Rhonda Stewart
@rswriter.bsky.social
DC-based writer. Currently focused on business, the arts, and independently-produced work. Ex-Boston Globe and Washington Post.
The fight for #creative and original art continues
"That Sinners sprang solely from Coogler’s impassioned, movie-addled imagination also makes it an outlier at a time when nearly every other hit of comparable magnitude is a sequel, remake, reimagining, or other such return to the proverbial well."
"That Sinners sprang solely from Coogler’s impassioned, movie-addled imagination also makes it an outlier at a time when nearly every other hit of comparable magnitude is a sequel, remake, reimagining, or other such return to the proverbial well."
For @prospect.org, I wrote about SINNERS as the movie of 2025 (not necessarily the best, but certainly the one that best fused popularity and acclaim) and why Hollywood treated its success like a threat. prospect.org/2025/12/11/s...
The Hit Hollywood Didn’t Want - The American Prospect
Ryan Coogler’s bloodsucker blockbuster is all about Black creative freedom. No wonder the industry saw it as a threat.
prospect.org
December 13, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The fight for #creative and original art continues
"That Sinners sprang solely from Coogler’s impassioned, movie-addled imagination also makes it an outlier at a time when nearly every other hit of comparable magnitude is a sequel, remake, reimagining, or other such return to the proverbial well."
"That Sinners sprang solely from Coogler’s impassioned, movie-addled imagination also makes it an outlier at a time when nearly every other hit of comparable magnitude is a sequel, remake, reimagining, or other such return to the proverbial well."
Reposted by Rhonda Stewart
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Bookselling is like the most "people go to the store and buy what looks cool to them without a particular agenda" type business left, and your purchases have a huge influence on what is ordered, what is displayed, and what is recommended.
November 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Great piece that touches on readers' expectations, challenges writers face as readers. Also wonderful comments on what helped people find their way back from being broken readers. Reading different genres can help for sure.
#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/o...
#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/o...
Opinion | I Was Once a Broken Reader. I Found My Way Back to Books.
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Great piece that touches on readers' expectations, challenges writers face as readers. Also wonderful comments on what helped people find their way back from being broken readers. Reading different genres can help for sure.
#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/o...
#booksky #writersky #writingcommunity
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/o...
"So what makes a reader get to the end of the book and continue to imagine those characters? How can we create reader investment that continues after the last page?
The next time you finish a really good book...Let the characters live on in your head."
#booksky
crimereads.com/cliffhanger-...
The next time you finish a really good book...Let the characters live on in your head."
#booksky
crimereads.com/cliffhanger-...
Cheryl Isaacs on Cliffhanger Endings and Keeping Readers Invested Until the Last Page
It’s the only bad part of reading: getting down to the last few pages and dreading the final lines of an exquisite book, of rationing a favorite read knowing that once you get to the end, there’s n…
crimereads.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
"So what makes a reader get to the end of the book and continue to imagine those characters? How can we create reader investment that continues after the last page?
The next time you finish a really good book...Let the characters live on in your head."
#booksky
crimereads.com/cliffhanger-...
The next time you finish a really good book...Let the characters live on in your head."
#booksky
crimereads.com/cliffhanger-...
Reposted by Rhonda Stewart
When Frustration Threatens Desire, by Kerry James Marshall, 1990, 📸 by @drewhallowell
November 23, 2025 at 11:55 PM
When Frustration Threatens Desire, by Kerry James Marshall, 1990, 📸 by @drewhallowell
Reposted by Rhonda Stewart
Boston's Mayor Wu playing with Yo-Yo Ma at Symphony Hall
November 23, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Boston's Mayor Wu playing with Yo-Yo Ma at Symphony Hall
Beautiful story.
"The phone rings steadily; customers call from as far as Florida, New York and beyond. The #novelist who needs an escape from the internet’s magnetic pull; the #screenwriter convinced that only keys that fight back can force out good work."
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
"The phone rings steadily; customers call from as far as Florida, New York and beyond. The #novelist who needs an escape from the internet’s magnetic pull; the #screenwriter convinced that only keys that fight back can force out good work."
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
How to Fix a Typewriter and Your Life (Gift Article)
This is the story of how a man traded steady, grinding corporate security for a dying craft and, in the process, found his soul.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Beautiful story.
"The phone rings steadily; customers call from as far as Florida, New York and beyond. The #novelist who needs an escape from the internet’s magnetic pull; the #screenwriter convinced that only keys that fight back can force out good work."
