Starting Scott Hawkins’ BLACKTAIL on pub day. Excited to dig in!
Misha (she/her)
@ahsimlibrarian.bsky.social
Readers' advisory librarian. Former Clarion West Writers Workshop board member. 2022 World Fantasy Award judge. Karaoke enthusiast.
I'm watching the Hugo Awards livestream and Ursula "Queen of Weird Animal Facts" Vernon may be the best emcee of all time. Of any awards show. They should have her do the Oscars 😂😍
Dolly broke me in early to her raucous self deprecating sense of humor when we began steel magnolias rehearsals  i asked her - how long does it take to do a hair do like yours? Dolly - no idea, i’m never there when they do it! i started taking Dolly-isms notes on the back of my script after that
I came home from Amherst last night, appropriately exhausted. So here, a day late, is my post about Jane Yolen's memorial. floggingbabel.blogspot.com/2026/08/a-me...
A Memorial For Jane Yolen--With Heartfelt Memories And Dancing Bears
. A memorial was held for Jane Yolen in Amherst at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Which was appropriate...
floggingbabel.blogspot.com
I gasped when this ARC arrived. I adored Chad Harbach’s THE ART OF FIELDING. The follow-up novel THE BRIGHTNESS, also featuring Pella and set at Westish College, will be out in October. Character-driven fiction at its best.
Tomorrow, the House will vote on the NDAA, which includes a provision to merge parts of our military with the IDF. This amendment is an existential threat to American sovereignty and democracy. Every member of Congress must vote NO.
The guardian really stands out (among all the reporting I’ve read, at least) as an outlet that has worked hard to report on the impacts faced by Epstein and his associates’ victims and their loved ones
Latest on the Epstein scandal: the story of Jane Doe 4, who has alleged she was assaulted by both Epstein and Trump, is living in fear of retaliation. By Marilyn W Thompson: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
“AI in libraries” should be “what can you tell us about corporate profit-driven control of search and retrieval” instead of “when are librarians going to get on board.”
Finished WOODWORKING @emilystjams.bsky.social with a full heart and tears in my eyes. What a lovely story about solidarity among trans women and unlikely friendship. Reminded me of a trans femme version of the little known film “My First Mister.” So much humor and heart in this debut. ADORED.
Ahhh! My favorite librarian talking about my book as part of an adult summer reading program on TV is like my own personal bingo situation 🥰
#BookBingoNW2026 Book Bingo suggestions @ldlewiswrites.blacksky.app www.king5.com/video/entert...
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N. K. Jemisin's Grand Master speech this weekend at the @sfwa.bsky.social Nebula Conference was one for the ages. My new Genre Grapevine covers the speech by @nkjemisin.bsky.social along with the also-amazing speech Ryka Aoki @rykaaoki.bsky.social gave for the Nebula's 1st award for Best Poetry. 1/
Hello hello and welcome to the shortlist announcement thread for the #2026IgnyteAwards, recognizing outstanding contributions to SFFH and its community in 2025! We are grateful to be supported this year by sponsors @bcsmagazine.bsky.social , @edmontonin2030.bsky.social, & @laworldcon.bsky.social
Ted Chiang is brilliant. He takes the question of AI consciousness to its logical conclusion—really a must-read, right down to the last word: www.theatlantic.com/philosophy/2...
No, Artificial Intelligence Is Not Conscious
Taken to its logical conclusion, this line of thinking is absurd—and damning.
theatlantic.com
Locus Magazine held its annual conference this weekend and announced this year's winners of its awards! Congratulations to this year's winners: www.andrewliptak.com/locus-award-...
Here are the winners of the 2026 Locus Awards
Some of the best writing from 2025
andrewliptak.com
So sad to hear about Piper J. Drake’s passing. She was an effervescent person and I was so honored to know her.
Piper J. Drake’s obituary says she was “survived by 33 titles” and that’s the best way of describing a writer’s life that I could possibly imagine. I particularly recommend Wings Once Cursed and Bound: piperjdrake.com/books-by-pip...
“There is so much in life that doesn’t matter, so many things that hold you back, hem you in and throw you off the scent of what’s important. Don’t get too bogged down in things that don’t count or things you cannot influence, and specifically don’t worry too much about making sure others know
It is notable that a horror author won a Pulitzer even though other horror novels have won because authors & books branded as genre rarely get considered. Much thanks is also due to Victor LaValle & Rebecca Makkai. We don’t get to know what happens in those spaces & conversations.
Enormous congratulations to this year’s Winner & Finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. Daniel Kraus - ANGEL DOWN (W) Katie Kitamaura - AUDITION (F) Torrey Peters - STAG DANCE (F) It was enormous honor to serve on this year’s jury & highlight such ambitious, amazing books. Read all three!
I can finally tell you that I was the fiction jury chair for this year's Pulitzer. I had a blast, and am so grateful for the experience.
The right railing against activist judges is exactly what they wanted for themselves. Watching this retrograde Supreme Court strip rights and protections from marginalized communities and entrench wealth and power is so gross.
I mean what does it say about you when the Voting Rights Act is your enemy? It says everything, says a thousand things about democracy, and says one word: racists.
I am sorry to hear about CJ Cherryh's retirement but I hope she enjoys the down time. Merchanter's Luck was one of my favorite books in high school, and a big part of the reason I loved The Expanse so much, it felt like going back to that world of scrappy merchanters in space caught up in big events