Wait- what is Open Book??? Are you a creative? Are you a human seeking a space where you can be yourself, as either a performer or a listener? Are you a NY'yer or planning a visit soon? If yes to any of the above, welcome! I’m so happy you are here!

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- 8/20 is our next event! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. It is simply my favorite place to be.

We wanted to offer our writers a place to share their work on a platform they can use to showcase it to others and add to their portfolios. With the help of many hands and spaces, the Open Book podcast was born. Every two weeks, you will hear myself or a member of the OB community host a fellow writer (who has read on our stage before) perform their work and proceed to talk about life and art for the remainder of the episode. If you have performed at Open Book and are interested in being on the podcast, please reach out!

Julia has been attending Open Book since our early days, and we are delighted that so many ears and hearts get to experience (or return to) her writing and experiences via today’s episode!

Julia Sloan is a writer, editor, and foodie who lives in Brooklyn, NY. Her writing focuses on capturing whimsy in the mundane, friendships, and her self-love and grief journey. She's the contributing editor for the Lyrically Lit Journal (submissions are open! )and an in-person events volunteer for the Young Publishers Association. In her career, she's worked as a Recipe Editor and curated nine seasonal cookbooks and was a Publishing Assistant where she oversaw the editorial, production, and distribution for eight nonfiction titles. Julia currently works in the cannabis industry. You can find her hanging with friends and checking out new open mics around the city or in her local bookstore admiring hardcover books with stamped spines.

Below are some of the Open Mics, in addition to Open Book, that Julia and many of our friends support in the city- check them out!

• Sloth

• The Rose Garden

• Sakura Series

Julia is not only an inspiring writer but also a great friend. Together with our WUTI friends (and more), we are always exploring the city, laughing, cooking up something new to eat or ponder, touring fire stations, journaling in the park, and so, so much more. Julia cares for all our cats and remembers to check in on you on both your hard and soft days. Everyone needs a Julia! I have so much more to say, but I decided it would be fun to display it in the gallery below!

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right…

• A night at Duffs post Open Book, iykyk

• Some of the Open Book team- regulars and supporters! Rechelle, Henry, myself, and Jason!

• Writers’ night out supporting our friend and stellar photographer Andrew Bisdale play a Surf Rock show! If you want to catch the next show, check it out here!

• Open Book 3-year Anniversary (Prom edition!) featuring Patty, Julia, and me!

• Julia’s poetry in the Open Book zine

• Julia sharing her show-and-tell item at Jaime’s Show and Tell event. Stay tuned for upcoming details on this event’s re-emergence back in the scene. You won’t want to miss!

• A day at the Annual Poetry Festival- you were probably there!

• Becka, Julia, and Tyler at an Open Book they co-hosted (June 2024?!)

We’re also excited to announce that at next week’s Open Book you can receive a customer artist portrait, much like the one pictured below, drawn by the very talented Rechelle! If you’d like a custom portrait, donate 10$ to Rechelle’s fundraiser and shoot her a DM!

Welp, before I start sobbing because I love this city and my friends and my friends in the city, I just wanted to say how proud I am of Julia and our entire vibrant community. To share our stories, especially the ones that tell us what we know we need to hear, or the ones that talk about the everyday grief and joys, and that they can both sit in the same room at the same time.

If you have a story, we want to hear it!

Happy reading/writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

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Welcome back to the Open Book podcast!

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- 8/20 is our next event! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. It is simply my favorite place to be.

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The day has finally come… RUH! is our featured guest. There may be no one more excited to be a part of this ever-evolving project than him, and I couldn’t be more humbled. See below where we both showcase our enthusiasm for all things LIFE, ART, AND FRIENDSHIP!

In his words, meet Ruh, “I am a post-production technician in film, as well as an actor, director, and writer. Plays I've written and directed include: Too Punk to Care, A Snowball Tragedy, and Lecoq on Acid, which have been performed in Minneapolis and New York City. My short story, "Pop," has been published in Superlative Literary Journal, which is available online. I currently live in New York with my overwatered plants, manga collection, and some unopened mail.

I have known Ruh almost as long as I have known the other amazing writers from WUTI (check it out!), and I will never forget during one of the very first Open Book events (at Fiction Cafe and Bar), Ruh read his poetry, and it made me cry. True, it doesn’t take much for me to shed a tear or two, but I remember being so moved at the time by the images and emotions his words evoked. A little reminder of why art and words are so important to our human experience and how we move through it all.

In this episode, Glenn is back for the THIRD TIME as our host for this OB POD episode! Very fitting because not only are Glenn and Ruh friends, but they are constantly talking, writing, and helping each other with their craft. Ruh is, in fact, right now, editing Glenn’s novel! Can you say my favorite word….COMMUNITY?!

A little about Glenn in his words: “Glenn Dungan is a writer and 3D artist based in Brooklyn, NYC. He exists within a Venn-diagram of urban design, sociology, and good stories. He's down to hang*. Follow him on Substack and Instagram!”

This episode is a treat for any writer struggling to find process amidst a schedule managing many mediums, any writer learning to show place so vividly as a character in their next short story, any writer with countless unanswered questions, and so much more!

Want more Ruh?!

You can watch Ruh’s performance as Banquo in Frayed Knot’s Macbeth this August 2026. Tickets are here: https://www.frayedknotcollective.com/macbeth

Want more Ruh AND Glenn?!

Connect with us here online, on a Tuesday at The Keep, or a Third Thursday at Crystal Lake! We look forward to hangin’ and hope you enjoyed this episode.

Have comments? Drop below!

Leave a comment

As always and with warmth…

Happy reading/writing,

Love-B.Dots/Open Book

Happy Open Book Day!!!! I am so excited to share that today’s latest episode (wow, this is our 37TH EPISODE) features John Pothier!

John is a software engineer who occasionally has a few beers and writes about being a sad old man by the sea. He also reads cute stories at Open Book. John is a very close friend of mine, and if you have been coming to OB for a while now, you know he is also essential to the success, growth, and heart of Open Book. I talk more about our work together in this post, but first, if you are new here…

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- 7/16 (tonight) is our next event! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. It is simply my favorite place to be.

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In this episode, John reads an excerpt from his wip small-town mystery novel set in his hometown of Mystic, CT. His story feels both familiar and unknown at the same time. Over the course of our adult lives, we both have lived in some of the same places (some at different times), and we are both people who chase the special type of storytelling that brings you back home. Every time John reads a short story of his, I look around the room, and it is obvious that people were transported to a place, a person, or a memory that felt like that for them. We were discussing how, after this long of shared OB and WUTI history, when prompted to look back at our writing, we are also looking back at some big moments, shared with people and creatives that we continue to be endlessly inspired by. Keep listening to the episode for more of his story and his thoughts on process, life in NY, community, call for new ideas, and more!

See below for a big moment: John was hosting OB years ago, and his sweet Mom traveled from CT to attend. She even stayed for our semi-regular after-party at Duffs. IYKYK. Moms are so cool!

