Rika⁷
@commanderrika.blacksky.app
Writer+Illustrator. She/Her.
💜 Blackness 💜 Books 💜 BTS 💜
Stories in Lightspeed, FIYAH, Strange Horizons, Fantasy, and Apparitions
💜 Blackness 💜 Books 💜 BTS 💜
Stories in Lightspeed, FIYAH, Strange Horizons, Fantasy, and Apparitions
Pinned
Rika⁷
@commanderrika.blacksky.app
· Sep 1
What takes you out of time? And what is sweet enough to bring you back into it again? Read Marika Bailey's "Gifted and Talented" today and consider what moves you so that you could move others:
Gifted and Talented - Small Wonders
Being beyond time is a revolution against creation most bodies aren’t built to bear. It’ll kill you, that dark matter time.
smallwondersmag.com
Hi! I have a story out in Small Wonders today! This is a little horny gremlin of a tale and I hope you take a chance on it, if you're into words and whatnot.
Reposted by Rika⁷
The most evil tech bro thing you've ever read SO FAR.
"It is against the TOS to be talked into suicide by our LLM" is possibly the most evil tech bro thing I've ever read
Additionally, OpenAI argues its not liable because Raine, by using ChatGPT for self-harm, broke its terms of service
November 26, 2025 at 3:19 AM
The most evil tech bro thing you've ever read SO FAR.
Reposted by Rika⁷
These French babies arguing 🤣
November 26, 2025 at 2:38 AM
These French babies arguing 🤣
Reposted by Rika⁷
Whenever you see Bari Weiss' name, remember:
PROFESSOR REFAAT ALAREER TOLD US TO HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS MURDER!
Bari Weiss made his home a target, and they killed Dr. Alareer, his sister, her 3 children, his brother and that brother's son.
Bari Weiss is a proud propagandist for racist murder.
PROFESSOR REFAAT ALAREER TOLD US TO HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS MURDER!
Bari Weiss made his home a target, and they killed Dr. Alareer, his sister, her 3 children, his brother and that brother's son.
Bari Weiss is a proud propagandist for racist murder.
November 25, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Whenever you see Bari Weiss' name, remember:
PROFESSOR REFAAT ALAREER TOLD US TO HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS MURDER!
Bari Weiss made his home a target, and they killed Dr. Alareer, his sister, her 3 children, his brother and that brother's son.
Bari Weiss is a proud propagandist for racist murder.
PROFESSOR REFAAT ALAREER TOLD US TO HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS MURDER!
Bari Weiss made his home a target, and they killed Dr. Alareer, his sister, her 3 children, his brother and that brother's son.
Bari Weiss is a proud propagandist for racist murder.
Reposted by Rika⁷
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
Reposted by Rika⁷
If you have ever thought that my journalism or my first book were net positives for the world, understand that they probably would not exist if I did not have a spouse who paid the mortgage. If I'd been a solo earner/parent, I likely would have left criticism, journalism or book writing long ago.
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
November 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
If you have ever thought that my journalism or my first book were net positives for the world, understand that they probably would not exist if I did not have a spouse who paid the mortgage. If I'd been a solo earner/parent, I likely would have left criticism, journalism or book writing long ago.
Reposted by Rika⁷
yes. if not for my husband’s health insurance/salary + some money my family gave me while i built my business, it’s unlikely i would be where i am—something for which i’m all too aware, and all too grateful. success in writing = talent + perseverance + coverage of human necessities.
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
November 25, 2025 at 11:51 PM
yes. if not for my husband’s health insurance/salary + some money my family gave me while i built my business, it’s unlikely i would be where i am—something for which i’m all too aware, and all too grateful. success in writing = talent + perseverance + coverage of human necessities.
Reposted by Rika⁷
Don’t pirate books! And if you do, stfu about it and stop pretending it’s some kind of moral or Marxist or revolutionary stance. Just be brave and own the fact that you don’t care that you are a thief who doesn’t care about artists.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Don’t pirate books! And if you do, stfu about it and stop pretending it’s some kind of moral or Marxist or revolutionary stance. Just be brave and own the fact that you don’t care that you are a thief who doesn’t care about artists.
