Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brian Kirby @boringstorybook.com · 5h

I’m shocked that you did not share this one. youtu.be/nF-mu_Pm4Rk

Cat Women of the Moon 1953 Ritual Dance

YouTube video by J R

youtu.be

Reposted by Brian Kirby

Victoria Strauss @victoriastrauss.com · 15h

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 In the coming weeks, all titles will be withdrawn from distribution channels, and rights will revert to their respective authors and editors in accordance with their contracts.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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Brian Kirby @boringstorybook.com · 15h

I like how it softens the edges.

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · 15h

An illustrator alerted me to the attached email. Someone is impersonating me! Offering #kidlit illustrators fake deals!

This is not me! The deal-structure/schedule is insane. The deadline is quite friendly?! 10 picture books in 3 years?!

Please let me know if you receive an email like this!

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Brian Kirby @boringstorybook.com · 16h

*fun 😆

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Brian Kirby @boringstorybook.com · 16h

@kirstyzw.bsky.social graciously shared a procreate brush she made and it is fin to draw with! ❤️

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

SCBWI-Ohio North @scbwi-ohionorth.bsky.social · 1d

Our banner contest winner was announced last week, and it was @kelliearted.bsky.social! Look for her delightful art to start appearing on www.scbwi.org/regions/ohio... and elsewhere soon!

BANNER CONTEST WINNER
KELLY KLEMAN
SCBWI
SOCIETY of CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Ohio North Region
Insta: @scbwi_nohio
@scbwi-ohionorth
scbwi.org/regions/ohionorth
where
stories
Tаme
flight
#kidlit

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

Brooke Baum @brookebaum.bsky.social · 2d

Hope you're ready for...

🐦 birdbrained schemes
💥 slapstick antics
🤓 idiom-based characters à la The Bad Seed
😶 introspection? (lol not a chance)
😵 a catapult?!

...because, ready or not, here comes LATE BIRD.

The Very Impatient Caterpillar x Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great

#DVPit #ND #PB #Kidlit

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

Michelle Witte @michellewitte.bsky.social · 2d

Now that #DVpit is over, writers might be wondering what happens next. Well, from the agent side, things are about to get brutal. First there is the flurry of requests. For some projects, that means those who get in their quickly (i.e. building their client lists) have the advantage.

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

Victoria Strauss @victoriastrauss.com · 2d

Just an amazing article about one guy's AI slop empire. I can't help wondering if, like AI itself, this kind of AI-driven snake oil entrepreneurship is a bubble that will burn itself out eventually, but in the meantime it's destroying human content creators' livelihoods.

Sheesh’s Pieces @last-pict.bsky.social · 2d

might as well drop this here too. not totally related but he does go into the process and motivations. futurism.com/slop-farmer-...

Slop Farmer Boasts About How He Uses AI to Flood Social Media With Garbage to Trick Older Women

Pinterest is facing an influx of AI slop designed to attract users to synthetic websites. Here's a glimpse into their tactics — and psyches.

futurism.com

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Brian Kirby @boringstorybook.com · 1d

👍

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

Melissa Manlove @mmanlove.bsky.social · 2d

Psst! I am opening up to unagented children's book submissions *just for the month of October*! This is an exciting experiment. The email to send submissions to is [email protected]. You can find out about what I'm looking for at www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/me...

Melissa Manlove – The Official Manuscript Wish List Website

www.manuscriptwishlist.com

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

KidLitGN @kidlitgn.bsky.social · 2d

#Agents, #editors & #publishers we have SO MANY kids-YA graphic novel pitches at kidlitgn.com! Reply to any pitch you want to see with your sub guidelines, or add your guidelines here: kidlitgn.com/submission-d... #KidLitGN's 2025 pitch event ends Oct. 31 #pitchevent #kidlit

KidLitGN – Hosting Pitch Events For Creators of Kids through YA Graphic Novels

kidlitgn.com

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

Brooke Baum @brookebaum.bsky.social · 2d

LATE BIRD is sick of Early Bird getting all the worms--and all the glory. But don't worry, Late Bird has a plan. Forget the alarm clock, this calls for a catapult. Look out world, here comes Late Bird!

THE BAD SEED x THE VERY IMPATIENT CATERPILLAR

#DVPit #ND #PB

Images of LATE BIRD looking for worms and getting increasingly agitated as he doesn't find any. Another image of LATE BIRD sweaty and out of breath saying "I made it!"

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 2d

If your hashtag searching is not working for #DVpit we created a feed for the hashtag. Please always try to search the hashtag first, but this feed includes all posts under the hashtag as well. We will update during the day as we learn more from bsky bsky.app/profile/did:...

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 2d

#DVpit 2025 has officially begun!
Today, Oct 8, 2025 from 8AM-8PM ET marginalized creators seeking out representation can pitch their completed manuscripts & portfolios to participating Agents & Editors!
Don't forget to use #DVpit in your posts!
Pls read rules before participating: dvpit.carrd.co

#DVPit Rules
-#DVpit (Diverse Voices Pitch) is a Bluesky event for marginalized creators that have been historically underrepresented in publishing to pitch their work to agents & editors
-Post your pitch on Bluesky on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025
between 8AM ET - 8PM ET
-Only post once per hour (6 max pitches per project)
-Must have a polished, query ready manuscript or art portfolio.
-Pitch must include the #DVpit hashtag (illustrators pitching their art must use the #DVArt hashtag)
-A like from an agent = a query request
-A repost from an editor = interest in submission once you've signed with an agent
-A like from an editor = editor who takes unagented submissions
-Please do not like or repost a pitch if you are not an agent or an editor. Support other creators by replying to their pitch or
quote-reposting their pitches
-Visit dvpit.carrd.co for more detailed guidelines.

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 2d

We're aware the hashtag searching is down right now. We have reports it does work if you redownload the app, but is still buggy on desktop. We've contacted bluesky and will update soon #dvpit

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 2d

#DVpit 2025 has officially begun!
Today, Oct 8, 2025 from 8AM-8PM ET marginalized creators seeking out representation can pitch their completed manuscripts & portfolios to participating Agents & Editors!
Don't forget to use #DVpit in your posts!
Pls read rules before participating: dvpit.carrd.co

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Reposted by Brian Kirby

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 3d

TOMORROW (Oct 8th) is #DVpit! Any unagented Marginalized writer or artist seeking out representation is invited to participate from 8AM - 8PM ET!
Please make sure you review our rules & guidelines before the event: dvpit.carrd.co#faq

#writersky #booksky #artistsky #weneeddiversebooks