Leigh Grossman
@swordsmith.bsky.social
Writer, editor, independent publishing professional, professor, and game designer. Principal of Swordsmith Productions and Unleash the Book. Elected Democrat.
Pinned
The January Unleash the Book course is full, but if you're struggling to write a book, I'm meeting on zoom with folks now about the summer course. Feel free to drop me a line to see if it's a fit for you.
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
Standing up to a tyrant - who is willing to impose pain as leverage to compel loyalty or acquiescence - is hard. You can convince yourself that yielding stops the pain and brings you back to "normal".
But there is no "normal". Submission emboldens the tyrant. The threat grows.
But there is no "normal". Submission emboldens the tyrant. The threat grows.
November 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Standing up to a tyrant - who is willing to impose pain as leverage to compel loyalty or acquiescence - is hard. You can convince yourself that yielding stops the pain and brings you back to "normal".
But there is no "normal". Submission emboldens the tyrant. The threat grows.
But there is no "normal". Submission emboldens the tyrant. The threat grows.
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
A rare interview with the creators of the always-funny, always-brilliant, and *usually*-sexy—or occasionally anti-sexy—OGLAF!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Talking Oglaf with Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne: 'We'd stay up all night drawing stuff to make each other laugh' - The Comics Journal
Other than some time off every year for Christmas, Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne have delivered a new Oglaf comic, skewering fantasy tropes with absolutely not safe for work humor, every week since 2008...
www.tcj.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A rare interview with the creators of the always-funny, always-brilliant, and *usually*-sexy—or occasionally anti-sexy—OGLAF!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
been doing some light reading about the aftermath of the korean dictatorship and I think it's really important that we repeat this to ourselves, to our friends, to our neighbors, to our politicians
Nuremburg trials is the moderate position
He said that the agents would throw food at them to eat. The agents threatened to withhold food for a week and to beat him up if he didn't sign deportation papers. He said he saw others refuse and get beaten/receive no food. He signed because he was afraid.
November 9, 2025 at 6:14 PM
been doing some light reading about the aftermath of the korean dictatorship and I think it's really important that we repeat this to ourselves, to our friends, to our neighbors, to our politicians
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
theres a whole category of newstertainment thats gotta go. and its "ask a really rich freak who is also evil and directly stealing from you what hes seen on the computer lately that has made him feel bad." the only -- ONLY -- story about this guy worth exploring is: he is getting rich spying on you
November 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
theres a whole category of newstertainment thats gotta go. and its "ask a really rich freak who is also evil and directly stealing from you what hes seen on the computer lately that has made him feel bad." the only -- ONLY -- story about this guy worth exploring is: he is getting rich spying on you
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
As seen in Poor Things (2023)
November 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
As seen in Poor Things (2023)
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
lol she got his ass and he knows it
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
lol she got his ass and he knows it
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
Omg I’m dying 😂😂😂…so…So Emily Austin, a right wing 'influencer' who works for Bibi and the GOP, launched 'Hot Girls for Cuomo'.
Guess who didn't bother to register the URL when she did that? What do you think Hot Girls for Cuomo dot com leads to now?... 😄 Enjoy.
[ HotGirlsforCuomo.com ]
Guess who didn't bother to register the URL when she did that? What do you think Hot Girls for Cuomo dot com leads to now?... 😄 Enjoy.
[ HotGirlsforCuomo.com ]
November 5, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Omg I’m dying 😂😂😂…so…So Emily Austin, a right wing 'influencer' who works for Bibi and the GOP, launched 'Hot Girls for Cuomo'.
Guess who didn't bother to register the URL when she did that? What do you think Hot Girls for Cuomo dot com leads to now?... 😄 Enjoy.
[ HotGirlsforCuomo.com ]
Guess who didn't bother to register the URL when she did that? What do you think Hot Girls for Cuomo dot com leads to now?... 😄 Enjoy.
[ HotGirlsforCuomo.com ]
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
From the Guardian.
Cartoonist Ella Baron.
Cartoonist Ella Baron.
November 6, 2025 at 12:26 AM
From the Guardian.
Cartoonist Ella Baron.
Cartoonist Ella Baron.
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
the latest in the social media postings of Virginia state Senator Louise Lucas:
November 6, 2025 at 4:05 AM
the latest in the social media postings of Virginia state Senator Louise Lucas:
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
heads up to anyone who holds trans kids near: amy harmon from the nyt is searching for and having a hard time finding people to interview to find out exactly what trans kids are doing when their care is limited or cut off, and for purposes of community safety, please shut the fuck up around her.
