Laura Blackwell
@pronouncedlahra.bsky.social
Shirley Jackson Award-winning writer, manic pixie night hag. Copy editor @thedeadlands.com. Cohost @storyhour.bsky.social. Website & newsletter signup at pronouncedlahra.com. HWA, SFWA. BLM. She/her. Photo: Jodi Foucher. Rep: @alexbrownwrites.bsky.social
Pinned
This week, Story Hour explores the stars—and our human ideas of intelligence and emotion. Sonia Focke reads about kittens and octopuses, and Daniel Marcus responds to a famous 1954 sci-fi story. You can still watch! #Booksky
@soniafocke.bsky.social @danmarcus.bsky.social
youtu.be/5wt7IARlO_s
@soniafocke.bsky.social @danmarcus.bsky.social
youtu.be/5wt7IARlO_s
November 12, 2025: Sonia Focke and Daniel Marcus read sci-fi!
YouTube video by Story Hour
youtu.be
Science fiction, baby! Watch until the end to see Sonia's adorable octopus plush!
Science fiction, baby! Watch until the end to see Sonia's adorable octopus plush!
This week, Story Hour explores the stars—and our human ideas of intelligence and emotion. Sonia Focke reads about kittens and octopuses, and Daniel Marcus responds to a famous 1954 sci-fi story. You can still watch! #Booksky
@soniafocke.bsky.social @danmarcus.bsky.social
youtu.be/5wt7IARlO_s
@soniafocke.bsky.social @danmarcus.bsky.social
youtu.be/5wt7IARlO_s
November 12, 2025: Sonia Focke and Daniel Marcus read sci-fi!
YouTube video by Story Hour
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Science fiction, baby! Watch until the end to see Sonia's adorable octopus plush!
In like eight minutes!
If our spooky October scared you away, it’s safe to return to Story Hour now. This week, Sonia Focke will read us something fun! Host Daniel Marcus joins as a reader. Join us Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. PST! @soniafocke.bsky.social @danielmarcus.bsky.social #Booksky www.storyhour2020.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:52 AM
In like eight minutes!
Who's ready for some fun in their SF? Is it you?
If our spooky October scared you away, it’s safe to return to Story Hour now. This week, Sonia Focke will read us something fun! Host Daniel Marcus joins as a reader. Join us Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. PST! @soniafocke.bsky.social @danielmarcus.bsky.social #Booksky www.storyhour2020.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Who's ready for some fun in their SF? Is it you?
A book worth picking up!
New pinned post: My debut collection of short stories, The House of Illusionists, is now officially out.
vanessafogg.com?page_id=1020
vanessafogg.com?page_id=1020
The House of Illusionists – Vanessa Fogg, Writer
vanessafogg.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
A book worth picking up!
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
Gorgeous stories, so good. Watch or listen wherever you are!
This week, two elusive favorites return to Story Hour! Natasha Calder reads her uncomfortably-near-future SF "hotBooley," and Michael Haynes reads the gentler, guitar-fueled hopefulness of "Carolina." You can still watch! @michaelhaynes.bsky.social youtu.be/dq0aWfJbbv0
November 5, 2025 Story Hour: Natasha Calder and Michael Haynes
YouTube video by Story Hour
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Gorgeous stories, so good. Watch or listen wherever you are!
Look, it's obvious that Bond is 007 because he was meant to have seven lives. It's all part of the Weapon X project. Now we get to see who he regenerates as next and who his new Companions are.
November 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Look, it's obvious that Bond is 007 because he was meant to have seven lives. It's all part of the Weapon X project. Now we get to see who he regenerates as next and who his new Companions are.
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
This is a huge victory that should be broadcast nationwide in all the major outlets. Big big big deal. I have been following this. Make them pay
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret. Editor says court cases against city continue #ksleg
Marion County agrees to pay out $3M for newspaper raid, expresses regret • Kansas Reflector
A handful of county-level officials who were involved in a small-town Kansas newspaper raid in 2023 will pay a cumulative $3 million to three journalists and a city councilor.
kansasreflector.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:40 PM
This is a huge victory that should be broadcast nationwide in all the major outlets. Big big big deal. I have been following this. Make them pay
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
King: elon why are you here? shouldn't you be back at tesla?
