Rachel Kramer Bussel
@rachelkramerbussel.bsky.social
Writer on books, culture, my life. Editor, @opensecretsmag.bsky.social
https://opensecretsmagazine.com
Author, How to Write Erotica. Editing anthology about our attachments to our belongings. https://linktr.ee/rkbwriter and rachelkramerbussel.com
https://opensecretsmagazine.com
Author, How to Write Erotica. Editing anthology about our attachments to our belongings. https://linktr.ee/rkbwriter and rachelkramerbussel.com
Hey @officialgrammarly.bsky.social, a lot of people agree with me that asking “When you’re working with AI, how do you ensure your work is original?” in a marketing email is problematic.
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Hey @officialgrammarly.bsky.social, a lot of people agree with me that asking “When you’re working with AI, how do you ensure your work is original?” in a marketing email is problematic.
I had a perfect mellow 50th birthday with my favorite people. It was a pretty typical Monday which was exactly what I wanted. I’m excited for the decade ahead and all and big and little moments and seeing my baby who’s no longer a baby grow up and to keep expanding @opensecretsmag.bsky.social.
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 AM
I had a perfect mellow 50th birthday with my favorite people. It was a pretty typical Monday which was exactly what I wanted. I’m excited for the decade ahead and all and big and little moments and seeing my baby who’s no longer a baby grow up and to keep expanding @opensecretsmag.bsky.social.
Hello from the last day of my forties!
November 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Hello from the last day of my forties!
New York friends, tomorrow, November 9, is your last chance to check out The Other Art Fair in Gowanus, Brooklyn and catch my boyfriend Drew in booth 123! He’s made some amazing pieces that make perfect holiday gifts. toaf.com/4288meX
November 8, 2025 at 11:45 PM
New York friends, tomorrow, November 9, is your last chance to check out The Other Art Fair in Gowanus, Brooklyn and catch my boyfriend Drew in booth 123! He’s made some amazing pieces that make perfect holiday gifts. toaf.com/4288meX
A few of my favorite No Kings protest signs from Galloway, NJ. Some inflatable costumes, loud energy. We got a lot of honks which is great for our very purple area. Great job, @acindivisible.bsky.social!
October 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
A few of my favorite No Kings protest signs from Galloway, NJ. Some inflatable costumes, loud energy. We got a lot of honks which is great for our very purple area. Great job, @acindivisible.bsky.social!
I was so happy my copy of Less Is Liberation by Christine Platt arrived a day early, another bonus of pre-ordering from @bookshop.org. As someone who constantly feels overwhelmed, I’m so looking forward to reading this and learning how to manage my tendency to overcommit.
October 6, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I was so happy my copy of Less Is Liberation by Christine Platt arrived a day early, another bonus of pre-ordering from @bookshop.org. As someone who constantly feels overwhelmed, I’m so looking forward to reading this and learning how to manage my tendency to overcommit.
Yesterday was a day of several firsts: first essay in The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com, first time getting gas by myself, first time my daughter pet a bunny or goat or horse at a farm tour. Read the essay at
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
October 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Yesterday was a day of several firsts: first essay in The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com, first time getting gas by myself, first time my daughter pet a bunny or goat or horse at a farm tour. Read the essay at
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
www.wsj.com/personal-fin...
A hoarder doing a decluttering project? Yes! I put all my feelings of overwhelm lately into this post that I hope signals the start of something new and positive. rachelkramerbussel.substack.com/p/my-year-of...
September 16, 2025 at 8:54 PM
A hoarder doing a decluttering project? Yes! I put all my feelings of overwhelm lately into this post that I hope signals the start of something new and positive. rachelkramerbussel.substack.com/p/my-year-of...
Anyone else feel guilty for not working when you’re on vacation, or just me? My latest The ADHD Diaries column @opensecretsmag.bsky.social is all about that: opensecretsmagazine.com/p/is-adhd-wh...
September 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Anyone else feel guilty for not working when you’re on vacation, or just me? My latest The ADHD Diaries column @opensecretsmag.bsky.social is all about that: opensecretsmagazine.com/p/is-adhd-wh...
Few sights make me happier than a wavy guy. Even made up for going to a “farmers market” where there was only one produce vendor and I’m pretty sure they don’t grow their own produce.
June 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Few sights make me happier than a wavy guy. Even made up for going to a “farmers market” where there was only one produce vendor and I’m pretty sure they don’t grow their own produce.
Looking forward to talking to Darcey Gohring at wisdomandwords.substack.com today at 1 pm ET about essay writing and Open Secrets Magazine! Subscribe to Wisdom and Words to watch and check out all of Darcey’s other great interviews!
May 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Looking forward to talking to Darcey Gohring at wisdomandwords.substack.com today at 1 pm ET about essay writing and Open Secrets Magazine! Subscribe to Wisdom and Words to watch and check out all of Darcey’s other great interviews!
Had to snap a quick selfie before one of the biggest days of my life. See you later at Open Secrets Live!
May 3, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Had to snap a quick selfie before one of the biggest days of my life. See you later at Open Secrets Live!
Reading books to my baby that I loved as a kid is soul-affirming in a way I didn’t expect. We only got through 2 page before she wanted to flip back to the cover but I feel much calmer after spending a few minutes with Frances. The Linwood, NJ library has a whole stack of delightful oversized books
April 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reading books to my baby that I loved as a kid is soul-affirming in a way I didn’t expect. We only got through 2 page before she wanted to flip back to the cover but I feel much calmer after spending a few minutes with Frances. The Linwood, NJ library has a whole stack of delightful oversized books
How fun is this book arch at the Linwood, NJ public library? Looking forward to my next visit!
