Ilana Masad
@ilanaslightly.bsky.social
Writer and critic for hire. Author of the novels "All My Mother's Lovers" and "Beings"; co-editor of "Here for All the Reasons", coming May 5 2026
Pre-order links (and hopefully other stuff soon): https://linktr.ee/ilanaslightly
Pre-order links (and hopefully other stuff soon): https://linktr.ee/ilanaslightly
Pinned
Here for All the Reasons: Why We Watch the Bachelor
Why We Watch the Bachelor
bookshop.org
How are we doing book promo right now other than dropping links and feeling sheepish?!?
bookshop.org/a/20948/9781...
bookshop.org/a/20948/9781...
Company: "Whether you agree/disagree to have your interview recorded has no impact on hiring decisions."
Same company: *won't let you submit your application without clicking the "agree" button*
Same company: *won't let you submit your application without clicking the "agree" button*
January 27, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Company: "Whether you agree/disagree to have your interview recorded has no impact on hiring decisions."
Same company: *won't let you submit your application without clicking the "agree" button*
Same company: *won't let you submit your application without clicking the "agree" button*
Reposted by Ilana Masad
While independent bookstores are giving out free whistles, hosting protest sign making events, and donating proceeds to mutual aid, Amazon is *checks notes* providing technology that assists ICE in their terrorizing of communities.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
January 27, 2026 at 5:07 PM
While independent bookstores are giving out free whistles, hosting protest sign making events, and donating proceeds to mutual aid, Amazon is *checks notes* providing technology that assists ICE in their terrorizing of communities.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Independent bookstores deserve your support. Amazon does not.
Reposted by Ilana Masad
🎉The reviews are IN and the book is OUT🎉
Today marks the official pub date of @ravineangel.bsky.social's debut horror novel Persona!
You can buy the book right NOW on our website or at your local indie bookstore!
Today marks the official pub date of @ravineangel.bsky.social's debut horror novel Persona!
You can buy the book right NOW on our website or at your local indie bookstore!
January 27, 2026 at 7:39 PM
🎉The reviews are IN and the book is OUT🎉
Today marks the official pub date of @ravineangel.bsky.social's debut horror novel Persona!
You can buy the book right NOW on our website or at your local indie bookstore!
Today marks the official pub date of @ravineangel.bsky.social's debut horror novel Persona!
You can buy the book right NOW on our website or at your local indie bookstore!
Reposted by Ilana Masad
To avoid the possibility Holocaust remembrance might lead to empathy for migrants, Trump's antisemitism envoy claims Anne Frank "was in Amsterdam legally."
In reality, Margot Frank received a summons to go to a labor camp on July 5, 1942. After ignoring this call, they were in Amsterdam illegally.
In reality, Margot Frank received a summons to go to a labor camp on July 5, 1942. After ignoring this call, they were in Amsterdam illegally.
January 27, 2026 at 3:28 PM
To avoid the possibility Holocaust remembrance might lead to empathy for migrants, Trump's antisemitism envoy claims Anne Frank "was in Amsterdam legally."
In reality, Margot Frank received a summons to go to a labor camp on July 5, 1942. After ignoring this call, they were in Amsterdam illegally.
In reality, Margot Frank received a summons to go to a labor camp on July 5, 1942. After ignoring this call, they were in Amsterdam illegally.
Reposted by Ilana Masad
Feels weird to share anything like this right now, but I’ve been meaning to post some pieces I loved working on in 2025. If you're looking for freelancers, I'd love to send pitches! Clips here www.rainesfordstauffer.com & email in bio. Grateful to sources & editors who made these stories possible:
January 27, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Feels weird to share anything like this right now, but I’ve been meaning to post some pieces I loved working on in 2025. If you're looking for freelancers, I'd love to send pitches! Clips here www.rainesfordstauffer.com & email in bio. Grateful to sources & editors who made these stories possible:
Occasionally I think about that Beanie Baby documentary and how a bunch of mostly white moms in the suburbs created an entire economy around these days and think about how that is a power that could be harnessed for, oh I dunno, the removal of icy conditions.
January 27, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Occasionally I think about that Beanie Baby documentary and how a bunch of mostly white moms in the suburbs created an entire economy around these days and think about how that is a power that could be harnessed for, oh I dunno, the removal of icy conditions.
For @altajournal.bsky.social, I reviewed @ninamcconigley.bsky.social's excellent new book, "How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder":
www.altaonline.com/books/fiction/a70001359/nina-mcconigley-how-to-commit-a-postcolonial-murder-book-review/
www.altaonline.com/books/fiction/a70001359/nina-mcconigley-how-to-commit-a-postcolonial-murder-book-review/
Split Self, Split Sisters
In her daring first novel, How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder, author Nina McConigley entwines race, sisterhood, and sexual violence in the American West.
www.altaonline.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:03 PM
For @altajournal.bsky.social, I reviewed @ninamcconigley.bsky.social's excellent new book, "How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder":
www.altaonline.com/books/fiction/a70001359/nina-mcconigley-how-to-commit-a-postcolonial-murder-book-review/
www.altaonline.com/books/fiction/a70001359/nina-mcconigley-how-to-commit-a-postcolonial-murder-book-review/
In a break from the awfulness, I saw Suzy Eddie Izzard performing the entirety of Hamlet tonight and she was BRILLIANT. If you're anywhere on her tour, I cannot recommend the show enough.
January 26, 2026 at 2:00 AM
In a break from the awfulness, I saw Suzy Eddie Izzard performing the entirety of Hamlet tonight and she was BRILLIANT. If you're anywhere on her tour, I cannot recommend the show enough.
