Now is the time to Write. Picking up a pen or typing at the keyboard to report news, write a novel, or compose a poem is no longer an act of expression to take for granted. Given that artificial intelligence may be called on to do some approximation of these endeavors professionally in the very near future, and in the face of continued attacks on books, the intrinsic value of human-created writing—and of publishing it—is worth defending.
Started 25 years ago, McSweeney’s remains an idiosyncratic—and influential—publishing house and journal. By Matt Haber • Illustration by Steve Carroll
The author of Mean and Creep forms rituals to connect with the subject of her writing. By Anita Felicelli
AI is coming, and it will inevitably change the art of writing. That’s neither good nor bad. By Jim Lewis • Illustration by Steve Carroll
Writer’s Room: SHANTHI SEKARAN
When she needs to warm up before a day of writing, Shanthi Sekaran breaks out her ukulele. By Anita Felicelli
A poem inspired by Richard Diebenkorn’s Ocean Park, No. 17. By D.A. Powell
Stephen Ratcliffe’s thousand-page books of poems contain multitudes. By Forrest Gander • Illustration by Steve Carroll
Five Poems by Stephen Ratcliffe
Consecutive days’ works from the poet’s ongoing T O D A Y series. By Stephen Ratcliffe
A “hodgepodge” of writers and journalists work out of the Oakland studio where Mary Roach makes her office. By Anita Felicelli
THE UNRELENTING GLAMOUR OF AN AMERICAN BOOK TOUR
This literary victory lap is alive and well and just as elegant as you think it would be. By Blythe Roberson • Illustration by Steve Carroll
After a 2022 fire wrecked his office space, Jon Mooallem has returned to writing in that guest room above his garage. By Anita Felicelli
THE OLDEST LIVING LITERARY SPARTAN TELLS ALL
Into his 10th decade, City of Night author John Rechy hasn’t lost his ability to shock. By Jesse Pearson • Illustration by Steve Carroll
9 PREDICTABLY AWKWARD WRITING GROUP MOMENTS*
*And possible ways to fill the uncomfortable silences that follow. By Martin J. Smith • Illustration by Steve Carroll
The Time’s Mouth author works while emotional music plays, surrounded by books. By Anita Felicelli
While his books may not pay all the bills, David L. Ulin has built a life around writing. By Lauren Markham • Illustration by Steve Carroll
Excerpt: THIRTEEN QUESTION METHOD
By David L. Ulin
THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN MY PATIENCE
A writer-mom homeschools her tween in a lost art: cursive. By Monica Corcoran Harel • Illustration by Steve Carroll
Eight California Book Club authors on their practice, their inspiration, and what they’ve learned from the writer’s life.
The author of A Ballad of Love and Glory works with a dog named Chica sleeping at her feet. By Anita Felicelli
Explore Alta Journal’s holiday shopping guide to the best new titles focused on California and the West written by our own contributors.
