Jen Michalski
@socalwritergirl.bsky.social
Writer, EIC, @jmwwjournal.bsky.social. Rep: Esty Loveing-Downes at Howland Literary. Latest: ALL THIS CAN BE TRUE (@TurnerPub, June 2025).
The transition from going out drinking on Friday nights to staying at home waiting for one of your Words With Friends partners to lay some tile is not as gradual as you think.
February 14, 2026 at 6:15 AM
The transition from going out drinking on Friday nights to staying at home waiting for one of your Words With Friends partners to lay some tile is not as gradual as you think.
Is everyone’s day pretty much:
1. I’m really great at what I do.
2. I’m a terrible fraud.
Repeat until bed?
1. I’m really great at what I do.
2. I’m a terrible fraud.
Repeat until bed?
February 12, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Is everyone’s day pretty much:
1. I’m really great at what I do.
2. I’m a terrible fraud.
Repeat until bed?
1. I’m really great at what I do.
2. I’m a terrible fraud.
Repeat until bed?
Trying to learn up on my Bad Bunny before Sunday but this gummy is making me too sleepy. Bad gummy.
February 7, 2026 at 5:57 AM
Trying to learn up on my Bad Bunny before Sunday but this gummy is making me too sleepy. Bad gummy.
The things I’m most scared of at my age in exercise classes are not 1) whether I can go 60 whole minutes (I can) or 2) whether the weights are too heavy (they’re not) but whether I’ll poot or pee a little in the middle of a squat or jumping jack.
February 7, 2026 at 4:01 AM
The things I’m most scared of at my age in exercise classes are not 1) whether I can go 60 whole minutes (I can) or 2) whether the weights are too heavy (they’re not) but whether I’ll poot or pee a little in the middle of a squat or jumping jack.
There was this couple from New Jersey, Nicki and Anthony, who were on the snorkeling trip we took last month. It was like they walked off the screen of Goodfellas, and I still think about them.
a man in a suit and tie is laughing with his mouth open
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is laughing with his mouth open
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:59 PM
There was this couple from New Jersey, Nicki and Anthony, who were on the snorkeling trip we took last month. It was like they walked off the screen of Goodfellas, and I still think about them.
Sometimes people pass through your life to show you it’s not *you* who are broken.
February 4, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Sometimes people pass through your life to show you it’s not *you* who are broken.
I think if we’ve learned anything this week, it’s to be as warm, welcoming, funny, and kind as Catherine O’Hara. If any artist deserves her own Bible (besides Dolly Parton), it’s her.
February 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I think if we’ve learned anything this week, it’s to be as warm, welcoming, funny, and kind as Catherine O’Hara. If any artist deserves her own Bible (besides Dolly Parton), it’s her.
Reposted by Jen Michalski
We're running a sale on the website. Get 25% off your order with promo code Molly at checkout. One of the books we have in stock is From Here by @socalwritergirl.bsky.social. It's $16.99 and a short story collection.
carpelibrumbaltimore.com/products/fro...
carpelibrumbaltimore.com/products/fro...
From Here, by Jen Michalski
Fiction. The twelve stories in FROM HERE explore the dislocations and intersections of people searching, running away, staying put. Their physical and emotional landscapes run the gamut, but in the en...
carpelibrumbaltimore.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:51 PM
We're running a sale on the website. Get 25% off your order with promo code Molly at checkout. One of the books we have in stock is From Here by @socalwritergirl.bsky.social. It's $16.99 and a short story collection.
carpelibrumbaltimore.com/products/fro...
carpelibrumbaltimore.com/products/fro...
Reposted by Jen Michalski
Catherine O’Hara died.
I’m inconsolable.
I’m inconsolable.
January 30, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Catherine O’Hara died.
I’m inconsolable.
I’m inconsolable.
The missus said “I’m looking for countertops on my phone” and I said, “I’ll help” and then I got on my phone and sent her a bunch of dog reels from Instagram. Teamwork makes the dream work.
January 27, 2026 at 4:05 AM
The missus said “I’m looking for countertops on my phone” and I said, “I’ll help” and then I got on my phone and sent her a bunch of dog reels from Instagram. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Reposted by Jen Michalski
Devastating: “Rady, the region’s only hospital dedicated solely to serving children and adolescents, cited recent federal pressure to end gender-affirming care or potentially lose access to all federal Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement.”
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/01/20/r...
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/01/20/r...
Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego drops gender-affirming procedures, prescriptions
The hospital, which says it acted after a federal threat to pull reimbursement, will continue offering counseling, mental health resources and care coordination.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Devastating: “Rady, the region’s only hospital dedicated solely to serving children and adolescents, cited recent federal pressure to end gender-affirming care or potentially lose access to all federal Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement.”
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/01/20/r...
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/01/20/r...
1. Wilco
2. Belle & Sebastian
3. Sleater-Kinney
4. Sonic Youth
5. Patti Smith
2. Belle & Sebastian
3. Sleater-Kinney
4. Sonic Youth
5. Patti Smith
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen:
Cocteau Twins
The Untouchables
Ferron
Crazy Town
Super Sauce
Cocteau Twins
The Untouchables
Ferron
Crazy Town
Super Sauce
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Butthole Surfers
Crystal Gayle
Charles Gayle
The Jacksons
Flying Luttenbachers
Butthole Surfers
Crystal Gayle
Charles Gayle
The Jacksons
Flying Luttenbachers
January 21, 2026 at 4:07 AM
1. Wilco
2. Belle & Sebastian
3. Sleater-Kinney
4. Sonic Youth
5. Patti Smith
2. Belle & Sebastian
3. Sleater-Kinney
4. Sonic Youth
5. Patti Smith
Reposted by Jen Michalski
Look, there are two things killing bookstores, and neither one is ebooks.
