literacy is more than reading comprehension; it is also understanding how another person (the author) is inviting you (perhaps challenging you) to imagine another experience, perspective, life.
Posts by Stephen Patrick Bell
"It was my goal to capture Rockford as it really is: flawed, yes, but full of strengths, too."
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
Happy pub day to Susan Cheever who in our conversation for @bombmag.bsky.social approaches her father’s work as a loving daughter, a thorough educator, and a forensic investigator.
When All the Men Wore Hats is out today from @fsgbooks.bsky.social
"What is left of our identity, our humanity, when we can no longer even have ownership over our memories?"
@michaelzapata.bsky.social's interview with Yiming Ma on his new book "These Memories Do Not Belong to Us" (Mariner Books) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/08/29/m...
The cover of Christopher Tradowsky’s novel Midnight at the Cinema Palace. A negative print of the Golden Gate Bridge as if on a film emulsion.
Why do we go to the movies?
For @foglifterpress.bsky.social, I sat down with author Christopher Tradowsky to chat about his novel, Midnight at the Cinema Palace, a bold, queer, coming-of-age tale about finding ourselves on and off the screen.
Read here: www.foglifterjournal.com/christopher-...
You’re disgusting! I love it.
So beautiful, when art can move.
Book news from me. Been a long haul to here. xo
ZEAL author @mjerkins.bsky.social will discuss her “cinematic” (Boston Globe) new novel in conversation with @stephenpatrickbell.bsky.social as part of the Brooklyn Rail’s New Social Environment series of online talks spotlighting influential voices in art & culture: brooklynrail.org/event/2025/0...
Chicago, it’s true! noam and I will be at Seminary Coop Books on 4/24 to discuss their tremendous essay collection. Come hang out and stick around for the Q&A. Info and registration link below
Ok hold up I am so late to reading this but from the very first sentences / first question, this interview grabs you by the neck and IT DOES NOT LET YOU GO
thanks for reading!
If I ever write a successful book please don’t cancel me for having a $25 dollar bottle of poppers in my purse
Okay but put this on a mug
can’t wait for Kept Boy in the Afterlife!
And a stage interview at the Leather Archives & Museum with my favorite gen-x hustlers @dalecorvino.bsky.social and Michael Bullock on their tremendous books on queer life and punk artmaking
For @electriclit.bsky.social I had a famous cinnamon bun with Dr. Amina Gautier while discussing her taut and musical story collection The Best That You Can Do
Had a blast connecting with a side of Jamaica I need to see more of through @christinajcooke.bsky.social @catapultbooks.bsky.social debut novel Broughtupsy for @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social
Had very nearly too much fun nerding out on Goffman w/ Édouard Louis while discussing his novel Change for @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social
For Foglifter I got to explore old hollywood glamour, the excruciating banalities of horniness and nude author photos with Patrick Nathan.
Having lost touch after high school, @crystalhanak.bsky.social and I had our 20 year reunion in Interview Magazine We discuss her latest novel, The Stone Home which beautifully highlights the roles of community and hope during a dark period of South Korea’s history that echos our present moment.
Just looking back on some of my favorite book conversations of 2024, starting with Jamaica Kincaid and Kara Walker on their clever and occasionally devastating children’s book from @fsgbooks.bsky.social An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children
Poor character written by an author who has experienced poverty: My problem is that I'm $300 short on the rent and now my car is making a noise
Poor character written by a rich author: My problem is that I feel so inferior beside these beautiful, sophisticated rich people
I’m just really concerned
💖
oh! whatever you want? please go find your adult.
OP blending into brass/wood paneling of haunted elevator. Hair is uncut.
OP appears to be worried about you, but is just looking at his hair.
Brought a ton of extra concerned dad energy to the last haircut of the year.
babe, this is all the energy I have