Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Blaft Publications

@blaft.bsky.social

1.8K followers 590 following 940 posts

An independent publishing house based in Chennai, India. Indian pulp novels in translation, ghostlore, graphic novels, street signs, weird stories, & picture books about young women in love with gruesome monsters. https://blaft.com

blaft.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · Sep 4

Ever watched a girl you barely know get eaten alive by murder hornets in the mess hall? Ever spoken to a dead guy who came home to tell you about the demon who killed him?

Pre-order BANDIGOAT

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

Bandigoat: A Collection of Strange & Horrible Tales

Seven Indian authors. Seven stories of the eerie, the gruesome, the demonic, and the melty.

www.kickstarter.com

6 14

Reposted by Blaft Publications

Rimi B. Chatterjee @rimibchatterjee.bsky.social · 2h

Comics scholars on my timeline: would anyone like to examine a PhD thesis on the history of Indian comics publishing 1991-2016? Very sorry that my univ only allows full professors to examine. This has been a problem in the past especially with unusual topics.

I promise it is very readable. Anyone?

1 2 5

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 22h

Suddenly a whole bunch of you are ordering our books in India through Amazon. WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT? We offer free shipping within India on our website! It's cheaper to order through blaft.com! Oh and also:

List of BDS targets -- companies profiting off the genocide of the Palestinian people, including Amazon, HP, Burger King, Domino's McDonald's, Disney, Google (that one's so hard to disentangle from :( :( )

2 6

Reposted by Blaft Publications

Rakesh Khanna @blaftrakesh.bsky.social · 4d

When I was researching my book Ghosts, Monsters, and Demons of India, I learned of a 1000-year-old myth about Roman tech being used to build killer robots to guard the Buddha's remains in Pataliputra, and a Hungarian folklorist read my book & got excited about it, & she managed to dig up a🧵(1/3)

Romanised Pali manuscript of the Lokapannati

Ghosts, Monsters, and Demons of India
p. 60
Bhoota Vahana Yanta
Bhoota Vahana Yanta means “spirit movement machine.” The term is used
for several varieties of robot drone assassins and sword-wielding machine-
men mentioned in the Lokapannati, a Pali-language text written between
1000 and 1200 CE by Saddhammaghosa of Thaton, but concerning
events that took place much earlier, around 500 to 200 BCE.
According to the story, robots were first invented by engineers of the
early Roman Republic. These robots were used for commerce, in agriculture,
as a police force, and as executioners. The secret of how to build these
spirit-engines was fiercely protected. If any engineer dared to take the designs
out of the city, one of his own executioner robots would come after
him and kill him.
At that time, in Pataliputra (then in the kingdom of Magadha, now
Patna in the state of Bihar), there lived a young man who had heard of the
Romans’ magical androids. He became so determined to learn the secrets
of their manufacture and share them with the people of Magadha that he
arranged his own death. Then, on his deathbed, he vowed to be reincarnated
as a Roman.
This indeed took place. In his new life, the man grew up to join the
Roman guild of engineers. He even married the daughter of the Master
Robot-Maker, and had a son by her.
Once he learned the secrets of the Bhoota Vahana Yanta, the man resolved
to transfer the information back to Pataliputra. But he was well
aware that now, since he was a member of the guild, he would be killed as
soon as he left. So he cut a gash in his thigh, inserted the plans in his flesh,
and sewed the wound back up.

11 110 390

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 5d

This event is always a blast yougaiz, come say hi!!

Blaft Publications At Bombay Zine Fest Oct 10-12 Candies Cafe Bandra!!!

Reposted by Blaft Publications

Freyaa🍉❤️‍🔥🇵🇸 @freyaa.bsky.social · 6d

This looks really cool! #ambedkarPhule #indianBooks

The seekers in these stories travel through worlds both ancient and modern, worlds of symbol and fantastical allegory, on their paths to greater truth.

The state of Maharashtra is famous for its ancient Buddhist cave complexes. It's also known as the birthplace of leaders in the struggle against caste oppression: Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule in the early 1800s, and B. R. Ambedkar in 1891. It is here that Dr. Ambedkar, architect of the Indian constitution and warrior against the practice of untouchability, led marches for the right of Dalit people to draw water from community wells, to enter temples, to live with dignity.

