Tessera

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)

@morganvl.bsky.social

Writer of odd things | In Al Jazeera, Poetry Ireland Review, Strange Horizons, Banshee, F&SF, Best Canadian Essays 21' | Codex | MA Seamus Heaney Centre, QUB, PhD UChi | They/She 🏳️‍🌈 Sicilian-Irish-Egyptian Arts Council of NI 2025

1315 Posts1734 Follower 860 Folgt

Tiffany Morris @tiffmorris.bsky.social · 2h ago

The HWA has apologized for the AI article and specifically apologized for the inclusion of Indigenous water rights struggles in the AI column, and removed the newsletter writer from their board position. I’m deeply appreciative of the apology and of all who expressed solidarity in my post about it.

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · 2h ago

On a very random note: I had a dream that I had to work for the Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass, and went to this giant manor of his in Cairo’s Garden City. He asked me questions about Ptah & before I could answer, the manor filled up to the ceiling with oranges. I drowned in a sea of oranges in Cairo

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · 3h ago

This thread 🧵 👇

Jason Sanford@jasonsanford.bsky.social · 4h ago

Regarding the Horror Writers Association (HWA) newsletter promoting AI usage, why why why do people keep using the term "gatekeepers" to describe those opposed to the use of LLMs in writing and art? The true gatekeepers are the billionaire tech bros whose companies push to normalize AI usage. 1/

Jason Sanford @jasonsanford.bsky.social · 4h ago

Rick Moranis: Are You The Gatekeeper?

Alt: Rick Moranis: Are You The Gatekeeper?

static.klipy.com

Tiffany Morris @tiffmorris.bsky.social · 19h ago

So apparently that HWA pro-AI newsletter also uses Indigenous water rights issues as a prop, trivializing the activism by Indigenous peoples to protect our water including specific anti-data centre actions. I guess they figured why not alienate Indigenous horror writers while they’re at it?

“Sure. Sure.

Yes, we know AI is using up resources. So does driving a car or a planes so does building a new home. So do a lot of things. Humans have always used up Earth’s resources and usually not nicely. There are reservations and other Indigenous communities in Canada that have never had clean water and have been ravaged by pipeline construction. But somehow that’s been okay for the past fifty or a hundred years, and very few people scream about that. But suddenly, AI is the enemy, not everything else we’ve been doing all along. Suddenly YOUR water might not be clean, so it’s a Big Deal”.

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · 11h ago

A.L. / Onnahinli is absolutely right. The rant screencapped below is shameful, cruel, & distasteful. It demonstrates a very loose grasp of history, of the ongoing structural violence of settler colonialism, & the colonial attitude of ‘well it ended for “them” & they’re fine & didn’t complain’”

A. L. Munson | Onnahinli Hinak Bitepuli (she/her)@almunsonauthor.bsky.social · 18h ago

I want to highlight this part of her rant because it's incredibly dismissive of Indigenous communities' centuries-long fight against environmental racism. While nothing in her article (if I can call it that) demonstrates mature, acceptable behavior, this part is the most egregious.

Yes, we know AI is using up resources. So does driving a car or a plane. So does building a new home. So do a lot of things. Humans have always used up Earth’s resources and usually not nicely. There are reservations and other Indigenous communities in Canada that have never had clean water and have been ravaged by pipeline construction. But somehow that’s been okay for the past fifty years or a hundred years, and very few people scream about that. But suddenly, AI is the enemy, not everything else we’ve been doing all along.

Suddenly YOUR water might not be so clean, so now it’s a Big Deal.

Holly Lyn Walrath @hollylynwalrath.bsky.social · 22h ago

There is a lengthy pro-AI screed in the latest HWA newsletter and it is . . . a mood.

The real enemy isn’t your buddy who is using AI to make a book cover; the enemy is the Powers-That-Be who thrive on dividing everyone, especially in the United States. Look at how divided everyone in the US got over politics over the past ten years, and it’s now trickled to other countries. No more, are you a fellow human? Nope, it’s who did you vote for? Well, then you must be a hateful asshole. Instant block.