Reposted by Rika⁷
I think it’s time to put this one back out into the ether, friends
Come and learn about how the tropes undergirding anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories as they exist today came to be…
Come and learn about how the tropes undergirding anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories as they exist today came to be…
The Antisemitism Post (tm)
Gotta get the history to know where the tropes live in the discourse today.
www.lifeisasacredtext.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I think it’s time to put this one back out into the ether, friends
Come and learn about how the tropes undergirding anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories as they exist today came to be…
Come and learn about how the tropes undergirding anti-Jewish hatred and conspiracy theories as they exist today came to be…
Reposted by Rika⁷
Solidarity with @teamsters.bsky.social , who sanctioned our strike nationwide and won't be delivering food, picking up trash, or bringing packages across picket lines! ✊🔥
#NoContractNoCoffee
#NoContractNoCoffee
November 25, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Solidarity with @teamsters.bsky.social , who sanctioned our strike nationwide and won't be delivering food, picking up trash, or bringing packages across picket lines! ✊🔥
#NoContractNoCoffee
#NoContractNoCoffee
Reposted by Rika⁷
From the new HBO documentary Thoughts & Prayers that looks into the impact of the $3 billion active shooter preparedness industry on schools and communities.
If you're not American/don't live in the US, I'm asking you to please not comment.
If you're not American/don't live in the US, I'm asking you to please not comment.
November 26, 2025 at 1:18 AM
From the new HBO documentary Thoughts & Prayers that looks into the impact of the $3 billion active shooter preparedness industry on schools and communities.
If you're not American/don't live in the US, I'm asking you to please not comment.
If you're not American/don't live in the US, I'm asking you to please not comment.
Reposted by Rika⁷
It’s the theft of social justice language for me.
They believe in every tenet of DEI .. just for robots not POC
They believe in every tenet of DEI .. just for robots not POC
University among nation’s first institutions to partner with serial arsonist on fire safety programs.
University of Kentucky among nation’s 1st institutions to partner with Microsoft on responsible AI innovation
The University of Kentucky and Microsoft have formed a strategic partnership to advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen learning, innovation and care across the Comm...
uknow.uky.edu
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
It’s the theft of social justice language for me.
They believe in every tenet of DEI .. just for robots not POC
They believe in every tenet of DEI .. just for robots not POC
Reposted by Rika⁷
can't believe this ancient mesopotamia shoe wearing ass said people need to dress up at the airport
November 26, 2025 at 1:30 AM
can't believe this ancient mesopotamia shoe wearing ass said people need to dress up at the airport
Reposted by Rika⁷
I come from working-class folk. I work a rotating set of freelance jobs, writing books among them. 75+ hour weeks, send myself on book tours on my own struggling dime, arrange all care for non-driving disabled partner & if I were to calculate my hourly wage I'd have to call a labor union on myself.
Honestly, people calling creators the "petite bourgeoisie" makes me want to snap.
We're working folk. And we work really hard. For next to nothing.
We're not lounging around eating bonbons. We're trying to figure out how we're going to be able to pay rent next month.
We're working folk. And we work really hard. For next to nothing.
We're not lounging around eating bonbons. We're trying to figure out how we're going to be able to pay rent next month.
November 26, 2025 at 1:25 AM
I come from working-class folk. I work a rotating set of freelance jobs, writing books among them. 75+ hour weeks, send myself on book tours on my own struggling dime, arrange all care for non-driving disabled partner & if I were to calculate my hourly wage I'd have to call a labor union on myself.
Reposted by Rika⁷
Most publishers (there are always exceptions) decide whether or not to buy a second book (or a third etc) based on how the previous book did. So when you pirate a book in most cases it’s less about the money you just stole from both author and publisher it’s about the future book you just killed.
