Karen Palmer
@karenpalmer.bsky.social
Writer, editor, teacher, karenpalmer.com. Memoir coming in 2025 from Algonquin Books. NEA, Best American Essays, Pushcart Prize. If I had to choose between reading and eating, I'd be dead in a week. She/her
Pinned
Karen Palmer
@karenpalmer.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Reintroducing myself. I'm a diehard leftie, an editor & teacher @ Lighthouse Writers. I've published 2 novels. A memoir that took abso-effen-lutely forever to complete (SHE'S UNDER HERE) is coming next fall from Algonquin Books. Looking forward to meeting more lit community folks.
Reposted by Karen Palmer
Hi CNF writers with a book, if you're interested in teaching a 1-1 for the next two to three years while you're hopefully working on your next book and want to live in the Twin Cities, please consider applying to be our next writer in residence: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/371...
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Hi CNF writers with a book, if you're interested in teaching a 1-1 for the next two to three years while you're hopefully working on your next book and want to live in the Twin Cities, please consider applying to be our next writer in residence: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/371...
My book is keeping company with so many writers I admire, (this is from NPR's "Books We Love," omg pinch me). The site makes gift-giving interactive, with titles searchable across multiple topics and genres.
apps.npr.org/best-books/i...
apps.npr.org/best-books/i...
November 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM
My book is keeping company with so many writers I admire, (this is from NPR's "Books We Love," omg pinch me). The site makes gift-giving interactive, with titles searchable across multiple topics and genres.
apps.npr.org/best-books/i...
apps.npr.org/best-books/i...
I am so scattered these days that I've taken to composing the new novel on 4x6 cards (à la Nabokov lol), telling myself I only have to complete two. And then, maybe two more. And then, maybe two more. And then I AM DONE. Whatever it takes, right?
November 25, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I am so scattered these days that I've taken to composing the new novel on 4x6 cards (à la Nabokov lol), telling myself I only have to complete two. And then, maybe two more. And then, maybe two more. And then I AM DONE. Whatever it takes, right?
If you're searching for a show to watch on Netflix & want something life-affirming but not saccharine, then check out the Swedish series PERNILLE. It's about a divorced social worker w/two daughters, a charmingly narcissistic (& newly out) dad, a maddening ex, & a heartbreaking off&on love interest.
November 25, 2025 at 12:49 AM
If you're searching for a show to watch on Netflix & want something life-affirming but not saccharine, then check out the Swedish series PERNILLE. It's about a divorced social worker w/two daughters, a charmingly narcissistic (& newly out) dad, a maddening ex, & a heartbreaking off&on love interest.
Ventura, CA. Channel Islands in the distance. I'd like to paint this one.
November 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Ventura, CA. Channel Islands in the distance. I'd like to paint this one.
Hi-contrast Saturday morning in L.A.
November 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Hi-contrast Saturday morning in L.A.
While I was in the supermarket, someone stole a copy of my book out of the car. Not sure what to feel about this. Maybe they'll read it?
November 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
While I was in the supermarket, someone stole a copy of my book out of the car. Not sure what to feel about this. Maybe they'll read it?
Reposted by Karen Palmer
It was ridiculously difficult to find this story. Maybe because it scares the corporate media so much. It should be shared far and wide.
We should also share the message, that we so rarely give to young people, that we are immensely proud of you. Your courage inspires us all and gives us hope.
We should also share the message, that we so rarely give to young people, that we are immensely proud of you. Your courage inspires us all and gives us hope.
Charlotte high school students walk out to protest Border Patrol
High school students at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology walked out of school in protest of recent Border Patrol activity in Charlotte on Tuesday morning, Nov.18, 2025.
www.yahoo.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
It was ridiculously difficult to find this story. Maybe because it scares the corporate media so much. It should be shared far and wide.
We should also share the message, that we so rarely give to young people, that we are immensely proud of you. Your courage inspires us all and gives us hope.
We should also share the message, that we so rarely give to young people, that we are immensely proud of you. Your courage inspires us all and gives us hope.
