Sandstone
@quartzen.bsky.social
Programmer and SFF reader. Sega fan. Asexual and otherwise queer. She/her. 📚
Reposted by Sandstone
I should probably ask - Is there a magazine here which wants a review of Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou?
I wrote this for a (large, pro-rate) venue which sent me the review copy, but it has been something like 9 months at this point and I don't think they are going to run it.
I wrote this for a (large, pro-rate) venue which sent me the review copy, but it has been something like 9 months at this point and I don't think they are going to run it.
January 21, 2026 at 3:44 PM
I should probably ask - Is there a magazine here which wants a review of Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou?
I wrote this for a (large, pro-rate) venue which sent me the review copy, but it has been something like 9 months at this point and I don't think they are going to run it.
I wrote this for a (large, pro-rate) venue which sent me the review copy, but it has been something like 9 months at this point and I don't think they are going to run it.
Reposted by Sandstone
By my count it's now about 423 stores that will be closed as part of the general strike. Absolutely astounding.
When we started this list of Minnesota businesses taking part in the Jan. 23 economic blackout we didn't realize quite what an undertaking it would be, but we are now at more than 250 and counting.
Keep 'em coming!
Keep 'em coming!
List of Minnesota businesses closing for Jan. 23 anti-ICE strike
First announced by faith leaders and unions on Jan. 13, Minnesota businesses have begun announcing plans to join the action.
bringmethenews.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:31 AM
By my count it's now about 423 stores that will be closed as part of the general strike. Absolutely astounding.
Reposted by Sandstone
[whispers] If just FIVE MORE people tell me about an upcoming release (their own or one they know about) my list will average one new aspec book a month for two years.
(So far most of them are indie, fun fact. I only have, like, five tradpub titles and that's counting graphic novels.)
(So far most of them are indie, fun fact. I only have, like, five tradpub titles and that's counting graphic novels.)
Bluesky! A question: what upcoming (say 2026-2028) aspec releases are there? I've fallen off keeping track of overall releases and I'm trying to get back to that.
Right now I know of, like, 14 and about half of them are my friends and myself.
Right now I know of, like, 14 and about half of them are my friends and myself.
January 20, 2026 at 7:17 AM
[whispers] If just FIVE MORE people tell me about an upcoming release (their own or one they know about) my list will average one new aspec book a month for two years.
(So far most of them are indie, fun fact. I only have, like, five tradpub titles and that's counting graphic novels.)
(So far most of them are indie, fun fact. I only have, like, five tradpub titles and that's counting graphic novels.)
Reposted by Sandstone
Let's get Canadian publisher @tychebooks.bsky.social upcoming kickstarter to 100 followers!
Anthologies are expensive to produce, so they often rely on crowdfunding. It's a great chance to read stories by new-to-you authors!
(It launches next week. I think. 👀)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tyc...
Anthologies are expensive to produce, so they often rely on crowdfunding. It's a great chance to read stories by new-to-you authors!
(It launches next week. I think. 👀)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tyc...
Coming soon: Fascination: Dark Fantasy Anthology
A macabre story collection of nature-fueled magic, witches & dark fae. Creepy cottages, haunted homesteads & bespelled woods.
www.kickstarter.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Let's get Canadian publisher @tychebooks.bsky.social upcoming kickstarter to 100 followers!
Anthologies are expensive to produce, so they often rely on crowdfunding. It's a great chance to read stories by new-to-you authors!
(It launches next week. I think. 👀)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tyc...
Anthologies are expensive to produce, so they often rely on crowdfunding. It's a great chance to read stories by new-to-you authors!
(It launches next week. I think. 👀)
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tyc...
Reposted by Sandstone
It is my very real pleasure to introduce you all to Hajimete no Yuri Studies, A Queer and Feminist Perspective (じめての百合スタディーズ クィア／フェミニストの視点から) from Ohta Books. I am honored to have an essay in this volume!
Cover art is by Morishima Akiko-sensei.
www.ohtabooks.com/publish/2026...
Cover art is by Morishima Akiko-sensei.
www.ohtabooks.com/publish/2026...
