Anca L. Szilágyi

@ancaszilagyi

Author of DAUGHTERS OF THE AIR, called “a striking debut from a writer to watch” by Shelf Awareness & DREAMS UNDER GLASS, called “a novel for our modern times” by Buzzfeed Books. ancawrites.com.

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Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Jun 17

Registration is open for @newberrylibrary.bsky.social summer classes! I'm delighted to teach All Talk: Dialogue in Fiction in person on Saturday, July 25. Learn more and sign up here: www.newberry.org/calendar/dia... #chicago #amwriting

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· May 11

Don't miss PEPPERLEAF! (Isn't the title already a delight?) Here's what I said about it. “It’s a joy to spend time with the people of Pepperleaf with their taxidermy, their clowns, their late-night watching of Bob Ross. Then McMeekin slips in the knife. This book, so full of heart, will wreck you.”

“It’s a joy to spend time with the people of Pepperleaf with their taxidermy, their clowns, their late-night watching of Bob Ross. Then McMeekin slips in the knife. This book, so full of heart, will wreck you.”

—Anca L. Szilágyi, author of DREAMS UNDER GLASS and DAUGHTERS OF THE AIR

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Mar 30

Fiction III begins online with Hugo House in one week! It's not too late to sign up. hugohouse.org/product/fict... #booksky #amwritingfiction

$FICTION III with ANCA SZILÁGYI \ONLINE / Intermediate; Advanced/ 10 sessionsMon. Apr. 6-June 15- 10 am - 12 pm PT$

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Mar 24

Transforming Fairy Tales, my spring @newberrylibrary.bsky.social seminar, begins in 1 week! Join us 4 Tuesday evenings online, 6-7:30 pm CT, for an exploration of the wonderful stretchiness of fairy tales. www.newberry.org/calendar/tra... #amwritingfiction #booksky

The Newberry
Transforming Fairy Tales
Taught by Anca L. Szilágyi
Tuesdays, 3/31-4/21
6-7:30 pm
Virtual
4 Sessions

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Mar 18

Adding to the avalanche of #awp26 recaps with my own. Behold: me and John Waters! www.ancawrites.com/blog/notes-f... #booksky #writingcommunity

John Waters with his exquisite moustache sits behind a plexiglass shield so he won't get conference cooties. I'm wearing a hot pink cardigan over a blue button up shirt with pink flamingos on it. The Silver Issue of Fairy Tale Review sits between us because I asked him to sign it, along with his book SHOCK VALUE.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Mar 16

I had a lovely time talking to Jon Riccio for his interview series with 1-Week Critique about my novel DREAMS UNDER GLASS ( @lfpbooks.bsky.social 2022), Joseph Cornell as fairy godfather, bildungromans, and the revision process. www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SGa...

Dreams Under Glass, A novel by Anca L. Szilágyi

Image still from YouTube shows a split screen with me (Anca Szilagyi) wearing earphones and smiling in front of a bookcase and Jon Riccio in front of a white brick wall, smiling and looking down as he talks.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Mar 13

I'm so touched by the kind, enthusiastic comments on the excerpt of THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS in the #libraro contest. The reader engagement part of the contest ends in less than a week. Help me finish strong? app.libraro.com/manuscript/d... #booksky #writingcommunity

A painting of a globe in grisaille. This is the outside of Jheronimus Bosch's famous tripytch The Garden of Earthly Delights.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Mar 10

How could I forget to include these graphics, including this adorable panda?

Person in panda suit kicking soccer ball. Text says, "register at hugohouse.org."

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Feb 5

I'm happy to return to @writingco-lab.bsky.social on Wednesday, March 11 for my one-night class Triangular Relationships as Engines for Tension and Conflict! Join us: www.writingco-lab.com/classes/tria... #booksky #amwriting

Triangular Relationships as Engines for Tension and Conflict, 1 session with Anca L. Szilágyi, $65, Wednesday, March 11, 7-9 pm Eastern

Triangular relationships at Writing CoLab. This class examines character development, internal and external conflict, and the benefits of considering how these craft elements come into play in triangular relationships via a mix of mini-lecture, discussion, writing exercises, and optional student sharing.$65 Wednesday March 11, 7-9 pm Eastern

Anca L. Szilágyi is the author of Daughters of the Air, which Shelf Awareness called "a striking debut" and Dreams Under Glass, which Buzzfeed Books called "a novel for our modern times." Her writing appears in Orion Magazine, Lilith Magazine, and Newsweek, among others, and has been listed as notable in Best American Essays. She has taught creative writing since 2010.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Jan 21

Chicago, come to Uptown this Saturday night at 7-8 pm for @anotherchicagomag.bsky.social 's reading & open mic. I'll read an essay I've never read before! I'm joined by Michael Kent & James Stewart III. Open mic to follow. Nabala Cafe, 4660 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL, 60640.

