Alexandra Hidalgo
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Alexandra Hidalgo
@the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
2K followers 890 following 1.1K posts
I'm a writer, filmmaker, memoirist, editor, mom, and associate professor and Crow Chair of English at the University of Pittsburgh.
https://linktr.ee/alexandra_hidalgo

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Alexandra Hidalgo @the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social · Jan 24
When her marriage hits the rocks, an Ivy League professor, her playwright husband, and her Broadway legend mother-in-law/best friend set out to rescue their imploding family by trying to make a hit musical despite the spectacular failure of their latest collaboration.

#YouDeservepIt #Q #S #WF #A
A postcard for Alexandra Hidalgo's novel "GRAND GESTURES" with red, green, and blue rectangles. The top left red rectangle has white text that reads "UPMARKET WOMEN'S FICTION" with a black silhouette of a stack of books. The top right green rectangle reads " Drama runs in the family, but can they stage their own happy ending?” The middle left blue rectangle has a black silhouette of comedy and tragedy masks. The middle right red rectangle reads "GRAND GESTURES." The bottom left green rectangle reads "COMPS" with photos of the covers for Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, the show Gilmore Girls, and Book Lovers by Emily Henry. The bottom right blue rectangle reads " Broadway Dynasties, Cozy Academia, Family Saga, Second Chances, Latina Protagonist, Multiple Love Stories, Empathic Friendships, Three POVs" with black silhouettes of man and a woman dancing and of a woman singing on stage.
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Some #projects are small and contained, some are unwieldy beasts that go on for years. These beasts are beautiful creatures that keep growing with no end in sight and help us grow as we wrestle with them and their needs and desires. #WritingCommunity alexandrahidalgo.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
The Art of Wrangling Big Projects
Evolving Alongside the Unwieldy Beasts We Create
alexandrahidalgo.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:15 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
In Season 4 of #Hacks, we watch diva comedian Deborah Vance (#JeanSmart) and her #writing partner Ava Daniels (#HannahEinbinder) grapple with the cost of finally axchieving their dreams. Watch and share your thoughts on #HacksSeason4? #TVshow @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
youtu.be/7fjQr7nn3X0
In Hacks S4 Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder Explore the High Cost of Having Your Dreams Come True
YouTube video by Alexandra Hidalgo
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
#AnnNapolitano's novel #HelloBeautiful, a reimagining of #LouisaMayAlcott’s #LittleWomen, was the 100th book selected for Oprah Winfrey’s #BookClub. It follows the #PadavanoSisters as they weather secrets and love like the #MarchSisters! @nytimes.com@penguinbooksusa.bsky.social youtu.be/zwuPDLDRC9Q
Are Some Bonds Unbreakable? YES! And Ann Napolitano Makes Them Shine in Hello Beautiful
YouTube video by Alexandra Hidalgo
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
My husband @billbowbaggins.bsky.social on tackling the ever confusing, yet vital task of trying to figure out how to use our #camera equipment so the images we see in our minds can also appear on our screens! #NaturePhotography #Nature #Birding
billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/photograph...
Photography 101
Starting Over and Hopefully Better
billbowbaggins.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:36 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
#HappyBirthday to William, the brilliant, witty, & always kind human who came into our lives 14 years ago. Of all my adventures, watching you & your brother grow up has been the most delightful and exhilarating one. You're a wonder. TY for sharing your days with us
@billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees. He is looking at the camera and smiling. He is outside, and it is daytime. A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees. He is looking downward with a small smile. He is outside, and it is daytime. A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees. He is looking off to the side with a neutral expression. He is outside, and it is daytime. A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees. He is tilting his head slightly and smiling. He is outside, and it is daytime.
