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Jenny Shank

@jennyshank.bsky.social
1.1K followers 723 following 373 posts

Representing Jenkind. Writer, reader, eater. Books: MIXED COMPANY & THE RINGER. Teach: Lighthouse Writers Workshop. Words: The Atlantic, Washington Post, McSweeney’s. Newsletter: The Tumbleweed, jenny.shank.substack.com

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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
My son is reading "Frankenstein" in AP Lit. I told him the same thing my teacher once told me: "Shelley doesn't give the monster a name, so you can him anything you want--the daemon, the fiend, Junior--just don't call him Frankenstein." My son has decided to refer to the monster as Diddy.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Hey @denverpost.com, the creature in your photo is a chipmunk. No way a chipmunk is pulling off that kind of heist. A squirrel, though...
Denver Post headline: Squirrels break into Colorado power substation, cause outages 2 days in a row, with photo depicting a chipmunk.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
A gorgeous black swallowtail just visited my garden.
Black swallowtail on a tithonia.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I have a new craft class kicking off September 14 at Lighthouse in Denver and on Zoom. If you're looking for a good time, come learn about keeping a writer's notebook, incorporating folklore and artifacts in your writing, and how to craft prose with swagger! bit.ly/3T3qoO5
My next four-week class for Lighthouse Writers Workshop is “Looking for A Good Time: Creative Spark” on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (MT) on Zoom or in-person in Denver from September 14-October 5. We’ll learn about keeping a writer’s notebook, using folklore for inspiration, how to write with swagger and more!
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Here's to Yayoi Kusama, 1929 - 2026, whose work inspired me. I'm so glad I got to see her exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum four years ago. jennyshank.substack.com/p/going-all-...
"Going All-City: What Writers Can Learn From Artists" with a photo of a pumpkin at the Hirshhorn Museum.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
In "The Dog Stars" trailer, set in a post-apocalyptic Denver, in this abandoned subdivision I noticed a championship-era Nuggets flag flying from the balcony of a dilapidated house, a remnant of glory long past. I hope this isn't some kind of portent about the Nuggets' fate after this off-season.
A Denver Nuggets flag flies in an abandoned house.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
In this month's Tumbleweed I detail how a series of unfortunate events led to meeting this splendid cow. I also share news about Lighthouse Writers Workshop's September 24 Literary Soirée featuring Colson Whitehead (who I also get to interview on stage about his writing craft!) bit.ly/45RgVfL
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Things Did Not Go According to Plan: Cancer, Car Troubles, Corn Fields, Cows
A shaggy dog story that culminates in a shaggy cow, plus I get to interview Colson Whitehead!
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
This butternut squash is too literal.
A butternut squash that appears to have a butt.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I made a friend today in Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
In July's Tumbleweed, I describe my stay in a hobbit hole, praise a public toilet in Seattle, share videos of a bear on my porch, and cheer new books and events by David Heska Wanbli Widen, Claire Boyles, @rachelhorakdempsey.bsky.social & @jonronson.bsky.social bit.ly/4bhzKfd
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My Summer Vacation in a Hobbit Hole
Plus, a visit from a Colorado bear, an exemplary public bathroom in Seattle, and a new book by Jon Ronson
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I'm teaching an online class tomorrow for @jamesriverwriters.bsky.social all about submitting to literary magazines! It's from 6-8 p.m. EDT (that's 4-6 for my mountain time friends). There are plenty of spots left so please join us! bit.ly/3Rz1EfT
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
After you've eaten produce possibly infected with cyclospora but you don't know for certain yet, you have Schrodinger's diarrhea.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
I've got 3 spots left in "The Art of Literary Magazine Submission" for Lighthouse Writers Workshop this Saturday, July 11 at 1-4 p.m. (mountain time), on Zoom or in-person in Denver. Come learn all about submitting your writing for publication! bit.ly/44md6OI
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Finally at Lighthouse Writers Workshop’s Lit Fest, it’s Steve Almond, reading from an unpublished memoir. “I did not want my children to get bubonic plague. Or rather, I did not want them to die of bubonic plague.”
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Next at Lighthouse Writers Workshop , it’s the brilliant Danielle Evans reading from a forthcoming novel that I can’t wait for. “17, 1999, anything could happen.”
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Next at Lighthouse Writers Workshop’s Lit Fest, it’s the brilliant writer Eileen Myles, reading from a “thousand -page” novel-in-progress. “The hallmark of my relationships is that I can see the door.”
Poet Eileen Myles.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Tonight at Lighthouse Writers Workshop’s Lit Fest, Brandon Taylor reads from his novel-in-progress about “a sad lady who plays tennis.”
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
In this month's Tumbleweed, I stroll down memory lane from my 15 years teaching at Lighthouse Writers Workshop's Lit Fest and celebrate the achievements of @cnkuster.bsky.social, @erikakrouse.bsky.social, Rachel Weaver and A.C. Koch! jennyshank.substack.com/p/looking-ba...
