Annie
@annebornschein.bsky.social
Used to be over there, now I'm over here
Reposted by Annie
And just like that, SFWA capitulates. Keep fighting. It works.
December 19, 2025 at 9:45 PM
And just like that, SFWA capitulates. Keep fighting. It works.
Reposted by Annie
Remember how I said I have it written into my foreign-language contracts that my work has to be translated by an actual human? This shit is why.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
French publishing house Harlequin decided to use AI translation instead of human translations.
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
December 18, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Remember how I said I have it written into my foreign-language contracts that my work has to be translated by an actual human? This shit is why.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Reposted by Annie
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
This genuinely made me cry. Just wonderful.
![Comic. Panels up to the 10-year point are grayed out. New panels since the Ten Years comic, which chronicles the first ten years of PERSON 1's journey with cancer: (1) [two people in bed] PERSON 1 (woman): One more chapter? PERSON 2 (man): Don’t we both have to get up early? PERSON 1: Nnnnnggggh PERSON 2: Sure, good point. (2) [many people wearing masks, walking while looking at graphs on their phones] (3) [birds landing on people] PERSON 2 in beanie and scarf: Hah! They like *my* seeds best. PERSON 1 in scarf holding phone with a bird sitting on it: Wait, how do I take a picture of this one? (4) [two people rowing boats with tree landscape] (5) [Person 1 carries overflowing stack of things to Person 2 in bed] PERSON 1: I brought you honey lemon tea, more pillows, a cinnamon roll, Tylenol, another blanket, a– PERSON 2: It was just Appendicitis, I’m really– PERSON 1: *It is my turn to take care of you and I am going to do it right!* (6) [Two people in car] (7) [still in car) PERSON 1: Oh my god. PERSON 2: Oh my god. (8) [car driving] PERSON 1: Pull over! PERSON 2: I am! (9) [both people get out of car] (10) [Large colored panel of aurora borealis over water with both people looking on] (11) [Person 1 sits against tree while Person 2 lies on the ground] PERSON 1: Fifteen years. No sign of the cancer. (12) I *am* having some weird symptoms. Joint pain. Fatigue. I think I’m losing my close-up vision. PERSON 2: Yeah. Me too. (13) PERSON 2: I think we’re getting old. (14) PERSON 1: I guess that’s okay. PERSON 2: It’s all I wanted.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihwhjblp5lyiwp63ouar7ocfea7evmckytoeo7rkfuoo4gw5rnrra@jpeg)
November 27, 2025 at 1:21 AM
This genuinely made me cry. Just wonderful.
Reposted by Annie
A real loss. Rest in power, Alice Wong.
November 15, 2025 at 6:16 AM
A real loss. Rest in power, Alice Wong.
Reposted by Annie
NEW: Shelter in place issued in Louisville following reports of UPS plane crash
Shelter in place issued in Louisville following reports of plane crash
Officials and eyewitnesses reported a large cloud of dark, heavy smoke in the vicinity of Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville Tuesday evening.
www.lpm.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:25 PM
NEW: Shelter in place issued in Louisville following reports of UPS plane crash
I once tried to make cranberry juice from a can of cranberry jelly by putting it into a blender whose lid I had not located. (I then had to figure out how to get gobs of cranberry jelly off the kitchen ceiling.)
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? I don’t mean “cheating on your partner” stupid, I mean stupid stupid. Like, once, I had this bubble bath which smelled absolutely delicious, so I took a big glug of it. That kind of stupid. (It did not taste delicious.)
November 1, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I once tried to make cranberry juice from a can of cranberry jelly by putting it into a blender whose lid I had not located. (I then had to figure out how to get gobs of cranberry jelly off the kitchen ceiling.)
Change one letter, ruin a candy:
Pox Rocks
Pox Rocks
Change one letter, ruin a candy:
Gummy Beard
Gummy Beard
Change one letter, ruin a candy
100 Gland
100 Gland
October 30, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Change one letter, ruin a candy:
Pox Rocks
Pox Rocks
Reposted by Annie
I have a special place in my heart for the cranky people on Facebook who reply to food blog posts to tell you what what the clickbait is.
“It’s pickles,” they type while scowling at a link they were forced to click in order to find out what surprise ingredient can elevate a sandwich.
“It’s pickles,” they type while scowling at a link they were forced to click in order to find out what surprise ingredient can elevate a sandwich.
October 5, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I have a special place in my heart for the cranky people on Facebook who reply to food blog posts to tell you what what the clickbait is.
“It’s pickles,” they type while scowling at a link they were forced to click in order to find out what surprise ingredient can elevate a sandwich.
“It’s pickles,” they type while scowling at a link they were forced to click in order to find out what surprise ingredient can elevate a sandwich.
Reposted by Annie
"In some places, French postal workers now pick up prescriptions, return library books, and deliver flowers. Last year, only twenty eight per cent of La Poste’s revenue came from sending mail."
