Rebecca Makkai
@rebeccamakkai.bsky.social
Pulitzer finalist for THE GREAT BELIEVERS; new novel, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU, out now. Artistic Director at StoryStudio Chicago. Trying to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. You should, too.
rebeccamakkai.substack.com
https://rebeccamakkai.com
rebeccamakkai.substack.com
https://rebeccamakkai.com
If they ask where you're taking it, feel free to use my name. You're my private mentee, and yes, I gave you homework due this Saturday. I'll vouch for you.
November 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM
If they ask where you're taking it, feel free to use my name. You're my private mentee, and yes, I gave you homework due this Saturday. I'll vouch for you.
If you want time alone to write, tell them you have "homework for this writing class" you're taking.
November 27, 2025 at 5:07 PM
If you want time alone to write, tell them you have "homework for this writing class" you're taking.
Good diversionary tactic: "You know, Uncle Cliff, there's actually a podiatrist character in my novel. Would you mind telling me what a day in your life is like?"
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Good diversionary tactic: "You know, Uncle Cliff, there's actually a podiatrist character in my novel. Would you mind telling me what a day in your life is like?"
Also never tell them you've "finished a draft" or are "almost done," because then you'll never stop hearing "Where's that book of yours?" Tell the truth, which is that debut novels usually take about 5-8 years, and you're doing it the right way.
November 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Also never tell them you've "finished a draft" or are "almost done," because then you'll never stop hearing "Where's that book of yours?" Tell the truth, which is that debut novels usually take about 5-8 years, and you're doing it the right way.
I'm afraid that isn't accurate; I wish it were. They were ordered to release 400 of the 614 people currently detained, but (unless I missed something) it's now stuck in appeals court. The numbers are super unclear, which doesn't help anything.
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I'm afraid that isn't accurate; I wish it were. They were ordered to release 400 of the 614 people currently detained, but (unless I missed something) it's now stuck in appeals court. The numbers are super unclear, which doesn't help anything.
Yes, that is why.
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Yes, that is why.
It's different, but for several years (I was young and stupid) I thought Richard Ford had written the novel that the movie Independence Day was based on and was like Wow, that's some range.
November 23, 2025 at 7:12 PM
It's different, but for several years (I was young and stupid) I thought Richard Ford had written the novel that the movie Independence Day was based on and was like Wow, that's some range.
Yeah a victory, but perhaps the biggest issue is that they WANTED to do this…
November 21, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Yeah a victory, but perhaps the biggest issue is that they WANTED to do this…
And they're spending that time and money at a moment when antisemitism has surged and people are a lot more comfortable being racist out loud. I'd love to see how the same people who managed to justify Elon's Nazi salute are able to justify this. You know they will.
November 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
And they're spending that time and money at a moment when antisemitism has surged and people are a lot more comfortable being racist out loud. I'd love to see how the same people who managed to justify Elon's Nazi salute are able to justify this. You know they will.
They have decided that swastikas (as well as nooses and confederate flags, kind of buried in all these articles) are no longer classified as hate symbols. They're downgrading them all to "harassment." And this is not accidental. It costs time and money to change policy.
November 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
They have decided that swastikas (as well as nooses and confederate flags, kind of buried in all these articles) are no longer classified as hate symbols. They're downgrading them all to "harassment." And this is not accidental. It costs time and money to change policy.
Also -- just clicked through and wowwww, that masthead! I was 1 when this came out, but a good 1/2 of those people are ones I remember vividly and fondly from years of linguistics conferences I was way too young to attend.
November 21, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Also -- just clicked through and wowwww, that masthead! I was 1 when this came out, but a good 1/2 of those people are ones I remember vividly and fondly from years of linguistics conferences I was way too young to attend.
OMG that is amazing! And yes, I'm sure my father was gleeful to publish good anti-Chomsky writing. He is certainly up there/out there right now feeling quite vindicated.
November 21, 2025 at 4:39 AM
OMG that is amazing! And yes, I'm sure my father was gleeful to publish good anti-Chomsky writing. He is certainly up there/out there right now feeling quite vindicated.
(*Briefly, a month of amazing online publishing education followed by optional agent and editor meetings. We're in year 5 and growing maybe a little faster than we thought...?)
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 AM
(*Briefly, a month of amazing online publishing education followed by optional agent and editor meetings. We're in year 5 and growing maybe a little faster than we thought...?)