Sydnee
@sydmt.blacksky.app
Copy editor, SFF writer (FIYAH, Fireside, io9, Tor), SFWA member, has strong opinions about journalism ethics, covered in cat hair
(Website: shadesofsydnee.com)
(Website: shadesofsydnee.com)
Reposted by Sydnee
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
Reposted by Sydnee
Crocodile Dance is a 2D/3D Animated Thriller about a Nigerian musician who must confront the curse of a Mami Wata to save her family.
Support us on @Kickstarter today! bit.ly/croc-dance-ks
Support us on @Kickstarter today! bit.ly/croc-dance-ks
November 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Crocodile Dance is a 2D/3D Animated Thriller about a Nigerian musician who must confront the curse of a Mami Wata to save her family.
Support us on @Kickstarter today! bit.ly/croc-dance-ks
Support us on @Kickstarter today! bit.ly/croc-dance-ks
Reposted by Sydnee
obviously this is bad, but it’s long been true of other countries we praise to the skies for their healthcare and a lot of progressive Americans don’t want to acknowledge that as a huge vector of oppression. there are a lot of places I couldn’t emigrate to even if I wanted bc they have BMI limits
Obesity's now on the list of considerations, as well as cancer, & mental health, that may result in denial of an immigrant visa.
"Those who suffer from these medical conditions could become a “public charge,” & drain the nation of its resources, the directive argued."
🧾 nypost.com/2025/11/10/u...
"Those who suffer from these medical conditions could become a “public charge,” & drain the nation of its resources, the directive argued."
🧾 nypost.com/2025/11/10/u...
State Department to allow denial of immigrant visas to those with health issues, including obesity
US State Department guidance could deny immigrant visas for health conditions like obesity.
nypost.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:01 AM
obviously this is bad, but it’s long been true of other countries we praise to the skies for their healthcare and a lot of progressive Americans don’t want to acknowledge that as a huge vector of oppression. there are a lot of places I couldn’t emigrate to even if I wanted bc they have BMI limits
Reposted by Sydnee
Nia Davenport ( @niadavenport.bsky.social ) is a great writer and friend whose young family just lost a husband and father. If you've loved her books or her presence in the writing community, and you can spare something, please contribute.
gofund.me/4299d5593
gofund.me/4299d5593
Donate to Support Nia and Her Children After Tragic Loss, organized by Lindsey Hart
Our hearts are with Nia, a beloved friend, author and advocate who has pou… Lindsey Hart needs your support for Support Nia and Her Children After Tragic Loss
gofund.me
November 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Nia Davenport ( @niadavenport.bsky.social ) is a great writer and friend whose young family just lost a husband and father. If you've loved her books or her presence in the writing community, and you can spare something, please contribute.
gofund.me/4299d5593
gofund.me/4299d5593
Reposted by Sydnee
Today's the deadline to register for @sfwa.org's fall online Nebula event, Quasar, which takes place November 15 and 16. If you took part in this year's Nebula Conference there's no cost to register. 1/ membership.sfwa.org/event-6301796
November 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Today's the deadline to register for @sfwa.org's fall online Nebula event, Quasar, which takes place November 15 and 16. If you took part in this year's Nebula Conference there's no cost to register. 1/ membership.sfwa.org/event-6301796
Hmm...I'm starting to wonder whether our relationship to photojournalism needs to change considering we live in a society where we're being watched at all times.
'Cause why do we need to see close-up photos of this man sobbing in order to care about people being disappeared off the street?
'Cause why do we need to see close-up photos of this man sobbing in order to care about people being disappeared off the street?
November 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Hmm...I'm starting to wonder whether our relationship to photojournalism needs to change considering we live in a society where we're being watched at all times.
'Cause why do we need to see close-up photos of this man sobbing in order to care about people being disappeared off the street?
'Cause why do we need to see close-up photos of this man sobbing in order to care about people being disappeared off the street?
Reposted by Sydnee
so nobody Black works in news anymore?
they fired all of us?
they fired all of us?
November 4, 2025 at 12:31 AM
so nobody Black works in news anymore?
they fired all of us?
they fired all of us?
This legitimately makes me sad. Teen Vogue has been a shining example of journalism done right.
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 8:01 PM
This legitimately makes me sad. Teen Vogue has been a shining example of journalism done right.
I'll be one of the panelists on Saturday's "Collaboration Done Right!" You should stop by!
Quasar is fast approaching! Join us Nov 15-16 for writing workshops, panels, & Grand Masters!
Have you signed up? 👀 Entry is free to June Nebula attendees, but you need to register before Nov 8 for priority placement. $50 for new arrivals.
Can't wait to see you out!
events.sfwa.org/quasar-progr...
Have you signed up? 👀 Entry is free to June Nebula attendees, but you need to register before Nov 8 for priority placement. $50 for new arrivals.
Can't wait to see you out!
events.sfwa.org/quasar-progr...