November 7, 2025 at 10:34 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
#LocalElections support your #community and the people who want to make it better. This #election is a big deal because my brother-in-law Jeffrey Bowler is running for school board. So proud of him for giving his all to making the schools better! youtu.be/tQ8HXheMsRc @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
Worried Your Vote Doesn’t Count? It Does and It Makes a HUGE Difference in Local Elections
YouTube video by Alexandra Hidalgo
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 5:58 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
#SteveMartin’s #OnlyMurdersintheBuilding with #SelenaGomez and #MartinShort spends Season 5 exploring the tensions between old and new as we, its #audience, work through our own doubts and fears over the direction we’re all going. #TV #TVShow #OnlyMurders youtu.be/C3OQ5DrYzWk?...
Season 5 of Only Murders in the Building Is All About the Clash Between the Old and the New
YouTube video by Alexandra Hidalgo
youtu.be
November 3, 2025 at 8:37 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
This is the writing: #happyhalloween to all! I hope you you filled your real and metaphorical #candy buckets and bags this weekend! #halloween2025
From left to right standing together in a yard with a black and white inflatable dragon we see: a man dressed as Bob Ross, a woman dressed as a paintbrush, a girl dressed as a dragon, a boy dressed as a killer clown, a woman dressed as Morticia, and a boy dressed as as a gremlin. It's evening and the sky is gray.
November 1, 2025 at 8:41 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Thank you to Ken and Erin Reigle for having the coolest couple costume (#bobross and his paintbrush) and for having us over for #halloween2025. It was a blast to #trickortreat together! Here's the account of our #Halloween adventures!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbwI...
Trick-or-Treating with Gremlins, Morticia, Dragons, Bob Ross, and Killer Clowns!
YouTube video by Alexandra Hidalgo
www.youtube.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:39 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
#Birding can be a hobby, yes, but it can also be a way to power the economy while restoring #nature. Check out this uplifting conversation about birding in #CostaRica between my husband and the fabulous endemic birding expert Andrés Chávez.
billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...
Ten Birding Questions, with Andrés Chávez
The Birding with BillBow Podcast, Episode 6
billbowbaggins.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:42 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Did we again manage to #carve the year’s worst #pumpkins? Of course we did! #Halloween #Jackolantern
@billbowbaggins.bsky.social
Two adults, Nathaniel Bowler and Alexandra Hidalgo, and two boys, William and Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, hold their carved pumpkins and pose for a picture. They are outside, in front of trees and fall foliage, and it is daytime. Two adults, Nathaniel Bowler and Alexandra Hidalgo, and two boys, William and Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, hold their carved pumpkins and sillily pose for a picture. They are outside, in front of trees and fall foliage, and it is daytime.
October 31, 2025 at 2:26 AM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
I was a little lackadaisical in my #carving this year, but I did give my girl eyelashes! #Pumpkin #Halloween #Jackolantern @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, holds up a carved pumpkin next to her head with both hands. She smiles at the camera. She is outside in front of trees, and it is daytime. A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, is holding a carved pumpkin with both hands. She poses for the camera. She is outside in front of trees, and it is daytime. A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, holds up a carved pumpkin with both hands. She smiles at the camera. She is outside in front of trees, and it is daytime.
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 AM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
“Individual #costumes are compelling, but I’m more interested in their collective meaning. Our dressing-up rituals send us out into the world. We trick-or-treat, we walk in parades, we find the right outfit for our friends’ theme parties. #WritingCommunity
alexandrahidalgo.substack.com/p/dressing-up
There is a lilac post card titled "NEW POST!" below which is a subtitle "Love in Many Genres". There is puzzle multi colored heart at the left upper corner, below which is a title "Dressing Up” There is a photo to the right of Over a dozen children stand and sit together in costumes inside their classroom. The photo is tinged with 1980s colors. It is daytime.
October 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
There are worse things to eat than the insides of your #pumpkin? Right? #Halloween #Jackolantern @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A man, Nathaniel Bowler, holds up a carved pumpkin. He makes a face and has pumpkin guys coming out of his mouth. He is outside in front of trees, and it is daytime. A man, Nathaniel Bowler, holds up a carved pumpkin to his mouth. He makes a face and is eating the guts coming out of the pumpkin’s eye. He is outside in front of trees, and it is daytime. A man, Nathaniel Bowler, holds up a carved pumpkin with his hand. He looks at the pumpkin. He is outside in front of trees, and it is daytime.
