Alenka
@uprightgarfield.bsky.social
Librarian, reviewer/critic for WWAC & Sidequest. They/them
My post-Heated Rivalry rec, other than Check Please and Yuri on Ice which imo are the big, obvious ones, is The Inside Edge by Ashlyn Kane. Retired hockey player and figure skate become sports show hosts who seem to despite each other, but ofc have fantastic chemistry.
December 30, 2025 at 3:29 AM
My post-Heated Rivalry rec, other than Check Please and Yuri on Ice which imo are the big, obvious ones, is The Inside Edge by Ashlyn Kane. Retired hockey player and figure skate become sports show hosts who seem to despite each other, but ofc have fantastic chemistry.
Reposted by Alenka
Shirts and calendars had inventory updates: www.cathygjohn.net/store?catego...
December 29, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Shirts and calendars had inventory updates: www.cathygjohn.net/store?catego...
Reposted by Alenka
Comics critics! You have just a few more days to apply to the 2026 Comics Criticism Mini Grant!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
2026 Comics Criticism Mini Grant
This project will be awarding four mini grants of $250 to comics critics.
To apply, please provide 2 links to comics criticism work of at least 500 words published within the last year (blogs and YouT...
docs.google.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Comics critics! You have just a few more days to apply to the 2026 Comics Criticism Mini Grant!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Alenka
My friend Sama'a needs our help to keep her family warm and fed through the winter. Please give what you can.
The storms are stronger than our fragile home, and the cold is making my children sick.
While the world celebrates the New Year, we are only trying to survive.
Any kindness, no matter how small, means life to us.
God never forgets those who help others.
- Sama’a 🤍
tinyurl.com/SamaasFamily
While the world celebrates the New Year, we are only trying to survive.
Any kindness, no matter how small, means life to us.
God never forgets those who help others.
- Sama’a 🤍
tinyurl.com/SamaasFamily
December 28, 2025 at 5:28 PM
My friend Sama'a needs our help to keep her family warm and fed through the winter. Please give what you can.
Reposted by Alenka
Illinois has strengthened its labor laws and improved efforts to collect stolen wages for workers. Despite this, the most difficult cases can get bogged down in the system for years. buff.ly/WJHXcax
Illinois fails to collect wages owed to workers in Cook County
Wage theft cases get stalled out in Cook County Court, where it can take years for workers to receive payment they're owed — if they receive it at all.
buff.ly
December 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Illinois has strengthened its labor laws and improved efforts to collect stolen wages for workers. Despite this, the most difficult cases can get bogged down in the system for years. buff.ly/WJHXcax
Reposted by Alenka
ICYMI, the stunt Bari Weiss pulled this week really touched a nerve for me.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/12/25/o...
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/12/25/o...
On "fair" reporting and what happened at "60 Minutes"
Laura Belin: I was alarmed (though not surprised) when CBS News boss Bari Weiss intervened to stop “60 Minutes” from airing a segment.
www.bleedingheartland.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
ICYMI, the stunt Bari Weiss pulled this week really touched a nerve for me.
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/12/25/o...
www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/12/25/o...
Reposted by Alenka
I want to learn and preserve a Palestinian hand sewing practice. You can help!
I’m asking you to share this widely, and pitch in if it feels right to you. ko-fi.com/soniasulaima...
I’m asking you to share this widely, and pitch in if it feels right to you. ko-fi.com/soniasulaima...
December 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I want to learn and preserve a Palestinian hand sewing practice. You can help!
I’m asking you to share this widely, and pitch in if it feels right to you. ko-fi.com/soniasulaima...
I’m asking you to share this widely, and pitch in if it feels right to you. ko-fi.com/soniasulaima...
Reposted by Alenka
Growing up in Gaza, I didn't realize that the siege I was living under was unique or that others didn't face a constant threat of death. It was only after I left that I understood I had grown up in a concentration camp, and that it shaped my life.
mondoweiss.net/2025/12/i-di...
#Palestine #Israel
mondoweiss.net/2025/12/i-di...