You may know John as the Open Book ‘app guy’, so we’re very excited to plug his latest project! Meet Scribbo!!!!

Scribbo is the app for personal writing. It’s simple and elegant, and it goes everywhere you go with end-to-end encrypted sync that keeps your writing away from AI’s prying eyes.

see below snapshot- GREAT FOR NOVELS!

It’s on the web at https://scribbo.app, and you can just add it to your dock/home screen to make it a real app. Send feedback for things you like and don’t! (We loveeee feedback!)

Leave a comment

To be a writer, you just have to write something.

Please download Scribbo, come to OB, and then find John and I and tell us all about you, what inspires you, and what you think of all the things.

I’ll end with a gratitude note to John- OB wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for all that you do!

Happy reading/writing,

Love- B.Dots/Open Book

Let’s begin with a quote from one of Julia’s favorite authors, the amazing Alice Walker:

This is exactly what it feels like to create and share at Open Book. You can simply show up, or you can write some of your own words, and you can share those words, or not! All of it is welcome :)

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- 7/16 is our next event! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. It is simply my favorite place to be.

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Who is Julia? You may have first met her here, or at Open Book, or The Keep, or at another amazing creative event in the city! She will also be performing at The Palace Reading Series in Greenpoint on 7/28!

Julia Daye is an award-winning writer and journalist. Her articles and essays have been published in Popular Science, the Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer, The Sacramento Bee, the HuffPost, The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Taos News, and many others.

A lifelong poet, Julia is the author of The Edge of Waking (A Freedom Books, 2017). She has been featured by Philadelphia Contemporary, SOMOS, the Taos Arts Council, Poets for Peace, and the PASEO Project. Her poetry has appeared in numerous publications and journals, including HOWL, Logos, Moxie, and The Paris Lit Up Gazette.

Julia is an alumna of the New York State Writers’ Institute and Columbia Journalism School’s M.A. program in health and science journalism.

Matt hosting this episode just made sense. There is something about two journalists complimenting each other's reading voices that is such a wholesome moment in the world of making a life as a freelancer while still striving to create for yourself and your community.

Whether you are a writer or not, there are so many takeaways from both Julia’s poetry and her exchange with Matt. She has spent her whole life as a creative, and the beautiful trajectory from singer to writer to radio host, etc., is an art in its own right. Our journeys are art! Our museums are ever evolving!

I think the most important thing we are taught in this episode is to think about how time and space are used as tools to both create and consume any medium of our choice. The allowance to breathe and digest is something that isn’t always taken care of, but when done right and with care, especially in poetry, the evidence speaks loudly and with such beautiful presence.

Personally, I enjoyed her thoughts on the everyday pace and way of life in her home state of New Mexico in comparison to her current home of choice, NYC. Where you think you are going to find the slow or the fast isn’t always expected and can change due to our environment, our varying skylines and viewpoints.

If you want to connect more with Julia and her words, I hope you check out her substack and her new essay series called “What Are These Things” forthcoming in July :)

What Are These Things

Coming soon

This is What Are These Things…

Read more

2 years ago · Julia Daye

I’ll end by saying NYC has a way of bringing creatives together, and even if some time has passed, they always find their way back to each other and our beloved spaces if it’s meant to be. Open Book has room for the ‘Nice to Meet Yous’ and the “It’s so good to see you agains”. We hope to see you there!

Happy reading/writing,

Love- B.Dots/Open Book

Tonight is Open Book! (details on the flyer below)

This month we are excited to welcome returning host and feature author , who is featured on our 35th episode of the Open Book podcast!

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- 6/18 (tonight) is our next event! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. It is simply my favorite place to be.

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I first met Karis when she attended an Open Book a few months back. She bravely came after her beloved writing community sent her a list of open mics in NYC and encouraged her to put herself out there. We are so glad she decided to join us! Now, in her words-

Karis Rogerson (she/her) is a writer, reader, and podcast host living in Brooklyn (Lenni Lenape). She has an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from VCFA and is represented by Eric Smith at Neighborhood Literary. NAT & CAMI’S GUIDE TO RUNNING AN UNDERCOVER GSA is her debut novel. Karis is a co-host of The Write Way of Life and host of Publishers Brunch (with Karis) podcasts. Find more at www.karisrogerson.com.

This episode is special because we are excited to feature a new member of our community as well as introduce a new podcast host- Charlotte Leinbach (you can listen to her writing here). The way our OB community continues to grow is one of my favorite things, and I love that I get to see/hear from you all beyond the Third Thursday of every month. For example, 9/10 times that I walk into Fiction Cafe I run into Karis. That is where we gab with our fave locals, baristas, and, of course, talk books!

Speaking of books- on 6/23 (next week!) Karis will be celebrating the launch of her new debut novel, NAT & CAMI’S GUIDE TO RUNNING AN UNDERCOVER GSA! See below for info on where you can preorder her book and an event where you can celebrate!

Paperback Preorder

Hardcover Preorder

Pride Panel 6/23 at Books of Wonder 6 p.m.

As you can tell after listening and reading this far, Karis is clearly a very accomplished creative. I love that, during this episode, she treats us to an earlier version of her creative self, shares how she has grown since then, and allows us to celebrate her queerness. Nat, Cami, and Karis serve as a queer guidepost, and we are reminded that queerness has always existed.

In this episode, you hear some of Karis’ poetry, but she currently writes mainly romantic fantasy. Charlotte makes a comment that could speak to any genre: “The most interesting characters in books are the imperfect ones.” Such a true statement that we writers can relate to the characters we make up and the ones we meet in real life.

I encourage you all to connect with Karis, Charlotte, and their writing, and if you are NYC-based, come to Open Book tonight! Thank you for being part of our ever-growing creative community.

Happy reading/writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

In episode 34 of the Open Book podcast, we explore some deep inquiries and topics. So sit yourself down- and get ready to devour a story while playing an episode of SATC, eating a bowl of Tjoes vegetarian chili, or whatever makes you feel most comfy…

BUT FIRST!

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- 6/18 is our next event! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. It is simply my favorite place to be.

Now, back to our reader this week, , a Queens-based dreamer cosplaying as a writer most evenings. She writes personal essays about life, love, and trying to understand the world through them. When she’s not writing, you can find her watching B movies with her cat Mia Wallace, identifying birds through song (shout out Merlin App) or FaceTime-ing with her sister and sharing, with painstaking detail, what she had for lunch.

I asked Patty what has recently inspired her, and she responded with the below:

My current read! I started reading The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry and the Cosmic Dream Boogie by Chandra Prescod-Weinstein. It’s a book that interrogates what we know about space and physics through a Black, feminist and queer lens. Part of what I find so inspiring about it is the author’s romanticization of our universe and metaphors and how we use them in equal parts: to explain science and physics and to express ourselves creatively. I like when work challenges the way I understand things; in this case the author warns us that we need to get comfortable with not having simple answers, something I’m absolutely terrible at!