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Lighthouse Writers Workshop's Lit Fest kicks off in Denver Friday w/ fabulous guest writers including @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social, @meghamaj.bsky.social (whose class on plot I'm taking!) & @matjohnson.bsky.social. I'm also teaching 5 classes & have spots in most! bit.ly/4ut0XCh
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
I am a Nuggets fan, but I don’t hate anyone on the Spurs or Knicks, and in fact am fond of many of them. Maybe this is the closest I will ever get to polyamory.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
I reviewed Janet Rich Edwards' engrossing novel CANTICLE for America Magazine: www.americamagazine.org/books/2026/0...
americamagazine.org
Review: A saintly variety show
In ‘Canticle,’ a page-turner of a debut novel by Janet Rich Edwards, the reader is offered the Catholic equivalent of a monster truck rally: Just when you think the story has settled into one track, i...
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
I predict the fit, altitude-trained Colorado people who say "I don't use elevators, I take the stairs" will now say at DIA, "I don't take the train, I sprint through the tunnel." A race company might establish a 5k through the walkway. www.denverpost.com/2026/05/26/d...
denverpost.com
DIA will create walkway to all concourses using underground tunnels
DIA will convert a dormant tunnel into a walkway so passengers can reach the concourses without using the train — a change that will send people under the airport, long the source of conspiracy theori...
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
For America's 250th, Publisher's Weekly surveyed 151 book critics about the most essential books. We each nominated 3 titles. The 4 most mentioned were "Moby Dick," "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," "Beloved" and "The Great Gatsby." I was delighted they chose my words for Huck Finn.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
In this month's Tumbleweed, I get into the graduation speech game. I also share good news about new books, awards, and Lighthouse Lit Fest classes for @rachelhorakdempsey.bsky.social, @cynswanauthor.bsky.social, @erikakrouse.bsky.social, Rachel Weaver and Lindsey Coulter. bit.ly/4nHiYes
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Surviving an Orca Attack: The Tumbleweed Graduation Speech
All the life advice you need to stay comfortably nestled in the Permanent Underclass.
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Reposted by Jenny Shank
Science Writers Association of the Rocky Mountains (SWARM) @sciwrirockies.com · 14/05/2026
Join us on Zoom at 6 p.m. MDT on Wed 5/27 for a panel on book authoring! @jennyshank.bsky.social @lisasgardiner.bsky.social & Jeff Bennett will talk about how to land a deal and write an awesome book. RSVP for the dial-in details: www.sciwrirockies.com/event-detail...
sciwrirockies.com
Upcoming events | Swarm
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
HIMAL. Let’s go @nuggets.bsky.social !
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Disco Lines is playing an outdoor concert four miles away and the bass is reverberating in my house and the neighborhood has an ambient throb. It's festive. I can't wait to see what the crabby old people on Next Door will post about it.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
In April's Tumbleweed, I recommend enchiladas, tell the story of an encounter with The Mad Fanatic, famed Broncos-themed rapper, and celebrate new books and prize nominations for @loriostlund.bsky.social, @wendyjfox.bsky.social, @erikakrouse.bsky.social & more! bit.ly/4tczgxB
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Enchiladas are the Answer
Have you considered a trip to New Mexico? Plus, a Broncos-themed rapper named The Mad Fanatic is encountered and The Overtourist now speaks Catalan.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
So the Thunder decided to rest everyone but Lu Dort. The Nuggets decided to rest their starters too. And then Lu Dort breaks a Nugget player’s nose, after getting fined for purposely trying to injure Jokic’s knee last time we played him. I think the Nuggets made the right call.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
I'm so excited to talk to my buddy Rachel Weaver about her incredible new memoir "Dizzy" this Saturday, April 11 at Lighthouse Writers Workshop! There are still a few spots left to listen in person (with pizza!) or join on Zoom. lighthousewriters.org/workshop/boo...
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
I'm teaching a 4-week class, "Personal Essays: From the Particular to the Universal" for Lighthouse Writers Workshop on Zoom and in-person in Denver starting Monday, April 20 and I have a few spots left. Come learn from examples by Hanif Abdurraqib, Leslie Jamison, Phuc Tran and more! bit.ly/4dUzdSz
"Personal Essays: From the Particular to the Universal" for Lighthouse Writers Workshop on Zoom and in-person in Denver starting Monday, April 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
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Reposted by Jenny Shank
Evette Dionne (Mostly on Threads) @freeblackgirl.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
I noticed an interesting trend in recent television shows and movies: collectivism or people coming together to fight their enemies and reach toward a greater good. I wrote about this phenomenon, and how it explains our fascination with the Artemis II crew, for @theflytrapmedia.com.
