Elizabeth Donald
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edonald.bsky.social
Elizabeth Donald
@edonald.bsky.social
730 followers 260 following 1.1K posts
Author. Journalist. Professor. Photographer. Traveler. she/her

Member: #AWP, #AABB, #SPJ, #AuthorsGuild, more writing organizations than is healthy

https://linktr.ee/edonald
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edonald.bsky.social
Elizabeth Donald @edonald.bsky.social · Apr 3
It's aliiiiiive. Happy book birthday to BLACKFIRE RISING, and I'm so delighted that this book is shambling to a bookstore near you.
Details at www.elizabethdonald.com/.../its-aliv...
edonald.bsky.social
Delighted to hear extensive discussion of @authorsabb on @lithub.com this week. I've been part of this group almost since the start and am highly impressed at the progress made in fighting for the First Amendment. (My own contributions are mostly running my mouth on panels; booking for 2026! 😀)
December 2, 2025 at 7:46 PM
edonald.bsky.social
"A political movement that dreams of a world that is smaller, simpler, dumber, more servile and less curious and much narrower than the one that currently exists would naturally fixate upon college campuses and the individual and collective acts of becoming that happen there."
December 2, 2025 at 7:12 PM
edonald.bsky.social
The last thing I needed was more on my TBR pile, which my husband alleges will fall over and kill me in my sleep. ("Then I will have died as I lived.") Adding some of these to the 55 on my wishlist - which doesn't count the ebook wishlist (51), education list (58) and library list for reading (110).
December 2, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
transjournalists.org
The Trans Journalists Association is building a future of journalism where stories about trans people are just, ethical, and informed by our leadership.

This #GivingTuesday, we’re asking you to support our movement: bit.ly/tja_pride. 🧵
Text on a white background with a yellow-orange border reads: "We are building a future of journalism where stories about trans people are just, ethical, and informed by our leadership. SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT." The Trans Journalists Association logo is centered above the text.
December 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
edonald.bsky.social
Oh for the love of Walter Cronkite… I wrote this same story every year for so many years, and still I would get hate mail from idiots insisting they felt bad after the shot so clearly it gave them the flu. Arggggggh.
washingtonpost.com The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 7d
No, you can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine.

The temporary side effects that you might feel after getting the vaccine are your immune system reacting to the inactive proteins from the surface of the virus.
What doctors say about one of the biggest flu shot myths
“The influenza vaccine shows the immune system what potential components of the virus it should focus its efforts on,” one expert said.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:32 AM
edonald.bsky.social
A nice thanksgiving surprise for me: one of my photos was selected in Smithsonian Magazine’s fall photo contest. www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture...
Fill Your Visual Cornucopia With These 15 Satisfying Photos of Favorite Fall Fruits
Enjoy this collection of images from the Smithsonian Magazine photo contest just in time for Thanksgiving
www.smithsonianmag.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
edonald.bsky.social
Happy Thanksgiving all!
November 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
chicago.suntimes.com
Illinois is among a group of Democratic states suing the Trump administration, seeking to block a change to the federal food stamps program that the states say unlawfully prevented some legal immigrants from accessing the aid.
Illinois sues Trump admin to block changes to SNAP eligibility of immigrants
chicago.suntimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
apnews.com
CORRECTION: West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey walks back statement that both National Guard members were killed in shooting near White House. (This post corrects a previous post that stated the two members had died.)
Two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., and their condition isn't known, AP source says
Two National Guard soldiers were shot Wednesday near the White House and their conditions aren’t immediately known, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area.
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 10:07 PM
edonald.bsky.social
I’m all for the fascinating variations on Advent calendars that are exploding this year. But somehow I think a product titled “Advent Calendar: Let’s Battle” has possibly missed THE ENTIRE FUCKING POINT.
November 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
diane.dianeduane.com
There is NO FUCKING EXCUSE for this to be happening.

I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."

HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
jessdkant.bsky.social Jesspooka Kant 🎃 @jessdkant.bsky.social · 9d
A third infant has died in Kentucky, KYDPH adds:

“These are Kentucky’s first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy.”

s3.amazonaws.com/nursing-netw...
Kentucky Public Health KENTUCKY HEALTH ALERT Increase in Pertussis in Kentucky Recommendations for Identification and Prevention November 21, 2025 Kentucky health officials are alerting providers that cases of pertussis ("whooping cough") have increased steadily across the Commonwealth in recent weeks. To date, 566 cases of pertussis have been reported in Kentucky in 2025, the highest number of cases in the Commonwealth since 2012. This follows a trend that was first announced in July 2024 when pertussis cases began increasing in Kentucky to levels not seen in over a decade. Health officials anticipate that pertussis will continue to increase during the winter months based on historic trends. Many U.S. states and other countries are also experiencing elevated levels of pertussis. Many of the recent cases have occurred in young infants, and health officials also recently confirmed the third pertussis-related death in a Kentucky infant within the last year. This follows two other infant deaths that were announced in June. These are Kentucky's first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy. Health officials urge all Kentuckians to remain up to date on recommended pertussis immunizations and emphasize the importance of maternal immunization during pregnancy, and for all infants beginning promptly at two months of age. Health officials also encourage providers to consider pertussis as a diagnosis in addition to circulating seasonal respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV and COVID-19. A significant number of cases have also occurred in school-aged children, many of whom were up to date on pertussis vaccination. Immunity from vaccination or natural infection wanes over time so infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. However, the vaccine is known to reduce disease severity, and hospitalization among vaccinated individuals is rare. The Kentucky Dep… Kentucky Public Health regularly in Kentucky, however an increase beyond the expected background rate has been reported in recent weeks. Though pertussis vaccination (DTaP or Tdap) is available and widely implemented, B. pertussis continues to spread in the U.S. due to lack of vaccination or timely boosters, the lack of lifelong immunity from vaccination or natural infection and the long duration of infectiousness in untreated cases. Symptoms of pertussis usually begin with a runny or congested nose, a low-grade fever, and mild coughing; apnea/stopping breathing can also occur in infants. After one to two weeks, the cough can progress to rapid, violent (paroxysmal) coughing fits that can cause the "whooping" sound, vomiting or labored breathing. Young children are the most severely affected; most teens and adults will have mild symptoms. People with preexisting health conditions that may be worsened by whooping cough are at high risk for developing a severe infection. Testing for Pertussis: The preferred methods for pertussis testing include nasal pharyngeal (NP) swab or nasal wash via PCR testing or culture. PCR has optimal sensitivity during the first three weeks of cough, is widely available at commercial laboratories and has a fast turnaround time. Culture is considered the gold standard due to excellent specificity but may take longer to complete. Serology for antibodies to B. pertussis is available at many commercial laboratories, however, serologic assays are not generally recommended for primary diagnosis of pertussis due to variability and unknown clinical accuracy. The most promising serologic assays are those that measure IgG antibodies against pertussis toxin only and are collected two to eight weeks following cough onset. Prevention of Pertussis: Prevention of pertussis is primarily achieved through routine vaccination with DTaP (ages two months to six years) and Tdap (ages seven years and older), followed by appropriate booster doses. Vaccination of pr… Bordetella parapertussis B. parapertussis is a bacterium that is similar to B. pertussis and can cause pertussis-like illness but does not produce pertussis toxin. Symptoms of parapertussis are typically milder and infection may be asymptomatic. There is no vaccine for B. parapertussis and post-exposure prophylaxis is not recommended, however treatment recommendations for symptomatic patients are the same as those for B. pertussis. B. parapertussis is not reportable in Kentucky. Thank you for your attention to this alert and guidance. The KDPH pertussis website includes supplemental resources, including a pertussis quicksheet with additional information that providers may find useful. If you have questions regarding reporting, testing, or prevention of pertussis or other infectious diseases, please contact the Kentucky Immunization Branch at (502) 564-4478 or after hours by calling the KDPH Epidemiology on-call line at 888-9-REPORT (888-973-7678). Our Mission: To improve the health and safety of people in Kentucky through Prevention, Promotion, and Protection
November 25, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
aetataureate.bsky.social
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.
peterbcounter.com Peter Counter, Nightmare Host @peterbcounter.com · 10d
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 10:35 PM
edonald.bsky.social
What it takes for a woman to get a roll of cooking twine in this town….
a man stands next to a woman wearing a turkey head and sunglasses
ALT: a man stands next to a woman wearing a turkey head and sunglasses
media.tenor.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
apnews.com
A copy of the first Superman issue, unearthed by three brothers cleaning out their late mother’s attic, netted $9.12 million this month at a Texas auction house which says it is the most expensive comic book ever sold.
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a rare Superman comic book! And it fetched $9.12M!
A copy of the first Superman issue, unearthed by a trio of brothers cleaning out their late mother’s attic, netted $9.12 million at a Texas auction house which says it is the most expensive comic book ever sold.
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
sassylibrarian.bsky.social
“[Book banners] do not want safe children -- they want obedient children, and they think they can accomplish that by deciding what books are allowed to be on the shelf.”
maggietokudahall.bsky.social Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · 10d
On Saturday, @authorsabb.bsky.social won the ALAN Award at @ncte.org, and I was honored to accept it on our behalf.