Patty’s love for the movies and media as a whole that evokes the romanticist in her or the forever NY’er in love with her city (after watching the Knicks last night with her entire city, she is also now a sports fan) is one of my favorite things about being friends with her. I always walk away from a hang or a phone call with Patty with both a new recommendation and a reflection on something I’ve been sitting with and needed a good friend’s perspective on. I also see her inspirations come through in her writing, and I think that is really just what it is all about.

Both Matt Jancer and I interviewed Patty for this episode, and while a lil silly and chaotic, it was so easy! Good, fun art should flow like that!

Patty first read this piece, Allegedly, at SLOTH (queer storytelling mic in the city) and I loved it just as much then. As Patty mentioned on the episode, confronting your fears and speaking on stage can be scary! We are so thankful that Open Book has been an aide to her journey creating and performing with our community.

Speaking of SLOTH…we (Open Book), as well as Wet Spot are coming together on 6/7 for a night of moon magic! You can learn more here! I am excited to announce that Patty is one of our featured performers!

In conclusion, if you’re unsure how to confront your fears, just WRITE ABOUT IT! Or just get a cat that you can’t get enough of, and you have the main character of your next story.

Happy reading/writing,

Love- B.Dots/Open Book

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WOW WOW WOW OPEN BOOK IS TONIGHT!!!

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- TODAY 5/21! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. It is simply my favorite place to be.

I couldn’t be happier with how we are reemerging as a moment on all our social spaces of the world wide web. Happy? Yes, happy. Today is the day of the May 2026 Open Book event, the NYC early summer heatwave has quieted a bit, and last but not least, we are bringing back our podcast with a special friend of mine, whom I met in various circles, but the most important one being WUTI! Join us!

That friend is Marci Wolfish. Marci Wolfish is a UX designer by trade, but also a multi-media artist, community creative, curling athlete, dog lover, avid reader, and so much more. She will gladly tell you all about those things and more if you ask! Funny thing, I asked, and here we are, friends that meet for gossip chats at The West, walks to the park, or Tuesday nights at the Keep. In the same way that I am thankful for Marci’s friendship and the new friends she has brought to our community, she expresses the same gratitude towards Open Book. It is the coolest thing to hear someone say that Open Book has inspired them to write again, and exactly why we keep coming together month after month for 4+ years.

In today’s episode, you will hear Marci’s NY tale of chickens and life in NYC titled, “A Normal Enough Question”. Stay tuned for us conversing on all of that and more, complete with endless shoutouts to our friends and the OB family. One of my favorite shoutouts is to (OB podcast producer and friend) and how he and Marci recall when she shared his unique sci-fi stories with her Dad. He hasn’t stopped reading his stories since. Love that!

I can’t talk about Marci without mentioning Recess Grove ! You will hear us talk about it on the episode, but as simply, yet profoundly described by Marci, it is an ‘art haven’. Third spaces are trending, but similar to what we have created at Open Book, I believe it can be hard to find the third spaces that actually last. Spaces that create and hold joy in so many forms. One of my favorite things about Recess Grove is how unapologetically loud they are about who and what they care about. Every time you walk in, you are greeted by an artist. You can always count on walking out feeling inspired! It is such an important place in our neighborhood, and I encourage you to take a class, pop by on a Friday eve to contribute to their weekly mural, or get a drink and doodle at the art bar while winding down from a long day.

There is so much to say about community and creating together that I can say and trust that I will never stop talking about those things, but what if, crazy thought, we continue this conversation tonight in person at Open Book?! Event details below.

Open Book 5/21 @ Crystal Lake 647 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

4-7 pm HH

7-7:45 pm Signup

8 pm- late readings

Wherever we connect, and I hope you do, I am so happy you are here.

Happy reading/writing,

-Becka Dots/Open Book

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Today’s episode is a fun one. Back when it was warmer out, and the sun stayed awhile; , Matt Giudice and I recorded Episode 32 of the official Open Book Podcast! NOW it is finally ready for the big time! The apps! Going Live! All for you and your ears to listen and giggle along to.

More about Matt in a bit -but first, let me tell you about who we are!

We are Open Book!

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- next event 3/19! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. It is simply my favorite place to be.

Ok- it’s been a bit! We’re back! More about Matt!

Matthew Giudice is a freelance copywriter in Brooklyn. His work can be found in Balloons Literature, Open Book, and The Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans. His flash fiction piece 'Fine' was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize. Currently, he's overthinking his first novel, You'll Be Like This Forever.

In this episode, Matt gives it to us straight. Writer to writer, artist to artist, human to human. The facts are that it is not hard to start writing, but rather, harder to give up, to not write. You’ll find out in the episode that Open Book met Matt at one of our earliest events- event one or two! Since then, we have shared countless words and made so many equally silly and sentimental memories over the years. Matt is one of those people who, since coming into my life, has genuinely improved it. It is not hard to feel inspired hanging out with the WUTI + friends crew (join us!), but I also feel like I have been reminded that our hobbies, our joys, and our social lives can share the same space. So cool, right?!

If you are curious what hanging out with us is really like, this episode sure is a fun preview! Or y’know, just find us at Duffs.

Matt has a zillion friends, and I’m not exaggerating. Speaking of friendship, I selfishly asked Matt to describe a fave memory of our friendship together. Clipboard x Dots (iykyk).

MG: “Oh boy oh boy, favorite memory with Dots has to be gifting her and her team the first-place prize at my Great American Challenge party! I also really enjoyed NYE, where we both talked about how much we value friendship and doing right by our friends (while finding moments to prioritize our own needs as well)

BD: “ [crying]

Every year for Matt’s birthday, he makes it a true knock out of an event. He brings a fresh, fun idea that you won’t want to miss. We are similar in that way, haha. Most recently, he starred in a band with his friends, providing us with an unforgettable show. The band is back at it, practicing! Can’t wait for more badassery on stage.

Before we wrap up, we have to mention a fun little thing called DEEP DIVE NY!!

BD: [ SCREAMING!]

Matt is not only an accomplished writer, my friend, but also the Founder of DeepDiveNY, an NYC nightlife brand that covers great bars, cheap drinks, and good vibes. Find your next favorite spot at DeepDiveNY.com.

Thanks for hanging with us!

Happy reading/writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

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I am writing this from inside my apartment, underneath a blanket, and to the sound of sleet hitting my little window and the sidewalk outside my door. A soundtrack of winter. The sound of traffic is a bit more muddled than normal. The cars and buses glide atop the puddles; previously seen formed as the ice and trash mountains that have been crowding our streets since January. This winter has felt long, brutal, and a reflection of our times (cold and depressing). We have yet another blizzard coming our way. The first big snowstorm we had felt appropriate, it being around the holidays- a cozy, scenic addition to those who needed to stay in and catch up on rest. Although I think we’re all over it and eager for Spring to arrive.

Heard on a downtown Q train this am:

“What kind of God created winter? Four miserable months of cold!”