The Seekers consists of five stories that hold Phule-Ambedkarite thought at their core, weaving together the history of ideological conflict, the pursuit of artistic excellence, and the unquenchable human thirst for freedom. The book tells of ancient revelations, of flood and fire, of vast deadly deserts, of people turned to stone.

It is a unique work of anti-caste Marathi literature that feels both timeless and sparklingly new.

"...Gautamiputra’s stories shun the beaten path, chart their own course, and leave indelible footprints for others to follow" —Raja Dhale (1940-2019), writer and activist, co-founder of the Dalit Panthers

3 11

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 7d

There's a @kuzhalimanickavel.bsky.social zine and an Avakkai & Chukka zine as part of this exhibit in Delhi tomorrow!

please touch gently (zines, comics, ephemera) curated by aqui Thami, Bharath Murthy, himanshu s, Preview 4th Cot 2025, 6:30 pm onwards, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, 145 South Court Mall, Saket New Delhi, Curatorial Advisor Akansha Rastogi, Asst. Curator Swati Kumar. "Young Artists of Our Times"

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 8d

Up until about a year ago, we used it occasionally as a thesaurus for sticky translation problems. Eventually concluded that it's too ethically fraught and intuition is better anyway. Will never use for illustration/slush/etc. Please don't send us AI slop submissions, they make us feel icky. Thx.

Diabolical Plots @diabolicalplots.com · 8d

IMO every publication and every publisher should have a clear statement about their generative AI policy. To dictate what is acceptable writer usage, yes, but also to declare their own usage (or lack thereof). Do they use it for slushreading, editing, illustration, correspondence?

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 10d

These exquisite band trolleys from Lucknow are just a few of the many treasures to be found in Pooja Saxena's INDIA STREET LETTERING.

Releasing in December! Pre-order now for a discount! It's the perfect Christmas gift for graphic design buffs and type geeks!

www.blaft.com/products/ind...

The very colourful Amrit D.J. Band trolley (painted by Anwar Art) Photo (c) Pooja Saxena

Jai Bharat D.J. Band trolley (painted by Anwar Art) Photo (c) Pooja Saxena

Azad Band’s red, black, and white music trolley, painted by Md. Islam in Lucknow. (c) Pooja Saxena

A stack of India Street Lettering books on a blue background

5 6

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 10d

Sinister things lurking in the woods! With wings! And big claws!

www.blaft.com/products/bro...

L @galatfemme.bsky.social · 10d

Rain day rec: snuggle up indoors with hot chai and read Brown Boy by @ps-nissim.bsky.social from @blaft.bsky.social for short snacky creepy horror thrills from the mountains of Sikkim 🗻🏔️⛰️

Cover of Brown Boy by PS Nissim of a dark tangled mess of tree roots and vibes and a pair of red glowering eyes over it

1 4

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 10d

Ooo, what's the Lebanese connection? If it's mentioned explicitly I forgot

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 10d

Buy a copy! Read some popular fiction from northern Nigeria in translation!
www.blaft.com/products/sin...

Ebook link:
www.blaft.com/collections/...

1 4

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 10d

Thanks for reading! Glad you dug it!

1 1

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 11d

This book is going for a reprint soon and we're going to raise the price. If you want a dose of supernatural romance from the misty northeastern jungles, order now!

www.blaft.com/products/miz...

Mizo Myths (2nd Edition)

by Cherrie Lalnunziri Chhangte An expanded 2023 edition, including nine new stories! 126 pages. 8.25" x 5.5". 250 g Paperback ISBN: 9789380636542 This book of fifteen mythological tales from the nort...

www.blaft.com

2 2

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 11d

A documentary on Balaraba Ramat Yakubu, named for the book of hers we published in translation--"Sin Is a Puppy That Follows You Home"--will be premiering at this festival!

businessday.ng/life-arts/ar...

From CANEX to Quramo Festival of Words 2025: Why brave new world matters - Businessday NG

The Nigerian literary community and lovers of literature are once again going to be thrilled at the Quramo Festival of Words (QFest) 2025...

businessday.ng

2 3

Reposted by Blaft Publications

R.R. Virdi | Buy The First Binding (from TOR) @rrvirdi.bsky.social · 13d

This book is brilliant btw. It's a treasured part of my entire South Asian/eastern mythos/folklore/folktale collection.

