Autumn Watts
@autumnwatts.bsky.social
Writer, Nevadan, former Guernica fiction editor (2014-2024), co-founder of litmatchcollective.com. She/her
Stephanie Vaughn was my thesis advisor, and so generous and ferocious and funny. She freely gave her time and bracing advice to the silly, self-absorbed young person that I was then. I adored her and Michael Koch. Both such loving, kind, and gracious people, who made my program feel like home 💔
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Stephanie Vaughn was my thesis advisor, and so generous and ferocious and funny. She freely gave her time and bracing advice to the silly, self-absorbed young person that I was then. I adored her and Michael Koch. Both such loving, kind, and gracious people, who made my program feel like home 💔
Reposted by Autumn Watts
I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...
Acquired Tastes: A Call for Submissions
For younger writers, ages 15-21
audacity.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Most rapists operate on the premise that they can not only overpower the victim physically, but can do so socially and legally. They count on a system that discounts the voices of victims and only too often cooperates in silencing them...
The Jeffrey Epstein cover-up is an affront to US democracy | Rebecca Solnit
Democracy means a society and system in which everyone’s rights matter. Rapists count on this being untrue – and Trump is proving them right
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Most rapists operate on the premise that they can not only overpower the victim physically, but can do so socially and legally. They count on a system that discounts the voices of victims and only too often cooperates in silencing them...
Tonight at 8pm! Don't miss it! 🔥
Don’t forget! Sunday, Nov 16, we’re diving into craft with Freund Prize winner and @lambdaliterary.org finalist @1demerith.bsky.social and EPOCH editor @jrobertlennon.com 🔥
Pre-game by reading “The Best Man” in @epochliterary.com or this scorcher in @therumpus.net:
therumpus.net/2022/06/13/r...
Pre-game by reading “The Best Man” in @epochliterary.com or this scorcher in @therumpus.net:
therumpus.net/2022/06/13/r...
November 16, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Tonight at 8pm! Don't miss it! 🔥
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Don’t forget! Sunday, Nov 16, we’re diving into craft with Freund Prize winner and @lambdaliterary.org finalist @1demerith.bsky.social and EPOCH editor @jrobertlennon.com 🔥
Pre-game by reading “The Best Man” in @epochliterary.com or this scorcher in @therumpus.net:
therumpus.net/2022/06/13/r...
Pre-game by reading “The Best Man” in @epochliterary.com or this scorcher in @therumpus.net:
therumpus.net/2022/06/13/r...
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Don’t forget! Sunday, Nov 16, we’re diving into craft with Freund Prize winner and @lambdaliterary.org finalist @1demerith.bsky.social and EPOCH editor @jrobertlennon.com 🔥
Pre-game by reading “The Best Man” in @epochliterary.com or this scorcher in @therumpus.net:
therumpus.net/2022/06/13/r...
Pre-game by reading “The Best Man” in @epochliterary.com or this scorcher in @therumpus.net:
therumpus.net/2022/06/13/r...
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Welcome to the editing workshop by Editor @stevexisxok.bsky.social!
On identifying common problems and solving them.
Featuring pre- and post-revision versions of work from @okaydonkeymag.com
First up: BSF winner "1000" by @robroensch.bsky.social
www.theforeverworkshop.com/p/editor-ins...
On identifying common problems and solving them.
Featuring pre- and post-revision versions of work from @okaydonkeymag.com
First up: BSF winner "1000" by @robroensch.bsky.social
www.theforeverworkshop.com/p/editor-ins...
November 5, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Welcome to the editing workshop by Editor @stevexisxok.bsky.social!
On identifying common problems and solving them.
Featuring pre- and post-revision versions of work from @okaydonkeymag.com
First up: BSF winner "1000" by @robroensch.bsky.social
www.theforeverworkshop.com/p/editor-ins...
On identifying common problems and solving them.
Featuring pre- and post-revision versions of work from @okaydonkeymag.com
First up: BSF winner "1000" by @robroensch.bsky.social
www.theforeverworkshop.com/p/editor-ins...
