Crawl (where you can learn a LOT more about publishing), but tonight is commitment-free and you can just get the lay of the land! 1/
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.
Watch this. You need it.
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
January 27, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Watch this. You need it.
Reposted by Rebecca Makkai
Greg Bovino is packing up all his tactical gear to return to his natural home under the ratatouille hat
January 27, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Greg Bovino is packing up all his tactical gear to return to his natural home under the ratatouille hat
This is the most comprehensive publishing education out there for authors, and I'm so proud that we're making it happen for the fifth year. If you have a finished book or will soon, this is for you.
ONE WEEK until Pub Crawl! Spend the whole month of February learning about the craft of writing and the publishing industry. Learn, pitch, publish!
buff.ly/YzKlk6d
#writingcommunity
buff.ly/YzKlk6d
#writingcommunity
January 26, 2026 at 8:23 PM
This is the most comprehensive publishing education out there for authors, and I'm so proud that we're making it happen for the fifth year. If you have a finished book or will soon, this is for you.
Reposted by Rebecca Makkai
“Freedom is not free. We have to work at it. Nurture it. Protect it. Even sacrifice for it.”
January 25, 2026 at 2:56 AM
“Freedom is not free. We have to work at it. Nurture it. Protect it. Even sacrifice for it.”
Reposted by Rebecca Makkai
"The armed suspect reacted violently."
An outright, barefaced and monstrous lie, conclusively disproven by irrefutable video evidence.
An outright, barefaced and monstrous lie, conclusively disproven by irrefutable video evidence.
January 24, 2026 at 11:04 PM
"The armed suspect reacted violently."
An outright, barefaced and monstrous lie, conclusively disproven by irrefutable video evidence.
An outright, barefaced and monstrous lie, conclusively disproven by irrefutable video evidence.
Reposted by Rebecca Makkai
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Kind of a perfect online tactic. Stealing this. 😂
January 22, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Kind of a perfect online tactic. Stealing this. 😂
Yes, yes, the Oscar nominees are out, but this is a WAY more important lineup 👀
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 9:19 PM
Yes, yes, the Oscar nominees are out, but this is a WAY more important lineup 👀
Due to illness I’m sadly going to be unable to join him in conversation, but join Daniyal Mueenuddin TONIGHT at Exile in Bookville to hear about his new book This Is Where the Serpent Lives! It starts at 7pm and it’s free to reserve a spot, which you can do below.
www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-on...
www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-on...
Authors on Tap: Daniyal Mueenuddin and Rebecca Makkai
Authors on Tap: Daniyal Mueenuddin and Rebecca Makkai
www.eventbrite.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Due to illness I’m sadly going to be unable to join him in conversation, but join Daniyal Mueenuddin TONIGHT at Exile in Bookville to hear about his new book This Is Where the Serpent Lives! It starts at 7pm and it’s free to reserve a spot, which you can do below.
www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-on...
www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-on...
@storystudiochicago.bsky.social's annual Pub Crawl starts up again this February—if you’re new here, here’s the rundown:
1. Programming online almost every night with agents, editors, or authors talking about how to get published…🧵
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/tick...
1. Programming online almost every night with agents, editors, or authors talking about how to get published…🧵
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/tick...
January 20, 2026 at 5:29 PM
@storystudiochicago.bsky.social's annual Pub Crawl starts up again this February—if you’re new here, here’s the rundown:
1. Programming online almost every night with agents, editors, or authors talking about how to get published…🧵
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/tick...
1. Programming online almost every night with agents, editors, or authors talking about how to get published…🧵
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/tick...
Excited to be in conversation with Daniyal Mueenuddin TOMORROW at Exile in Bookville about his new book This Is Where the Serpent Lives! It starts at 7pm and it’s free to reserve a spot, which you can do below… Hope to see you there!
www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-on...
www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-on...
Authors on Tap: Daniyal Mueenuddin and Rebecca Makkai
Authors on Tap: Daniyal Mueenuddin and Rebecca Makkai
www.eventbrite.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Excited to be in conversation with Daniyal Mueenuddin TOMORROW at Exile in Bookville about his new book This Is Where the Serpent Lives! It starts at 7pm and it’s free to reserve a spot, which you can do below… Hope to see you there!
www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-on...
www.eventbrite.com/e/authors-on...
Exactly one year ago, I posted some of the worst bathrooms on Zillow. You might need it again today.
rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/its-zillow...
rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/its-zillow...
It's Zillow Toilet Day
yes, it is.
rebeccamakkai.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Exactly one year ago, I posted some of the worst bathrooms on Zillow. You might need it again today.
rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/its-zillow...
rebeccamakkai.substack.com/p/its-zillow...
Reposted by Rebecca Makkai
Pub Crawl begins in just TWO WEEKS. The full schedule is out, including our keynote conversation with Dave Eggers. Pub Crawl is the ORIGINAL month-long online publishing intensive -- it's the BEST VALUE in publication education. Are you registered?
buff.ly/UugMsJi
#writingcommunity
buff.ly/UugMsJi
#writingcommunity
January 20, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Pub Crawl begins in just TWO WEEKS. The full schedule is out, including our keynote conversation with Dave Eggers. Pub Crawl is the ORIGINAL month-long online publishing intensive -- it's the BEST VALUE in publication education. Are you registered?
buff.ly/UugMsJi
#writingcommunity
buff.ly/UugMsJi
#writingcommunity
Reposted by Rebecca Makkai
If you're a soldier in the 11th Airborne Division being ordered to prep for deployment to Minnesota or Greenland, remember that you have the right to apply for conscientious objector status.
Call the GI Bill Rights hotline: 1-877-447-4487
Call the GI Bill Rights hotline: 1-877-447-4487
January 19, 2026 at 7:23 PM
If you're a soldier in the 11th Airborne Division being ordered to prep for deployment to Minnesota or Greenland, remember that you have the right to apply for conscientious objector status.
Call the GI Bill Rights hotline: 1-877-447-4487
Call the GI Bill Rights hotline: 1-877-447-4487
I can't make this, but you should go see @storystudiochicago.bsky.social's own Lisa Low and these other brilliant writers at Printers Row Wine this Saturday, 1/24 at 2pm!
January 19, 2026 at 3:53 PM
I can't make this, but you should go see @storystudiochicago.bsky.social's own Lisa Low and these other brilliant writers at Printers Row Wine this Saturday, 1/24 at 2pm!