Cheryl Pappas

From the Bookshelf March 2026

The March installment of From the Bookshelf is now live! This month's writing prompt is inspired by Shirley Jackson's "Of Course."

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Plans for proposed ICE facility in Merrimack, N.H., won’t move forward, governor says - The Boston Globe The announcement comes after months of protest and pushback from Merrimack residents over the proposal.

The Trump administration has scrapped plans to convert a warehouse in Merrimack, N.H., into an immigration detention facility, according to Governor Kelly Ayotte.

OMG you are describing my life. I think it will take only two hours to grade and prep. Then it’s 6:30pm on a Saturday.

I felt that, too! The the sun felt so strong, I could imagine being on the beach.

A lifelike statue of a brown dog is positioned on top of a car in a parking lot.

Spotted this morning while walking the dog. What is the story here?

I remember you! I'm so happy to hear you loved the class. I miss teaching those workshops. Just love your story and will look out for more from you!

"On the road towards the ocean…"

Ooh, I love this choose-your-adventure fairy tale by @amadolaila.bsky.social!

Oh, I love this!

Why not both?

I love her expression. What a tough and knowing look!

Next time somebody tries to get me to justify the existence of the humanities, I’ll just point out how for the past two Super Bowls we’ve all jumped online and engaged in collective semiotics and hermeneutics of the half-time show as text.

From the Bookshelf February 2026

It's February! Here is this month's writing prompt, inspired by Nikolai Gogol (by way of George Saunders).

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A writing desk with a painting of a bird above it and sparkling white lights draped around a window frame.

My sanctuary.

Thank you, Matt!

This is incredible. Just incredibly moving,

A little sketch I made while students wrote to a prompt.

Thank you, Myna!

This makes me want to go to AWP *just* for this reading!

Thank you, Kathryn!

Thank you so much, Maureen!!!!

Thank you, Dan!

Thanks, Lori!

Thank you so much, Daniel!

Cole! Thank you.

Thanks, Jared!

Thank you, Ilana!!!

I know! 🍰

Yessss! Congrats on your book.

Thank you so much, Dana!

Thank you!!