Michael Taeckens
@mtaeckens.bsky.social
Co-founder, Broadside PR
—michael at broadsidepr dot com
Lit Agent, Massie McQuilkin & Altman
—michael at mmqalit dot com
https://michaeltaeckenspr.com/about-me/
—michael at broadsidepr dot com
Lit Agent, Massie McQuilkin & Altman
—michael at mmqalit dot com
https://michaeltaeckenspr.com/about-me/
Pinned
Michael Taeckens
@mtaeckens.bsky.social
· Jan 21
Some news. Thanks to @shelf-awareness.com for sharing this. ❤️
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
You might have read something about Ross Douthat’s podcast last week. Becca Rothfeld reviews the new book by Leah Libresco Sargeant, one of the guests on that show. www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Review | A conservative argues we need to value ‘women as women.’ But what does that mean?
Leah Libresco Sargeant argues that we need to better acknowledge human need and vulnerability, and that valuing women “as women” is a start
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
You might have read something about Ross Douthat’s podcast last week. Becca Rothfeld reviews the new book by Leah Libresco Sargeant, one of the guests on that show. www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
I interviewed ferociously brilliant filmmaker Mira Nair, a.k.a Zohran Mamdani’s mother, about how her voice and vision have shaped a man who sees a better way forward for all of us. SPOILER ALERT: Love matters.
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/feat...
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/feat...
How Mira Nair Built the World That Made Zohran Mamdani
The legendary director talks with Harper's Bazaar about becoming an artist and a parent
www.harpersbazaar.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I interviewed ferociously brilliant filmmaker Mira Nair, a.k.a Zohran Mamdani’s mother, about how her voice and vision have shaped a man who sees a better way forward for all of us. SPOILER ALERT: Love matters.
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/feat...
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/feat...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
UPDATE — With Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Chair Emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus), there are now at least 12 congressional Democrats, 15 Democratic-aligned organizations, and 8 Democratic candidates calling for Chuck Schumer to resign as leader:
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 AM
UPDATE — With Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Chair Emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus), there are now at least 12 congressional Democrats, 15 Democratic-aligned organizations, and 8 Democratic candidates calling for Chuck Schumer to resign as leader:
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
One day the US will have to face the shame and horror of what has happened here: that a cabal of wealthy people have elevated a monster into the most powerful person in the world www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:05 PM
One day the US will have to face the shame and horror of what has happened here: that a cabal of wealthy people have elevated a monster into the most powerful person in the world www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
I had the great good fortune to work with Lucy Feldman and her team on TIME's "100 Must-Read Books 2025," the perfect holidays gift list for bibliophiles in your lives: time.com/collections/...
The 100 Must-Read Books of 2025
Discover the novels, memoirs, biographies, and more that entertained and enlightened us
time.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I had the great good fortune to work with Lucy Feldman and her team on TIME's "100 Must-Read Books 2025," the perfect holidays gift list for bibliophiles in your lives: time.com/collections/...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
The identity of Sarah Kendzior, researcher on authoritarian states, and Sarah Kendzior's content discussing authoritarian states are...not really easy to separate.
So I'm struggling to see this as a response.
So I'm struggling to see this as a response.
False attribution. If a person is suspended it is because of their identity? Could it not be because of their content? I wrote about it here aaron.leaflet.pub/3m52nqqmk322v
Moderating With Humans, For Humans - Trust Issues
aaron.leaflet.pub
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The identity of Sarah Kendzior, researcher on authoritarian states, and Sarah Kendzior's content discussing authoritarian states are...not really easy to separate.
So I'm struggling to see this as a response.
So I'm struggling to see this as a response.
My 2nd deal as an agent. I've been reading Pulitzer Prize winner Forrest Gander's work since my late teens and am over the moon about working with him.
November 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
My 2nd deal as an agent. I've been reading Pulitzer Prize winner Forrest Gander's work since my late teens and am over the moon about working with him.