An authentic exclamation to the undefined powers above. I could detect an East Coast accent that wasn’t quite NY or NJ, but more NH or Maine. I am from the Westcoast but his accent still felt comforting to me. His accent informed me that he has seen a lot of places and must hold a lot of stories. This announcement of his, a frustration to the world, a scream we all nodded in agreement to, came after he had gotten up from the seat next to me. I had just asked him how he was doing. He had reacted to my question quickly, looking at his cart and answering, “Obviously, not well.”

Before I could respond, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how, he then mumbled to me vs his cart, “but thank you for asking.”

Extreme anything forces us to reflect more than we do when the elements don’t drastically interrupt our routine. I am selfishly happy for some much-needed time with my space to rest and cuddle my cat. I realize this is a luxury. I am grateful I have a job and that I am able to do that job from home. I will be thinking of anyone who has to commute or provide services throughout the storm.

Extreme anything forces us to reflect and be reminded that there is so much need to be taken care of and so much thanks to be distributed.

Sending warm, safe thoughts to all. Ty to our badass NYC Mayor for doing all that he can to take care of our city. If you see someone who may be in the cold with no place to go, please contact 911 to get them to a warming center.

Blizzard or not, I encourage you to ask a stranger how they are doing. Sometimes, we humans just need to know someone else is thinking of them.

Happy reading/writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

Welcome back to the official Open Book podcast! I hope whatever words you have interacted with lately, via your eyes or your pen, have been treating you well. Here at Open Book, we are always happy to share space with other creatives. It’s actually what we’re all about!

New here?

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- next event 2/19! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC.

Joining us for Episode 31 is our international friend and delightful vagabond Nick Waszkowycz!

Nick is from Manchester UK, he is a writer of comic fiction.

He has been a digital nomad for several years, and is currently completing an MA in Creative Writing at UEA. He has been coming to spend a few months in NYC each year since 2022, which is when he first became involved with WUTI and Open Book.

Today he’ll be reading a short story “The Incredible Mr. Nightlight” that he wrote while living in NYC for Open Book in April 2024.

This episode, Matt Jancer, (if you have been listening for a while now, you know who I am talking about) is hosting. Personally, I enjoy getting the opportunity to experience a story I heard first on the stage, now be presented to me in a new format. In this case, it has been two years since we originally heard Nick read this piece at OB, and listening to it again today reminds me how much I still love it. We usually record a lot of episodes over a short amount of time, so it is always fun to re-experience the words of our friends when our lil OB POD crew, , Matt, and I get to working on the episode months later.

In conversation, Matt speaks about how superheroes first became popular during The Great Depression and other periods of history where people were experiencing extreme turmoil- sound familiar?! Readers search for an escape, and in his short five-minute story, Nick gives us ‘Mr. Nightlight’. It sure lights things up and just makes you feel good. If I were asked what superpower I’d like to possess, it would most likely be one that would involve super -energy powers or, much like Nick, the ability to teleport (without the cost, time, and high-traffic carbon footprints). Or, be like Cher and Turn Back Time.

I feel honored that since Nick has become acquainted with Open Book, visiting when in town, he has begun writing short stories for the first time. Not just a break from longer form, but a chance to challenge himself to fit within the OB 5-minute time limit.

Has Open Book challenged you to pursue a different writing style or creative direction? If so, please share! Drop a comment below or tell us in person at our next event!

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Now to share some fun photos of our fab OB/WUTI Community! Be like Nick, our British nomad, and go to a new city, find a local writing group, and that’s it! Life changed!

Before we wrap up, I recently asked Nick the Q: What has inspired you recently?

NW: A new module I've started taking for my master’s, which is all about collaborating as a way to stimulate creativity. In class each week, we work together to devise a short theatre piece, and I've loved experimenting with new forms of storytelling and performance.

Collaboration, creativity, community- love, love love!

See you next week?!

Happy reading/writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

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First off, thank you for showing up today. Not just to this podcast, but to anywhere in your life that felt hard and soft and any of the stops in between. I feel like it is hard to post anything, anywhere without acknowledging ‘the state of things’. We have long ago surpassed ‘precedent’ and are full on simply surviving in the constant chaos of our current climate. Not to spend to much time on this, but I do want my gratitude to be known. Open Book wouldn’t be Open Book without our community, newcomers, neighbors that continue to show up.

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake- next event 2/19! For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC.

Episode 30, features my dear friend Johanna Silver. She is one of those fast friends that once we connect I wonder how have we not always been friends but I’m confident that forever is in our future. In more simpler terms, she is a real one.

Johanna Silver lives and works in NYC and is originally from Santa Fe, NM. As a writer/journalist, she has written about a range of topics from fashion to local news to national politics, and currently works as a Digital Producer for the ACLU. A lover of everything nonfiction, she hopes to one day pen the same kinds of memoirs and personal essays that have inspired her over the years. She also writes about purpose-driven enterprises around New York on her website magnanimousnyc.com !!

In this episode, she shares her piece, 'meditation on death and gardening’ and I think you will find in both her piece and in conversation that so much more than florals are unearthed. She mentions she read this at one of the first Open Book events- over four years ago! I will always remember this piece from when she first performed it but listening to it again I found it so neccessary in new ways. I also learned what a turban squash is, you will too!

Johanna reminds us through this piece that we can reunite with our loved ones by way of our new commuinty spaces if we begin to engage (show up!) Grief can come in so, so many forms.

Johanna reminds us through our conversation that if you aren’t finding the art you want, create it! As well as, the most important reminder that practicng and sharing our art is a tool in times of resistance. I needed to hear that today.

I first met Johanna at the bathroom inside Williamsburg’s Rocka Rolla (we’ve all been…if you haven’t call me and we’ll go). You can hear the full story when you tune into this episode, it is one of my fave friendship origin stories I’ve ever experienced. Soon after, when she shared with me that she was a writer so I invited her to WUTI! Click the link for more info on how you can join the best weekly writing group in NYC and become friends like Johanna and I <3

Huge thank you to Johanna for sharing this piece and her time with us. I could write more but all I want is to express gratitude to her for consistely showing up as my friend. Just last week when I texted her saying I was struggling with something we scheduled a phone date where she allowed me to process it with her. It is so lovely always watching her connect and form such meaningful and fun friendships with some of my closest friends- Maddie who I have known since HS (and who creates ) and so many others. Whether we’re gabbing about grief, admiring a garden, or slinging margs and G&T’s with all our people I’m just glad to be surrounded by people that are COOL and CARE about the world. Now go read/listen/connect! Why we’re here- new art! New episode!

Lastly- in regards to the world, if you also find yourself feeling sad, angry, eager to act- please take time to read fellow Open Book writer Patty’s latest post. A beautiful, real American story full of heart, realities, fears, as well as memorials and resources to act within whatever capacity you are sitting in. Read it here.

