Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michelle Chen

@michellechn.bsky.social

6.5K followers 1K following 460 posts

Senior Editor at University Press of Colorado acquiring books in composition & rhetoric, folklore, history, and polar studies. Formerly at OUP (music), Palgrave (politics) and Bloomsbury (33 1/3). Based in Brooklyn. Opinions my own.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 4h

Glad to see this handbook is moving forward!

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 5h

those contagious foreign ideas...

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 5h

Why is candy branding designed to make you feel bad? I'm sorry but I don't want to share this "share size" snickers bar I'm a glutton OK?

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

Having candy at the table is ALWAYS the best move

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

I am not ok (in the best way)

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

Signs of a really amazing book:

1. You spend Friday night devouring it
2. You spend the rest of Friday night emotionally recovering from what it did to you

1 1 4

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

Look up "prison burrito." You are welcome for the rabbit hole.

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

It's kind of connected! Aka food so terrible and not enough nutrition/calories sometimes that people have to get real creative with what's available in the commissary, and instant ramen is a reliable staple.

1 1

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

Have you seen the Prison Ramen cookbook?

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

Trekkies are NOT to be messed with! I say this with the utmost respect.

1 1

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

And on the topic of childfree and happy, behold this photo of my cat (yes she has her own little living area it’s normal I’m normal)

1 7

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 2d

Some perspectives aren’t outright banned; they just come with intense, unrelenting social stigma. CHILDFREE AND HAPPY explores such stigmas & serves as a celebration of women choosing childlessness (& the rhetorical identity work that childfree women do!) #BannedBooksWeek @drcawooten.bsky.social

1 3

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 3d

Oooh have you used avocado for muffins or other chocolate baked goods in lieu of butter? HIGHLY recommend it!

1 1

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 3d

One of the best things about working at a university press is getting to know the editorial board members, who are always the most impressive people. See: me smiling widely in shock and awe that this particular board member is also an airplane pilot?!?! Like a PhD isn’t enough.

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 3d

Can we all just reject the notion of "Inbox Zero"? My inbox is not zero. That email I marked as unread from June telling me to update software is my emotional support email leave me alone.

1 4

Reposted by Michelle Chen

Association of University Presses @aupresses.bsky.social · 3d

Worth repeating: "University presses are essential infrastructure for the humanities & should be financially supported in the same way that other higher education inter-institutional infrastructure is." Some powerful examples here:

Institutions and funders must recognize the contributions of university presses to the humanities infrastructure (opinion)

Recognizing the university press community’s essential contributions to that infrastructure will be crucial as institutions and funders plan for the future, write Charles Watkinson and Melissa Pitts.

bit.ly

30 59

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 3d

Rather than reading Fahrenheit 451 for the nteenth time, why not branch out into some Critical #Folklore Studies? And just so you know I’m not just trolling for book sales, this one happens to be available to read for FREE tinyurl.com/33sdvvdz

#BannedBooksWeek

1 2

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 4d

I have the most profound love/hate relationship with readers. They are the BIGGEST PIA to produce (permissions, rekeying, etc.) but they're also so useful!

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 4d

My partner (40s) and I (30s) legitimately consume cans of Chef Boyardee ravioli on the regular

1 1

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 4d

I love this! I feel that about not being able to keep up now though. I have a subscription to Harpers that feeds a very sad pile in my living room.

1 1

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 4d

This makes me think of the new Author & Punisher dropping same day as the TS album

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 4d

“Speak English or die.” Wow. This #BannedBooksWeek let’s also think about linguistic hegemony—what languages don’t get published & read. Lingít is an endangered language of the Tlingit people of the Pacific NW Coast. What does it sound like? Give these recordings a listen! tinyurl.com/4h4xkvwp

8 13

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 5d

Scott! This is so awesome! Congrats 🎉🎉🎉

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 5d

I still remember fondly the days of YBP 😢

1 1

Michelle Chen @michellechn.bsky.social · 5d

I know ya'll love a free book...

UPColorado @upcolorado.bsky.social · 5d

Happy #OAWeek! Did you know we have a full collection of books that are completely FREE to read? Open Books = Open Minds. Check out the full list here and spread the word! read.upcolorado.com #readUP #OAWeek2025

1 6