King: you know, running things?
King: earning that trillion dollar bonus?
Musk: eyyy i can't go back to tesla
Musk: itsa bad scene
King: why? what's wrong?
Mus: i thinka joyce carol oates is inna da vents
King: you know, running things?
King: earning that trillion dollar bonus?
Musk: eyyy i can't go back to tesla
Musk: itsa bad scene
King: why? what's wrong?
Mus: i thinka joyce carol oates is inna da vents
November 11, 2025 at 4:35 PM
King: elon why are you here? shouldn't you be back at tesla?
King: you know, running things?
King: earning that trillion dollar bonus?
Musk: eyyy i can't go back to tesla
Musk: itsa bad scene
King: why? what's wrong?
Mus: i thinka joyce carol oates is inna da vents
King: you know, running things?
King: earning that trillion dollar bonus?
Musk: eyyy i can't go back to tesla
Musk: itsa bad scene
King: why? what's wrong?
Mus: i thinka joyce carol oates is inna da vents
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
never let them convince you that reading is a waste of time or that reading physical books is replaceable. Physical books, zines, etc -- these are spaces where we cannot be monitored, where we can truly be w/our own thoughts for a gd min & make up our own minds. Of course that frightens them
lmao this is the headline of someone who hasn't read a book in years
Oh fuck off
November 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
never let them convince you that reading is a waste of time or that reading physical books is replaceable. Physical books, zines, etc -- these are spaces where we cannot be monitored, where we can truly be w/our own thoughts for a gd min & make up our own minds. Of course that frightens them
This is a truly touching Story Hour (that runs more like 50 minutes), and I really want to prove that it was worth Natasha's while to log on in the middle of the British night and read to us even though she had a cold. Could you show this reading some love?
This week, two elusive favorites return to Story Hour! Natasha Calder reads her uncomfortably-near-future SF "hotBooley," and Michael Haynes reads the gentler, guitar-fueled hopefulness of "Carolina." You can still watch! @michaelhaynes.bsky.social youtu.be/dq0aWfJbbv0
November 5, 2025 Story Hour: Natasha Calder and Michael Haynes
YouTube video by Story Hour
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 11:13 PM
This is a truly touching Story Hour (that runs more like 50 minutes), and I really want to prove that it was worth Natasha's while to log on in the middle of the British night and read to us even though she had a cold. Could you show this reading some love?
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
New @peculiarityshop.bsky.social listings today include two more of my pieces inspired by KPDH, bringing the total up to three! Is there a Rumi or a Zoey in your life? Are you learning how to see the beauty in your jagged edges? Then take a look!
www.peculiarityshop.com/vavia-s-corner
www.peculiarityshop.com/vavia-s-corner
November 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
New @peculiarityshop.bsky.social listings today include two more of my pieces inspired by KPDH, bringing the total up to three! Is there a Rumi or a Zoey in your life? Are you learning how to see the beauty in your jagged edges? Then take a look!
www.peculiarityshop.com/vavia-s-corner
www.peculiarityshop.com/vavia-s-corner
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
Most people don’t know that with SNAP you are banned from buying “foods that are hot at the point of sale”. So even if you have SNAP (which people don’t now) you can’t get cooked food. Which means you need to also actually have the resources to PREPARE a “healthy” meal.
Thinking about the social stigma against eating fast food in a country where poor people are being starved by the govt, the cost of groceries and fresh vegetables are astronomical, and a cheeseburger at McDonald’s costs $3.50.
“Clean” and “healthy” eating rhetoric is racist, ableist, and classist.
“Clean” and “healthy” eating rhetoric is racist, ableist, and classist.
