Welcome to Catalectic! My name is Alicia. I’m a writer and third-generation Washingtonian. I’m also a former cocktail waitress, bra fitter, and reality TV talent. I stumble when people ask me “what do you do?”; my favorite party trick is pretending I’m a lawyer. I’ve dabbled in storytelling and stand-up comedy. On any given weeknight, you might find me at The Moth.

The broad theme for this newsletter is “thoughts inspired by things I’ve read” — literary fiction, mostly — something I hope leaves room for both critique and commentary as well as neither-here-nor-there digressions, personal essays, anecdotes and stories.

On other corners of the internet, you might recognize me as an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform. I tend to think we’re all a little broken and am a strong believer in second chances, mercy, and grace.

Elsewhere on Substack

If you’d like to say hello, I can always be reached at: aliciamkenworthy [at] gmail.com. Some of the guest posts I’ve written on Substack are:

“Little Spoon” on “Just Enough to Get Me in Trouble

“On Process” on “Only Connect”

“The Man of the Woods” on “Eclecticism”

“Thank U (Niece)” on “Nicci’s Notes”

“Still Beautiful” on “Inner Life”

“Love in the Time of Incarceration” (Book Review Context Winner) on Freddie de Boer

On Subscriptions

I publish this newsletter bi-weekly (ish!) and occasionally send out more intimate, paywalled reflections to paid subscribers. If you do take out a paid subscription, it’s best to think of it like you would a donation to NPR. Paid subscriptions gift me the time and space to bring this newsletter to life on a regular basis. (Thank you!)

“Alicia's writing is honest, funny and somehow both off-the-cuff and super polished all at once. ”

Alex Dobrenko`, Both Are True

“Gorgeous, vulnerable prose with a sultry dash of sarcasm.”

Amran Gowani, Amran Gowani's Field Research

“Entertaining life observations mixed with smart creative writing.”

Mark Dykeman, How About This


People

3rd Generation Washingtonian. Almost French. Once upon a time talent on Find My First Love (Amazon Prime.) I love words and making people laugh.
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