Regenerating a Scattered Family — Washington Unbound Bsrat Mezghebe’s debut novel, I Hope You Find What You’re Looking For (Liveright/Norton, 2026), is an affecting portrait of three Eritrean women living in Alexandria, Va in 1991, as their country’s ...

This week on Washington Unbound, guest contributor Tom Navatril’s review of Bsrat Mezghebe’s debut novel “I Hope You Find What You’re Looking For.” Tom calls it “an affecting portrait of three Eritrean women living in Alexandria, Va in 1991.”

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Interview with Emily Mitchell, D.C. area short story writer, about 'The Church of Divine Electricity' — Washington Unbound In her highly inventive story collection, The Church of Divine Electricity, Emily Mitchell explores the unsteady, shifting ground we stand on in a rapidly changing world. With keen insight, sharp-eyed...

Fresh content today on Washington Unbound. Tamar Shapiro interviews Emily Mitchell, author of the new fiction collection "The Church of Divine Electricity."

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/e...

Foundation of a community — Washington Unbound At last, with his remarkable book No More Worlds to Conquer: The Black Poet in Washington, D.C., Brian Gilmore brings this rich history to life. D.C. native, attorney, and, above all, poet, Brian Gi...

Washington Unbound is very excited today to present our interview with D.C. poet and activist Brian Gilmore discussing his new book on the history of Black poetry in D.C.

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/f...

Theater review of 'Nothing Up My Sleeve … Simple Deceptions for Curious Humans' at Round House — Washington Unbound In 'Nothing Up My Sleeve … Simple Deceptions for Curious Humans,' master illusionist and actor Dendy delivers a wondrous, multifaceted solo performance perfectly calibrated to confound your mind, tick...

Bonus content today on Washington Unbound: Guest Contributor Tom Navratil reviews “Nothing Up My Sleeve,” at Round House Theatre, Bethesda, MD.

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Review of Lauren Francis-Sharma's novel 'Casualties of Truth' — Washington Unbound Lauren Francis-Sharma’s novel 'Casualties of Truth' begins and ends in the United States, but alternates between 2018 D.C. and 1996 South Africa, when Prudence was an idealistic young law school stud...

We have a new review today on Washington Unbound. Editor Norah Vawter calls “Casualties of Truth” a ”tense, gripping story of survival.” Check it out here.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Review of Lauren Francis-Sharma's novel 'Casualties of Truth' — Washington Unbound Lauren Francis-Sharma’s novel 'Casualties of Truth' begins and ends in the United States, but alternates between 2018 D.C. and 1996 South Africa, when Prudence was an idealistic young law school stud...

We have a new review today on Washington Unbound. Editor Norah Vawter calls “Casualties of Truth” a ”tense, gripping story of survival.” Check it out here.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

A reckoning of white allyship, authority, and accountability — Washington Unbound Set against the zeitgeist of the Black Lives Matter movement and Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Eric F. Goldstein’s Taught serve s as a raw account of an education system in crisis. The book follows ...

Exciting new content on Washington Unbound today. Editorial assistant Samantha Segal interviews D.C. educator and novelist Eric Goldstein about his teaching experience, his very successful educational nonprofit, and how he came to write the novel TAUGHT.
www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/g...

A Call to Arms Dear Subscribers and Friends of Washington Unbound,

Special edition of Washington Unbound's newsletter. We need your support now more than ever.
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“Where does tranquility exist?” — Washington Unbound True Blue , while o stensibly a journey through the pandemic, in fact ranges widely through interiors (both physical and mental), nature and cities, and memories in search of those consolations.

Fresh content today on Washington Unbound. We are especially happy to share our review of Susan Kay Scheid's stunning "True Blue."

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

In Memoriam — Washington Unbound Washington Unbound is honored to present eminent D.C. poet, writer, and literary historian Kim Robetts’ In Memoriam list of DMV authors who passed away in 2025.  “I started including “In Memoria...

Today, Washington Unbound is honored to present our memorial to DMV authors who passed in 2025. Profound thanks to Kim Roberts for compiling and sharing this list.

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Two Poems by Jenna Cippoloni | Mid-Atlantic Review

Two poems by Jenna Cippoloni are new today on The Mid-Atlantc Review.

midatlanticreview.com/2026/01/two-...

New today, Washington Unbound is particularly excited to present an interview with Charlotte Taylor Fryar, author of the remarkable book Potomac Fever.

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/the-nations-river

“What’s More American?” — Washington Unbound Tawny Chatmon’s art would be well worth seeing for its sheer beauty alone. But come closer and look deeper: These pieces contain multiple levels and tell important stories. It is because of this histo...

Today, Washington Unbound is especially pleased to present our review of an amazing art exhibition at The National Museum of Women in the Arts. This show is a must-see.

@norahvawter.bsky.social

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Step inside poetic art and emerge with new perspectives on humanity — Washington Unbound Enter through the door on the cover of Reasons for Étant Donnés by Sara Cahill Marron and you enter a world of mystery. Like the peepholes ofMarcel Duchamp’s last major artwork, Étant Donnés, ...

New content for a new year. Today, Washington Unbound presents Serena Agusto-Cox's excellent review of a new collection by Sara Marron.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

A review of DC area author Tamar Shapiro's novel, 'Restitution' — Washington Unbound Tamar Shapiro's 'Restitution' (Regal House, 2025) is a quiet but powerful novel about place, belonging, and family. Following a German-American family in the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall,....

New today at Washington Unbound, another fine review by @norahvawter.bsky.social: Tamar Shapiro's "Restitution."

