Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Lambda Literary @lambdaliterary.org · 4d

🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Lambda Literary Award Winner for LGBTQ+ Speculative Fiction: Metal From Heaven by August Clarke! 🎉🎉🎉 @sapphomancer.bsky.social @erewhonbooks.bsky.social @kensingtonbooks.bsky.social
#Lammys2025 #LammyAwards

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DongWon Song @dongwon.bsky.social · 6d

Hello! I'm open to unsolicited submissions for the first time in ages...

Looking for: Adult Epic Fantasy and Horror only

Guidelines are here: www.dongwonsong.com/submission-g...

Submission Guidelines — DongWon Song

www.dongwonsong.com

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · 23d

If you're a BIPOC writer trying to find the time to finish your book or want personalised advice for tackling your writing projects, be sure to join us for the How To Finish Your Novel workshop with Suyi Davies Okungbowa.

Nov 29 & 30 or get the video after!

events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

The Carl Brandon Society Presents
How to Finish You Novel
A Weekend Workshop with Suyi Davies Okungbowa
carlbrandon.org/classes

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Arley Sorg @arleysorg.bsky.social · 21d

I posted some thoughts on Facebook which come out of very recent conversations, as well as my publishing industry observations, plus experiences at industry social events.

These posts are never easy to write, and even harder to actually put up, but... 🤷🏽

www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

facebook post beginning: some people would describe me as "white passing" but I have many stories about experiencing racism of different kinds, from very basic "othering" to being singled out in ways that white friends were not. in fact, my first few years at conventions, I experienced a lot of race based/skin color based "othering" - since those spaces were very predominantly white. it happens less often these days, but I still have a lot of gut reactions or preset expectations when entering a range of situations because of things that happened in my personal past.
my mother and sisters were all darker than me - I sometimes saw them experience worse, even more direct racism; or experience subtle racism in situations where the racism wasn't sent in my direction.
I'm not bringing this up out of any desire for sympathy - pls, I don't need anyone to say, "I'm sorry you went through that" or similar.
if you are not in some group (gay, Black, Latine, etc) it is very easy and even likely that you can live a long life without personally seeing these things, or being aware that they happen.
racism (and other ~isms & ~phobias) has been and still is a part of US culture; moreover, I have seen, personally witnessed, and been told about racist things that people have said or done in the publishing industry. all of this is to say: the playing field isn't level and fair. even if you personally do not see it or understand it, racism is a thing which happens in publishing, as well as throughout the US in general, in impactful and deliberate ways, as well as in small "unconscious" ways.
folks who "don't see color" enable systems, as well as bad actors in various positions of power, to continue to disadvantage Black authors, Indigenous authors, and many others. occasionally someone tries to point out these disparities (such as the BlackSpecFic Report) but it falls on each of us to make daily decisions about what we read...

continuation of Facebook post, beginning: even if you do not personally see racism in action, even if it hasn't touched your life in some meaningful or obvious way, it doesn't mean it isn't there; the people who are the targets of racism feel it - and it *really* doesn't feel good.
the consequences of racism (and similar) are often obvious to the people it affects, and having to explain these things to folks who are otherwise "friends" is always stressful and exhausting.
if you don't like BIPOC submissions or deliberately inviting people of color into positions or other similar initiatives - okay, cool; what are you doing instead to level the playing field, given that racism has a significant impact on everything from education opportunities, to job opportunities, to book publishing, and more?
the information is out there - you don't need me or the BlackSpecFic Report or anyone else to point out disparity: look through some Tables of Contents and pay attention; look at who gets what awards - look at different awards; look at who is invited to what programs, or who is even welcomed into which social circles. look at who gets supported by publishers, who gets signal boosted by folks with platforms. who gets solicited, put on panels or even what kinds of panels (who gets to talk about craft vs who is only put on panels about diversity), who gets to be a guest of honor, or gets to teach at a program.
again - I don't need anyone's sympathies or apologies or anything else - I need everyone to think hard on disparity, on the fact that disparity can exist whether or not you personally see or understand it, and on the ways that you can help change it, many of those ways as simple as looking for books by Black authors or signal boosting an awesome story by a Latine author or even just looking for a short fic piece by a trans author and giving it a read.
if you are an organizer of an event?...

