Welcome to Eckleburg Weekly. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg have been watching all week, and they caught some marvelous things: new fiction, poetry, essays, art and interviews, gathered here for your Sunday. Here’s everything we published from October 19-25, 2026, plus a few literary evenings worth leaving the apartment for. And this week, you choose: vote for your favorite line below before the day is out, and we’ll crown the winner Monday as Eckleburg Readers’ Favorite Line of the Week.
FIRST LOOK
For subscribers, before anyone else
 |
How to Become the Final Black Girlby Ashley Mallory “If you find yourself trapped in a horror movie, this list will help you survive. I devised this guide to ensure you become the final Black girl. To stay alive, you must follow these rules carefully. Each step is crucial; neglecting to comply with any of the following directives will ensure you will be killed, forgotten, and exploited. In short, do this, or you are fucked (meaning doomed, not to be confused with actual sex; see rule 4). Never reveal that you know you are in a horror film. Keep… |
Read this week at Eckleburg.
FICTION
 |
Capillariesby Joseph Celizic “The bruise beneath Elmer’s ribcage reminded them both of topographical maps, maroon with brown and purple tilts to denote ridges, peaks, and saddles, his capillaries like the earth’s scoured crust. |
POETRY
 |
dictionary & other poemsby Katerina Canyon “noun / /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛri/ / DIK-shuh-nair-ee… |
ESSAYS
 |
Because the Body Enduresby Georgia Maull-Keyser “She does it so well that real, deep, profound pain to others comes to feel like nothing more than a dull ache—a minor inconvenience. |
LITERARY CRITICISM
 |
From the archive, April 2026 Where Moral Authority Begins | Part I: Toni Morrison’s Belovedby Rae Cline “Triggers. Spoilers. I am curious about moral authority in stories and how moral authority presents within openings. Morality is a central function of stories that I find most engaging, in particular, the moral implications surrounding gender-violence and abuse. I prefer stories that push the boundaries of moral dilemmas. Some questions of morality present as axioms… |
GALLERY
 |
From the archive, July 2016 Alessandro Sicioldr Bianchiby Alessandro Sicioldr Bianchi This six-image series by Alessandro Sicioldr Bianchi is featured in The Eckleburg Gallery. |
EYES ON: AN ECKLEBURG INTERVIEW
 |
Eyes On: Trevor J. HouserIn this Eyes On interview, we talk with Trevor J. Houser about “Malta,” published in Eckleburg, and The Geography of Saying Goodbye, along with the works and habits behind them and what comes next. |
 |
Eyes On: Kim ChinqueeIn this Eyes On interview, we talk with Kim Chinquee about “What’s Your Emergency?,” published in Eckleburg, and Octopus Arms, along with the works and habits behind them and what comes next. |
MORE FROM ECKLEBURG
 |
Eckleburg Readers’ Favorite Line of the Week: Alex Poppe’s “Richard”“Eckleburg Readers' Favorite Line of the Week: "Richard led me from the sofa to the kitchen island, where avocado slices neoned next to pan-seared steaks on two dressed plates." from Richard by Alex Poppe. |
|
FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY VOTE: FAVORITE LINE OF THE WEEK |
|
Which line from this issue stays with you? Click your favorite. Voting closes at the end of the day. We’ll publish the winner Monday as Eckleburg Readers’ Favorite Line of the Week. “The bruise beneath Elmer’s ribcage reminded them both of topographical maps, maroon with brown and purple tilts to denote ridges, peaks, and saddles, his capillaries like the earth’s scoured crust.” “noun / /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛri/ / DIK-shuh-nair-ee” “She does it so well that real, deep, profound pain to others comes to feel like nothing more than a dull ache—a minor inconvenience.” |
LIT UP NYC
Lit Up NYC: October 24-November 1, 2026
Readings, launches and literary conversations across New York, for the week ahead and next weekend.
Coming up:
- Monday, October 26, 7 PM, Manhattan: Lydia Millet & Jenny Offill. McNally Jackson Seaport, 4 Fulton Street. Details
- Monday, October 26, 8 PM, Manhattan: Nicole Linder + Jasmine Sanders. St. Mark’s Church – Parish Hall. $10. Details
Thank you for reading Eckleburg Weekly. New work appears at Eckleburg every week: fiction on Tuesdays, literary criticism on Wednesdays, essays on Thursdays and poetry on Fridays, with Lit Up NYC on Saturdays. Subscribe to Eckleburg Weekly to get it in your inbox every Sunday.
The Editors
