Shana Youngdahl

Picture of the novel A Catalog of Burnt Objects with a covered bridge and the ridge behind it.

Just back from a great CA visit where I got to see the newly rebuilt historic Honeyrun covered bridge. #honeyrun #paradise

So happy to be included in this article--I wrote A Catalog because my heart was broken after The Camp Fire, and I found my hope through writing--check out these other books about how to have hope in a world on fire.

Submissions OPEN for the Wisconsin Poetry Series @uwiscpress.bsky.social ! Daniel Borzutzky is this year's judge for the Wisconsin Translation Prize! Airea D. Matthews for the Brittingham and Pollak Prize. Finalists are also chosen for publication! wicw.submittable.com/submit

I grew up with a dad who was in camp Pepsi, it was a real coming of age moment when I cracked open that first Coke.

Wilkomen to the Weimar Republic: ‘Cabaret’ - Fascism on Film In this episode, we turn our attention to Cabaret (1972), Bob Fosse’s masterful film set in the final days of the Weimar Republic. At first glance, it’s a dazzling musical about performers in a Berlin...

#filmsky #cabaret #antifascism #cinemasky

Bob Fosse’s Cabaret isn’t just a musical set in Weimar Germany—it’s a warning.

In this episode, we examine how the film portrays fascism creeping in at the edges, while people drink, dance, and look the other way. Satire, spectacle, song—is it resistance?

I would have loved for you to be among these faces! One day!

Book publicity in the age of changing social media is hard! I didn't know where to find you! Next time--and in the meantime we are down in Saint Louis these days so if you ever come down river give a shout!

Be Someone Who Shows Up On Building The Life You Want

New newletter about the importance of showing up--if you spot a typo you win a prize
open.substack.com/pub/theirwil...

Huge congrats!

Check out this new podcast all about how Fascism has been depicted on film. You might find it timely.

here you go:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

subscription starts in late summer/early fall 2025, depending on life conditions.

what is Abundant Number? see here:

A graphic that says Shana Youngdahl is coming to Wild Rumpus Books! In conversation with Selina Li Bi there is an image of the book cover for A Catalog of Burnt Objects and the Shana Youngdahl, An image of Selina LI Bi and the cover of Sunlight Playing Over a Mountain. The bottom reads Thursday, June 26th, 6pm

Come see me in Minneapolis June 26th where I will be talking with the fantastic Selina Li Bi!

The Mortal Storm (Frank Borzage, 1940)

A science professor with a heavy heart looks on as his students, now members of the Nazi party, burn the knowledge he hoped to impart.

#filmsky #antifascism #cinemasky

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: A Catalog of Burnt Objects by Shana Youngdahl The resolution is poignant and heartbreaking in its realism around loss and grief but also an uplifting reminder of the value of family, both blood and found.

I'm thrilled to see A Catalog of Burnt Object featured on YALSA's The Hub as a quick pick for reluctant readers! www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2025/...

MAKE CULTURE WITH OTHER PEOPLE
where you are
very beautifully
over and over
at the lowest frequencies
out of ordinary things
right here

Photo of LGBTQ+ YA shelves in Wonderland Bookshop

Have Pride in your Shelf.

A photo of 11 readers including the author Shana Youngdah, several people are holding copies of the novel As Many Nows As I Can Get. There are bookshelves behind them.

I love visiting bookclubs! And what a joy to get to talk about As Many Nows As I Can Get, my debut novel, after several months of talking about my new book. If your book club is interested in reading one of my books please feel free to reach out and discuss a visit.

Read this to understand how the recent 5th circuit court decision fundamentally misunderstands the purpose of libraries when the court claims that libraries are government speech and thus can include or exclude whatever they wish. This decision overturns decades of well-established precedent.

This is, shockingly, the day after tomorrow! And then I will never post this particular post again. But until then I plan to continue to be the amateur second-string publicist you've come to love (?). Please be very welcome to the online launch of #patternbook, 28 May at 7pm UK time:

Handwritten quote on a white sheet with an illustrated face at the bottom and pink hearts around the text. The quote reads: "If you love a book, write a nice review. It gives the author encouragement for bad days when they want to take up scorpion petting." — Liana Brooks Illustration and lettering by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. A paintbrush lies across the page on a wooden surface.

If you love a book, write a nice review. It gives the author encouragement for bad days when they want to take up scorpion petting. - @lianabrooks.bsky.social

#WriterSky #BookSky #KidLit

‘Fairly horrific’: Local officials decry feds’ move to scrap $110 million in fire prevention grants As peak wildfire season arrives, Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino counties are scrambling to address the loss of key FEMA grants for fire prevention work already underway.

FEMA, bizarrely claiming to act under Kristi Noem's 'leadership,' just axed $870M in WILDFIRE PREVENTION funds from California, calling them 'wasteful' & 'more concerned with climate change.'

What's your plan @governor.ca.gov ?

Article: archive.ph/mxZgw

May I? Stand up for your right to read freely, CA event recap, Minneapolis event scheduled, end of the school year + double-giveaway at Casie's Substack!

New Newsletter: open.substack.com/pub/theirwil...

National Ambassadors for Young People's Literature Respond to the Removal of the Librarian of Congress buff.ly/WfKD1DD

We’ve partnered with Penguin Random House and the Anne Frank Fonds to award ten $1,000 grants to ELA educators teaching memoir, especially texts that uplift youth voices in times of conflict.

Learn more: ncte.org/blog/2025/05...

#AnneFrankAward #TeachingMemoir #NCTE #MemoirMatters

Sometimes, the world gives us beautiful examples of why copy editors are necessary.

Writing From Life: 6 Autobiographical YA Novels | Kirkus Reviews The following works succeed in translating the messiness of reality into compelling fiction.

So lovely to appear on this list for the setting/story inspiration in A Catalog of Burnt Objects. Thanks Kirkus!
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...

We've Staved Off State Library Closure Measures–For Now: Book Censorship News, May 9, 2025 Three states floating legislation this year that would shutter their state libraries. None passed–but we still must act to protect these institutions.

Three states attempted to close their State Libraries this legislation season and they've been staved off–so far.

That, plus this week's roundup of book censorship news. Note that the roundup does not cover all of this week due to travel and it's still very long: bookriot.com/state-librar...

oh and I just saw today Yoga with Kassandra has pilates videos like 10 or 20 min--I hope you find something that works for you!

As a former bookseller, I encourage people to also add their reviews to proper bookstore websites of your choice as well. I use @waterstones.bsky.social but I'm sure @barnesandnoble.com and independents would appreciate it more than ever

Also The Great Orme is indeed... great!

📚💙 #booksky

In many places you can't ride public transit without a phone--it's so unjust.