The Curious Life of an Extra

Playing bystanders and party guests was supposed to be a temporary gig. It turned into a viable, and surprisingly fulfilling, way to make a living.

My 150 Writing Mentors and Me

What interviewing an author a week for several years has taught me about finishing my novel

The Intimate World of the Performance Artist

The dancer and choreographer Okwui Okpokwasili takes the stage alone in her acclaimed work Bronx Gothic. But behind the scenes, things get a little more complicated.

Saving One of Western Art’s Most Iconic Paintings

Inside the massive, two-year museum effort to conserve The Blue Boy, Thomas Gainsborough’s famed 18th-century portrait

How My First Novel Became a Movie

It took 14 years of false starts, navigating Hollywood, and a modest payout for my book Carrie Pilby to be adapted into a Netflix film.

Marjorie Liu on the Road to Making Monstress

The comic-book writer discusses working for Marvel, the loneliness of novel-writing, and why her epic-fantasy series is mostly populated by women and characters of color.

Why I’m Still Trying to Get a Book Deal After 10 Years

A writer explains her dedication to becoming a published author—and how her approach has changed over the last decade.

The Remarkable Rise of Tiffany Haddish

The standup and Girls Trip star had a breakout summer, and her success points to how comedy has—and hasn’t—changed for women and entertainers of color.

What Lena Waithe Wants From Hollywood

The Emmy-nominated actress and writer on what’s next after Master of None, creating her own show, and forcing the industry to pay attention to new black talent.

Why Aren’t There More Women Working in Audio?

Like with many STEM-oriented fields, music production and sound engineering are dominated by men—though that’s very slowly changing.

The Podcast Made From Inside Prison

The audio series Ear Hustle seeks to highlight the everyday experiences of inmates at San Quentin.

The Book He Wasn't Supposed to Write

A best-selling author submits a draft to his editor. Hijinks ensue.

Confessions of a Costume Curator 

As a fashion historian, my job is to learn from other people’s clothes—a task that is challenging, messy, and often spooky.

The Invisible Artists Behind Your Favorite Comics

Colorists and and letterers bring a silent medium to life, and their work often goes undetected—especially if they’re great at their jobs.

The Director Behind Some of the Most Iconic Music Videos of the 2000s

How Dave Meyers has flexed the staying power of his craft to launch several of the biggest hits of the past two decades

Writing in Someone Else’s World

I stumbled on a high-pay, low-prestige way to enter the publishing world—and overcame my reservations to make the most of the opportunity.

Ava DuVernay on Queen Sugar and Her Hollywood Journey

The director discusses the show’s midseason finale, the importance of telling black stories, and her secret to navigating the film and TV industry.