Rita Briar she/they
@ritabriar.bsky.social
Writer of SFF, Secretary of WisCon, gardener
USian told to be white; bisexual and non-binary
For: kittens & kindness; Against: kierarchy & prison
Pic alt: self-portrait in brush pen
Banner alt: eclipse pic from pi day 2025
USian told to be white; bisexual and non-binary
For: kittens & kindness; Against: kierarchy & prison
Pic alt: self-portrait in brush pen
Banner alt: eclipse pic from pi day 2025
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
seeing a lot of author-targeting scams in email lately about "sharing your book"
a few are particularly insidious, saying "An honest note from someone who just finished your book" and "I just finished reading one of your books, and I have to say—I’m genuinely blown away."
pretending excitement
a few are particularly insidious, saying "An honest note from someone who just finished your book" and "I just finished reading one of your books, and I have to say—I’m genuinely blown away."
pretending excitement
December 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
seeing a lot of author-targeting scams in email lately about "sharing your book"
a few are particularly insidious, saying "An honest note from someone who just finished your book" and "I just finished reading one of your books, and I have to say—I’m genuinely blown away."
pretending excitement
a few are particularly insidious, saying "An honest note from someone who just finished your book" and "I just finished reading one of your books, and I have to say—I’m genuinely blown away."
pretending excitement
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
CDC ACIP removed half the open lottery public comments (removing the Friday comment period many including myself signed up for), and replaced them with a specific timeslot for only for antivaxxers today.
December 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
CDC ACIP removed half the open lottery public comments (removing the Friday comment period many including myself signed up for), and replaced them with a specific timeslot for only for antivaxxers today.
I recently harvested the last of my row of daikon radishes. It was 20 pounds!
December 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I recently harvested the last of my row of daikon radishes. It was 20 pounds!
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
If you, like me, have long covid and want to help find a way to reduce symptoms, there are some spots left in this super smart randomized trial!
Fewer than 50 slots left in this Long Covid trial (down from 1000!)
They’re especially hoping to enroll folks from North Dakota, Mississippi and Puerto Rico, as well as more BIPOC participants.
To sign up: longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/?ut...
They’re especially hoping to enroll folks from North Dakota, Mississippi and Puerto Rico, as well as more BIPOC participants.
To sign up: longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/?ut...
The Scripps tirzepatide trial is in @wired.com today! Thanks so much for covering this @emilymullin.bsky.social!
The signup link for the trial: longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/?ut...
The signup link for the trial: longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/?ut...
December 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
If you, like me, have long covid and want to help find a way to reduce symptoms, there are some spots left in this super smart randomized trial!
Do this locally in your area, too! Waterproof in mittens and boots is key: if fingers and toes get wet, they might not get dry again
We are now also low on snow boots, I think probably 40 pairs went out today!
We got a massive donation of blankets last week and we're already almost through them all. If you have blankets to donate, please do! Your neighbors are cold!
December 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Do this locally in your area, too! Waterproof in mittens and boots is key: if fingers and toes get wet, they might not get dry again
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
We are now also low on snow boots, I think probably 40 pairs went out today!
We got a massive donation of blankets last week and we're already almost through them all. If you have blankets to donate, please do! Your neighbors are cold!
December 5, 2025 at 11:46 PM
We are now also low on snow boots, I think probably 40 pairs went out today!
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Are there any fan artists who can do (Western) TV cartoon characters reasonably true-to-style who want to donate a little mischievous labor to some Canadian creative industry workers in a union fight against corporate greed? If so, send me a message and I can give you details!
December 5, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Are there any fan artists who can do (Western) TV cartoon characters reasonably true-to-style who want to donate a little mischievous labor to some Canadian creative industry workers in a union fight against corporate greed? If so, send me a message and I can give you details!
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
This is insightful
Doubly so because it gives us all permission not to debate someone who is loudly and proudly wrong about stories in games.
We can just keep telling stories and if some dude wants to bray about how that's not the point of games then that's just like, his opinion, man.
Doubly so because it gives us all permission not to debate someone who is loudly and proudly wrong about stories in games.
