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Will Hodge (Unplugged Revisited) @willhodge.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

This is going to be SO GOOD in @alisonstine.bsky.social’s hands (and I should probably send an edible arrangement to the @marchxness.bsky.social committee in hopes of making sure my essay doesn’t get paired against this one 😂)

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Moira 🫡 @moirajo.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Two likes and I pitch a @marchxness.bsky.social extracurricular about “the Christmas shoes”

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Helmi @helmsinki.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I have basically finished my @marchxness.bsky.social essay already and I am so excited 😊 (but I can't turn it in until we find out if Taylor is gonna re-release Debut)

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

One of our players just bailed on their spot so going back to the lottery we welcome Patrick Cline to March Xmas, and with his pick he selects Blink-182's Happy Holidays, You Bastard (2001): www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KYO...

youtube.com

Happy Holidays, You Bastard

YouTube video by blink-182 - Topic

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Well @erinkeane.bsky.social predicted it and so it has come to be. Welcome to the March Xness 2026 playlist: Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas" (1982), repped now by @alisonstine.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOzi...

youtube.com

Dolly Parton - Hard Candy Christmas (Official Audio)

YouTube video by DollyPartonVEVO

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Ander Monson @angermonsoon.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Offering a peek behind the scenes for March Xmas writers this week on the @marchxness.bsky.social substack: marchxness.substack.com/p/a-peek-beh...

marchxness.substack.com

A Peek Behind the Scenes for Our Writers

Advice and Logistics for March Xmas Writers

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

not too late to switch your songs, people

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Flashing back today to our OG March Sadness tournament from 2016. This Sweet 16 matchup features Kate Bernheimer on Joy Division vs @nikwalk.bsky.social on PJ Harvey and Nick Cave: marchsadness2016.blogspot.com/2016/03/swee...

marchsadness2016.blogspot.com

Sweet Sixteen Action: (1) JOY DIVISION vs (5) PJ HARVEY & NICK CAVE

FINAL SCORE: (1) JOY DIVISION 75, (5) PJ Harvey & Nick Cave 24 * (1) Joy Division, "Atmosphere" Analysis by Kate Bernheimer ...

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Tucson Essay Club @tucsonessayclub.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

"I still owe them something. Maybe this is me paying tribute right now." Read an excerpt of @therealmccloy.bsky.social's forthcoming memoir on our substack today and buy the book from Antigone or your local indie: tucsonessayclub.substack.com/p/peak-tucso...

tucsonessayclub.substack.com

Peak Tucson with Molly McCloy

A new essay from Nine Grudges: the Spiteful Origins of the Happiest Dyke on Earth by Molly McCloy

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Boosting this to Xness readers. If you enjoyed @therealmccloy.bsky.social's extracurricular on Dinosaur Jr you'll love this essay and her new book NINE GRUDGES: The Spiteful Origins of the Happiest Dyke on Earth.

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Donna Vorreyer @djvorreyer.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Whew, trying to solidify my @marchxness.bsky.social essay about "Coventry Carol" has been tough. Are there points for difficulty? Just asking...

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Rooney is the fastest draw in the west

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Christopher Stevenson @chrisstevenson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

That's me! I’ve been terrible at social media the past couple weeks, but YEEEEESSS! I won the lottery and I’m writing about Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy for March Xmas!

youtube.com

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / Nina Kaptsova - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy / 2010

YouTube video by palmtree

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Weekend flashback to March Danceness 00s, featuring Scott Dickensheets on Dirty Vegas: marchxness.com/march-dancen...

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Ashawnta Jackson @heyjackson.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I've wanted to explore the history of Black-owned record labels for a long time, and so I'm pretty excited to do it in book form. This is a history that starts way before Motown and continues far beyond it. It's full of characters, stories, weirdness and good music. Can't wait to share it

Publishers Marketplace Deal Report with the body text "Freelance journalist and author of SOUL FOLK for the 33 1/3 series Ashawnta Jackson's MOVE ON UP: HOW BLACK-OWNED RECORD LABELS SHAPED THE SOUNDS OF AMERICAN MUSIC, which shows how small regional Black-owned record labels had a profound influence on the growth and direction of popular music over the last 100 years, and how the early labels laid the groundwork for major players like Motown, to Amy Cherry at Norton, for publication in spring 2027, by John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret (world)."

I'm pretty excited about it

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Andrea Panzeca @andrea-panzeca.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

RuPaul's "Merry Christmas, Mary" is my pick! Let's gooo

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Annie Zaleski @anniezaleski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Beyond thrilled to write about KATE BUSH for this holiday tournament…. youtu.be/pZiadb3bpOI?...

youtu.be

Kate Bush - December Will Be Magic Again (1979 Xmas Special)

YouTube video by Symphonyofflowers

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

We also would like to note that we'd welcome extracurricular pitches if you want to write about a song not in the tourney playlist. Maybe we should anonymously (or not) publish some essays about how much you hate a particular Christmas song or version?

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

So far the oldest song the writers picked for March Xmas is 1947 (Bing Crosby's White Christmas); the newest is RuPaul's Merry Christmas, Mary (2015).

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

We are still waiting on a handful of folks to make their song choices (and in a few cases, confirm they want to write) for March Xmas, but here is the tournament playlist so far: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

youtube.com

March Xmas 2026 - YouTube

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Irene Cooper @icooper435.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

feeling all the seasonal jingles and tingles at the chance to write about this for @marchxness.bsky.social m.youtube.com/watch?v=a2MZ...

m.youtube.com

Bad Religion - Christmas Songs (Full Album)

YouTube video by BR Discography

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

We're still waiting on a half-dozen folks to get back to us to confirm that they wanna write for the tourney this year so if folks don't get back with us, we'll happily draw some more #s. More info coming in this space. But ready your extracurriculars if not!

