Susan Stinson

@susanstinson

Novelist. Author of Martha Moody, Spider in a Tree, and Venus of Chalk from Small Beer Press. Essays in The Contemporary Reader of Gender and Fat Studies and The Portable Feminist Reader. Triker. she/her.

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¿Es tu perfil?Reclámalo y susanstinson.dirty.social es tuyo.Reclamar perfil

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jul 13

I had a great time at #readercon. "Writing from a POV that Hates You" was unexpectedly moving. It was great to be on the panel with Sally Wiener Motta, @andreahairston.bsky.social and @benjaminrosenbaum.com. Not pictured: Alexander Jablokov, moderator. Behind my papers: my novel Spider in a Tree.

Sally, Andrea, Susan and Benjamin stand in a con bookstore, lean together. Sally, a white woman with shoulder-length dark hair, holds her book Of Being Woman. Andrea, a Black woman with her hair tied back and one finger lifted, holds her book the Redemption Center is Closed on Sundays. I am a fat white women with short, curly gray hair. I’ve got papers in front of my book and I’m clutching a tote. Benjamin, a white man with his glasses hannging from the neck of his t-shirt and his panelist nametag visible, as is Sally’s, smiles warmly. We are all smiling.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jul 5

Here’s my #readercon schedule! It’s at the Boston Marriott Burlington, MA. Thursday night programming is free and open to the public. (The rest isn't.) I’m reading at 8:30 pm Thursday. The timing means that the audience is likely to be small, so I’d love it if you could come! Excited about all.

Your Schedule (this is slightly rephrased, but the information is the same.)

Thu 7/9 8:30 pm Susan Stinson Reading Empower/Embrace

Fri 7/10 3 pm Writing from a POV that hates you Create/Collaborate

10:15 pm Meet the Pros(e) Party

Sat 7/11
11 am Beyond Coming of Age:Cultural Narratives @ Aging&Surviving Salon E
6 pm SFF and Queer Cultural Memory Create/Collaborate

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jun 11

After I enjoyed typing at the Writers Museum in Chicago, I put a call out on a listserv to see if anyone had one they don’t use. A big-hearted stranger responded right away! They cleaned the keys, ordered a ribbon, and met me outside @forbeslibrary.bsky.social to give it to me. I am enchanted.

A vintage black typewriter sits on a low brown plastic folding table as late spring afternoon light gives the bookshelves and wooden tv tray behind a warm glow. There is a page in the typewriter. The word Smith-Corona is visible front and center above the keys in gold. The silver arm of the carriage return is at a jaunty angle. Some of the keys display their letters at charming, unusual angles. For instance, the “T” is upside down.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· May 20

I took a train from Northampton to Texas to see family. Here I am with my parents. The joy of that. My brother Don took the photo.

Here we are, a family of elders in a sunlight cottage in Texas. Dad sits with his recliner raised, one hand holding the other. Bald head, dark glasses, maroon plaid shirt, khakis. On my right, my mom stands, smilling sweetly, hands on her walker, glasses, fresh from the beauty parlor hair. I’m in the middle, standing my arms reaching behind to I can put a hand on each one’s shoulder. Big smile. Red face, glasses, short grey hair. Wearing a long, olive green linen dress, sleeveless. The way I’m standing brings my belly forward, round and somehow joyous in our jou at being together. Painting by my brother behind me. Blue sky.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· May 16

Me arriving at the Writers Museum. I got on the bus going the wrong direction, but the driver saved me.

You can kind of read the bronze on black sign on the building for the American Writers Museum. Close to the camera because I am taking selfish on a busy sidewalk, it's half of my face. I am a fat white woman with a rosy face, a handy gardening vest, tortoise shell glasses, short, grey, curly hair. I am tired and happy.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· May 1

I have been swimming. I have read "Fat Swim," the title story, and also "Lanternfly." Both are brilliant. So excited to have this book!

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jan 27

My heat has been out. People are working on it. It's okay for now. There is a lot of snow. My sister made me this very soft, warm scarf. I have so much excellent gear for the cold. It's a gift of triking in winter.

Me, a fat, 65 year-old white woman, wearing a hoodie, hat, and a huge pastel pink and blue scarf. Glasses. Ruddy face. Light behind the figure.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Nov 1

Spider! One of my giggling eyes blew off and rolled ominously across the street though a Halloween parade.

Fat woman (me) wears two giant goggly eyes (one of which blew off and rolled ominously across the street) and eight giant black pipe cleaner legs on her bike helmet. The maw of her mouth is open, ready to bite. Black shirt. Teetering pile of books and Kahlo print in the background.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Oct 28

I'm excited to read Wreck, a sequel to Sandwich, both by Catherine Newman who always makes me laugh and cry in an utterly satisfying, clarifying way. She's reading tonight at 7 pm sponsored by the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley! Is anyone going from Northampton who could give me a ride?

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Oct 25

I voted in my town's election! Plus I have a new bike helmet with a magnetic visor and a light. I keep banging my head on my bike handles wearing the old one and cracked it.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Sep 14

Venus and Leah as portrayed at Historic Northampton. In my novel Spider in a Tree, they are one woman. Some historians believe that to be true, but no one knows for sure. They were enslaved in the household of theologian and preacher Jonathan Edwards.

The Silhouettes Of Two 18th century black women are projected on a white clapboard house. The figure on the left has her arms folded across her chest with the name Venus on her in white. The figure on the right is holding a serving tray. Her name Leah is on her in white. In front the dark sidewalk a catching figure with a projector.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Sep 14

Historic Northampton.