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · 17d

There's still time to register for Suyi Davies Okungowa's How to Finish Your Novel! This workshop is all about giving you the tools and techniques you need to start and, yes, FINISH that book you've been working on.

Join us on Nov 29-30 or get the video after!

events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

The Carl Brandon Society presents
How to Finish Your Novel
With Suyi Davies Okungbowa
carlbrandon.org/classes

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Micaiah Johnson @micaiahjohnson.bsky.social · 10d

Finally getting around to posting my October events!

There may be one or two more later additions, but I am excited about all of these and I hope to see you guys there!

White text over a dark background with fall leaves. Heading reads “Micaiah Johnson October events” body reads “6:30 pm October 13 P&T Knitwear Lower Eastside, NY
The Traveling Science Fiction & Fantasy Festival’s “History & Speculation” with Veronica Roth, Yume Kitasei, Julia Vee, & Matthew Kressel

7 pm October 15 GreedyReads Remington Baltimore, MD
The Traveling Science Fiction & Fantasy Festival’s “The Power of ‘What If’” with Sarah Pinkser, Yume Kitasei, Ray Naylar, & Julia Vee

7:30 pm October 17 Mavey Books (Aardmore) Philadelphia
The Traveling Science Fiction & Fantasy Festival’s “Culture & Science Fiction Fantasy” with Yume Kitasei & Julia Vee

3-6 pm October 18 The Hidden Door Brooklyn, NY
Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Presents “We Demand Stories: Death Reimagined” with Leah Richards, Claire Cooney, Dr. Susana Martinez-Conde

7:00 pm October 23 Rutgers Writers House Camden, NJ
Rutgers Camden’s “Writers in Camden 10 Year Anniversary Reading” with Deena Elgenaidi & Brooke McClurg”

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JazzReads📚 @jazzreads.bsky.social · 10d

So exhausting..

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · 17d

There's still time to register for Suyi Davies Okungowa's How to Finish Your Novel! This workshop is all about giving you the tools and techniques you need to start and, yes, FINISH that book you've been working on.

Join us on Nov 29-30 or get the video after!

events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

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Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier @losangelista.bsky.social · 17d

Today would be a excellent day to donate to the Black Press. Start with @wordinblacknews.bsky.social givebutter.com/rnV3yA 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Support Word In Black

Support the work of Black media organizations to report on crucial issues and solutions.

givebutter.com

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · Sep 8

So life's pressures keep stealing your writing time and you worry you'll never finish that book? And now there isn't even NaNoWriMo to help you stay on task? Join us for the How to Finish Your Book workshop from @suyidavies.com, Nov 29-30 or get the video later!

events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

How to Finish Your Novel with Suyi Davies Okungbowa - BIPOC only
carlbrandon.org/classes
Register today!

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · 23d

If you're a BIPOC writer trying to find the time to finish your book or want personalised advice for tackling your writing projects, be sure to join us for the How To Finish Your Novel workshop with Suyi Davies Okungbowa.

Nov 29 & 30 or get the video after!

events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

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Reposted by Carl Brandon Society

Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · Sep 4

Suyi Davies Okungbowa's How to Finish Your Novel workshop has new dates! Now you can join us on Nov 29 & 30 for some personalised advice to help you tackle your writing projects.

Price: 50 - 125 USD (Scholarships avail!)

To learn more or register: events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

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The Authors Guild @authorsguild.org · 26d

The Authors Guild has partnered with James Patterson for his inaugural “Go Finish Your Book” grant, which awards up to $50,000 each to authors completing their works in progress.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4mcZFac

Authors Guild Members Win James Patterson Grants - The Authors Guild

The Authors Guild partnered with James Patterson this spring to identify candidates for his inaugural “Go Finish Your Book” grants of up to $50,000 each, providing crucial financial support to help au...

authorsguild.org

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ncgaylaxians.bsky.social @ncgaylaxians.bsky.social · Sep 8

Register now at www.gaylaxiconmn.org to save $10 on your Gaylaxicon 2025 membership! From now through September 15, tickets are $80 for three days of #LGBTQ+ focused sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. Join us October 3-5 in Minneapolis, MN for a Boldly Inclusive #Gaylaxicon2025!