This is the speech I gave.

www.prettyokmaggie.com/blog/2025/11...
From left: Kellye Crocker, David Levithan, Joanna Ho, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Samira Ahmed, Gayle Forman, and Randy Ribay at the ALAN award breakfast. We all look great.
November 25, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
nytimes.com
Dialing down the use of social media for a week reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia in young adults, according to a study published on Monday in the journal JAMA Network Open.
Study Finds Mental Health Benefit to One-Week Social Media Break
Young adults who engaged in a social media “detox” reported reductions in depression, anxiety and insomnia, though it was unclear how long the effects would last.
nyti.ms
November 25, 2025 at 4:20 AM
edonald.bsky.social
Baking today for coffee hour. Done: pumpkin pie, roasted cinnamon pecans, hearth bread, fudge. Also pumpkin spice cake, cooling before frosting. Baking: Kentucky bourbon pecan pie. On deck…. Uh, some kind of muffins? Some baguettes for sure. Chocolate chip cookies and some other cookie.🍪
a man wearing a chef 's hat is standing over a pile of dough .
ALT: a man wearing a chef 's hat is standing over a pile of dough .
media.tenor.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
apnews.com
A man accused of setting a woman on fire inside a Chicago commuter train has been ordered to be held behind bars pending trial on a federal terrorism charge he faces in the case.
Federal judge orders man held on federal terrorism charge in Chicago train attack
A man accused of setting a woman on fire inside a Chicago train has been ordered held pending trial on a federal terrorism charge.
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
gengelstein.bsky.social
When pregnant woman boarded a subway car, 38% of the time someone offered her a seat. If someone dressed as Batman was also in the car it rose to 68%.

phys.org/news/2025-11...
The Batman effect: The mere sight of the 'superhero' can make us more altruistic
If "Batman" appears on the scene, we immediately become more altruistic: in fact, research conducted by psychologists from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, shows that the sudden appear...
phys.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
edonald.bsky.social
Sweet Christmas. Considering the subject on which I am most asked to speak these days is book banning, which definitely involves bias, oppression, stereotypes, etc., I guess I can definitely cross off speaking engagements in Utah. (Which wasn't actually a thing I'm getting a lot, to be fair.)
littlebadger.bsky.social Darcie Little Badger @littlebadger.bsky.social · 14d
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
“Prohibited words and concepts: Equity, diversity, & inclusion; anti-racism; Bias; Critical race theory; implicit bias; oppression; intersectionality; prohibited discriminatory practices; racial privilege; promoting stereotypes based on personal identity characteristics.”
November 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
edonald.bsky.social
A real question posed in a real discussion regarding AI (of course): "Do you have to write the book in order to call yourself the author?"

Yes. Dude. The answer is yes. Full stop.
November 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
edonald.bsky.social
Spied in the wild: a car with multiple neo-Nazi symbols plastered around a Trump bumper sticker. The first time I’ve seen them actually displaying such symbols, and not handmade stuff either.
November 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
washingtonpost.com
Breaking news: The CDC revised its website to contradict the long settled scientific conclusion that vaccines do not cause autism, sparking an uproar among medical professionals and autism advocates.
CDC in turmoil after agency backpedals on debunking vaccines-autism link
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), who voted to confirm Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he pledged not to remove language stating vaccines do not cause autism from the CDC website, condemne...
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 9:25 PM
edonald.bsky.social
In which I pontificate on subtext, along with several other authors.
Fiction Like White Elephants: Subtext in Your Stories
A blog about fiction writing, pulp fiction, genre stories, novels, and Sean Taylor.
seanhtaylor.blogspot.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by Elizabeth Donald
theatlantic.com
Donald Trump told a journalist, “Quiet, piggy,” when she asked him about Epstein—continuing his pattern of demeaning women, @isabelfattal.bsky.social argues in The Atlantic Daily:
Trump Told a Woman, ‘Quiet, Piggy,’ When She Asked Him About Epstein
The comment continues the president’s long-standing pattern of denigrating female journalists.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM