Effie Seiberg
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effies.bsky.social
Effie Seiberg
@effies.bsky.social
SFF/middle-grade fiction/satire writer. Strategy/marketing consultant. Bagel the Dog's emotional support human. Dadjoke teller. Sentence-fragment lover. Disabled with #MECFS She/her effieseiberg.com/stories (or @[email protected] on Mastodon)
Pinned
New story day! "Laser Eyes Ain't Everything" is free to read on @diabolicalplots.com !

My wheelchair-using superhero does battle with the non-ADA-compliant superhero union.

Come for the punny superhero names, stay for the disability access rage & catharsis!

www.diabolicalplots.com/dp-fiction-1...
DP FICTION #123B: “Laser Eyes Ain’t Everything” by Effie Seiberg – Diabolical Plots
www.diabolicalplots.com
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
Happy Thursday, have a blep

#DailyDoggo
February 12, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
BREAKING: The Trump administraiton has committed a mass violation of ICE detainees' constitutional rights in MN, effectively blocking their acess to attorneys in the Whipple building, a judge ruled tonight.

The judge: Trump appointeee Nancy Brasel

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
One thing to bear in mind as critical context is that these are the biggest fucking cowards who ever lived. He "survived" being spoken to sternly by a woman.
in a text string after the shooting, a fellow agent told Exum he's a "legend"
"Beers on me"
February 13, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
We have shipped 325,686 whistles in February (these last 12 days) so far.

This is about 651 kg of filament that we have gone through. It really does help to get gift cards for non-Amazon sources!
Hello folks! In our neverending quest to get our filament needs away from Amazon, I'm doing a call today specifically for elegoo gift cards!

They have really nice affordable bundles & a few of our printers love their PETG!

Send to [email protected] 💓

us.elegoo.com/products/ele...
ELEGOO GIFT CARD
ELEGOO gift card -- the perfect present for any occasion! Whether you're searching for a Christmas gesture, a birthday surprise, or simply a token of appreciation, our Gift Card is the ideal choice.
us.elegoo.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
graphic design is my passion, and also I’ve got three eligible works this awards cycle. Two novels, one novella, pick your poison.
November 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
This is great. They should also be able to vote while in prison.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger endorsed a constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to people with felony convictions when they leave prison. State lawmakers passed the amendment and it will now appear on the state ballot.
“It’s Time”: Virginia Lawmakers Ask Voters to Repeal Jim Crow-Era Lifetime Ban on Voting
Voters will decide this year whether to end Virginia’s uniquely harsh felony disenfranchisement rules. They
boltsmag.org
February 12, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
This is a big fucking deal, and it is thoroughly deserved.
February 12, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
This is all performative bullshit.

Believe it when you don't see ICE in Minneapolis/Saint Paul anymore.
Homan: "Operation Metro Surge is ending. In the next week, we're going to deploy the officers here on detail back to their home stations or to other areas of the country where they're needed."
February 12, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
DHS shutdown all but certain after failed Senate vote
DHS shutdown all but certain after failed Senate vote
Lawmakers are heading for the exits following a failed Senate vote Thursday, all but guaranteeing the Department of Homeland Security shuts down early Saturday morning. The funding lapse, which will hit parts of DHS harder than others, comes as the White House and congressional Democrats have failed to move closer to a deal after trading proposals to rein in immigration enforcement practices in the wake of two high-profile shootings in Minneapolis. Democrats called the latest offer from the White House insufficient Thursday and are expected to send a counteroffer. “Democrats have been very clear: We will not support an extension of the status quo,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. Democrats went on to block progress on a DHS funding bill the House passed last month, which would have been the vehicle for a short-term funding punt or a larger immigration agreement. The procedural vote was 52-47, well short of the needed 60 votes. Prior to the vote, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced that ICE would be ending its enhanced immigration enforcement, a step that Democrats have called for. But Schumer said Thursday that “ICE’s abuses cannot be solved merely through executive fiat alone — we first and foremost need legislation.” Republicans are expected to try to pass at least one weeks-long stopgap for DHS Thursday afternoon. But because every senator would need to agree to quick passage, it is expected to be blocked on the Senate floor. While the negotiations have centered on ICE and Customs and Border Protection, a shutdown will affect a wider variety of agencies including TSA, FEMA and the Coast Guard. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that he thought the White House offer went “a long ways” toward an agreement, adding, “There are a couple of issues obviously that they’re going to have to work through and work out [with Democrats], and lines that neither side is probably going to be able to cross.” Thune added that Democrats are “posturing right now” but that “progress has been real.” With no deal close at hand, the Senate is on track to adjourn Thursday for a previously scheduled one-week recess. The House also adjourned Thursday for its previously scheduled recess, though members are on call to return within 48 hours if an agreement is reached. Thune said Thursday if a deal is struck, senators will need to get back to the Capitol within 24 hours. Some GOP senators publicly pushed to stay in session in the event of a DHS shutdown, but many others pleaded with their colleagues during a closed-door lunch earlier this week to let them go back home and campaign. Others are scheduled to leave Thursday to go on international trips, including a bipartisan group heading to the Munich Security Conference. House Speaker Mike Johnson has barred members from traveling to Munich or going on other government-funded trips over the break. Jennifer Scholtes contributed to this report. Lead Art: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) looks on during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Feb. 10, 2026. | Francis Chung/POLITICO
dlvr.it
February 12, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
NEWS: Trump just ousted the top official that protects you from illegal monopolies.