A white clapboard house with the windows and black with grids and the door blacked out photographed at night. The projections on the house say slavery freedom in Northampton a new exhibit a historic Northampton now on view through December 2025 Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 to 5:00. A figure is crouched on the lawn with a projector.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jul 13

Buttons from the NAAFA fat feminist conference that Carrie organized for years. I had a t-shirt with this image on it, too.

Two buttons. Purple on white. Text: Women of Substance. Women of Power. Stylized image of a fat woman. Round breasts, round belly, Oval-ish thighs

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jul 13

Songbook from Carrie's memorial.

Sand -colored pamphlet: Social Feminist Songbook. 50 cents. Carrie's name in pencil above the price. Stylized women with their fists on the air. One carrying a baby.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jul 13

This by my old friend Judith Stein was on display at the memorial service for longtime activist Carrie Hemenway. Carrie's wonderful grandkids had been going through her papers. It was so moving to see it there.

A small red pamphlet with black type: A Jewish Lesbian Chanukah. Outline of a menorah with all of the candles lit. Judith Stein. Bobbeh Meiseha Press. A Cambridge,MA address. $2.00

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jun 19

Smiling at my friend at Real Women Have Curves. My vest is full of things like a baggie of peanuts for the train trip. The conductor had the whole car sing happy birthday to a fourteen year old. So good on so many levels to go see this show in NYC yesterday. Day trip, Western Mass!

Me, a fat white woman in my sixties, smiles broadly at my friend taking the picture in front of and old sewing machine, a dress on a dress form and a bright floral backdrop with the wors Real Women Have Curves the Musical. I am wearing a blue gardening vest stuffed with things like a baggie of peanut for the train trip.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jun 14

#Northamptonma turned out in a huge way. Couldn't hear the speakers except @sabadosama.bsky.social and @repmcgovern.bsky.social but had warm conversations with so many neighbors and strangers. People overflowed the park and danced and marched in the street.

I am an elder fat woman in a blue gardening vest smiling and holding a sign that says Kin Not Kings. Behind me, people, an American flag, signs as far as the eye can see.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jun 14

I am holding up a small sign on white cardboard (former toilet paper box) with the words: Kin not Kings. Piles of books and a beloved poster of a woman in a blue hat in the background.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jun 6

Small landing for wooden stairs. There is a heavy pottery owl whose beak holds notes. Next to it, a small glass jar full of roses, buds, daisies and ferns. Behind it, herbs in pots.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Jun 6

I am back from seeing my family in Texas. Here's a picture of a tarantula in a garage. I also saw brown and green lizards, ostriches, and deer. Played the domino game 42. And was part of the beloved, mortal, messy family scrum.

A big black spider is very still on concrete near a wall with stains, twigs, white paint and a blue plastic cap.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· May 19

Look what I have! Spent by Alison Bechdel! Exciting coloring by Holly Rae Taylor!

The very colorful cover of Spent by Alison Bechdel! The background is a deep sky blue. Author of Fun Home Alison Bechdel SPENT. A comic novel. SPENT is in yellow with black shading. Comic book type! Two sturdy cartoon lesbians do an American Gothic on the cover, with pitchfork overalls, yellow with red patterned apron, headband and great glasses. Red jacket. Brown and gray hair. So much color. They very much resemble Holly Rae Taylor and Alison Bechdel, the colorist and author of this comic novel.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· May 15

Smith students have made biodegradable gnome homes in and around the botanical gardens. This one has dangling roots to get water from the air. There's a map to help find them and a gnome history on placards in the camelia corridor.

A very small house with shingles, moss, and dangling roots hangs in a botanical garden. Yellow flowers and many broad and narrow leaves surround it. Glass roof.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· May 4

Yesterday at pride at the top of my street #Northamptonma #westernma

Me, a fat white woman in my sixties, raises my arms and smiles, full of the joy of life. I am wearing a brown felt brimmed hat, sunglasses, a purple t-shirt and black skirt. Also much pride swag: feather necklace, beads, a streamer, flag. Behind me, a chair, a street, traffic barrier.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· May 2

Did anyone else memorize Recuerdo by Edna St Vicent Millay this week? It brought me joy.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Apr 22

I love A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women's Culture by @junethomas.bsky.social . It's beautifully researched and written, affectionate, and smart about bars, bookstores, softball fields, lesbian land, sex-toy stores, vacation spots. Great for anyone who has gathered community. 💙📚

I am holding up a hardcover book. The title letters and author name are in bold pink over a b&w JEB phone of women in shorts, jeans, and short sleeve shirt laughing on a stoop. A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women's Culture. June Thomas

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Apr 15

I stopped waiting for a contributors copy and bought The Portable Feminist Reader from Booklink Books. Pleased.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Apr 12

Friends and strangers, it is snowing in Northampton, MA.

View from inside of a small wooden landing of wooden stairs covered with a light covering of snow. A ceramic owl with a snow cap is near the edge. Beyond, empty street, scraggly trees, an old barn/garage.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Apr 5

My sign, which dripped and rippled in the rain.

Poster board on a card table with colored pens, a legal pad. Says in simple letters in orange, pink and red: Stand Against Facism.

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Mar 19

View from Row y. Grey-haired audience. In the distance, red curtains, gold fringe, bright lights.

Blurry picture of the Gypsy playbill. Heads. Bit of curtains

Susan Stinson @susanstinson· Mar 19

I love being on a train alongside a river.