November 8, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Most people don’t know that with SNAP you are banned from buying “foods that are hot at the point of sale”. So even if you have SNAP (which people don’t now) you can’t get cooked food. Which means you need to also actually have the resources to PREPARE a “healthy” meal.
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
boosting this again because honestly I am proud of this near future and very political sf story, the illustration by Juan Bernabeu is exceptional, and big shout out to the editor Oliver Dougherty for having such a keen eye.
An older medic with scant resources fights to support her community as they survive life behind the company wall.
This novelette is my only near future sf story, inspired by a long-ago convo with my dad & by the activists who never give up.
Free to read at
reactormag.com/barnacle-kat...
This novelette is my only near future sf story, inspired by a long-ago convo with my dad & by the activists who never give up.
Free to read at
reactormag.com/barnacle-kat...
November 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
boosting this again because honestly I am proud of this near future and very political sf story, the illustration by Juan Bernabeu is exceptional, and big shout out to the editor Oliver Dougherty for having such a keen eye.
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
Hey!
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
November 8, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Hey!
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
in case you missed it!
our latest is up and free to read 🖤
our latest is up and free to read 🖤
“What is the feeling I am trying to capture?
The problem with death is it makes everything trite.”
today’s must read nonfiction, beloveds!!
The Ritual by @matthewwollin.bsky.social
psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
The problem with death is it makes everything trite.”
today’s must read nonfiction, beloveds!!
The Ritual by @matthewwollin.bsky.social
psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
The Ritual - PSYCHOPOMP.COM
The problem with death is it makes everything trite. Everyone has had the experience, and so there is nothing left for you to write that has not already become a cliché.
psychopomp.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:39 PM
in case you missed it!
our latest is up and free to read 🖤
our latest is up and free to read 🖤
Grocery store checker: Would you like to donate to a local food bank today?
Me (thinking aloud): Do we know if SNAP is actually paying out right now?
GSC (brightly): My uncle's came through, not sure about my mom's. You should be able to call and check!
You can't tell from looking who's on SNAP.
Me (thinking aloud): Do we know if SNAP is actually paying out right now?
GSC (brightly): My uncle's came through, not sure about my mom's. You should be able to call and check!
You can't tell from looking who's on SNAP.
November 8, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Grocery store checker: Would you like to donate to a local food bank today?
Me (thinking aloud): Do we know if SNAP is actually paying out right now?
GSC (brightly): My uncle's came through, not sure about my mom's. You should be able to call and check!
You can't tell from looking who's on SNAP.
Me (thinking aloud): Do we know if SNAP is actually paying out right now?
GSC (brightly): My uncle's came through, not sure about my mom's. You should be able to call and check!
You can't tell from looking who's on SNAP.
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
New #WriterBeware blog post: the minute the humongous Anthropic copyright settlement was announced, it became inevitable that unrelated third parties would seek to benefit...in this case, by convincing authors to opt out writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/p...
Predatory Opt-Outs: The Speculators Come for the Anthropic Copyright Settlement - Writer Beware
The enormous, $1.5 billion Anthropic copyright class action settlement is reputedly the biggest copyright infringement recovery in history. With such a high-profile case, it’s inevitable that eligible...
writerbeware.blog
November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
New #WriterBeware blog post: the minute the humongous Anthropic copyright settlement was announced, it became inevitable that unrelated third parties would seek to benefit...in this case, by convincing authors to opt out writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/p...
I'm so happy with this audio production...and who else thinks it's funny that my story is the affirming one and Elad's is the kidney-punch?
Short blog post to celebrate my most recent publication (a bit late) from @spacecowboybooks.bsky.social featuring my story along with my friend @pronouncedlahra.bsky.social !
New Publication!
I’m super late on promoting this one, but I am thrilled to be back at Simultaneous Times Podcast with my story, “Skeletal.” This flash piece was originally written for a anthology…
eladhaber.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:07 AM
I'm so happy with this audio production...and who else thinks it's funny that my story is the affirming one and Elad's is the kidney-punch?
