Alison Fincher
@alisonfincher.bsky.social
public scholarship at Read Japanese Literature (@readjapaneseliterature.com) | co-editor for Japanese lit at Asian Review of Books | MSt English lit, 650-1550 | queer (historical/SFF) romance reader | ATL | genderqueer (all pronouns) | generative AI is bad
Reposted by Alison Fincher
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
November 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Don't just watch. Join the movement.
Fri, 11/28, 7pm @ the Plaza Theatre
In Conversation: The Power of Community.
Following the First Voices Festival screening of She Cried That Day.
www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/first-...
Fri, 11/28, 7pm @ the Plaza Theatre
In Conversation: The Power of Community.
Following the First Voices Festival screening of She Cried That Day.
www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/first-...
November 27, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Don't just watch. Join the movement.
Fri, 11/28, 7pm @ the Plaza Theatre
In Conversation: The Power of Community.
Following the First Voices Festival screening of She Cried That Day.
www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/first-...
Fri, 11/28, 7pm @ the Plaza Theatre
In Conversation: The Power of Community.
Following the First Voices Festival screening of She Cried That Day.
www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/first-...
Reposted by Alison Fincher
"I DNF first-person books if I can't relate to the protagonist" is a kind of illiteracy.
The point of first person is not to insert yourself into a narrative. You are supposed to experience and empathize with the perspective of a character that is intended to be fully fleshed out.
The point of first person is not to insert yourself into a narrative. You are supposed to experience and empathize with the perspective of a character that is intended to be fully fleshed out.
November 26, 2025 at 4:08 PM
"I DNF first-person books if I can't relate to the protagonist" is a kind of illiteracy.
The point of first person is not to insert yourself into a narrative. You are supposed to experience and empathize with the perspective of a character that is intended to be fully fleshed out.
The point of first person is not to insert yourself into a narrative. You are supposed to experience and empathize with the perspective of a character that is intended to be fully fleshed out.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
I don’t want to undermine the economic blackout or We Ain’t Buying It campaign, so I’m releasing the 2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases list a little early this year. Please enjoy!
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I don’t want to undermine the economic blackout or We Ain’t Buying It campaign, so I’m releasing the 2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases list a little early this year. Please enjoy!
-A record of treating all people like people. The “Third Way” can suck it.
-A record or a plan for ACTIVELY opposing the Trump regime
-A plan for building something better. Restoring America ca 2012 would be an improvement but would NOT be a win.
-Opposition to genocide
-A record or a plan for ACTIVELY opposing the Trump regime
-A plan for building something better. Restoring America ca 2012 would be an improvement but would NOT be a win.
-Opposition to genocide
Looking ahead to midterms—
Question— what are your top 3-5 issues that determine who you vote for?
Question— what are your top 3-5 issues that determine who you vote for?
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
-A record of treating all people like people. The “Third Way” can suck it.
-A record or a plan for ACTIVELY opposing the Trump regime
-A plan for building something better. Restoring America ca 2012 would be an improvement but would NOT be a win.
-Opposition to genocide
-A record or a plan for ACTIVELY opposing the Trump regime
-A plan for building something better. Restoring America ca 2012 would be an improvement but would NOT be a win.
-Opposition to genocide
Black organizers know how to run a boycott.
If you’re not already avoiding Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, please commit to avoiding these stores for JUST FIVE DAYS to help out.
If you’re not already avoiding Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, please commit to avoiding these stores for JUST FIVE DAYS to help out.
"We’re watching corporations bend over backwards to appease an administration and gain tax breaks, even when it hurts their own customers.”
https://bit.ly/3M5GDpT
https://bit.ly/3M5GDpT
A call to action
‘We Ain't Buying It'
contrarian.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Black organizers know how to run a boycott.
If you’re not already avoiding Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, please commit to avoiding these stores for JUST FIVE DAYS to help out.
If you’re not already avoiding Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, please commit to avoiding these stores for JUST FIVE DAYS to help out.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Reminder that it's Tuesday, which means it's a pub day full of great new queer releases! lgbtqreads.com/2025/11/04/n...
