<totters out onto porch> <settles into rocker> <thumps cane a few times> Let's talk about what the process of submitting short fiction used to look like, shall we? And about what it looks like now.

We have been on the shortlist for the Ignytes every year since they started and I did not think we would ever actually win an Ignyte but we just won an Ignyte??? Huge if true!!!

Aaaaahhhhhhh this is such an honour!! Thank you to everyone who voted for us! 😭🎉🎉🎉😭

The Ignyte Awards@theignyteawards.bsky.social · last yr.

The #2025IgnyteAwards for Outstanding Fiction Podcast goes to @podcastle.org podcastle.org

People took all the wrong lessons from Tolkien (fantasy race determinism, long-prophesied return of the king, lore coming out your ears) and none of the right ones (subversive heroes who succeed through failure, overwhelming grief at the passing of an enchanted world).

Stephen is probably writing@themissinglink97.bsky.social · 2y ago

People complain a lot about the influence of #Tolkien on fantasy, but I do think it’s fascinating a series about PTSD is so influential, and that ineffable sadness of a world long gone is such an interesting starting place for the modern genre #booksky #writingcommunity

I understand that ChatGPT is down and fortunately this is not a problem for me as I have spent considerable time developing a local language model that I am able to run autonomously, fueled by Coke Zero and snacks

I am currently in a place of personal optimism I've not felt in a long time. I have also been avoiding social media and the news as much as possible. Half an hour scrolling on Bluesky for the first time in two months and I can feel that optimism starting to dial down.

I'm very excited to announce that I'll be guest editing a special call for @podcastle.org: Disability Pride & Magic! Submissions open tomorrow. Full announcement here: podcastle.org/2025/01/06/s...

THIS TINY STORY IS INCREDIBLE 😨😱😨 An utterly perfect piece of flash fiction.

Rachael K. Jones@rachaelkjones.bsky.social · 2y ago

Award season is upon us once more! If you like reading for these things, I'd love you to check out "Five Views of the Planet Tartarus", my 549-word sci-horror piece that has been described as "WTF" and "holy shit" www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/five...

existence pushes towards love community and freedom, because CREATION is what we were built to do and creation thrives with these things as fuel. IT GETS BETTER. LOVE IS REAL. however this change comes in up and down waves. its not a straight line and should not be expected to be

General subs call, so: fantasy stories <6k, originals or reprints. You can send one of each at a time, and submit as soon as you're rejected, so get sending!

It was an honour to guest host this episode for our tentacled sister! This is a powerful, important story... do go give it a listen.

PseudoPod 🎙️@pseudopod.org · 2y ago

"I’m only fourteen and I don’t look like much and I’ve lived in more foster homes than I can count on two hands but I’ve learned a lot of lessons anyway." Will They Disappear, by Cynthia Gómez Narrator: Julia Rios Host: Eleanor R. Wood Audio: Chelsea Davis pseudopod.org/2024/11/04/p...

RIP Greg Hildebrandt (January 23, 1939 – October 31, 2024)

This is a great interview but this answer just made me miss the ‘90s so bad

Sam Adams@samadams.bsky.social · 2y ago

the great Don Hertzfeldt on how he's sustained a career as an independent animator for nearly 30 years, what Ari Aster has to do with his long-awaited feature debut, and why, deep down, we all want to be Taylor Swift fans.

I have to be honest, it's such a shock to see Handala's face. I'm so honoured that this is one of the rare depictions like that. If you know, you know why its so powerful. @deltahead.bsky.social is doing such great work!

Matt Dovey@mattdovey.com · 2y ago

The artwork by @deltahead.bsky.social represents "Handala. The Olive, The Storm, and the Sea" by @soniasulaiman.bsky.social, and is utterly gorgeous. 4 episodes, all next month, @podcastle.org

The @societyofauthors.bsky.social “encourages our fellow creatives to sign the AI training statement. This is a simple statement rejecting unlicenced training of generative AI models on creative work. There is no deadline, only the need for every voice.” www.aitrainingstatement.org

Here's my report on the allegations raised against Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki. I'm pissed and angry about what I've learned. Many thanks to Erin Cairns and the other people in the genre who are bringing attention to what happened. www.patreon.com/posts/114826...

Allegations raised against Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki | Jason Sanford

Get more from Jason Sanford on Patreon

patreon.com

This feels like a good time to share a thread of stories by African authors featured at @podcastle.org since Shingai and I took the helm. Read on for five powerful, vibrant, wonderful pieces of fantasy fiction. 🧵

Agree and I also think it's important not to stigmatize or shun writers who do end up in WotF without knowledge of the cult—some folks don't find out until later, sadly, but I've heard horror stories of finalists/winners getting horrible treatment for something *they didn't know about beforehand* :\

For example, it's good practice to make a frequent habit of warning newer writers away from the predatory cult of the Church of Scientology/Writers of the Future. That's an easy one.

Well, first up, my solidarity with Erin, and with all other people affected — and in hope of accountability. But also, while this is about the actions of one individual, it’s also not *just* about that: it’s also about an industry climate that has enabled this. I want to talk a bit about that. 🧵

ErinLindiCairns@erincairns.bsky.social · 2y ago

Here is my report on my experience with unethical behavior and bad faith dealings of Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki. ethicsreport.tiiny.site

You may be inclined to skepticism or defense particularly if he is a person in whom you've invested energy. But I say this, with a visible career that will back up that I do not relish falling on this side of discourse about a Black man: Leave it. There is too much.

OMG Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Henge!! also the realisation that I am not the only one who makes henges out of random items at any given opportunity

Uncharismatic Megafauna@liminalitea.bsky.social · 2y ago

Standing behind my coworker chanting "henge" whenever he brings in wafers has paid off, he now does it automatically.

The wonderful @podcastle.org has reprinted/narrated my 2015 flash "What Wags the World" along with two other dog stories. Bring a tissue. podcastle.org

Here is my report on my experience with unethical behavior and bad faith dealings of Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki. ethicsreport.tiiny.site

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful weekend!✨ UK followers, keep looking out for the northern lights . . . www.theguardian.com/science/2024...

Sky gazers in UK catch northern lights again – with more to come tonight

Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England had best views, with sightings as far south as Kent

theguardian.com

Oh my goodness Firstly, this is a fabulous story from Charlie Sorrenson, with a pitch-perfect narration from Rebecca Wei Hsieh. Secondly, it really is a marvellous rant from Matt. “Boys will be boys […] four simple words that are at once acceptance, and permission, and a warning not to challenge”

Matt Dovey@mattdovey.com · 2y ago

This one is probably my best outro rant so far this year--on toxic masculinity, and boys will be boys, and the delinquent permissiveness in that phrase that shapes misogyny--and the story is worth at least two reads, honestly podcastle.org/2024/04/23/p...

GO LISTEN TO THIS RIGHT NOW do it just do it... you won't regret a second of its gorgeousness

Matt Dovey@mattdovey.com · 2y ago

This one is getting a run out again, and as much as I pretend to awkwardness* I am secretly very pleased because I think it's pretty much my best work, and it seemed to miss people by a little bit first time round, so it would make me smile if people took the time this time.

We are so thrilled to be honoured at the Hugos like this and cannot thank you all enough for your support! This is a really special one for our entire team so thank you so much ❤️

Glasgow 2024, A Worldcon For Our Futures@glasgow2024.bsky.social · 2y ago

The winner of the Hugo Award for Best Semiprozine is Strange Horizons by the Strange Horizons Editorial Collective. #HugoAwards2024 #Glasgow2024 #WorldconForOurFutures