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Tag: The Republic of Letters

Dear Michael Kirst in The Republic of Letters

I’ve become something of a regular contributor at The Republic of Letters (two publications in three months). My most recent one is, interestingly enough, an actual letter titled, “Dear Michael Kirst.” It isn’t the first letter I’ve ever written, but it’s my first published one, and for this I’d like to once again thank Sam Kahn for choosing my work for publication. I’ve heard that editors are supposed to support writers, but Sam goes above and beyond. He takes sides, and he’s got my back. Check out the forward that he wrote to my letter “Daniel Speechly writes to Michael Kirst of the California State Board of Education. ROL certainly has never heard of Michael Kirst, but, you know what, fuck that guy.” I don’t know another editor who would go to bat for me in such a manner. Thanks Sam. I’ve highlighted other interesting work published on ROL in a previous post here, but Read more…


Favorite Articles Issue 5 – The Republic of Letters

The Republic of Letters This week I want to share five of my favorite articles from The Republic of Letters. Sam Kahn’s Substack is home to some of the best new literary debates, discussions, and essays to be found online in 2025. This Favorite Articles issue was prompted by my recent publication of “Beware Paul Theroux!” I’m excited to share my own recent success, but more importantly, I want to share the success of the other authors’ published before me. Unfortunately, I’m not always able to find work that I adore in the publications where my essays are accepted. That being said, I always try to hunt down at least one memorable piece that I think readers of my work might also enjoy. For instance, I shared Hannah Walhout’s amazing essay, “Year of The Egg,” when I was published in The Inquisitive Eater and Kimberly Hoff’s “The Language of Belonging” as well as Leslie Carol Read more…


Beware Paul Theroux! in The Republic of Letters

I can’t believe my essay “Beware Paul Theroux!” was selected for inclusion in The Republic of Letters Substack. I’m a true fan of Sam Kahn’s publication. This, his most recent Substack, has only been around since March 2025, but it has already published many of my favorite reads of the year. I’m honored to have my essay placed alongside them. And I’m stoked to be getting paid for my writing. More importantly, I experienced a personal first shortly after publication. A handful of readers not only liked my essay, but quoted and shared their favorite lines. The sentence, “And likewise, we also learned the much harder lesson that there is no such thing as going home, for the home that we carried in our hearts stopped existing the moment we left it behind, ” connected with a number of readers. I would also add that working with Sam Kahn was a great experience. You would Read more…