Nic Anstett
LightNews LightNews
banner
nicanstett.bsky.social
Nic Anstett
@nicanstett.bsky.social
5.1K followers 1.3K following 2.1K posts
she/her 🏳️‍⚧️ Writer of queer things. Lover of dinosaurs

Stories in One Story, Witness Magazine, Michigan Quarterly Review, Passages North, Lightspeed, and other cool places.

Represented by Erin Harris @ Folio Literary

nicanstett.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
nicanstett.bsky.social
I’m sorry but every time I read Nuzzi I picture
Muzzy from the educational animated video, Muzzy
November 18, 2025 at 4:50 AM
nicanstett.bsky.social
I hate gay Halloween what do you mean you’re “Oscar Wilde the Grouch”
Nic dressed as Oscar Wilde stands in a trash can
November 1, 2025 at 10:45 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Finally read the entirety of Chase Berggrun’s book of “Dracula” erasure poetry “Red” and I’m obsessed with how it eradicates, rewrites, and transforms the original text’s misogyny and queerphobia. Bram Stoker would’ve hated it and that’s about the highest praise I can give.
The poetry collection “Red” by Chase Berggrun lays atop a cloth backdrop
October 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Just finished grading my eighth AI written assignment today
A picture from Terminator 2: Judgement Day. A skeleton grips a chainlink fence during an explosion
October 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
A picture of the Daily Bugle from the comic "Hawkeye." It reads "Everything Awful: Oh God Somebody Do Something."
October 20, 2025 at 7:31 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Unfortunately, whenever poets mention “sestinas” I immediately picture
Sextina Aquafina from Bojack Horseman
October 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Me grading any writing assignment I've received over the last three years:
Harrison Ford as Deckard Shaw conducts a "Voight-Kampff Test"
September 29, 2025 at 2:02 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
I'm working on my slide deck for my mini lecture tomorrow on Eileen Myles and I kinda have to include this picture right?
Eileen Myles sits with her legs spread on an outdoor couch, one leg is propped upwards. They wear a black blazer over a gray button down
September 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
A SpongeBob meme. The text reads: “Was the shooter’s roommate trans? No, the shooter’s roommate wasn’t trans. No, the other roommate wasn’t trans either.”
September 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
There’s gotta be a better way to say this…
An Instagram post from a Godzilla X Kong mobile game that reads: “chasers mark your calendars!”
September 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Me seeing awesome submission calls for other genres/subjects after spending the last two years sequestered in novel land.
DW from Arthur grips a grated fence
September 3, 2025 at 12:52 AM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Not to hype up a mall retailer, but I’ve had so much success finding nice, flattering formal dresses at Windsor. Like these were also finds from there
Nic wears a black dress with floral sides Nic wears a sparkling maroon dress
September 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Been kinda rocking the dress game lately
Nic takes a mirror selfie of herself in a scoop neck olive green dress Nic takes a mirror selfie in a black dress Nic looks at herself in the mirror in her wedding dress Nic takes a mirror selfie in her white bachelorette party dress
September 1, 2025 at 6:10 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
The only way I could think to efficiently share it was to screenshot the schedule
Week 1 T 08/26 • Review syllabus • In Class Writing Assignment TH 08/28 • Ice Breakers • Introduction to Trans Literature • Discussion Board Due by 11:59pm Friday Week 2 T 09/02 • Read before class: “Prayer for Transformation” by Rabbi Kalonymus & “A Hymn to Inanna” by Enheduanna • A Brief Trans History TH 09/04 • Read Stone Butch Blues Chapters 1-6 • Discussion Board Due by EOD Friday Week 3 T 09/09 • Read Stone Butch Blues Chapters 7-12 • Reading Discussion TH 09/11 • Read Stone Butch Blues Chapters 13-18 • Reading Discussion Week 4 T 09/16 • Read Stone Butch Blues Chapters 19-26 • Reading Discussion • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm TH 09/18 • Read: “The Empire Strikes Back: A Post Transsexual Manifesto” by Sandy Stone and “An American Poem” by Eileen Myles • Reading Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 5 T 09/23 • Read Gender Trash from Hell Issue #1 • Discussion TH 09/25 • Cinematic Portrayals of Trans-ness in the 20th century • First paper due by EOD Friday 9/26 Week 6 T 09/30 • Read: Nevada “Part One” Chapters 1-15 • Discussion of Reading • Trans Writing from the Aughts TH 10/02 NO CLASS YOM KIPPUR Week 7 T 10/07 • Read Nevada “Part One” Chapters 16-30 & Nevada “Part Two” Chapters 1-15 • Discussion of Reading • Whipping Girl and Trans Misogyny Millennial Trans Writing • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm TH 10/09 • Read Nevada “Part Two” Chapters 16-30 • Discussion of Reading • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 8 T 10/14 NO CLASS Fall Break TH 10/16 • Read: “Boy with Flowers” by Ely Shipley, “Boi-ness” by Fabian Romero, “Full Metal Oji-Cree” by Joshua Whitehead, & “Birthday Suits” by J. Jennifer Espinoza • 2010s Trans Poetry • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 9 T 10/21 • Read Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars “Part One” – “Part Two” TH 10/23 • Read Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars “Part Three” – “Part Five” • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 10 T 10/28 • Read “Transition” by Akwaeke Emezi and “Among Men” by Calvin Gimpelevich • Reading Discussion TH 10/30 • Read “The Helicopter Story” by Isabel Fall • Paper Two Due by EOD Friday 10/31 Week 11 T 11/04 • Read Bad Girls Pages 1-55 • Reading Discussion TH 11/06 • Read Bad Girls Pages 57-103 • Reading Discussion • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 12 T 11/11 • Read Bad Girls Pages 105-161 • Reading Discussion TH 11/13 • Read Bad Girls Pages 163 - 192 • Reading Discussion • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 13 T 11/18 • Read Before Class: “Portrait of My Gender as [Inaudible]” by Meg Day, “They/Them” by Danez Smith, & “Having a Great Time Being Transgender in America Lately” by Jackie Sabbagh • 2020s Trans Poetry • Reading Discussion TH 11/20 • “The Right to Change Sex” by Andrea Long Chu • Essay Three Due by EOD Friday 11/21 Week 14 T 11/25 • Read Before Class: “Affection” by Emily Zhou TH 11/27 • NO CLASS Thanksgiving Holiday. Week 15 T 12/2 • Read Pretty by KB Brookins Part One • Reading Discussion TH 12/4 • Read Pretty by KB Brookins Part Two • Reading Discussion • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Finals Week Final Projects
August 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
The only way I could think to efficiently share it was to screenshot the schedule
A class syllabus, it reads: Week 1 T 08/26 • Review syllabus • In Class Writing Assignment TH 08/28 • Ice Breakers • Introduction to Trans Literature • Discussion Board Due by 11:59pm Friday Week 2 T 09/02 • Read before class: “Prayer for Transformation” by Rabbi Kalonymus & “A Hymn to Inanna” by Enheduanna • A Brief Trans History TH 09/04 • Read Stone Butch Blues Chapters 1-6 • Discussion Board Due by EOD Friday Week 3 T 09/09 • Read Stone Butch Blues Chapters 7-12 • Reading Discussion TH 09/11 • Read Stone Butch Blues Chapters 13-18 • Reading Discussion Week 4 T 09/16 • Read Stone Butch Blues Chapters 19-26 • Reading Discussion • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm TH 09/18 • Read: “The Empire Strikes Back: A Post Transsexual Manifesto” by Sandy Stone and “An American Poem” by Eileen Myles • Reading Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 5 T 09/23 • Read Gender Trash from Hell Issue #1 • Discussion TH 09/25 • Cinematic Portrayals of Trans-ness in the 20th century • First paper due by EOD Friday 9/26 Week 6 T 09/30 • Read: Nevada “Part One” Chapters 1-15 • Discussion of Reading • Trans Writing from the Aughts TH 10/02 NO CLASS YOM KIPPUR Week 7 T 10/07 • Read Nevada “Part One” Chapters 16-30 & Nevada “Part Two” Chapters 1-15 • Discussion of Reading • Whipping Girl and Trans Misogyny Millennial Trans Writing • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm TH 10/09 • Read Nevada “Part Two” Chapters 16-30 • Discussion of Reading • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 8 T 10/14 NO CLASS Fall Break TH 10/16 • Read: “Boy with Flowers” by Ely Shipley, “Boi-ness” by Fabian Romero, “Full Metal Oji-Cree” by Joshua Whitehead, & “Birthday Suits” by J. Jennifer Espinoza • 2010s Trans Poetry • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm A class syllabus schedule, it reads: Week 9 T 10/21 • Read Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars “Part One” – “Part Two” TH 10/23 • Read Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars “Part Three” – “Part Five” • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 10 T 10/28 • Read “Transition” by Akwaeke Emezi and “Among Men” by Calvin Gimpelevich • Reading Discussion TH 10/30 • Read “The Helicopter Story” by Isabel Fall • Paper Two Due by EOD Friday 10/31 Week 11 T 11/04 • Read Bad Girls Pages 1-55 • Reading Discussion TH 11/06 • Read Bad Girls Pages 57-103 • Reading Discussion • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 12 T 11/11 • Read Bad Girls Pages 105-161 • Reading Discussion TH 11/13 • Read Bad Girls Pages 163 - 192 • Reading Discussion • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Week 13 T 11/18 • Read Before Class: “Portrait of My Gender as [Inaudible]” by Meg Day, “They/Them” by Danez Smith, & “Having a Great Time Being Transgender in America Lately” by Jackie Sabbagh • 2020s Trans Poetry • Reading Discussion TH 11/20 • “The Right to Change Sex” by Andrea Long Chu • Essay Three Due by EOD Friday 11/21 Week 14 T 11/25 • Read Before Class: “Affection” by Emily Zhou TH 11/27 • NO CLASS Thanksgiving Holiday. Week 15 T 12/2 • Read Pretty by KB Brookins Part One • Reading Discussion TH 12/4 • Read Pretty by KB Brookins Part Two • Reading Discussion • Discussion Board Due by Friday at 11:59pm Finals Week Final Projects
August 29, 2025 at 8:48 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
I’m going to miss you, Hedgebrook! Thank you for giving me and my words a home for these last weeks.
A wooden sign reads “Hedgebrook Farm” A laptop sits in the woods. It depicts a word document that says “Bleeding Hearts: A Novel by Nic Anstett” Seven women sit around a table and smile A wooden cottage sits at the top of a forest hill
August 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
My mom found a book I wrote when I was five
August 21, 2025 at 4:56 AM
nicanstett.bsky.social
I had a proper Maryland birthday
A cardboard box filled with steamed blue crabs Five smiling people sit around a table picking crabs Two groups of smiling people eat blue crabs Mariah Rigg excitedly holds up a MD blue crab
August 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Had so much fun ringing in @riggstah.bsky.social’s debut book tour last night! It’s not every day that your best friend publishes a book and I feel so special to share a moment with these stories X
Nic Anstett and Mariah Rigg sit in two chairs. Mariah reads from her book “The Extinction Capital of the World” while Nic reads along silently. Nic and Mariah in conversation. They laugh and smile. Nic and Mariah take a bathroom mirror selfie Nic and Mariah hold copies of Mariah’s books and sit cross legged on chairs
August 9, 2025 at 6:21 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Reminder that my conversation with my bestie @riggstah.bsky.social about her phenomenal debut story collection, “Extinction Capital of the World,” is tonight at 7pm at @redemmas.org! Hope to see you all there!
An event poster that shows pictures of Mariah Rigg, Nic Anstett, and the cover to Mariah’s book. The text reads “Mariah Rigg presents ‘Extinction Capital of the World’ in conversation w/ Nic Anstett. Friday, August 8th 2025 7pm Red Emma’s”
August 8, 2025 at 5:53 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Fellow professors and teachers, what are your AI policies for the fall? This is the most I've ever dedicated to it in my syllabus, but I feel like I need to make it as airtight as possible given my past experiences.
Submitting work that has been generated even partially by predictive text AI (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Claude, Copilot, or GrammarlyGO’s generative suggestions or AI-powered rewrites) will be regarded as an academic integrity violation and will be responded to accordingly. The use of any AI generative writing program outside of spellcheck is not allowed in this course. Do not run your work through AI paraphrasing, generative AI suggestions, or AI-powered rewrites software to adjust grammar and syntax. This is not a class where I will be grading you on grammar. I’d much rather read a paper that contains typos and sentence fragments than one which has been heavily edited by AI. Similarly, students are also prohibited from utilizing ChatGPT as a brainstorming or outlining tool for classwork, even if any submitted work does not include any text that was generated using AI. The first time a student is suspected of utilizing ChatGPT or a similar program in any of the methods described above, I will assign a grade of 0% to the assignment in question alongside sending a notification explaining why. In this first instance, the student will have the opportunity to disclose their use of AI in exchange for revision or partial credit. Importantly, any resubmission must be a full, original rewrite in response to the assignment prompt from the ground up, not a paraphrased or lightly edited version of the original submission with compromised authorship. If you believe that I have inaccurately labeled your assignment as having improperly utilized AI, you will be expected to provide clear proof demonstrating otherwise. This proof can consist of notes and outlines showing early stages of the writing process, previous drafts or documents with time-stamped change logs, or a thorough explanation of how you developed the assignment, including your research process, thesis formulation, and use of evidence.
August 6, 2025 at 7:19 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Today I had the incredible experience of walking into my favorite indie bookstore and buying my best friend’s book!
A display of new paperback releases including “The Extinction Capital of the World” by Mariah Rigg Nic, a brunette white woman, holds a copy of “The Extinction Capital of the World” and smiles
August 5, 2025 at 4:24 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
Nobody told me that there was a masking episode of “Phineas and Ferb,” I’m screaming
A still from Phineas and Ferb of multiple people wearing latex costumes of Candace
August 1, 2025 at 2:16 AM
nicanstett.bsky.social
This is also an absolutely perfect time to pre-order my best friend @riggstah.bsky.social's phenomenal new story collection, "The Extinction Capital of the World!"

bookshop.org/p/books/exti...
The cover for the book "The Extinction Capital of the World" by Mariah Rigg
July 8, 2025 at 3:52 PM
nicanstett.bsky.social
I opened this Pride Month by getting gay married! Happy one month anniversary to the love of my life, my queer wife!
Two women wearing wedding dresses hold hands and walk in front of a barn A woman in a wedding gown reclines on a couch and looks up at another woman in a wedding dress. Two women wearing wedding dresses hold hands in front of an official wearing a rainbow sash. One of the women faces a way from the camera. A crowd of guests watches. Two women wearing wedding dresses enter a barn. They hold hands and lift them to the air triumphantly.
June 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM