Stephen Patrick Bell
@stephenpatrickbell.bsky.social
Chicago | Writer | 2022 Lambda Literary Fellow | Tin House Summer 2023
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Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
"It was my goal to capture Rockford as it really is: flawed, yes, but full of strengths, too."
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
The Rockford Files: An Interview with Rachel León on "The Rockford Anthology" - Chicago Review of Books
A conversation with Rachel León, editor of "The Rockford Anthology"
chireviewofbooks.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
"It was my goal to capture Rockford as it really is: flawed, yes, but full of strengths, too."
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
Happy pub day to Susan Cheever who in our conversation for @bombmag.bsky.social approaches her father’s work as a loving daughter, a thorough educator, and a forensic investigator.
When All the Men Wore Hats is out today from @fsgbooks.bsky.social
When All the Men Wore Hats is out today from @fsgbooks.bsky.social
BOMB Magazine | Susan Cheever by Stephen Patrick Bell
A daughter uncovers her father’s inner life through his fiction.
bombmagazine.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Happy pub day to Susan Cheever who in our conversation for @bombmag.bsky.social approaches her father’s work as a loving daughter, a thorough educator, and a forensic investigator.
When All the Men Wore Hats is out today from @fsgbooks.bsky.social
When All the Men Wore Hats is out today from @fsgbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
"What is left of our identity, our humanity, when we can no longer even have ownership over our memories?"
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Yiming Ma on his new book "These Memories Do Not Belong to Us" (Mariner Books) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/08/29/m...
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Yiming Ma on his new book "These Memories Do Not Belong to Us" (Mariner Books) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/08/29/m...
Mirrors, Memories, Rebellions: An Interview with Yiming Ma - Chicago Review of Books
A conversation with Yiming Ma on his debut novel, "These Memories Do Not Belong to Us"
chireviewofbooks.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:14 PM
"What is left of our identity, our humanity, when we can no longer even have ownership over our memories?"
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Yiming Ma on his new book "These Memories Do Not Belong to Us" (Mariner Books) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/08/29/m...
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Yiming Ma on his new book "These Memories Do Not Belong to Us" (Mariner Books) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/08/29/m...
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
Why do we go to the movies?
For @foglifterpress.bsky.social, I sat down with author Christopher Tradowsky to chat about his novel, Midnight at the Cinema Palace, a bold, queer, coming-of-age tale about finding ourselves on and off the screen.
Read here: www.foglifterjournal.com/christopher-...
For @foglifterpress.bsky.social, I sat down with author Christopher Tradowsky to chat about his novel, Midnight at the Cinema Palace, a bold, queer, coming-of-age tale about finding ourselves on and off the screen.
Read here: www.foglifterjournal.com/christopher-...
August 1, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Why do we go to the movies?
For @foglifterpress.bsky.social, I sat down with author Christopher Tradowsky to chat about his novel, Midnight at the Cinema Palace, a bold, queer, coming-of-age tale about finding ourselves on and off the screen.
Read here: www.foglifterjournal.com/christopher-...
For @foglifterpress.bsky.social, I sat down with author Christopher Tradowsky to chat about his novel, Midnight at the Cinema Palace, a bold, queer, coming-of-age tale about finding ourselves on and off the screen.
Read here: www.foglifterjournal.com/christopher-...
So beautiful, when art can move.
First review of my new story is already up and it’s 🔥
July 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
So beautiful, when art can move.
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
Book news from me. Been a long haul to here. xo
July 16, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Book news from me. Been a long haul to here. xo
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
ZEAL author @mjerkins.bsky.social will discuss her “cinematic” (Boston Globe) new novel in conversation with @stephenpatrickbell.bsky.social as part of the Brooklyn Rail’s New Social Environment series of online talks spotlighting influential voices in art & culture: brooklynrail.org/event/2025/0...
Morgan Jerkins: Zeal | The Brooklyn Rail
Writer Morgan Jerkins joins writer Stephen Bell for a conversation.
brooklynrail.org
May 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
ZEAL author @mjerkins.bsky.social will discuss her “cinematic” (Boston Globe) new novel in conversation with @stephenpatrickbell.bsky.social as part of the Brooklyn Rail’s New Social Environment series of online talks spotlighting influential voices in art & culture: brooklynrail.org/event/2025/0...