One is rent.
The other is *waves hands vaguely* everything costing too damn much.
One is rent.
The other is *waves hands vaguely* everything costing too damn much.
January 19, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Look, there are two things killing bookstores, and neither one is ebooks.
One is rent.
The other is *waves hands vaguely* everything costing too damn much.
One is rent.
The other is *waves hands vaguely* everything costing too damn much.
Reposted by Jen Michalski
Join @jmwwjournal.bsky.social Senior CNF Editor Juliet, Senior Fiction Editor Priyanuj, Associate CNF Editors Charlotte & Keene, and me for a virtual reading and Q&A on Tuesday, Jan. 20!
(I bought a new light. Come check out the “warm” setting 💡)
Register here ➡️ ccae-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
(I bought a new light. Come check out the “warm” setting 💡)
Register here ➡️ ccae-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 18, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Join @jmwwjournal.bsky.social Senior CNF Editor Juliet, Senior Fiction Editor Priyanuj, Associate CNF Editors Charlotte & Keene, and me for a virtual reading and Q&A on Tuesday, Jan. 20!
(I bought a new light. Come check out the “warm” setting 💡)
Register here ➡️ ccae-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
(I bought a new light. Come check out the “warm” setting 💡)
Register here ➡️ ccae-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Who knew Maya Rudolph was in an early iteration of that dog as their dummer? I bet @rahnealexander.com does!
January 18, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Who knew Maya Rudolph was in an early iteration of that dog as their dummer? I bet @rahnealexander.com does!
I’ve taken 2 flights this year (one to DC, one to HI), and neither were full in at least one direction). This is the first time in years I haven’t been on overbooked flight, especially to 2 high-traffic airports.
January 17, 2026 at 2:32 AM
I’ve taken 2 flights this year (one to DC, one to HI), and neither were full in at least one direction). This is the first time in years I haven’t been on overbooked flight, especially to 2 high-traffic airports.
Reposted by Jen Michalski
We’re watching Trump radicalizing an entire generation in real time
🚨"This is nuts! What the f*ck is going on, this is insane! ICE is just trying to scare people; they tell you it's only immigrants—it's f*cking anybody!" -furious Minneapolis resident tells our @zdroberts.bsky.social after ICE shot a man in the leg tonight. LIVE NOW ⬇️
January 15, 2026 at 1:43 PM
We’re watching Trump radicalizing an entire generation in real time
Reposted by Jen Michalski
MAGA has been great for my self-esteem all around.
Where I used to be hesitant to do things like electrical or plumbing repairs, I think to myself, "A bunch of guys who fell for Donald Trump could do this without hurting themselves, I can."
Where I used to be hesitant to do things like electrical or plumbing repairs, I think to myself, "A bunch of guys who fell for Donald Trump could do this without hurting themselves, I can."
January 12, 2026 at 3:26 AM
MAGA has been great for my self-esteem all around.
Where I used to be hesitant to do things like electrical or plumbing repairs, I think to myself, "A bunch of guys who fell for Donald Trump could do this without hurting themselves, I can."
Where I used to be hesitant to do things like electrical or plumbing repairs, I think to myself, "A bunch of guys who fell for Donald Trump could do this without hurting themselves, I can."
Hell is a comments page on a Facebook news article,
January 8, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Hell is a comments page on a Facebook news article,
Reposted by Jen Michalski
Kristi Noem calling the victim’s actions “domestic terrorism” is propaganda. Full stop. I served as a White House homeland security advisor. I know what that designation means & when it’s misused. A U.S. citizen is dead. She was a mom. This is what ICE impunity looks like. It cannot be normalized.
This Was Inevitable. And It Is Unforgivable. ICE Owns This.
A warning ignored. A life lost. This cannot become routine.
www.livingitwitholiviatroye.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Kristi Noem calling the victim’s actions “domestic terrorism” is propaganda. Full stop. I served as a White House homeland security advisor. I know what that designation means & when it’s misused. A U.S. citizen is dead. She was a mom. This is what ICE impunity looks like. It cannot be normalized.
Reposted by Jen Michalski
Close analysis of video footage shows Renee Nicole Good attempting to drive away from ICE agents before one of them shoots her. But that doesn’t fit Trump, Kristi Noem, and JD Vance’s narrative.
MAGA’s Response to Minnesota ICE Killing: Don’t Believe Your Eyes
Close analysis of video footage shows Renee Nicole Good attempting to drive away from ICE agents before one of them shoots her. But that doesn’t fit Trump, Kristi Noem, and JD Vance’s narrative.
www.vanityfair.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Close analysis of video footage shows Renee Nicole Good attempting to drive away from ICE agents before one of them shoots her. But that doesn’t fit Trump, Kristi Noem, and JD Vance’s narrative.
Reposted by Jen Michalski
This, exactly. And there was no reason even to do that. They told her to move!!
January 8, 2026 at 12:08 AM
This, exactly. And there was no reason even to do that. They told her to move!!
When someone introduces themselves and you forget their name not a second later.
January 8, 2026 at 12:29 AM
When someone introduces themselves and you forget their name not a second later.
Reposted by Jen Michalski
Me checking the news every 5 minutes to see that John harbaugh has been fired
a cartoon character sitting in front of a coleco computer with the word refresh below him
ALT: a cartoon character sitting in front of a coleco computer with the word refresh below him
media.tenor.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Me checking the news every 5 minutes to see that John harbaugh has been fired
Reposted by Jen Michalski
It's an old and obvious pattern. An unpopular president - failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home - decides to launch a war for regime change abroad.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
January 3, 2026 at 5:08 PM
It's an old and obvious pattern. An unpopular president - failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home - decides to launch a war for regime change abroad.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.