Reposted by Ilana Masad
ICE is sending these kids to the concentration camp in Dilley, Texas, where they're preparing to have so many children that they're opening a new school there. They're actively hiring teachers now. I reported on it last month. We have to get people out of there.
January 23, 2026 at 1:27 PM
ICE is sending these kids to the concentration camp in Dilley, Texas, where they're preparing to have so many children that they're opening a new school there. They're actively hiring teachers now. I reported on it last month. We have to get people out of there.
oh my GOD preschool is expensive lolsob
January 23, 2026 at 2:48 AM
oh my GOD preschool is expensive lolsob
Reposted by Ilana Masad
God I love the weight of a book on my chest as I look at my phone
January 23, 2026 at 1:15 AM
God I love the weight of a book on my chest as I look at my phone
Reposted by Ilana Masad
I interviewed two queer activists in Minneapolis who are modeling what community defense can look like.
We have so much to learn from them.
We have so much to learn from them.
TODAY: @lesbrains.bsky.social in conversation with two Minneapolis activists defending their community against ICE. "I don’t think those fuckers were ready for all of this and how quickly we mobilized." flaminghydra.com/lessons-from...
Lessons from Minneapolis
“Flowers grow in shit.”
flaminghydra.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:58 PM
I interviewed two queer activists in Minneapolis who are modeling what community defense can look like.
We have so much to learn from them.
We have so much to learn from them.
Funny how you can't both be awake with your toddler from 11:30pm to 1:30am AND make your writing accountability zoom from 5-7am
January 21, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Funny how you can't both be awake with your toddler from 11:30pm to 1:30am AND make your writing accountability zoom from 5-7am
I don't think the billionaires are ever going to save us but surely the ones in the US must be at least a bit worried about the potential of the dollar hella tanking?
January 20, 2026 at 6:44 PM
I don't think the billionaires are ever going to save us but surely the ones in the US must be at least a bit worried about the potential of the dollar hella tanking?
How do you tell an influencer who is writing a book that they should maybe not use an Amazon affiliate storefront when they recommend books but a Bookshop one?
January 20, 2026 at 6:24 PM
How do you tell an influencer who is writing a book that they should maybe not use an Amazon affiliate storefront when they recommend books but a Bookshop one?
What's your favorite unobtrusive but not ugly font to use in Scrivener?
January 20, 2026 at 2:53 PM
What's your favorite unobtrusive but not ugly font to use in Scrivener?
I dunno, somehow I don't think this is actually ottessa moshfegh
January 20, 2026 at 1:51 AM
I dunno, somehow I don't think this is actually ottessa moshfegh
Meanwhile, I somehow also have to keep pitching, edit my Reedsy profile, keep applying to jobs I won't get interviews for, and write a new novel.
All while, you know, shit keeps happening.
All while, you know, shit keeps happening.
"I have done absolutely nothing today," I say, even though I entertained my toddler, fed my toddler, got my toddler to nap and stayed with him so he could nap, took a walk with my toddler, did physical therapy with my toddler, and entertained my toddler some more all before 5pm
January 20, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Meanwhile, I somehow also have to keep pitching, edit my Reedsy profile, keep applying to jobs I won't get interviews for, and write a new novel.
All while, you know, shit keeps happening.
All while, you know, shit keeps happening.
"I have done absolutely nothing today," I say, even though I entertained my toddler, fed my toddler, got my toddler to nap and stayed with him so he could nap, took a walk with my toddler, did physical therapy with my toddler, and entertained my toddler some more all before 5pm
January 20, 2026 at 1:17 AM
"I have done absolutely nothing today," I say, even though I entertained my toddler, fed my toddler, got my toddler to nap and stayed with him so he could nap, took a walk with my toddler, did physical therapy with my toddler, and entertained my toddler some more all before 5pm
Reposted by Ilana Masad
Get rid of your Ring doorbell yesterday
January 19, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Get rid of your Ring doorbell yesterday
Reposted by Ilana Masad
The vast majority of what’s happening is communal self-defense. It’s not an about agitating or escalating. The whistles, the honking, the yelling — these are efforts by people to warn and protect their neighbors. 2/3
January 18, 2026 at 3:07 PM
The vast majority of what’s happening is communal self-defense. It’s not an about agitating or escalating. The whistles, the honking, the yelling — these are efforts by people to warn and protect their neighbors. 2/3
Reposted by Ilana Masad
I’m finally reading Beings by @ilanaslightly.bsky.social. It’s gorgeous!
January 17, 2026 at 1:44 AM
I’m finally reading Beings by @ilanaslightly.bsky.social. It’s gorgeous!
Reposted by Ilana Masad
If these monsters were trained, being outnumbered by crowds would be less effective.
As it is, they have absolutely no fucking clue what to do and they are getting run out of every situation they force themselves into.
Dems calling for training are just pushing more, worse violence.
As it is, they have absolutely no fucking clue what to do and they are getting run out of every situation they force themselves into.
Dems calling for training are just pushing more, worse violence.
January 16, 2026 at 1:05 AM
If these monsters were trained, being outnumbered by crowds would be less effective.
As it is, they have absolutely no fucking clue what to do and they are getting run out of every situation they force themselves into.
Dems calling for training are just pushing more, worse violence.
As it is, they have absolutely no fucking clue what to do and they are getting run out of every situation they force themselves into.
Dems calling for training are just pushing more, worse violence.
For the love of god I wish Bookshop would just let you stay signed in
January 15, 2026 at 7:28 PM
For the love of god I wish Bookshop would just let you stay signed in