Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 15h

I finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker and The Power by Naomi Alderman today. Started The Hangman's Daughter by Olive Potzsch this evening.

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 17h

They love this idea!!! 😂

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Maria Haskins @mariahaskins.com · 20h

Help support @apexmag.bsky.social and unlock some great campaign milestones: a story by me (👀) and editor Story Time already unlocked. More to come, including a story by Angela Liu! AND stretch goals including Kai Delmas as editor of a themed Drabble submission period!

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 21h

There's just 17 DAYS LEFT to back the 2026 Apex Magazine Kickstarter! We've been supporting outstanding authors writing strange, shocking, beautiful stories for 20 years...help us keep doing it for 20 more! 💜👽

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

"Only 3% to go until...Lesley and Rebecca host a Watch a Horror Movie with the Editors night!"

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 17h

My kid has decided that they're going to be a sad clown for Halloween and go around giving people balloon animals. I've heard nothing but the squeaking of balloons for the past hour and a half as they've practiced.

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 17h

NEW KICKSTARTER TIER UNLOCKED! At 110%, each backer will receive a NEW BRAIN 🧠 with zero microplastics*🚮, a normal amount of dopamine**😃✨, and the ability to see shrimp colors***🦐🌈!

* okay maybe a few microplastics
**what is “normal” anyway?
*** 9 out of 10 shrimps recommend!

Apex Magazine 2026

An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.

www.kickstarter.com

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Erin Al-Mehairi, Editor & Author @erinalmehairi.bsky.social · 17h

Have openings soon for anyone wanting to schedule now for me to do book editing (or any #editing). Working to finish a project, but then, I am in need of your work. Development, line, copy, proofreading. Many years experience! DM or email me. Shares wanted & welcome!! 🫶🏼

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Jen Donohue @authorizedmusings.bsky.social · 1d

Apex Magazine is at $7178 out of a $20,000 base goal! They have 16 days to go!

Help THEM reach their Apex!

(there are also stretch goals)

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

Apex Magazine 2026

An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.

www.kickstarter.com

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Brian Keene @briankeene.bsky.social · 2d

Announcing @scaresthatcare.bsky.social 2026 Women’s Writing Symposium, with guest speakers @marysangiovanni.bsky.social, Sherrilyn Kenyon, @lmariewood.bsky.social, Jennifer McMahon, @lisakroger.bsky.social, & Melanie R. Anderson. scaresthatcare.ticketspice.com/womens-writi...

Women's Writing Symposium

Get Tickets for Women's Writing Symposium.

scaresthatcare.ticketspice.com

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 2d

When my daughter was little, we lived with my parents for 8 months. My mom convinced me getting goldfish would be a good idea. It was not. They kept dying and I'd think "Okay, kid will be sad, but at least this is over." Then while I was at work my brother would buy new fish. Every time!

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 3d

We're only $4 away from $7,000!!!! www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

Apex Magazine 2026

An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.

www.kickstarter.com

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 4d

We added a few more flash fiction critiques with @retreasure.bsky.social to the Apex Kickstarter, because the first 5 went super fast! If you've ever wanted Apex's queen of flash to give you pointers on your piece, now is the time to snag a critique. www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

Apex Magazine 2026

An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.

www.kickstarter.com

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 4d

This interview is 🔥🔥🔥!

If you haven't read the story yet, be sure to do that first, but don't miss out on Marissa's interview!

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 4d

"I’m interested in how we can use the tools of speculative fiction to talk about the post-truth world." 🔮📚

New interview today by @marissavu.bsky.social: "Author Anita Moskát and Translator Austin Wagner"

Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...

"Interview with Author Anita Moskát and Translator Austin Wagner, By Marissa van Uden. Apex Magazine Issue 151."

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 4d

The @apexmag.bsky.social 2026 Kickstarter is currently sitting at $6,717 of our $20K goal! That means we're a third of the way to funding four issues of Apex for next year! Can we hit 50% before the end of the week? www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

Apex Magazine 2026

An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.

www.kickstarter.com

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Charles (Cy) Payseur @cypayseur.bsky.social · 4d

Short SFF Reading Update #quicksipreviews

Apex #151 @apexmag.bsky.social (8 originals)

The issue starts strong with Anita Moskát's "Liecraft" (translated by Ausitn Wagner) which packs a heavy emotional punch and features some fascinating and devastating world building and character work.

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 4d

It's exciting to be back in the @apexmag.bsky.social slush!

a little girl is making a funny face while wearing a blue shirt with a leopard print .

Alt: a little girl is making a funny face while wearing a blue shirt with a leopard print .

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

David M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 5d

We need these kinds of magazines to publish nonfiction. It's a tough time for literary criticism, essays about ideas, creative non-fiction, and I'm thrilled to see Apex is going to take pitches. Support if you can!