Every merger in front of the admin now reeks of double-dealing—Ticketmaster’s stock is already surging.

Congress has must unearth what happened and hold Trump accountable.
February 12, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
Via NBC News:
“The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has rescinded the legal finding that gives it the authority to regulate greenhouse gases — a move expected to upend most U.S. policies aimed at curbing climate change.”

Translation: the EPA just neutered itself.
February 12, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
I'll believe ICE has left the Twin Cities (and MN) when we have one day without someone being kidnapped. Already someone got kidnapped today. And what are "quick reaction forces"?
Tom Homan, the White House 'border czar,' announced the federal operation is winding down this morning although "quick reaction forces" are still operative, claims more local jail cooperation with ICE imposed. Gov. Walz announced economic recovery measures are being set up after damage from feds.
February 12, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
Read widely and diversely. Don't pick whatever is popular or that you think will win. Veer outside the big names. YA SFF/H is a strong, exciting category. Be bold in your nominations.
reactormag.com/anyone-can-v...
14/14
Anyone Can Vote in the Hugo Awards — And Here's How - Reactor
You — yes, you! — can nominate work and vote for the winners of the 2026 Hugo Awards!
reactormag.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
So please, I beg of you, respect YA authors, YA books, and teen readers by ONLY nominating for the Lodestar books that are marketed and published as Young Adult. Don’t let your ego or your personal feelings get in the way of teens, i.e. the audience these books are actually meant for.
13/
February 12, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
YA will always have a teen/young adult MC, but the age of the MC is not the sole factor for determining YA. IT by Stephen King is not middle grade despite having MCs who were 11 and 12. Sometimes you might get a YA with a 20yo, but it’s rare in SFF/H.
12/
February 12, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
Price point is a dead giveaway. YA is typically $17.99 or $18.99. Sometimes it can go as high as $24.99, but regardless it almost always ends in .99. Also check the authors blurbs - YA almost always features other YA authors, rarely adult authors.
11/
February 12, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
If you go to Product Details, the best sellers rank also denotes if the book is for young adults. If it doesn’t say "Teen & Young Adult", it’s not YA. Other sites have similar info. Barnes & Noble shows age range. Bookshop shows the BISAC “Teens & YA”.
10/
February 12, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
AMZN also lists recommended grade level and reading age. Anything grades 9-12 or age 13-19 is YA. Sometimes grades go as young as 7/8 or age as young as 12, but as long as the cap is in the high school or older teen range it’s still YA.
9/
February 12, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
Now for some tips for figuring out if a book is YA. As much as I hate AMZN, it is currently the easiest and quickest way for the average person to tell if a book is YA. Just under the cover copy is a section with publication info. YA often (but not always) has its own publisher or imprint.
8/
February 12, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
But Alex, you ask, how do I know if a book is YA? Well, YA is an age-based marketing category determined by the publisher, not by you the reader. You might feel like a book “reads young” (I hate that phrase) or “should be” YA, but your feelings don’t make it true.
7/
February 12, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
Want to see a spreadsheet of all 330 or so young adult science fiction, fantasy, and horror books traditionally published in 2025? I gotchu. bookjockeyalex.com/2024/12/26/y...
6/
YA SFF/H Books Release Dates 2025
The full list of traditionally published young adult science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels being released in 2025 is available on google sheets.
bookjockeyalex.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
I’m also AFAIK the only person doing Most Anticipated YA SFF/H lists. I do them bimonthly and they cover a wide range of trad pub titles: reactormag.com/tag/young-ad...
5/
Young Adult Spotlight - Reactor
reactormag.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
Onto finding books to nominate. There are lots of Best of YA lists out there, but I’m the only one who does one just for YA SFF/H trad pub: reactormag.com/notable-youn...
4/
Notable Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror of 2025 - Reactor
Check out 30 of the best young adult titles of the year
reactormag.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
Here’s a thread about how to determine if a book is YA, as well as a discussion about the bylaws for the Lodestar. As far as I’m concerned, any book not YA should be disqualified from the Lodestar, but since the Hugos don’t give a shit about YA, that never happens. bsky.app/profile/book...
3/
The Hugo bylaws are pretty clear as far as I'm concerned, but I can see where some voters are trying to wriggle their way into nominating non-YA books. "Published for
young adult readers" means exactly that. Adult and MG books are not published for young adult readers.
February 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Reposted by Effie Seiberg
I did a big thread on the importance of nominating YA for the YA award, rather than MG or adult crossover. Every year we get inappropriate titles in the Lodestar, and all that does is worsen the Hugos' reputation in YA. bsky.app/profile/book...
2/
FOR THE LOVE OF HERA when nominating for a Lodestar, the book better fucking be an actual YA novel. I don't wanna see any middle grade or adult/new adult books on that nominations list this year.
Did you know that you, yes YOU, can vote in the Hugo Awards??

@mollytempleton.com breaks down the process, including how to register before the January 31st deadline!
February 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM