PACT Editor's Note

Welcome to Season 3! OMG We've got so much to tell you.

Greetings, PACT-ers!

Welcome to another season of PACT! We have a lot in store this season for you to check out!

We’re bringing back several fan favorites, including Microdes, The Literary Lurker, Roundtable, Pub Drawl, and our anchor segment, At the Desk—which we kicked off this season with our very first in-person session at the Seaside Residency. (You can catch the recording of that mega session over on the Substack once it’s uploaded.)

We’re also introducing some new offerings to look forward to.

This season, we’re launching Weekly Prompts, posted every Friday on our Instagram. Yes—we officially have an IG now, and it’s where you’ll find prompts, updates, events, and announcements. Follow along, write with us and send us your PACT Prompt Inspired work!

Which brings us to our next reading and dance-adjacent literary gathering: INSPO DISCO in April 2026. Mark your calendars now and keep an eye out for more details soon.

This season we’re offering a critique group run by none other than Aaron Pope, called “Stranger Than Workshop.” (See Details and Registration on our Merch tab.) Space is limited!

This season will also include a craft talk with none other than Bog Poet Princess Kate Wylie in May 2026 (details coming soon on our Merch Tab).

Oh! And we’re also selling stickers! Yes! PACT is venturing into merch territory with some rad art stickers designed by our very own Art Director, Verena Raban. Stickers, guys! Stickers!! (Available for PreOrder Now!)

We’ve also opened PACT Bookshop with Bookshop.org! It will feature PacU alumni publications, along with book recommendations from our contributors, artists, and editors. If you have a book coming out—or one already published—let us know!

We’re looking for three brave volunteers for a Recess Review—a surprise middle grade or YA book mailed straight to you. No title, no author, no hints. You won’t know what it is until it arrives. Your mission (should you choose to accept it): read it, live with it, and write a short review reflecting on the experience—surprises, delights, confusions, revelations, all of it. We want to hear your craft insights on those texts with all your creative writing chops. If this sparks something, reach out!(Email: PACTDeskSet@gmail.com)

Thanks, y’all—for your support, your generosity, and for coming along with us on this strange, joyful, craft-obsessed ride.

Hearts + Stars,

Co-Editors Atina Hartunian + Mike Itaya