はじめての百合スタディーズ クィア／フェミニストの視点から - 太田出版
百合オタク×フェミニスト×クィア当事者が 語りつくす、百合批評入門。 女性同士の親密な関係性を描く、百合というジャンル。 その起源から、国内外での多様な受容、そ...中村香住・水上文・近藤銀河著『はじめての百合スタディーズ クィア／フェミニストの視点から』作品案内。／ISBN:9784778341152、2026年2月25日搬入発売。
www.ohtabooks.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:45 PM
It is my very real pleasure to introduce you all to Hajimete no Yuri Studies, A Queer and Feminist Perspective (じめての百合スタディーズ クィア／フェミニストの視点から) from Ohta Books. I am honored to have an essay in this volume!
Cover art is by Morishima Akiko-sensei.
www.ohtabooks.com/publish/2026...
Cover art is by Morishima Akiko-sensei.
www.ohtabooks.com/publish/2026...
Reposted by Sandstone
I can't tell you how excited I am by the number of submissions we've already received for the Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast's 2026 Fiction Series! No waiting for the last minute this year. But there's still 10 days to get YOUR story in!
alpennia.com/lhmp/essays/...
alpennia.com/lhmp/essays/...
Call for Submissions: 2026 Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast Fiction Series | Alpennia
The Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast will be open for submissions in January 2026 for short stories in the lesbian historic fiction genre, to be produced in audio format for the podcast, as well as publ...
alpennia.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I can't tell you how excited I am by the number of submissions we've already received for the Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast's 2026 Fiction Series! No waiting for the last minute this year. But there's still 10 days to get YOUR story in!
alpennia.com/lhmp/essays/...
alpennia.com/lhmp/essays/...
Reposted by Sandstone
“The politicians need to realize that they are working for us,” one Kansas City resident told The Star.
Hundreds flood Missouri Capitol to protest explosive votes on abortion, sick leave & more
“The politicians need to realize that they are working for us,” one Kansas City resident told The Star.
bit.ly
January 21, 2026 at 9:40 PM
“The politicians need to realize that they are working for us,” one Kansas City resident told The Star.
Reposted by Sandstone
If you have a Dem rep, call them.
If you've called them before, do it again.
They may be limited in what they can do, but it's still not a good reason for a failure in leadership and the ability to stand together as a party.
If you've called them before, do it again.
They may be limited in what they can do, but it's still not a good reason for a failure in leadership and the ability to stand together as a party.
NEWS: While Hakeem Jeffries has announced he's opposing the DHS/ICE funding bill tomorrow, his team is not whipping the vote. Several frontliners are expected to vote yes. There's a difference in leadership between personal vote decisions & unifying the caucus.
From me:
prospect.org/2026/01/21/j...
From me:
prospect.org/2026/01/21/j...
Jeffries Won’t Whip Vote Against ICE Funding - The American Prospect
While the House Democratic leader announced personal opposition to a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, he won’t pressure his colleagues to do the same.
prospect.org
January 21, 2026 at 8:45 PM
If you have a Dem rep, call them.
If you've called them before, do it again.
They may be limited in what they can do, but it's still not a good reason for a failure in leadership and the ability to stand together as a party.
If you've called them before, do it again.
They may be limited in what they can do, but it's still not a good reason for a failure in leadership and the ability to stand together as a party.
Reposted by Sandstone
This is INCREDIBLY cool.
🎉 THE BIG NEWS IS HERE 🎉
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
Fansplaining’s Next Chapter — Fansplaining
We’re relaunching as a weekly publication featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more—all by, for, and about fandom.
www.fansplaining.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:29 PM
This is INCREDIBLY cool.
Reposted by Sandstone
Dancer on the Pond, 2024✨
January 21, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Dancer on the Pond, 2024✨
Reposted by Sandstone
Exceedingly pleased to announce that PAINTED FLOCK is an Indie Ink Awards finalist for Writing the Future We Need: Asexual and Aromantic Representation 💚💜 Thank you so much to everyone who chose it as their aro/ace book.
January 21, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Exceedingly pleased to announce that PAINTED FLOCK is an Indie Ink Awards finalist for Writing the Future We Need: Asexual and Aromantic Representation 💚💜 Thank you so much to everyone who chose it as their aro/ace book.
Reposted by Sandstone
This is why I always emphasize that "the media just likes Trump for clicks and ratings" is not accurate. The Jeffrey Epstein scandal is the worst in political history and instead of sensationalizing it, they repeatedly minimize it and downplay it despite massive public interest
public perception says mainstream media is sensationalist, lusts for scandal, will make anything up to sell papers and get clicks etc.,
and then this particular president does like 10 scandals a day and mainstream media insists on describing his actions in the most uninteresting way possible
and then this particular president does like 10 scandals a day and mainstream media insists on describing his actions in the most uninteresting way possible
Right on cue, here are the push alerts from the 3 major newspapers lmao
January 21, 2026 at 5:03 PM
This is why I always emphasize that "the media just likes Trump for clicks and ratings" is not accurate. The Jeffrey Epstein scandal is the worst in political history and instead of sensationalizing it, they repeatedly minimize it and downplay it despite massive public interest
Reposted by Sandstone
NEWS! My next book, TRANSLUNAR, about a closeted trans woman who's an astronaut in the sixties, is coming out in fall 2027! It'll be on Wildthorn, Tor's brand-new general fiction imprint -- a dream, as it lets me work with @englelaird.bsky.social on my literary and historical fiction as well as SFF.
January 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM
NEWS! My next book, TRANSLUNAR, about a closeted trans woman who's an astronaut in the sixties, is coming out in fall 2027! It'll be on Wildthorn, Tor's brand-new general fiction imprint -- a dream, as it lets me work with @englelaird.bsky.social on my literary and historical fiction as well as SFF.
Reposted by Sandstone
About god damn time
SCOOP: Jeffries opposes bill funding DHS and ICE
Scoop: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposes bill funding DHS and ICE
Democrats are lining up against the bill.
www.axios.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:38 PM
About god damn time
Reposted by Sandstone
I was trying to give them a chance to respond, but it's been 15 hrs and nothing so: LA WorldCon is using genAI "art" on their website and promo materials. Given everything that went down last year (and with SWFA recently), it's pretty disheartening to see this.
January 21, 2026 at 3:40 PM
I was trying to give them a chance to respond, but it's been 15 hrs and nothing so: LA WorldCon is using genAI "art" on their website and promo materials. Given everything that went down last year (and with SWFA recently), it's pretty disheartening to see this.
Reposted by Sandstone
I try to be sensitive to not proclaiming things to be new that are not new, but I’m not aware of a time when this has been the way a president talked about other countries with which we had no conflict. Certainly not in my lifetime.
For instance: "Canada lives by the benefit of the United States. Remember that, Mark, when you make your statements."
January 21, 2026 at 2:22 PM
I try to be sensitive to not proclaiming things to be new that are not new, but I’m not aware of a time when this has been the way a president talked about other countries with which we had no conflict. Certainly not in my lifetime.
Reposted by Sandstone
I know it's the hour when a question like this can lead you down some...roads...but...
Want to see sumn pretty? 👀
Say hi to Yemi and Nova, as illustrated by wizzylee
And then preorder the book, natch. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/year-of-th...
Want to see sumn pretty? 👀
Say hi to Yemi and Nova, as illustrated by wizzylee
And then preorder the book, natch. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/year-of-th...
January 21, 2026 at 6:57 AM
I know it's the hour when a question like this can lead you down some...roads...but...
Want to see sumn pretty? 👀
Say hi to Yemi and Nova, as illustrated by wizzylee
And then preorder the book, natch. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/year-of-th...
Want to see sumn pretty? 👀
Say hi to Yemi and Nova, as illustrated by wizzylee
And then preorder the book, natch. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/year-of-th...
Reposted by Sandstone
Thank you @replamonica.bsky.social.
I came to Congress to do the job: to work for people and protect them.
Now I’m facing 17 years in prison for standing up to this administration and to ICE. But if they think I’ll back down, they are wrong.
Read more:
Now I’m facing 17 years in prison for standing up to this administration and to ICE. But if they think I’ll back down, they are wrong.
Read more:
The Congresswoman Criminalized for Visiting ICE Detainees
LaMonica McIver went to tour an immigration jail in her district. Now she faces seventeen years in prison.
www.newyorker.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Thank you @replamonica.bsky.social.
