The Rumpus

At The Rumpus, we understand that pop culture is everywhere online, so we aim to offer something different and thought-provoking. Our platform invites individuals to express themselves through their writing, sharing their unique stories and insights in a genuine and artistic manner. We are dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and showcasing pieces that might not find a place elsewhere, while also celebrating both emerging and established writers we admire. Our mission is to highlight narratives that foster connections, break down barriers, and confront authority. Founded in 2009, The Rumpus became part of Marisa Siegel's vision in January 2017, after she served as Managing Editor from 2014 to 2017. We aim to shift the narrative by introducing you to authors you may not know and offering insights on literature, films, and media that encourage deeper thought. We believe that reading creates a sense of community, and if you find yourself wanting more from The Rumpus, we have plenty to offer! Join our Rumpus Book Club, Rumpus Poetry Book Club, Letters in the Mail, and Letters for Kids—each initiative supports our ongoing efforts. Don’t forget to subscribe to our free, personal newsletter! We also invite you to be a part of The Rumpus by submitting your own work (please refer to our Writer’s Guidelines) to enrich our content. The Rumpus is a collaborative effort, where our writers, editors, illustrators, and readers play vital roles in shaping our identity.

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The First Book: Sam Ashworth

2 weeks ago | therumpus.net | Samuel Ashworth

The Author: Sam AshworthThe Book: The Death and Life of August Sweeney (Santa Fe Writer’s Project, 2025)The Elevator Pitch: The rise and fall of legendary Chef August Sweeney, told through his autopsy at the hands of a woman he mysteriously handpicked for the job. ***The Rumpus: Where did the idea of your book come from? Sam Ashworth: In 2012 or so, I was a bartender in Boston. I was sitting in a sister bar with a coworker, and as you do, we started talking about dead bodies.
Imagining is an Act of Love: A Conversation with Lynn Steger Strong

2 weeks ago | therumpus.net | Katie Coleman

Lynn Steger Strong’s latest novel, The Float Test (Mariner Books, 2025), tells the story of four siblings coming together one Florida summer to grieve the death of their mother. Each sibling is navigating a cocktail of grievances and secrets that separate them from their loved ones when they need them the most, and they all want to know why their mother had a gun in her underwear drawer. The concerns of The Float Test run much deeper, however.
National Poetry Month: Sadie Dupuis

3 weeks ago | therumpus.net | Sadie Dupuis

Insisting on the truthdoes not serve the painter. Five hundred horses rundown the trail of blood and thenfive hundred horses run it again. I did this. Took my own photo, painted over my eyes, listenedcloser. And then I put in my earplugs. I met a million horses. I marriedvery few of them. Despite the power of the mind who can say who marries or how or whyor where horses do. Marriage isa friendship for hire. Like most jobs, it’s not the only gig around. I consulted the ancestry.
Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman to lead The Rumpus as magazine’s new owners

3 weeks ago | therumpus.net | Alyson Sinclair

The Rumpus, one of the longest-running independent literary and culture magazines, will transition to new ownership under Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman, effective May 1, 2025, announced current Publisher Alyson Sinclair. “I couldn’t be more excited for The Rumpus to enter its next phase under Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman’s leadership,” said Sinclair. “They are writers and thought leaders I’ve admired for a long time.
Voices on Addiction: What I Learned About Myself from Watching Intervention

1 month ago | therumpus.net | Katie Reilly

The top of Lauren’s hair is blonde, but the dark roots have grown out. Her hair is pulled up into a bun that is unintentionally messy. She’s a mom to three kids but lives with her partner in their car. Lauren is a heroin addict whose story appeared on A&E’s Intervention. At one point, I admired her. She acted how I wished I could. My mom died fourteen years ago and my dad four years later on her birthday. After his death, the show consumed me. Some days, I’d watch three episodes a day, others just one.
Rumpus Original Fiction: We Tremble

1 month ago | therumpus.net | Jessica N Diaz-Hurtado

1. The Red YamahaWhen the motorcycles come, we tremble.As soon as we hear the crescendo of the distinct sharp rev of an engine, we scatter like a herd of frightened deer. Amid the chaos of the town’s lunch hour, we aren’t sure if the pops we hear are from the loud bangs of the Yamaha or if they already found their target. We hide. Underneath restaurant dining tables set out on the plaza. We run. Into our neighbors’ homes. Into each other’s arms. We shout. May God and El Capo forgive us.
A Door Isn’t Just a Door: An Interview with Lucy Rose

1 month ago | therumpus.net | Sky Davis

When my editor reached out to me to say I would be the right person to conduct an interview for a book about a mother and daughter who live in the woods and eat people, it was a no brainer to accept. I’ve never been more flattered in my life. That book is The Lamb (Harper, 2025),a contemporary queer folk tale by filmmaker and debut author Lucy Rose.
Rich Kids Want to Die Too: Julia Kornberg’s Berlin Atomized

1 month ago | therumpus.net | Valerie Stivers

I used to play a game when I lived in Moscow in my early twenties. I would see how deep into a flirtation I could get while pretending to be a Russian girl; in actuality, I am American. My Russian-language skills were limited, but in a famously patriarchal culture, a young woman like me wasn’t expected to talk much.
Redefining Memoir: A Conversation with Jackie Domenus

2 months ago | therumpus.net | Rachel Leon

Jackie Domenus caught my attention when I read an early draft of their essay, “Of Dogs and Men,” in a writers’ workshop. I’ve been waiting for the chance to read more of their work, and the wait is finally over: their debut, No Offense (ELJ Editions, 2025), includes the essay that made me first fall in love with their writing.
Voices on Addiction: Dodging Rocks

2 months ago | therumpus.net | Jeff Wood

I am on the asphalt-and-gravel street outside our home. I am barefoot. My eldest daughter, Sophie, is trying to run away. She is in front of me, screaming at me, telling me to quit following her. With every step, the pebbles embedded in the asphalt bite at my feet. I’m angry at myself for stupidly rushing out of the house without shoes. That choice is seriously impeding my progress.