Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

@washunbound.bsky.social

42 followers 15 following 22 posts

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jun 2

Welcome to Washington Unbound! We are a new online journal founded by a local fiction writer and a local poet, covering all things literary in the Washington, DC, area. Reviews, interviews, an events calendar, and much more.

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · 3d

Norah calls the Folger's Julius X a "bold experiment" that “invites audiences to reconsider both the familiar Roman tragedy and the legacy of America’s most polarizing civil rights leader." Read her excellent review on Washington Unbound.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Review of Al Letson's 'Julius X: A Reinvisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar' at the Folger — Washington Unbound

The Folger Theatre’s Julius X is a bold experiment: Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Julius Caesar is not adapted but rather reinvisioned and transformed into a new work that uses the motifs, themes, and some...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · 10d

Exciting new content on Washington Unbound today! Greg spoke with D.C. poet, performer, and educator Alexa Patrick. She'll be reading in the Folger Poetry series on October 21.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/a...

Interview with D.C. poet Alexa Patrick — Washington Unbound

Alexa Patrick's first book, Remedies for Diappearing, was published by Haymarket Books. She will be giving the O.B. Hardison Reading at the Folger Shakespeare Library on October 21. A poet, musician, ...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · 17d

Washington Unbound is especially excited today to present an interview with the co-presidents of Washington Writers' Publishing House, Caroline Bock and Jona Colson.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/c...
@norahvawter.bsky.social

Celebrating 50 years of works that feel urgent and necessary in this cultural moment — Washington Unbound

Did you know that the longest continually operating non-profit, cooperative literary organization exists right here in the DMV? Washington Writers’ Publishing House (WWPH) has been publishing poetry, ...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · 21d

Today, Washington Unbound is excited to present a review of what @norahvawter.bsky.social calls ”a fascinating piece of theater because of the way it weaves together the old and the new.” Read her thoughts on Shakespeare Theatre’s “Merry Wives.”

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Review of 'Merry Wives' at The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C. — Washington Unbound

Merry Wives, playing through October 5 at the Shakespeare Theatre, is colorful, delightful, and teeming with joy from beginning to end. This reimagining of William Shakespeare’s comedy 'Merry Wives of...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · 24d

"Hannah Grieco’s debut book is a slim but powerful collection of short stories that are at times funny, at times devastating, and always full of heart, intensity, and life." Read our review in today's edition of Washington Unbound.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Review of DC area author Hannah Grieco's debut fiction book, 'First Kicking, Then Not' — Washington Unbound

Hannah Grieco’s debut book is a slim but powerful collection of short stories that are at times funny, at times devastating, and always full of heart, intensity, and life. The DC area author examines ...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Sep 9

It's September, time for back-to-school specials. So check out Washington Unbound's round up of teacher-writers.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
@norahvawter.bsky.social

Back to school — Washington Unbound

With the school year now underway, we thought a feature on teacher-writers would be in order. Since we began publishing, Washington Unbound has featured a number of DMV writers who are also profession...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Sep 3

Washington Unbound was one of the topics when Norah Vawter and I sat down with @Elizabeth Bruce Michael Oliver for their excellent podcast Creativists in Dialogue. Give a listen.

creativists.substack.com/p/a-creativi...

creativists.substack.com/p/a-creativi...

A Creativity & Difference Conversation with the Founders of Washington Unbound!, Gregory Luce and Norah Vawter

With Hosts Elizabeth Bruce and Michael Oliver

creativists.substack.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Sep 2

New on Washington Unbound today, read Tom Navatril’s incisive interview with local novelist Edward Belfar, whose debut novel, A Very Innocent Man, offers a darkly comic take on the opioid crisis. @norahvawter.bsky.social

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/e...

Interview with D.C. area novelist Edward Belfar — Washington Unbound

Edward Belfar’s debut novel casts a scathing spotlight on the destructive, short-sighted greed currently prevailing among so many of the powerful in our county. A Very Innocent Man focuses on those ...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Aug 26

Today, Washington Unbound is especially pleased to present our review of Wetlands, the final book published by Clifford Bernier before his untimely passing, written beautifully by Naomi Thiers.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Poems of mystery and shape-shifting along the James River — Washington Unbound

From the get-go, Bernier pulls the rug out from under the reader (gently, but with koan-like force). In this poem, to know does not mean to understand; your gestures have resonance, but not meaning,...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Aug 19

Today, Washington Unbound is pleased to present our review of A Brief Gazelle by Mike Maggio.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Love Is a Driving Force — Washington Unbound

Writer and literary activist Mike Maggio is a long-time fixture in the DMV literary community. In addition to his six poetry collections, he has published six novels and maintains a blog in which ...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Aug 12

Today, Washington Unbound presents our end-of-summer reading list. Novels by some fine DMV writers plus a bonus poetry selection.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