Anca L. Szilágyi
Anca L. Szilágyi is the author of Daughters of the Air, which Shelf Awareness called "a striking debut" and Dreams Under Glass, which Buzzfeed Books called "a novel for our modern times." Her creative nonfiction has appeared in Orion Magazine, The Fiddlehead, and elsewhere, and has been listed as notable in Best American Essays.
Michael Kent
Michael Kent writes about cities, civics, and public space, and in addition to his writing has worked in city planning and policy for more than 20 years. He is currently developing a book-length project that explores the overlooked factors contributing to urban transportation challenges while charting a new path toward safer, more people-centered streets.
James Stewart III
James Stewart III is a Black writer and arts organizer from Chicago.
His debut novel, Defiant Acts (Acre Books, 2025), has been named one of Chicago Magazine's "Summer's Required Reading" picks and was featured in the Chicago Reader. He was also named to Newcity's
2025 Lit 50 list, recognizing influential voices in Chicago's literary culture. His writing has appeared in journals including Lampblack, The Forge, and Midwest Review. Additionally, he is a co-founder of the reading series and artist collective Exhibit B. Stewart holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an MA from North Central College, and a BA from Columbia College Chicago. He lives with his wife and daughter at the end of DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Dec 12

Registration is open for winter classes at Hugo House! I'm teaching Fiction II online, an 8-week intermediate class, We'll tackle POV, scene construction, and dialogue—while continuing to refine our understandings of character, plot, and setting. hugohouse.org/product/fict... #amwritingfiction

Fiction II
with Anca Szilágyi
ONLINE / Intermediate / 8 sessions
Mon. Jan. 26-Mar 23/ 10 am-12 pm PT

@hugohouse

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Dec 8

I’m very happy my long essay “‘Apply a Little Sugar with a Feather” is a notable essay in Best American Essays 2025. Many thanks to @rowanmcc1.bsky.social and @fiddlehd.bsky.social for all that you do! anca.substack.com/p/apply-a-li... #booksky

Best American Essays 2025 and The Fiddlehead Autumn 2024 sit side by side on a gray sofa, against a pillow that is a soft yellow, blue, white, and pink.

The two volumes open to show the title of my essay and its first line, "Let's talk about destruction, sugar, memory" and the index showing my name among other notable essays.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Dec 1

My December newsletter: a bit about my dreamy time at Ragdale and all the bits & bobs to wonder at in that place. mailchi.mp/14492198dcbc...

A little statue of a lion at the foot of the stairs at Ragdale House.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Nov 27

My two books are DAUGHTERS OF THE AIR, called a "striking debut" by @shelf-awareness.com & DREAMS UNDER GLASS, called "a novel for our modern times" by @buzzfeed.com. 🥰 Support independent presses & bookstores: www.bookcellarinc.com/search/apach... #booksky

The cover of DREAMS UNDER GLASS by Anca L. Szilagyi shows the title on a yellowed scrap of paper against marble with vines of red leaves on top of the marble

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Nov 14

The benefits of a residency are real. Eighteen magical days at Ragdale Foundation and I've revised my essay collection and a novel and squeezed in a short-short I've had in my head since July 4. Thank you, Ragdale! #booksky #amwriting

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Nov 4

Join me online next Tuesday, November 11 at 7 pm ET for the @penparentis.bsky.social literary salon! I'll share a bit from my novel DREAMS UNDER GLASS and chat about AI and balancing parenting with writing. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/artificial...

PEN PARENTIS LITERARY SALON
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
SCOTT ELLIOTT
ANCA L. SZILÁGYI
DAVID EBENBACH
AND INTRODUCING OUR 2025 FELLOW
November 11, 2025, 7 pm ET
ONLINE
RSVP penparentis.org

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Oct 20

My beginner-friendly online class Fiction I begins in 4 weeks! If you're just starting out or would like a refresher, join us on Mondays, starting 11/17. Scholarships and payment plans are available. hugohouse.org/product/fict... #amwritingfiction

Fiction I with Anca SzilágyiONLINE / Introductory / 6 sessionsMondays, Nov 17-Dec 22 / 10 am-12 pm PT

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Oct 9

Save the date! I am so excited to join @penparentis.bsky.social on November 11 for their virtual literary salon. I'll be in conversation with Helen Philips, Scott Elliott, and David Ebenbach, on the topic of artificial intelligence. www.eventbrite.com/e/artificial...

PEN PARENTIS LITERARY SALONARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEHELEN PHILLIPSSCOTT ELLIOTT ANCA L. SZILAGYIDAVID EBENBACHNovember 11, 2025 7 pm ETONLINE RSVP penparentis.orgThis event is funded in part by public funds from the New York Council on the Arts and Sponspored by the DeGroot Foundation and Poets & Writers

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Sep 29

While I'm at it, you can also check out Fiction II for winter: hugohouse.org/product/fict...

