Jody DiPerna
@jodydiperna.bsky.social
Lovechild of the Rust Belt & Appalachia.
Reprobate reader. Rogue writer.
Reprobate reader. Rogue writer.
'The True, True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)' by Rabih Alameddine won the National Book Award and I *could not be more thrilled.* It is one of the best novels I've read in a while. Definitely one of my favorite reads of this year. It's funny, weird & unexpected.
November 24, 2025 at 1:18 PM
'The True, True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)' by Rabih Alameddine won the National Book Award and I *could not be more thrilled.* It is one of the best novels I've read in a while. Definitely one of my favorite reads of this year. It's funny, weird & unexpected.
The Biggest Loser, but for billionaires, wherein they give away money either voluntarily or by force to various and sundry vetted organizations. (Anything from food pantries to community libraries, public defenders offices, environmental organizations and small nonprofit newsrooms.) contd ...
November 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The Biggest Loser, but for billionaires, wherein they give away money either voluntarily or by force to various and sundry vetted organizations. (Anything from food pantries to community libraries, public defenders offices, environmental organizations and small nonprofit newsrooms.) contd ...
1/ In my years of covering books for a whole bunch of different outlets, I always ran author interviews and not straight reviews. I also never covered anything that I thought was not good because (a) I didn't want to read books that lacked merit and (b) I didn't want to be in the business of ...
November 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
1/ In my years of covering books for a whole bunch of different outlets, I always ran author interviews and not straight reviews. I also never covered anything that I thought was not good because (a) I didn't want to read books that lacked merit and (b) I didn't want to be in the business of ...
The latest installment of *This Week on My Desk*
(not pitctured -- 'Orange World' by Karen Russell and 'Brawler' by Lauren Groff.)
(not pitctured -- 'Orange World' by Karen Russell and 'Brawler' by Lauren Groff.)
November 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
The latest installment of *This Week on My Desk*
(not pitctured -- 'Orange World' by Karen Russell and 'Brawler' by Lauren Groff.)
(not pitctured -- 'Orange World' by Karen Russell and 'Brawler' by Lauren Groff.)
History dorks, if you are going to recommend one book about the 1919 Steel Strike, what would it be?
I've been reading through newspaper archives, but I'm looking to get a more wholistic sense of it.
I've been reading through newspaper archives, but I'm looking to get a more wholistic sense of it.
November 8, 2025 at 1:41 PM
History dorks, if you are going to recommend one book about the 1919 Steel Strike, what would it be?
I've been reading through newspaper archives, but I'm looking to get a more wholistic sense of it.
I've been reading through newspaper archives, but I'm looking to get a more wholistic sense of it.
Nothing like October mornings in northern #Appalachia. #Pittsburgh
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Nothing like October mornings in northern #Appalachia. #Pittsburgh
I started this book and it is a wild ride right from the jump. #RabihAlameddine #TheTrueTrueStoryOfRajaTheGullible. #Beirut
November 4, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I started this book and it is a wild ride right from the jump. #RabihAlameddine #TheTrueTrueStoryOfRajaTheGullible. #Beirut
Just having some iced chai in my lovely new Writers Assn of Northern Appalachia mug. Yes, please.
September 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Just having some iced chai in my lovely new Writers Assn of Northern Appalachia mug. Yes, please.
We had an amazing time at the Writers Association of Northern Appalachia conference. Lots of people making connections, writing, reading, listening. We had tremendous vendors, a beautiful library and bar. And Wheeling gave us a gorgeous sunset over the Ohio River at the end of the day on Saturday.
September 23, 2025 at 12:55 PM
We had an amazing time at the Writers Association of Northern Appalachia conference. Lots of people making connections, writing, reading, listening. We had tremendous vendors, a beautiful library and bar. And Wheeling gave us a gorgeous sunset over the Ohio River at the end of the day on Saturday.
Hey yo, stop what you're doing and make plans to come hang out with me and Karen Dukess at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon. We'll talk about sticky toffee pudding, cozy mysteries, artisanal gin and Karen's delightful book, Welcome to Murder Week. (Free) sign up in the comments below.
September 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Hey yo, stop what you're doing and make plans to come hang out with me and Karen Dukess at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon. We'll talk about sticky toffee pudding, cozy mysteries, artisanal gin and Karen's delightful book, Welcome to Murder Week. (Free) sign up in the comments below.
My good people, it is done and off to my editor at the University Press of Kentucky. #AllWeHaveIsEachOther #AppalachianLiterature
September 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
My good people, it is done and off to my editor at the University Press of Kentucky. #AllWeHaveIsEachOther #AppalachianLiterature
I leave notes for myself in whatever I am writing with the sobriquet meathead. As in, "fix this transition, meathead," "lay the track for this quote, meathead." Somehow, calling myself meathead has made the revision process more fun. It's lighter.
