Allison O'Toole
@allisonmotoole.bsky.social
Editor of Ignatz & Eisner award-winning books. Publisher of @balustradepress.bsky.social. Kickstarter Community Advisory Council Member. She/her.
icon by @sophiepaaslang.bsky.social, banner art by @mkchibs.bsky.social | learn more: www.allisonotoole.com
icon by @sophiepaaslang.bsky.social, banner art by @mkchibs.bsky.social | learn more: www.allisonotoole.com
Pinned
Hi, I'm Allison O'Toole, I edit comics! I've done work in the small press and direct market comics spaces. I love to work with creators to make their comics the best they can be, and I love stories in any setting that focus on character & empathy.
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
This one really is useful because you won’t see a more clear demonstration of one of the most damaging political phenomena of the era: the reactionary professional mind rejecting unacceptable reality, only able to process and comprehend it via something close to conspiracy theory.
Former Obama speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz says Jewish students shouldn’t have smartphones until they finish high school — so they don’t see the “carnage” Israel and the U.S. have carried out in Gaza.
Video: Mel via X (@Villgecrazylady)
Video: Mel via X (@Villgecrazylady)
November 24, 2025 at 9:06 AM
This one really is useful because you won’t see a more clear demonstration of one of the most damaging political phenomena of the era: the reactionary professional mind rejecting unacceptable reality, only able to process and comprehend it via something close to conspiracy theory.
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
Hey anyone got any K-Pop Demon Hunters or Percy Jackson merch in their online stores? Shopping for our niblings right now and buying from artists and not dropshippers is important to us 🎉
Bonus points if you're Canadian!
Drop your shop link below~
Bonus points if you're Canadian!
Drop your shop link below~
November 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Hey anyone got any K-Pop Demon Hunters or Percy Jackson merch in their online stores? Shopping for our niblings right now and buying from artists and not dropshippers is important to us 🎉
Bonus points if you're Canadian!
Drop your shop link below~
Bonus points if you're Canadian!
Drop your shop link below~
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
Bonedust Press in the news!✨
Her love of ‘what if’ stories turns into reality of publishing the way she and her friends kept talking about
Jasmine Walls is the owner of Bonedust Press, a new publishing company in San Diego focused on speculative fiction with a mission to pay creators from the very first sale.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Bonedust Press in the news!✨
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
Sharing the opening pages of Strange Bedfellows to convince you to buy it day one:
November 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Sharing the opening pages of Strange Bedfellows to convince you to buy it day one:
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
This BATVEMBER, Dumpster Raccoon is DELIRIOUSLY PROUD to reprise the legal hot-potato parody that became a searing cult phenomenon, THE PEOPLE’S JOKER – now on a BRAND NEW, FRESHLY STRUCK 35mm print!
November 22nd - and BONUS SUNDAY SCREENING ADDED NOVEMBER 23rd! revuecinema.ca/films/dumpst...
November 22nd - and BONUS SUNDAY SCREENING ADDED NOVEMBER 23rd! revuecinema.ca/films/dumpst...
October 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
This BATVEMBER, Dumpster Raccoon is DELIRIOUSLY PROUD to reprise the legal hot-potato parody that became a searing cult phenomenon, THE PEOPLE’S JOKER – now on a BRAND NEW, FRESHLY STRUCK 35mm print!
November 22nd - and BONUS SUNDAY SCREENING ADDED NOVEMBER 23rd! revuecinema.ca/films/dumpst...
November 22nd - and BONUS SUNDAY SCREENING ADDED NOVEMBER 23rd! revuecinema.ca/films/dumpst...
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
News! The Six Creators Shortlisted for the 2025 First Graphic Novel Competition Revealed!. @firstgraphicnovel.bsky.social @selfmadehero.bsky.social
www.brokenfrontier.com/first-graphi...
www.brokenfrontier.com/first-graphi...
The Six Creators Shortlisted for the 2025 First Graphic Novel Award Revealed! – Broken Frontier
The six names on the shortlist for the First Graphic Novel Competition are revealed to the world this week.
www.brokenfrontier.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:38 PM
News! The Six Creators Shortlisted for the 2025 First Graphic Novel Competition Revealed!. @firstgraphicnovel.bsky.social @selfmadehero.bsky.social
www.brokenfrontier.com/first-graphi...
www.brokenfrontier.com/first-graphi...
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
Nothing is a better demonstration of the anti-scientific nature of banning trans women from sports than the fact that the IOC's OWN STUDY found no evidence trans women have any advantage over cis women in sports, but they're planning on going ahead with banning us anyways
IOC edges closer to ban on transgender women in female Olympic events
IOC edges closer to ban on transgender women in female Olympic events
*
Sources expect ban within next six to 12 months
*
IOC president wants to protect the female category
The International Olympic Committee is edging closer towards implementing a ban on transgender women competing in the female category in time for the Los Angeles Olympics.
Multiple sources expect such a ban to come into effect over the next six to 12 months with the new IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, making clear she wants to drive through her campaign pledge to protect the female category. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Nothing is a better demonstration of the anti-scientific nature of banning trans women from sports than the fact that the IOC's OWN STUDY found no evidence trans women have any advantage over cis women in sports, but they're planning on going ahead with banning us anyways
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
This thread is full of really gorgeous & evocative photos
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 PM
This thread is full of really gorgeous & evocative photos
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
It’s the last day of Thought Bubble! We still have most books on hand, so if you’re in the area stop by our table (Redshirt Hall table A7-8) and get some great books and skip the shipping!
(Also, we seem to have underpriced them a little so you’re getting a good deal!)
(Also, we seem to have underpriced them a little so you’re getting a good deal!)
We will be at Thought Bubble Festival in Harrogate GB this weekend. Table number is in our profile handle. Flying out to the UK today, looking forward to seeing you at the show!
Thank you everyone who came by to visit our table this Saturday. We had a great time and met many passionate and friendly fans from the PNW ☺️
November 16, 2025 at 12:44 PM
It’s the last day of Thought Bubble! We still have most books on hand, so if you’re in the area stop by our table (Redshirt Hall table A7-8) and get some great books and skip the shipping!
(Also, we seem to have underpriced them a little so you’re getting a good deal!)
(Also, we seem to have underpriced them a little so you’re getting a good deal!)
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
Chris is such a profoundly kind soul, and now he needs help keeping his Dad housed and safe. #Toronto arts community, let's do our thing.
I gotta do a bigger post but:
it looks like I'm going to need some financial help covering costs of helping my dad
ko-fi.com/O4O8CAE3
it looks like I'm going to need some financial help covering costs of helping my dad
ko-fi.com/O4O8CAE3
Buy Huth a Coffee
Become a supporter of Huth today!
ko-fi.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Chris is such a profoundly kind soul, and now he needs help keeping his Dad housed and safe. #Toronto arts community, let's do our thing.
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
ICYMI. Nominated for the Locus Awards (along with 2 of the stories in it, 'Encore' by @wtalabi.bsky.social & 'Autumn's Red Bird' by @aliettedebodard.com) & the Ignyte Awards
Out today, my 1st anthology, DEEP DREAM: SCIENCE FICTION EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF ART (@mitpress.bsky.social). 10 writers imagine how art forms (and artists) might evolve, devolve, and transform across spacetime near and far, amid the myriad threats to all things creative. (link in 🧵)
August 20, 2025 at 3:52 PM
ICYMI. Nominated for the Locus Awards (along with 2 of the stories in it, 'Encore' by @wtalabi.bsky.social & 'Autumn's Red Bird' by @aliettedebodard.com) & the Ignyte Awards
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
I'm looking for a literary agent for the US comic industry. I've been published in Italy and France during the last 10 years, I'm currently working as a co-creator for DC's Shazam and I'd love to make my own graphic novel next! I do fantasy, adventurous, wholesome queer comics for teens and adults.
November 6, 2025 at 11:52 AM
I'm looking for a literary agent for the US comic industry. I've been published in Italy and France during the last 10 years, I'm currently working as a co-creator for DC's Shazam and I'd love to make my own graphic novel next! I do fantasy, adventurous, wholesome queer comics for teens and adults.
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
Here’s my new comic ‘My Sleep Paralysis Demon’
Enjoy!
(1/13)
Enjoy!
(1/13)
November 10, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Here’s my new comic ‘My Sleep Paralysis Demon’
Enjoy!
(1/13)
Enjoy!
(1/13)
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
baby girl with so much wrong with her
November 14, 2025 at 3:09 AM
baby girl with so much wrong with her
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
If you can, please help my friend help his dad stay housed:
I gotta do a bigger post but:
it looks like I'm going to need some financial help covering costs of helping my dad
ko-fi.com/O4O8CAE3
it looks like I'm going to need some financial help covering costs of helping my dad
ko-fi.com/O4O8CAE3
Buy Huth a Coffee
Become a supporter of Huth today!
ko-fi.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:55 PM
If you can, please help my friend help his dad stay housed:
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
you can help the people who lost their jobs during Teen Vogue's zombification here: www.gofundme.com/f/help-laido...
Donate to Help Laid-Off Teen Vogue Staffers Recover, organized by Lex McMenamin
More than half the team at Teen Vogue was laid off this week by our parent com… Lex McMenamin needs your support for Help Laid-Off Teen Vogue Staffers Recover
www.gofundme.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
you can help the people who lost their jobs during Teen Vogue's zombification here: www.gofundme.com/f/help-laido...
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
I keep not realizing I’m making drawings that go together
November 13, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I keep not realizing I’m making drawings that go together
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
I was having a conversation with a friend over this past weekend about publishing's insistence that marginalized writers aspire to having overt moral lessons in their stories for readers who lack perspective.
Like, there always has to be a lesson.
Like, there always has to be a lesson.
November 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I was having a conversation with a friend over this past weekend about publishing's insistence that marginalized writers aspire to having overt moral lessons in their stories for readers who lack perspective.
Like, there always has to be a lesson.
Like, there always has to be a lesson.
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
Doing the yearly ✨calculations✨ and I could do with a shorter-ish project or two between now and Q2 2026 👀
Let’s chat about bringing some stories to life!📚
Let’s chat about bringing some stories to life!📚
November 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Doing the yearly ✨calculations✨ and I could do with a shorter-ish project or two between now and Q2 2026 👀
Let’s chat about bringing some stories to life!📚
Let’s chat about bringing some stories to life!📚
Reposted by Allison O'Toole
ATTN: SUBMISSIONS FOR THE NEXT @ironcircuscomics.bsky.social ANTHOLOGY OPEN DECEMBER 1ST.
EVERYTHING IS FINE. NOTHING IS WRONG. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT WAR WITH EURASIA.
Start planning your submission to LIE MACHINE now!!
ironcircus.com/lie-machine/
EVERYTHING IS FINE. NOTHING IS WRONG. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT WAR WITH EURASIA.
Start planning your submission to LIE MACHINE now!!
ironcircus.com/lie-machine/
November 4, 2025 at 7:35 PM
ATTN: SUBMISSIONS FOR THE NEXT @ironcircuscomics.bsky.social ANTHOLOGY OPEN DECEMBER 1ST.
EVERYTHING IS FINE. NOTHING IS WRONG. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT WAR WITH EURASIA.
Start planning your submission to LIE MACHINE now!!
ironcircus.com/lie-machine/
EVERYTHING IS FINE. NOTHING IS WRONG. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AT WAR WITH EURASIA.
Start planning your submission to LIE MACHINE now!!
ironcircus.com/lie-machine/
Oof, worth a read for any Canadian full-time freelancers looking to go to the US for any reason: www.cp24.com/news/canada/...
‘Felt like a bit of abuse of power’: Canadian denied entry into U.S.
A 20-year-old Canadian booked to fly south to visit her grandparents was recently refused entry into the United States by American customs officers, at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
www.cp24.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Oof, worth a read for any Canadian full-time freelancers looking to go to the US for any reason: www.cp24.com/news/canada/...