Catching up with Rita Bullwinkel

Rita Bullwinkel–Briarcombe Alum!–has been super busy. She's of course the author of the acclaimed novel Headshot, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and longlisted for the Booker Prize. Her debut story collection, Belly Up, won a Whiting Award. She is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of San Francisco, the editor of McSweeney’s Quarterly, and a contributing editor at NOON. Here’s where you can catch her.

Upcoming Appearances:

• November 18, 2026: Marie Darrieussecq in Conversation with Rita Bullwinkel, hosted by City Lights Booksellers & Publishers and Transit Books, 7:00 pm PT

Listen and Watch:

• Rita Bullwinkel in conversation with Bregje Hofstede (video, Passa Porta)

• Episode 214: Thi Bui, Vu Tran & Rita Bullwinkel (American Writers Museum podcast, on McSweeney’s 78)

• Across the Pond, Episode 99 (podcast, November 2024)

• Otherppl with Brad Listi, Episode 923 (podcast, June 2024)

• NPR’s Scott Simon talks with Rita Bullwinkel about Headshot (radio, March 2024)

And some of her Recent Appearances:

• September 21, 2026: In conversation with Diane Williams at City Lights

• September 24-27, 2026: Festival America panels and sessions