October 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Santiago took the longest to get his #pumpkin off the ground, but he also did the steepest #carving. Look at that mouth! #halloween #jackolantern @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A boy, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees cradling a pumpkin he carved. He is looking at the camera and smiling. He is outside, and it is daytime. A boy, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees cradling a pumpkin he carved. He is looking at the camera and smiling. He is outside, and it is daytime. A boy, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees. He holds the pumpkin he carved over his face. He is looking at the camera and smiling. He is outside, and it is daytime.
October 29, 2025 at 7:12 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
William experimented with props this time. An heirloom spoon sure adds a bit of nostalgic charm to one’s creation, doesn’t it? #pumpkin #halloween #jackolantern @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees holding a pumpkin he carved. He is looking at the camera and smiling. He is outside, and it is daytime. A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees holding a pumpkin he carved. He is looking at his pumpkin. He is outside, and it is daytime. A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, stands in front of a fall scene of trees holding a pumpkin he carved. He is looking at the camera with a silly face. He is outside, and it is daytime.
October 29, 2025 at 1:18 AM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Some #traditions you do because you’re good at them. Some you do because they’re #fun. Some you do because you’re terrible at them? That’s apparently the case for us when it comes to #carving #pumpkins. #Halloween #Fall #Jackolantern youtu.be/BZE46zbmcr0?...
We’re the Worst Pumpkin Carvers in the World!
YouTube video by Alexandra Hidalgo
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
May you always have fun #dressingup with those you #love! #Halloween #Wednesday #Gremlins #Costumes @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
Three adults and two boys are all dressed in Halloween costumes. They smile for a picture in front of a large tomb in a cemetery. It is daytime and they are outside. Three adults and two boys are all dressed in Halloween costumes. They pose for a picture in front of a large tomb in a cemetery. It is daytime and they are outside. Three adults and two boys are all dressed in Halloween costumes. They strike a pose for a picture in front of a large tomb in a cemetery. It is daytime and they are outside.
October 27, 2025 at 7:13 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Who knew #WednesdayAddams was such a #GunnySax fan? Cait did! #Halloween #Costume @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A woman, Caitlan Spronk dressed as Wednesday Addams, poses for a picture in front of a tomb in a cemetery. She is outside, and it is daytime. A woman, Caitlan Spronk dressed as Wednesday Addams, poses for a picture in front of a tomb in a cemetery. She holds one arm above her head and one below her waist in a dancing motion. She is outside, and it is daytime. A woman, Caitlan Spronk dressed as Wednesday Addams, poses for a picture in front of a tomb in a cemetery. She is smiling at the camera. She is outside, and it is daytime. A woman, Caitlan Spronk dressed as Wednesday Addams, poses for a picture in front of a tomb in a cemetery. She is outside, and it is daytime.
October 26, 2025 at 6:38 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Velvety #witches with dramatic makeup and big hearts? I’m all in! #Halloween #MorticiaAddams #Wednesday #costume @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, poses in front of a tomb in a graveyard. She has a severed hand sitting on her shoulder. She is outside, and it is daytime. A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, poses in front of a tomb in a graveyard. She has a severed hand sitting on her shoulder. She is outside, and it is daytime. A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, poses in front of a tomb in a graveyard. She has a severed hand sitting on her shoulder. She is outside, and it is daytime. A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, poses in front of a tomb in a graveyard. She is holding up a severed hand. She is outside, and it is daytime.
