Lesley Conner
@lesleyconner.bsky.social
Editor in Chief at Apex Magazine. Coffee drinker. Book reader. She/Her
Reposted by Lesley Conner
A friendly reminder for HWA members: the deadline to recommend/nominate works for the Stoker Awards is January 15! Get your recs in now!
bramstokerawards.horror.org
bramstokerawards.horror.org
The Bram Stoker Awards – Horror’s premier literary award
bramstokerawards.horror.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:09 PM
A friendly reminder for HWA members: the deadline to recommend/nominate works for the Stoker Awards is January 15! Get your recs in now!
bramstokerawards.horror.org
bramstokerawards.horror.org
Reposted by Lesley Conner
@apexmag.bsky.social made me a pro, and now they’ve made me an essayist as well :). So excited to have my essay “Not a Scab, but a Wound,” set to appear in their February issue! I hope you’ll all check it out once it’s available and let me know what you think of it.
January 15, 2026 at 5:19 PM
@apexmag.bsky.social made me a pro, and now they’ve made me an essayist as well :). So excited to have my essay “Not a Scab, but a Wound,” set to appear in their February issue! I hope you’ll all check it out once it’s available and let me know what you think of it.
This is the face of a dog who ate all my blueberries. He keeps coming to check if I have more. Sadly, I didn't run to the grocery store and come home in the 30 seconds since he last checked.
January 15, 2026 at 6:09 PM
This is the face of a dog who ate all my blueberries. He keeps coming to check if I have more. Sadly, I didn't run to the grocery store and come home in the 30 seconds since he last checked.
My friend has a co-worker who invited everyone in their office to a Zoom presentation of what they read in 2025. It included a slide show and statistics and can I say I have never wanted to be friends with someone so fast! I want an invite to the 2026 Zoom presentation!
January 14, 2026 at 6:44 PM
My friend has a co-worker who invited everyone in their office to a Zoom presentation of what they read in 2025. It included a slide show and statistics and can I say I have never wanted to be friends with someone so fast! I want an invite to the 2026 Zoom presentation!
Reposted by Lesley Conner
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open 'just to do quick research'
![You’ve got super fans pausing and zooming in on individuals frames of your documentary. One allegedly shows one of the Duffers with a ChatGPT tab open on their computer. In your presence, what did they use ChatGPT for?
I mean, are we even sure they had ChatGPT open?
I’m personally not, but the internet seems sure.
Well, there’s a lot of chatter where [social media users] are like, “We don’t really know, but we’re assuming.” But to me it’s like, doesn’t everybody have it open, to just do quick research?
I do.
How can you possibly write a storyline with 19 characters and use ChatGPT, I don’t even understand.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7t2urmt3i33jl6tjgiolio6g/bafkreidw2tmcr2ayq74oqmjm5pn2tdox6hlxnpqevhuqqj6oa7nsslx3oi@jpeg)
January 13, 2026 at 8:45 PM
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open 'just to do quick research'
I'm trying to not buy new books but every time I see something I'm interested in, I add it to my cart and then not check out.
a woman is standing in a room with the words `` is it like , dangerous or something ? '' written on the screen .
Alt: a woman is standing in a room with the words `` is it like , dangerous or something ? '' written on the screen .
media.tenor.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I'm trying to not buy new books but every time I see something I'm interested in, I add it to my cart and then not check out.
Reposted by Lesley Conner
Dr. @chesyaburke.bsky.social and I are editing an anthology surveying the evolution of Black literary horror. Tentatively titled Black Horror, Then & Next: We Have Always Dreamed in Darkness (FlameTree Press), here are the guidelines…
blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-goth...
blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-goth...
Black Horror | Call for Submissions
We are very excited to announce a new call for submissions which is now open!
blog.flametreepublishing.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Dr. @chesyaburke.bsky.social and I are editing an anthology surveying the evolution of Black literary horror. Tentatively titled Black Horror, Then & Next: We Have Always Dreamed in Darkness (FlameTree Press), here are the guidelines…
blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-goth...
blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-goth...
Reposted by Lesley Conner
Strange Horizons fiction submissions open next Monday!
The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.
There will be no cap.
More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.
There will be no cap.
More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
January 12, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Strange Horizons fiction submissions open next Monday!
The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.
There will be no cap.
More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.
There will be no cap.
More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
Reposted by Lesley Conner
Your friendly independent bookstore breaking into your timeline to tell you to take a couple hours this weekend, put your phone in like, a box, or something & read a book. All of this <waves hand> will be here when you come back.
January 9, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Your friendly independent bookstore breaking into your timeline to tell you to take a couple hours this weekend, put your phone in like, a box, or something & read a book. All of this <waves hand> will be here when you come back.
My 'w' key is starting to be finicky. It still works, but you have to hit it just so ... Which means when I'm typing quickly, it's dropping a lot. That's fun.
January 9, 2026 at 4:58 PM
My 'w' key is starting to be finicky. It still works, but you have to hit it just so ... Which means when I'm typing quickly, it's dropping a lot. That's fun.
Reposted by Lesley Conner
i know we're all busy but i just overheard a plumber say "parlez-vous français ? non ? you motherfuckers don't even speak french, do you" to a pair of french bulldogs
January 8, 2026 at 2:18 PM
i know we're all busy but i just overheard a plumber say "parlez-vous français ? non ? you motherfuckers don't even speak french, do you" to a pair of french bulldogs
For health reasons, I've been gluten and dairy free since Thanksgiving. It's been ... okay. Not great, but I'm fine.
Except tonight. Tonight I would kill for a slice of pizza from our local place. I need that pizza!
Except tonight. Tonight I would kill for a slice of pizza from our local place. I need that pizza!
a person is taking a slice of pepperoni pizza
Alt: a person is taking a slice of pepperoni pizza
media.tenor.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:30 AM
For health reasons, I've been gluten and dairy free since Thanksgiving. It's been ... okay. Not great, but I'm fine.
Except tonight. Tonight I would kill for a slice of pizza from our local place. I need that pizza!
Except tonight. Tonight I would kill for a slice of pizza from our local place. I need that pizza!
Me, whispering: Taking time off for the holidays was worth it.
My inbox:
My inbox:
a white speech bubble with the number 898 above it
Alt: a white speech bubble with the number 898 above it
media.tenor.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Me, whispering: Taking time off for the holidays was worth it.
My inbox:
My inbox:
Reposted by Lesley Conner
My next book, Multitude, is open for pre-orders from Apex Books. Paperback pre-orders will receive a cephalopod keychain!
Direct order link: www.apexbookcompany.com/products/mul...
More information on the book: www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontp...
Direct order link: www.apexbookcompany.com/products/mul...
More information on the book: www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontp...
Multitude
Preorder and save 30%! Plus, a preorder exclusive: every paperback preorder will also receive a cephalopod-themed keychain! Release Date 4/28/26 We float to the surface, and we see that there is more ...
www.apexbookcompany.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:18 PM
My next book, Multitude, is open for pre-orders from Apex Books. Paperback pre-orders will receive a cephalopod keychain!
Direct order link: www.apexbookcompany.com/products/mul...
More information on the book: www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontp...
Direct order link: www.apexbookcompany.com/products/mul...
More information on the book: www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontp...
Completed my 16th platelet donation for the year. Rewarding myself with Thai food for dinner.
December 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Completed my 16th platelet donation for the year. Rewarding myself with Thai food for dinner.
Reposted by Lesley Conner
What's that sound on the roof? Oh, it's just Father Krampus leaving gifts for our Patrons! 👹🎄
Give yourself the gift of Apex and join our Patreon! Participate in flash fiction theme polls, get access to our secret discord, read exclusive short stories, and more! 🎁🐐
www.patreon.com/apexbookcomp...
Give yourself the gift of Apex and join our Patreon! Participate in flash fiction theme polls, get access to our secret discord, read exclusive short stories, and more! 🎁🐐
www.patreon.com/apexbookcomp...
a shadow of a demon with horns and chains is coming out of a doorway .
Alt: The silhouette of a Christmas Krampus winks in a doorway
media.tenor.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
What's that sound on the roof? Oh, it's just Father Krampus leaving gifts for our Patrons! 👹🎄
Give yourself the gift of Apex and join our Patreon! Participate in flash fiction theme polls, get access to our secret discord, read exclusive short stories, and more! 🎁🐐
www.patreon.com/apexbookcomp...
Give yourself the gift of Apex and join our Patreon! Participate in flash fiction theme polls, get access to our secret discord, read exclusive short stories, and more! 🎁🐐
www.patreon.com/apexbookcomp...
Reposted by Lesley Conner
I'm still so proud of this story—it's sad and glorious and queer. One of my best, I reckon!
"One by One" by @lindzmcleod.bsky.social (issue 148).
"My best friend’s desk was empty on Monday morning."
Oof! This story! Queer, and beautiful, and heartbreaking, I swear I tear up just thinking about it. ❤️
www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
"My best friend’s desk was empty on Monday morning."
Oof! This story! Queer, and beautiful, and heartbreaking, I swear I tear up just thinking about it. ❤️
www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
One by One
My best friend’s desk was empty on Monday morning.
www.apexbookcompany.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I'm still so proud of this story—it's sad and glorious and queer. One of my best, I reckon!
Reposted by Lesley Conner
We're reopening to submissions on January 1st.
Writers, ready your most depressing, unnerving, dislocating, horrible stories.
Writers, ready your most depressing, unnerving, dislocating, horrible stories.
December 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
We're reopening to submissions on January 1st.
Writers, ready your most depressing, unnerving, dislocating, horrible stories.
Writers, ready your most depressing, unnerving, dislocating, horrible stories.
My love for chunky, 8K+ word stories that absolutely wreck the @apexmag.bsky.social issue word counts has become sort of an inside joke among the Apex team. Each time I fall in love with another, I despair about how I'll make it fit, but I always do!
Here are a few of my favs:
Here are a few of my favs:
December 17, 2025 at 4:56 PM
My love for chunky, 8K+ word stories that absolutely wreck the @apexmag.bsky.social issue word counts has become sort of an inside joke among the Apex team. Each time I fall in love with another, I despair about how I'll make it fit, but I always do!
Here are a few of my favs:
Here are a few of my favs:
Reposted by Lesley Conner
Hungarian #SFinTranslation
Apex Magazine issue 151 is out now! Check out "Liecraft" by Anita Moskát, translated by Austin Wagner, on the Apex website now! www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
December 16, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Hungarian #SFinTranslation
I'm not sure who needs to see this, but I just found out that Monster High makes an Alien collector doll and she is gorgeous! She's also $240, but she's so pretty!
December 16, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I'm not sure who needs to see this, but I just found out that Monster High makes an Alien collector doll and she is gorgeous! She's also $240, but she's so pretty!
Reposted by Lesley Conner
My first professionally published story is available to read now at Apex Magazine! It's less than 1000 words--what do you have to lose?
Thank you to everyone who reads and comments. Your support means so much to me.
Thank you to everyone who reads and comments. Your support means so much to me.
"The wide ring of brambles holds the typical detritus of youth—beer bottles, soggy magazines, nicotine pouches. At the center is God." 🚬🚲
New fiction today by @rj-sterling.bsky.social: "Cassandra and the Changeling"
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
New fiction today by @rj-sterling.bsky.social: "Cassandra and the Changeling"
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
December 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
My first professionally published story is available to read now at Apex Magazine! It's less than 1000 words--what do you have to lose?
Thank you to everyone who reads and comments. Your support means so much to me.
Thank you to everyone who reads and comments. Your support means so much to me.
According to my Red Cross app, I've successfully donated platelets 15 times this year. I'm going to try for one more at the end of next week. My last donation was a little rough, with nausea and feeling overheated, so I'm hoping this one goes more smoothly.
December 9, 2025 at 4:37 PM
According to my Red Cross app, I've successfully donated platelets 15 times this year. I'm going to try for one more at the end of next week. My last donation was a little rough, with nausea and feeling overheated, so I'm hoping this one goes more smoothly.
Reposted by Lesley Conner
Read @Gabino_Iglesias’s review of THE MAP OF LOST PLACES edited by @shereereneethomas.bsky.social & @lesleyconner.bsky.social: “a solid group of stories that focus on place in very different ways... a very worthy journey.”
The Map of Lost Places edited by Sheree Renée Thomas & Lesley Conner: Review by Gabino Iglesias
The Map of Lost Places, Sheree Renée Thomas & Lesley Conner, eds. (Apex 978-1-95576-526-8, $27.95, 306pp, tp) April 2025. Cover by Marcela Bolívar. Much has been written about place as characte…
locusmag.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Read @Gabino_Iglesias’s review of THE MAP OF LOST PLACES edited by @shereereneethomas.bsky.social & @lesleyconner.bsky.social: “a solid group of stories that focus on place in very different ways... a very worthy journey.”
Reposted by Lesley Conner
"@shereereneethomas.bsky.social and @lesleyconner.bsky.social have put together a solid group of stories that focus on place in very different ways, and the level of talent they brought together makes this a very worthy journey." 🗺️🔍✨
Thank you @locusmag.bsky.social and @gabino.bsky.social!
Thank you @locusmag.bsky.social and @gabino.bsky.social!
The Map of Lost Places edited by Sheree Renée Thomas & Lesley Conner: Review by Gabino Iglesias
The Map of Lost Places, Sheree Renée Thomas & Lesley Conner, eds. (Apex 978-1-95576-526-8, $27.95, 306pp, tp) April 2025. Cover by Marcela Bolívar. Much has been written about place as characte…
locusmag.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
"@shereereneethomas.bsky.social and @lesleyconner.bsky.social have put together a solid group of stories that focus on place in very different ways, and the level of talent they brought together makes this a very worthy journey." 🗺️🔍✨
Thank you @locusmag.bsky.social and @gabino.bsky.social!
Thank you @locusmag.bsky.social and @gabino.bsky.social!