#Palestine #Israel
I did not understand I grew up in a concentration camp until I left Gaza
Growing up in Gaza, I didn’t realize that the siege I was living under was unique or that others didn’t face a constant threat of death. It was only after I left that I understood I had grown up in...
mondoweiss.net
December 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Growing up in Gaza, I didn't realize that the siege I was living under was unique or that others didn't face a constant threat of death. It was only after I left that I understood I had grown up in a concentration camp, and that it shaped my life.
mondoweiss.net/2025/12/i-di...
#Palestine #Israel
mondoweiss.net/2025/12/i-di...
#Palestine #Israel
Reposted by Alenka
Feel unbelievably bad for artists. And extremely alarmed for women. And really anyone who has posted photos on that site. Family photos. Photos of children. My god. A lot of incredibly evil shit is going to be made from this.
Heads up to artists still using Twitter- Twitter is now adding an "Edit image" button under all images posted on the site that allows everyone to feed it into genAI and modify it as they wish with a prompt
December 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Feel unbelievably bad for artists. And extremely alarmed for women. And really anyone who has posted photos on that site. Family photos. Photos of children. My god. A lot of incredibly evil shit is going to be made from this.
Reposted by Alenka
Me and @momodriller.bsky.social's sweet baby boy has lost limb function very suddenly and is getting worse daily. He needs an MRI and (likely) surgery. It's expensive. We've already spent over $1k and can't afford much more, & he's running out of time. Anything helps, thank you. gofund.me/ba3da64f4
Donate to Help Tagalong: MRI and Surgery Fund, organized by Rose Cote
If you know me, you know Tagalong. He is the sweetest cat I have ever owned, and I'm alw… Rose Cote needs your support for Help Tagalong: MRI and Surgery Fund
gofund.me
December 24, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Me and @momodriller.bsky.social's sweet baby boy has lost limb function very suddenly and is getting worse daily. He needs an MRI and (likely) surgery. It's expensive. We've already spent over $1k and can't afford much more, & he's running out of time. Anything helps, thank you. gofund.me/ba3da64f4
Reposted by Alenka
Did you read a book by a transfemme in a language other than English this year?
Comment them on this post!
The Foreign Language category for the TFR Awards only has two votes total and I need more crowdsourcing.
Comment them on this post!
The Foreign Language category for the TFR Awards only has two votes total and I need more crowdsourcing.
December 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Did you read a book by a transfemme in a language other than English this year?
Comment them on this post!
The Foreign Language category for the TFR Awards only has two votes total and I need more crowdsourcing.
Comment them on this post!
The Foreign Language category for the TFR Awards only has two votes total and I need more crowdsourcing.
Reposted by Alenka
WE JUST PASSED LAST YEAR'S VOTE TOTAL 🥳🥳🥳🥳
I am so happy, this was my primary goal for the year and we've still got days to spare :))))
I am so happy, this was my primary goal for the year and we've still got days to spare :))))
Four books. One grand prize. Five days left until voting ends.
2025 was the year of the transfeminine contemporary novel, and the four novels shortlisted for Best Transfeminine Fiction are leading the charge.
If you haven't voted yet, now is the time. Voting closes Dec. 26th at 11:59pm EST 🩷
2025 was the year of the transfeminine contemporary novel, and the four novels shortlisted for Best Transfeminine Fiction are leading the charge.
If you haven't voted yet, now is the time. Voting closes Dec. 26th at 11:59pm EST 🩷
The 2025 Shortlist for Best Transfeminine Fiction (TFR Awards)
Four books. One grand prize. Vote now in the 2025 TFR Awards, open until Dec. 26 at 11:59pm EST.
thetransfemininereview.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:24 AM
WE JUST PASSED LAST YEAR'S VOTE TOTAL 🥳🥳🥳🥳
I am so happy, this was my primary goal for the year and we've still got days to spare :))))
I am so happy, this was my primary goal for the year and we've still got days to spare :))))
Reposted by Alenka
Hey #MeetTheWebcomic! I make Keeping Time, a longform drama that's ostensibly a band romance between former friends, but might be better categorized as an adult coming-of-age story where that self discovery is painful and hard-fought.
#KeepingTime #webcomics
🎸 keepingtimecomic.com
#KeepingTime #webcomics
🎸 keepingtimecomic.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Hey #MeetTheWebcomic! I make Keeping Time, a longform drama that's ostensibly a band romance between former friends, but might be better categorized as an adult coming-of-age story where that self discovery is painful and hard-fought.
