Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 2h

It's v fun to write! 😂 I'm building towards something gothic, plotwise. On an interpersonal level, everyone starts out with misunderstandings. But slowly the couples figure stuff out. The brothers figure stuff out. The uncles & nephew ditto. Then they have to work together to survive the gothic plot

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Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 3h

In the new book, one of the world's more uncomfortable family dinners has finally reached its premature conclusion, with a bunch of revelations no one expected. Now everyone is hunting for the family member that fled the table in terror.

I do love these characters and how messed up they all are! 😂

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Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 3h

I've submitted something somewhere.

Edited more of Book Two; I'm nearly halfway through this editing pass over it. Did some research for querying, which I will want to start doing with Book One/the duology after I finish this pass.

Then I wrote more of the new book, to bring it to 25,000 words.

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Reposted by Mae Tang 董美妍

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 1d

NEW KICKSTARTER TIER JUST DROPPED!! 🌍✍️

Take your worldbuilding to the next level with @retreasure.bsky.social, complete with a 5 page critique!

This tier is limited to just TEN backers, so make sure you don't miss it! ⏰⬇️

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

"Just Dropped: World Building from the Inside Out" with Apex Magazine Managing Editor Rebecca E Treasure. 60min class, including critique"

"Join Rebecca E Treasure as she puts her anthropology studies to use for once and talks about culture, creating worlds, and how to weave rich and unique environments and societies into your stories. Includes a 5 page critique with an emphasis on worldbuilding details, a 60m live class, and a PDF of the slides used for the class."

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Reposted by Mae Tang 董美妍

Stew Hotston (he/him) @stewarthotston.com · 1d

More evidence of what i had to report to the @bsfa.bsky.social and @britfantasysoc.bsky.social this year - that publishers made a lot of noise about inclusion but have largely, in my experience, stopped working on this.

As you might imagine i have opinions.

Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 1d

One of the things about this study is that a lot of baby and toddler books are written in house, by editors. So the study reveals the whiteness of editorial in kidlit even if not explicitly. But, big picture, this trend is unacceptable. I remember so many promises www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...

‘Catastrophic decline’ in Black representation in children’s books

A report by charity Inclusive Books for Children found that of the 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 featured a Black main character, down by 21.5% since 2023

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Mae Tang 董美妍

Ursula K. Le Guin @ursulakleguin.com · 23h

Today, The Word for World: The Maps of Ursula K. Le Guin opens at AA Gallery in London! Curated by Sarah Shin and Harriet Jennings, the exhibition presents a selection of Ursula's maps, including some that have never been exhibited before.

A photo of the entrance to The Word for World exhibition, with two banners hanging vertically down outside the doorway to a brick building with white-paned windows. A row of bicycles are parked in front. The banners are purple and white and say the name of the exhibition and Ursula K. Le Guin's name.

A cord-wrapped rock rests on a vivid blue background next to a map of and program for The Word for World exhibition.

A stack of copies of The Word for World book, which shows the title in vivid blue against a black cloth cover.

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Jes & Cin @jesncin.bsky.social · 16h

Xanthe Zhou the Envoy preparing for Lunar New Year for @dcforgaza.bsky.social

This one goes out to the gaysians and the theysians

#Art #DCcomics #XantheZhou #TheEnvoy #Artsky

Xanthe holding several ang pao in one hand and a plate of mandarin oranges in the other. They're wearing a Qing Tang, hanfu inspired street fashion design with a sarong on their waist.

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Yangyang Cheng @yangyangcheng.bsky.social · 1d

"Generations of Chinese women have been rendered voiceless by the patriarchy. Their stories refuse soft burials."
So honored to have a review essay out in Banned Books Week @chinabooksreview.com on two of Fang Fang's most acclaimed novels, Soft Burial & The Running Flame, tr. @bairuiwen.bsky.social:

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graveyard dirt @upfromsumdirt.bsky.social · 20h

i have a new collection og poetry dropping in a few days, but id rather you post this, as october is also black speculative fiction month... many of these writers dont need the shine but a few are outstanding, up-and-coming folks.

bsky.app/profile/upfr...

