Round two of Wright’s Chicago work: Unity Temple is a masterpiece. It opened nearly 120 years ago and the main room still feels woven out of light. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio is its own little Welsh laboratory of architecture, by way of Japan.

Exploring Frank Lloyd Wright architecture for an upcoming project in Chicago this week. First up: the Robie House, the preeminent example of his Prairie style. Also pictured: Osaka Gardens, where Wright first encountered Japanese architecture, an influence that would permeate his life’s work.

Wildly excited about the opportunity to attend @sewaneewriters.bsky.social this July as a fiction participant. This conference is renowned for a reason: the faculty and visitors are top-tier. But I might be most excited to meet other writers who are as obsessed by narrative as I am. Can’t wait!

@umkc.bsky.social , it’s been a blast. I received my MFA from the Creative Writing Program this weekend, and I’ve met some of the best people in this cohort, colleagues who’ve challenged me in the best ways. Friends past and future, I’m not leaving KC. This isn’t an ending, just the next chapter.

Checked in to Room 217 at The Stanley Hotel today. 🗝️🪓Setting is everything in fiction; no wonder Stephen King was inspired by this amazing hotel.

Meet Mo, the newest Respect MO Voters volunteer! youtu.be/21eope8B9vc

Meet Mo, the newest Respect MO Voters volunteer!

YouTube video by Respect Voters

youtu.be

2/21 at 6pm I’ll be reading along with my fellow @umkc.bsky.social MFA colleagues at @turnsolbooks.bsky.social ! It’s a Valentine’s Day/romance theme, so I’ll be sharing an excerpt from my story “The Hand Model.” Should be a blast!

This. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Lock arms, people. They can’t take us all.

Margaret Killjoy@margaret.bsky.social · 7mo ago

I came to Minneapolis to report on what's going on, and one of the main questions I showed up with is "just what is the scale of the resistance?" After all, we're all used to the news calling Portland a "war zone" or whatever when it's just some protests in one part of town.

Got a chance to visit our library friends across the state line @jocolibrary.org today! Beautiful facility, and an entire genealogical section at the Central Resource Library for any of the Writers for Readers students who've taken my family history class.

Another @kclibrary.bsky.social creative writing class, another amazing cohort. So honored to teach these incredible writers in our community! ❤️

A pair of songs that made me weep (in the best way) this morning. This world is a disaster in so many ways, and an unmitigated miracle in so many others. I cannot shake the belief love holds it all together, and that is enough for now. 🌎

Free creative writing classes begin again at @kclibrary.bsky.social next week, some taught by yours truly. I hope you can join me! You can find the full lineup here: kclibrary.org/news/2025-12...

Visited the stellar folks at The Story House Bookstore in Springfield today, and added 2 books to my collection I’ve been after for a while. Brian and A.J. tell me there are some exciting plans in store for this space: a theater, workshops, partnerships with local universities & more!

Honored to be participating in this reading on January 10 at ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council . I’ll be reading a short fiction piece on grief but the main event is a book release by Brian Bulger. If you’re in the KC area come support this bevy of incredible artists! Tix at brianbulgermusic.com

I read 39 books this year (a record for me). 🍾 Some classics I’d never gotten to, some stellar nonfiction, and much literary love. ❤️ I’ve got some amazing books queued up for 2026 as well! Plus, I got to meet one of my literary heroes, the inimitable Karen Russell, courtesy of Rainy Day Books!

Beauty everywhere ❄️

A year ago I wrote a story that ended up in The Saturday Evening Post about my childhood memories of Christmas caroling. www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2025/03/divi... Leo and Margaret Porter were two of the kindest people I met as a child… Read the rest here: brandallen.substack.com/p/divinity

Divinity

A year ago I wrote a story that ended up in The Saturday Evening Post about my childhood memories of Christmas caroling.

brandallen.substack.com

Count me with the castoffs. New Substack post about the Nativity, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and outsiders. Happy holidays! brandallen.substack.com/p/count-me-w...

Count me with the Castoffs

Another view of the Nativity

brandallen.substack.com

Y’all, the writers in KC are the best. 🌟 Yesterday I taught another roomful at @kclibrary.bsky.social and they once again showed me why stories and the hard work of creating them matters. ✍🏻 Happiest of holidays as you all continue your projects! 🎄

Tonight at 6 pm! This Writers for Readers benefit with @candicemillard.bsky.social funds the free creative writing classes I help teach at the @kclibrary.bsky.social It’s always a good time. If you’re in the KC metro join us! kclibrary.org/donate/wfr

Fantastic time—as always—teaching writing at @kclibrary.bsky.social today! Forgive the panoramic angle; there were too many students to fit in!

A day trip to Hermann, MO for story research on a cloudless autumn day. 🍁 Bonus points for Oktoberfest! 🍺

An absolutely jam-packed writer’s room at my workshop today at @kclibrary.bsky.social . 🔥 The energy of other authors lights me up. 📚 Honored to take part in this year’s Heartland Book Fest and can’t wait for next year!

THE END 🖋️ Wrote those lines at the end of the latest draft of my novel yesterday in preparation for my final year at @umkc.bsky.social . Feels good, feels right. Even the weather cooled off to congratulate me. 😄 Bring it on, fall. 🍁

Once again, the authors at my @kclibrary.bsky.social writing class knocked me out with their talent and insight. Grateful to be teaching here. ❤️ Visit kclibrary.org/wfr for full class list.

Honored to appear in @pleiadesmag.bsky.social this spring. This story has alternately bewitched and disturbed me. I hope you enjoy. 🙏🏻

I received the Crystal Field Poetry Scholarship from The Writer’s Place of KC. Part of that honor was a reading at their venue last week. 🙏 Thx to Dr. Bar’s grad workshop for the assist to my poetry skills. 😁 📸: @maritza4770.bsky.social @alextretbar.bsky.social @mrscboogie.bsky.social

Last writing class of the semester at @kclibrary.bsky.social , and it was amazing! These writers inspired me with their stories. ✍🏻

Writing fun @kclibrary.bsky.social this afternoon! Love helping others tell their stories! 📖

If you’re in KC on 4/17, don’t miss! (Free) RSVP required at link in OP.

Kansas City Public Library@kclibrary.bsky.social · last yr.

Iowa-based short story writer, Jamel Brinkley, won the fourth annual Maya Angelou Book Award for Witness: Stories. As part of his statewide tour, Brinkley will discuss Witness: Stories and its diverse cast of characters next Thursday. 📍: Plaza Branch 📅: April 17 | 6 p.m. RSVP: tinyurl.com/yc45c7um