Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 22/09/2026My 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. 030
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Hey @denverpost.com, the creature in your photo is a chipmunk. No way a chipmunk is pulling off that kind of heist. A squirrel, though... 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 11/09/2026A gorgeous black swallowtail just visited my garden. 011
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 01/09/2026I 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 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Here'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-... 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 21/08/2026In "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. 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 17/08/2026In 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/45RgVfLbit.lyThings Did Not Go According to Plan: Cancer, Car Troubles, Corn Fields, CowsA shaggy dog story that culminates in a shaggy cow, plus I get to interview Colson Whitehead! 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 03/08/2026I made a friend today in Rocky Mountain National Park. 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/07/2026In 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/4bhzKfdbit.lyMy Summer Vacation in a Hobbit HolePlus, a visit from a Colorado bear, an exemplary public bathroom in Seattle, and a new book by Jon Ronson 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 15/07/2026I'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 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 11/07/2026After you've eaten produce possibly infected with cyclospora but you don't know for certain yet, you have Schrodinger's diarrhea. 020
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 09/07/2026I'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 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Finally 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.” 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Next 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.” 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Next 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.” 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Tonight at Lighthouse Writers Workshop’s Lit Fest, Brandon Taylor reads from his novel-in-progress about “a sad lady who plays tennis.” 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 15/06/2026In 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... 031
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Lighthouse 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 033
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 06/06/2026I 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. 030
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 28/05/2026I reviewed Janet Rich Edwards' engrossing novel CANTICLE for America Magazine: www.americamagazine.org/books/2026/0...americamagazine.orgReview: A saintly variety showIn ‘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... 011
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 26/05/2026I 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.comDIA will create walkway to all concourses using underground tunnelsDIA 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... 011
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 22/05/2026For 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. 110
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 18/05/2026In 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/4nHiYesbit.lySurviving an Orca Attack: The Tumbleweed Graduation SpeechAll the life advice you need to stay comfortably nestled in the Permanent Underclass. 020
Reposted by Jenny ShankScience Writers Association of the Rocky Mountains (SWARM) @sciwrirockies.com · 14/05/2026Join 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.comUpcoming events | Swarm 032
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 18/04/2026Disco 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. 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/04/2026In 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/4tczgxBbit.lyEnchiladas are the AnswerHave you considered a trip to New Mexico? Plus, a Broncos-themed rapper named The Mad Fanatic is encountered and The Overtourist now speaks Catalan. 050
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 11/04/2026So 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. 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 09/04/2026I'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... 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 08/04/2026I'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 011
Reposted by Jenny ShankEvette Dionne (Mostly on Threads) @freeblackgirl.bsky.social · 07/04/2026I 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.comThink of What We Can Do, TogetherRecent 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. 112126
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 07/04/2026I 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. 040
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 16/02/2026Watching 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/4bZ9nf1bit.lyHow Awe-Inspiring Olympic Snowboarding Eased my Grumpiness about Accelerating ChangePlus new books and movies about technology, robots, and headaches. 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 09/02/2026I'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.orgNPR - Breaking News, Analysis, Music, Arts & PodcastsTop stories in the U.S. and world news, politics, health, science, business, music, arts and culture. Nonprofit journalism with a mission. This is NPR. 120
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 31/01/2026Hey la, hey la, my Jokic’s back! @nuggets.bsky.social 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 30/01/2026Here'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.comFamed Colorado radio broadcaster, civil rights activist James ‘Dr. Daddio’ Walker diesColorado civil rights activist and pioneering Denver radio broadcaster James “Dr. Daddio” Walker has died, his family confirmed Tuesday. 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 29/01/2026I'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/4q2CLnRbit.ly4-Week: Seeing the Big Picture—Techniques for Revising Fiction and Nonfiction BooksAnn 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... 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Bravo, @adamserwer.bsky.social. I love the idea of "neighborism." Read this article, neighbors: bit.ly/4r93IqU 020
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 24/01/2026How 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. 110
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 21/01/2026I 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. 020
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 20/01/2026I can't wait to read all these great finalists! Happy reading to me. 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 19/01/2026In 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. 150
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 15/01/2026In 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/4jNNMZ0bit.lyCurioser and Curioser: How Curiosity Makes Life BetterCasa Bonita reigns supreme, Jamal Murray gets a mole-themed tribute, and literary events galore. 000
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 30/12/2025One 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. 010
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 30/12/2025Nuggets season is flashing before my eyes. I’m glad I watched Joker play as much as I could these past few years. 120
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 24/12/2025Thanks 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.comAlways in Good Company: A Conversation with Fiction Writer, Humorist, and Book Critic Jenny ShankHer award-winning story collection is MIXED COMPANY 000
Reposted by Jenny ShankColin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 17/12/2025NSF 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? 👇 42258362950
Jenny Shank @jennyshank.bsky.social · 15/12/2025Other 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.comThe Fourth Annual Jenfolk Book AwardsFour years into this, and no Jen has stopped me yet. 131