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
Not enough people are talking about this:
Even before Trump cut off SNAP funding, he and Republicans in Congress made the biggest cuts to food assistance in U.S. history.
Even before Trump cut off SNAP funding, he and Republicans in Congress made the biggest cuts to food assistance in U.S. history.
November 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Not enough people are talking about this:
Even before Trump cut off SNAP funding, he and Republicans in Congress made the biggest cuts to food assistance in U.S. history.
Even before Trump cut off SNAP funding, he and Republicans in Congress made the biggest cuts to food assistance in U.S. history.
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
We're having another nice round of sales of @garnetonwinter.bsky.social's SILK & SINEW. Named one of the best horror books of 2025 by the NY Public Library, the anthology features @aijiang.bsky.social @leemurraywriter.bsky.social @geneveflynn.bsky.social & more!
bookshop.org/p/books/silk...
bookshop.org/p/books/silk...
Silk & Sinew: A Collection of Folk Horror From the Asian Diaspora
A Collection of Folk Horror From the Asian Diaspora
bookshop.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
We're having another nice round of sales of @garnetonwinter.bsky.social's SILK & SINEW. Named one of the best horror books of 2025 by the NY Public Library, the anthology features @aijiang.bsky.social @leemurraywriter.bsky.social @geneveflynn.bsky.social & more!
bookshop.org/p/books/silk...
bookshop.org/p/books/silk...
Gorgeous stories, so good. Watch or listen wherever you are!
This week, two elusive favorites return to Story Hour! Natasha Calder reads her uncomfortably-near-future SF "hotBooley," and Michael Haynes reads the gentler, guitar-fueled hopefulness of "Carolina." You can still watch! @michaelhaynes.bsky.social youtu.be/dq0aWfJbbv0
November 5, 2025 Story Hour: Natasha Calder and Michael Haynes
YouTube video by Story Hour
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Gorgeous stories, so good. Watch or listen wherever you are!
TONIGHT! Join us! It's actually PST now, but I promise we'll be there at the right time!
One magical spring evening in 2023, Natasha Calder and @michaelhaynes.bsky.social read for Story Hour. That video is now lost, but now Natasha and Michael return! They won’t weave the exact same spell, but rather will enchant us anew. Join us Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. PDT! #Booksky www.storyhour2020.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
TONIGHT! Join us! It's actually PST now, but I promise we'll be there at the right time!
Brace yourself for more magic (or maybe SF; we are cool with the Clarke definition)! Wednesday!
One magical spring evening in 2023, Natasha Calder and @michaelhaynes.bsky.social read for Story Hour. That video is now lost, but now Natasha and Michael return! They won’t weave the exact same spell, but rather will enchant us anew. Join us Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. PDT! #Booksky www.storyhour2020.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Brace yourself for more magic (or maybe SF; we are cool with the Clarke definition)! Wednesday!
Reposted by Laura Blackwell
"A month after you get a rejection from a prestigious magazine, you see an article on the same topic you pitched, using the same sources, written by an in-house writer. The article wins awards. Describe the hex you place on the magazine."
Horrifying Writing Prompts
You inadvertently send your My Little Pony/The West Wing fan fiction to the New Yorker. If your reaction was a New Yorker cartoon, what would it lo...
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"A month after you get a rejection from a prestigious magazine, you see an article on the same topic you pitched, using the same sources, written by an in-house writer. The article wins awards. Describe the hex you place on the magazine."
Spookymonth is never over in my heart.
This Story Hour is the perfect capstone to Spookymonth. EC Dorgan and M Belanger both read stories of invasion and self-reliance (with some body horror, okay). Just the thing to ready us for Halloween. You can still watch! #Booksky @sethanikeem.bsky.social youtu.be/jU802L47bXw
October 29, 2025 Story Hour: EC Dorgan and M Belanger
YouTube video by Story Hour
youtu.be
November 3, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Spookymonth is never over in my heart.