iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

So I spent a month at a writers residency in the summer of 2010 having dinner every day with Gloria Steinem. It was pretty cool. I wrote a thing about it. And yeah, I used to be brunette

naomiwilliams.substack.com

My Summer of Gloria Steinem

Remembering a month on Whidbey Island with the feminist icon

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Today’s fake pangram: LINTWAD: that thing you dig out from the dryer trap (I’ve always found this a weirdly satisfying task) #NYTSpellingBee

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I finally have some book news to share! My short story collection, STRANGE TROUBLE, will be out with Curbstone, an imprint of Northwestern University Press, next September. I'm so lucky to be working with Megan Stielstra on this project & can't wait to share these weird stories with the world.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Saw "To Catch a Thief" last night at charming Dreamland Cinema micro-theater near my house in Sac. Now that I'm over 60, though, found myself wishing Cary Grant would take up with Grace Kelly's mother, more age-appropriate for him & played with such zest by Jessie Royce Landis. I'd see that remake.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Spending most of my summer in SF, without a car. Mostly enjoying my many public transit journeys around town. But riding right now on inbound L where automated announcements are 2 whole stations behind. Driver just noticed. We’re at Montgomery 😂 #SFMUNI

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Teehee. Always heart-warming to see an HOA that serves rich people’s interests compelled to comply with state requirements, in this case for public access to CA coastline

sfgate.com

California HOA to pay $2.5M to resolve coastal access dispute

The new plan calls for unlocked gates and a public restroom.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Today’s fake Spelling Bee pangram: UNPALATIAL, which describes every house I’ve ever lived in.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I haven’t posted one of these in ages, but thought FLUTOBOE was mildly amusing as a fake pangram. It’s an oboe that you play sideways, like a flute.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Honestly I sometimes cannot figure out till the end of an ad if it’s going to try to sell me AI or Jesus

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

For story I’m writing, needed to refresh memory on how pregnancy months are counted in Japan & learn that “…most women are already 2-3 wks pregnant before conception occurs.” 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thanks, AI “search assist” 🤣

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The current National Endowment for the Arts newsletter starts with a big ole dangling participle. They must’ve axed qualified proofreaders over there

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Totally worth staying up a little late to see Japan take Tunisia 4-0. They’re even with Netherlands in their group! 🇯🇵 ⚽️

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

You-Know-Who getting roundly booed when his face showed up on screens at MSG during National anthem music to my ears

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

If you’ve ever wondered about the origin of flamingo cafes, this marvelous short story fills you in

electricliterature.com

A Side of Metamorphosis With Your Coffee, Hon? - Electric Literature

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Today’s Fake Pangram is one of my fonder memories from my earliest years in the US, when we lived in public housing in Long Beach & my sister & I used to go to the BOOKMOBILE every week when it visited. My first library experience.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

"She's asking us to trust her." But her voting record raises eyebrows. And her current stances seem motivated by finally having a real challenger. It's time for someone new to represent Sacramento. #MaiForUs

sacbee.com

Matsui says she opposes any funding for ICE. What does her record say?

From 2019 to 2024, she joined the majority of Democrats voting for five government spending packages that included nearly $42 billion for ICE.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Writers interested in AWP in Chicago next year: I'm trying to put together a proposal on the Difficult Second Book. If you're interested (or know someone who might be), let me know?

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

This is such a perfect tiny love story. I am smitten. And kinda craving a martini at 10:30 in the morning, and I don't even really like martinis all that much.

electricliterature.com

True Love With Three Olives and a Twist - Electric Literature

“The Martini Fairy,” flash fiction by Peter M. Kazon

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Today’s Silly Pangram: GENZALIZE—verb, to make a generalization either about Gen-Z or as a Gen-Z. Rarely used by the demographic in question.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Today’s Silly Pangram: BADABINGO! Used either as particularly emphatic “Ta-da!” or “Voila!”, or to refer to recent trend of offering bingo in strip clubs, seen as effort to entice more older customers into their establishments.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Wow. This whole thread. I prefer my news reported, written & edited by actual humans, thank you

