Anne Spollen
Bio
I haunt New York City, the Jersey Shore, and the Hudson Valley. I write a lot, and I read a lot. Working on two new novels (writing them, not reading them) because I haven't published a new novel in quite some time ~ but I'm back now.
Stories (8)
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Political Violence is the Ultimate Act of Cowardice
Politically motivated attacks On September 10, 2025, the politically conservative activist and speaker, Charlie Kirk, was fatally wounded by a sniper while speaking at Utah Valley University. Kirk, only 31 years old, was a husband and a father of two young children. His murder was carried out at a public event, in broad daylight, in front of an audience of college students.
By Anne Spollen4 months ago in The Swamp
About Parades and Ferries and the Women Who Halt Them
When I was eight and a half, my parents, fully and totally against my will, placed me in a Brownie troop that met in the musty basement of a Lutheran church. My oldest brother, Chris, was Staten Island’s first Eagle Scout, and my older brother, Tom, was its second. By that logic, my parents shoving their youngest into scouting made a whole lot of sense — to them.
By Anne Spollen5 months ago in Families
IVF Conception 2025: The Next Reproductive Battle for Women?
At first glance, IVF and abortion may seem like opposites: one is done to create a pregnancy, while the other is performed to terminate one. They are linked, however, due to the legal and moral debates surrounding the status of a fertilized egg in the context of reproductive healthcare. Both procedures involve the manipulation of fertilized eggs at an early stage of development — and in certain legal frameworks — especially those that consider “personhood” to begin at conception — both procedures could be impacted by legislation meant to restrict access because they both involve the potential to discard fertilized eggs or embryos. With the current political climate, the discussion around both procedures is becoming more complex, especially for women.
By Anne Spollen9 months ago in The Swamp
Snow White is Not a Political Figure
In college, our professors explained how folklore and fairy tales are essential to the cultural transmission of any society, which is why, at least in oral tradition, many of the plots and characters that have survived in present-day pre-date the Bronze Age. The lessons and archetypes connect us not only with each other through shared experiences but also provide insight into our societal beliefs and values.
By Anne Spollen9 months ago in Geeks
Trump Seized the Populist Comfort of Nostalgia to Win
In 1980, I remember celebrating my mother’s birthday just before leaving to go back to college. We watched this segment of Trump and Tom Brokaw when it was new and when Trump was known as a “rich guy” married to an Eastern European Olympic contender. They were part of the New York elite scene, people distant from us but people who frequently appeared in the news or magazines.
By Anne Spollen11 months ago in The Swamp