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Unbelievable.
Brava: “If I don’t file a complaint, then what message does that send to all Mexican women?” Ms. Sheinbaum said at her daily news conference, noting sexual harassment was a crime… “If this can happen to the president, what’s going to happen to all the young women & women across our country?”
Mexico’s President Presses Charges Against Man Who Groped Her on the Street
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Unbelievable.
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Mamdani: Whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community, one of the many black women that Donald Trump has fired from a federal job, a single mom still waiting for the cost of groceries to go down, or anyone else with their back against the wall—your struggle is ours too
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Mamdani: Whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community, one of the many black women that Donald Trump has fired from a federal job, a single mom still waiting for the cost of groceries to go down, or anyone else with their back against the wall—your struggle is ours too
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Our plans for November are here!
🔥$15 Basic memberships!
🔥Chats with residency directors & @1demerith.bsky.social!
🔥A monthlong Write-More challenge led by @okaydonkeymag.com associate fiction editor @heidimarjamaki.bsky.social!
And more👇
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com/p/november-p...
🔥$15 Basic memberships!
🔥Chats with residency directors & @1demerith.bsky.social!
🔥A monthlong Write-More challenge led by @okaydonkeymag.com associate fiction editor @heidimarjamaki.bsky.social!
And more👇
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com/p/november-p...
November Plans!
Q&As w/Residency Directors & Meredith Talusan, $15 membership, monthlong Write-More challenge, and more!
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Our plans for November are here!
🔥$15 Basic memberships!
🔥Chats with residency directors & @1demerith.bsky.social!
🔥A monthlong Write-More challenge led by @okaydonkeymag.com associate fiction editor @heidimarjamaki.bsky.social!
And more👇
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com/p/november-p...
🔥$15 Basic memberships!
🔥Chats with residency directors & @1demerith.bsky.social!
🔥A monthlong Write-More challenge led by @okaydonkeymag.com associate fiction editor @heidimarjamaki.bsky.social!
And more👇
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com/p/november-p...
Reposted by Autumn Watts
This man is utterly disgusting. This is who shepherded Trump’s judicial nominees through confirmation. That should tell you A LOT.
May I present a former clerk to Justice Gorsuch.
October 27, 2025 at 2:44 AM
This man is utterly disgusting. This is who shepherded Trump’s judicial nominees through confirmation. That should tell you A LOT.
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Following Ada's lead, I'd like to do the same.
Reply to me w/ a receipt of a donation to a food bank of your choice, and I'll also match your donations, up to $500. 🍎🍌🥬🍞🥩❤️
Reply to me w/ a receipt of a donation to a food bank of your choice, and I'll also match your donations, up to $500. 🍎🍌🥬🍞🥩❤️
Alright, team Bluesky: US foodbanks are about to have staggering demand when SNAP ends Nov 1st. We need to help them prepare.
I'll match donations: DM or reply with a receipt showing your own donation to a food bank of your choice, and I'll donate to match, up to a total of $500. 💪🥗🍲🥚🥧🥪🥣🥛
#NoHunger
I'll match donations: DM or reply with a receipt showing your own donation to a food bank of your choice, and I'll donate to match, up to a total of $500. 💪🥗🍲🥚🥧🥪🥣🥛
#NoHunger
October 25, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Following Ada's lead, I'd like to do the same.
Reply to me w/ a receipt of a donation to a food bank of your choice, and I'll also match your donations, up to $500. 🍎🍌🥬🍞🥩❤️
Reply to me w/ a receipt of a donation to a food bank of your choice, and I'll also match your donations, up to $500. 🍎🍌🥬🍞🥩❤️
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Pregnant women detained by ICE report horrifying treatment: shackling, solitary confinement, no prenatal vitamins, inadequate food. ICE's own directives and regulations require the agency to avoid detention of pregnant people in the first place. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Pregnant women describe miscarrying and bleeding out while in ICE custody, advocates say
The ACLU and other groups are pressing for ICE to identify and release all pregnant women in custody and to stop detaining anyone known to be pregnant, postpartum or nursing.
www.nbcnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Pregnant women detained by ICE report horrifying treatment: shackling, solitary confinement, no prenatal vitamins, inadequate food. ICE's own directives and regulations require the agency to avoid detention of pregnant people in the first place. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Autumn Watts
ICE detains mother dropping off child at elementary school—refuses to even look at her U.S. legal papers.