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

An interview with D.C.’s newest worker-owned bookstore — Washington Unbound Even in difficult, regressive times, there are glimpses of hope that indicate a better world is possible. Bol Co-op , D.C.’s newest worker-owned bookstore, reminds us of just that—that community empo...

Today, Washington Unbound is especially proud to present a remarkable interview by our awesome editorial assistant Samantha Segal. Bol Co-op is DC’s newest worker-owned bookstore and we think you’ll find their story compelling. Nice work, Sam!

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/b...

Washington Unbound’s 2025 Winter Booklist — Washington Unbound It’s been a whirlwind year, and many of you are probably feeling a mixture of relief that it’s almost over and amazement that the end is so near. Here at Washington Unbound , we’re very grateful that...

Just in time for gift-giving or finding that perfect read for the dark days of winter, Washington Unbound presents our list of winter book recommendations. Thanks to all who contributed!

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

The chaos lurking beneath the “perfect” family holiday  — Washington Unbound Just in time for the holidays, Round House Theatre presents the U.S. premiere of Sam Holcroft’s Rules for Living , which runs through January 4 and features a dysfunctional family coming together a...

Washington Unbound is very excited today to present a weekend special: @norahvawter.bsky.social's brilliant review of a new holiday farce.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

I am looking at just a crow, only one, and wait for more. — Washington Unbound In "The Place That Is Coming to Us," long-time DMV poet J.D. Smith writes about such topics as human migration, birds, and nature in a collection of quiet yet powerful poems.

Fresh content today on Washington Unbound: @dctex.bsky.social reviews "The Place That Is Coming to Us" by J.D. Smith.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Kinship requires a leap of faith and a keen eye for beauty in darkness — Washington Unbound What Haunts Me by Bernadette Geyer is an intimate look at kinship and all the responsibilities and history it comes with. The narrator of these poems is looking at nature, their family, and events to...

Today, Washington Unbound is very happy to present a fine review of Bernadette Geyer's What Haunts Me, by the always brilliant Serena Agusto-Cox.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Interview with Alexis Greene, author of 'Shakespeare Theatre Company: The History of a Classical Theatre' — Washington Unbound Author, historian, and educator Alexis Greene discusses her new book, an illustrated history of the acclaimed Washington, D.C. Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Today at Washington Unbound, @norahvawter.bsky.social interviews Alexis Greene about her fabulous history of @shakespeareindc.bsky.social. Just in time for holiday gift giving too.

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/a...

Book review of D.C. area author Karen Outen's novel 'Dixon Descending' — Washington Unbound 'Dixon Descending,' D.C. area author Karen Outen's debut novel, explores the the journey of two brothers as they try to survive climbing Mt. Everest, along with the reality of being Black in America.

Today, Washington Unbound is very excited to present Naomi Thiers’ excellent review of Karen Outen’s novel Dixon Descending.

www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Wow, thanks for the very kind words! We appreciate your endorsement.

Review of D.C. area author Margaret Hutton's novel, 'If You Leave' — Washington Unbound Read our review of D.C. area author Margaret Hutton's debut novel, 'If You Leave.' This work of historical fiction focuses on an unlikely friendship between two women during World War II.

The literary criticism coming out of DC lately is spectacular (as is the publishing scene it focuses on). Add @washunbound.bsky.social to your regular reading list! Today, Katy Gathright on @margarethutton.bsky.social’s debut novel, If You Leave: www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Review of D.C. area author Margaret Hutton's novel, 'If You Leave' — Washington Unbound Read our review of D.C. area author Margaret Hutton's debut novel, 'If You Leave.' This work of historical fiction focuses on an unlikely friendship between two women during World War II.

Washington Unbound is happy to present a review of new fiction, If You Leave by Margaret Hutton.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

“Mountains bloom and tides change in our teacups” — Washington Unbound It is unlikely that you will find a more compelling collection of writers anytime soon. In addition to its great literary value, Sleeping in the Courtyard provides an eye-opening introduction to a c...

Today, Washington Unbound is especially excited to present an interview with Holly Morgan Mason Badra about her excellent new anthology of Kurdish Women Writers.

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/m...

Interview with D.C.-area fiction writer Kristen Zory King, author of 'Ladies, Ladies, Ladies' — Washington Unbound Washington Unbound interviews the author of 'Ladies, Ladies, Ladies.' Kristen Zory King is a Washington D.C.-based fiction writer, yoga instructor, creative consultant, and the founder of MoonLit, an ...

Today, Washington Unbound is very excited to present an interview with D.C. literary star Kris King about her dazzling new collection of stories.

www.washington-unbound.com/interviews/k...

Book review of Lauren D. Woods’ short story collection, The Great Grown-up Game of Make Believe — Washington Unbound The stories in Lauren D. Woods' debut collection, The Great Grown-up Game of Make Believe (Autumn House Press, October 2025), pendulum between the speculative and the real, embodying how many people l...

Today Washington Unbound is very happy to present our review of Lauren Woods' debut short story collection. @ladiwoods.bsky.social @norahvawter.bsky.social

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“Part of you wants to believe this poem was written by a human” — Washington Unbound Using a wide array of emotional tones and an equally varied set of forms and styles, Knapp engages directly with many of the issues affecting our nation and our planet as a whole. By turns humorous, s...

Today, Washington Unbound presents a review of Dorian Elizabeth Knapp's amazing book Causa Sui by @dctex.bsky.social.
www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Gregory Luce, WU's poetry editor, reads on 11/2.
tinyurl.com/4tmvmyu9