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
"The phone rings steadily; customers call from as far as Florida, New York and beyond. The #novelist who needs an escape from the internet’s magnetic pull; the #screenwriter convinced that only keys that fight back can force out good work."
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
"But I see no reason a #novel should have to choose between voice and action. In all of my favorite books, the shape of the plot amplifies the characters’ emotional journey or the author’s artistic philosophy."
#booksky #amwriting
www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
#booksky #amwriting
www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
Eight Plot-Heavy Books That Will Keep You Turning Pages
Some readers enjoy plotless, heady fiction. Those who don’t should try these titles.
www.theatlantic.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
"But I see no reason a #novel should have to choose between voice and action. In all of my favorite books, the shape of the plot amplifies the characters’ emotional journey or the author’s artistic philosophy."
#booksky #amwriting
www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
#booksky #amwriting
www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
"The women knew their careers and newfound independence would last only as long as the war. For the novelist, this atmospheric weight was most compelling—freedom on borrowed time, and the lingering memory of it."
#localhistory #booksky
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7740...
#localhistory #booksky
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7740...
Margaret Hutton on the Forgotten History of D.C. That Inspired Her Debut Novel
Set during World War II in a Washington absent of men, If You Leave charts the lives of two women living autonomously for the first time.
washingtoncitypaper.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
"The women knew their careers and newfound independence would last only as long as the war. For the novelist, this atmospheric weight was most compelling—freedom on borrowed time, and the lingering memory of it."
#localhistory #booksky
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7740...
#localhistory #booksky
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7740...
We are amazingly lucky in the DC area to have fantastic #indiebookstores and the return of Barnes and Noble. Always good to have lots of options for readers
gwhatchet.com/2025/11/10/l...
gwhatchet.com/2025/11/10/l...
Local booksellers remain unfazed as second Barnes & Noble heads to DC
As Barnes & Noble plots its next chapter in downtown D.C., independent bookstores said they’re not worried about the chain’s expansion because they’ve already written the city’s best story — one fille...
gwhatchet.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
We are amazingly lucky in the DC area to have fantastic #indiebookstores and the return of Barnes and Noble. Always good to have lots of options for readers
gwhatchet.com/2025/11/10/l...
gwhatchet.com/2025/11/10/l...
What an amazing way that #readers and #indiebookstores around the country are supporting people in their communities.
"I don’t know how much of an impact I can make. But I have to do something.”
#booksky
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
"I don’t know how much of an impact I can make. But I have to do something.”
#booksky
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
To Help SNAP Recipients, Bookstores Set Up as Food Banks
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:30 PM
What an amazing way that #readers and #indiebookstores around the country are supporting people in their communities.
"I don’t know how much of an impact I can make. But I have to do something.”
#booksky
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
"I don’t know how much of an impact I can make. But I have to do something.”
#booksky
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
What a great story of how this #writer persisted and fulfilled her dream of becoming an #author.
#booksky #amwriting
www.wsj.com/business/med...
#booksky #amwriting
www.wsj.com/business/med...
She Almost Gave Up. Now She Has the Year’s Unlikely Hit Novel.
After struggling as an author for two decades, Virginia Evans has a bestseller with ‘The Correspondent.’
www.wsj.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
What a great story of how this #writer persisted and fulfilled her dream of becoming an #author.
#booksky #amwriting
www.wsj.com/business/med...
#booksky #amwriting
www.wsj.com/business/med...
Some rare positive news from DC. Nice update on this book vending machine and how it's been received. Imagine if these sprouted up around the country giving people a way to find more local #authors, indie authors, and small-press books. #booksky #books
www.wypr.org/wypr-arts/20...
www.wypr.org/wypr-arts/20...
A book vending machine provides an outlet for D.C.-area authors after funding cuts
Washington, D.C.'s vending machine LitBox distributes books, with a serving of hope as local writers struggle with arts funding cuts.
www.wypr.org
October 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Some rare positive news from DC. Nice update on this book vending machine and how it's been received. Imagine if these sprouted up around the country giving people a way to find more local #authors, indie authors, and small-press books. #booksky #books
www.wypr.org/wypr-arts/20...
www.wypr.org/wypr-arts/20...
Thoughtful piece on #writers as readers.
"And yet, for me, the whole point of #reading is to discover what we don’t know we want (or need) to know."
#booksky
www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
"And yet, for me, the whole point of #reading is to discover what we don’t know we want (or need) to know."
#booksky
www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
The Writing-Advice Book That Teaches Us How to Read
In a world of dwindling reviews, the author Lydia Davis’s new work charts a more serendipitous path to reading.
www.theatlantic.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Thoughtful piece on #writers as readers.