Chicago, it’s true! noam and I will be at Seminary Coop Books on 4/24 to discuss their tremendous essay collection. Come hang out and stick around for the Q&A. Info and registration link below
I feel like I have not figured out how to use Bluesky just yet, but just in case, CHICAGO, I am having an event on 4/24 at Seminary Co-op Bookstore to talk about THE LAND IS HOLY with @stephenpatrickbell.bsky.social.
#booksky #chicagoevent #chicago #books
#booksky #chicagoevent #chicago #books
April 17, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Chicago, it’s true! noam and I will be at Seminary Coop Books on 4/24 to discuss their tremendous essay collection. Come hang out and stick around for the Q&A. Info and registration link below
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
Ok hold up I am so late to reading this but from the very first sentences / first question, this interview grabs you by the neck and IT DOES NOT LET YOU GO
March 28, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Ok hold up I am so late to reading this but from the very first sentences / first question, this interview grabs you by the neck and IT DOES NOT LET YOU GO
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
If I ever write a successful book please don’t cancel me for having a $25 dollar bottle of poppers in my purse
if you want to understand the state of book criticism in 2025 this person on substack is coming after Katie Kitamura (!) for wearing $24 lip gloss
April 16, 2025 at 11:28 PM
If I ever write a successful book please don’t cancel me for having a $25 dollar bottle of poppers in my purse
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
Okay but put this on a mug
January 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Okay but put this on a mug
Just looking back on some of my favorite book conversations of 2024, starting with Jamaica Kincaid and Kara Walker on their clever and occasionally devastating children’s book from @fsgbooks.bsky.social An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children
Two of Our Greatest Living Artists Made an Irreverent, Charming Kids’ Book
Jamaica Kincaid knew only one artist could capture the mischievous spirit of her new children’s book. So she cold-emailed Kara Walker, with delicious results.
www.harpersbazaar.com
December 31, 2024 at 9:47 PM
Just looking back on some of my favorite book conversations of 2024, starting with Jamaica Kincaid and Kara Walker on their clever and occasionally devastating children’s book from @fsgbooks.bsky.social An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
Poor character written by an author who has experienced poverty: My problem is that I'm $300 short on the rent and now my car is making a noise
Poor character written by a rich author: My problem is that I feel so inferior beside these beautiful, sophisticated rich people
Poor character written by a rich author: My problem is that I feel so inferior beside these beautiful, sophisticated rich people
December 22, 2024 at 3:39 PM
Poor character written by an author who has experienced poverty: My problem is that I'm $300 short on the rent and now my car is making a noise
Poor character written by a rich author: My problem is that I feel so inferior beside these beautiful, sophisticated rich people
Poor character written by a rich author: My problem is that I feel so inferior beside these beautiful, sophisticated rich people
Brought a ton of extra concerned dad energy to the last haircut of the year.
December 21, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Brought a ton of extra concerned dad energy to the last haircut of the year.
Gabrielle Korn makes every conversation, even ones about doom, feel cozy. Her well-researched novel fills the end of the world with the warmth and joy of queer family and community. Read our talk on the power of prettiness, identity and climate change, and reading aloud @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social
“If we don't help each other through this, we won't get through it at all”: an Interview with Gabrielle Korn - Chicago Review of Books
Doom is so thoroughly the vibe right now that a climate novel hardly seems an appropriate place to seek hope, but Gabrielle Korn’s The Shutouts peers down the dark tunnel of our unsettling present and...
chireviewofbooks.com
December 17, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Gabrielle Korn makes every conversation, even ones about doom, feel cozy. Her well-researched novel fills the end of the world with the warmth and joy of queer family and community. Read our talk on the power of prettiness, identity and climate change, and reading aloud @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social
Loved being able to watch Lindsay Hunter accept the 2024 CHIRBY for fiction. It’s not too late to order her propulsive and horny true crime novel, Hot Springs Drive for the holidays. Thanks to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social @storystudiochicago.bsky.social @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social for a great night
December 14, 2024 at 8:43 PM
Loved being able to watch Lindsay Hunter accept the 2024 CHIRBY for fiction. It’s not too late to order her propulsive and horny true crime novel, Hot Springs Drive for the holidays. Thanks to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social @storystudiochicago.bsky.social @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social for a great night
such a fun night! congrats to all the CHIRBY winners and nominees!
