Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Tess Gerritsen

David Hewson @davidhewson.com · 5d

Just got hit by two identical but quite professional reviews for money scammers with very accurate comments about The Four Deadly Seasons. The excellent Writer Beware site has covered this. Worth a read.

writerbeware.blog/2025/09/19/r...

Return of the Nigerian Prince Redux: Beware Book Club and Book Review Scams - Writer Beware

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a rising and extremely prolific marketing scam that I’ve been able to trace back to operators in Nigeria. Using highly personalized (AI-generated) email solicitations th...

writerbeware.blog

2 3 9

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · 9d

Are these or are these not trilobites? (Spotted on a stone pillar in a ramen restaurant in Trieste.) You never know what you might see when you’re idly waiting for a bowl of noodles.

3

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · 10d

#RizzoliAndIsles people.com/10-crime-nov...

10 Thrilling Crime Novels Led by Female Protagonists, Including Gillian Flynn and Liane Moriarty (Exclusive)

'The Glass Man' author Anders de la Motte breaks down his favorite pulse-racing books with women at the center.

people.com

1 5

Reposted by Tess Gerritsen

JMoonlight @jmoonlight.bsky.social · 12d

Any book worth banning is a book worth reading" — Isaac Asimov

35 560 2.6K

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · 14d

Thrilled to meet Paolo Fazioli (founder of Fazioli pianos) in Italy today. I’ve owned one of his wonderful pianos for two decades. And here I am with the very first piano he ever made. It has to be close to 50 years old.

9

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · 15d

If you’re feeling discouraged by the publishing world, here’s the rejection letter for LORD OF THE RINGS. Tolkien’s trilogy was judged “too Nordic” for the publisher’s taste. (Spotted today in a wonderful Tolkien exhibit in Trieste.)

1 3 32

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · 21d

In Padua’s medical museum, I came across a relic from a time when “trust your immunity” was our only defense against viruses. And some people call it the good old days.

7 25 77

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · 24d

Innocent words have now become hand grenades.

ProPublica @propublica.org · 24d

The Dept. of Education has pulled funding for programs in 8 states that support students with both hearing and vision loss.

A staffer at one program says he was told the Trump admin. took issue with 2 words on the grant application: “transition" and “privilege": www.propublica.org/article/trum...

Screenshot of article excerpt: The Education Department also was concerned about other words in the application, said Adrian Klenz, who works with deafblind adults in the state. He said he has talked with state officials about the discontinuation of the grant.

“I was told that apparently the administration is going through past grants and two words were flagged: One was transition and one was privilege,” Klenz said. “Transition — transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Privilege came up because a parent wrote a glowing review of staff that said what a privilege it was to work with them.” ProPublica obtained a copy of the grant application and confirmed that those words were included.

1 2 8

Reposted by Tess Gerritsen

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · Aug 31

New Mexico has issued a public health order that removes federal restrictions to COVID-19 vaccine access so that pharmacies in New Mexico can vaccinate people of all ages and risk profiles. Every state need to do this!

PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER
NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
SECRETARY GINA DEBLASSIE
AUGUST 29, 2025
Ensuring Availability of COVID-19 Vaccine for the 2025-2026 Season

THIS ORDER supersedes any previous order, proclamation, or directives to the extent they are in conflict. This Public Order shall take effect immediately and remain in effect until such time as it automatically expires one year from the date of issuance, or until such time as the New Mexico Department of Health Cabinet Secretary rescinds it.

490 8.4K 27K

Reposted by Tess Gerritsen

Amy J. Rutenberg @amyjay401.bsky.social · Aug 29

As everyone knows, “True warfighters instilled with the warfighting ethos, however, know that a warfighting ethos is only at its warfighting ethos-iest when warfighters are fighting a war on boredom. And here among the embattled mulch beds of D.C., cousin, boredom is ah-boomin.”

Alt National Archives @altnatarchives.altgov.info · Aug 29

This is absolutely amazing. From the Air Force Times, too. Read w tongue in cheek.

www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/mil...

