Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · 3d

So sorry for your and your family's loss.

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · 8d

Thank you for reading.

Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · 10d

MOTHER DAUGHTER TRAITOR SPY is now on sale for $1.99 until 10/8! "A mother and daughter find the courage to go undercover after stumbling upon a Nazi cell in Los Angeles during the early days of World War II... " www.amazon.com/Mother-Daugh...

Mother Daughter Traitor Spy: A Novel

Amazon.com: Mother Daughter Traitor Spy: A Novel eBook : MacNeal, Susan Elia: Kindle Store

www.amazon.com

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Aliette de Bodard @aliettedebodard.com · 11d

OMG "Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances" got listed by Sherry Thomas! °_°
(big fan of the Charlotte Holmes book here)
crimereads.com/on-writing-c...

On Writing Contemporary Mysteries vs. Historical Ones

I’ve been writing mysteries for about ten years. In my Victorian-set Lady Sherlock books, I always try for some measure of diversity, whether it is the titular Lady Sherlock’s neurodivergence, her …

crimereads.com

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Lilah Sturges @lilahsturges.com · 14d

The AI companies really want the public to forget that they cannot exist without stealing the efforts of actual creators and the public should always reminded

Alex Zalben @azalben.bsky.social · 14d

SAG-AFTRA has released a statement on Tilly Norwood, the AI "performer," saying:

“To be clear, 'Tilly Norwood' is not an actor, it’s a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation."

SAG-AFTRA Statement on Synthetic Performer

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 30, 2025) — SAG-AFTRA has released the following statement on the announcement of “Tilly Norwood,” an A.I.-generated “actor” that is reportedly seeking representation:

“SAG-AFTRA believes creativity is, and should remain, human-centered. The union is opposed to the replacement of human performers by synthetics.

“To be clear, “Tilly Norwood” is not an actor, it’s a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation. It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we’ve seen, audiences aren’t interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience. It doesn’t solve any “problem” — it creates the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry.

“Additionally, signatory producers should be aware that they may not use synthetic performers without complying with our contractual obligations, which generally require notice and bargaining whenever a synthetic performer is going to be used.”

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · 24d

Poison bottle (NOT REAL) necklace—cool or creepy? Discuss...
www.alexmonroe.com/not-to-be-ta...

"Not To Be Taken'' Poison Bottle Necklace

www.alexmonroe.com

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · 26d

Miss you, Charlie!

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · 26d

LAST MISSION TO PARIS news! First developmental edit (meaning the editor read it and gave comments, and then I rewrote and edited using said comments) turned in! WHEW!

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Selena Illyria @selenaillyria.bsky.social · 29d

$1.99 DEAL ALERT!
The King's Justice by @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social

Can a stolen violin lead secret agent and spy Maggie Hope to a serial killer terrorizing London?

#Mystery #Romancelandia #BookSky

Buy:
Kindle: www.amazon.com/Kings-Justic...

The King's Justice: A Maggie Hope Mystery

Amazon.com: The King's Justice: A Maggie Hope Mystery eBook : MacNeal, Susan Elia: Kindle Store

www.amazon.com

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · Sep 9

Congratulations to @JamesBenn—his 20th Billy Boyle novel, THE BITTER WIND, drops on September 23rd! I absolutely love Billy's WWII adventures. (Check out the amazing trailer, wow!) @jimmywriter.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7I-...

A Bitter Wind, Billy Boyle #20.

YouTube video by Jim Benn

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Ali Trotta @alwayscoffee.bsky.social · Sep 6

Who wants preorder links?

BN: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/offerings-...

@mystgalaxybooks.bsky.social :
www.mystgalaxy.com/book/9781968...

@goldennotebkbooks.bsky.social: goldennotebook.com/book/9781968...

@oblongbooks.bsky.social: www.oblongbooks.com/book/9781968...

Ali Trotta @alwayscoffee.bsky.social · Sep 6

ICYMI, Offerings for Ordinary Gods has a COVER! I love it so, so much.