"And yet, for me, the whole point of #reading is to discover what we don’t know we want (or need) to know."
#booksky
www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
"And yet, for me, the whole point of #reading is to discover what we don’t know we want (or need) to know."
#booksky
www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/1...
“I just knew once I started writing I couldn’t stop, whether people would publish me or not.”
Fantastic piece on Megan Abbott. I love her non-traditional path to #writing crime fiction and her thoughts on resilience as the publishing world has changed.
crimereads.com/my-first-thr...
Fantastic piece on Megan Abbott. I love her non-traditional path to #writing crime fiction and her thoughts on resilience as the publishing world has changed.
crimereads.com/my-first-thr...
My First thriller: Megan Abbott
Megan Abbott never considered herself a writer, although she admits she always liked to write. Instead, she ended up pursing a career in academia. Her goal was to teach college literature, especial…
crimereads.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:32 PM
“I just knew once I started writing I couldn’t stop, whether people would publish me or not.”
Fantastic piece on Megan Abbott. I love her non-traditional path to #writing crime fiction and her thoughts on resilience as the publishing world has changed.
crimereads.com/my-first-thr...
Fantastic piece on Megan Abbott. I love her non-traditional path to #writing crime fiction and her thoughts on resilience as the publishing world has changed.
crimereads.com/my-first-thr...
Bluesky needs a dislike button
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, has shuttered its doors and ceased all programming amid the ongoing government shutdown, which began last Monday, September 29.
National Gallery of Art Closes Amid Government Shutdown
The museum is among the federally funded organizations affected by the impasse as Democrats and Republicans spar over healthcare.
hyperallergic.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Bluesky needs a dislike button
Reposted by Rhonda Stewart
The clock doesn’t tick the same way for everyone. Until art institutions admit that, we’ll keep mistaking the optics of equity for the real thing.
When Artists Are Too Old to Be “Emerging”
If the art world is serious about equity, it has to stop equating emergence with youth and start building structures that reflect the multiplicity of artistic timelines.
hyperallergic.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The clock doesn’t tick the same way for everyone. Until art institutions admit that, we’ll keep mistaking the optics of equity for the real thing.
“We are #writers and readers, and we understand the power of coming together around books.”
Love how the community rallied to save this book festival and Ann Patchett's comment to galvanize supporters: “We might be able to be the tide that lifts the boat.”
#booksky
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...
Love how the community rallied to save this book festival and Ann Patchett's comment to galvanize supporters: “We might be able to be the tide that lifts the boat.”
#booksky
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...
Opinion | How a Community of Readers Saved Their Book Festival
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
“We are #writers and readers, and we understand the power of coming together around books.”
Love how the community rallied to save this book festival and Ann Patchett's comment to galvanize supporters: “We might be able to be the tide that lifts the boat.”
#booksky
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...
Love how the community rallied to save this book festival and Ann Patchett's comment to galvanize supporters: “We might be able to be the tide that lifts the boat.”
#booksky
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...
Reposted by Rhonda Stewart
La reproduction interdite, by René Magritte, 1937, 📸 via @BleacherReport
August 30, 2025 at 10:13 PM
La reproduction interdite, by René Magritte, 1937, 📸 via @BleacherReport
"The decision to pursue an activity simply for one’s own enjoyment, though, is deeply human—especially at a moment when our time and attention are treated as commodities."
What a fantastic range of #books
www.theatlantic.com/books/archiv...
What a fantastic range of #books
www.theatlantic.com/books/archiv...
Eight Books for Dabblers
Casual pursuits can enrich our lives, regardless of whether we’re any good at them.
www.theatlantic.com
August 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM
"The decision to pursue an activity simply for one’s own enjoyment, though, is deeply human—especially at a moment when our time and attention are treated as commodities."
What a fantastic range of #books
www.theatlantic.com/books/archiv...
What a fantastic range of #books
www.theatlantic.com/books/archiv...
Reposted by Rhonda Stewart
Justice for sandwich bro!
August 12, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Justice for sandwich bro!
Can't wait for this. Might be Spike's best #crimethriller since Inside Man.
Great news!! crimereads.com/spike-lees-n...
Spike Lee’s New Joint stars Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky and is a crime thriller extravaganza
Everyone!!! Gather round!!! We have a new Spike Lee joint! Rejoice! Maybe you knew this already if you monitored the premieres at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it played out of competition. …
crimereads.com
August 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Can't wait for this. Might be Spike's best #crimethriller since Inside Man.