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Isolation breakfasts. (Photo by Alaina Johns.)

Living in isolation with the family you chose on Craigslist

Roommates in quarantine

When forming a household, whether it’s you and your pets and plants, a partner and kids, or roommates, nobody (including Alaina Johns) thought about what we’d do if we had to stay home together through a pandemic.

Alaina Johns

Mar 31, 2020 Editorials 5 minute read

Never would’ve thought meeting the hosts of video-game talk show ‘Game Scoop’ would be some of the last human contact I’d have for a long time. (Photo by Kyle V. Hiller.)

While coronavirus strands us at home, revisiting anime fights the loneliness

Living in the end times—again

In the midst of a pandemic that’s got us on lockdown, how do we handle isolation and anxiety? Kyle V. Hiller considers a series of films that might have the answers.

Kyle V. Hiller

Mar 24, 2020 Editorials 6 minute read

Your home workplace is your kingdom. Here's where the editing of BSR goes down. (Photo by Alaina Johns.)

Seven hot tips from the editors for working at home in the COVID-19 crisis

No commute? No problem

Did you know that BSR’s team has always worked remotely? If shifting to work-from-home mode for a while (or keeping yourself occupied with a home-based project) feels overwhelming, editors Alaina Johns and Kyle V. Hiller have advice.

Alaina Johnsand Kyle V. Hiller

Mar 17, 2020 Editorials 5 minute read

Here's where the sanitizers used to be at Target. (Photo by Alaina Johns.)

Considering coronavirus in Philly

Tips for this month’s apocalypse

As of March 10, 2020, Philly is watching cases of COVID-19 confirmed closer and closer to home. Meanwhile, racism against Asian people rises here and abroad. Alaina Johns washed her hands before writing.

Alaina Johns

Mar 10, 2020 Editorials 5 minute read

An editor’s public-relations tips for emerging independent artists

Here’s how to be one in a hundred

The arts calendar used to confine its self-producing frenzy to the Fringe—but now independent artists, and their questionable PR practices, are a year-round event. Alaina Johns has tips to make everyone’s lives easier.

Alaina Johns

Feb 18, 2020 Editorials 7 minute read

Here I am, mentoring aspiring writers in the wild: a session with journalism majors at Temple University. (Photo by Howard Shapiro.)

The real cost of picking my brain—for both of us

What’s a writer worth?

“I would love to pick your brain!” Yes, I’ve heard it before, many times, and you probably have, too. But what happens when we talk about the price, and why is this especially tough ground for creative professionals? Alaina Johns considers.

Alaina Johns

Feb 04, 2020 Editorials 5 minute read

Words written and spoken offer unexpected healing. (Photo by Kyle V. Hiller.)

How ‘I Have a Dream’ taught me never to apologize for the words I need to speak

Speaking of healing

For the first time in 15 years, Kyle V. Hiller shared some of his own spoken word—and as we observe MLK Day 2020, the timing couldn’t be better to think about the words we choose, write, and speak.

Kyle V. Hiller

Jan 21, 2020 Editorials 6 minute read

The holidays are over, but there's more to do than count the days till spring. (Photo by Alaina Johns.)

Five easy post-holiday tips for surviving winter 2020

We'll get through this together

The weather is dreary, the parties are done, and your social-media feeds are full of people fixated on dieting for the new year. How will you get through? Alaina Johns shares her tips.

Alaina Johns

Jan 07, 2020 Editorials 3 minute read