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Laurie Hertzel

@lhertzel.bsky.social
6.1K followers 1.5K following 1.4K posts

On substack: lauriehertzel.substack.com. Also, book reader, book critic, author "News to Me: Adventures of an Accidental Journalist" and "Ghosts of Fourth Street," and teacher at MFA program at UGA-Athens.

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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Books don’t spoil: In praise of the slow read lauriehertzel.substack.com/p/books-dont...
lauriehertzel.substack.com
Books don’t spoil: In praise of the slow read
A few years ago, I decided that a slow read was a good way to spend the winter. Every winter since, I’ve indulged in a long book-“Vanity Fair,” “Dombey & Son,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Oliver Twist.”
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Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Status reports that ABC News deleted that explosive story about the Trump kids getting billions in federal contracts for their companies. ABC hasn't explained why they nuked the story, even as Trump has crowed about its deletion, sparking a firestorm behind scenes. www.status.news/p/david-elli...
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
So many ghosts!
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
And yes, I do compare it to the movie Forrest Gump--but only in the best possible way.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
My review of John Boyne's new novel, "The Weight of Angels," in which he imagines a different, longer life for Oscar Wilde, is up now at @irishtimes.com . Subscriber only. So, subscribe! www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
irishtimes.com
The Weight of Angels by John Boyne: What if Oscar Wilde had lived long beyond his 46 years?
A poignant, moving, sometimes funny novel about regret and atonement
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
How’s Angus? lauriehertzel.substack.com/p/hows-angus...
lauriehertzel.substack.com
How’s Angus?
Funny you should ask.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
kind of a big difference between Hawks and Hawkeyes. one is pro, for instance, and one is college. sheeeeeesh
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Up North for eight days, read four books. (sort of.) Which four? Were they good? Read on.
lauriehertzel.substack.com
Books don’t spoil: Cabin edition
Four books over eight days in the forest. Two rain days helped.
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Ireland against Fascism @irlagainstfascism.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It appears the loyalists will have to apply to the parade commission to hold another march (legally) on Drumcree Road once midnight passes tonight. The initial permission was given from 8am to 9.30am this morning, any marching after that time would be deemed illegal.
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Laura McAtackney @lauramca.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Drumcree was not just a ‘march’ it was an annual extended period of fear that threatened to destabilize the entire province and resulted in a significant number of deaths. No one should forget that the catalyst for the march being halted was the deaths of the Quinn boys in their firebombed home.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
a lot of terrible things have been done in the name of tradition
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Andrew @hullbhoy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Sundays are good days usually. So spare some thoughts for the residents of the Garvaghy Road in Portadown who today stood out in the pouring rain to stop some outdated bunch of bigots from disrupting and antagonising their community.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
hardly seems like the job of the police--aren't they supposed to keep the peace?--but we've seen this before. watching with great concern from the US
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Mark Reel @markreel.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Jon Boutcher, who should resign, has called the conscription of 200 Scottish police officers over to Northern Ireland to potentially batter Catholics off a road "mutual aid"
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Jon Boutcher says the police operation so far has "helped ensure there has been no violence or disorder".

"I'm unbelievably proud of my officers who, supported by mutual aid colleagues, are managing an exceptionally challenging situation," he says.

"We have an evidence gathering operation in place to detect any offences and will continue to do this throughout today."I appeal to everyone to remain calm and peaceful. I am immensely grateful for all those voices who have already called for calm."

He urges everyone "with influence to encourage people to comply with the law" and says the police are engaging "with all parties".

"It is incumbent on us all to come together at times like this to do all we can to preserve a peaceful Northern Ireland."

On Friday evening, the PSNI said it had activated "mutual aid arrangements", with it being understood 200 officers were arriving from Scotland to help with policing this morning.
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febca 🇨🇦 @febca.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Are humans always destined to make the same mistakes over and over again? This is such a step backwards for Northern Ireland. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Loyalist parade in Northern Ireland given go-ahead as almost 30-year ban overturned
Orange Order march along Garvaghy Road scheduled to take place for first time in 28 years after injunction dismissed on appeal
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
there's such a thing as LindellTV? and they replaced CNN on air force one?
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Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 23/09/2026
Paxton won’t agree to debate Talarico, and we all know why. He doesn’t want to answer these questions: “Why did you give an Epstein-style sweetheart deal to an admitted child predator? Why were you impeached… by your own party? Why do you own 15 homes on a government salary?” James Talarico
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
thank you!
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A family mystery, solved fifty years later.... and the fragility of memory. lauriehertzel.substack.com/p/the-luther...
lauriehertzel.substack.com
The Luther photo
It was a mystery, who the man was and how the photo ended up in our house. And now I find that my memory does not fit exactly with the facts.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The publication that blew the lid off of Clarence Thomas' grift and Susan Collins' bribes is doing a membership drive. Money incredibly well spent! I have no affiliation with @propublica.org other than great admiration. Donate if you can. give.propublica.org/campaign/749...
give.propublica.org
Donate to ProPublica
Donate today to support ProPublica's singular mission: to produce deep-dive, well-researched, nonpartisan journalism that spurs real-world change.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
But I don’t even like mysteries! And yet----here are four I greatly enjoyed, all new. (One so new it isn't even out yet.) Read on. lauriehertzel.substack.com/p/but-i-dont...
lauriehertzel.substack.com
But I don’t even like mysteries!
Or do I? I’ve apparently been reading them all summer.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This is heinous
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Totally understand that. However, there’s a huge difference between the Editorial side and the new side and as long as the new side is doing a good job, I will stay with a paper.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
if you try you can get a better rate, though it should not work that way. i pay $5/ month for the LA Times and $15/month for the Boston Globe. The miami herald will give you a better rate if you ask. Sadly. it's all about bargaining.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
laid off 20 more reporters yesterday. That once-great newspaper--the home paper of @jkbjournalist.bsky.social , who followed the Epstein story for years before anybody cared--now has fewer than 100 people in the newsroom. SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSPAPERS. jkbjournalist.substack.com/p/support-lo...
jkbjournalist.substack.com
Support local journalism
Please help journalists laid off by McClatchy
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I see people griping here all the time, asking WHERE ARE THE REPORTERS? Why aren't they covering Mitch McConnell, Epstein probe, etc. etc. They are being laid off, that's where they are. If you don't subscribe to at least 2 papers you have no right to ask that question. The Miami Herald just 1/2
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This book is going to be amazing
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
it grows back fast but he eats faster
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
found another baby caterpillar on my parsley! but the previous three (which have trotted off to pupate) ate almost all the parsley. WILL HE STARVE. so....husband comes back from the grocery store with a big bunch of parsley for the caterpillar. he's a man who loves the natural world.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
next up: Aragon Mill. And a bunch of Woody Guthrie.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Woke up to the deep voice of Paul Robeson singing "Joe Hill." My husband is playing labor movement songs all morning. Happy Labor Day, everyone. Never forget who came before.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
A long time ago, I wrote fiction, including this short story that I wrote while on Fellowship at Duke University. A friend asked to read it so I have posted it on Substack.
lauriehertzel.substack.com
‘Snapshots’
Yes, at one time I wrote fiction.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Saw somebody on Substack referred to JD Vance as, “a fish in a pan.“ Instead of a “flash in the pan.” But I kind of love it. 
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Did not stand in either line.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
No no no and then SNOWSHOEING
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Aaron Parnas @aaronparnas.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
NEWS: The Trump Administration is ending 3 federal research projects responsible for researching and fighting cyclospora amid the largest ever outbreak of cyclospora.
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
And happy birthday!!
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Parlor burger, hands down
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Ours are gorgeous now too
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
If it’s not one dog, it’s another lauriehertzel.substack.com/p/if-its-not...
lauriehertzel.substack.com
If it’s not one dog, it’s another
Angus has had a pretty mellow summer. So Rosie said, “It’s too quiet. I’m gonna shake things up.”
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Katie Phang @katiephang.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
NEW: A Florida grand jury finds the DeSantis Administration misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer funds when it diverted the money to the Casey DeSantis’-related nonprofit, Hope Florida Foundation. I track the money flow in this outrageous corruption and grift! youtu.be/JDOh1GUZrfs?...
youtu.be
DeSantis CAUGHT By Grand Jury FUNNELING MILLIONS Away From Floridians!?
YouTube video by Katie Phang
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Laura Sell @laurasell.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Great resource for authors on self-promotion!
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
In recent years, it has become quite popular here. But in the beginning, it was just kind of wacky stuff in the corner of one room in the Ag building. 
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Crop art is the BEST
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
So you've written a book. Now what? How do you let the world know? Some tips from my recent book launch.
lauriehertzel.substack.com
On the road, again and again
How do you get the word out about your book when there are almost no more newspaper reviews?
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CNN @cnn.com · 25/08/2026
A US airman who was arrested twice, once on the steps of the US Capitol while calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, was officially criminally charged Monday for his comments, according to a charging document his attorney shared with CNN. cnn.it/3SmqErb
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Laurie Hertzel @lhertzel.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
we practically are.
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