"What documents?" agent sarcastically replies—holding up the folder.
"The ones in your hands!" witnesses yell back.
Madison Elementary School in Santa Ana, California.
"What documents?" agent sarcastically replies—holding up the folder.
"The ones in your hands!" witnesses yell back.
Madison Elementary School in Santa Ana, California.
October 24, 2025 at 7:18 PM
ICE detains mother dropping off child at elementary school—refuses to even look at her U.S. legal papers.
"What documents?" agent sarcastically replies—holding up the folder.
"The ones in your hands!" witnesses yell back.
Madison Elementary School in Santa Ana, California.
"What documents?" agent sarcastically replies—holding up the folder.
"The ones in your hands!" witnesses yell back.
Madison Elementary School in Santa Ana, California.
Reposted by Autumn Watts
We love 3rd spaces and building community❤️🔥Better ways of life are possible!
thank you to everyone who came out last night to celebrate the opening of the Nightjar Arts Collective! the fact that a progressive third space in a deep red state had a packed house and so much community excitement fills me with joy. don’t let anyone tell you art is worthless!!
October 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
We love 3rd spaces and building community❤️🔥Better ways of life are possible!
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Got work to share? Want to beat stage fright?
We host live community readings in Discord last Sundays of the month & the vibe is super warm & supportive❤️
And on Oct 26 @benloory.bsky.social will read too!
So pop in. Subscribe to our newsletter for a trial membership litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
We host live community readings in Discord last Sundays of the month & the vibe is super warm & supportive❤️
And on Oct 26 @benloory.bsky.social will read too!
So pop in. Subscribe to our newsletter for a trial membership litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Got work to share? Want to beat stage fright?
We host live community readings in Discord last Sundays of the month & the vibe is super warm & supportive❤️
And on Oct 26 @benloory.bsky.social will read too!
So pop in. Subscribe to our newsletter for a trial membership litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
We host live community readings in Discord last Sundays of the month & the vibe is super warm & supportive❤️
And on Oct 26 @benloory.bsky.social will read too!
So pop in. Subscribe to our newsletter for a trial membership litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
Reposted by Autumn Watts
While the vibe is still spooky here's one of our favorite ghost stories by @pintsncupcakes.bsky.social in @electricliterature.com
Is there actually a ghost in this story?
Well, that depends...
Is this thing haunted though?
Oh 100%
electricliterature.com/accidental-g...
Is there actually a ghost in this story?
Well, that depends...
Is this thing haunted though?
Oh 100%
electricliterature.com/accidental-g...
You Can’t Come Back If Your Memories Are Missing - Electric Literature
"Accidental Girls" from PATTERNS OF ORBIT by Chloe N Clark, recommended by Juan Martinez
electricliterature.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
While the vibe is still spooky here's one of our favorite ghost stories by @pintsncupcakes.bsky.social in @electricliterature.com
Is there actually a ghost in this story?
Well, that depends...
Is this thing haunted though?
Oh 100%
electricliterature.com/accidental-g...
Is there actually a ghost in this story?
Well, that depends...
Is this thing haunted though?
Oh 100%
electricliterature.com/accidental-g...
Reposted by Autumn Watts
We've been keeping track of all of the atrocities Trump has committed since he took office in January. To be clear, this is not humor or satire, but maybe sometime in the future, our relatives will see this, shake their heads, and think, "What a hilarious shitshow of a timeline."
Lest We Forget the Horrors: An Unending Catalog of Trump’s Cruelties, Collusions, Corruptions, and Crimes
Lest We Forget the Horrors: An Unending Catalog of Trump’s Cruelties, Collusions, Corruptions, and Crimes
buff.ly
October 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM
We've been keeping track of all of the atrocities Trump has committed since he took office in January. To be clear, this is not humor or satire, but maybe sometime in the future, our relatives will see this, shake their heads, and think, "What a hilarious shitshow of a timeline."
