News
The latest updates.
The Booklist Reader includes The New Order on a list of Best New Books
07 Nov 2018The Booklist Reader includes The New Order on list of Best New Books for the Week of November 6, 2018. You can see the list here.
The New Order on Woman.com’s Books to Read in November
07 Nov 2018Woman.com includes The New Order in a list of Books to Read Immediately in November. You can read the list here.
Refinery29 Includes The New Order on list of Best Books to Read in November
03 Nov 2018“Bender is an exquisite writer, and this books really will act as a brutally honest but empathic guide to navigating the now.” You can read the entire review and the list here.
Bustle magazine includes “The New Order” on list of books to read in November
03 Nov 2018“In her short story collection Refund (a finalist for the National Book Award), Karen E. Bender delivered a set of remarkable short stories that smartly unpacked her characters’ complicated relationship with money. Now, in this new short story collection, she turns a sharp eye to the instability that has taken over America in the past few years.” Bustle reviews The New Order; you can see the entire list of books here.
My thoughts on writing on The Story Prize blog
02 Nov 2018I offer some advice to writers on The Story Prize blog. You can read my post here.
Microfiction included in NY Times “Spooky Story” project
01 Nov 2018My story, “When the Female Students of Mount Washington High School Didn’t Want to Go on the Tour of the White House,” a response to Francesca Woodman’s photograph, was part of the NY Times’ Instagram project pairing writers with eerie images. You can read the stories here.
My story “The New Order” on Electric Literature’s Recommended Reading site
31 Oct 2018Electric Literature features my story, “The New Order,” from my forthcoming collection, on the Recommended Reading site today, with a generous intro from Molly Antopol. You can read the story here.
My story “The Elevator,” from The New Order, published in Guernica magazine.
25 Oct 2018My story, “The Elevator,” which appeared in The New Order, is published in Guernica magazine. You can read the story here.
Arkansas International Journal reviews The New Order
24 Oct 2018“Karen E. Bender’s new story collection is steeped in the present political moment, with an eye to our future. Our cultural corrosion—especially our denial of sexual assault and gun violence—impacts Bender’s female narrators in quiet, resounding ways.” You can read the full review from the Arkansas International Journal here.
Martha Stewart Living features my journal ideas for National Novel Writing Month
20 Oct 2018Martha Stewart Living features my tips for National Novel Writing Month in the November “Out and About” column, You can read the tips here. 
“The Pilot’s Instructions” in the October issue of The Yale Review
15 Oct 2018My story, “The Pilot’s Instructions” appears in the October 2018 issue of The Yale Review. The story is part of my new collection, The New Order. You can read the story here.
The New Order on list of 10 Titles to Pick Up Now in print edition of November O magazine
12 Oct 2018The print issue of the November O magazine is out and features The New Order on a list of 10 Titles to Pick Up Now. Here’s are photos: 
O magazine reviews The New Order!
10 Oct 2018“Supremely crafted short fictions”–O magazine includes The New Order on a list of 10 New Books to be Thankful for in November. You can see the review here.
Starred review for The New Order in Booklist!
01 Oct 2018“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”
24 Sep 2018“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.