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 5d

WE'RE 30% FUNDED!! 🎉🎉🎉 Apex will be open to nonfiction pitches FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! ✨

Want to unlock the next chapter of Apex? Please consider backing our Kickstarter and help us keep publishing the strange, surreal, shocking, beautiful stories you love!

Apex Magazine 2026

An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.

www.kickstarter.com

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Jason Sanford @jasonsanford.bsky.social · 6d

Exciting news! My novel Plague Birds, which was a finalist for the Nebula & Philip K. Dick Awards, will be rereleased by Apex Books @apexmag.bsky.social in an new edition with extra content in June 2026. And a sequel will be published by Apex in Oct. 2026. 1/
www.apexbookcompany.com/products/pla...

Cover of Plague Birds by Jason Sanford, which was a finalist for the Nebula and Philip K. Dick Awards.

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Catherine Tavares @cjtavares.bsky.social · 6d

It's here! @apexmag.bsky.social issue 151 is out now and contains my story "Ghosts of Summer"!!! The end of summer and the beginning of spooky season collide as two witches try to beat the summer heat. But high temperatures and magic are a dangerous combination. 👻☀️

Check out the full issue below:

Apex Magazine Issue 151

EDITORIALMusings from Maryland by Lesley Conner ORIGINAL FICTION"Liecraft" by Anita Moskát, translated by Austin Wagner"Ghosts of Summer" by Catherine Tavares "Code Green" by Rebecca Johnson "We Used ...

www.apexbookcompany.com

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 6d

WE'RE 30% FUNDED!! 🎉🎉🎉 Apex will be open to nonfiction pitches FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! ✨

Want to unlock the next chapter of Apex? Please consider backing our Kickstarter and help us keep publishing the strange, surreal, shocking, beautiful stories you love!

www.kickstarter.com/.../apexpu.....

30% UNLOCKED!

For the first time, Apex will open to nonfiction pitches. We are expanding our nonfiction editorial team! ZZ Claybourne has been our nonfiction editor for the past couple of years, and is doing a fantastic job. His editorial eye has elevated Apex’s nonfiction and has helped us discover many new voices. Rodney Carlstrom will be joining the Apex team as an associate nonfiction editor to help ZZ manage submitted nonfiction pitches.

cow floating in space with some astronauts next to the current Kickstarter number, "$6,000!"

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 6d

You all voted for spooky vibes this month, and we heard you loud and clear! 🎃🌒

Gather round the campfire, because October's flash fiction theme is FOLKLORE! You have until October 31st to submit!

www.patreon.com/posts/octobe...

a silhouette of a person riding a horse holding a pumpkin

Alt: black and white image of the headless horseman riding a black horse

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 6d

"We want to entertain you, make you think, give you a break from reality, and broaden your reading horizons." 📚🌅

New editorial today by @lesleyconner.bsky.social: "Musings from Maryland"

Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...

"Musings from Maryland By Lesley Conner. Apex Magazine Issue 151."

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 6d

Don't forget! We're currently running a Kickstarter to fund Apex in 2026. If you want to see more from Apex in the years to come, consider backing us today! www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

Apex Magazine 2026

An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.

www.kickstarter.com

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 6d

Or pick you the entire issue now by buying a digital copy direct from Apex: www.apexbookcompany.com/products/ape...

Or through your favorite ebook distributor.

Apex Magazine Issue 151

EDITORIALMusings from Maryland by Lesley Conner ORIGINAL FICTION"Liecraft" by Anita Moskát, translated by Austin Wagner"Ghosts of Summer" by Catherine Tavares "Code Green" by Rebecca Johnson "We Used ...

www.apexbookcompany.com

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Lesley Conner @lesleyconner.bsky.social · 6d

Apex Magazine issue 151 is out now! Check out "Liecraft" by Anita Moskát, translated by Austin Wagner, on the Apex website now! www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...

Cover of Apex Magazine issue 151. Title "Hedge Grandmother"

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Reposted by Lesley Conner

The Deadlands @thedeadlands.com · 7d

it's here, The Deadlands fundraiser 💀

buy your very 2026 coin for the ferryman and help support us

we've got signed books, deadlands issues + psychopomp book bundles, and more coming soon!

please like + RT this to help spread the word

psychopomp.com/the-deadland...

behold!

Illustration of a white skull partially obscured by colorful mushrooms and plants. Different fungi sprout from and around the skull, including red mushrooms with white spots, yellow fan-shaped mushrooms, gray cluster mushrooms, and orange bulbous mushrooms, with green and purple plants filling the background. A ribbon at the bottom of the skull reads “ADMIT ONE.”

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