Laura Blegen
@laurablegen.bsky.social
Writer.
Part-Time Bookkeeper
Part-Time Introvert.
Full-Time Goofball
laurablegen.com
Part-Time Bookkeeper
Part-Time Introvert.
Full-Time Goofball
laurablegen.com
Pinned
Laura Blegen
@laurablegen.bsky.social
· Aug 20
One of my fundamental beliefs is that very few human beings are evil.
Which doesn't mean we're not all (yes, all) capable of evil, but most of us have to be driven by tremendous fear or desperation before we will deliberately hurt people.
Unfortunately, fear is easy to manufacture.
Which doesn't mean we're not all (yes, all) capable of evil, but most of us have to be driven by tremendous fear or desperation before we will deliberately hurt people.
Unfortunately, fear is easy to manufacture.
Reposted by Laura Blegen
Fuck this framing. The city is in no way “reeling” because of protests. The city is occupied by fascist secret police who have killed and injured its people. The protests are a sign of collective resolve, literally the opposite of reeling.
I cannot stress enough: protesters are not the problem.
I cannot stress enough: protesters are not the problem.
January 19, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Fuck this framing. The city is in no way “reeling” because of protests. The city is occupied by fascist secret police who have killed and injured its people. The protests are a sign of collective resolve, literally the opposite of reeling.
I cannot stress enough: protesters are not the problem.
I cannot stress enough: protesters are not the problem.
Worth a read
There's a lot going around about how editors don't want books by/for marginalized communities anymore because of fear of the current administration. It sucks. It's happening. But here's what you can do about it.
www.agentsandbooks.com/what-if-edit...
www.agentsandbooks.com/what-if-edit...
What if Editors Don't Want <*Your Kind of Book*> Anymore?
Hey friends,
My brilliant and wonderful friend and fellow agent Jim McCarthy, of Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret, was quoted in a recent article in The Hill about the chilling effect Trump's anti-LGBTQ p...
www.agentsandbooks.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Worth a read
Smoke detector went off about half an hour before the alarm this morning. Just once, but a full alarm instead of the small battery beep.
Full walk of the house revealed no dangers except for a couple of very sleepy humans.
Somehow, I feel like the cats are to blame.
Full walk of the house revealed no dangers except for a couple of very sleepy humans.
Somehow, I feel like the cats are to blame.
January 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Smoke detector went off about half an hour before the alarm this morning. Just once, but a full alarm instead of the small battery beep.
Full walk of the house revealed no dangers except for a couple of very sleepy humans.
Somehow, I feel like the cats are to blame.
Full walk of the house revealed no dangers except for a couple of very sleepy humans.
Somehow, I feel like the cats are to blame.
Reposted by Laura Blegen
Garden of the Grinning Beast
A pacifist born into a warrior society gets trapped in a Ghibli-esque spirit world where she must right the balance between humans and spirits while weighing the value of one life against the many its loss might save.
#BluePit 📖 #Q #A #NA #F #ND #LGBT
A pacifist born into a warrior society gets trapped in a Ghibli-esque spirit world where she must right the balance between humans and spirits while weighing the value of one life against the many its loss might save.
#BluePit 📖 #Q #A #NA #F #ND #LGBT
January 13, 2026 at 5:38 AM
I'm continuing to think this series is valuable *for me* to keep my head above the high-water-mark that despair is reaching for these days.
But it needs a better title than "non-awful things."
Thoughts?
But it needs a better title than "non-awful things."
Thoughts?
Non-awful things 4:
I've spent some time in the last week brainstorming for a project in my favorite low-tech way: using brightly colored pens on scratch paper. It always makes me feel like I'm coloring my way to a solution.
I've spent some time in the last week brainstorming for a project in my favorite low-tech way: using brightly colored pens on scratch paper. It always makes me feel like I'm coloring my way to a solution.
January 12, 2026 at 9:02 PM
I'm continuing to think this series is valuable *for me* to keep my head above the high-water-mark that despair is reaching for these days.
But it needs a better title than "non-awful things."
Thoughts?
But it needs a better title than "non-awful things."
Thoughts?
I really wish that people wouldn't use the words "female" or "male" as nouns that apply to human beings.
It's not that I'm opposed to language shifting. It's just that the pattern with those particular words is almost always to dehumanize, and we have plenty of dehumanization happening already.
It's not that I'm opposed to language shifting. It's just that the pattern with those particular words is almost always to dehumanize, and we have plenty of dehumanization happening already.
January 12, 2026 at 8:56 PM
I really wish that people wouldn't use the words "female" or "male" as nouns that apply to human beings.
It's not that I'm opposed to language shifting. It's just that the pattern with those particular words is almost always to dehumanize, and we have plenty of dehumanization happening already.
It's not that I'm opposed to language shifting. It's just that the pattern with those particular words is almost always to dehumanize, and we have plenty of dehumanization happening already.
Reposted by Laura Blegen
Do you have questions about publishing books? Writing them? Query letters and literary agents and that whole deal? I have a newsletter about that! Read more at www.agentsandbooks.com
January 11, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Do you have questions about publishing books? Writing them? Query letters and literary agents and that whole deal? I have a newsletter about that! Read more at www.agentsandbooks.com
Several other people said this yesterday, and it's still true:
You don't have to watch the video. Plenty of other people have watched it, and can summarize it for you. You don't have to watch it yourself. We don't all have to witness every horrific thing. In fact, we should TRY to take turns.
You don't have to watch the video. Plenty of other people have watched it, and can summarize it for you. You don't have to watch it yourself. We don't all have to witness every horrific thing. In fact, we should TRY to take turns.
January 9, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Several other people said this yesterday, and it's still true:
You don't have to watch the video. Plenty of other people have watched it, and can summarize it for you. You don't have to watch it yourself. We don't all have to witness every horrific thing. In fact, we should TRY to take turns.
You don't have to watch the video. Plenty of other people have watched it, and can summarize it for you. You don't have to watch it yourself. We don't all have to witness every horrific thing. In fact, we should TRY to take turns.
Reposted by Laura Blegen
Non-awful things, 3:
I might finally have found the right pillow. As a side sleeper who often rolls either onto my back during the night, this has been a life-long challenge.
It's too early for product placement, but last night's sleep was very promising.
I might finally have found the right pillow. As a side sleeper who often rolls either onto my back during the night, this has been a life-long challenge.
It's too early for product placement, but last night's sleep was very promising.
January 9, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Non-awful things, 3:
I might finally have found the right pillow. As a side sleeper who often rolls either onto my back during the night, this has been a life-long challenge.
It's too early for product placement, but last night's sleep was very promising.
I might finally have found the right pillow. As a side sleeper who often rolls either onto my back during the night, this has been a life-long challenge.
It's too early for product placement, but last night's sleep was very promising.
Thinking about turning this into a thread. Non-Awful things in the world, one per day.
If I do it, will you participate? I think it might be good for all of us.
If I do it, will you participate? I think it might be good for all of us.
I usually only allow myself to look at the awful things in the world at specific set-aside times of day.
The rest of the time, I need other things to look at and think about, like my home, and the people I love, and the fact that the sun rose a little tiny bit earlier today than yesterday.
The rest of the time, I need other things to look at and think about, like my home, and the people I love, and the fact that the sun rose a little tiny bit earlier today than yesterday.
January 8, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Thinking about turning this into a thread. Non-Awful things in the world, one per day.
If I do it, will you participate? I think it might be good for all of us.
If I do it, will you participate? I think it might be good for all of us.
I usually only allow myself to look at the awful things in the world at specific set-aside times of day.
The rest of the time, I need other things to look at and think about, like my home, and the people I love, and the fact that the sun rose a little tiny bit earlier today than yesterday.
The rest of the time, I need other things to look at and think about, like my home, and the people I love, and the fact that the sun rose a little tiny bit earlier today than yesterday.
January 7, 2026 at 9:02 PM
I usually only allow myself to look at the awful things in the world at specific set-aside times of day.
The rest of the time, I need other things to look at and think about, like my home, and the people I love, and the fact that the sun rose a little tiny bit earlier today than yesterday.
The rest of the time, I need other things to look at and think about, like my home, and the people I love, and the fact that the sun rose a little tiny bit earlier today than yesterday.
I think when a cookbook author describes a recipe that relies on chemistry (fudge making) as "easy" and then fails to properly describe either the chemistry OR the steps you have to take to make it work properly, that author should have to eat a spoonful of every batch that goes wrong. Everywhere.
January 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
I think when a cookbook author describes a recipe that relies on chemistry (fudge making) as "easy" and then fails to properly describe either the chemistry OR the steps you have to take to make it work properly, that author should have to eat a spoonful of every batch that goes wrong. Everywhere.
I'm giving 2026 a soft-launch this week. My goals are being slow-to-form, and revealing some important emotional work that needs to be done first.
January 5, 2026 at 10:56 PM
I'm giving 2026 a soft-launch this week. My goals are being slow-to-form, and revealing some important emotional work that needs to be done first.
Reposted by Laura Blegen
CONSEQUENCES 2026
Q: Why are there bullies?
A: Because we let them be bullies.
Bullies need consequences.
A: Because we let them be bullies.
Bullies need consequences.
They do it because we let them.
January 3, 2026 at 7:20 AM
CONSEQUENCES 2026
Reposted by Laura Blegen
Happy New Year, darlings. May love guide you. May your heart be open. Make plans. Share joy.Build community. Be soft when you can & fierce when you can't.
Tell your own story. May you do no harm, but take no shit.
When all else fails, remember we get through all of this together.
It's a privilege.
Tell your own story. May you do no harm, but take no shit.
When all else fails, remember we get through all of this together.
It's a privilege.
January 1, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Happy New Year, darlings. May love guide you. May your heart be open. Make plans. Share joy.Build community. Be soft when you can & fierce when you can't.
Tell your own story. May you do no harm, but take no shit.
When all else fails, remember we get through all of this together.
It's a privilege.
Tell your own story. May you do no harm, but take no shit.
When all else fails, remember we get through all of this together.
It's a privilege.
Same.
I think I like New Years best because the vibe is Let’s organize stuff and do paperwork!
December 31, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Same.
Oh Christmas week, oh Christmas week
How hard it is to work through
I look around, it's only me.
The office is so e-empty.
Oh Christmas week, oh Christmas week
How hard it is to work through
How hard it is to work through
I look around, it's only me.
The office is so e-empty.
Oh Christmas week, oh Christmas week
How hard it is to work through
December 23, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Oh Christmas week, oh Christmas week
How hard it is to work through
I look around, it's only me.
The office is so e-empty.
Oh Christmas week, oh Christmas week
How hard it is to work through
How hard it is to work through
I look around, it's only me.
The office is so e-empty.
Oh Christmas week, oh Christmas week
How hard it is to work through
Global warming doesn't always mean that it feels warmer outside. It's way more complicated than that, and involves science I don't fully understand.
But I do understand how creepy it feels to be hitting record-setting highs in the days between the winter solstice and Christmas.
But I do understand how creepy it feels to be hitting record-setting highs in the days between the winter solstice and Christmas.
December 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Global warming doesn't always mean that it feels warmer outside. It's way more complicated than that, and involves science I don't fully understand.
But I do understand how creepy it feels to be hitting record-setting highs in the days between the winter solstice and Christmas.
But I do understand how creepy it feels to be hitting record-setting highs in the days between the winter solstice and Christmas.
Reposted by Laura Blegen
I have a little video skill & often need to film simple things. I contemplated buying a fancy camera.
And then I realized for how much it cost, I could hire a friend who actually knows how to film well 10 times and get better results.
Yes this is a post about AI. (But also it's totally true.)
And then I realized for how much it cost, I could hire a friend who actually knows how to film well 10 times and get better results.
Yes this is a post about AI. (But also it's totally true.)
December 20, 2025 at 8:09 AM
I have a little video skill & often need to film simple things. I contemplated buying a fancy camera.
And then I realized for how much it cost, I could hire a friend who actually knows how to film well 10 times and get better results.
Yes this is a post about AI. (But also it's totally true.)
And then I realized for how much it cost, I could hire a friend who actually knows how to film well 10 times and get better results.
Yes this is a post about AI. (But also it's totally true.)
Sometimes, you gotta just look straight at the things you're afraid of, say, "I see you, scary thing, but you don't get to control me," and then get on with your day.
December 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Sometimes, you gotta just look straight at the things you're afraid of, say, "I see you, scary thing, but you don't get to control me," and then get on with your day.
Still no power. Still no updates on when we might have power.
Made a cup of tea with the jet boil, like I'm camping. I can assure my fellow tea snobs that there is something worse than a microwave.
Made a cup of tea with the jet boil, like I'm camping. I can assure my fellow tea snobs that there is something worse than a microwave.
December 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Still no power. Still no updates on when we might have power.
Made a cup of tea with the jet boil, like I'm camping. I can assure my fellow tea snobs that there is something worse than a microwave.
Made a cup of tea with the jet boil, like I'm camping. I can assure my fellow tea snobs that there is something worse than a microwave.
Oh, hello power outage. It's been just long enough since the last one that it took me a minute to remember where to find the extra flashlights and lanterns.
I also forgot that I'd need to find those at 4 pm, before the sun went down.
Now I'm just sitting by the christmas tree in the dark.
I also forgot that I'd need to find those at 4 pm, before the sun went down.
Now I'm just sitting by the christmas tree in the dark.
December 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Oh, hello power outage. It's been just long enough since the last one that it took me a minute to remember where to find the extra flashlights and lanterns.
I also forgot that I'd need to find those at 4 pm, before the sun went down.
Now I'm just sitting by the christmas tree in the dark.
I also forgot that I'd need to find those at 4 pm, before the sun went down.
Now I'm just sitting by the christmas tree in the dark.
My most valuable underrated skill:
Distracting myself while waiting for news. There was a period of the early 2000s when I was unemployed, and I would go to cheap matinee movies in the afternoon instead of waiting for the phone to ring. I have other tricks now.
What's yours?
Distracting myself while waiting for news. There was a period of the early 2000s when I was unemployed, and I would go to cheap matinee movies in the afternoon instead of waiting for the phone to ring. I have other tricks now.
What's yours?
December 17, 2025 at 4:32 PM
My most valuable underrated skill:
Distracting myself while waiting for news. There was a period of the early 2000s when I was unemployed, and I would go to cheap matinee movies in the afternoon instead of waiting for the phone to ring. I have other tricks now.
What's yours?
Distracting myself while waiting for news. There was a period of the early 2000s when I was unemployed, and I would go to cheap matinee movies in the afternoon instead of waiting for the phone to ring. I have other tricks now.
What's yours?
This year, I managed to line up my semi-regular need to turn inward to rethink my big picture priorities and goals during the darkest two weeks of the year, at a time when I'm not really wanting to push hard on any of my creative projects, anyway.
It's unusually good timing.
It's unusually good timing.
December 16, 2025 at 11:56 PM
This year, I managed to line up my semi-regular need to turn inward to rethink my big picture priorities and goals during the darkest two weeks of the year, at a time when I'm not really wanting to push hard on any of my creative projects, anyway.
It's unusually good timing.
It's unusually good timing.
The hibernation urge is very strong today, friends. Very, very strong.
December 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The hibernation urge is very strong today, friends. Very, very strong.