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
This isn't "internal recriminations." It's voters expressing overwhelming opposition to what the people they elected to represent them are doing, and anyone--either in journalism or politics--who characterizes it as infighting is either not seeing and hearing what's right in front of them or lying.
The sooner we get past internal recriminations and back to fighting united, the better off we all are — the likelier our victory next November.
November 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
This isn't "internal recriminations." It's voters expressing overwhelming opposition to what the people they elected to represent them are doing, and anyone--either in journalism or politics--who characterizes it as infighting is either not seeing and hearing what's right in front of them or lying.
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Enough is enough. Contact your Democratic senators TODAY and tell them to call for Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader. We desperately need new leadership in the Democratic Party.
CALL NOW: Tell Your Democratic Senator It's Time for Chuck Schumer to Step Aside
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Enough is enough. Contact your Democratic senators TODAY and tell them to call for Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader. We desperately need new leadership in the Democratic Party.
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
This deal to reopen the government is fucking disgraceful.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
November 10, 2025 at 12:43 PM
This deal to reopen the government is fucking disgraceful.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
Tens of millions will lose their healthcare. Trump will be emboldened.
This is exactly what’s wrong with Democratic Party leadership and why we need more people in Congress who will actually hold the line.
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Let's write together in 2026! If you're looking to jumpstart your memoir project—or are already underway & want some support to maintain momentum or figure out next steps—this @thewriterscenter.bsky.social workshop is for you. We'll meet twice a month, starting in February; learn more + apply here:
Memoir Year w/ Nicole Chung - The Writer's Center
Work on your memoir with bestselling author Nicole Chung! This intensive workshop is open to writers working on a memoir or memoir-in-essays. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in lively craft...
writer.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Let's write together in 2026! If you're looking to jumpstart your memoir project—or are already underway & want some support to maintain momentum or figure out next steps—this @thewriterscenter.bsky.social workshop is for you. We'll meet twice a month, starting in February; learn more + apply here:
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
ATRIA ( @liveright.bsky.social 2/16/26) is available for preorder bookshop.org/p/books/atri...
Interested in writing a review or conducting an interview? Please go to the contact page of my website: www.dswaldman.com
A thread of poems from the book, published in @newyorker.com @theatlantic.com ++
Interested in writing a review or conducting an interview? Please go to the contact page of my website: www.dswaldman.com
A thread of poems from the book, published in @newyorker.com @theatlantic.com ++
November 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
ATRIA ( @liveright.bsky.social 2/16/26) is available for preorder bookshop.org/p/books/atri...
Interested in writing a review or conducting an interview? Please go to the contact page of my website: www.dswaldman.com
A thread of poems from the book, published in @newyorker.com @theatlantic.com ++
Interested in writing a review or conducting an interview? Please go to the contact page of my website: www.dswaldman.com
A thread of poems from the book, published in @newyorker.com @theatlantic.com ++
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
really obvious now why trump and the republican party have been working so hard to prevent fair elections lol they know
November 5, 2025 at 3:50 AM
really obvious now why trump and the republican party have been working so hard to prevent fair elections lol they know
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
The news about Teen Vogue is terrible, the latest in the long list of corporate-owned media layoffs, closures, and shifting tone and coverage.
There are so many great independent outlets, a list too long but this is a fantastic starter pack. PLEASE pick a few & support them if you're able.
There are so many great independent outlets, a list too long but this is a fantastic starter pack. PLEASE pick a few & support them if you're able.
bsky.app
November 3, 2025 at 11:57 PM
The news about Teen Vogue is terrible, the latest in the long list of corporate-owned media layoffs, closures, and shifting tone and coverage.
There are so many great independent outlets, a list too long but this is a fantastic starter pack. PLEASE pick a few & support them if you're able.
There are so many great independent outlets, a list too long but this is a fantastic starter pack. PLEASE pick a few & support them if you're able.