Also? You can preorder it! BN, Walmart, Bookshop.org, your local favorite bookstore! Some of mine are: @goldennotebkbooks.bsky.social , @mystgalaxybooks.bsky.social, @oblongbooks.bsky.social, and Inkwood NJ, which isn't on here!

Ali Trotta @alwayscoffee.bsky.social · Sep 5

Darlings! Who wants to see the cover of Offerings for Ordinary Gods, coming July 2026 from @clashbooks.bsky.social?

Spec horror ✔️
Mythic metaphors ✔️
Haunted cottage (or castle) read ✔️
Tarot cards✔️

Cover art by @katelanfoisy.bsky.social, btw!

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · Sep 7

Veronica #10 from @deannaraybourn.bsky.social available for preorder!

Deanna Raybourn @deannaraybourn.bsky.social · Sep 5

She’s here! Veronica #10, A GHASTLY CATASTROPHE, has a luscious cover and is available for pre-order NOW. Head over to my site to see the whole cover and read all about it. (And if you’re a Lady Julia and Nicholas fan, prepare to shriek!) 🦋

www.deannaraybourn.com/book/a-ghast...

A Ghastly Catastrophe | Deanna Raybourn

Veronica and Stoker are practically dying for a new adventure but when their wish is granted, they find themselves up against a secret society and a darkly seductive duo in this landmark historical my...

www.deannaraybourn.com

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Uncle Duke @uncleduke1969.bsky.social · Sep 3

"Ladies, welcome to Babushka Club. The first rule of Babushka Club is: You do not talk about Babushka Club. The second rule of Babushka Club is: You DO NOT talk about Babushka Club."

Five older women in babushkas and coats sit on a sit-and-spin on a playground having a discussion.

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · Sep 3

Honored to chat with @mariahfredericks.bsky.social about her latest novel THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS last night at @P&TKnitwear!

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Lori Rader-Day @loriraderday.bsky.social · Aug 27

Oh well

Ars Technica @arstechnica.com · Aug 27

AI advocates have warned that if every author in the class action filed a claim, it would "financially ruin" the entire industry.

Authors celebrate “historic” settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action

Advocates fear such settlements will “financially ruin” the AI industry.

arstechnica.com

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · Aug 24

"What was 2025 like, grandpa?"

"The world was falling apart in many ways. Also, almost as gallingly, there were more people than ever who decided they didn't have time to read pieces of writing yet did have time to post opinions on what they'd imagined the pieces of writing they hadn't read said."

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · Aug 19

Just seeing this—sending all the good thoughts. Hang in there, Deanna.

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

The Unhurried Reader 📚🦊🇺🇦 @theunhurriedreader.bsky.social · Aug 19

Giving this a boost. Tom's offering a generous deal, but if you're still hesitating, here's my review of Ring The Hill, which might give you the nudge you need.
theunhurriedreader.substack.com/p/the-stubbl...

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Silas Lapham @silaslapham.bsky.social · Aug 17

Excited to be teaching @blacktopkid.bsky.social @pornsak.bsky.social @rfkuang.bsky.social Ernest Gaines, @annettesclapsaddle.bsky.social @nkjemisin.bsky.social this semester. Students appear excited as well!

interminablerambling.medium.com/lost-voices-...

Lost Voices in American Literature Course

This semester, I’m teaching a Lost Voices in America literature course. I knew, from the outset, that I wanted to frame this course around…

interminablerambling.medium.com

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Reposted by Susan Elia MacNeal

Leanna Renee Hieber @leannareneehieber.bsky.social · Aug 14

Having to go back into The Atlantic database of stolen, pirated works used to train AI w/out consent to note TWENTY SEVEN works of mine stolen is breaking my heart & making me apoplectic with rage. The sweeping violations are astounding. Please support the authors affected, we are truly hurting.

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · Aug 2

Just amazing! I have one of her smaller pieces from twenty plus years ago, with Grandma's Blue Willow Plates.

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · Aug 2

That's a Missionary Mary Proctor! One of my favorite artists!

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Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · Aug 2

You deserve all the wonderful things!

Susan Elia MacNeal @susaneliamacneal.bsky.social · Aug 1

This is amazing, Ali! Congratulations!!!!!

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