Brandon Haffner
@thebrandonhaff.bsky.social
Writer, prof, etc. | Stories: Sewanee Review, Harvard Review, New Orleans Review, Carolina Quarterly, etc. | VCCA '23, '24; KHN '24; Hambidge '25 | #RVA | @Richmonder.bsky.social | Reader @Variantlit.bsky.social
https://thebrandonhaff.com/
https://thebrandonhaff.com/
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
broken record on this but a similarly great beat for left wing media would be covering arts and culture and not just focusing primarily on politics and current events because there's a massive void there right now
it does seem like there’s a major—though potentially fleeting—opportunity to invest in left-wing media. more than a million people in the most populous city in america just enthusiastically elected a democratic socialist and the world is watching. putting $$ towards left media rn is good business.
November 7, 2025 at 3:43 AM
broken record on this but a similarly great beat for left wing media would be covering arts and culture and not just focusing primarily on politics and current events because there's a massive void there right now
One of the best parts of my job is that I get to help run this awesome literary prize. Here are the finalists for the 2025 John Dos Passos Prize for Literature: lithub.com/heres-the-sh...
Here’s the shortlist for the 2025 John Dos Passos prize.
The annual John Dos Passos Prize for Literature honors the country’s most talented fiction writers for career-long contributions to the genre. First launched in 1980, the prize is the oldest …
lithub.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:31 PM
One of the best parts of my job is that I get to help run this awesome literary prize. Here are the finalists for the 2025 John Dos Passos Prize for Literature: lithub.com/heres-the-sh...
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
Solidarity!! Last week, Indiana University fired the director of student media & halted print on the Indiana Daily Student newspaper. Yesterday, Purdue’s student paper printed the banned edition & drove two hours to deliver it. Incredible www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/l...
Purdue student journalists deliver special 'solidarity' newspaper to IU Bloomington campus
The special edition blasted across town features columns from IDS and Exponent editors, alongside QR codes to support both student papers.
www.heraldtimesonline.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Solidarity!! Last week, Indiana University fired the director of student media & halted print on the Indiana Daily Student newspaper. Yesterday, Purdue’s student paper printed the banned edition & drove two hours to deliver it. Incredible www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
I read this slim potent book twice in one day this week. Next day I read it back to front. Some deep stuff in here. Tremendous thinking and writing. Gonna be one I keep close by on small shelf of inspiring mainstays.
October 18, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I read this slim potent book twice in one day this week. Next day I read it back to front. Some deep stuff in here. Tremendous thinking and writing. Gonna be one I keep close by on small shelf of inspiring mainstays.
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
National Book Award finalist. Amazing!!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/b...
Here Are the Finalists for the 2025 National Book Awards
www.nytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:28 PM
National Book Award finalist. Amazing!!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/b...
Wrote an article on Richmond's James River Writers, an organization trying to foster community around the arts despite increasing obstacles: www.richmonder.org/james-river-...
James River Writers conference brings together Richmond's literary scene
“We do have a national reputation. I think Richmond is getting known for being an artistic community.”
www.richmonder.org
September 24, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Wrote an article on Richmond's James River Writers, an organization trying to foster community around the arts despite increasing obstacles: www.richmonder.org/james-river-...
Returned home from Hambidge last weekend and I've been dreaming about it ever since. Added 30 pages to my novel project, drafted a new short story, wrote some poems, revised a bunch of stuff, read 8 books, and met amazing people (we started a book club!). One of the most peaceful places I've been.
August 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Returned home from Hambidge last weekend and I've been dreaming about it ever since. Added 30 pages to my novel project, drafted a new short story, wrote some poems, revised a bunch of stuff, read 8 books, and met amazing people (we started a book club!). One of the most peaceful places I've been.
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
We are creating a Spanish language section on The Rumpus, for original creative work written in Spanish and are looking for a volunteer editor for this section. If this could be you, please send a brief letter of interest to roxane@therumpus.net by Tuesday, September 2nd!
August 26, 2025 at 1:54 AM
We are creating a Spanish language section on The Rumpus, for original creative work written in Spanish and are looking for a volunteer editor for this section. If this could be you, please send a brief letter of interest to roxane@therumpus.net by Tuesday, September 2nd!
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
This seems like a good to remind folks: if you have a literary project you want to start but need a little help and a little support, our incubator might be what you're looking for! bullcitypress.com/projects/inc...
Incubator
We started in a basement with a budget of $300. We love helping others who have shoestring budgets make the books, journals, podcasts, and literary ephemera that they’ve been dreaming of. Bul…
bullcitypress.com
August 7, 2025 at 1:02 AM
This seems like a good to remind folks: if you have a literary project you want to start but need a little help and a little support, our incubator might be what you're looking for! bullcitypress.com/projects/inc...
Today is pub day for @jennicjul.bsky.social's Red Rabbit Ghost, a horror novel I've been excited to read for many many months. I teach Julian's short fiction every year, and every year the students and I are surprised and awed. This is going to be good, y'all.
bookshop.org/p/books/red-...
bookshop.org/p/books/red-...
Red Rabbit Ghost
Check out Red Rabbit Ghost - <p><b>An impulsive young outcast confronts his small town's dark secrets in this atmospheric and haunting debut horror novel from brilliant new voice Jen Julian. <p/> "Dre...
bookshop.org
July 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Today is pub day for @jennicjul.bsky.social's Red Rabbit Ghost, a horror novel I've been excited to read for many many months. I teach Julian's short fiction every year, and every year the students and I are surprised and awed. This is going to be good, y'all.
bookshop.org/p/books/red-...
bookshop.org/p/books/red-...
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
Congratulations to the Variant writers on the Wigleaf Top 50 2025 Longlist!
@danbillyc.bsky.social "Kilter" (Spring 2024)
@courtludwick.bsky.social "Quarter" (Spring 2024)
@emilyrinkema.bsky.social "The Interview" (Fall 2024)
@sarahroth.bsky.social "Postnatural" (Winter 2024)
@danbillyc.bsky.social "Kilter" (Spring 2024)
@courtludwick.bsky.social "Quarter" (Spring 2024)
@emilyrinkema.bsky.social "The Interview" (Fall 2024)
@sarahroth.bsky.social "Postnatural" (Winter 2024)
new on our mainpage: THE WIGLEAF TOP 50 VERY SHORT FICTIONS 2025 (selecting editor @samanito.bsky.social )
June 30, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Congratulations to the Variant writers on the Wigleaf Top 50 2025 Longlist!
@danbillyc.bsky.social "Kilter" (Spring 2024)
@courtludwick.bsky.social "Quarter" (Spring 2024)
@emilyrinkema.bsky.social "The Interview" (Fall 2024)
@sarahroth.bsky.social "Postnatural" (Winter 2024)
@danbillyc.bsky.social "Kilter" (Spring 2024)
@courtludwick.bsky.social "Quarter" (Spring 2024)
@emilyrinkema.bsky.social "The Interview" (Fall 2024)
@sarahroth.bsky.social "Postnatural" (Winter 2024)
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
If you feel an inchoate itch to preorder a book, you can scratch here:
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)
Check out The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) - <p><b>"Alameddine is a writer with a boundless imagination."--NPR</b></p><p><b>From National Book Award finalist and winner of the...
bookshop.org
April 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM
If you feel an inchoate itch to preorder a book, you can scratch here:
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
🎉SHE'S HERE!!🎉 Hugely excited to reveal the beauticious cover of my debut collection COLD TOAST feat. the artwork of renowned 70s artist Tim Mara 🔥
Out on 15th May! Preorders now available at www.dahliapublishing.co.uk/product/cold...
#flashfiction #shortstories #popart #printmaking
Out on 15th May! Preorders now available at www.dahliapublishing.co.uk/product/cold...
#flashfiction #shortstories #popart #printmaking
April 28, 2025 at 7:40 AM
🎉SHE'S HERE!!🎉 Hugely excited to reveal the beauticious cover of my debut collection COLD TOAST feat. the artwork of renowned 70s artist Tim Mara 🔥
Out on 15th May! Preorders now available at www.dahliapublishing.co.uk/product/cold...
#flashfiction #shortstories #popart #printmaking
Out on 15th May! Preorders now available at www.dahliapublishing.co.uk/product/cold...
#flashfiction #shortstories #popart #printmaking
Here's a fun (I hope!) story I made about some teenagers who find a magical teapot! Thanks to J Journal for taking this on. www.jjournal.org/post/teapot-...
Teapot Summer by Brandon Ahmad Haffner
Birthdays I remember the teapot summer. Thanks to Brenda I couldn’t forget if I wanted. I remember the day we found it I was strutting the center line on Main like a lunatic. Big-shouldered, daring ca...
www.jjournal.org
May 28, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Here's a fun (I hope!) story I made about some teenagers who find a magical teapot! Thanks to J Journal for taking this on. www.jjournal.org/post/teapot-...
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
I don’t want to “streamline” my writing. I don’t want to “increase my output.” I don’t want to “write a novel with one click.” I want to write stuff only I can write. I want to read and write novels with soul and heart and a unique voice. Fuck AI. Long live real writers.