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
For Esquire, I updated my best books of the year list to include 7 new titles that have dropped since May. www.esquire.com/entertainmen...
The 27 Best Books of 2025 (So Far)
Whether you’re looking for a compelling nonfiction mystery, a charming fantasy escape, or a suspenseful science fiction thriller, this year's literary slate has something for everyone.
www.esquire.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
For Esquire, I updated my best books of the year list to include 7 new titles that have dropped since May. www.esquire.com/entertainmen...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Feeding America has a page where you can input your zip code and it'll show you all of the food banks near you overlaid on a map. If you need it, it's there. If you don't need it, think about donating money if you have it and your time if you don't.
www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America
Find the Feeding America member food bank nearest you. Over 200 member food banks can connect you with free food, food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile pantries in your community.
www.feedingamerica.org
October 26, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Feeding America has a page where you can input your zip code and it'll show you all of the food banks near you overlaid on a map. If you need it, it's there. If you don't need it, think about donating money if you have it and your time if you don't.
www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Whenever people complain about the number of folks relying on food stamps, it is worth reminding them that SNAP is, by too large of a degree, a subsidy for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage and their political allies who reject public policy prescriptions to reduce income inequality.
October 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Whenever people complain about the number of folks relying on food stamps, it is worth reminding them that SNAP is, by too large of a degree, a subsidy for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage and their political allies who reject public policy prescriptions to reduce income inequality.
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Making a recurring donation to your local food bank is one of the easiest & most effective ways to help people in your community. Now is a great time to either set one up or increase your existing support. Find a food bank near you: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
October 26, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Making a recurring donation to your local food bank is one of the easiest & most effective ways to help people in your community. Now is a great time to either set one up or increase your existing support. Find a food bank near you: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Becca Rothfeld on Francesca Wade's big new bio of Gertrude Stein. "Wade takes the Steinian persona and the Steinian corpus equally seriously" in a book that is "marvelous, funny and frequently moving." www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Review | ‘Gertrude Stein’ is an enthralling look at a writer and her reputation
Francesca Wade’s biography tells the life of the modernist American writer and her famed social life in Paris, and of how her work became taken more seriously in the years after she died
www.washingtonpost.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Becca Rothfeld on Francesca Wade's big new bio of Gertrude Stein. "Wade takes the Steinian persona and the Steinian corpus equally seriously" in a book that is "marvelous, funny and frequently moving." www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Staff at Book World has been doing its usual great work. A few links: @roncharles.bsky.social on Adam Johnson's first novel in 13 years: "an epic that feels less created than unearthed." www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Review | ‘The Wayfinder’ is an astonishing novel that’s both ancient and modern
Adam Johnson’s epic takes place almost a thousand years ago in Polynesia, where the characters’ travails feel shockingly familiar.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Staff at Book World has been doing its usual great work. A few links: @roncharles.bsky.social on Adam Johnson's first novel in 13 years: "an epic that feels less created than unearthed." www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
heartbroken to learn the pope sympathizes with the poor. how can i continue to believe in god
October 17, 2025 at 5:43 PM
heartbroken to learn the pope sympathizes with the poor. how can i continue to believe in god
Reposted by Michael Taeckens
Not that anybody comes to me for Maine politics, but the fact that the Democrats successfully convinced a 77yo Governor to primary the 41yo progressive, is today's example of why the Democrats fucking stay failing.
Susan Collins is 72 and if Schumer gets his way, she'll be the YOUNGER choice!
Susan Collins is 72 and if Schumer gets his way, she'll be the YOUNGER choice!
October 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Not that anybody comes to me for Maine politics, but the fact that the Democrats successfully convinced a 77yo Governor to primary the 41yo progressive, is today's example of why the Democrats fucking stay failing.
Susan Collins is 72 and if Schumer gets his way, she'll be the YOUNGER choice!
Susan Collins is 72 and if Schumer gets his way, she'll be the YOUNGER choice!