Happy reading/writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

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I am happy to be writing after a bit of time away from the ole ‘stack. This holiday season has left me feeling a bit lethargic and far from feeling ‘fresh and new’. Although I will say that what has kept me feeling like I can still do the thing each new day is due to this amazing literary community that has built and sustained this amazing thing I call ‘Open Book’.

What is Open Book?

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake. For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC.

Ok, back to business. I am excited to announce our 29th episode ft. Ryland Swartz, hosted by Jon Rose (co-host of WUTI!) I first met Ryland during COVID, when WUTI, a weekly writing group, transitioned to Zoom like the rest of the world had been forced to do at the time.

Ryland was clearly a regular, a staple, the most curious of Georges, asking many both silly and big, questions about anything and everything you could imagine. He also writes! My favorite thing about my friend Ryland is his sense of wonder. It is how he chases the joy of not knowing, learning how things work, staring and searching the sky on long walks, entering a friendly debate with his best friend Dan or anyone at The Keep on a Tuesday night, or how he looks forward to staying up for hours to work on his art, accompanied by cookies and whiskey.

Now, in his own words, meet Ryland:

Ryland is a film fan and filmmaker but, above all, he loves stories, in whatever form they come. A California Native, he fled the state after 7 long years in the punishing Los Angeles sunshine and has been happily living in Brooklyn for the better part of a decade. Frequently working on both screenplays and short stories, it's been a delight to have Open Book as an outlet for the latter.

In today’s episode, he will be reading his piece titled ‘Autocorrect’. An introspection on what could happen when our phones take it too far, AI wins, the apocalypse is real (and anything else that starts with the letter ‘A’ that could relate to his piece?!) Ok, I’m done- this alteration is feeling a bit forced and scattered, haha.

I think everyone will find a lot to relate to in this piece and hopefully enjoy the live audio, straight from the OB stage, featuring the audience and an array of other sounds that shared the room while he read.

It is quite fitting that this episode is being released at the beginning of award season because I am sure Ryland has a lot to say about it all. If you know Ryland, you know he has watched more movies than anyone ever. To echo the sentiment in his bio, it isn’t just the medium of cinema but the stories that they tell that he loves. What he likes most is to feel the humanity of the people involved in creating it. Take that, AI. Jon does an excellent job diving into his cinema knowledge, but I asked a few of my own…

B.Dots: Fave movie to watch when sad? When happy?

RS: Probably Inside Llewyn Davis for sad because it feels like a cozy version of sad to me. And maybe Tommy Boy for happy. Love that Tommy Boy.

B.Dots: Next movie you plan to watch?

RS: I’m pretty excited to check out The Chronology of Water soon.

B.Dots: Ahh, I just read my first book by Lidia Yuknavitch, ‘Reading the Waves’. It wrecked me in the best ways. Lidia also authored ‘The Chronology of Water’, but I have yet to read it.

What creative projects ya workin on?

RS: I actually just finished editing a short film and am in post on another one! Both are kinda spooky scary, and the one that’s finished stars Glenn and Ruh. It’s called The Sleepy Man, and I’m gonna try to show it at Be There Film Festival on Sunday 1/18 presented by (if you have the means, please support the amazing art and community programming they do at The Windjammer).

I’ll leave you with this photo I love, shot by our guest Ry.

I hope this episode inspired you to create, share, and ask the big questions! Funny, I know just the place, TONIGHT you can share your original work at Open Book! Details on the flyer below- hope to see you there:)

Happy Reading/Writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

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Welcome back to the Open Book podcast! I am so proud to announce that we have now arrived at our 28th episode, and we will soon exceed 30+ episodes into the New Year!

For our LAST episode of the year, #28!, we welcome our friend Bjarni. As you listen to the episode, you will learn about how we first got to know him, but in short, we first met him at our beloved weekly writing group, WUTI. More specifically, the host of this week’s episode, , was one of his very first friends from that evening. Their friendship is so, so cute, but also so, so important to our extended WUTI/OB fam.

A little bit about Bjarni- Bjarni Erlendsson is a fiction writer who grew up mainly in the many worlds of fantasy and science fiction. Nowadays, he loves writing imaginative stories with a touch of surrealism, violence, and humor. He is currently working on a longer fantasy piece set in a fictional version of his home country, Iceland. After graduating from the City College of New York, Bjarni moved back to Reykjavik, Iceland, with his wife, Kris (a talented, insanely talented, and cool musician!), where they adopted the now 10-month-old dog Skrámur.

Yes, you read that right, 10- month-old dog. See below. It’s important!

Now, back to writing! If you haven’t heard Bjarni read one of his stories aloud on the Open Book stage, I’m glad you get the opportunity to do so now. As you get to know him, you will learn how accomplished he is in his writing studies and how, like most of us writers, he tries to write daily when in a good flow. His work pushes the boundaries of what we think we know- and as I said in the subtitle- this isn’t the average NYC Rat story. It is about family, trauma, and the many ways it can look and be disguised in our everyday interactions, some dressed in a bit of shock and awe. An excerpt from ‘The Rat’ below:

Stewart was broken out of his memory by a faint scratching sound coming from the dashboard of his car. It stopped a second later. He shook his head and bent over the steering wheel, squinting into the distance to see if he could spot the next grain elevator. The next one would be the biggest one, almost twice as big as the rest of them. It served as a landmark, telling him he was getting closer to home.

Glenn and Bjarni discuss how his travels (Europe & Kansas, haha) have played a role in his work. College, bars, and the settings that become their own rightful players in your production- can all help you find your footing upon arriving in NYC. I think it is clear that the settings we frequent begin to serve us more as just a backdrop in our stories. They are home to the community you can count on accessing when family feels far, and the rats of NYC feel just a little too close.

Bjarni is not the only writer in our community who hails from Iceland; Izak, shared time in NYC during some of the same seasons as Bjarni. Since both have returned to Iceland, our group has been gifted with some stunning snapshots and prompts that have been shared. I really like this one-

Stay tuned for Bjarni’s finished project of his retelling of Icelandic folktales. Maybe he’ll borrow this prompt from Izak, and we will discover what is living in the mist…

There is so much art and magic being created all over the world, and it is such an honor to be able to revel in it via the many various stages of Open Book!

What impactful art have you seen or experienced and where did you experience it? Tell us in the comments or write about it and share at Open Book!

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Before we sign off, a little bit of who we are and a friendly reminder we’ll be back at Crystal Lake in ONE WEEK!!!

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake. For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC.

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Happy reading/writing!

-B.Dots/Open Book

We’re back with our 27th episode and are excited to feature poetry by (friends call him Franz)!

F.X. Dromglitring is a poet and fiction writer from New York City who grew up on the public library and public television (thanks in part to viewers like you). F.X. is one of the city’s many “park poets” and can often be found outside writing poems on demand for interested patrons or just associating with the other street artists and buskers both above and below the ground. Is additionally writing a fantasy novel (while not escaping life with too many hobbies), sporadically but earnestly.