November 5, 2025 at 8:54 PM
heads up to anyone who holds trans kids near: amy harmon from the nyt is searching for and having a hard time finding people to interview to find out exactly what trans kids are doing when their care is limited or cut off, and for purposes of community safety, please shut the fuck up around her.
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
this is actually impressive, making up a brand new nobel peace prize replacement is a genuine innovation in bribery
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
November 6, 2025 at 1:16 AM
this is actually impressive, making up a brand new nobel peace prize replacement is a genuine innovation in bribery
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
absolutely nobody does corruption like FIFA
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
Reposting to correct an error: trump admin is quietly gutting 13 buildings and about 100 laboratories at Goddard campus that has been instrumental to Hubble and James Webb telescope missions. Staff say they’ve be locked and told to move equipment. Anything left behind will be thrown away.
NASA may be quietly gutting an iconic campus with what it calls strategic closures, workers fear
(CNN) — Alarm is growing among federal workers at NASA’s iconic Goddard Space Flight Center’s main campus in Greenbelt, Maryland — the nerve center for groundbreaking missions like the Hubble
www.wkow.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Reposting to correct an error: trump admin is quietly gutting 13 buildings and about 100 laboratories at Goddard campus that has been instrumental to Hubble and James Webb telescope missions. Staff say they’ve be locked and told to move equipment. Anything left behind will be thrown away.
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
just want to reiterate that the first amendment isn't something you "hide behind," it's something that constrains the government's ability to limit your inalienable rights. that distinction is very important
The Department of Homeland Security: “hide behind the First Amendment”
November 5, 2025 at 9:27 PM
just want to reiterate that the first amendment isn't something you "hide behind," it's something that constrains the government's ability to limit your inalienable rights. that distinction is very important
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
I love that a mulsim man winning an election in the media capital of the world completed wiped all the imminent cheney hagiographies from the media
November 5, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I love that a mulsim man winning an election in the media capital of the world completed wiped all the imminent cheney hagiographies from the media
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
if any Jewish woman wants to write me an extremely petty piece about Zionist meltdowns/crashouts over Mamdani's win for @religiondispatches.org, hmu
we pay!!
double bonus extra points if you're a transwoman
please give me an excuse to put that Debra Messing weeping picture on our website, I beg
we pay!!
double bonus extra points if you're a transwoman
please give me an excuse to put that Debra Messing weeping picture on our website, I beg
November 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
if any Jewish woman wants to write me an extremely petty piece about Zionist meltdowns/crashouts over Mamdani's win for @religiondispatches.org, hmu
we pay!!
double bonus extra points if you're a transwoman
please give me an excuse to put that Debra Messing weeping picture on our website, I beg
we pay!!
double bonus extra points if you're a transwoman
please give me an excuse to put that Debra Messing weeping picture on our website, I beg
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
@ramirez.house.gov says that ICE agents went room to room inside the daycare, looking for teachers to take in front of literal toddlers
this morning, ICE went into a Spanish language immersion daycare and took a teacher from the building in front of screaming and crying kids and parents at dropoff and the daycare had to shut down for the day (near Lane Tech, where they were yesterday). Really hoping today's "theme" is not "daycare."
November 5, 2025 at 7:57 PM
@ramirez.house.gov says that ICE agents went room to room inside the daycare, looking for teachers to take in front of literal toddlers
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
Anyways this is why you should always vote because it can feel like this
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Anyways this is why you should always vote because it can feel like this
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
Ok, one last race call for the night from a bellwether county...
The Democrats have FLIPPED the Erie County, PA (Trump+1) County Executive position by 24 POINTS!
The Democrats have FLIPPED the Erie County, PA (Trump+1) County Executive position by 24 POINTS!
November 5, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Ok, one last race call for the night from a bellwether county...
The Democrats have FLIPPED the Erie County, PA (Trump+1) County Executive position by 24 POINTS!
The Democrats have FLIPPED the Erie County, PA (Trump+1) County Executive position by 24 POINTS!
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
Zohran Mamdani: "So Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Zohran Mamdani: "So Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
So many times SO MANY TIMES I have said I don't trust any politician who throws trans people and immigrants under the bus.
