Karen E. Bender
@karenebender.bsky.social
I write stories and show students how to do it. Teaching in MFAs at SUNY Stony Brook and Alma College. NBA Finalist
Tonight! I'm reading with the wonderful Matthew Gavin Frank about his incredible new work of nonfiction,
"Submersed: Wonder, Obsession and Awe in the World of Amateur Submarines," hosted by Joshua Zeitler and through Ballyhoo Books! Via zoom: link in the comments below. 6:30-7:30 pm EST, join us!
"Submersed: Wonder, Obsession and Awe in the World of Amateur Submarines," hosted by Joshua Zeitler and through Ballyhoo Books! Via zoom: link in the comments below. 6:30-7:30 pm EST, join us!
September 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Tonight! I'm reading with the wonderful Matthew Gavin Frank about his incredible new work of nonfiction,
"Submersed: Wonder, Obsession and Awe in the World of Amateur Submarines," hosted by Joshua Zeitler and through Ballyhoo Books! Via zoom: link in the comments below. 6:30-7:30 pm EST, join us!
"Submersed: Wonder, Obsession and Awe in the World of Amateur Submarines," hosted by Joshua Zeitler and through Ballyhoo Books! Via zoom: link in the comments below. 6:30-7:30 pm EST, join us!
Thrilled by this review of The Words of Dr. L in Booklist, and grateful to Donna Seaman for her thoughts on the stories.
May 9, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Thrilled by this review of The Words of Dr. L in Booklist, and grateful to Donna Seaman for her thoughts on the stories.
Pub date for THE WORDS OF DR. L! Tons of gratitude today for those who helped shepherd my newest into the the world; Maria Massie, Dan Smetanka and the fabulous crew at Counterpoint Press. I hope this book can bring some joy and insight and connection to readers in this insane and hard time.
May 6, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Pub date for THE WORDS OF DR. L! Tons of gratitude today for those who helped shepherd my newest into the the world; Maria Massie, Dan Smetanka and the fabulous crew at Counterpoint Press. I hope this book can bring some joy and insight and connection to readers in this insane and hard time.
I'm so excited to visit these amazing bookstores and talk to some of my favorite writers about The Words of Dr. L! I'll be reading in NYC, Boston, LA, SF and Iowa City.
One of my favorite parts of having a book out is seeing family, friends, writers, readers at events. I hope you can come!
One of my favorite parts of having a book out is seeing family, friends, writers, readers at events. I hope you can come!
April 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I'm so excited to visit these amazing bookstores and talk to some of my favorite writers about The Words of Dr. L! I'll be reading in NYC, Boston, LA, SF and Iowa City.
One of my favorite parts of having a book out is seeing family, friends, writers, readers at events. I hope you can come!
One of my favorite parts of having a book out is seeing family, friends, writers, readers at events. I hope you can come!
In a little bit of good news, Goodreads is holding a book giveaway contest for my newest, The Words of Dr. L, coming out May 6 from Counterpoint Press! You can enter via the link in the comments. They are giving away 20 books!
April 8, 2025 at 2:47 PM
In a little bit of good news, Goodreads is holding a book giveaway contest for my newest, The Words of Dr. L, coming out May 6 from Counterpoint Press! You can enter via the link in the comments. They are giving away 20 books!
The best story about an older person negotiating the cold, labyrinthian structure of Social Security is Edward P. Jones' magnificent story, "Marie," Teach this to explain to students why any cuts to the Social Security system are cruel and unconscionable. It's in his collection "Lost in the City."
March 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
The best story about an older person negotiating the cold, labyrinthian structure of Social Security is Edward P. Jones' magnificent story, "Marie," Teach this to explain to students why any cuts to the Social Security system are cruel and unconscionable. It's in his collection "Lost in the City."
ACTION ALERT! Defending Public Health, scientists and health care professionals, has a campaign for Senators to vote AGAINST Dave Weldon for Director of the CDC. Weldon is an anti-vaxxer, a promoter of junk science. A link to Senators to call is in the comments. The vote is on Thursday. Let's call!
March 9, 2025 at 11:53 PM
ACTION ALERT! Defending Public Health, scientists and health care professionals, has a campaign for Senators to vote AGAINST Dave Weldon for Director of the CDC. Weldon is an anti-vaxxer, a promoter of junk science. A link to Senators to call is in the comments. The vote is on Thursday. Let's call!
About 200 protestors gather at the Tesla dealership in Gowanus, Brooklyn today! Car after car, a UPS truck, even a NYPD car honking support for the #teslataketown protest today! So uplifting to be there. Stop Musk now!
March 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM
About 200 protestors gather at the Tesla dealership in Gowanus, Brooklyn today! Car after car, a UPS truck, even a NYPD car honking support for the #teslataketown protest today! So uplifting to be there. Stop Musk now!
Today's sign for Tesla Takedown protest
March 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Today's sign for Tesla Takedown protest
#notmypresident day great energy and signs in Union Square!
February 17, 2025 at 7:29 PM
#notmypresident day great energy and signs in Union Square!
A good way to preorder new books--through Barnes and Noble's preorder sale from 2/5 to 2/7....25% off for premium and reward members. A deal for my new collection, The Words of Dr. L, coming out in May, and to support Barnes and Noble!
February 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A good way to preorder new books--through Barnes and Noble's preorder sale from 2/5 to 2/7....25% off for premium and reward members. A deal for my new collection, The Words of Dr. L, coming out in May, and to support Barnes and Noble!
The final cover for my new collection, The Words of Dr. L, coming in May from Counterpoint Press! Huge gratitude to Carolyn Ferrell and Matthew Klam for such generous blurbs, and my son Jonah Siegel for another wonderful photo.
January 21, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The final cover for my new collection, The Words of Dr. L, coming in May from Counterpoint Press! Huge gratitude to Carolyn Ferrell and Matthew Klam for such generous blurbs, and my son Jonah Siegel for another wonderful photo.
One thing I am looking forward to in 2025--my third collection of stories, The Words of Dr. L and Other Stories, out with Counterpoint Press! A collection of stories, both realistic and speculative, examining how parents and children separate at different stages of life. In the world on May 6!
January 2, 2025 at 6:17 PM
One thing I am looking forward to in 2025--my third collection of stories, The Words of Dr. L and Other Stories, out with Counterpoint Press! A collection of stories, both realistic and speculative, examining how parents and children separate at different stages of life. In the world on May 6!
A book that you read and think--how did literature exist without it? A book that should be taught in all schools, everywhere. Congratulations to Percival Everett for winning the National Book Award.
November 21, 2024 at 2:59 PM
A book that you read and think--how did literature exist without it? A book that should be taught in all schools, everywhere. Congratulations to Percival Everett for winning the National Book Award.
These photos by Alexey Titarenko, at the International Center for Photography's current exhibition. documents the changing atmosphere in St. Petersburg after the fall of the Soviet Union.
November 13, 2024 at 12:44 PM
These photos by Alexey Titarenko, at the International Center for Photography's current exhibition. documents the changing atmosphere in St. Petersburg after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The fabulous SUNY Stony Brook MFA program in creative writing is having two open houses--one online at 7 pm EST Nov. 3, another at 4 pm Dec. 3 at the Manhattan campus. Click the image here to RSVP. A vibrant, amazing, and supportive group of students, caring and wonderful faculty--join us!
November 11, 2024 at 8:12 PM
The fabulous SUNY Stony Brook MFA program in creative writing is having two open houses--one online at 7 pm EST Nov. 3, another at 4 pm Dec. 3 at the Manhattan campus. Click the image here to RSVP. A vibrant, amazing, and supportive group of students, caring and wonderful faculty--join us!