But who’s the asshole?

Every week, the gatekeepers of horror writers have some new witch hunt. Sometimes it’s a good thing to suss out shitty publishers, editors, and agents. Yet, not ALL shitty ones are sussed out because, you know, there are consequences to getting all the shitty people shut down. Some people still like the opportunities to get published or represented even if it means going with the most despicable people because the gatekeepers didn’t get them shut down, or sometimes, don’t even notice. It all depends on who is buttering the toast.

The past few weeks have been so tedious with all the gatekeepers out in full force. They are whipping people up into a frenzy, and more division is happening when it comes to AI. Of course, the irony is that the gatekeepers are denouncing AI, yet they are doing it on Facebook, which uses AI. They are likely typing their pretentious screeds on their phones, which also use AI. They likely sell their books on Amazon, which also uses AI.

AI is here. It’s been coming since I was typing on a manual typewriter. You can let the robots win by becoming less human by cutting out all your friends, fans, family, and readers because they dared to try out AI, or you can be a human being and let people explore and figure things out for themselves.

Hollywood is already embracing AI.

Many companies use AI.

AI can be useful for tedious tasks such as creating listings on eBay or Poshmark. Do you shop or sell on those platforms? They totally use AI now, so you’d better boycott them too.

I went to the AI panel at Stokercon, and of course, most of the panelists were vehemently anti-AI. An audience member stood up and pointed out that they learned about the panel because they saw it on Sched, which is the app that the HWA/Stokercon uses, and THAT is AI. Doesn’t HWA have an anti-AI stance? Oh, but of course, THAT is okay; it’s all the other AI stuff that isn’t.

ArabLit & ArabLit Quarterly @arablit.bsky.social · yesterday

Close your eyes. You’re standing at the wooden front door of a flat. The metal outer door is open, which is unusual. www.thedial.world/articles/literature/hilal-chouman-short-story

"In the Red Box" by Hilal Chouman — The Dial

A short story, translated by Katharine Halls.

thedial.world

Nightjar Press @nightjarpress.bsky.social · last wk.

nightjarpress.weebly.com/news

News

At Nightjar, we have published 97 authors since 2009. That’s 110 individual titles (some authors have appeared more than once, and one publication, The Invisible Collection , featured more...

nightjarpress.weebly.com

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · yesterday

These angry chickens touch something deep within my soul

Three angry chickens mural on a salmon pink building side in Oaxaca

Lady with an opinion @ladymitopinion.bsky.social · yesterday

A data center was just shut down in Wisconsin after the town council refused to have private talks with the developer and told them everything would include public approval That’s how it’s done, folks

Thomas Ha @thomasha.bsky.social · yesterday

Oh wow. Congrats to the finalists. Honored to be included with these authors. Thanks to World Fantasy Con, the judges, @clarkesworldmagazine.com, and @undertow.bsky.social. And thanks to readers who enjoyed and talked about these stories. Really means a lot.

2026 World Fantasy Awards Finalists

The World Fantasy Awards ballot for works published in 2025 has been announced. The awards will be presented during the 2026 World Fantasy Convention, scheduled for October 22-25, 2026 in Oakland C…

locusmag.com

Seán Padraic Birnie @seanbirnie.bsky.social · yesterday

This is based on truth (my baby gnawing his feet) and I consider it Creative Nonfiction.

hex@hexliterary.bsky.social · yesterday

"The baby is chewing her fingers." I don't want to spoil too much of this one. The deliriums of parenthood. An absurd, delightful nightmare. You don't want to miss this phenomenally weird tale. It's such a pleasure to have @seanbirnie.bsky.social back in hex this week with Ouroborobaby!