I'm just a meathead, writing meathead things.
I'm just a meathead, writing meathead things.
August 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I leave notes for myself in whatever I am writing with the sobriquet meathead. As in, "fix this transition, meathead," "lay the track for this quote, meathead." Somehow, calling myself meathead has made the revision process more fun. It's lighter.
I'm just a meathead, writing meathead things.
I'm just a meathead, writing meathead things.
Ok, JD, exactly *what* actions are you taking, other than praying. And scolding. You spineless parasite
August 28, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Ok, JD, exactly *what* actions are you taking, other than praying. And scolding. You spineless parasite
Come hang out with me and hear my smart hilarious, charming sister in law, Karen Dukess read from her new novel, Welcome to Murder Week, at Riverstone in Squirrel Hill on September 13th. We'll talk about her new book, Jane Austen, bakewell tarts and be generally entertaining. (sign up below)
August 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Come hang out with me and hear my smart hilarious, charming sister in law, Karen Dukess read from her new novel, Welcome to Murder Week, at Riverstone in Squirrel Hill on September 13th. We'll talk about her new book, Jane Austen, bakewell tarts and be generally entertaining. (sign up below)
Hey writing peeps, come join the community of writers in Wheeling in a little less than a month. We have a fantastic lineup of workshops, craft-talks and presentations, the Women of Appalachia Project will be there, and so will Jan Beatty. (Link to sign up in comments.)
August 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Hey writing peeps, come join the community of writers in Wheeling in a little less than a month. We have a fantastic lineup of workshops, craft-talks and presentations, the Women of Appalachia Project will be there, and so will Jan Beatty. (Link to sign up in comments.)
One of my favorite Stamp performances.
August 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
One of my favorite Stamp performances.
Set for "Two Trains Running" at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company last night. This is one of my favorite August Wilson plays (right up there with "Jitney.")
It runs through the end of the month.
GO SEE IT.
#AugustWilson #TwoTrainsRunning #HillDistrict
It runs through the end of the month.
GO SEE IT.
#AugustWilson #TwoTrainsRunning #HillDistrict
August 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Set for "Two Trains Running" at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company last night. This is one of my favorite August Wilson plays (right up there with "Jitney.")
It runs through the end of the month.
GO SEE IT.
#AugustWilson #TwoTrainsRunning #HillDistrict
It runs through the end of the month.
GO SEE IT.
#AugustWilson #TwoTrainsRunning #HillDistrict
This has been sitting in my office for years and I'm finally reading it. Absolutely wonderful and magical.
August 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This has been sitting in my office for years and I'm finally reading it. Absolutely wonderful and magical.
Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you joy and happiness
Never will I love a show as much as Deadwood
Never will I love a show as much as Deadwood
August 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you joy and happiness
Never will I love a show as much as Deadwood
Never will I love a show as much as Deadwood
Do you like mysteries? Do you like fun? Then you should come join me with my incredible, funny, talented sister-in-law, Karen Dukess reading from her new book, "Welcome to Murder Week."
Saturday, September 13th at Riverstone in Squirrel Hill.
Saturday, September 13th at Riverstone in Squirrel Hill.
August 5, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Do you like mysteries? Do you like fun? Then you should come join me with my incredible, funny, talented sister-in-law, Karen Dukess reading from her new book, "Welcome to Murder Week."
Saturday, September 13th at Riverstone in Squirrel Hill.
Saturday, September 13th at Riverstone in Squirrel Hill.
In just about a month and a half, good lord willin' and the crik don't rise, we'll be together in Wheeling. If you haven't signed up for the Writers Association of Northern Appalachia conference, what the heck is keeping you. It's an amazing community and you will not regret joining us.
July 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM
In just about a month and a half, good lord willin' and the crik don't rise, we'll be together in Wheeling. If you haven't signed up for the Writers Association of Northern Appalachia conference, what the heck is keeping you. It's an amazing community and you will not regret joining us.
The latest installment of *This Week on My Desk*
July 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The latest installment of *This Week on My Desk*
I miss the 1970s because we had things like Mood Rings, Pet Rocks and Magic 8 Balls. I would like to market something similar to a Magic 8 Ball, but it would be Occam's Razor. Every time he spoke, you could pull out the Occam's Razor and it would give you an answer to what you were hearing. /1
July 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I miss the 1970s because we had things like Mood Rings, Pet Rocks and Magic 8 Balls. I would like to market something similar to a Magic 8 Ball, but it would be Occam's Razor. Every time he spoke, you could pull out the Occam's Razor and it would give you an answer to what you were hearing. /1