November 3, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I'll be one of the panelists on Saturday's "Collaboration Done Right!" You should stop by!
If I get this job I'm going to buy something incredibly impractical with my severance money.
October 31, 2025 at 5:03 PM
If I get this job I'm going to buy something incredibly impractical with my severance money.
Reposted by Sydnee
With #Sinners back in theaters today, thought I'd reshare the article I wrote about the Choctaw Vampire Hunters and why that moment didn't NEED to be centered more even tho we would all love to see more of their story.
redpopnews.com/sinners-give...
#redpopnews
redpopnews.com/sinners-give...
#redpopnews
Sinners Gives Us Vampires, Music, and a Moment of Indigenous Power We Can’t Ignore
Set in 1932 Mississippi, Sinners is a haunting, atmospheric tale rooted in the music, spirituality, kinship, and resilience of Black Southern communities. But Coogler threads a deeper, more violent cu...
redpopnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
With #Sinners back in theaters today, thought I'd reshare the article I wrote about the Choctaw Vampire Hunters and why that moment didn't NEED to be centered more even tho we would all love to see more of their story.
redpopnews.com/sinners-give...
#redpopnews
redpopnews.com/sinners-give...
#redpopnews
In the dawn light, ladyfingers stretched toward the sky, glistening with what looked like dew.
It wasn't.
It wasn't.
New Writing Prompt from your favorite Co-editors at The Cookout! #writingprompt #horror @tco-anthology.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 4:33 PM
In the dawn light, ladyfingers stretched toward the sky, glistening with what looked like dew.
It wasn't.
It wasn't.
Reposted by Sydnee
When I worked in WaPo Opinions in 2017-2018, senior editors specifically told junior editors not to factcheck Marc Thiessen and other MAGA columnists, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to publish anything by them at all, and “we need them for intellectual diversity.”
It’s very telling that opening your publication to MAGA “thought” requires a massive downgrade in quality control.
October 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
When I worked in WaPo Opinions in 2017-2018, senior editors specifically told junior editors not to factcheck Marc Thiessen and other MAGA columnists, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to publish anything by them at all, and “we need them for intellectual diversity.”
Reposted by Sydnee
Please help or boost if you're able! One Spirit Lakota is raising funds for the food pantry in anticipation of EBT cards possibly not getting filled for November due to the shutdown.
Funds go to feeding residents of Pine Ridge, which already has one of the worst food deserts in the country.
Funds go to feeding residents of Pine Ridge, which already has one of the worst food deserts in the country.
Feeding the Lakota
The Pine Ridge Reservation is a food desert, and many of the Lakota people there struggle with food insecurity. Even when people on the rez can afford food, they often struggle to find healthy, fresh ...
chuffed.org
October 26, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Please help or boost if you're able! One Spirit Lakota is raising funds for the food pantry in anticipation of EBT cards possibly not getting filled for November due to the shutdown.
Funds go to feeding residents of Pine Ridge, which already has one of the worst food deserts in the country.
Funds go to feeding residents of Pine Ridge, which already has one of the worst food deserts in the country.
Reposted by Sydnee
The first editorial letter I got on a pro sale, literally in 1999, and the most recent editorial letter last week, both contained points where the editor mentioned things they liked, things that were already working.
I bring this up AGAIN because positive critique is not "soft soap for weak n00bs."
I bring this up AGAIN because positive critique is not "soft soap for weak n00bs."
October 21, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The first editorial letter I got on a pro sale, literally in 1999, and the most recent editorial letter last week, both contained points where the editor mentioned things they liked, things that were already working.
I bring this up AGAIN because positive critique is not "soft soap for weak n00bs."
I bring this up AGAIN because positive critique is not "soft soap for weak n00bs."
Reposted by Sydnee
That’s the other thing that baffles me about AI and creative writing, actually.
The work IS the joy for me. I don’t want to be able to snap my fingers and have a completed “product.” I want to be transformed by the process. I’m an author but I do this because I enjoy the rigor of being a writer.
The work IS the joy for me. I don’t want to be able to snap my fingers and have a completed “product.” I want to be transformed by the process. I’m an author but I do this because I enjoy the rigor of being a writer.
In terms of process, I enjoy writing but revising????? Oh, that’s my real kink. A second or third draft???? A fourth???? Making tweaks on my desktop AND my phone???? *moans* I’m a WHORE for revision.
October 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
That’s the other thing that baffles me about AI and creative writing, actually.
The work IS the joy for me. I don’t want to be able to snap my fingers and have a completed “product.” I want to be transformed by the process. I’m an author but I do this because I enjoy the rigor of being a writer.
The work IS the joy for me. I don’t want to be able to snap my fingers and have a completed “product.” I want to be transformed by the process. I’m an author but I do this because I enjoy the rigor of being a writer.