A summer reading list for dark times — Washington Unbound

This has been a stressful summer to live through, politically speaking, and it doesn’t feel like the tension is going to break anytime soon. But life goes on, with these long summer days feeling norma...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Aug 5

Today, Washington Unbound is proud to present an interview by @dctex.bsky.social with DMV writer and teacher Beth Konkoski.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/drawn-papered-and-taught

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jul 29

Washington Unbound is fresh today. Read our review by @gregory Luce Gregory Luce of "In the House of Modern Upbringing for Girls," Majda Gama's fabulous new collection.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Songs of yearning — Washington Unbound

Rarely has a collection of poems so perfectly embodied the experiences of the poet as does In the House of Modern Upbringing for Girls, by Majda Gama. Gama, born in Beirut to a Saudi father and an A...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jul 23

Washington Unbound is proud to present our review of The Phillips Collection's powerful and important exhibition on Essex Hemphill.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

The Phillips Collection memorializes one of D.C.’s finest artists — Washington Unbound

Essex Hemphill was a force of nature. The multifaceted artist—poet, performer, visual artist, activist—is the subject of a powerful exhibition at the Phillips Collection, Essex Hemphill: Take Care of...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jul 15

New today, an exceptional interview by two exceptional writers and presenters. @norahvawter.bsky.social

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/b...

Inside the Short Story Boudoir — Washington Unbound

Short Story Boudoir is a new short story review channel on YouTube hosted by Washingtonians Katy Gathright and Samantha Neugebauer. The channel’s title comes from the original meaning of boudoir – “...

www.washington-unbound.com

Reposted

Lauren Cerand Public Relations @laurencerand.com · Jul 8

The amount of space, time and care @norahvawter.bsky.social’s urgently needed new publication @washunbound.bsky.social is devoting to arts criticism is stunning, and inspiring— this week’s review takes on @marthaannetoll.bsky.social’s Duet for One, out now: www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

A fresh perspective on classical music — Washington Unbound

Martha Anne Toll’s second novel, Duet for One , is a lovely, meditative, lyrical book that drew me in immediately. I want to say that this is a quiet novel, but it's about music and musicians, so tha...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jul 1

Today, we are delighted to present our interview with poet and Arlington County VA Literary Specialist Dan Brady.

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/d...

Building Community Through Poetry — Washington Unbound

Dan Brady wears multiple hats, but all are indicative of his service to poetry. First, he is a poet himself, with three books and numerous journal publications to his credit. His most recent collectio...

www.washington-unbound.com

Reposted

Norah Vawter @norahvawter.bsky.social · Jun 24

Check out the latest book review on Washington Unbound, written expertly by contributor @tomnavratil.bsky.social!

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jun 24

New today, our review of Elizabeth Bruce's excellent story collection.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

One-dollar stories pay off — Washington Unbound

In Elizabeth Bruce’s Universally Adored & Other One Dollar Stories , the needs that can be satisfied by a single dollar are varied and surprising: a can opener, the comforts of a coin-operated ma...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jun 24

New today, our review of Elizabeth Bruce's excellent story collection.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

One-dollar stories pay off — Washington Unbound

In Elizabeth Bruce’s Universally Adored & Other One Dollar Stories , the needs that can be satisfied by a single dollar are varied and surprising: a can opener, the comforts of a coin-operated ma...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jun 17

Today, Washington Unbound is especially pleased to present our conversation with poet, activist, teacher, and literary entrepreneur, Regie Cabico.
@wwph.bsky.social @norahvawter.bsky.social

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/d...

Regie Cabico: D.C. poet, performer, activist, teacher & literary entrepreneur — Washington Unbound

“In the ‘90s in New York, I went to all the poetry open mics. And one of the places I went to was the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe . I started performing at the open mics. I didn't know anything about poetr...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jun 10

This week we feature @dctex.bsky.social's review of "Diorama" by Sandra Marchetti.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Complicated landscapes of beauty, threat, and unease — Washington Unbound

Sandra Marchetti’s third full-length collection, Diorama (Stephen F. Austin University Press, 2025) depicts a woman in complicated uneasy relationships with the world, nature, and herself. Marchet...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jun 3

New today, our #pride2025 recommended book list.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Washington Unbound Pride 2025 Booklist — Washington Unbound

In the current political climate, recognizing June as Pride Month is more important than ever. At Washington Unbound we want to celebrate and uplift queer voices in the best way we know. A booklist!

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jun 2

Some recent articles in Washington Unbound:
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/d...
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Two poets question the end of the world — Washington Unbound

In Q&A for the End of the World, D.C. area poets Kim Roberts and Michael Gushue grapple with the themes that permeate classic science fiction and horror films of the 1950s and ‘60s: the promises...

www.washington-unbound.com

washunbound.bsky.social @washunbound.bsky.social · Jun 2

Welcome to Washington Unbound! We are a new online journal founded by a local fiction writer and a local poet, covering all things literary in the Washington, DC, area. Reviews, interviews, an events calendar, and much more.