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Haven’t done one of these lately, but this popped in to my head today. Today’s Silly Pangram: TINLADY. A female counterpart to the more famous Tinman.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I couldn't look away from this riveting, brutally honest story about family ties & tensions & old hurts at @electricliterature.com. "Nuts" by Katie Schorr. And now I'm craving a bagel with cream cheese, which sucks because I'm both gluten- and lactose-intolerant.

electricliterature.com

A Visit to Our Meanest Relative Can Only End in Tears - Electric Literature

“Nuts” by Katie Schorr, recommended by Halimah Marcus for Electric Literature

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

"Instead of a pollster, the party should have hired a detective. If Swalwell’s supporters spread themselves so far and wide that Republican candidates Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton garner the most votes in June, the Democrats will only have themselves to blame." Seriously.

sacbee.com

California Dems wanted a smaller field for governor. Mission accomplished | Opinion

Party leadership for weeks has been pressuring candidates behind in the polls to drop out. The problem all along was at the top.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

I happened to listen to this marvelous poem by Katie Farris while waiting for a DEXA scan that will tell me how the osteoporosis has progressed (or not).

podcasts.apple.com

1485: Scheduling the Bone Scan by Katie Farris

Podcast Episode · The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily · April 2 · 6m

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

This was really good. Would love to read the whole novel

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Moving & candid essay by Amanda Peet in @newyorker.com “I admire people who can sit with uncertainty in matters of life and death. I’m not one of them. I suck at mindfulness. I run scenarios, even for minor matters that are not exactly my business and hard to predict…” Yep. Same

newyorker.com

My Parents Were Both Dying. Then I Found Out I Had Cancer

Amanda Peet writes, “I admire people who can sit with uncertainty in matters of life and death. I’m not one of them. I suck at mindfulness.”

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Today’s Silly Pangram: LENTPITY, n., the compassion (or show of compassion) non-Catholics feel for Catholics for their deprivations during the season of Lent. “It’s just for a few more weeks,” Naomi said to her friend Donna, voice full of lentpity. Then added, “But wow, this brownie is so good!”

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Today’s Silly Pangram: ABITUARY, n., a very short obituary. “Unmourned by all but his most deluded followers, the tyrant died,” read the abituary. #NYTSpellingBee

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Today’s Silly Pangram: CHEATMADE, adj., of a piece of ostensibly creative work that was actually produced by a machine. “Her debut novel, which reportedly garnered a six-figure advance, turned out to be an AI-generated cheatmade pastiche of other people’s work.”

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Maybe we should stop naming things after people. Maybe we should be especially careful about naming things after men.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Today’s Silly Pangram: MONEYHOG. “The moneyhogs fleeing California over a one-time billionaire tax have elicited almost no sympathy from the general public.”

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Today’s Silly Pangram: FLUBODE, a house in which a contagious illness is spreading among household members. “No, no, no,” the harried mom of three coughing children said when her mother offered to come & help. “Keep away from our flubode.” #NYTSpellingBee

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

A fascinating read by friend & former colleague @laurenmarkham.bsky.social about Americans seeking secondary citizenships for their kids. Curious about whether there’s a comparable move among Asian-Americans. Seeking a Second Passport at @newyorker.com

newyorker.com

Seeking a Second Passport

For some Americans, citizenship in a country their ancestors fled is now an insurance plan.

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Today’s Silly Pangram: EXCLINGING, an unhealthy or lingering attachment to a former lover or partner. “Enough with the exclinging,” her friend said. “I’m not!” “You still send him birthday cards.” “I’m just being nice.” “And Christmas presents.” “….” #NYTSpellingBee

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Naomi J. Williams @naomijwilliams.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Just saw "Sirāt." A group of Europeans drives recklessly around the Moroccan desert, with predictably terrible results. Impressive cinematography, but I just wanted it to end a good 45 minutes before it did.

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