Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Leslie Pietrzyk

@lesliepwriter.bsky.social

1.5K followers 700 following 330 posts

Writer of novels & short stories: ADMIT THIS TO NO ONE (2021), SILVER GIRL (2018), THIS ANGEL ON MY CHEST (2015), etc. Fan of classic cocktails, Carolina BBQ & almost every pie. She/her

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · 3d

Two rejections within 15 minutes, including one "very close/final round" from a fancy place. 0/10, do not recommend for a Monday or any other morning of the week.

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · 6d

I love this!!! Congratulations! (Such a good journal, too...that's never looked my way twice!)

1 2

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · 15d

Gotta share my latest spam-bot assessment of my literary career:
You built a cathedral… and it’s echoing in an empty desert. 🌵

Reposted by Leslie Pietrzyk

J.D. Smith @smitroverse.bsky.social · 16d

Thanks to @lesliepwriter.bsky.social for letting me share some thoughts on my new collection. #poetry #ecopoetry #BookSky www.workinprogressinprogress.com/2025/09/tbr-...

TBR: The Place That Is Coming to Us by J.D. Smith

www.workinprogressinprogress.com

1 4

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · 20d

Ugh...hope you're on the mend soon!!

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · 27d

Happy to help promote the good work we're doing over at the Converse low-res MFA journal, @south85journal.bsky.social! Thanks for the interview, Becky Tuch & Lit Mag News!

South 85 Journal @south85journal.bsky.social · 27d

Check out this interview with editor Leslie Pietrzyk, who shares observations about South 85's reading process, our team of readers & offers thoughts on how to get your manuscript noticed. Plus why art matters & thoughts about handling fallow writing times!

litmagnews.substack.com/p/the-world-...

"The World Needs Art." A Chat with Leslie Pietrzyk, Editor of South 85 Journal

"A tiny moment that feels like something huge..."

litmagnews.substack.com

Reposted by Leslie Pietrzyk

Meg Reid 🦦 @megireid.bsky.social · Sep 4

A reminder! @hubcitypress.bsky.social is looking for one nonfiction title for (probably fall) 2027. By a southerner and/or related to the South. I had lots of interesting responses to the call below, but mostly unfinished manuscripts. Agents or unagented writers welcome. My DMs are open for q's!

Meg Reid 🦦 @megireid.bsky.social · Jul 11

Wowwee @hubcitypress.bsky.social is OPEN this weekend for single-narrative nonfiction! This is my time, my favorite stuff! Can be personal, reportage, memoir, cultural criticism, history, or a blend of the above. Ends at midnight on Sunday. Drop any questions below.

hubcity.submittable.com/submit

Hub City Press & Writers Project Submission Manager

Hub City Press, the publishing arm of the Hub City Writers Project, publishes books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. We are seeking new and extra...

hubcity.submittable.com

1 9 5

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 31

Oh, I so appreciate that you've read and shared my story!! Thank you so much. xoxox

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 31

"You have to have confidence amounting to arrogance, because particularly at the beginning, you're making something that nobody has asked you to make." Elaine de Kooning, qtd in NINTH STREET WOMEN by Mary Gabriel #SundaySentence

1 8

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 27

So relieved this deal is FINALLY done!!!!!

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 26

Thank you so much! Was in Tucson writing in May, and it was FABULOUS!!!! xoxox

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 26

OMG!!!

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 25

Only good thing I'll say about these green bananas is that they're .01% better than unripe pears.

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 22

Why not just make him CEO of the company? Seems quicker!

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 22

I haven't gotten mine yet! MAYBE I'VE STILL GOT A SHOT!

1 1

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 22

True, of course. But in this case, I believe they're quoting John Bolton, who said that when the FBI raided Mar-A-Lago for the classified documents.

1 2

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 22

PAINFUL.

Dana Cann @danacann.bsky.social · Aug 22

Not a surprise that they canceled creative fellowships, but the NEA’s new priorities are…odd?

Email from the NEA that notes new priorities to “foster AI competency, empower houses of worship, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, and make America healthy again.

1 2 4

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 22

FFS! I'll have to check my inbox for my very own copy.

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 21

Such a great day!!

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 20

YAY!

Split/Lip Press @splitlippress.com · Aug 20

Big news for authors with out-of-print prose books looking for a new home:

We're opening up submissions to our Lost/Found imprint on 9/3! We were so happy to rehome Brooke Shaffner's COUNTRY OF UNDER last year + now we're ready to rehome more.

Full details forthcoming, but the pertinent ones are:

Lost/Found Submissions! Looking to home your out-of-print book? Try us at Lost/Found, a new imprint at Split/Lip Press. Rolling submissions begin on 9/3!

1 5

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 18

Reynolda Garden in Winston-Salem, NC. Whatever the season, there's something gorgeous to see.

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 18

Haven't read GARP since the 80s...amazed at how sloppy and spectacular it is. And ahead of its time in countless ways.

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 17

Starting to write a novel is "like trying to keep everyone alive, forever. Even the ones who must die in the end. They're the most important to keep alive." -THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, John Irving
#SundaySentence

1 2 19

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 15

Yeah...all pans of brownies should look like this!

Leslie Pietrzyk @lesliepwriter.bsky.social · Aug 15

Deadline = TODAY!!

www.south85journal.com/submissions/