I'm tired of TV detectives that see dead people.
November 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I'm tired of TV detectives that see dead people.
Today I spoke to a book club in TX—via Zoom—about She's Under Here. They asked great questions. Made me happy. One lady said she has three friends who belong to other groups that are also reading it. That made me happy, too.
The holidays are coming. If you buy books as gifts, pls consider mine.
The holidays are coming. If you buy books as gifts, pls consider mine.
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Today I spoke to a book club in TX—via Zoom—about She's Under Here. They asked great questions. Made me happy. One lady said she has three friends who belong to other groups that are also reading it. That made me happy, too.
The holidays are coming. If you buy books as gifts, pls consider mine.
The holidays are coming. If you buy books as gifts, pls consider mine.
This is the horror show endgame of conservative politics: women charged with murder, women convicted of murder, women punished as murderers.
A South Carolina woman who police say tried to end her pregnancy with medication has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and child neglect.
Don't miss this story from @kylietcheung.bsky.social
jessica.substack.com/p/south-caro...
Don't miss this story from @kylietcheung.bsky.social
jessica.substack.com/p/south-caro...
A South Carolina 20-Year-Old Has Been Charged With Attempted Murder
Police say she took medication to end her pregnancy
jessica.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:54 PM
This is the horror show endgame of conservative politics: women charged with murder, women convicted of murder, women punished as murderers.
I miss my iPod Nano.
November 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I miss my iPod Nano.
Reposted by Karen Palmer
With thanks to @therumpus.net for publishing and to @robbiemaakestad.bsky.social for his excellent edits.
Don't miss @karenpalmer.bsky.social's "Aftermath" at @therumpus.net—a stunning essay about the Eaton Fire and the significance of what we surround ourselves with. #RumpusEssays
therumpus.net/2025/11/12/a...
therumpus.net/2025/11/12/a...
Aftermath - The Rumpus
Time-lapsed satellite video shows the Palisades Fire at 10:45 a.m., a hot red ball with an orange center sitting right on the coast. A wedge of smoke shoots out over the Pacific Ocean. At around 7:00 ...
therumpus.net
November 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
With thanks to @therumpus.net for publishing and to @robbiemaakestad.bsky.social for his excellent edits.
The things Colin shares are fascinating—today's newsletter is especially good.
Really glad that my newsletter this week was five really great pieces of writing that you can read instead of….[gestures]…that
Glacial Errata, No. 45
Five Things for the Week of November 17, 2025.
glacialerrata.beehiiv.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The things Colin shares are fascinating—today's newsletter is especially good.
-Nothing good ever happens in an underground parking garage
-Sea Shanties 'R' Us
-Virus gonna get ya
-Love hurts
-Men driving fast while their women fret
-Sea Shanties 'R' Us
-Virus gonna get ya
-Love hurts
-Men driving fast while their women fret
Top 5 movie genres:
Guy who’s a pathetic piece of shit
Woman falling apart and it’s hard to watch but goddamn
Theater production/movie production falling apart and it’s so fun to watch
Detective but sad
Period film where they just said fuck it
Guy who’s a pathetic piece of shit
Woman falling apart and it’s hard to watch but goddamn
Theater production/movie production falling apart and it’s so fun to watch
Detective but sad
Period film where they just said fuck it
Top 5 movie genres are:
heist
intelligence/espionage thriller
pitch perfect
cerebral ensemble oscar fodder drama
heist some more
heist
intelligence/espionage thriller
pitch perfect
cerebral ensemble oscar fodder drama
heist some more
November 17, 2025 at 1:34 AM
-Nothing good ever happens in an underground parking garage
-Sea Shanties 'R' Us
-Virus gonna get ya
-Love hurts
-Men driving fast while their women fret
-Sea Shanties 'R' Us
-Virus gonna get ya
-Love hurts
-Men driving fast while their women fret
This class sounds incredible.
