Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 1d

I feel worse for Kerkering than I do about losing the series.

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 1d

Almost like, I dunno, this is what the public research university is FOR.

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 1d

I’m genuinely shocked that we’ve been spared so far.

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 1d

Feels like days until Philly is subject to the same fate as Chicago/Portland, and my students are diving headlong into big questions with enthusiasm and curiosity and compassion. I have never had a more engaged group.

Anna Kornbluh @annakornbluh.bsky.social · 1d

week 7, in a city under siege for 32 days and counting, and the students who are able to come to class despite the blitz are showing up like their lives depend on those 50 minutes of togetherness, poetry, and big questions

Miriam Posner @miriamposner.com · 1d

IDK, man. School started 2 weeks ago for us, and once again students remind me that they’re so curious and interested in the world and anxious to ask big questions. We hear that these questions are no longer useful or relevant, but wherever that’s coming from, it’s not what students believe.

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 2d

I haven't encountered one, that I can recall! A few woman agent memoirs (two come to mind).

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 2d

This is so great, and I would urge hou to expand beyond science to consider lost humanities research, as well.

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 2d

I have made a critical blunder: the color I chose for my book cover looks absolutely terrible on me, gone are my aspirations for a coordinating Diane von Fursternberg wrap dress.

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you, dear Cécile! Still dreaming about Aix...

Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 3d

I've preordered yours! (But wouldn't say no to an ARC ;)) And yes, let's chat about ways that we can be in conversation, as I think there's probably a lot of overlap.

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 3d

Pub date pals!

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Reposted by Laura McGrath

Mike Ingram @mikeingram.bsky.social · 3d

My editing & publishing class at Temple will be opening soon for submissions for a special online issue of Barrelhouse, with the theme "The Dirty Issue." Fiction & nonfiction up to 2,500 words, and up to 5 poems. Usual @barrelhouse.bsky.social contract & payment.

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 5d

Teaching this banger, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to remind you that @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social and I always welcome pitches for the Culture Industries section of Public Books! Bring us your wonkiest, your galaxy-brainest, your in-the-weeds-iest!
www.publicbooks.org/how-the-new-...

How the “New York Times” Covers Black Writers - Public Books

There has long been a fear that media only makes room for one Black writer at a time. But that’s always been difficult to prove—until now.

www.publicbooks.org

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 7d

Thank you! (And what illustrious company!)

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Reposted by Laura McGrath

Alexander Manshel @manshel.bsky.social · 9d

Could not be more excited for this book to come out! If you’re interested in the history of American literature, or why the current literary scene looks the way it does, or how publishing actually works, MIDDLEMEN should be top of your list for next year!

Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 9d

Baby’s got a pub date! And some juicy catalog copy. MIDDLEMEN coming your way on April 26!

(Cover reveal soon!)

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Reposted by Laura McGrath

Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 9d

Baby’s got a pub date! And some juicy catalog copy. MIDDLEMEN coming your way on April 26!

(Cover reveal soon!)

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 9d

Would love to hear about your experience. And I’m so excited for you, Roopsi!! Congrats!!!

(Will add the caveat that nonfiction is super different from the fiction world I cover here.)

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 9d

Baby’s got a pub date! And some juicy catalog copy. MIDDLEMEN coming your way on April 26!

(Cover reveal soon!)

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 11d

When I tell you that this song plays on repeat in my head almost every day…

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 11d

Sure thing! Will send when it’s done. Would love to hear what you’re up to, love it when you start scheming…

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 11d

I agree! I’m teaching a YA class this spring and we’ll be skipping HP (for all the reasons).

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 12d

Also play them this song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqN8...

Faeries F*cking

YouTube video by Griefcat - Topic

www.youtube.com

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 12d

Me!!! Not in my bestseller class, but in a YA class I'm launching this spring. Direct line from YA to Romantasy (so I'm arguing, to get students to re-enroll): www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/s...

Why Magic, Dragons and Explicit Sex Are in Bookstores Everywhere

www.nytimes.com

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Laura McGrath @lbmcgrath.bsky.social · 14d

Lolsob

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Reposted by Laura McGrath

The Walrus @thewalrus.ca · 15d

Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye sold just 2,000 copies in its first year. Today, it’s a number many authors can’t recover from. Writer @tajjaisen.bsky.social examines how the publishing industry’s sales track can make or break careers before they even begin: thewalrus.ca/the-publishing-i...

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Reposted by Laura McGrath

Nicole Chung @nicolechung.bsky.social · 15d

“Publishers, as McGrath says, have always been risk averse. But with higher pressure to find a sure thing, more writers who may have been able to sell a book five or ten years ago, whether to a corporate or an independent press, are being left out in the cold.” @tajjaisen.bsky.social @thewalrus.ca

The Publishing Industry Has a Gambling Problem | The Walrus

Companies keep betting on the next bestseller. Literature is poorer for it

thewalrus.ca

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