We can just keep telling stories and if some dude wants to bray about how that's not the point of games then that's just like, his opinion, man.
I'm not going to re-write a whole piece I already wrote 8 years ago, so here
www.vice.com/en/article/s...
www.vice.com/en/article/s...
Stories in Games Aren't Problems, They're Solutions
Lots of video games have terrible stories, but that's no reason to give up telling them.
www.vice.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This is insightful
Doubly so because it gives us all permission not to debate someone who is loudly and proudly wrong about stories in games.
We can just keep telling stories and if some dude wants to bray about how that's not the point of games then that's just like, his opinion, man.
Doubly so because it gives us all permission not to debate someone who is loudly and proudly wrong about stories in games.
We can just keep telling stories and if some dude wants to bray about how that's not the point of games then that's just like, his opinion, man.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
The nature center's longtime eagle pair is now visible around the clock.
Texas eagles are nesting. This new live cam shows it all.
The nature center's longtime eagle pair is now visible around the clock.
bit.ly
December 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The nature center's longtime eagle pair is now visible around the clock.
Cantook--actually any and all ereaders--I beg you! Please, please let me choose many books and add them all to one category
Please
Please
December 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Cantook--actually any and all ereaders--I beg you! Please, please let me choose many books and add them all to one category
Please
Please
Random thought of the night, a high-low greenhouse thermometer is a great gift for anyone who wants to know more about how cold it gets in different parts of the house, like the attic, basement, or that one weirdly cold cupboard.
And also especially gardeners.
And also especially gardeners.
December 6, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Random thought of the night, a high-low greenhouse thermometer is a great gift for anyone who wants to know more about how cold it gets in different parts of the house, like the attic, basement, or that one weirdly cold cupboard.
And also especially gardeners.
And also especially gardeners.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
I keep seeing frustration (this is just the latest) over media only covering the horrors, not what to do about them—but they seem to miss stories about what people *are* doing.
I report on that expressly because I want people to know there are people fighting back, and learn how they could, too.
I report on that expressly because I want people to know there are people fighting back, and learn how they could, too.
I cover what people *are* doing (their work is harder than mine, but my work is not easy).
From the last 12 months:
newrepublic.com/article/1988...
newrepublic.com/article/1946...
newrepublic.com/article/1917...
newrepublic.com/article/1916...
newrepublic.com/article/1895...
From the last 12 months:
newrepublic.com/article/1988...
newrepublic.com/article/1946...
newrepublic.com/article/1917...
newrepublic.com/article/1916...
newrepublic.com/article/1895...
The Los Angeles Protests Are an Act of Self-Defense
Residents of L.A. aren’t merely protesting ICE; they’re attempting to protect their communities from ICE’s raids.
newrepublic.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I keep seeing frustration (this is just the latest) over media only covering the horrors, not what to do about them—but they seem to miss stories about what people *are* doing.
I report on that expressly because I want people to know there are people fighting back, and learn how they could, too.
I report on that expressly because I want people to know there are people fighting back, and learn how they could, too.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
If you are in the National Guard and fear you may be deployed to violate the rights of US citizens, there is help. Call the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-4487
Visit girightshotline.org for more information
Visit girightshotline.org for more information
November 28, 2025 at 3:18 AM
If you are in the National Guard and fear you may be deployed to violate the rights of US citizens, there is help. Call the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-4487
Visit girightshotline.org for more information
Visit girightshotline.org for more information
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving! Remember to stand by your pan today. Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires!
November 27, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving! Remember to stand by your pan today. Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires!
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
I'm old.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
November 27, 2025 at 4:21 AM
I'm old.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
I give thanks for every reader. Time is precious af.
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 AM
I give thanks for every reader. Time is precious af.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
This is the correct take. Stewing in white supremacist propaganda is bad for your thinking. And if think you are so savvy that it won’t impact you, you are the exact kind of mark they are slowly converting (I’m looking at you, centrist pundits).
It’s really funny how a generation will roll its eyes at parents who watch Fox News but doesn’t see why being immersed in Twitter is having the same effect. Lots of serious people show up on Fox News too but that shouldn’t be your primary source on the news.