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · yesterday

Ooh yes this sounds fun! Let’s do it

Mo 🌸📚@moplayspoke.bsky.social · 2d ago

1 like = 1 book question 📚💙

book asks:
1. book you've reread the most times?
2. top 5 books of all time?
3. what is your favourite genre?
4. what sections of a bookstore do you browse?
5. where do you buy books?
6. what books have you read in the last month?
7. is there a series/book that got you into reading?
8. what is the first book you remember reading yourself?
9. when do you tend to read most?
10. do you have a guilty fav?
11. what non-fiction books do you like if any?
12. did you enjoy any compulsory high school readings?
13. do you have a goodreads?
14. do you ever mark/dog ear books you own?
15. recommend and review a book.
16. how many books have you read this year?
17. top 5 children's books?
18. do you like historical books? which time period?
19. most disliked popular books?
20. what are things you look for in a book?

Thomas Ha @thomasha.bsky.social · 4mo ago

icymi, latest story dropped in Bourbon Penn last month. highway roadhouse where things are not what they seem. this story brought to you by promo. www.bourbonpenn.com/issue/38/mid...

Thomas Ha > Middle Song > Bourbon Penn

People usually pass through the gray silence of the desert. Beyond charred sumps and refinery towers, oil fields and dust walls, they drive without an intent to tarry. Most know this for a middle plac...

bourbonpenn.com

Tiffany Morris @tiffmorris.bsky.social · 2d ago

You’re going to want to read the Women of the Weird West anthology, which features Indigenous authors (myself and Mathilda Zeller) and many other woc doing interesting things with the genre

Sahoni, Official Re(a)d Wolf@sahoni.bsky.social · 2d ago

I think the abandonment of indigenous elements in peoples weird west setting because they don't want to confront the uncomfortable specter of colonialism and the hollywood indian, let alone get in the way of their fun, is cowardice and contributes to the erasure that often defines indigenous racism.

Sally Hayden @sallyhayd.bsky.social · 2d ago

With Europe’s borders back in the headlines, please consider reading ‘My Fourth Time, We Drowned’ if you haven’t already. It’s very important to have a fuller picture before weighing in.

Sally Hayden@sallyhayd.bsky.social · 2y ago

A reminder that 'My Fourth Time, We Drowned' is now available in Spanish 🇪🇸: capitanswing.com/libros/cuand... Italian 🇮🇹: www.bollatiboringhieri.it/libri/sally-... French 🇫🇷: www.buchetchastel.fr/catalogue/bi... Dutch 🇳🇱: nieuwamsterdam.nl/producten/en... Polish 🇵🇱: soniadraga.pl/postfactum/p...

AJ Odasso @ajodasso.bsky.social · 2d ago

Sorry for re-sharing, but the funds raised so far already ($1,300) went toward expenses in June—but developments in the past week are 1) my cat (Zel) needed $2,500 emergency surgery, & 2) seems there’s a balance of $1,500 from a scan I had in January that’s gone to collections. gofund.me/d8ae681e1

Donate to Help AJ Overcome Health and Financial Challenges, organized by AJ Odasso

Hi, all! My name is AJ. I’m a college English professor, editor, and writer… AJ Odasso needs your support for Help AJ Overcome Health and Financial Challenges

gofund.me

Uilliam Mac G ᚒᚔᚂᚂᚔᚐᚋ @uilliammac.bsky.social · 2d ago

"Official documents, recently discovered by the Pat Finucane Centre, also show the British Army was aware, shortly after the killing in Derry, that the boy had been killed at 'point blank' range by an immensely powerful machine-gun." #Derry #Ireland

Declassified UK@declassifieduk.org · 2d ago

👉NEW -- BBC censored film on British army killing child by @annecadwallader.bsky.social Downing Street persuaded Panorama to cut an exposé on the shooting of an unarmed boy in Derry in 1972 www.declassifieduk.org/bbc-censored...

