Ann Leckie
@annleckie.com
Author of the award-winning Ancillary Justice. Lives in St Louis.
For some reason I can't explain I've had 99 Luftballons stuck in my head.
February 13, 2026 at 2:08 AM
For some reason I can't explain I've had 99 Luftballons stuck in my head.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
I'm just going to say a thing.
What a person looks like is not reflective of their soul. Insulting the appearance of bad people who do bad things as an outcome or indication of their rotten hearts perpetuates the notion that conventional beauty = virtue, a myth that's led to untold human damage.
What a person looks like is not reflective of their soul. Insulting the appearance of bad people who do bad things as an outcome or indication of their rotten hearts perpetuates the notion that conventional beauty = virtue, a myth that's led to untold human damage.
February 12, 2026 at 11:15 PM
I'm just going to say a thing.
What a person looks like is not reflective of their soul. Insulting the appearance of bad people who do bad things as an outcome or indication of their rotten hearts perpetuates the notion that conventional beauty = virtue, a myth that's led to untold human damage.
What a person looks like is not reflective of their soul. Insulting the appearance of bad people who do bad things as an outcome or indication of their rotten hearts perpetuates the notion that conventional beauty = virtue, a myth that's led to untold human damage.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
The mighty @maxgladstone.bsky.social is very smart about making things and you should read his newsletter.
buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
Writing Doesn't Always Look the Way You Think
A couple days ago Penny Arcade posted a great scathing comic about an ad for an LLM; the ad promised that new users could “start writing for free!” Of course...
buttondown.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:07 AM
The mighty @maxgladstone.bsky.social is very smart about making things and you should read his newsletter.
buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
Reposted by Ann Leckie
These are all excellent picks such as might enrich any Hugo ballot, but I would also add What A Fish Looks Like by Syr Hayati Beker from Stelliform, which was probably my favourite novella of 2025.
Many options to choose from!
Many options to choose from!
Hugo Noms have opened and I want to get in quick with this: there is a fabulous and vibrant contemporary SFF novella scene and the quality is *not* disproportionately located at tordotcom, which puts out brilliant work but does not have a monopoly on it.
5 titles for your consideration follow:
5 titles for your consideration follow:
February 12, 2026 at 8:18 PM
These are all excellent picks such as might enrich any Hugo ballot, but I would also add What A Fish Looks Like by Syr Hayati Beker from Stelliform, which was probably my favourite novella of 2025.
Many options to choose from!
Many options to choose from!
Reposted by Ann Leckie
This is a really powerful piece from @thatsabrina.bsky.social that also makes me really want to read her new novel: lithub.com/the-power-of...
#romancelandia
#romancelandia
The Power of Giving Your Disabled Characters a Happily-Ever-After
The day I limped into a seven-month chronic pain rehab program, the first thing they told me was: we don’t talk about pain here. We were not allowed to exhibit “pain behaviors” either, which were p…
lithub.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:18 PM
This is a really powerful piece from @thatsabrina.bsky.social that also makes me really want to read her new novel: lithub.com/the-power-of...
#romancelandia
#romancelandia
Reposted by Ann Leckie
Enslaved persons did often work on ships but 1) All three cultures used sails to maximize wind power 2) most Roman rowers were not enslaved & thetes in Athens were poor but free men 3) most Punic rowers were freeborn. Slavery is so important to understand but let’s be intentional and factual.
February 11, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Enslaved persons did often work on ships but 1) All three cultures used sails to maximize wind power 2) most Roman rowers were not enslaved & thetes in Athens were poor but free men 3) most Punic rowers were freeborn. Slavery is so important to understand but let’s be intentional and factual.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
Still a little mad about this. Dismissing craftivists (who are mostly women) as cringey bandwagoneers is bullshit. Not everyone is Extremely Online; communities form in person, too: PTA meetings, book club, grocery store, gas pump, daycare pickup, pharmacy, dog park, ice rink, stadium, etc etc etc
And they aren't all crowing about it on social media, so let's not assume that all the people in hats and buttons passing out whistles are doing nothing else. People - "wine moms," "knitters," who else do you think has ready access to breast milk? - are working behind the scenes for good.
A detail I don't want to get lost in this: So far, Bri and her network have helped more than 500 families with grocery deliveries and more than 300 with diapers and wipes. In just two months.
February 9, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Still a little mad about this. Dismissing craftivists (who are mostly women) as cringey bandwagoneers is bullshit. Not everyone is Extremely Online; communities form in person, too: PTA meetings, book club, grocery store, gas pump, daycare pickup, pharmacy, dog park, ice rink, stadium, etc etc etc
Reposted by Ann Leckie
Reposted by Ann Leckie
Important content.
February 9, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Important content.
Daughter & housemate were over yesterday. Housemate left their grocery/todo list behind. I sent them a pic of it (driving back to get it wld be a pain), and then noticed that the Todo section included an item for "Snuggle with Fitness Coach Vanburen."
Priorities.
Priorities.
February 9, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Daughter & housemate were over yesterday. Housemate left their grocery/todo list behind. I sent them a pic of it (driving back to get it wld be a pain), and then noticed that the Todo section included an item for "Snuggle with Fitness Coach Vanburen."
Priorities.
Priorities.
I have a lot of thoughts about the "I can generate 200 books a year you can only do 2 at most if you actually write the things, I win" bullshit, and no time to yell about all of it. So I'll just say this:
February 9, 2026 at 3:50 PM
I have a lot of thoughts about the "I can generate 200 books a year you can only do 2 at most if you actually write the things, I win" bullshit, and no time to yell about all of it. So I'll just say this:
Reposted by Ann Leckie
People have worn out "performative." We often perform things that are real, you know. Posting is a kind of performance of one's politics. Performative doesn't actually mean "fake" or "empty," it just gets deployed that way. We actually need performance. Case in point: last night's performance.
February 9, 2026 at 3:05 PM
People have worn out "performative." We often perform things that are real, you know. Posting is a kind of performance of one's politics. Performative doesn't actually mean "fake" or "empty," it just gets deployed that way. We actually need performance. Case in point: last night's performance.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
Please don't accuse people in knitted hats of only wearing their supposed politics if all you're doing is posting, which is basically just another way of wearing your politics. It's a silly thing to attack people over in any case. Using fashion to signal support for ongoing acts of rebellion is good
February 9, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Please don't accuse people in knitted hats of only wearing their supposed politics if all you're doing is posting, which is basically just another way of wearing your politics. It's a silly thing to attack people over in any case. Using fashion to signal support for ongoing acts of rebellion is good
Reposted by Ann Leckie
Reminder: In light of Bad Bunny's Superbowl performance spotlighting Latino culture, here's a hefty list of Latino speculative fiction authors I curated if anyone wants to take a gander and read some phenomenal work. Much love to all!
go.bsky.app/6BAmgpi
go.bsky.app/6BAmgpi
February 9, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Reminder: In light of Bad Bunny's Superbowl performance spotlighting Latino culture, here's a hefty list of Latino speculative fiction authors I curated if anyone wants to take a gander and read some phenomenal work. Much love to all!
go.bsky.app/6BAmgpi
go.bsky.app/6BAmgpi
Reposted by Ann Leckie
February 9, 71 CE: A Roman military diploma notes: Liccaius, veteran of the Classis Misenensis (“Fleet of Misenum“) received citizenship, along w/ land, right to marriage, & citizenship for his children & wife.
5% of American troops are foreign born. They’re not guaranteed citizenship (RMD IV 204)
5% of American troops are foreign born. They’re not guaranteed citizenship (RMD IV 204)
![Roman military diploma from Slavonski Brod,ancient Roman town Marsunnia.Issued on February 9th, 71AD. [1080x723]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:byohyhodi6iknxngf3oypcge/bafkreibvwxxa4jezcgfnyti7sh75elegc7rfsllkm5pgls2h5rnsafw5pe@jpeg)
February 9, 2026 at 1:01 PM
February 9, 71 CE: A Roman military diploma notes: Liccaius, veteran of the Classis Misenensis (“Fleet of Misenum“) received citizenship, along w/ land, right to marriage, & citizenship for his children & wife.
5% of American troops are foreign born. They’re not guaranteed citizenship (RMD IV 204)
5% of American troops are foreign born. They’re not guaranteed citizenship (RMD IV 204)
Reposted by Ann Leckie
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
February 9, 2026 at 4:47 AM
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
I hope everyone Superbowling has a lovely evening, and also wishing a Happy Extremely Peaceful Grocery Shopping to all who celebrate.
February 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM
I hope everyone Superbowling has a lovely evening, and also wishing a Happy Extremely Peaceful Grocery Shopping to all who celebrate.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
The thing you do that is "bad" that you do for yourself has meaning. Even if other people judge it "bad" based on some criteria (and they will do that, no matter what accolades you get--just go read Amazon reviews of your favorite book ever), the art you make has value.
February 6, 2026 at 7:10 PM
The thing you do that is "bad" that you do for yourself has meaning. Even if other people judge it "bad" based on some criteria (and they will do that, no matter what accolades you get--just go read Amazon reviews of your favorite book ever), the art you make has value.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
You can make art with stick figures, if your stick figures capture something that is human and relatable. You can make art with legos. Your limitations as an artist are a part of you: a thing that you sometimes outgrow, sometimes manage, and sometimes, you just learn as an old friend.
February 6, 2026 at 7:13 PM
You can make art with stick figures, if your stick figures capture something that is human and relatable. You can make art with legos. Your limitations as an artist are a part of you: a thing that you sometimes outgrow, sometimes manage, and sometimes, you just learn as an old friend.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
Finally, if I were a writing professor and I was loudly espousing the view that poor people couldn't be as good at writing and so needed AI, I would really take a strong look at my biases, because whew.
The ivory tower is coming from inside the house on that one.
The ivory tower is coming from inside the house on that one.
February 6, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Finally, if I were a writing professor and I was loudly espousing the view that poor people couldn't be as good at writing and so needed AI, I would really take a strong look at my biases, because whew.
The ivory tower is coming from inside the house on that one.
The ivory tower is coming from inside the house on that one.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
"I need AI to make art, human art is only for the rich and privileged-"
February 6, 2026 at 7:29 PM
"I need AI to make art, human art is only for the rich and privileged-"
Reposted by Ann Leckie
Most cartoonists aren't Rembrandt, but they become the voices of generations bc they are able to pinpoint, with painful accuracy, something no one else had the words to say. That's where the quality of their art comes from. A great artist is a great observer. The skillset is secondary.
February 7, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Most cartoonists aren't Rembrandt, but they become the voices of generations bc they are able to pinpoint, with painful accuracy, something no one else had the words to say. That's where the quality of their art comes from. A great artist is a great observer. The skillset is secondary.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
GM: Charisma check.
Mamdani: [rolls natural 20]
GM: that’s a d6 how did you
Mamdani: [direct to camera] Did you know you can check out board games at your local public library? 😊
Mamdani: [rolls natural 20]
GM: that’s a d6 how did you
Mamdani: [direct to camera] Did you know you can check out board games at your local public library? 😊
February 7, 2026 at 5:01 AM
GM: Charisma check.
Mamdani: [rolls natural 20]
GM: that’s a d6 how did you
Mamdani: [direct to camera] Did you know you can check out board games at your local public library? 😊
Mamdani: [rolls natural 20]
GM: that’s a d6 how did you
Mamdani: [direct to camera] Did you know you can check out board games at your local public library? 😊
Reposted by Ann Leckie
all talent really is? It's one thing that you have a knack for right away. That's all it is. it is a single pea buried in the mattresses of practice. You don't even have to have that one thing.
Harping on talent is how they keep you from trusting you can do it. it's a grift.
Harping on talent is how they keep you from trusting you can do it. it's a grift.
February 7, 2026 at 5:14 AM
all talent really is? It's one thing that you have a knack for right away. That's all it is. it is a single pea buried in the mattresses of practice. You don't even have to have that one thing.
Harping on talent is how they keep you from trusting you can do it. it's a grift.
Harping on talent is how they keep you from trusting you can do it. it's a grift.
Reposted by Ann Leckie
"I HAVE to use AI to make art because I'm not good at making art! it's HARD!" that, my stupid friend, is the entire point of the struggle
February 7, 2026 at 1:25 PM
"I HAVE to use AI to make art because I'm not good at making art! it's HARD!" that, my stupid friend, is the entire point of the struggle