In Body journal, a new piece by Weiner explores vividly depicts the passionate embrace of "new lovers joined by the need to be consoled, the need to console.

In Image Journal, Shane McCrae writes, "I think all writers are inclined towards a degree of lonesomeness. And to a certain extent, this seems healthy to me." He goes on to explore writerly friendships, writing of the difficulty -- and beauty -- in connecting with others.

The New York Times talks to Ocean Vuong about his new novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, and why "To read from the book is a second chance. He also delves into his practice of meditating among tombstones and why he believes speaking Vietnamese gives him an advantage as a writer.

Alexander Chee reflects on honoring queer history in the New Republic. "See if you can feel the joy so many have fought and died for," he directs readers, "even if just for a moment, before you go back to fight again."

Alexander Chee shares an excerpt from his introduction to a new edition of East Goes West by Younghill Kang, a novel that "has kindled in me something I feel quite powerfully now, a gift from both the poet in the novel and the poet who wrote it," in Buzzfeed.

In a conversation with activist Darnell Moore and social innovation expert Michael Latt, Mitchell S. Jackson dissects the lack of emotion men are expected to project, and the idea that "the oppressors are experts at making us believe we are unworthy of love."

Choi is a finalist for her translation from the Korean of poet Kim Hyesoon's collection Autobiography of Death.

Smith is the 26th recipient of the Harvard Arts Medal, which is given annually to a graduate or faculty member who has achieved artistic excellence and made a contribution through the arts to education or the public good. Fellow poet, Pulitzer winner, and Whiting winner Jorie Graham introduced Smith as a "singularly glorious practitioner" of the form.

"When I’m working on a photo," Tulathimutte writes, "I have no interest in making anyone paler or thinner. What I’m doing is more like digital skincare." For VICE, he writes about photo retouching and body image.
 

Of his writing process, Bitsui explains, "I want my work to feel alive at the moment of the reading — I want people to sense they are in the poem with me, witnessing these events as they unfold."