theflytrapmedia.com
Think of What We Can Do, Together
Recent TV and film like “IT: Welcome to Derry” and “Moana 2” show us why we love Artemis II: collectivism and hope are the only way to survive dark times.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
I baked a Persian Love Cake for my daughter who came home for a visit from college this weekend, and I want to send love to the beautiful and enduring civilization that invented it.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Watching Olympic snowboarding, I thought back to my summer internship with a concert promoter in the ‘90s, when I had to come up with a glossary of skateboarding terms to promote the first Warped Tour, and I marvel at the evolution of pretty much everything since then! bit.ly/4bZ9nf1
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How Awe-Inspiring Olympic Snowboarding Eased my Grumpiness about Accelerating Change
Plus new books and movies about technology, robots, and headaches.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I'm so proud of my friend Rachel Weaver, whose memoir DIZZY is published this week, and received this glowing review on @npr.org Fresh Air by Maureen Corrigan, who is one of my very favorite book critics! If you suffer from vertigo or migraine or just want a great read, check out DIZZY!
npr.org
NPR - Breaking News, Analysis, Music, Arts & Podcasts
Top stories in the U.S. and world news, politics, health, science, business, music, arts and culture. Nonprofit journalism with a mission. This is NPR.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Hey la, hey la, my Jokic’s back! @nuggets.bsky.social
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Here's to a real one, Dr. Daddio, who brought Black radio to Denver. In 1968 he bought KDKO and shifted the format from country to R&B. Hiphop came late to Denver's airwaves, because Dr. Daddio didn't like it, but in the '80s, KDKO's late night DJs snuck some on. www.denverpost.com/2026/01/30/j...
denverpost.com
Famed Colorado radio broadcaster, civil rights activist James ‘Dr. Daddio’ Walker dies
Colorado civil rights activist and pioneering Denver radio broadcaster James “Dr. Daddio” Walker has died, his family confirmed Tuesday.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
I'm teaching a 4-week class at Lighthouse Writers Workshop starting Feb. 9, and it's all about revision! Why did nobody say yay? Friend, you need to revise. Join me on Zoom on Mondays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. mountain time, and I'll share my best tips and ideas for revising your book. bit.ly/4q2CLnR
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4-Week: Seeing the Big Picture—Techniques for Revising Fiction and Nonfiction Books
Ann Patchett has described the process of writing a book as "somewhat akin to a very long police interrogation in which the detective leans over the table littered with the butt ends of cigarettes and...
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Bravo, @adamserwer.bsky.social. I love the idea of "neighborism." Read this article, neighbors: bit.ly/4r93IqU
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
How have I never seen the live auction of the junior champion steer at the National Western Stock Show on TV before? It’s cinema. The cow’s owner is 13 and she wants to be a doctor. The steer is gorgeous: fluffy, glossy. And with a winning bid of $320,000, it’s going to pay for med school.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
I hate how this Nuggets game is ending, but the ref’s “more than marginal contact to the groin area” proclamation is a phrase that will linger in my consciousness.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
I can't wait to read all these great finalists! Happy reading to me.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
In 1983, my first grade drawing of Dr. King was chosen to represent my school at a Denver art show to raise support for Colorado's adoption of the MLK holiday in 1984. Dr. King was one of the first famous Americans I ever learned about in school, along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Jenny's first grade drawing of Dr. Martin Luther King.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
In this month's Tumbleweed, I share new research about how to enhance curiosity and recommend some books and upcoming literary events by poets Andrea Rexilius and Violet Mitchell, and the new season of Reading Den with @vitcavage.bsky.social, C. William Langsfeld and more! bit.ly/4jNNMZ0
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Curioser and Curioser: How Curiosity Makes Life Better
Casa Bonita reigns supreme, Jamal Murray gets a mole-themed tribute, and literary events galore.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
One of the best parts of Marty Supreme was all the real faces--people with unaltered noses, fat, wrinkles, scars, expressions. Actual, distinctive human beings whose faces told stories. It adds depth to the experience.
bowling alley pingpong scene in Marty Supreme.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Nuggets season is flashing before my eyes. I’m glad I watched Joker play as much as I could these past few years.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Thanks to Christine Sneed for interviewing me for her illustrious Substack, Bookish! Always in Good Company: A Conversation with Fiction Writer, Humorist, and Book Critic Jenny Shank open.substack.com/pub/christin...
open.substack.com
Always in Good Company: A Conversation with Fiction Writer, Humorist, and Book Critic Jenny Shank
Her award-winning story collection is MIXED COMPANY
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Reposted by Jenny Shank
Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
NSF is about to dismantle NCAR at Russell Vought's direction to protect the fossil fuel industry. It's hard to communicate just how much NCAR does, so let's take a look: I've never worked at NCAR, and I've worked with NCAR researchers once ever. What scientific discoveries has NCAR made possible? 👇
Russ Vought (piss man) tweet about doing piss man shit: The National Science Foundation will be breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. This facility is one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country. A comprehensive review is underway & any vital activities such as weather research will be moved to another entity or location.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Sunrise in Boulder, Colorado this morning.
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Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Other readers make year-end best book lists, but I bestow book awards on behalf of all Jenkind. In this month's Tumbleweed, it's the 4th Annual Jenfolk Book Awards! @loriostlund.bsky.social @jfkane.bsky.social @erikakrouse.bsky.social jennyshank.substack.com/p/the-fourth...
jennyshank.substack.com
The Fourth Annual Jenfolk Book Awards
Four years into this, and no Jen has stopped me yet.
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