Reposted by Sandstone
ARE YOU A NON-MINNESOTAN WHO WANTS IDEAS OF STUFF TO DO TO HELP MINNESOTA RESIST FASCIST TYRANNY? Have I got a blog post for you! With additional advice for how to get ready in case tyranny shows up at YOUR doorstep next!
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota
I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this, you more or less understand the situation in Minnesota and I don’t have to explain it to you! That said, I do have a section of lo…
naomikritzer.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:13 AM
ARE YOU A NON-MINNESOTAN WHO WANTS IDEAS OF STUFF TO DO TO HELP MINNESOTA RESIST FASCIST TYRANNY? Have I got a blog post for you! With additional advice for how to get ready in case tyranny shows up at YOUR doorstep next!
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
Reposted by Sandstone
a year ago i wrote a story that went viral over here about how republicans could create a de facto national care ban for trans medicine
to stop it, democrats would have to hold the line in funding talks, and staff in congress told me they were unsure if they would
today, they stopped it
to stop it, democrats would have to hold the line in funding talks, and staff in congress told me they were unsure if they would
today, they stopped it
Will Democrats Let the GOP Gut Trans Health Care?
Donald Trump and Republicans may try to ban funding to companies that perform trans health care. Some fear Democrats won't stop them.
www.rollingstone.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:59 AM
a year ago i wrote a story that went viral over here about how republicans could create a de facto national care ban for trans medicine
to stop it, democrats would have to hold the line in funding talks, and staff in congress told me they were unsure if they would
today, they stopped it
to stop it, democrats would have to hold the line in funding talks, and staff in congress told me they were unsure if they would
today, they stopped it
Reposted by Sandstone
Please follow this upcoming queer space opera anthology!
January 20, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Please follow this upcoming queer space opera anthology!
Reposted by Sandstone
ok new pinned thingie incoming with a cover this time
upcoming book! preorders live! all the things! :)
oh and there's a goodreads giveaway happening right now, omg I am bad at this www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
upcoming book! preorders live! all the things! :)
oh and there's a goodreads giveaway happening right now, omg I am bad at this www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Book giveaway for The Language of Liars by S.L. Huang Jan 16-Jan 30, 2026
Enter to win one of 50 free copies available. Giveaway dates from Jan 16-Jan 30, 2026. Enter for a chance to win an ARC of THE LANGUAGE OF LIARS by S.L. ...
www.goodreads.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:31 AM
ok new pinned thingie incoming with a cover this time
upcoming book! preorders live! all the things! :)
oh and there's a goodreads giveaway happening right now, omg I am bad at this www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
upcoming book! preorders live! all the things! :)
oh and there's a goodreads giveaway happening right now, omg I am bad at this www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Reposted by Sandstone
I’m looking for Urban Fantasy/Epic Fantasy series audiobooks that have gay male lead characters similar to @kdedwardsnc.bsky.social Tarot Sequence books.
Any recs?
I’m not really seeking Romance novels, nor YA coming-of-age books. World building, deep character development is important to me.
Any recs?
I’m not really seeking Romance novels, nor YA coming-of-age books. World building, deep character development is important to me.
My Books – KD Edwards
kd-edwards.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:03 PM
I’m looking for Urban Fantasy/Epic Fantasy series audiobooks that have gay male lead characters similar to @kdedwardsnc.bsky.social Tarot Sequence books.
Any recs?
I’m not really seeking Romance novels, nor YA coming-of-age books. World building, deep character development is important to me.
Any recs?
I’m not really seeking Romance novels, nor YA coming-of-age books. World building, deep character development is important to me.
Reposted by Sandstone
Sea star wasting syndrome killed billions of stars, including sunflower stars. Thanks to a cohort of scientists, a cause of the syndrome is now identified. Each day, new science is emerging that will help our efforts to restore the population! Read more about sunflower stars: mbayaq.co/3ZlFtKf
January 20, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Sea star wasting syndrome killed billions of stars, including sunflower stars. Thanks to a cohort of scientists, a cause of the syndrome is now identified. Each day, new science is emerging that will help our efforts to restore the population! Read more about sunflower stars: mbayaq.co/3ZlFtKf