October 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Santiago can’t resist the inflatable costumes even though they tend to fall apart before we knock on the first house for #trickortreating. Still, this #gremlin is pretty fabulous! #halloween #halloweencostume @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A boy, Santiago Hidalgo, is dressed in a large brown-and-white inflatable Gremlin costume with big ears and orange eyes. He stands on a grassy field with trees in the background and is looking at the camera. He is outside and it is daytime. A boy, Santiago Hidalgo, is dressed in a large brown-and-white inflatable Gremlin costume with big ears and orange eyes. He stands on a grassy field with trees in the background, raising both hands near his face. He is outside and it is daytime. A boy, Santiago Hidalgo, is dressed in a large brown-and-white inflatable Gremlin costume with big ears and orange eyes. He stands on a grassy field with trees in the background, resting one hand on his face. He is outside and it is daytime. A boy, Santiago Hidalgo, is dressed in a large brown-and-white inflatable Gremlin costume with big ears and orange eyes. He stands on a grassy field with trees in the background, hands near his chin in a playful pose. He is outside and it is daytime.
October 25, 2025 at 11:11 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
#TallyHall might not be a band anymore, but they’re all alive and well in our house! #Music #Halloween #HalloweenCostume @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, is dressed in a Tally Hall halloween costume, and is holding up a Tally Hall poster. He stands against a concrete wall and is looking at the camera. He is outside and it is daytime. A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, is dressed in a Tally Hall halloween costume, and is holding up a Tally Hall poster. His other hand is holding onto one of the many neckties he is wearing. He stands against a concrete wall and is looking at the camera. He is outside and it is daytime. A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, is dressed in a Tally Hall halloween costume, and is holding up a Tally Hall poster. He stands against a concrete wall and is looking off to the side. He is outside and it is daytime. A boy, William Hidalgo Bowler, is dressed in a Tally Hall halloween costume, and is holding up a Tally Hall poster. He stands against a concrete wall and is looking at the camera mid-smile. He is outside and it is daytime.
October 25, 2025 at 2:58 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
#Gremlins, #TallyHall, #Morticia, and #Wednesday. A lot eclectic. A little light-hearted. A tad #spooky. Why not? #Halloween #Costumes @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
Two women, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, and Cait, dressed as Wednesday Addams, pose with two boys, William Hidalgo Bowler as Tally Hall, and Santiago Hidalgo Bowler in an inflatable gremlin costume in front of a mausoleum. They all stand side by side. It is daytime, and they are outside. Two women, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, and Cait, dressed as Wednesday Addams, pose together with two boys, William Hidalgo Bowler as Tally Hall, and Santiago Hidalgo Bowler in an inflatable gremlin costume in front of a mausoleum. It is daytime, and they are outside. Two women, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, and Cait, dressed as Wednesday Addams, pose with two boys, William Hidalgo Bowler as Tally Hall, and Santiago Hidalgo Bowler in an inflatable gremlin costume in front of a mausoleum. They all stand side by side. It is daytime, and they are outside. Two women, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, and Cait, dressed as Wednesday Addams, pose with two boys, William Hidalgo Bowler as Tally Hall, and Santiago Hidalgo Bowler in an inflatable gremlin costume in front of a mausoleum. It is daytime, and they are outside.
October 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
We have the opposite height difference as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jenna Ortega, but Cait and I sure had a blast embodying #MorticiaAddams and #WednesdayAddams #Halloween #Costumes #TimBurton @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
Two women, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, and Cait, dressed as Wednesday Addams, stand in a cemetery and pose for the camera. Alex is holding up a fake hand. It is daytime, and they are outside. Two women, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, and Cait, dressed as Wednesday Addams, stand in a cemetery and pose together for the camera. Alex has a fake hand on her shoulder. It is daytime, and they are outside. Two women, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, and Cait, dressed as Wednesday Addams, stand in a cemetery and pose together, smiling, for the camera. Alex is holding up a fake hand. It is daytime, and they are outside. Two women, Alexandra Hidalgo dressed as Morticia Addams, and Cait, dressed as Wednesday Addams, stand in a cemetery and pose together for the camera. Alex has a fake hand on her shoulder and holds her arm out dramatically. It is daytime, and they are outside.
October 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
#Dressingup is about being a piece in the ever-shifting puzzle we create as a crowd, a way to connect to those around us and to the #characters and ideas we embody with our #costumes. It’s my favorite kind of statement—#creative, public, profound. #Halloween substack.com/home/post/p-...
Dressing Up
The Collective Magic of Wearing Our Dreams
substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM