Priscilla Long

Priscilla Long’s latest book is Dancing with the Muse in Old Age. She is also the author of two books of poetry, a collection of essays, the how-to guides Minding the Muse: A Handbook for Painters, Composers, Writers, and Other Creators and The Writer’s Portable Mentor, as well as Where the Sun Never Shines: A History of America’s Bloody Coal Industry.

Electrons That Bind

The molecule at the center of everything

By Priscilla Long | Monday March 3, 2025

Imperiled Planet

The ecological havoc we’ve wrought

By Priscilla Long | Tuesday September 3, 2024

We Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet

After Covid-19, what might be next?

By Priscilla Long | Thursday June 1, 2023
A picture of the moon

Ten Sights (I Wish I’d Seen)

Purple ocean’s majesty, the dodo, and other wonderful things

By Priscilla Long | Tuesday September 3, 2019

Becoming a Poet

By Priscilla Long | Monday August 29, 2016

How Chemistry Became Biology

And how LUCA, Earth’s first living cell, became Lucas, my adorable grandnephew

By Priscilla Long | Monday December 7, 2015

What Killed My Sister?

The answer—schizophrenia—only leads to more perplexing questions

By Priscilla Long | Tuesday March 11, 2014

Remembering Steve

A tribute to my friend Stephen Jay Gould

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday July 3, 2013

Till We Meet Again

And thanks for dropping by

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday June 26, 2013

How Mauve Was Her Garment

The effect of coal tar on Queen Victoria’s gown

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday June 19, 2013

Big as a VW, or Lost on a Pin

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday April 3, 2013

Enchantment and Deception

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday March 27, 2013

Behold the Butterfly

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday March 20, 2013

I’m Going Native

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday March 13, 2013

Please Pass the Salt

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday March 6, 2013

A Great Event

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday February 27, 2013

The Higgs Boson

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday February 20, 2013

The Bad and the Beautiful

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday February 13, 2013

Science: Why Bother?

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday February 6, 2013

Dark and Stormy Month

By Priscilla Long | Wednesday January 30, 2013

● NEWSLETTER

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up