Kayla Lightner
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kaylalightner.bsky.social
Kayla Lightner
@kaylalightner.bsky.social
Literary agent @ APL. Fiction MFA @ UMD. Words in Split Lip, Pithead Chapel, phoebe, and elsewhere. Puschart Nom '25, BOTN Finalist '24, BSF Nom '22, Lover of babies 'always. Find me here: kaylalightner.com
Reposted by Kayla Lightner
"Your mother always speaks of the scraps she got into as a girl the way other folks talk about Christmas."

This time last year, we published the engaging story IF YOU'RE FEELING FROGGY by @kaylalightner.bsky.social. Find it in the archives! buff.ly/bmY4eMV
October 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Kayla Lightner
I spent the summer reporting this essay on why it seems harder than ever to sell a book right now—especially if it isn't a debut and comes with the dreaded "sales track." I'm grateful to the writers, agents, editors, publishers & experts who spoke to me for this piece: thewalrus.ca/the-publishi...
The Publishing Industry Has a Gambling Problem | The Walrus
Companies keep betting on the next bestseller. Literature is poorer for it
thewalrus.ca
September 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Kayla Lightner
Look! A great class with SLM Contributor @kaylalightner.bsky.social ! Maybe you should sign up while it’s on sale! 😉
TGIF! To kick off the weekend, we’re offering a FLASH SALE on one of our most popular workshops: Mapping the Maze for Creative Nonfiction Writers. Use code FLASHSALE20 for 20% the registration fee and get ready to chart your path to publication. Register now (while space remains!): at.pw.org/44EK9yT
Mapping the Maze for Creative Nonfiction Writers: Chart Your Path to Publication — Poets & Writers
Trying to get your work published can feel like wandering in a maze. If you're running into one dead end after another, not sure which way to turn, this workshop can demystify the process and help you...
at.pw.org
May 16, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Kayla Lightner
Each year, we partner with regional universities like the University of Mississippi Department of English to create scholarship opportunities for writers. We are so happy that Noreen Ocampo from UM, will be joining us as a scholar!
www.noreenocampo.com
#fictionwriters
#poetry
#Writersconferrence
March 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Kayla Lightner
Each year, we partner with regional universities like the UAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham to create scholarship opportunities for writers. We are so happy that Trinity Walker from UAB, will be joining us as a scholar in May!

#fictionwriter
#poets
#creativenonfiction
March 6, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Hooray✨🎉 Congrats and well-earned @abelletm.bsky.social
THE MANGO TREE by @abelletm.bsky.social is a Best Book of the Year according to @npr.org (apps.npr.org/best-books/#...) and @washingtonpost.com (www.washingtonpost.com/books/2024/1...)!

Hip hip🥭!!!
December 2, 2024 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Kayla Lightner
We recommend you read @kaylalightner.bsky.social 's Puschart-nominated story, “If You’re Feeling Froggy." It's a gorgeous piece! https://buff.ly/3UdL1EG
If You’re Feeling Froggy — Split Lip Magazine
Your mother always speaks of the scraps she got into as a girl the way other folks talk about Christmas. Nostalgic as she recalls waiting outside on some poor girl’s front porch, shoulders relaxed,…
buff.ly
November 25, 2024 at 10:27 PM