Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 5h

We're not at the same agency, so there's no conflict!

Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 15h

I am sure I will miss great projects today, so I encourage authors to just query me. I'm looking for adult SFFH, romance, and mystery, and especially in books that combine multiple of those genres. I always love to read about nerds, queers, do-gooders, and vivid settings.

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 15h

If you get interest from an agent who's already passed on your book, take it as a sign that something about your premise is WORKING. You can re-query with an acknowledgement that they have passed, but you wanted to follow up just in case; or you can just take the compliment and move on.

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 15h

A few quick things!

Authors, please treat agent interest as an invitation to query, not a requirement. Pitch events are a great way to discover agents who weren't on your radar yet. Another is the @litagentsofchange.bsky.social's Equity Directory: www.equitydirectory.org

Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 1d

Looking forward to #DVPit tomorrow! If I heart your pitch, please query as normal (letter + ~25 pages), but add "#DVPit" somewhere in the subject line, and include the text of the post I hearted somewhere in your query letter. Can't wait to find projects I didn't know I wanted.

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 16h

If your hashtag searching is not working for #DVpit we created a feed for the hashtag. Please always try to search the hashtag first, but this feed includes all posts under the hashtag as well. We will update during the day as we learn more from bsky bsky.app/profile/did:...

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 17h

#DVpit 2025 has officially begun!
Today, Oct 8, 2025 from 8AM-8PM ET marginalized creators seeking out representation can pitch their completed manuscripts & portfolios to participating Agents & Editors!
Don't forget to use #DVpit in your posts!
Pls read rules before participating: dvpit.carrd.co

#DVPit Rules
-#DVpit (Diverse Voices Pitch) is a Bluesky event for marginalized creators that have been historically underrepresented in publishing to pitch their work to agents & editors
-Post your pitch on Bluesky on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025
between 8AM ET - 8PM ET
-Only post once per hour (6 max pitches per project)
-Must have a polished, query ready manuscript or art portfolio.
-Pitch must include the #DVpit hashtag (illustrators pitching their art must use the #DVArt hashtag)
-A like from an agent = a query request
-A repost from an editor = interest in submission once you've signed with an agent
-A like from an editor = editor who takes unagented submissions
-Please do not like or repost a pitch if you are not an agent or an editor. Support other creators by replying to their pitch or
quote-reposting their pitches
-Visit dvpit.carrd.co for more detailed guidelines.

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 16h

oh good, we're starting the What Is The Midwest wars again. I personally would not choose to piss off the Dakotans but hey.

William Hazen @williamhazen.bsky.social · 1d

This is the most accurate depiction of the Midwest to date. Wichita has always felt like the last Midwest city while also being the first plains city.

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 17h

Seems like search is broken right now-- if I don't get to look at pitches today, I'll browse them later this week.

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

Solaris Books @solarisbooks.bsky.social · 1d

🌊1st in a new epic fantasy series
🛶 Inspired by the culture and folklore of the Tlingit tribe of Alaska
📕 One of Reactor & Indigo's "Most Anticipated" Books of 2025
🐦⬛ Features a REALLY rude Raven

🎂🎉Happy US Book Birthday to Caskey Russell's THE DOOR ON THE SEA!

Buy geni.us/doorsea

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 1d

Looking forward to #DVPit tomorrow! If I heart your pitch, please query as normal (letter + ~25 pages), but add "#DVPit" somewhere in the subject line, and include the text of the post I hearted somewhere in your query letter. Can't wait to find projects I didn't know I wanted.

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

Fantômas, Le contrebandier de DEI @theefantomas.bsky.social · 1d

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 1d

[nods] yep, sounds like something Connie Willis would do.

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Alex Burness @burness.bsky.social · 1d

Dispatch from Pennsylvania on a highly unusual state Supreme Court election—one of the few most consequential matters on the ballot anywhere in the country next month. New from me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...

Inside the Clunky Elections to Control Pennsylvania's Supreme Court - Bolts

The GOP is making an expensive push to end Democrats’ majority on a court at the center of election lawsuits, sparking a fledging campaign season with little precedent or template.

boltsmag.org

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

Saeed Jones @theferocity.bsky.social · 1d

She’s left us no choice. It’s time for Isaac Chotiner to interview Bari Weiss.

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 2d

💛

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

Solaris Books @solarisbooks.bsky.social · 5d

Next week on Friday 10th October, at @villagebookswa.bsky.social , Bellingham, WA, you can join our very own Caskey Russell (author of THE DOOR ON THE SEA) who will be delivering An Indigenous Peoples' Day Primer with Rena Priest!

Book your tickets 👇

An Indigenous Peoples' Day Primer with Caskey Russell and Rena Priest

Join Village Books and North Cascades Institute in welcoming Rena Priest and Caskey Russell to the Readings Gallery!

www.eventbrite.com

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 5d

👀

Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 5d

give me the DREAD.

Hillary Monahan @hillarymonahan.bsky.social · 5d

My controversial opinion is that expecting horror to scare you does a disservice to the huge swath of things under the umbrella of horror that are dark in tone, macabre, or otherwise Gothic.

In this essay, I wil-

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

Laura Zats @lzats.bsky.social · 5d

Friends, I know our culture is rolling the clock back on the body positive movement, but can we skip over the “I lost weight so now I’m worthy of love” romance novels? Please?

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 6d

I don't know how active PURR still is but they're the obvious choice, and I know they used to work with pro bono lawyers sometimes. Is the gentleman's councilmember any good?

Pittsburgh Union of Regional Renters

building tenant power

pittsburghunionofregionalrenters.wordpress.com

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 6d

👀

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

Solaris Books @solarisbooks.bsky.social · 6d

A beautiful review from @libraryjournal.bsky.social for Caskey Russell's debut THE DOOR ON THE SEA, first in a new epic fantasy trilogy inspired by the folklore and culture of the Tlingit tribe

"Astounding...a highly nuanced and complex novel."

Out next week! Preorder geni.us/doorsea

Against a dark turbulent sea background, the cover for THE DOOR ON THE SEA by Caskey Russell. Below, "Astounding...a highly nuanced and complex novel." Library Journal

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

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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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 6d

I really thought "sorry I can't do Italian" would be the extent of how an allium sensitivity would impact my work. Clearly wasn't thinking big enough.

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Lauren Bajek @laurenbajek.bsky.social · 6d

[on an editor call] no no yeah, the romantasy space is so exciting right now, unfortunately I AM allergic to it, I'd love to hear what else you're hungry for lately??

Emily C. Hughes @emilyhughes.bsky.social · 6d

no no the publishing industry is doing fine, why do you ask

A screenshot from Publisher's Lunch:
Jennifer L. Armentrout and Hellmann's
In a promotion designed for BookTok enjoyment, Jennifer L. Armentrout’s just-published THE PRIMAL OF BLOOD AND BONE is available in a special, limited-edition "garlic-scented copy, infused with Hellmann’s Garlic Aioli to create a one-of-a-kind, Craven-proof book." They explain: "This exclusive edition is printed with garlic-infused ink, designed to ward off Armentrout’s bloodthirsty monsters, the Craven. While humans may dread garlic breath, Hellmann’s has cleverly transformed this social faux pas into an unexpected – and delicious – form of supernatural protection."

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Reposted by Lauren Bajek

Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 7d

Hey authors, the official list of Anthropic works is available for searching.

secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup

Submit a Claim

secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

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