April 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
How fun is this book arch at the Linwood, NJ public library? Looking forward to my next visit!
New Yorkers, I’m reading TONIGHT, Monday, March 10 at 7:30 pm at Jake’s Dilemma on the Upper West Side (430 Amsterdam between 80th and 81st) at the Must Love Memoir reading series! More info in my newsletter: rachelkramerbussel.substack.com/p/live-event...
March 10, 2025 at 2:50 PM
New Yorkers, I’m reading TONIGHT, Monday, March 10 at 7:30 pm at Jake’s Dilemma on the Upper West Side (430 Amsterdam between 80th and 81st) at the Must Love Memoir reading series! More info in my newsletter: rachelkramerbussel.substack.com/p/live-event...
Next Monday, March 10 at 7:30, I’m reading on the Upper West Side at Jake’s Dilemma, 430 Amsterdam Ave, for the reading series Must Love Memoir. This event got moved from March 11th to the 10th. Details below and you can find out more at mustlovememoir on Instagram or krystalmarie.substack.com/about
March 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Next Monday, March 10 at 7:30, I’m reading on the Upper West Side at Jake’s Dilemma, 430 Amsterdam Ave, for the reading series Must Love Memoir. This event got moved from March 11th to the 10th. Details below and you can find out more at mustlovememoir on Instagram or krystalmarie.substack.com/about
I was honored to be on podcast Freelance Writing Direct hosted by @estelleserasmus.bsky.social. We discussed writing and editing personal essays and my work as editor of @opensecretsmag.bsky.social and May 3 NYC personal storytelling summit Open Secrets Live! estelleserasmus.com/128-crafting...
February 28, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I was honored to be on podcast Freelance Writing Direct hosted by @estelleserasmus.bsky.social. We discussed writing and editing personal essays and my work as editor of @opensecretsmag.bsky.social and May 3 NYC personal storytelling summit Open Secrets Live! estelleserasmus.com/128-crafting...
Today 1/31=the last day to get $25 early bird tickets to May 3 NYC personal storytelling summit Open Secrets Live by my magazine @opensecretsmag.bsky.social. 35+ memoirists, essayists & editors. Keynote by Jane Pratt. Sponsors: Libro.fm & Narratively. Agenda & tix: www.eventbrite.com/e/open-secre...
January 31, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Today 1/31=the last day to get $25 early bird tickets to May 3 NYC personal storytelling summit Open Secrets Live by my magazine @opensecretsmag.bsky.social. 35+ memoirists, essayists & editors. Keynote by Jane Pratt. Sponsors: Libro.fm & Narratively. Agenda & tix: www.eventbrite.com/e/open-secre...
Part of my attempt to reframe my mindset around productivity is to celebrate things I do that I’m proud of. Today it’s sending my niece a birthday card a week ahead.
January 31, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Part of my attempt to reframe my mindset around productivity is to celebrate things I do that I’m proud of. Today it’s sending my niece a birthday card a week ahead.
This 1993 Heavens to Betsy single title sums up what I think of our new administration. They’re proud of their monstrosity; I’m proud to be resisting it as best I can.
January 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
This 1993 Heavens to Betsy single title sums up what I think of our new administration. They’re proud of their monstrosity; I’m proud to be resisting it as best I can.
My baby has reached a stage where when she’s tired during, she wails furiously, angry about needing sleep. It’s frustrating even but feels like a major victory when I get her to close her eyes. It’s also relatable.I don’t scream loudly but I also delay going to sleep when I should just give in.
January 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
My baby has reached a stage where when she’s tired during, she wails furiously, angry about needing sleep. It’s frustrating even but feels like a major victory when I get her to close her eyes. It’s also relatable.I don’t scream loudly but I also delay going to sleep when I should just give in.
Early bird tickets go on sale tomorrow, January 7, for May 3 NYC personal storytelling summit Open Secrets Live, and @opensecretsmag.bsky.social subscribers will be the first to know. I’ll be interviewing keynote speaker Jane Pratt to start things off!
opensecretsmagazine.com/p/open-secre...
opensecretsmagazine.com/p/open-secre...
January 6, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Early bird tickets go on sale tomorrow, January 7, for May 3 NYC personal storytelling summit Open Secrets Live, and @opensecretsmag.bsky.social subscribers will be the first to know. I’ll be interviewing keynote speaker Jane Pratt to start things off!
opensecretsmagazine.com/p/open-secre...
opensecretsmagazine.com/p/open-secre...
I put this quote on my wall to remind me of my purpose, help guide me in decision-making and focus on what truly matters. Excited to fully dive into 2025 on this snowy day!
Quote says: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; that is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Quote says: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; that is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
January 6, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I put this quote on my wall to remind me of my purpose, help guide me in decision-making and focus on what truly matters. Excited to fully dive into 2025 on this snowy day!
Quote says: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; that is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Quote says: “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; that is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
The kind of problem-solving I energy I want to bring to 2025: My baby was being super fussy while I was doing the breakfast dishes and getting ready to have my morning shake. Then she stopped at the sound of shaking flaxseeds as I poured them over my shake, which she stared at very intently.
January 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The kind of problem-solving I energy I want to bring to 2025: My baby was being super fussy while I was doing the breakfast dishes and getting ready to have my morning shake. Then she stopped at the sound of shaking flaxseeds as I poured them over my shake, which she stared at very intently.
Enjoyed bingo tonight even though my first round win of $5.55 (several of us split a small jackpot) was my only win of the night. Happy to have some time to savor all the joys this year brought me instead of my usual franticness.
January 1, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Enjoyed bingo tonight even though my first round win of $5.55 (several of us split a small jackpot) was my only win of the night. Happy to have some time to savor all the joys this year brought me instead of my usual franticness.