May 25, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I don’t want to “streamline” my writing. I don’t want to “increase my output.” I don’t want to “write a novel with one click.” I want to write stuff only I can write. I want to read and write novels with soul and heart and a unique voice. Fuck AI. Long live real writers.
This is a good one!
In Achy Obejas “Dachau”, two Cuban visual artists—one expat, one citizen—visit the concentration camp in Dachau, Germany, where they find themselves confronting not only the town’s Nazi past but also its unsettling present. bit.ly/4jVtgV1
May 23, 2025 at 5:12 AM
This is a good one!
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
Since 1971, VCCA has been a haven for artists across disciplines — a place of creative freedom, support, and community. This May, as we mark 54 years, we ask you to consider making a $54 contribution to support the next chapter of VCCA’s story. 💝 vcca.com/54
Celebrate 54 Years of VCCA and Beyond | VCCA
This May, we celebrate 54 years of artistic excellence at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, a place […]
www.vcca.com
May 9, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Since 1971, VCCA has been a haven for artists across disciplines — a place of creative freedom, support, and community. This May, as we mark 54 years, we ask you to consider making a $54 contribution to support the next chapter of VCCA’s story. 💝 vcca.com/54
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
Call for submissions! 🗣️
The Offing’s Essay department is seeking new works! Follow the link to submit today!
theoffingmag.submittable.com/submit
The Offing’s Essay department is seeking new works! Follow the link to submit today!
theoffingmag.submittable.com/submit
May 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Call for submissions! 🗣️
The Offing’s Essay department is seeking new works! Follow the link to submit today!
theoffingmag.submittable.com/submit
The Offing’s Essay department is seeking new works! Follow the link to submit today!
theoffingmag.submittable.com/submit
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
I promise to stop talking about this today (there are obviously far bigger things happening) but I did want to call out that these books are all from small/university presses. In a lit world where it’s really hard to break a collection out, I’m grateful for the attention to small-press books!
April 12, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I promise to stop talking about this today (there are obviously far bigger things happening) but I did want to call out that these books are all from small/university presses. In a lit world where it’s really hard to break a collection out, I’m grateful for the attention to small-press books!
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
To our local friends and #VCCAFellows: If you're looking for a fun outdoor activity next Saturday, April 12, we'd love to welcome you for Spring Volunteer Day at VCCA in Amherst, Virginia!
Please sign up by Tuesday, April 8: vcca.typeform.com/volunteer-day
Please sign up by Tuesday, April 8: vcca.typeform.com/volunteer-day
Volunteer Day at VCCA
Sign up to join VCCA for light yard work and free lunch at Mt. San Angelo.
vcca.typeform.com
April 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
To our local friends and #VCCAFellows: If you're looking for a fun outdoor activity next Saturday, April 12, we'd love to welcome you for Spring Volunteer Day at VCCA in Amherst, Virginia!
Please sign up by Tuesday, April 8: vcca.typeform.com/volunteer-day
Please sign up by Tuesday, April 8: vcca.typeform.com/volunteer-day
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
I could not be at AWP this year because of work. I'm sad to miss all the good talk about reading & writing. Also, as someone with a new-ish book out, I guess I'm missing the opportunity to spread the word - so here goes: I hope you'll consider ordering SAD GROWNUPS: bookshop.org/p/books/sad-...
Sad Grownups
Check out Sad Grownups - <p><strong>For those who've been sad and tried not to be, seventeen stories about the absurdity of searching for joy in a dying world. </strong></p><p><br></p><p>A neighborhoo...
bookshop.org
March 27, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I could not be at AWP this year because of work. I'm sad to miss all the good talk about reading & writing. Also, as someone with a new-ish book out, I guess I'm missing the opportunity to spread the word - so here goes: I hope you'll consider ordering SAD GROWNUPS: bookshop.org/p/books/sad-...
Yay, I've been awarded a residency at the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences. How wonderful and lucky, I can't wait. A little light!
March 13, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Yay, I've been awarded a residency at the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences. How wonderful and lucky, I can't wait. A little light!
Reposted by Brandon Haffner
We're hiring! The Department of English at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro invites applications for a one-year visiting assistant professor position in creative writing (poetry), to begin August 1, 2025. Application deadline is April 11, 2025.
spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/31471
spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/31471
March 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
We're hiring! The Department of English at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro invites applications for a one-year visiting assistant professor position in creative writing (poetry), to begin August 1, 2025. Application deadline is April 11, 2025.
spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/31471
spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/31471