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Significant Objects 2026

live auctions link | buy the book | follow the substack for updates | project info below

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Significant Objects 2026 Edition

what value does narrative (or lyric or essay) add to an object?

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the objects and their stories

3/23: Sparkly Shoe Statue by L. C. J. Owen: SOLD
3/24: Pirate Penguin Figurine by Danielle Hartshorn: SOLD
3/25: Can/Glove Coozie by Porter McDonald: SOLD
3/26: Unfinished Music Notebook by Mahsel Gatan: SOLD
3/27: White Paper by Megan Campbell: SOLD
3/28: Bottle with Unknown Powder by Natalia Williams: SOLD
3/29: Hot Pepper Salsa Dish by Sean Lovelace: SOLD
3/30: Carving of Bacchus by Paul Ducker: SOLD
3/31: Summit House Shot Glass by Brisa Bejarano: SOLD
4/1: World Championship 1983 Pin by Alisa Alering: SOLD
4/2: Tasmanian Tiger Paw Print by Dana Diehl: SOLD
4/3: Hot Wheels Dairy Truck by David Mutschler: SOLD
4/4: Sideways DVD by Lydia Paar: SOLD
4/5: Gnome Figurine by Yadira Garcia Soto: SOLD
4/6: Bud Vase by Jae Towle Vieira: SOLD
Avon Cologne Bottle by Mackenzie Dougherty: SOLD
Common Sense Vase by Isabel Lage: SOLD
Sand Clown (Carletta) by Ander Monson: SOLD
Tufts College Tankard (1957 / DAVE) by Josh Russell: SOLD
The New Joys of Jello, 1979 Version, by Alexi L: SOLD
Rabbit Figurine by Lofton Allen: SOLD
Hamburglar Figurine by Ted McLoof: SOLD
Porthole Painting by Ryan Daniels: SOLD
Plastic Dinosaurs by Reed Karaim: SOLD
Papier-Mache Baby in Golden Robes by Sarah Blackman
Hip Hop Harry by Sierra Ziemann
Crayola Crayons, Gently Used by Juan Martinez: SOLD
Floral Picture Frame with Photo of “Grandpa Zachary” and His Grandson “William” by Layla Todd: SOLD
A Vaguely Rod of Asclepius Shaped Wine Stop by Jacquelyn Lo Bianco: SOLD
Garden Angel Figurine by Andrew Maynard: SOLD
04/23: Mini ESPN Hand Pump by Wes Holtermann: SOLD
04/24: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Teacup & Saucer by Gabi Stone: SOLD
04/25: CD/DVD Player with Remote by Rodrigo Restrepo Montoya: SOLD
04/26: Pop Rocks by Margo Steines: SOLD
04/27: Stuffed Shark by Adrienne Celt: SOLD
04/28: Wine Bottle Painted to Look Like a Woman by Aidan Murray: SOLD

04/29: Letters Found Within a Statuette by Christian Moher and Eliza Moher: SOLD
04/30: Best White Elephant Gift Ever by Timothy Dyke: SOLD
05/01: Friends Themed Dog Toy by Caitlin Horrocks: SOLD
05/02: Mrs. Klaus Santa Troll Doll by Megan Culhane Galbraith
05/03: Framed Picture of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis by Avery Gregurich
05/04: Bear Bryant Mask by Katie Jean Shinkle
Conductor’s Baton by Dorian Rolston
Magnifying Glass by Valyntina Grenier
Plush Carrot Keychain by Matthew Morris

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what is significant objects 2026

In March and April 2026 Ander Monson’s Advanced Fiction Workshop at the University of Arizona and a number of other writer friends are conducting an experiment in narrative and capitalism. Writers purchase an essentially valueless object (less than $5, typically secondhand), write a story or essay or poem about it, and we will auction the object and the writing off on ebay.

The winning bidder receives the object and a printed copy of the story (or essay or poem) in an edition of one. We will track any profits and donate them to the Hermitage Cat Shelter in Tucson, one of our favorite nonprofit organizations.

The stories will be published as part of the ebay listings, so anyone can read them. They will also be archived on this site thereafter and printed in a limited edition booklet.

Significant Objects 2026 is based on the 2009 Significant Objects project, which you may enjoy reading more about.

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Participating writers: Alisa Alering, Lofton Allen, Brisa Bejarano, Sarah Blackman, Adrienne Celt, Megan Campbell, Ryan Daniels, Dana Diehl, Mackenzie Dougherty, Timothy Dyke, Josh Foster, Megan Culhane Galbraith, Yadira Garcia Soto, Mahsel Gatan, Valyntina Grenier, Avery Gregurich, Danielle Hartshorn, Wes Holtermann, Caitlin Horrocks, Megan Jones, Reed Karaim, Alexi L, Isabel Lage, Jacquelyn Lo Bianco, Sean Lovelace, Julie Lunde, Juan Martinez, Andrew Maynard, Porter McDonald, Ted McLoof, Christian Moher, Eliza Moher, Ander Monson, Rodrigo Restrepo Montoya, Matthew Morris, Aidan Murray, David Mutschler, L. C. J. Owen, Lydia Paar, Josh Riedel, Dorian Rolston, Josh Russell, Katie Jean Shinkle, Maya Sonenberg, Gabi Stone, Margo Steines, Layla Todd, Jae Towle Vieira, Natalia Williams, Sierra Ziemann.

Perhaps you would like to join us? Send Ander (ander@arizona.edu) an email.

Here are the live auctions. Read the work! Share widely! Bid on the objects/stories! Support cats and this literary experiment!

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SCHEDULE OF PUBLISHING / AUCTION LISTING

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