graveyard dirt @upfromsumdirt.bsky.social · 9d

16 various titles for October, Black Speculative Fiction Month

#BlackSpeculativeFictionMonth —

photo of 16 books by black authors spread across the yellow blanket on our bed in a 4 x 4 grid of books —

wizard of the crow by ngūgī wa thiong'o; unshod, cackling, and naked by tamika thompson; shigidi and the brass head of obalufon by wole talibi; none but the righteous by chantal james; the ballad of perilous graves by alex jennings; rosewater by tade thompson; out there screaming (horror anthology) edited by jordan peele; my life in the bush of ghosts by amos tutuola; skin folk by nalo hopkinson; black leopard, red wolf by marlon james; dhalgren by samuel r. delany; the ballad of black tom by victor lavalle; nigerians in space by deji bryce olukotun; how long 'til black future month? by n.k. jemisin; black sci-fi short stories (gothic fantasy) edited by tia ross; and everfair by nisi shawl.

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Tales & Feathers Magazine @talesfeathers.bsky.social · 20h

New T&F story is NOW LIVE!

Check out “The Last Chance Locksmith” by @niallspain.bsky.social! ☕🔥

Settle in for a cozy fantasy story about an artificer, her coffee, and the unfortunate adventures that keep rocking her bunker!

Read it NOW! 🔗 Link in bio.

An image with an orange plain background. There is a graphic of an open book at the bottom of the image. In the middle is a white square. Inside of the square reads: “A shockwave rippled through the bunker. Unfortunately, this knocked one of Heather’s romance novels off her shelf and onto the thick carpet below. Even worse, it woke her a whole thirty-seven minutes early. The rumbling faded fast—the clinking of glass beakers from her lab stilling soon after—but there was no chance she’d fall back asleep now.” in black text. Beneath it reads: "Tales and Feathers Magazine — Volume 3" then there is a link symbol beside the link: https://augursociety.org/the-last-chance-locksmith/

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Stanchion @stanchion.bsky.social · 1d

Last book of '25 is by @lindzmcleod.bsky.social + a cast of collaborators incl The Handmaid's Tale screenwriter Lynn Renee Maxcy, Sunday Times bestseller Thomas D. Lee & Nebula/WFA finalist Eugenia Triantafyllou.

Pre-order now with UK Saver Shipping to save £! www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

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Air and Nothingness Press @aanpress.bsky.social · 22h

Announcing our first open call for 2026 - "Tea or Coffee, Stars, and Gravity" which will ask for hard SF stories with tea or coffee, stars, and gravity all playing a prominent narrative role. Info here - aanpress.com/submissions.... Important: Be sure to read the cover page to the PDF.

Cover image to the book, showing the back of an astronaut in a space suit as he steps off into a psychedelic swirl of cosmic colors and stars. The title circles around the figure.

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Reposted by Mae Tang 董美妍

Philippa East (Author) @philippaeast.bsky.social · 22h

COME ON, PUBLISHING, YOU CAN DO BETTER.
You have to do better.

Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 1d

One of the things about this study is that a lot of baby and toddler books are written in house, by editors. So the study reveals the whiteness of editorial in kidlit even if not explicitly. But, big picture, this trend is unacceptable. I remember so many promises www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...

‘Catastrophic decline’ in Black representation in children’s books

A report by charity Inclusive Books for Children found that of the 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 featured a Black main character, down by 21.5% since 2023

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Mae Tang 董美妍

Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 1d

And don’t forget that you can still get 20% off on select banned and challenged titles on our site through October 19 using code BBW25 at checkout!

Keep reading. Keep fighting the good fight. I’ll see you soon. 💜

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Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 23h

Courtney Milan’s critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling Turner series is now available in one boxed set. This set contains three full-length books —Unveiled, Unclaimed, and Unraveled —a novella, Unlocked, and two short stories, Birthday Gift and Out of the Frying Pan.
/jb

Image of The Turner Series box set by Courtney Milan. Image is of a white woman wearing dress with a white top and bright pink skirts with a background of rolling green hills. Includes the books: Unveiled, Unlocked, Unclaimed, and Unraveled.

Purple background with text that says:
The Turner series.
Three brothers who have overcome extraordinary odds just to survive are taking on their biggest challenge yet: happiness.
"Quite compelling and emotionally complex." - Book list

Collage of covers for The Turner Series books by Courtney Milan: Unveiled, Unlocked, Unclaimed, and Unraveled.