Anyone at any of my myth panels at dragoncon will have heard me rec this book and author.

Rakesh Khanna @blaftrakesh.bsky.social · 14d

OK this wasn't a novel, but it was my 1st credit as an author of a book-length work, so I'll take the opportunity to plug it!

Ghosts, Monsters, and Demons of India: an encyclopedia of folkloric fiends from necrodiversity hotspots around the country

www.blaft.com/products/gho...

2 10 23

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 14d

Happy World Cassowary Day

a close up of two birds with netflix written on the bottom right

Alt: a close up of two cassowaries strutting

media.tenor.com

1 4

Reposted by Blaft Publications

Rakesh Khanna @blaftrakesh.bsky.social · 16d

The Bandigoat begins its journey into our reality!

To our backers:

2 2

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 16d

15 minutes left!!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

2 3

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 16d

With 3 hours to go Bandigoat is 108% funded with 123 backers!

Last chance for limited edition t-shirts and super rare hardcover copies!

Sikkimese folk horror! Demon uncles who ride giant roosters! Sleepwalkers! Igloos! This book's got it all!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

Bandigoat: A Collection of Strange & Horrible Tales

Seven Indian authors. Seven stories of the eerie, the gruesome, the demonic, and the melty.

www.kickstarter.com

2 4

Reposted by Blaft Publications

@DARKNLIGHTZINE @darknlightzine.bsky.social · 17d

Rashmi Devadasan is the author of Kumari Loves a Monster and her short stories were part of an anthology titled Strange Worlds! Strange Times! Amazing Sci-Fi Stories, published by Speaking Tiger.

She's one of 3 amazing guests on Arcx podcast!
Find out more and listen here: darknlight.com/podcast/

3 4

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 17d

24 hours left to back BANDIGOAT: A Collection of Strange & Horrible Tales, with stories by @kuzhalimanickavel.bsky.social, @emelkrishnan.bsky.social, Rashmi Ruth Devadasan, and more

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

1 3

Reposted by Blaft Publications

Bogi Takács / SONG OF SPORES coming Nov 2025! @bogiperson.bsky.social · 17d

This monster mini-anthology from Blaft in India just funded with less than two days to go, but it's close, you might want to chip in more because some payments inevitably don't go through (if you are in the US, they will have a US print run!) -

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

Bandigoat: A Collection of Strange & Horrible Tales

Seven Indian authors. Seven stories of the eerie, the gruesome, the demonic, and the melty.

www.kickstarter.com

2 5 12

Reposted by Blaft Publications

kuzhali manickavel/குழலி மாணிக்கவேல் @kuzhalimanickavel.bsky.social · 18d

now that we have successfully funded the bandigoat, please consider subscribing to the Post Prandial Riot. four months. four bonkers zines. the first one is already out and features sexy owls. you know you have to. you HAVE to.

www.patreon.com/c/PostPrandi...

A brand new zine in your mail every month.

www.patreon.com

3 8

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · 17d

Now fully funded!!! But you still have 40 hours to get your name in the acknowledgements or pledge for extra rewards: www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

Blaft Publications @blaft.bsky.social · Sep 9

Hello fans of indie horror fiction / Lepcha demonlore / extra-dimensional goat chimeras / haunted footnotes! Please help our Kickstarter get to the finish line! 7 phenomenal writers! $5 gets you an ebook!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...

Bandigoat: A Collection of Strange & Horrible Tales

Seven Indian authors. Seven stories of the eerie, the gruesome, the demonic, and the melty.

www.kickstarter.com

1 2

Reposted by Blaft Publications

@DARKNLIGHTZINE @darknlightzine.bsky.social · 17d

@anjalialappat.bsky.social chats with @blaftrakesh.bsky.social R.T. Samuel and Rashmi Devadasan about what's missing from the Indian SFF scene, the challenges of putting together an anthology, and the importance of varied anti-caste perspectives

open.spotify.com/episode/41aW...

@blaft.bsky.social

Rashmi Devadasan, Rakesh Khanna & R.T. Samuel

open.spotify.com

2 3