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · 2d ago

Body decided to give out today, thanks Long Covid. 🫠 And unsettling dreams about my mother, who passed away 6 months ago now. If anyone has favourite music videos or reads of late, please lmk & share here? Looking for distractions today!

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · 2d ago

Seán Padraic Birnie @seanbirnie.bsky.social · 4d ago

“He has always been the sort of boy who picks at scabs. In class sometimes he digs the compass point into the webbing of his hands. It helps him concentrate: it quells the noise.” www.thedarkmagazine.com/baby-blue/ Very happy to return to The Dark Magazine today with ‘Baby Blue’.

Baby Blue - The Dark Magazine

The wound on his neck looks like a smile. The resemblance occurs to Darragh the moment he notices it, as he stands in the bathroom scrutinising his appearance in the mirror before school. The white co...

thedarkmagazine.com

David Naimon @davidnaimon.bsky.social · 3d ago

Don't miss Claudia Rankine's return to Between the Covers to discuss her powerful new book TRIAGE Audio⚡: milkweed.org/between-the-... @graywolfpress.bsky.social

Anthony Oliveira @meakoopa.bsky.social · 3d ago

Why is the world not overrun by vampires? If a vampire created another of his kind once a year, in ten years we could have 2,048 vampires. A century would give rise to 1,056,784 of the suckers.

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · 3d ago

Nearly at the end! 67,000 words in - just roughly 6000 more words & then this very strange, historical psychological fantasy (is that even a thing??) is complete and I can rest

Zachary Gillan @megapolisomancy.bsky.social · 3d ago

Declaring bankruptcy, but for unread books

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · 4d ago

Ah, Mictlantecuhtli, Broken Face, Lord of the Land of the Dead. He’s not actually a bad guy - death also symbolising fertility & abundance for the Aztec - so I can see ppl trying to touch him!

Erin L. Thompson@artcrimeprof.bsky.social · 6d ago

Did they really need the “no touching” sign for this terrifying god of death with his liver hanging out of the bottom of his rib cage, from Mexico City’s Templo Mayor? The holes in his skull would have held locks of curly hair. Whoever touches him gets what they deserve!

Indrapramit Das @indrapramitdas.bsky.social · last wk.

Don't mind if I do! THE DEVOURERS; a mythic realist, queer dark fantasy about violence, love, sex, & shapeshifting set in contemporary India & the Mughal Empire. Lambda Award winner, Tiptree/Otherwise, Locus, Crawford Award finalist.

The Devourers by Indra Das: 9781101967539 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

For readers of Margaret Atwood, China Miéville, and David Mitchell comes a striking debut novel by a storyteller of keen insight and captivating imagination. LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD WINNER •...

penguinrandomhouse.com

Elias Eells- Bar Cart Bookshelf@eliaseells.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Market and publicize your backlist. Market and publicize your backlist. Market and publicize your backlist. Market and publicize your backlist. Market and publicize your backlist.

Preeti Chhibber @runwithskizzers.bsky.social · 2y ago

AI CANNOT HAVE THE EM DASH I LOVE THE EM DASH

an image of Dani Rojas from Ted Lasso, the caption has been edited to read: "Em Dash is Life"

Rebecca Fishbein@bfishbfish.bsky.social · 2y ago

Apparently folks think that writing that contains an em dash is a dead giveaway that it's from ChatGPT, which I guess is a sign that most people have never read anything in their lives.

Morgan L Ventura (they/she)@morganvl.bsky.social · 3d ago

Fellow Belfast / UK & Ireland writers of the weird & wondrous - check out this call! The folks at the Seamus Heaney Centre are the absolute loveliest, you don’t want to miss this. (I would submit but am currently in manuscript hell 🫠)

Emma Devlin@theactualemma.bsky.social · 5d ago

Very excited to present UNDERTOW. This will be a showcase of new and emerging writers of weird and wonderful fiction. If you'd like to take part, please click here: www.seamusheaneycentre.com/news/Callfor...