F.X. reads an assortment of several short and some slightly longer poems, mostly from prompts on the street or WUTI sessions (click the link to find out more info on how to write and hang with us every Tuesday!!)

In preparation for this episode, I texted the OB podcast core crew to reflect a bit. We are so lucky to reap the benefits of such a large multi-skilled community that has helped make 27 episodes happen but the core crew I am referencing is myself, producer and editor, , and the intentionally hidden from the internet Matt Jancer. Matt appears on this, as well as many other episodes, as the interviewer. The morning of a new episode release, usually in all caps, one of us texts the group and excited “HAPPY POD DAY”. Today, in all lowercase, Jason so perfectly describes who we are and why we’re doing this.

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Now, if you have ever seen or heard F.X. perform at one of the many open mics around the city (or if you’re lucky, at Echo Bravo’s weekly Tuesday night karaoke), you know that memorization is no easy feat. As you’ll hear, Matt attacks that skill with admiration and awe while recalling the very first time we experienced it. It, being their impressive and unique poetry that sings with whimsical wordplay and dazzles an audience. One poem referenced on the episode is “Footfalls”- the very first piece they read at Open Book. I’ve included the beginning below, but find the full poem and other work and info about F.X.’s writing here.

I find it quite a treat to listen to the sounds of feet
as they move along and fall upon the ground
Or the other little things, like the fins and tails and wings
that help the creatures small and big to get around

Some might think it’s such a bore but for me I just adore
them and the noise they make can’t help but make me smile
And you might also find that they seldom seem to mind
if you choose to stop and listen for a while

Franz talks about how their poetry is void of the autobiographical, emotional prose poetry that we see a lot of today. Throughout this collection of poetry, we are still able to witness plenty of personal connections that fill the room and parks and all the places feet can take you. All of this is evident in the smiles that flash and nod to each other while listening to the repetition and rhythm that hits us. I will never forget the Open Book that was in celebration of F.X. having been apart of our community for a year. That month F.X. was featured on stage and delivered custom poetry for all the OB regulars. Read aloud like riddles, the words and who delivers them to the world remind us of their power and joy

F.X. is currently featured in Outside: IN, an exhibit from the Gallery BQE project that can be viewed at Brooklyn Art Haus until November 29. (Hurry!) You can stop by the closing party and meet some of the fantastic artists. Some pictures below.

If you’re interested in connecting more with F.X. check out Questionable Answers on Substack, a curious look at the conventions of literature. (Now with content!) Also, stay tuned for a new series on worldbuilding, also launching (finally) soon.
Lastly, F.X. is extremely available for any poetry writing commissions, fiction editing, or other types of remote work if you have leads.

PSA from Franz: As we move into the aggressive shopping season, consider patronizing local small businesses. Support living artists. Visit craft fairs and holiday markets. There are people standing out in the cold 12 hours a day to sell you things they made with their own hands. Have a look, have a chat. It goes a long way even if you’re not making a purchase. Also, don’t forget to be thankful if you have purchasing power, especially in this economy.

Franz summarized it all simply and fitting for the times we’re living in. If you have power to spend and give use it and show up with gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving fam. I’m so, so happy you’re here.

Happy reading/writing,

B.Dots/Open Book

It has been a long minute since I wrote and posted a non-podcast post here on the Open Book substack.

If you haven’t caught up or listened to any of the 26 OB podcast episodes, I suggest ya get to it! Listen while ya walk the dog, do the dishes, shower, or commute to anywhere! Seriously- the podcast takes a lot of work and works very hard to ensure every episode sounds unique to the writer and celebrates all that we’re doin’ here in our fun, literary community corner. Thank you for your support!

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So, here I am. Writing. I’m visiting an old friend. It feels good to do the thing I claim is my medium of choice. Lately, I have been overwhelmed with consuming- but in the best way. The local, the community, and all the necessary art that has been created around me. I haven’t had to go far.

I often feel like I don’t have anything to say about myself when someone asks me how I’m doing or what’s new. To be honest, I struggle with this a lot, and I will proceed to internally respond with a flurry of existential dread that I hide in the next convo or thing I’m bopping to. Escaping to the next thing that isn’t having to answer someone is, unfortunately, an avoidance strategy. Much of why I like a night of dancing-our bodies talk, and I don’t have to hear myself say I’m tired or work has been a lot. One day I may arrive at a place where I can say I am not doing much and I am ok with that. For now, I work too much, I’m always caring for both my own and someone else’s animals, and I haven’t taken on any new hobbies. I am still always out and determined to keep living and consuming the mundane and the weird, even if it's just myself, my current book of choice, and a G&T at the bar by myself. I know the weird and interesting will find me and later show themselves in my art or moments shared with loved ones. It is hard for me to talk about myself, but talking about what I have consumed (read, seen, experienced) and what my community is doing is so EASY. It brings me so much joy.

I’ll start here- see new new music from new friend of WUTI - Julia Skye just dropped a new song ! Listen and like!

I attended an event earlier this week with my friend Johanna, pursuer of purpose-driven pursuits (read about them here). We were mixing with new friends, all brought together in this space with the desire to do good, and were prompted to share our ‘one good thing’. We left our conversation circles feeling inspired and excited to get acting and paying our good things forward. One thing really resonated with me- it was Johanna saying that her good thing was recently experiencing so much cool and unique art by her friends. I felt this so much. Art is so necessary!

Now, when someone asks me what my art is, I may say writing, but I feel proud to say I am also a curator, a connector, and an organizer. The art of gathering, if you will. So, if you’d like to keep reading, I’m going to share some of the cool art I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing lately, and be sure to make note of it where you can see more of it or connect with the artists yourself! Many of whom you will most likely see at Open Book :)

• WUTI friend Henry Luzzato published a very relatable NYC subway piece on SLATE magazine- read some of it here or maybe get to hear it Thursday at Open Book?!

• I assisted in a photo shoot where NY-born and raised drag icon Alexis Michelle, and one of the honorees at the recent CHA awards, in support of Callen Lorde, modeled custom Dolce Vita boots. An important moment for inclusivity in fashion. Find your fit and shop BOOTS THAT FIT.

• One of my close friends, Maddie Eiden, had her very first art show at Cafe Calaca in Bedstuy (go for the empanadas and coveted seating, but you will stay and come back for another convo with its amazing owner David). Go check out all her amazing work at the Cafe for the rest of this month or on !!!!

  

• Friend Rechelle completed her cohort at the Drawing Room! She learned so many new artistic skills and is now focusing on growing her art practice. Catch her drawing LIVE at Open Book this Thursday!

• More new music by local Honky Tonkin’ friends Low Roller !

• new Substack posts by , and Nicolle for ‘Dream Journals’, from ‘The Way I See it’ and from ‘The Meat Grinder’ !!! Go read and like them all! Share with your friends!