The National Guard, DC landscaping and the great pursuit of lethality

Few training methods guarantee a better fighting force than boredom-induced annoyance.

www.militarytimes.com

24 86 310

Reposted by Tess Gerritsen

Jess Lahey @jesslahey.bsky.social · Aug 22

This week on the #AmWriting podcast, Sarina & I interview a new favorite author of ours, Tess Gerritsen! We talk about her process, switching genres, and finding a new series right there in her backyard in mid-coast Maine.

amwriting.substack.com/p/writing-th...

Writing Thrilling People & Places: Jess and Sarina talk with Tess Gerritsen

Jess and Sarina talk with thriller author Tess Gerritsen about constructing fictional worlds and the people who live there

amwriting.substack.com

1 3 4

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · Aug 22

Loved having this conversation about writing!

Jess Lahey @jesslahey.bsky.social · Aug 22

This week on the #AmWriting podcast, Sarina & I interview a new favorite author of ours, Tess Gerritsen! We talk about her process, switching genres, and finding a new series right there in her backyard in mid-coast Maine.

amwriting.substack.com/p/writing-th...

Writing Thrilling People & Places: Jess and Sarina talk with Tess Gerritsen

Jess and Sarina talk with thriller author Tess Gerritsen about constructing fictional worlds and the people who live there

amwriting.substack.com

4

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · Aug 20

Cannot wait to be part of the International Thriller Writers Online Thriller School this fall! Eleven weeks, 14 classes and 3 bonus panels. I'll be teaching “Move It Along! Pacing, Velocity, and Suspense.” See you there.
thrillerwriters.org/programs/onl...

The 2025 Online Thriller School - International Thriller Writers

thrillerwriters.org

3

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · Aug 20

Fantastic show.

1

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · Jul 26

LA archbishop, business leaders start fund to help families affected by ICE raids www.ncronline.org/news/la-arch...

LA archbishop, business leaders start fund to help families affected by ICE raids

"As an Angeleno and as a Catholic priest, I'm just very embarrassed by the whole thing." said Msgr. John Moretta.

www.ncronline.org

2

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · Jul 21

"Soriano Versoza said the cases in Norfolk are unlike previous cases of cruise ship employees involved with child pornography.

When accused crew members ask to see evidence that would incriminate them, authorities have nothing to show, she said."
www.pilotonline.com/2025/07/20/c...

Advocates protest detentions and deportations of cruise ship employees in Norfolk

Aquilina Soriano Versoza, the executive director of the Pilipino Workers Center, said all 21 crew members were not being afforded due process.

www.pilotonline.com

1 1

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · Jul 21

Really, ICE? Boarding cruise ships docked in US ports and arresting employees just because they're Filipino?
www.msn.com/en-ph/news/o...

MSN

www.msn.com

1 1 3

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · Jul 21

Just received my copy in the mail. Can't wait to dig in...

www.amazon.com/dp/125035819...

The Lake Escape: A Novel

Amazon.com: The Lake Escape: A Novel: 9781250358196: Day, Jamie: Books

www.amazon.com

1

Tess Gerritsen @tessgerritsen.bsky.social · Jul 19

Check out Nancy Drew: The Case of the American Icon by Cathleen O'Connell on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/cod...

Nancy Drew: The Case of the American Icon

Full-length documentary exploring the history and cultural impact of literature’s OG girl sleuth - Nancy Drew

www.kickstarter.com

10

Reposted by Tess Gerritsen

Tobias S. Buckell @tobiasbuckell.bsky.social · Jul 11

I’ve had three of these. People reach out for an interview, which is not -that- unusual for me, and after I say ‘sure’ there’s a request for pay.

It’s yet another piece of friction.

I get a lot of publishing spam now.

Everyone’s a mark these days, I guess.

Lee Goldberg @leegoldberg.bsky.social · Jul 11

This is a must-read from @victoriastrauss.com at Writers Beware for authors who are approached by literary magazines for interviews ... and then are asked to pay for it in one way or another. writerbeware.blog/2025/07/11/w...