News

Starred review for The New Order in Booklist!

“With literary virtuosity, psychological authenticity, and breath-catching insight, Bender dramatizes gripping personal dilemmas compounded by a new order of social tyranny.” Booklist gives The New Order a starred review! You can read the full review here. 

Publisher’s Weekly reviews “The New Order”

“Bender’s incisive collection (following Refund) touches on a range of hot-button issues—from gun violence and political xenophobia to sexual harassment and economic downturn…. The great strength of the collection lies in her ability to examine the ramifications of violence and casual cruelty on individuals and communities….There were many types of violence in the world, some quieter,” the speaker notes. This is a thoughtful, timely collection.” You can read the full review here. 

LeVar Burton reads my story, “The Cell Phones,” on his series Levar Burton Reads.

Actor LeVar Burton reads my story “The Cell Phones,” from my forthcoming collection, The New Order, on his series, “LeVar Burton Reads.” You can listen to his reading here!

“The New Order” on Boston Globe Fall Book list

The Boston Globe includes “The New Order” on a list of Fall books to read!

NBF Presents at Wisconsin Book Festival in October

I’m excited to be part of the National Book Foundation’s program, NBF Presents this fall; I’ll be at the Wisconsin Book Festival, on a panel about literature and connection, in October. Read more here.

Huffington Post includes “The New Order” on list of Fall books to read

The Huffington Post included my story collection, “The New Order,” in a list of books to read that are coming out in Fall, 2018. You can see the list here.

Electric Literature’s Article on Cover Design Process Includes The New Order

In this article for Electric Literature about the design process for book covers, Counterpoint Press designer Nicole Caputo shares her process in designing the cover for The New Order. You can read this fascinating article here.

Here is the cover for my new collection, “The New Order.” Coming in November from Counterpoint Press.

A new story collection, “The New Order,” to be published by Counterpoint Press!

I am thrilled that my new story collection, “The New Order,” will be published by Counterpoint Press this fall. Here is the announcement from Publisher’s Lunch:

National Book Award Finalist and author of REFUND, Karen E. Bender’s THE NEW ORDER, a new collection of stories that examines the sense of instability that has grown stronger in American culture over the last two years through the increasing presence of violence, bigotry, sexual harassment, and the emotional costs of living under constant threat, once again to Dan Smetanka at Counterpoint, for publication in Fall 2018, by Maria Massie at Massie & McQuilkin

Teaching at Iowa Writers’ Workshop this summer

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be teaching an intensive 3-week workshop at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop this summer. You can find information about the workshop here. Applications are due on March 1. Apply!

My story “Anything for Money” is a New York Subway Library “Selected Short Read”

My story, “Anything for Money” from Refund, is a “Selected Short Read” for the NYC Subway Library. You can read the story, and many others,  here.

Interview about reading for The Toronto Review of Books

Here’s a short interview about reading with Kelli Deeth of The Toronto Review of Books. You can read the interview here.

COIN: a collaborative story to benefit The Cabin’s programs

On Thursday May 4, I’ll be participating in COIN–a collaborative online story to benefit The Cabin, a wonderful literary center in Boise, Idaho.  I’ll be working on the story from 4 to 4:30 PM EST. Find out more about the story, the writers and how to donate, here.

Refund on NYPL list of books by women authors for International Women’s Day

So happy to see Refund on this list of books compiled by the New York Public Library, books by women authors for International Women’s Day and beyond. You can read the list here.

Interview with my sister Aimee and I in Boise Weekly

An interview with my sister Aimee and I, before our first event together at The Cabin in Boise, Idaho. You can read the interview here.