Services can evolve in positive ways to meet new and growing needs.
Services can evolve in positive ways to meet new and growing needs.
For those who wonder what a modern postal service could look like, one example is in France, where letter carriers provide check-ins on the elderly for very affordable rates, while completing their routes.
I encourage everyone to read the whole thing
#CanadaPost
www.newyorker.com/culture/anna...
I encourage everyone to read the whole thing
#CanadaPost
www.newyorker.com/culture/anna...
In France, Elder Care Comes with the Mail
Carriers for La Poste have a new job: checking in on the aged.
www.newyorker.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"In some places, French postal workers now pick up prescriptions, return library books, and deliver flowers. Last year, only twenty eight per cent of La Poste’s revenue came from sending mail."
Services can evolve in positive ways to meet new and growing needs.
Services can evolve in positive ways to meet new and growing needs.
Dessert mode: ACTIVATE!
Best pie: blueberry
Best Ice cream: Thai tea
Best Doughnut: apple fritter
Best Bar: blondie
Best Cake: angel food w/strawberries
Best Other: flan and/or crème brûlée
Best pie: blueberry
Best Ice cream: Thai tea
Best Doughnut: apple fritter
Best Bar: blondie
Best Cake: angel food w/strawberries
Best Other: flan and/or crème brûlée
Dessert mode: ACTIVATE!
Best pie: Dutch Apple
Best Ice Cream: Stewart's Chocolate Caramel Tornado
Best Doughnut: Marble Frosted
Best Bar: A package of Reese's
Best Cake: Ice Cream Cake
Best Other: Black and White Cookie
Best pie: Dutch Apple
Best Ice Cream: Stewart's Chocolate Caramel Tornado
Best Doughnut: Marble Frosted
Best Bar: A package of Reese's
Best Cake: Ice Cream Cake
Best Other: Black and White Cookie
Dessert mode ACTIVATE:
Best pie: New York Cheesecake
Best Ice cream: Mint Chocolate Chip (no green dye!)
best donut: Bavarian cream
Best Bar: Fig Newton
Best Cake: Boston Cream Pie
Best Other: Black and white cookie
Best pie: New York Cheesecake
Best Ice cream: Mint Chocolate Chip (no green dye!)
best donut: Bavarian cream
Best Bar: Fig Newton
Best Cake: Boston Cream Pie
Best Other: Black and white cookie
September 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Dessert mode: ACTIVATE!
Best pie: blueberry
Best Ice cream: Thai tea
Best Doughnut: apple fritter
Best Bar: blondie
Best Cake: angel food w/strawberries
Best Other: flan and/or crème brûlée
Best pie: blueberry
Best Ice cream: Thai tea
Best Doughnut: apple fritter
Best Bar: blondie
Best Cake: angel food w/strawberries
Best Other: flan and/or crème brûlée
Reposted by Annie
I crocheted Patti Smith’s Horses cover
September 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
I crocheted Patti Smith’s Horses cover
Reposted by Annie
The “problem” with vaccines? They so effective at preventing deaths that they create generations of people that question whether disease was a problem in the first place because they have never experienced the horrors of a world without vaccines.
September 4, 2025 at 7:44 PM
The “problem” with vaccines? They so effective at preventing deaths that they create generations of people that question whether disease was a problem in the first place because they have never experienced the horrors of a world without vaccines.
Reposted by Annie
watching a Miss Marple where she's doing this cop's job for him (per usual) and at one point he says to her, "any luck?" and she goes "oh no, inspector, just years of experience," and that's the energy I want to bring to everything from now on
August 27, 2025 at 8:36 AM
watching a Miss Marple where she's doing this cop's job for him (per usual) and at one point he says to her, "any luck?" and she goes "oh no, inspector, just years of experience," and that's the energy I want to bring to everything from now on
Reposted by Annie
"PhD-level experts in your back pocket" is a completely nonsensical description of AI but a pretty good description of social media if you follow the right people
August 9, 2025 at 11:07 PM
"PhD-level experts in your back pocket" is a completely nonsensical description of AI but a pretty good description of social media if you follow the right people
Reposted by Annie
FREE AUDIOBOOKS! From @libro.fm & publishing partners, there's a great giveaway of Romance audiobooks in celebration of #BookstoreRomanceDay! But hurry! They're only free through tomorrow.
tidd.ly/4frgXP7
tidd.ly/4frgXP7
Bookstore Romance Day Free Audiobooks
In celebration of Bookstore Romance Day, download these audiobooks for free August 9-10, courtesy of our publishing partners! Offer ends August 10...
tidd.ly
August 9, 2025 at 1:44 PM
FREE AUDIOBOOKS! From @libro.fm & publishing partners, there's a great giveaway of Romance audiobooks in celebration of #BookstoreRomanceDay! But hurry! They're only free through tomorrow.
tidd.ly/4frgXP7
tidd.ly/4frgXP7
Reposted by Annie
If you want to start a new Libro membership before the big #BookstoreRomanceDay Romance Sale, use code BRD at checkout and you'll get 3 credits the 1st month of your paid membership. THREE (DRM-free) audiobooks for only $14.99! Cancel any time.
tidd.ly/3GR4Hec
tidd.ly/3GR4Hec
Audiobook membership
Join Libro.fm to support local bookstores, get up to two audiobook credits monthly, exclusive sales, and DRM-free downloads.
tidd.ly
August 3, 2025 at 12:47 PM
If you want to start a new Libro membership before the big #BookstoreRomanceDay Romance Sale, use code BRD at checkout and you'll get 3 credits the 1st month of your paid membership. THREE (DRM-free) audiobooks for only $14.99! Cancel any time.
tidd.ly/3GR4Hec
tidd.ly/3GR4Hec
The chamberpot museum in Munich, which apparently closed the year after I visited.
what is the most unique museum u have visited
for me possibly the ramen museum
for me possibly the ramen museum
more museums should provide fries at the end tbh
August 1, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The chamberpot museum in Munich, which apparently closed the year after I visited.
Reposted by Annie
The em dash has finally pushed back on all that generative AI slander.
"Let’s be honest: The real issue isn’t me—it’s you. You simply don’t read enough. If you did, you’d know I’ve been here for centuries."
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...
"Let’s be honest: The real issue isn’t me—it’s you. You simply don’t read enough. If you did, you’d know I’ve been here for centuries."
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...
The Em Dash Responds to the AI Allegations
“In recent months, a curious fixation has emerged in corners of academia: the em dash. More specifically, the apparent moral panic around how it is...
www.mcsweeneys.net
July 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The em dash has finally pushed back on all that generative AI slander.
"Let’s be honest: The real issue isn’t me—it’s you. You simply don’t read enough. If you did, you’d know I’ve been here for centuries."
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...
"Let’s be honest: The real issue isn’t me—it’s you. You simply don’t read enough. If you did, you’d know I’ve been here for centuries."
www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the...
Reposted by Annie
This is a great thread, from someone supremely qualified to opine on the subject
Let me add that AI can't do this. Consuming the historiography leads to new questions leading to new sources leading to new discoveries. This is a creative act. But facts alone are never enough. Facts must be interpreted. That means immersing oneself in historians' understanding of context.
12/12
12/12
July 19, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is a great thread, from someone supremely qualified to opine on the subject
Reposted by Annie
On a Tuesday in March, Rümeysa Öztürk writes, “I was thrust into a nightmare.”
For VF, the Fulbright scholar details what she witnessed in the six and a half weeks she spent inside a South Louisiana ICE detention center.
For VF, the Fulbright scholar details what she witnessed in the six and a half weeks she spent inside a South Louisiana ICE detention center.
“Even God Cannot Hear Us Here”: What I Witnessed Inside an ICE Women’s Prison
Tufts University doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk opens up about her 45 days in a South Louisiana processing facility—and the generous and compassionate women she met.
www.vanityfair.com
July 17, 2025 at 11:59 AM
On a Tuesday in March, Rümeysa Öztürk writes, “I was thrust into a nightmare.”
For VF, the Fulbright scholar details what she witnessed in the six and a half weeks she spent inside a South Louisiana ICE detention center.
For VF, the Fulbright scholar details what she witnessed in the six and a half weeks she spent inside a South Louisiana ICE detention center.
The OJ Simpson trial. The 1996 NCAA men's basketball championship game. Cyrano de Bergerac.
July 12, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The OJ Simpson trial. The 1996 NCAA men's basketball championship game. Cyrano de Bergerac.
Reposted by Annie
Niemöller was never the moral guide.
He got the memo too late.
Our job is to to understand that
EVERY
SINGLE
HUMAN
BEING
IS
PRECIOUS
and to act accordingly
NOW
He got the memo too late.
Our job is to to understand that
EVERY
SINGLE
HUMAN
BEING
IS
PRECIOUS
and to act accordingly
NOW
July 10, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Niemöller was never the moral guide.
He got the memo too late.
Our job is to to understand that
EVERY
SINGLE
HUMAN
BEING
IS
PRECIOUS
and to act accordingly
NOW
He got the memo too late.
Our job is to to understand that
EVERY
SINGLE
HUMAN
BEING
IS
PRECIOUS
and to act accordingly
NOW
Reposted by Annie
It doesn't matter if they are ever coming for you.
It was always ever already too much that they were coming for anyone.
It was always ever already too much that they were coming for anyone.
July 10, 2025 at 12:28 AM
It doesn't matter if they are ever coming for you.
It was always ever already too much that they were coming for anyone.
It was always ever already too much that they were coming for anyone.