November 27, 2025 at 10:05 AM
This is the correct take. Stewing in white supremacist propaganda is bad for your thinking. And if think you are so savvy that it won’t impact you, you are the exact kind of mark they are slowly converting (I’m looking at you, centrist pundits).
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
I'm almost done with my quick and dirty project. What is this? Well! It's a focus wordprocessor thingy, but made to look & play like an SNES RPG.
Yes, write a novel in an RPG.
Basically, imagine if Nintendo saw the Alphasmart Neo & thought to combine it with a GBA
#pixelart #writing #writerdeck
Yes, write a novel in an RPG.
Basically, imagine if Nintendo saw the Alphasmart Neo & thought to combine it with a GBA
#pixelart #writing #writerdeck
November 27, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I'm almost done with my quick and dirty project. What is this? Well! It's a focus wordprocessor thingy, but made to look & play like an SNES RPG.
Yes, write a novel in an RPG.
Basically, imagine if Nintendo saw the Alphasmart Neo & thought to combine it with a GBA
#pixelart #writing #writerdeck
Yes, write a novel in an RPG.
Basically, imagine if Nintendo saw the Alphasmart Neo & thought to combine it with a GBA
#pixelart #writing #writerdeck
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Remember: It ys okaye to be lonely. It ys okaye to feel lost. It ys okaye to be sad. It ys okaye to have no plannes or just small plannes. It ys okaye to have big plannes that seem exhausting. It ys okaye to be a mess. Take care of thyself. Thou art amazinge.
November 27, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Remember: It ys okaye to be lonely. It ys okaye to feel lost. It ys okaye to be sad. It ys okaye to have no plannes or just small plannes. It ys okaye to have big plannes that seem exhausting. It ys okaye to be a mess. Take care of thyself. Thou art amazinge.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
As holiday travel picks up, we have heard reports of travelers being detained by DHS.
If you are a NY-14 constituent worried about detention, consider filling out an ICE privacy release form. This form allows my office to contact ICE on your behalf ⬇️
bit.ly/dhsprivacyform
If you are a NY-14 constituent worried about detention, consider filling out an ICE privacy release form. This form allows my office to contact ICE on your behalf ⬇️
bit.ly/dhsprivacyform
DHS Privacy Release Form
If you or a loved one has an open order of removal or are worried about getting picked up by ICE, consider filling out this
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM
As holiday travel picks up, we have heard reports of travelers being detained by DHS.
If you are a NY-14 constituent worried about detention, consider filling out an ICE privacy release form. This form allows my office to contact ICE on your behalf ⬇️
bit.ly/dhsprivacyform
If you are a NY-14 constituent worried about detention, consider filling out an ICE privacy release form. This form allows my office to contact ICE on your behalf ⬇️
bit.ly/dhsprivacyform
Mallow is now the width of a cat. I am not used to this! She is a kitten! (She is not a kitten)
November 26, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Mallow is now the width of a cat. I am not used to this! She is a kitten! (She is not a kitten)
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Have you checked out WisCon Volunteer Positions? We are currently looking for Panel Leads and more! Come make a difference. wiscon.net/volunteer/co...
#WisCon #WomeninSFF #feministconvention #volunteer
#WisCon #WomeninSFF #feministconvention #volunteer
November 22, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Have you checked out WisCon Volunteer Positions? We are currently looking for Panel Leads and more! Come make a difference. wiscon.net/volunteer/co...
#WisCon #WomeninSFF #feministconvention #volunteer
#WisCon #WomeninSFF #feministconvention #volunteer
sharing good news too
Current and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers are growing increasingly concerned that the work they did slashing government programs and eliminating jobs will come back to haunt them with the possibility of criminal prosecutions.
'Suddenly exposed' DOGE employees fear prosecution after Musk abandoned them: report
Current and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers are growing increasingly concerned that the work they did slashing government programs and eliminating jobs will come back to haunt them with the possibility of criminal prosecutions.Worse still is their growing belief that the b...
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 4:11 AM
sharing good news too