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Ron Hogan @ronhogan.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I have confirmed that I want to do this, and I’ve given them four songs I’d be interested in writing about, if somebody hasn’t beaten me to them! (I contemplated Bob Dylan’s “Must Be Santa,” but decided against it.)

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Our last lucky lottery entries: 60. @ronhogan.bsky.social 61. @pcmadden3.bsky.social 62. @angermonsoon.bsky.social 63. @andrea-panzeca.bsky.social 64. @alisonstine.bsky.social We may have to pull some more if folks back out or don't respond...otherwise: pitch us yr extracurriculars!

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Alright, we are posting the last of the March Xmas Lottery! 54. Will Hansen 55. @nanette.bsky.social 56. @legaultd.bsky.social 57. Dan Mullen-Davis 58. TJ Beitelman 59. Lee Anne Gallaway-Mitchell ...

nanette.bsky.social

nanette (@nanette.bsky.social)

This profile requires authentication to view.

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Manic Pixie Soccer Mom @meganc.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

21st century American politics made me forget that sometimes voting means picking one even though both are genuinely great.

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Jim Hanas @www.loureedsnephew.com · 05/08/2026

Excited to rep this gem in @marchxness.bsky.social later this year.

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Kristine Langley Mahler @suburbanprairie.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Read it and weep, I'm bringing the Bing to @marchxness.bsky.social this tournament!!!

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nikolisanastasia @nikolisanastasia.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Can’t wait to write about my favorite trick or treaters and being a lifelong menace with a Christmas Eve birthday!

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Erin Keane @erinkeane.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Some professional news ... I've been spending some time in the archives and am looking forward to having cake at all the events for this book.

PUBLISHERS MARKETPLACE DEAL ALERT: Author of RUNAWAY and editor of THE LOUISVILLE ANTHOLOGY Erin Keane's BIRTHDAY GIRLS: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR SONG, about two accomplished women from Louisville who wrote the Happy Birthday song, to Anne Trubek at Belt, in a nice deal, in an exclusive submission, for publication in fall 2028 (world).

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Donna Vorreyer @djvorreyer.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Already planning and researching for this essay... I hope the vision in my head comes to fruition

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Aight we have some more lottery picks for you. With the 48-53 picks it's Jackie Clark, @lanaschwartz.bsky.social, Christian Moher, Jess Ducey, Reed Karaim, and @ashleystro.bsky.social. Check ye emails! Ready ye picks! More coming this afternoon.

instagram.com

Instagram

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Before we get to the next set of lottery picks, here are some more of the writers' song selections: 32. Sara Wainscott selects Anne Murray's Snowbird (1970) www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0oc...

youtube.com

Anne Murray ~ Snowbird (1970)

YouTube video by TheOldrecordclub

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Will Hodge (Unplugged Revisited) @willhodge.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

YES! Let’s go-HO-HO!!! 🎄 (now fingers crossed that my so-called pick gets greenlit)

static.klipy.com

Carlton's Merry Christmas Eve Dance

ALT: Carlton's Merry Christmas Eve Dance

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Erin Keane @erinkeane.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Ahhhh one of my faves claimed for March Xmas!

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Katie Darby Mullins @katiedarbymullins.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Sharing some old short stories that were never online before— this one, “BRING ELIZA HOME,” was originally published in Iron Horse Literary. A young teenager’s disabled older sister goes missing, and she tries to cope online. open.substack.com/pub/katiedar...

open.substack.com

BRING ELIZA HOME

(Previously published in Iron Horse)

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

MORE ON THIS CORRECT LIST TO COME, WE ARE GUESSING

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Pretty confident we're going to get more song changes after the lottery than in any previous Xness tournament.

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Posting four more folks' picks now! With the 28th pick, Luuk Schokker selects a new one to us (but a good track!), Miss Montreal, Being Alone at Christmas (2010): www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FWj...

youtube.com

Miss Montreal - Being Alone At Christmas

YouTube video by 8ball Music

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Catching up with some more picks. With the 25th spot @icooper435.bsky.social goes punk with Bad Religion, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, 2013: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB2l...

youtube.com

Bad Religion - "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" (Full Album Stream)

YouTube video by Epitaph Records

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Alright here are the next set of songs that the lottery writers have picked: 19. Brigitte Lewis, Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone, Baby, It's Cold Outside (2003) from the Elf soundtrack: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxyb...

youtube.com

Elf Soundtrack | Baby, It's Cold Outside - Zooey Deschanel, Leon Redbone | WaterTower

YouTube video by WaterTower Music

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Erin Keane @erinkeane.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

you're not ready for this essay can't wait!

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

More Lottery Tyme! 33. Sara Wainscott 34. @darcyjaygagnon.bsky.social 35. Jordan Wiklund 36. Sean Lovelace 37. @djvorreyer.bsky.social 38. @jakemcintyre.bsky.social Let's GOOOO

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Picking 16 more numbers for the March Xmas lottery this afternoon so keep your fingers crossed and emails checked.

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Another thread of lottery picks: with the 11th selection Lily Herman grabs Hanson's "What Christmas Means to Me": www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5wu...

youtube.com

What Christmas Means To Me

YouTube video by Hanson - Topic

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Time for some more March Xmas song announcements. With the #4 pick K Chiucarello selects the 1975 CW Post College version of Santa Claus is Comin' to Town by Bruce Springsteen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7X3...

youtube.com

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (Live at C.W. Post College, Greenvale, NY - December 1975)

YouTube video by Relaxing Music - Study, Sleep, and Meditation

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March Xmas 2026 @marchxness.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Waiting on folks to make their picks so we'll be back tomorrow with 16 more lucky lottery winners for March Xmas!

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