Fiction II
with Anca Szilágyi
ONLINE / Intermediate / 8 sessions
Mondays / Jan 26-Mar 23 / 10 am-12 pm PT
Two birds on a wire
@HugoHouse

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Sep 24

Happy one-year anniversary to my audiobook baby DREAMS UNDER GLASS, narrated by the fabulous Kelli Tager! Fun fact: the plastic eyeballs I used for the trailer still float around the house, keeping up an appropriately creepy atmosphere….

A paperback copy of DREAMS UNDER GLASS by Anca L. Szilágyi. Atop the book sits a cheap plastic eye with a green iris.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Sep 16

Writing Contemporary Fairy Tales, my 4-week online Newberry class, starts in 2 weeks! www.newberry.org/calendar/wri... #amwriting #booksky

Top Left:
The Newberry
Writing Contemporary Fairy Tales
Taught by Anca L. Szilágyi
Tuesdays, 9/30-10/21
6-7:30 pm
Virtual
4 sessions
Bottom Right:
A fairy child in yellow and green crouches over some leaves apparently counting. They wear a hat that appears to be made out of a green and yellow flower.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Sep 2

All of my upcoming fall classes, all in one place! Memory & Imagination, Writing Contemporary Fairy Tales, Triangular Relationships as Engines for Tension & Conflict, and Fiction I. What more could you ask for? (Don't ask for poetry! 😅) www.ancawrites.com/teaching #booksky #amwriting

Memory & Imagination, a free in-person StoryStudio class at the Richard J.Daley-Bridgeport branch of the Chicago Public Library, Saturday, September 27, 10:00-11:30 am.

Writing Contemporary Fairy Tales, a four-week class over Zoom with the Newberry Library, Tuesdays, September 30-October 21, 7-8:30 pm ET / 6-7:30 pm CT / 4-5:30 pm PT. Registration is open.

Triangular Relationships as Engines for Tension and Conflict, a one-night class over Zoom with Writing Co-Lab, Wednesday, October 15, 7-9 pm ET/6-8 pm CT/4-6 pm PT. Registration is open.

Fiction I, a six-week class over Zoom with Hugo House, Mondays, November 17-December 22, 12-2 pm CT / 1-3 pm ET / 10 am- 12 pm PT. Registration is open.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Aug 27

Blueberries, beets, chilis, apples, pop rocks, Coke, zeppole, chestnuts—just some of the food I remember fondly from last night’s reading at The Book Cellar with James Stewart III, Audie Shushan, and Marcy Rae Henry. Many thanks to DCASE for supporting my essay collection in-progress COSMIC FRUIT!

Audie Shushan reads about blueberries, beetss, heartbreak.

Marcy Rae reads from WHEN TO GO TO THE TAJ MAJAL.

James Stewart III reads from DEFIANT ACTS.

I'm reading my piece about chestnuts and longing.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Aug 19

Registration is now open! Early bird discounts run until August 31. Scholarship applications open August 26. hugohouse.org/product/fict...

Fiction I
with Anca Szilagyi
ONLINE / introductory / 6 sessions
Mondays / Nov 17-Dec 22 / 10 am-12 pm PT

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Jul 29

Join me at The Book Cellar in 4 weeks for a fun food-themed reading to celebrate COSMIC FRUIT, the essay collection I'm completing thanks to a #dcasegrant. I'm joined by a fantastic group of writers: James Stewart III, Marcy Rae Henry, and Audie Shushan. RSVP: www.bookcellarinc.com/anca-szil%C3...

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Jul 9

Last year, thanks to #dcasegrant, I went to a @storystudiochicago.bsky.social retreat at Ragdale co-run by @meganstielstra.bsky.social & @eirencaffall.bsky.social to work on my project COSMIC FRUIT. "We Beet On," now in @orionmagazine.bsky.social, started there! orionmagazine.org/article/we-b...

Cutting beets to make my fingers a lurid color.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Jul 1

My July newsletter went out this morning. Highlights include "Fat Healthy Baby" in @lilithmagazine.bsky.social, the beginning a of a Chicago-focused reading queue, and upcoming events (one tomorrow!) & classes. Also cake. mailchi.mp/8d77f33f7f9f...

Half a chocolate cake with rainbow sprinkles and the word "Birthd"

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· May 14

Crafting Complex Characters starts in two weeks at @storystudiochicago.bsky.social ! I am excited to dig into this four-week in-person class and explore the elements of meaty, memorable characters. Join us?

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Apr 1

Some highlights from the #awp25 conference in L.A., including stumbling on a furry convention at the airport hotel. mailchi.mp/3166f661ecd4...

Me smiling at my silly essay about mermaids as I read it at Literary Rulebreakers. My pink t-shirt shows a medieval grotesque of a centaur-like creature in a jaunty hat playing a mandolin while his butt is also a face playing a horn. The shirt caption reads "The horrors persist but so do I."

After my AWP panel, with fellow panelists Tom Balasz and Maya Sonenerg. We are smiling in front of closed vertical window blinds.

Anca L. Szilágyi@ancaszilagyi· Mar 24

Will you be at #awp25 this week? Here are three of the things I'm up to. Hope to see you there!