About last night…
Huge congrats again to our 2024 CHIRBY winners (from l-r)
-Daniel Borzutsky
-Jami Nakamura Lin
-Laura Rodríguez Presa
-Lindsay Hunter
-Parneshia Jones
Huge congrats again to our 2024 CHIRBY winners (from l-r)
-Daniel Borzutsky
-Jami Nakamura Lin
-Laura Rodríguez Presa
-Lindsay Hunter
-Parneshia Jones
December 14, 2024 at 8:28 PM
such a fun night! congrats to all the CHIRBY winners and nominees!
can confirm: the people love a little guy
December 12, 2024 at 6:59 PM
can confirm: the people love a little guy
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
being an editor is one of the greatest joys of my life. got a manuscript you’re on your way to finishing? work with me. i promise you i’m the sweetest.
www.michal-jones.com/editorial-se...
www.michal-jones.com/editorial-se...
December 9, 2024 at 10:22 PM
being an editor is one of the greatest joys of my life. got a manuscript you’re on your way to finishing? work with me. i promise you i’m the sweetest.
www.michal-jones.com/editorial-se...
www.michal-jones.com/editorial-se...
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
I cannot overstate how important Quimby's is to me or in general. Gov. Pritzker give them a billion dollars, we know you have it.
Gotta get all the zinesters in town to pool our resources and buy Quimbys
Quimby's Bookstore, Wicker Park's Indie Publishing Paradise, For Sale After More Than 3 Decades
Quimby's, known for its wide variety of books, comics and zines, opened in Wicker Park in 1991. Its current owner has been at the helm since 1996, and is looking for a buyer to take the store into the...
blockclubchicago.org
December 10, 2024 at 11:36 PM
I cannot overstate how important Quimby's is to me or in general. Gov. Pritzker give them a billion dollars, we know you have it.
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
sailor moon transforming except it’s me turning into the person i think i’ll turn into after hanging my first plant from the ceiling
December 6, 2024 at 8:43 PM
sailor moon transforming except it’s me turning into the person i think i’ll turn into after hanging my first plant from the ceiling
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
US Dems would send a fundraising text blast
Lee Jae-myung, Leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, live-streamed himself scaling the walls of the National Assembly to bypass military barricades so that he could vote to overturn the President's martial law.
December 3, 2024 at 5:40 PM
US Dems would send a fundraising text blast
Benjamin Fredrickson’s cheeky Wedgies project is on display at Culture Edit w/ @tomsfoundation.bsky.social in Los Angeles for a few more weeks.
December 2, 2024 at 11:45 PM
Benjamin Fredrickson’s cheeky Wedgies project is on display at Culture Edit w/ @tomsfoundation.bsky.social in Los Angeles for a few more weeks.
Reposted by Stephen Patrick Bell
Fascinating and moving essay that uses a local question- the art historical provenance of a single painting - to open up an entire life world and press hard questions about science, race, philosophy and what we see when we look at the world
A tour-de-force of scholarship and detective work: Fara Dabhoiwala reveals that a portrait of an 18th-century Black scientist, long dismissed as a caricature, is in fact a record of the man's mastery of Newtonian physics—and the only painting made in 1759 of the return of Halley's comet.
Fara Dabhoiwala · A Man of Parts and Learning: Francis Williams Gets His Due
The only certainty about the picture is that it shows Francis Williams. No one has ever been able to discover who...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 27, 2024 at 10:58 AM
Fascinating and moving essay that uses a local question- the art historical provenance of a single painting - to open up an entire life world and press hard questions about science, race, philosophy and what we see when we look at the world