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat
October 13, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat
Reposted by Autumn Watts
This Sunday, Oct 19 at 8PM ET!
We'll be chatting with our favorite fabulist @benloory.bsky.social about clarity, craft, and caring in our members-only Discord server.
Not a member? Not a problem.
Just subscribe to our newsletter for a 1-month trial 🔥
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
We'll be chatting with our favorite fabulist @benloory.bsky.social about clarity, craft, and caring in our members-only Discord server.
Not a member? Not a problem.
Just subscribe to our newsletter for a 1-month trial 🔥
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
This Sunday, Oct 19 at 8PM ET!
We'll be chatting with our favorite fabulist @benloory.bsky.social about clarity, craft, and caring in our members-only Discord server.
Not a member? Not a problem.
Just subscribe to our newsletter for a 1-month trial 🔥
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
We'll be chatting with our favorite fabulist @benloory.bsky.social about clarity, craft, and caring in our members-only Discord server.
Not a member? Not a problem.
Just subscribe to our newsletter for a 1-month trial 🔥
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
Reposted by Autumn Watts
We've been trying to figure out how Ben writes pieces that feel fun and sometimes even silly but also ultimately moving and profound.
Many hypotheses! But maybe the answer is just: magic.
Really looking forward to diving in deeper this Sunday
Many hypotheses! But maybe the answer is just: magic.
Really looking forward to diving in deeper this Sunday
This Sunday, Oct 19 at 8PM ET!
We'll be chatting with our favorite fabulist @benloory.bsky.social about clarity, craft, and caring in our members-only Discord server.
Not a member? Not a problem.
Just subscribe to our newsletter for a 1-month trial 🔥
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
We'll be chatting with our favorite fabulist @benloory.bsky.social about clarity, craft, and caring in our members-only Discord server.
Not a member? Not a problem.
Just subscribe to our newsletter for a 1-month trial 🔥
litmatchcollective.beehiiv.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
We've been trying to figure out how Ben writes pieces that feel fun and sometimes even silly but also ultimately moving and profound.
Many hypotheses! But maybe the answer is just: magic.
Really looking forward to diving in deeper this Sunday
Many hypotheses! But maybe the answer is just: magic.
Really looking forward to diving in deeper this Sunday
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Kate Cayley considers politics, art, and why we write the extra details.
Why We Write the Extra Details
Some years ago, I saw Yiyun Li interviewed at an event at the Toronto Reference Library. Li, a writer whose stories are compressed and deceptively simple, spoke with humor and a certain hardness, p…
buff.ly
October 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Kate Cayley considers politics, art, and why we write the extra details.
Reposted by Autumn Watts
Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal cuts
Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal cuts
Thirty paintings by Bob Ross are set to be auctioned to support public television stations
abcnews.go.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal cuts
To the point of therapy maybe 🥲 So sign up to workshop with meeeee
our editors @stevexisxok.bsky.social and @autumnwatts.bsky.social are obsessed with developing your pieces🧐
...and the waitlist to workshop with them is LIVE!
www.litmatchcollective.com/writing-work...
...and the waitlist to workshop with them is LIVE!
www.litmatchcollective.com/writing-work...
October 7, 2025 at 7:38 PM
To the point of therapy maybe 🥲 So sign up to workshop with meeeee
Reposted by Autumn Watts
“To me, writing about sex work has always been writing about class. About struggle. About cavities and electric bills—the things most of us worry about.” Michelle Gurule on writing about sex work.
How Harassment at the Strip Club Prepared Me For Publishing
When my essay about paying for $42,000 worth of dental work with sugar baby money first ran in HuffPost Personal, I was thrilled. Having only published in small literary magazines before, I wasn’t …
buff.ly
October 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
“To me, writing about sex work has always been writing about class. About struggle. About cavities and electric bills—the things most of us worry about.” Michelle Gurule on writing about sex work.