#KeepingTime #webcomics
🎸 keepingtimecomic.com
#KeepingTime #webcomics
🎸 keepingtimecomic.com
Reposted by Alenka
Interesting fact.
December 23, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Interesting fact.
Reposted by Alenka
FULL STORY: Mayor Johnson now faces what could be the biggest decision of his time in office: whether to veto the spending plan approved by the City Council over his objections.
34 votes are need to override a veto; his critics appear 3 votes short. @wttw.bsky.social
34 votes are need to override a veto; his critics appear 3 votes short. @wttw.bsky.social
City Council Votes 30-19 to Approve Final Part of 2026 Budget. Will Mayor Veto It?
“We may not have the majority of the City Council but we do have the people,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said just before the the Chicago City Council voted to approve a budget he fiercely opposed.
news.wttw.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
FULL STORY: Mayor Johnson now faces what could be the biggest decision of his time in office: whether to veto the spending plan approved by the City Council over his objections.
34 votes are need to override a veto; his critics appear 3 votes short. @wttw.bsky.social
34 votes are need to override a veto; his critics appear 3 votes short. @wttw.bsky.social
Reposted by Alenka
Found it!! tenbluelinks.org
How to Turn Off Google AI Overview and Set "Web" as Default
tenbluelinks.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Found it!! tenbluelinks.org
Reposted by Alenka
It's my pleasure to announce the Longlist for Best Transfeminine Fiction in the 2025 TFR Reader's Choice Awards!
This year, TFR recognizes 14 titles from every genre and section of the industry 🩷
Thank you to everyone who voted early to craft this list! Voting ends December 26th at 11:59 PM EST.
This year, TFR recognizes 14 titles from every genre and section of the industry 🩷
Thank you to everyone who voted early to craft this list! Voting ends December 26th at 11:59 PM EST.
The 2025 Longlist for Best Transfeminine Fiction (TFR Awards)
Thirteen early contenders for the best transfeminine novel of 2025. Voting is open until December 26th at 11:59 PM EST.
thetransfemininereview.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:34 PM
It's my pleasure to announce the Longlist for Best Transfeminine Fiction in the 2025 TFR Reader's Choice Awards!
This year, TFR recognizes 14 titles from every genre and section of the industry 🩷
Thank you to everyone who voted early to craft this list! Voting ends December 26th at 11:59 PM EST.
This year, TFR recognizes 14 titles from every genre and section of the industry 🩷
Thank you to everyone who voted early to craft this list! Voting ends December 26th at 11:59 PM EST.
Reposted by Alenka
A reminder that Iron Circus is gonna get WALLOPED with Baker & Taylor bankruptcy backdraft for the next several months, turning our usual distro payout into bills.
If you'd like to help a small business making weird-ass comics weather the storm, a 💥30% OFF💥 sale is on now!
store.ironcircus.com
If you'd like to help a small business making weird-ass comics weather the storm, a 💥30% OFF💥 sale is on now!
store.ironcircus.com
Iron Circus Comics
Iron Circus Comics is the premiere publisher of award-winning, critically-acclaimed graphic novels in the American Midwest, a small-mid house built from the ground up by founder C. Spike Trotman.
store.ironcircus.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:39 PM
A reminder that Iron Circus is gonna get WALLOPED with Baker & Taylor bankruptcy backdraft for the next several months, turning our usual distro payout into bills.
If you'd like to help a small business making weird-ass comics weather the storm, a 💥30% OFF💥 sale is on now!
store.ironcircus.com
If you'd like to help a small business making weird-ass comics weather the storm, a 💥30% OFF💥 sale is on now!
store.ironcircus.com
Reposted by Alenka
IIRC I read this and enjoyed it a LOT as part of a YA graphic novel professional conference. Can't recall if it was Books for the Beast or the Black-Eyed Susan one, but it's deffo well recommended either way!
If you're buying gifts for spirited 12 year olds who have read most of the middle grade graphic novel canon, can I recommend my book The Legend of Auntie Po? It's multi-awarded, and well reviewed, but hasn't entirely found its commercial footing.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/601780...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/601780...
