Never Trust the Romans: An Intertextual Conversation with Bhanu Kapil’s Schizophrene

I began to decipher the fragments of Schizophrene from a state of disjointed volatility, having just been informed, by external forces, if there is such a thing—lab coats, stethoscopes that see inside the mind, surveys involving rankings between 1 and 10, a sphinx disguised as a mental health professional asking: has there ever been a time when you were not your usual self? a question designed to cause existential grief. Read more →

Descent into Darkness

Nancy O’Rourke is the winner of an annual non-fiction prize awarded by the CNFC. “Descent into Darkness” was selected by CNFC contest judge Betsy Warland. Note: This story, adapted from a memoir-in-progress, has changed the names of the main characters, including Elias, in order to protect their privacy. Read more →