November 25, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Most publishers (there are always exceptions) decide whether or not to buy a second book (or a third etc) based on how the previous book did. So when you pirate a book in most cases it’s less about the money you just stole from both author and publisher it’s about the future book you just killed.
Reposted by Rika⁷
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Little know fact, The Muffin Man (Jefferson J. Greene III) was a key financier of the civil rights movement.
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Little know fact, The Muffin Man (Jefferson J. Greene III) was a key financier of the civil rights movement.
I actually love Holiday Food Chat and want to hear about what everyone is cooking and eating.
November 26, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I actually love Holiday Food Chat and want to hear about what everyone is cooking and eating.
Reposted by Rika⁷
A photo essay from a city on edge, where fear of immigration enforcement almost kept a young mother away from a crucial prenatal appointment.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
November 25, 2025 at 10:43 PM
A photo essay from a city on edge, where fear of immigration enforcement almost kept a young mother away from a crucial prenatal appointment.
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Rika⁷
"One's gotta go." Shut up, no it doesn't!
November 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
"One's gotta go." Shut up, no it doesn't!
Reposted by Rika⁷
Thanksgiving week is Burning Man for people with bad food opinions
November 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Thanksgiving week is Burning Man for people with bad food opinions
Reposted by Rika⁷
This is your reminder that if you live in #Chicago we have a free bookstore. YES, free bookstore. You can get free books here.
I donate all of my books here. So, they generally have a solid horror section because I keep them well-stocked.
www.books4cause.com/free-booksto...
I donate all of my books here. So, they generally have a solid horror section because I keep them well-stocked.
www.books4cause.com/free-booksto...
Books4Free - Free Book Exchange in Skokie - Books4Cause - Chicago
All of the books in our Free Bookstore are free for you to take and read. These books have been donated and we are passing them on for the love of reading.
www.books4cause.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
This is your reminder that if you live in #Chicago we have a free bookstore. YES, free bookstore. You can get free books here.
I donate all of my books here. So, they generally have a solid horror section because I keep them well-stocked.
www.books4cause.com/free-booksto...
I donate all of my books here. So, they generally have a solid horror section because I keep them well-stocked.
www.books4cause.com/free-booksto...
Reposted by Rika⁷
By the way, that happened in Indiana. Indiana has the third highest maternal mortality rate in the country, and it’s really bad for Black women. In 2021, Black women in Indiana had a maternal mortality rate that was 73% higher than white women.
A new bill will head to Congress to prevent women from being turned away or sent home from a hospital while in active labour. This is after a video circulated of a Black woman who was dismissed from a hospital, only to give birth in her truck minutes later on the side of the road.
A woman gave birth 8 minutes after a hospital turned her away. A bill aims to stop that from happening again.
The legislation seeks to stop Black women from suffering during and after childbirth and hold hospitals accountable, according to bill language obtained exclusively by NBC News.
nbcnews.to
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
By the way, that happened in Indiana. Indiana has the third highest maternal mortality rate in the country, and it’s really bad for Black women. In 2021, Black women in Indiana had a maternal mortality rate that was 73% higher than white women.
Ay, @chadstanton.blacksky.app they talking bout you
a Burberry button down in a glass
What’s a French 75?
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Ay, @chadstanton.blacksky.app they talking bout you
Reposted by Rika⁷
a Burberry button down in a glass
What’s a French 75?
November 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM
a Burberry button down in a glass
You can simply dislike someone and state that. Dislike their schtick, their whole thing. Dislike on their meshugas. Dislike on their punim. Dislike on them eating crackers. Dislike is ok.
You do not have to write fanfic about how they are secretly evil, based on the fact that you don't like them.
You do not have to write fanfic about how they are secretly evil, based on the fact that you don't like them.
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
You can simply dislike someone and state that. Dislike their schtick, their whole thing. Dislike on their meshugas. Dislike on their punim. Dislike on them eating crackers. Dislike is ok.
You do not have to write fanfic about how they are secretly evil, based on the fact that you don't like them.
You do not have to write fanfic about how they are secretly evil, based on the fact that you don't like them.