Look at this dude. LOOK AT THIS. He's here for ALL OF US.
There is NO EXCUSE for any politician who doesn't step up like this. No excuse.
Look at this dude. LOOK AT THIS. He's here for ALL OF US.
There is NO EXCUSE for any politician who doesn't step up like this. No excuse.
"in this moment of political darkness, new york will be the light
"whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community one of the many black women that donald trump who has fired from her job... your struggle is ours too"
"whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community one of the many black women that donald trump who has fired from her job... your struggle is ours too"
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 AM
So many times SO MANY TIMES I have said I don't trust any politician who throws trans people and immigrants under the bus.
Look at this dude. LOOK AT THIS. He's here for ALL OF US.
There is NO EXCUSE for any politician who doesn't step up like this. No excuse.
Look at this dude. LOOK AT THIS. He's here for ALL OF US.
There is NO EXCUSE for any politician who doesn't step up like this. No excuse.
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
As we wait for NYC to drop, a plug for @boltsmag.org:
If you've enjoyed our work, our journalism at Bolts has no paywall, but it requires a lot of resources. As a nonprofit, we thrive with your support & subscriptions!
Right now is the GOLDEN time to make your support multiply, here's why:
If you've enjoyed our work, our journalism at Bolts has no paywall, but it requires a lot of resources. As a nonprofit, we thrive with your support & subscriptions!
Right now is the GOLDEN time to make your support multiply, here's why:
Do you want to support our work at Bolts? Sign up as a $5 monthly donor today, & we’ll immediately get $60 in matching funds!
That’s right: The NewsMatch program, which launched on November 1, is multiplying all new monthly subscriptions by 12 right now.
That’s right: The NewsMatch program, which launched on November 1, is multiplying all new monthly subscriptions by 12 right now.
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:52 AM
As we wait for NYC to drop, a plug for @boltsmag.org:
If you've enjoyed our work, our journalism at Bolts has no paywall, but it requires a lot of resources. As a nonprofit, we thrive with your support & subscriptions!
Right now is the GOLDEN time to make your support multiply, here's why:
If you've enjoyed our work, our journalism at Bolts has no paywall, but it requires a lot of resources. As a nonprofit, we thrive with your support & subscriptions!
Right now is the GOLDEN time to make your support multiply, here's why:
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
CONFIRMED: Georgia Democrats have won their first statewide elections for non-federal offices since *2006.*
The two Dem challengers, Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard, have ousted two GOP Republican commissioners on the state's utility commission.
The two Dem challengers, Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard, have ousted two GOP Republican commissioners on the state's utility commission.
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
CONFIRMED: Georgia Democrats have won their first statewide elections for non-federal offices since *2006.*
The two Dem challengers, Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard, have ousted two GOP Republican commissioners on the state's utility commission.
The two Dem challengers, Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard, have ousted two GOP Republican commissioners on the state's utility commission.
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
Dems do very well in VA. Win Gov by 14, AG by 5 (despite texting scandal), perhaps most impressive shift house of delegates from D 51-49 to D 64-36
Talk of NJ as swing state premature: Dem win Gov by nearly 13. Was supposed to be much closer
Surprise 2 PSC D wins in GA
most vote in but unofficial
Talk of NJ as swing state premature: Dem win Gov by nearly 13. Was supposed to be much closer
Surprise 2 PSC D wins in GA
most vote in but unofficial
November 5, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Dems do very well in VA. Win Gov by 14, AG by 5 (despite texting scandal), perhaps most impressive shift house of delegates from D 51-49 to D 64-36
Talk of NJ as swing state premature: Dem win Gov by nearly 13. Was supposed to be much closer
Surprise 2 PSC D wins in GA
most vote in but unofficial
Talk of NJ as swing state premature: Dem win Gov by nearly 13. Was supposed to be much closer
Surprise 2 PSC D wins in GA
most vote in but unofficial
Reposted by Leigh Grossman
No more Black or trans staffers. No politics of any kind. The cowardice of mainstream media isn't just insulting, it's *boring.* Now TV is just like any other beauty rag. Why not just kill it quickly? Why the slow-motion pretense?
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
November 4, 2025 at 12:35 AM
No more Black or trans staffers. No politics of any kind. The cowardice of mainstream media isn't just insulting, it's *boring.* Now TV is just like any other beauty rag. Why not just kill it quickly? Why the slow-motion pretense?