Reposted by Sydnee
sooooooo, I'm in a new anthology releasing on November 4th and good news!
we got a starred review in Publisher's Weekly!
even better news? my story is highlighted!
pre-order HOWL: An Anthology from Women in Horror ASAP. you want this antho.
we got a starred review in Publisher's Weekly!
even better news? my story is highlighted!
pre-order HOWL: An Anthology from Women in Horror ASAP. you want this antho.
October 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
sooooooo, I'm in a new anthology releasing on November 4th and good news!
we got a starred review in Publisher's Weekly!
even better news? my story is highlighted!
pre-order HOWL: An Anthology from Women in Horror ASAP. you want this antho.
we got a starred review in Publisher's Weekly!
even better news? my story is highlighted!
pre-order HOWL: An Anthology from Women in Horror ASAP. you want this antho.
omg I love the library. Why did I spend all that money on books I still haven't read
October 3, 2025 at 3:33 PM
omg I love the library. Why did I spend all that money on books I still haven't read
I'm almost at a 1,000 followers??? Holy crap. Where are you people coming from 😅
I feel guilty sometimes because I don't post on here nearly as much as I planned to, but it's also a very Weird moment to be existing publicly as someone visibly Black and queer.
I feel guilty sometimes because I don't post on here nearly as much as I planned to, but it's also a very Weird moment to be existing publicly as someone visibly Black and queer.
September 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I'm almost at a 1,000 followers??? Holy crap. Where are you people coming from 😅
I feel guilty sometimes because I don't post on here nearly as much as I planned to, but it's also a very Weird moment to be existing publicly as someone visibly Black and queer.
I feel guilty sometimes because I don't post on here nearly as much as I planned to, but it's also a very Weird moment to be existing publicly as someone visibly Black and queer.
Reposted by Sydnee
It hasn't even been 2 hours from the LAST post about reaching backer goals but WE'VE HIT 100 BACKERS!! THAT'S ANOTHER 1000 WORDS/ISSUE!!
We're also VERY close to reaching our base funding goal. As in LESS THAN $700 TO GET FUNDED!! Help us get there? 👀
www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
We're also VERY close to reaching our base funding goal. As in LESS THAN $700 TO GET FUNDED!! Help us get there? 👀
www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
September 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It hasn't even been 2 hours from the LAST post about reaching backer goals but WE'VE HIT 100 BACKERS!! THAT'S ANOTHER 1000 WORDS/ISSUE!!
We're also VERY close to reaching our base funding goal. As in LESS THAN $700 TO GET FUNDED!! Help us get there? 👀
www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
We're also VERY close to reaching our base funding goal. As in LESS THAN $700 TO GET FUNDED!! Help us get there? 👀
www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
Being on this website too long makes my neck stiff...BUT! I do have news!
I'll be attending Flights of Foundry this week! I'll be moderating one panel and giving a presentation! Come join!
How to Edit Your Fiction for Length (Hour 6)
Leave My Escapism Alone, Damnit (Hour 51)
I'll be attending Flights of Foundry this week! I'll be moderating one panel and giving a presentation! Come join!
How to Edit Your Fiction for Length (Hour 6)
Leave My Escapism Alone, Damnit (Hour 51)
September 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Being on this website too long makes my neck stiff...BUT! I do have news!
I'll be attending Flights of Foundry this week! I'll be moderating one panel and giving a presentation! Come join!
How to Edit Your Fiction for Length (Hour 6)
Leave My Escapism Alone, Damnit (Hour 51)
I'll be attending Flights of Foundry this week! I'll be moderating one panel and giving a presentation! Come join!
How to Edit Your Fiction for Length (Hour 6)
Leave My Escapism Alone, Damnit (Hour 51)
Reposted by Sydnee
A consistently hilarious thing about bluesky discourse is that for some reason the stakes are always unreasonably high at all times. No one is chiseling anything into stone tablets here, no matter what someone says online you can always decide to give or not give your email to whoever you want
September 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A consistently hilarious thing about bluesky discourse is that for some reason the stakes are always unreasonably high at all times. No one is chiseling anything into stone tablets here, no matter what someone says online you can always decide to give or not give your email to whoever you want
Reposted by Sydnee
What makes Capital B different? Our stories cut through confusion, confront harmful myths, and shine a light on changemakers. That’s news our communities can use.
Help us raise $6,500: capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...
Help us raise $6,500: capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...
September 19, 2025 at 2:27 PM
What makes Capital B different? Our stories cut through confusion, confront harmful myths, and shine a light on changemakers. That’s news our communities can use.
Help us raise $6,500: capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...
Help us raise $6,500: capitalbnews.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...
Reposted by Sydnee
As you cancel streaming services, here is a casual reminder that only 16% of Americans read for pleasure anymore, and your local library has hundreds or thousands of books you haven't read.
They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.
They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.
September 18, 2025 at 7:55 PM
As you cancel streaming services, here is a casual reminder that only 16% of Americans read for pleasure anymore, and your local library has hundreds or thousands of books you haven't read.
They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.
They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.