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Deanne aka deakat @deakat.bsky.social · Sep 6

The program for the 6th edition of Flights of Foundry, a virtual, worldwide conference (free to attend, but donations and sponsorships encouraged) is now live! It happens September 26-28, running around the clock, with something for people in every time zone.

flights-of-foundry.org/program-3/

Program – Flights of Foundry

flights-of-foundry.org

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · Sep 8

So life's pressures keep stealing your writing time and you worry you'll never finish that book? And now there isn't even NaNoWriMo to help you stay on task? Join us for the How to Finish Your Book workshop from @suyidavies.com, Nov 29-30 or get the video later!

events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · Aug 31

How To Finish Your Novel - A Weekend Workshop with Suyi Davies Okungbowa

NEW DATE: Nov 29 - 30, 2025 @ 5PM - 7:30PM UTC (or register to get the recording after!)
Where: Online over Zoom
Price: 50 - 125 USD (Scholarships avail!)

To learn more or register: events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

The Carl Brandon Society Presents: How to Finish Your Novel
A Weekend Workshop with Suyi Davies Okungbowa
carlbrandon.org/classes

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · Sep 4

Suyi Davies Okungbowa's How to Finish Your Novel workshop has new dates! Now you can join us on Nov 29 & 30 for some personalised advice to help you tackle your writing projects.

Price: 50 - 125 USD (Scholarships avail!)

To learn more or register: events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

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emily moonlight @threnody.bsky.social · Sep 3

this is about sinners.

hbo has a black american sign language version of sinners.

i feel like i know a lot of people who will be excited to learn this.

Winifred Tylenol Spice Burton @authorwinifred.blacksky.app · Sep 3

Wait.

It's a BASL (Black American Sign Language) version?

I thought we were friends. How could y'all do me like this?

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Nalo Hopkinson @nalohop.bsky.social · Sep 4

Just spotted this: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for emerging BIPOC writers in Canada: an opportunity to work with Lindsay Wong arsenalpulp.com/News/2025/CA...

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for emerging BIPOC writers in Canada: an opportunity to work with Lindsay Wong

Arsenal Pulp Press is a book publisher in Vancouver, Canada with over 300 titles currently in print, which include literary fiction and nonfiction; cultural and gender studies; LGBT and multicultural ...

arsenalpulp.com

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Carl Brandon Society @carlbrandon.bsky.social · Aug 31

How To Finish Your Novel - A Weekend Workshop with Suyi Davies Okungbowa

NEW DATE: Nov 29 - 30, 2025 @ 5PM - 7:30PM UTC (or register to get the recording after!)
Where: Online over Zoom
Price: 50 - 125 USD (Scholarships avail!)

To learn more or register: events.humanitix.com/how-to-finis...

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Reposted by Carl Brandon Society

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association @sfwa.bsky.social · Aug 23

SFWA is going to Baltimore!

Join us at the SFWA Stage for a full day of dynamic panels featuring @charliejane.bsky.social, @somtoihezue.bsky.social, Nicole Glover, @justinaireland.com, and many more!

RSVP for meetup planning today. 👇👀 www.sfwa.org/2025/08/21/p...

Baltimore Book Festival - Join Us at the SFWA Stage on Saturday, September 13. RSVP today!

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Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · Aug 20

Did you know you can apply a filter when looking for a bookstore to support on Bookshop.org?

That’s right! We have 8 filters to choose from:

•Black-owned
•AAPI-owned
•LGBTQIA+-owned
•Latine-owned
•Indigenous-owned
•Women-owned
•Disabled-owned
•Romance

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ConCurrent Seattle @concurrentseattle.bsky.social · Aug 20

We'd like to shout out Seattle's Clean Air Collective and mask bloc for providing us with free masks and air filters during ConCurrent. We could not have run the event without that help, and it was given to us for free. For FREE! What an amazing public service. Thank you so much.

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