Melody Simpson
@melodysimpson.bsky.social
5.1K followers 500 following 110 posts
Writer. Founder of Melanin in YA (@melanininya.bsky.social), your source for all things Black in traditional young adult publishing. All things TV, movies, books, sci-fi, theatre, & theology. Los Angeles / Austin https://melodylsimpson.com
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melodysimpson.bsky.social
Feels on brand (as the founder of Melanin in YA) to make a starter pack for Traditionally Published Black YA Authors & Black Publishing Pros (Lit Agents, Editors, etc...) in the YA space. I'll be adding to it constantly as more people join the app.

go.bsky.app/5Coyqe9
Reposted by Melody Simpson
courtneymilan.com
Hey, I have had some questions about who is allowed to file.

Here is the class certification:
1. The following LibGen & PiLiMi Pirated Books Class is CERTIFIED:
All beneficial or legal copyright owners of the exclusive right to reproduce copies of any book in the versions of LibGen or PiLiMi downloaded by Anthropic. "Book" refers to any work possessing an
ISBN or ASIN which was registered with the United States Copyright Office within five years of the work's publication and which was registered with the United States Copyright Office before being downloaded by Anthropic, or within three months of publication.
Excluded are the directors, officers and employees of Anthropic, personnel of federal agencies, and district court personnel.
Reposted by Melody Simpson
courtneymilan.com
Hi authors! Please remember to file a claim!
Reposted by Melody Simpson
literarydesiree.bsky.social
Today August 15th is the last day to cast your vote for the Ignyte Awards! Go here to vote: ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com/vote
theignyteawards.bsky.social
The #IgnyteAwards for Outstanding Anthology/Collected Works are:
Finalists for Outstanding Anthology/Collected Works

A SUNNY PLACE FOR SHADY PEOPLE - Mariana Enriquez, translated by Megan McDowell (Hogarth)

DEEP DREAM: SCIENCE FICTION EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF ART - Indrapramit Das (The MIT Press)

THE BLACK GIRL SURVIVES IN THIS ONE - Desiree S. Evans (Flatiron Books)

THROUGH THE NIGHT LIKE A SNAKE: LATIN AMERICAN HORROR STORIES - Sarah Coolidge (Two Lines Press)

THYME TRAVELLERS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF PALESTINIAN SPECULATIVE FICTION - Sonia Sulaiman (Roseway Publishing)
Reposted by Melody Simpson
samiraahmed.bsky.social
Included on this list of banned books is one that is a kid's guide to the Bill of Rights because the way fascists want to protect kids is to stop them from knowing rights exist, apparently?!
flfreedomread.bsky.social
Districts are reminding us that this is far from over. Yesterday, Clay posted its updated list for August’s objections (still fueled by one man and now a friend that meets the “parent” standard to allow for multiple objections a month).

docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Screenshot of the 66 new objections and their outcomes for the month of August. A reader-friendly version of this list is available at the url in the post.
Reposted by Melody Simpson
merrittk.com
"i just use AI for-" say no more, i already think less of you
melodysimpson.bsky.social
Not my bro saying Oprah said “Look under you car, I’m putting life jackets there!” 💀💀💀
Reposted by Melody Simpson
heykellyjensen.bsky.social
"I used to believe that if I stayed out of politics and focused on my work, then I could avoid ostracizing anyone and things would just work themselves out. But now, the work of helping my patrons feel safe, informed, and free is itself political"