The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor: 9780525554882 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
A NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST Part historical fiction, part fable, and 100 percent adventure. Thirteen-year-old Mei reimagines the myths of Paul Bunyan as starring a Chinese heroine while she works ...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:43 PM
IIRC I read this and enjoyed it a LOT as part of a YA graphic novel professional conference. Can't recall if it was Books for the Beast or the Black-Eyed Susan one, but it's deffo well recommended either way!
Reposted by Alenka
What's happening with the Chicago Public Libraries right now is terrible. The proposed budget of the city would CUT 89 CPL positions. Importantly, 78 positions were lost LAST year. That would be 167 positions in 2 YEARS while COPS KEEP GETTING MORE MONEY. ENOUGH. SAY NO.
December 2, 2025 at 10:51 PM
What's happening with the Chicago Public Libraries right now is terrible. The proposed budget of the city would CUT 89 CPL positions. Importantly, 78 positions were lost LAST year. That would be 167 positions in 2 YEARS while COPS KEEP GETTING MORE MONEY. ENOUGH. SAY NO.
Reposted by Alenka
"I don't know what to do" - Go to your Alderperson in Chicago and tell them that you will organize to OUST them if they go along with cutting the fucking public library budget AGAIN. Start there.
December 2, 2025 at 10:56 PM
"I don't know what to do" - Go to your Alderperson in Chicago and tell them that you will organize to OUST them if they go along with cutting the fucking public library budget AGAIN. Start there.
Reposted by Alenka
Please contribute if you're able or share the original if you're not.
Note that the most effective way to get help for people is to directly ask people you know
Note that the most effective way to get help for people is to directly ask people you know
November 19, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Please contribute if you're able or share the original if you're not.
Note that the most effective way to get help for people is to directly ask people you know
Note that the most effective way to get help for people is to directly ask people you know
Reposted by Alenka
The good: I start my new W4 tomorrow.
The bad: My new gig pays *monthly* at the end of each month and I'm starting at the beginning of the period, so I wont get paid until New Years.
There's 12% or $8407 left to close out this ENTIRE campaign. I REALLY need a hand to hold onto the gig.
The bad: My new gig pays *monthly* at the end of each month and I'm starting at the beginning of the period, so I wont get paid until New Years.
There's 12% or $8407 left to close out this ENTIRE campaign. I REALLY need a hand to hold onto the gig.
Oh Hai 👋🏿
If I can keep these gig contracts steady, the last 15% of this campaign (that I started in October 2022) will go to the bigger ticket items that I still need like neonate appropriate pulse oximeters, for ex., and my licensure exam fees.
This is what I came for.
If I can keep these gig contracts steady, the last 15% of this campaign (that I started in October 2022) will go to the bigger ticket items that I still need like neonate appropriate pulse oximeters, for ex., and my licensure exam fees.
This is what I came for.
November 16, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The good: I start my new W4 tomorrow.
The bad: My new gig pays *monthly* at the end of each month and I'm starting at the beginning of the period, so I wont get paid until New Years.
There's 12% or $8407 left to close out this ENTIRE campaign. I REALLY need a hand to hold onto the gig.
The bad: My new gig pays *monthly* at the end of each month and I'm starting at the beginning of the period, so I wont get paid until New Years.
There's 12% or $8407 left to close out this ENTIRE campaign. I REALLY need a hand to hold onto the gig.
Reposted by Alenka
Thank y’all so much for your support so far. We’ve reached 35% of our goal! 🧡
Shrimp is doing great! He’s the bravest little lad. If you want to help us recoup the rest of the cost of his vet visit, I have zines for sale or you can leave a tip! 🐈✨
ko-fi.com/theverbalthing
Shrimp is doing great! He’s the bravest little lad. If you want to help us recoup the rest of the cost of his vet visit, I have zines for sale or you can leave a tip! 🐈✨
ko-fi.com/theverbalthing
November 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Thank y’all so much for your support so far. We’ve reached 35% of our goal! 🧡
Shrimp is doing great! He’s the bravest little lad. If you want to help us recoup the rest of the cost of his vet visit, I have zines for sale or you can leave a tip! 🐈✨
ko-fi.com/theverbalthing
Shrimp is doing great! He’s the bravest little lad. If you want to help us recoup the rest of the cost of his vet visit, I have zines for sale or you can leave a tip! 🐈✨
ko-fi.com/theverbalthing