Have you heard?! The force of nature that is @meganstielstra.bsky.social is teaching a four-session online class starting Jan 8. This class will give writers everything they need to know to write powerful personal essays that center the human experience.
buff.ly/kjE6IyR
#writers
buff.ly/kjE6IyR
#writers
Urgency and the Personal Essay: Four Lessons on What to Say, How to Say it, Revision, and Submitting with Megan Stielstra - StoryStudio Chicago
"I’ve written a hundred course descriptions in my career, but over the past few months these paragraphs feel new and charged and vital. What does it mean to write in this time? To write of this time?…
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 8:11 PM
This class sounds incredible.
Reposted by Karen Palmer
Alice is the gold standard of what Twitter was when it was great - how you could just find these brilliant, remarkable people with the kind of voices that rarely get platformed or taken seriously, and hear about their lives in their own words without intruding on them or demanding emotional labor
Watching disabled people around the world mourn Alice is a reminder of the good aspect of the internet. 30 years ago, few people outside of SF would ever have known Alice existed. I never would have met her. The internet connected us all. Let’s honor Alice’s memory by using that power and community.
My social media is wall-to-wall love for the incomparable Alice Wong, and I need more words. What captures sadness and/also affection for a community that knows what's been lost?
November 16, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Alice is the gold standard of what Twitter was when it was great - how you could just find these brilliant, remarkable people with the kind of voices that rarely get platformed or taken seriously, and hear about their lives in their own words without intruding on them or demanding emotional labor
I'm interested in following more artist accounts, and would be very grateful for links to your favorite painters, sculptors, and photographers. TIA.
November 15, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I'm interested in following more artist accounts, and would be very grateful for links to your favorite painters, sculptors, and photographers. TIA.
Reposted by Karen Palmer
"Absence feels like a wound, because the things we surround ourselves with have meaning..."
From "Aftermath," a new original essay by @karenpalmer.bsky.social.
➡️ buff.ly/yKwsomF
From "Aftermath," a new original essay by @karenpalmer.bsky.social.
➡️ buff.ly/yKwsomF
November 15, 2025 at 4:01 PM
"Absence feels like a wound, because the things we surround ourselves with have meaning..."
From "Aftermath," a new original essay by @karenpalmer.bsky.social.
➡️ buff.ly/yKwsomF
From "Aftermath," a new original essay by @karenpalmer.bsky.social.
➡️ buff.ly/yKwsomF
With thanks to @therumpus.net for publishing and to @robbiemaakestad.bsky.social for his excellent edits.
Don't miss @karenpalmer.bsky.social's "Aftermath" at @therumpus.net—a stunning essay about the Eaton Fire and the significance of what we surround ourselves with. #RumpusEssays
therumpus.net/2025/11/12/a...
therumpus.net/2025/11/12/a...
Aftermath - The Rumpus
Time-lapsed satellite video shows the Palisades Fire at 10:45 a.m., a hot red ball with an orange center sitting right on the coast. A wedge of smoke shoots out over the Pacific Ocean. At around 7:00 ...
therumpus.net
November 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
With thanks to @therumpus.net for publishing and to @robbiemaakestad.bsky.social for his excellent edits.
Reposted by Karen Palmer
My essay "Aftermath" is up at The Rumpus. It's about the Eaton Fire, and the Aurora Borealis, and what we do with loss. This one means a great deal to me. I'd be honored if you read it.
therumpus.net/2025/11/12/a...
therumpus.net/2025/11/12/a...
Aftermath - The Rumpus
Time-lapsed satellite video shows the Palisades Fire at 10:45 a.m., a hot red ball with an orange center sitting right on the coast. A wedge of smoke shoots out over the Pacific Ocean. At around 7:00 ...
therumpus.net
November 13, 2025 at 1:52 PM
My essay "Aftermath" is up at The Rumpus. It's about the Eaton Fire, and the Aurora Borealis, and what we do with loss. This one means a great deal to me. I'd be honored if you read it.
therumpus.net/2025/11/12/a...
therumpus.net/2025/11/12/a...