bookriot.com/running-for-...
How a Quiet Librarian Became a Loud Threat to the Iowa Legislature: Book Censorship News, July 19, 2025
How one Iowa librarian went from being unaware of attacks on books and libraries to running for state-level office to turn the tide around.
bookriot.com
Reposted by Melody Simpson
heykellyjensen.bsky.social
Here's India May's story of how she went from a quiet librarian to a loud threat to Iowa Legislature. She's running for office, thanks to seeing the ways that the current legislature is specifically targeting libraries throughout the state: bookriot.com/running-for-...
How a Quiet Librarian Became a Loud Threat to the Iowa Legislature: Book Censorship News, July 19, 2025
How one Iowa librarian went from being unaware of attacks on books and libraries to running for state-level office to turn the tide around.
bookriot.com
Reposted by Melody Simpson
heykellyjensen.bsky.social
You know how those of us who've been covering and talking about and shouting about book bans for over 4 years now have talked about how vital it is to show up to school board meetings and library board meetings? How necessary it is to vote down ballot? How change happens by "being political?"
Reposted by Melody Simpson
rsdream12.bsky.social
Went ahead and made a starter pack of Iranian/Persian artists I know who deserve all the love and support now more than ever. Let me know if I missed anyone and I’ll add them go.bsky.app/LHbyaKpv
Reposted by Melody Simpson
brandonfriedman.bsky.social
This is physical bravery. This guy is a patriot.
chadloder.bsky.social
6/21, Los Angeles: A neighborhood volunteer documenting ICE was stopped by agents in an unmarked car, surrounded, and threatened by masked agents while they filmed him on their phones.
Reposted by Melody Simpson
nickknudsenus.bsky.social
This is incredibly beautiful storytelling.
Reposted by Melody Simpson
lorennacleary.bsky.social
In Pasadena, protesters ran ICE out of a hotel. The hotel insisted ICE leave. Protesters slashed tires of many of the vehicles and local tow companies refused to assist. /
Reposted by Melody Simpson
chadloder.bsky.social
Masked ICE agents spotted swapping out license plates this morning in Bell Gardens, CA
Reposted by Melody Simpson
slack2thefuture.bsky.social
Greater Los Angeles is a peaceful city the size of the entire state of Delaware. There 18.5 million of us, from all walks of life. We love our city. We do not need anyone to
"liberate" a city that is already free. #NoICE #NoNationalGuard #NoMarines #NoKings
melodysimpson.bsky.social
ahh i love this!!! i'm very particular about the names of the pets so i've only adopted a few of them but it is always fun going through the ones in the pound lol
melodysimpson.bsky.social
I don't know if there are any Neopets fans over here but if there are, you should really check out Santae because it's everything Neopets should be in 2025 and isn't. It's also inclusive & they actively make updates in real time. It's AMAZING. Thank me later! www.santae.net/refer/1486
Santae
www.santae.net
Reposted by Melody Simpson
lostcitymagic.bsky.social
Your Cherokee words for today.
The top word is English followed by how it is written in the Cherokee language followed by how it is spelled in English then how to pronounce it phonetically.
Image is line paper with writing showing an English word followed by how it is written in the Cherokee language followed by how it is spelled and pronounced. The word is protest and pronounced deekahteeluhstee
melodysimpson.bsky.social
Oh thank God! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Reposted by Melody Simpson
bookjockeyalex.bsky.social
Picked the worst city to try this in, too. Nearly 4 million people just in the City of Los Angeles. That number jumps to almost 10 million for the whole county. LA has a long, proud history of protests and uprisings, esp against systemic oppression.
akelacooper.bsky.social
Notice she's not talking about "criminals" anymore. Now they're onto who they perceive as their enemies, including the people *we* elected. They want to use L.A. to show they can force liberal cities into submission.
justinbaragona.bsky.social
Kristi Noem: "We are not going away. We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city."

Sen. Alex Padilla is then forcibly removed!
Reposted by Melody Simpson
older.bsky.social
yes, the fact that he's a senator shows that they're not worried about the repercussions. But the key issue, the thing to be repeated every time this is shown, is that they have no reason for arresting him, just like they have no reason for detaining the vast majority of people they've detained.
melodysimpson.bsky.social
Ahhhh I would stick with the last two recommendations then! I’m less versed in middle grade and below but you can’t go wrong with a graphic novel!