Natalie Zutter
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zutsuit.bsky.social
Natalie Zutter
@zutsuit.bsky.social
310 followers 320 following 50 posts
sff writer/playwright · pop culture critic at Reactor, Lit Hub, Den of Geek, NPR Books · Viable Paradise 2025 · PlayPenn Playwright Entrepreneur Program 25/26 · she/her
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zutsuit.bsky.social
Natalie Zutter @zutsuit.bsky.social · 19d
Closing out 2025 with my first published SFF story! "My Trust Must Be" puts the Lady of the Lake on a generation ship, frozen/thawed/refrozen again to fit a hero's journey. Honored to be part of @icaruszine.bsky.social's Currents issue, with fiction related to water—or in this case, cryogenic pods.
My Trust Must Be — The Icarus Writing Collective
“Two truths and a lie: You might’ve heard me called ‘Lady of the Lake’ in the lab; that’s because I’m always finding the shit everyone else seems to lose. There is a protein in my brain that has alrea...
www.icaruswritingcollective.com
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
mollymcghee.com
James Yeh interviews Ted Chiang for The Believer (2019)

www.thebeliever.net/an-interview...
A quote from Ted Chiang: I don't know if this is exactly what you're asking, but I'll say this. This has to do with the question of genre, which is often defined in terms of a certain set of tropes or a formula . But there's this other definition of *genre* that I find speaks more to me, which is to think of genre as an ongoing conversation. Genre is a conversation between authors, between books, that extends over decades. And one of the reasons I definitely identify as a science fiction writer is because I want to be a participant in the ongoing conversation that is science fiction. My writing is informed by the books I've read, so it is a response to what other writers have written. I want to be in conversation with other works of science fiction.
January 6, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
fiyahlitmag.bsky.social
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Authors and poets, submissions for our second themed issue are OPEN 🎉🎉🎉

Details here: fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/
January 1, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
viableparadise.bsky.social
Writers! How are your workshop applications coming?
I have good news and bad news…
The good news is that we have a STELLAR group of instructors this year! Fonda Lee is back this year after a break, joining Arkady Martine and Valerie Valdes, and new to the faculty: John Wiswell! FOUR amazing alumni!
January 1, 2026 at 12:24 AM
zutsuit.bsky.social
A highlight for me too! I've missed interviewing, and talking with Lee was an absolute delight.
January 1, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
lpkindred.bsky.social
Dear bluskeeters!

I'm doing research with a friend.
If you're a Black Author with a speculative book publishing in 2026, could you please pitch and link me, please? This a difficult to sus intersection.

Please add your friends' work. Please tag people. Please share
December 29, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
thedailytomorrow.bsky.social
Happy New Story Sunday, Daily Tomorrow Readers! I hope you’re all warm and cozy and forgetting what day of the week it is (it’s Sunday, apparently). This week, we have the last story of the Autumn issue and of the year, by
@muteddragon.bsky.social. Now sit back, relax, and let's a moment of silence
Celebration of Life For Your Dead Fictional Wives — Part One
By Wen Wen Yang
dailytomorrow.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 8:05 PM
zutsuit.bsky.social
Closing out 2025 with my first published SFF story! "My Trust Must Be" puts the Lady of the Lake on a generation ship, frozen/thawed/refrozen again to fit a hero's journey. Honored to be part of @icaruszine.bsky.social's Currents issue, with fiction related to water—or in this case, cryogenic pods.
My Trust Must Be — The Icarus Writing Collective
“Two truths and a lie: You might’ve heard me called ‘Lady of the Lake’ in the lab; that’s because I’m always finding the shit everyone else seems to lose. There is a protein in my brain that has alrea...
www.icaruswritingcollective.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
lacymb.bsky.social
Making my debut at @avclub.com talking about the year's best trend in fantasy publishing: Lady knights.
The year's biggest fantasy trend finally gives women swords
The year's biggest fantasy trend finally gives women swords
www.avclub.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
neonhemlock.bsky.social
We'll be reading stories for ✨ What Elegant Stars: Queer Tales of Impossible Style ✨ from January 15th to April 15th.

Give us stories of satellites and sewists, terminals and tailors, dandies and dying stars.

<6k words. 8¢/word. simsub ☑️. multiple submissions 🚫.

www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
The text WHAT ELEGANT STARS on a background of swirling void and glittering stars, amidst two neon-lit inlaid columns. Spaceships with fiery tails behind them in the distance. (An excerpt from the cover illustrated by Lyss Menold). Plus the Neon Hemlock logo.
December 20, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
icaruswritingcollective.com
What’s all the comm-ocean? 🐟 Another teaser! This time from Natalie’s @zutsuit.bsky.social short fiction piece, "My Trust Must Be."
Mint green underwater image with white text over it. The text says “Two truths and a lie: You might’ve heard me called ‘Lady of the Lake’ in the lab; that’s because I’m always finding the shit everyone else seems to lose. There is a protein in my brain that has already spelled my doom; one day I’ll wake up and never be able to go to sleep again, an insomniac until I die. I love the water.” The quote is from the story “My Trust Must Be” by Natalie Zutter Mint green underwater image with white text over it. The text says “Natalie Zutter (she/her) is a playwright and pop culture critic living in New York. Her nonfiction work has been published at Reactor (formerly Tor.com, where she was previously a staff writer) and in their collection Rocket Fuel, as well as NPR Books and Lit Hub. Her SFF short plays have been performed at geek theater festivals in New York City and elsewhere; her immersive romantasy play Garters premiered at Chicago's Otherworld Theatre Company during Pride 2024. She has been a writer-in-residence with the Amtrak Residency and is an alum of Viable Paradise 2025. Find her online @zutsuit (Bluesky/Instagram) and @nataliezutter (Twitter).
December 19, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
thefrankiedlc.news
NEW: It’s not just readers that suffer due to Harlequin’s mismanagement of the' Heated Rivalry' books. Reid misses out on royalties, & booksellers miss out on commissions—which is especially painful during the holiday season when many small businesses make the bulk of their money.
was ‘heated rivalry’ failed by its publisher?
everyone's devouring the new TV series, so why can't people buy a copy of the book the show is based on?
www.thefrankiedlc.news
December 11, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
bubbaprog.xyz
ICE raided a James Beard award winning restaurant & because the chef/owner was prepared, left emptyhanded:
Photo shared by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025 tagging @naomi.marie__, @nathanmiller612, @rubyscher, @holaarepa, @birksg, @chefjholig, and @haihaimpls. May be an image of text that says 'AS SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, I.C.E. PAID US A VISIT AT AREPA YESTERDAY. OUR GM NAOMI & TEAM MEMBERS FOLLOWED OUR ICE PROTOCOL PERFECTLY, THE AGENTS LEFT & NO ONE WAS DETAINED. tO WHOEVER NEEDS THIS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO I.C.E. (1/5)'. christinanguyenmpls 11h We had an ICE scare yesterday and even though we’re afraid of the repercussions of being vocal, we feel that it’s also important to inform people that this is right at our front door. ICE is not some far away boogeyman. They are here right now, spreading fear in our community. We’re so grateful to our entire staff and their bravery. They did the right things and couldn’t have dealt with this situation in a better way. We are grateful to our community activists that came to support us from @miracmn @litosonlake and Monarcha. We hope that if you find yourself in the same situation, that you find these resources helpful. Peace and take care of each other ❤️ Photo by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025. May be an image of text that says 'IF I.C.E. COMES TO YOUR RESTAURANT: UNLESS THE AGENTS HAVE A SIGNED JUDICIAL WARRANT, THEY CANNOT ENTER A PRIVATE AREA LIKE THE KITCHEN WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION EVEN IF THEY LIE AND SAY THY DON'T NEED A WARRANT, STAND YOUR GROUND AND INSIST THAT YOU NEED PAPERWORK (2/5)'. Photo by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025. May be an image of text that says 'IF I.C.E. COMES TO YOUR RESTAURANT: HAVE OTHER STAFF OR PEOPLE PRESENT RECORD THEM AND EVERYTHING THEY ARE SAYING. (PEOPLE DOING UNLAWFUL THINGS HATE BEING CAUGHT IN TH ACT) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to REFUSE SERVICE & YOU CAN ASK M tO LEAVE YOUR PRIVATE PROPERTY IF THY DON'T HAVE A WARRANT. (3/5)'. WE ARE HEARTBROKEN THAT OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN THE TWIN CITIES ARE BEING TARGETED AND TERRORIZED BY THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION. THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING USED AS POLITICAL PAWNS AND IT'S APPALLING. REGARDLESS OF THEIR LEGAL STATUS, THERE ARE SO MANY LATINOS & SOMALIANS WHO ARE AFRAID OF BEING DETAINED DUE TO MISTAKEN IDENTITY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY MIGHT NOT GET DUE PROCESS & A FAIR TRIAL. THEY WILL JUST END UP IN DETENTION CENTERS & A LEGAL PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A BLACK HOLE. WE STAND IN SUPPORT OF OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, WHO ARE THE BACKBONE OF THIS COUNTRY. WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS, AMERICA IS NOT THE SAME PLACE. STAY SAFE OUT THERE & TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS. LOVE, HOLA AREPA & HAI HAI (5/5)
December 5, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
tenebrouspress.bsky.social
🔥 COVER +TITLE REVEAL + SUBMISSIONS OPEN🔥

YOUR BODY IS A FEVER DREAM: A Cosmic Body Horror Anthology from Trans & Gender Nonconforming Voices

A Charity collection coming in October 2026🖤☠️🏳️‍⚧️

Art by @mxmorgan.com

All the info here: tenebrouspress.com/blog/2025/11...
Cover art, a swan alights on a cosmic celestial sea, the sky in the colors of the trans rights flag
November 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
reactorsff.bsky.social
In Pluribus, the unhappiest woman in the world is a romantasy author. @gavia.bsky.social discusses how the sexy pirates in Carol Sturka's Bloodsong of Wycaro shape her experiences with art and sexuality against an alien hivemind.
Pluribus and Romantasy: Art at the End of the World - Reactor
What is culture in an apocalypse like this one?
reactormag.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
katharineduckett.bsky.social
'Tis the season for eligibility posts!

As you're reading for awards this year, I'd love for you to consider my short story "pocket futures in the present past" & the other works in Amplitudes, edited by @leemandelo.bsky.social.
The cover of Amplitudes: Stories of Queer and Trans Futurity.
November 20, 2025 at 5:35 PM
zutsuit.bsky.social
This is so frustrating for books coverage. I've written several of my favorite books culture pieces for Paste over the past few years, because Lacy trusted me with an idea and let me run with it.
lacymb.bsky.social Lacy Baugher Milas @lacymb.bsky.social · Nov 17
Today, Paste Magazine shuttered all its non-music verticals, a choice I am both professionally and personally heartbroken about. Sadly, I am once again looking for a place that wants to let me write about Books and TV on the regular, so hit me up if that’s you or anyone you know.
November 18, 2025 at 3:12 AM
zutsuit.bsky.social
Hire Lacy! She is brilliant and a champion for books coverage in all realms—interviews, reviews, yes-and-ing all manner of pitches. As an editor and writer both, she rocks.
lacymb.bsky.social Lacy Baugher Milas @lacymb.bsky.social · Nov 17
Today, Paste Magazine shuttered all its non-music verticals, a choice I am both professionally and personally heartbroken about. Sadly, I am once again looking for a place that wants to let me write about Books and TV on the regular, so hit me up if that’s you or anyone you know.
November 18, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
muteddragon.bsky.social
For your consideration this year, I have eight originals! Most are free to read!
In order of publication: "Martian Wallpaper" at The Daily Tomorrow dailytomorrow.substack.com/p/martian-wa... It's Yellow Wallpaper on Mars!
Martian Wallpaper — Full Story
By Wen Wen Yang
dailytomorrow.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:37 PM
zutsuit.bsky.social
welp this is giving plenty of awful fodder for the SF ghost dad story I'm already working on
parkermolloy.com Parker Molloy @parkermolloy.com · Nov 14
For real, check this out. Evil.
November 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
zutsuit.bsky.social
I get to shout out new romantasy over at Reactor! Including the books pitched as big The Mummy (1999) and Titanic vibes that made me go 👀
reactorsff.bsky.social Reactor Magazine @reactorsff.bsky.social · Nov 12
Choose your romantasy love interest!!!

1. DEMONIC ENTITY
2. HOT MONSTER
3. NAUTICAL CREATURE
4. FORBIDDEN PRINCE

...and follow through to @zutsuit.bsky.social's new Romantasy Report column to find out which books in November and December await you:
Vampires, Time Travel, and Rebellions: Romantasy Report for November and December 2025 - Reactor
These 26 new romantasies will whisk you from fall to winter…
reactormag.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
muteddragon.bsky.social
My @talesfeathers.bsky.social story is now free to read! Mind the content warnings augursociety.org/the-purpose-...
The Purpose of a Pyromaniac Descendent by Wen Wen Yang
I don’t know why I expected the afterlife to be different from my beforelife.In fact, I hadn’t expected an afterlife at all. As the youngest person in dìfǔ, with no descendants, I certainly didn’t ant...
augursociety.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by Natalie Zutter
runwithskizzers.bsky.social
someone explain in terms a starving five year old can understand what this supreme court order means bc it sounds like more starving
November 8, 2025 at 3:04 AM
zutsuit.bsky.social
So Lost had me until the season 5 finale with Juliet bashing the nuke ("come on, you son of a bitch!") but it's losing me so hard with the final season. Smoke Daddy Locke managing his quarreling daughters Kate and Claire while Sayid looks on all Dr. Manhattan. Thank goodness for Ben's sassy quips.
November 8, 2025 at 3:00 AM
zutsuit.bsky.social
This essay was so affirming for someone who usually thinks of story first and only then can ask -- as Javi so succinctly puts it -- "what sort of character needs this plot?"
November 8, 2025 at 1:09 AM