• Reading friend and an all-around good human, Ragini Sri, participated in a beautiful art show! We ran into each other while see

  

• AHHH SO MUCH COOL ART! ALWAYS MORE TO SEE! MORE TO CREATE! MORE TO LIVE!

• I’ll leave you with a picture of Bowie embarking on his annual re-read of ‘BIG MAGIC’- one of his fave books on the creative practice.

  

Happy reading/writing/creating/consuming :)

Love- B.Dots/Open Book

Sinclair Cabocel’s fiction has been published in the Chicago Quarterly Review, Failbetter, Cleaver, and J Journal, and he is currently an MFA candidate at Columbia University. A fixture at several writing groups and open mics, he can often be found holding court at various cafés and clubs across Lower Manhattan, where he currently resides. Before Columbia, Sinclair studied English and Economics at the College of William & Mary (as a 1693 Scholar) and at Oxford University. Sinclair is currently querying Church of the Electric Sun, an upmarket speculative thriller.

Before we dive into all things Sinclair- let me tell you who we are- Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake. For the past four years, we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as here online with those near and far from NYC. Mark your calendars for the next Open Book event on 11/20. We are excited to welcome our featured reader this month, Diana Athena. Coincidentally, we met Diana through Sinclair’s MFA program. We are excited to celebrate her debut poetry chapbook, ‘Echoes in Still Air’, published via Finishing Line Press- check it out here! Details on next week’s event are on the flyer below.

Now back to all things Sinclair! I am so excited for you all to hear the opening of his novel ‘Folly Bridge’.

After you listen, you will see why the geese are now relevant.

They arrived as the sky was withering from pink to the posthumous purple of the day.

I spotted their flapping silhouettes on the far horizon, a squadron of squawking bombers blitzing over Oxford, doubtlessly showering the town with feathers and grass-garnished feces. Their honks were unmistakable—glawk, glawk, glawk—a grating chorus of geese audible through my cracked-open window. They’d pass soon, I hoped. The last thing I needed was another distraction from the city block of books crowding my desk.

I am personally very fond of this story and the beautiful writing because I have read it! While navigating the gruesome process that is writing a novel, amidst many persistent mornings at the lovely McNally Jackson cafe, Sinclair devised a plan to lean on his community to get through the next stages of his novel. If you know me, you know I already love this idea. He printed hardcover copies of his book and packaged it complete with a pen, notebook, and proceeded to gift it to everyone you see pictured below. We were given a deadline and a promise of cocktails if we simply agreed to read and arrive with our honest critiques so that he could take his novel to the next stage. I loved the process of reading, reviewing, and joining in conversation with this newfound Sinclair’s bookclub of sorts, and I know it was of immeasurable value to Sinclair himself. Some of these faces you may recognize from being here on Substack- and :0

Personally, I loved to engage as a reader beyond listening at Open Book. I am truly honored that the Open Book stage is what encouraged Folly Bridge to become more than just a short story. The audience reaction and feedback gave Sinclair the motivation to keep going, so freaking cool. That is what Open Book is about!! I now also cannot pass a flock of geese without thinking of Folly Bridge and I very much appreciate having an association with an animal I didn’t think much of otherwise. Words are so cool in that way, and our talents assign them their valid place in this world by creating a new home for them.

One thing about Sinclair is that he is undoubtedly dedicated. Whether maintaining a writing schedule, running regularly, or just honing his craft and connecting with his community to learn and grow. His advice on process and art is worth listening to and really resonated throughout our conversation. We also weren’t afraid to call name to the ‘First and Second Acts’ of our times politically. Politics and power play a role not only in our day-to-day but in our art as well. Our conversation gave hope for how we continue to create and engage in our art and spaces. There is so much happening right now, but the last thing we need to do is to stop creating.

Outside of writing, Sinclair and I are lucky to benefit from a large group of friends! Being that we share the same bday week we have begun to come together for a joint birthday bash. Last year Sinclair put up with my dots, and the year prior, we barely made it to our ‘Sinclair at Sunrise’ brunch plans. These are some of my favorite memories.

I hope you enjoyed this episode, read more of his work, come to Open Book, and are here in March to celebrate our next year(s) around the sun!

All of the above is so, so worth it and I’m so happy you are here.

Happy reading/writing!

-B.Dots/Open Book

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If you are just meeting this week’s featured author Glenn as well as Open Book let me take a breather to tell you who we are- Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. Open Book occurs every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake. For the past four years we have proudly become a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. Mark your calendars for the next Open Book event on 11/20.

Back to business-join me in welcoming the where’s Waldo of writers, the elusive, interesting, all around cool guy . You may remember him from Episode 20 when he hosted Josh’s episode or from Episode 24 where Jesse shouts him out, or maybe you met IRL at any random WUTI Tuesday or the most recent Open Book! You will be hearing his story “Davy is Floating”, which you can also find in Orca Magazine’s May 2025 issue, and Arcanist’s upcoming February 2026 anthology (name TBD!) This piece is truly one of my favorites I’ve heard Glenn read and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts- comment below?! Send this episode to a friend and chat about it? Get so inspired that you now want to write your own short story? All acceptable options.

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Glenn Dungan is a writer and 3D artist based in Brooklyn, New York City, but originally from Galloway, New Jersey. He exists within a Venn-diagram of urban design, sociology, and good stories. When not obsessing about one of those three, you can find him at a park drinking black coffee and listening to podcasts about murder. In addition to the aforementioned accolades-if you are into horror, the Lunatics Project released an audio telling of his story “The Bark” in the episode “Campfire Tales #6”. I recently listened to this while visiting my home state of Washington and it was the perfect accompaniment to the evergreen scenery surrounding one of my long drives. Recommend!

To continue- Glenn’s work has been featured in over 70 publications, both in print and audio, and stretches as far as Singapore, Melbourne, and Manchester. For more of his work, see his website: whereisglennnow.com. You can also find him on Substack and Instagram. If you are into his work with Blender, check out his portfolio on Artstation. Woah- all very cool!!!

And a friendly reminder to never sneak up on him. He will bite you. (it’s giving Vampire…?! eek!)

This haunting story times perfectly for the season we’re in and while in conversation, Matt (the amazing host of this episode) and Glenn do a great job dissecting the story from all povs, the craft, and how it fits in today’s world. Also, if you are fan of words and spelling them you’re especially in for a treat. It;s pretty rad that this story was partly inspired by Glenn’s attendance at his first ever adult spelling bee- NYC really does have it all.

Personally, what I enjoy most about Glenn’s writing is how he uses it as a tool to search for the answers to the big questions. He references the book Annihilation (sry to admit- I haven’t read or seen the movie) but know that it presents the theme of being small, miniature. Feeling small while amidst a bigger force that we can’t ever comprehend fully. I’ll never forget one of my first years living in NYC I was reading at a park by the piers at was overcome with the realization of how small I am and how just how big the sky is. I called my friends across the country to announce, as if they didn’t know, that we were looking at the SAME big sky. It may not be the same color that I was seeing at that moment but it was indeed the same sky, big enough to hold us all. This feeling is so relatable and necessary to be reminded of throughout our lives. Our impact and purpose can sometimes be threatened when we begin to worry our output can’t create change but when we start thinking how many people fit underneath this big sky and if all those people are chasing an impactful action then we WILL start to see change (again, cue the current social-political climate). Apologies for a bit of a ramble but I think about this often and much like young Davy has had to learn to sit with the discomfort of not knowing the answer to life’s big questions. Sometimes we just have to learn to sit, process, and move on. To keep living.

… and sometimes you just want pancakes…!

Enough of my ramblings, get to listening! This episode has so much to offer and inspire and I am positive after listening and/or reading to Glenn!’s writing you will be more prepared for your next opportunity to compete in an adult spelling bee.

Also! Let’s connect! Feel free to always reach out and at the very least we hope to see you Thursday 11/20 at the next Open Book! Enjoy the review from our last OB via Glenn! himself- I promise I didn’t prompt this, he sent on his own!

Becka, amazing first episode of the new Open Book era. You have done an amazing job fostering a community, and it’s been great seeing this grow, even though I haven’t been to many (CAUSE OF LIFE!). In the great cocktail of my cheerful personality is a couple dashes of cynical bitters (I’m working on it), and last Thursday was a step in the right direction for warming my cold, cold heart. There is power in community, and it’s easy to take it for granted. WUTI is a constant reminder to never take community for granted.

I am so grateful.

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Happy reading/writing!

-B.Dots/Open Book

If you haven’t guessed by now- this week’s featured podcast guest is Jesse Graham! Our first INTERNATIONAL episode. We are returning from a short break to drop an episode that will surely transport you-we’re goin global babyyyy. Our producer and editor did a fantastic job with it all, not an easy thing to make magic out of zoom calls and giggles galore. My co-host (author of our favorite substack and one Jesse has said himself, he cannot live without) and I gleefully danced through our post read virtual interview with Jesse- moments where technology can serve us good and connect us with those so far.

We love connecting and staying connected at Open Book- and if you are new here I wanted to take a moment to tell us who we are.

Open Book is a monthly literary open mic series based in Brooklyn, NY. We currently meet every THIRD THURSDAY of the month at Crystal Lake (update update update!). For four years we have evolved as a staple venue for writers and creatives to gather in person as well as online with those near and far from NYC. The next Open Book is a one week is today!!

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I wish Jesse could be here with us tonight but I’m overjoyed he is with us via this episode. Pretty cool, huh? Read below to get to know a little bit about our glowy friend.

Jesse Graham is a photographer, writer, communications professional and bike mechanic (not in that order) from naarm / Melbourne, Australia. He has an extensive history in journalism, public relations and portrait photography. He is currently figuring out how to blend his loves of photography, cycling and writing, while working on a novel that is not really about any of those topics. You can follow his photo work at instagram.com/jessedgraham or jessedgrahamphoto.com, and his writing at jessedgraham.substack.com.

Also! Some cool writing news! Jesse published his mostly-unedited first chapter of a novel idea, penned in 2015 (he’s currently working on the rest)- go read and talk to him about it ! His writing practice is largely inspired by SK’s ‘On Writing’ which I’m sure a lot of us can relate to. If you haven’t read, add to your list! Or ask !! Time to LOCK IN.

pretty photos and nice words

Prologue / the first chapter / some light reading

A quick word / disclaimer / pls be nice to me from the author…

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a year ago · 1 like · Jesse Graham

This episode is a great way to get to know what Jesse does so well, share his big heart with the world through his art. It prompts the listeners (you!) to search for their thing, their relic, their story that they want to share-because there are spaces, like Open Book, where they are heard and celebrated.

If you don’t have stars in your eyes after hearing Jesse’s pieces I simply don’t understand but we wanted to take a moment, from all of us at OB, to wish Jesse and his fiancé Alexandria a lifetime of forever big love.

Before we wrap up I asked Jesse to give us some NY and AU recs- check it out!

NYC recommendations:

- Dun-Well Doughnuts, forever. Visited in 2015, stayed in Williamsburg pretty much to revisit in 2022 (which is how I met Becka! and Nicole! And Abby! And everyone!)

- Vegan on the Fly near Times Square has the best vegan burgers I’ve ever had, after Marty’s V Burger closed down (pour one out for the realest one)

- Tradesman is an excellent bar to get a cocktail with an excellent friend

- Hana Food Bodega near Union Pool has the best vegan sanga I had in NYC - the Black Rose, babeyyyy

- Vinnie’s Pizzeria. The amount of money I spent there is diabolical when you do conversion to Australian dollars. First stop on Jesse’s last return to BK.

- Brooklyn Film Camera, where I finished my 1000 Portrait Project, where I knew I’d see friendly folks when I booked a two month trip to NYC knowing not a soul

Melbourne recommendations: can you tell our guest loves a good sanga? Have ya figured what a sanga is yet?! haha

- Pickles Milkbar, for the best vegan sangas

- Smith and Deli, for the second-best vegan sangas

- Red Sparrow Pizza, an all-vegan pizzaria where I met the love of my life

- Nouha’s Bakery, my local, for some of the best coffee in Melbourne

- Calere Coffee, the most expensive coffee I’ve ever had but unfortunately one of the best

- Urban Lupe, a menswear store that one day I hope I can afford clothing from, but every lovely folks who genuinely care about quality

Thank you Jesse! Just like this episode, knowing you is a treat.

Thank you for hanging out ! We hope to see you tonight at Open Book- we’re celebrating FOUR YEARS together!

Happy reading/writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

Our next event is on Thursday 10/16- flyer below! We are celebrating four years of our amazing literary community.

Since it is an anniversary event we have some exciting features you won’t want to miss!

-professional photos (get your new author photo?!) by Andy!

-sip on a sparkly spritz at Happy Hour (4-7pm) special $ details coming soon!

-on the spot custom typewritten poems by

-flash tattoos by artist HMac! $69! sheet dropping soon

-and of course READINGS! Some of our OB regulars & who you have heard on our stage and/our heard on our podcast are back in town to share their work!

If you would like to read your written work sign up at 7-7:45pm via the QR codes on the table. If you came just to listen and drink you can still scan the QR code to submit feedback and read more about who we are.

If you’re looking for a place to work on your writing or just get inspired around other writers come to WUTI every Tuesday night at The Keep on Tuesday!

RVSP here or just show up! It’s free, fun, and truly the best night of the month.

We’re so happy you’re here.

Happy reading/writing,

-B.Dots/Open Book

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Please forgive me - my post this am had one line that said that Open Book is tomorrow but I am emailing now to confirm it is indeed TONIGHT <3

FICTION BAR -308 HOOPER ST BK, NY 11211

5-7PM HAPPY HOUR

7-7:45PM SIGN UP

8PM-LATE READINGS

SEE YOU THERE!

Happy Reading/Writing,

B.Dots/Open Book

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