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Reposted by Mae Tang 董美妍

Victoria Strauss @victoriastrauss.com · 1d

Here's the email sent by the owner of Down & Out Books, announcing that the publisher is closing and that a "sharp decline in sales" means no further royalties will be paid (authors say that's been true for some time)

For 15 remarkable years, Down & Out Books proudly published nearly 1,000 titles, collaborated with over 500 talented authors, and earned more than 50 prestigious awards. Today, however, we must announce the closure of our operations.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the gifted authors who entrusted us with their stories and to our loyal readers who brought those stories to life through their passion and support.

Regrettably, a sharp decline in sales since 2020 has made continued financial investment unsustainable. As a result, no further payments will be issued. In the coming weeks, all titles will be withdrawn from distribution channels, and rights will revert to their respective authors and editors in accordance with their contracts.

Your unwavering dedication has been the heart of our journey, and we are profoundly grateful for every moment. Thank you for being part of the Down & Out family.
Sincerely,

---E

Eric E. Campbell
Publisher, Down & Out Books

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Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 1d

It's Kickstarter Christmas! 🎁✅

We just added a TON of new tiers, including affirmation critiques with Violet Lichen Managing Editor Nichole Lightner and short story critiques from the most important Apex team members of all: our slush readers! ✨ Don't miss out!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

"Flash Fiction Critique: 5 left of 10

Affirmation Critique with Rebecca Treasure: 8 left of 10

Affirmation Critique with Nichole Lightner: 5 left of 5

Slush Reader Critique: Three of Apex Magazine's amazing first readers will critique your short story, giving you three different perspectives! Our amazing slush teams read hundreds of stories each and every month and have developed a great eye for what makes a story work. Let their experience elevate your next submission. Stories can be up to 5,000 words!"

A cow is floating through space in a UFO tractor beam. His two little ghost friends float alongside, wearing space helmets. The cow's thought bubble reads, "$6,996!"

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Reposted by Mae Tang 董美妍

Gabino Iglesias @gabino.bsky.social · 1d

It’s #FridayReads time! Repost this and let us know what to repost for you. I bring you the perfect read for Latine Heritage Month AND spooky season! Monsters from the deep, dark magic, revenge, friendship, a bloodthirsty spirit, and 45% off! Get some.
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...

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Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 1d

So now I clock the oldest brother as being horribly adaptive in his sadism, and inclined to suit the measure to the target. He doesn't waste extra steps where those won't do extra damage. But where they will, he goes all out.

It's a good thing he's dead and gone now, isn't it?

... Or is he? 👀

Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 1d

But the youngest brother is imaginative. An overthinker, and with deep feelings that can verge on the febrile. So bullying him in more elaborate, creative ways is part of inflicting maximum misery. Because he would dwell on all of it. He would try to anticipate it, and he doesn't fight back as much.

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Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 1d

Then I realised it was about personality. The 2nd brother is straightforward. He fought his way through boarding school after his older brother set him up to be bullied there too. It's not that he doesn't suffer, but he can fight, he's physically brave, & he's more direct in his approach & thinking.

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Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 1d

With the 2nd brother, it was fairly basic, direct attacks: kicking, punching, pushing him down the stairs. With the 3rd brother he got creative - like tearing up his beloved books and shoving the crumpled pages down his throat.

But I was puzzled why the bullying got more elaborate for brother no 3

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Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 1d

Speaking of bad memories, I was coming up with examples - in the course of dialogue & description - of how the deceased older brother bullied his 2 younger half-brothers. I waited to see what they would remember. And then when they did, I realised something: he tailored the bullying to his targets.

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Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 1d

Edited more of Book Two.

Wrote more of the new book to bring it to 22K words, and kicking off a dreadful family dinner scene in which bad memories recur, misunderstandings come to light, and one character will soon flee the room in terror. Ah, the joys of going home to where you grew up! 😂

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Mae Tang 董美妍 @maetang.myatproto.social · 1d

I was talking to my partner once about how much I dislike coming up with comps, and he asked me which other 2-3 writers I'm like who also hate comps 😂