New Releases: November 2025
Chris Makes a Friend by Alex Gino (4th) This is not the summer Chris has planned… Chris does not want to be spending the summer with her grandparents and her little sister. Her grandparents aren’t …
lgbtqreads.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reminder that it's Tuesday, which means it's a pub day full of great new queer releases! lgbtqreads.com/2025/11/04/n...
Reposted by Alison Fincher
If you're working on Occupation-era Japan, please consider applying! The UMD Prange Collection has a treasure trove of archival info and the staff are fantastic. 100% recommend this opportunity. Deadline is Jan. 30.
www.lib.umd.edu/about/awards...
www.lib.umd.edu/about/awards...
Awards for 20th Century Japan Research | University Libraries
Each year, the Nathan and Jeanette Miller Center for Historical Studies and the University of Maryland Libraries invite applications for grants to support research in the Libraries' Gordon W.
www.lib.umd.edu
November 25, 2025 at 10:34 AM
If you're working on Occupation-era Japan, please consider applying! The UMD Prange Collection has a treasure trove of archival info and the staff are fantastic. 100% recommend this opportunity. Deadline is Jan. 30.
www.lib.umd.edu/about/awards...
www.lib.umd.edu/about/awards...
Any folks I know going?
The #AAS2026 preliminary conference program is online ... start browsing the nearly *600 sessions*, planning your schedule, and seeing all that our gathering in Vancouver has to offer!
buff.ly/gItXtM1
buff.ly/gItXtM1
November 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Any folks I know going?
I know Kaos was expensive to make, but I still think the cancellation of season 2 within a week of its debut was in anticipation of a Trump win. 😞
"According to the report, [...]during the 2024-25 television season, queer characters increased across platforms by 4%, bringing the total to 489. However, the Thursday report found that 41% of those characters will not return." www.thewrap.com/glaad-where-...
Nearly Half of All LGBTQ+ Characters Will Disappear From TV Next Season, GLAAD Study Finds
The 2024-25 TV season recorded 489 queer characters across broadcast, cable and screenings, but cancellations and plot find a deep decline to come
www.thewrap.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I know Kaos was expensive to make, but I still think the cancellation of season 2 within a week of its debut was in anticipation of a Trump win. 😞
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Look for RJL’s 2026 list of new and upcoming releases from Japan later this week.
In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of what’s already available for pre-order!
In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of what’s already available for pre-order!
2026 New Releases from Japan
Checkout out this list on Bookshop
bookshop.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Look for RJL’s 2026 list of new and upcoming releases from Japan later this week.
In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of what’s already available for pre-order!
In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of what’s already available for pre-order!
I do NOT go in for cozy, but Cat Sebastian’s latest is an actually palatable comfort read about redemption and hope in what looks like an impossibly difficult historical moment. Definitely written for fall 2025.
Two thumbs way up.
Two thumbs way up.
After Hours at Dooryard Books
Check out After Hours at Dooryard Books - <p>1968 New York City</p><p></p><p>News about the war might be keeping Patrick up at night--news in general might be keeping Patrick up at night--but he's doi...
bookshop.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 AM
I do NOT go in for cozy, but Cat Sebastian’s latest is an actually palatable comfort read about redemption and hope in what looks like an impossibly difficult historical moment. Definitely written for fall 2025.
Two thumbs way up.
Two thumbs way up.
Today I watched the Bluey episode “Fairytale” for the first time.
It’s set in the 1980s. When Bandit and his brothers were all older than I was by the end of the 1980s.
Bluey’s are apparently, like, half a decade older than me.
I don’t know how I feel about this information. 😅
It’s set in the 1980s. When Bandit and his brothers were all older than I was by the end of the 1980s.
Bluey’s are apparently, like, half a decade older than me.
I don’t know how I feel about this information. 😅
November 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Today I watched the Bluey episode “Fairytale” for the first time.
It’s set in the 1980s. When Bandit and his brothers were all older than I was by the end of the 1980s.
Bluey’s are apparently, like, half a decade older than me.
I don’t know how I feel about this information. 😅
It’s set in the 1980s. When Bandit and his brothers were all older than I was by the end of the 1980s.
Bluey’s are apparently, like, half a decade older than me.
I don’t know how I feel about this information. 😅
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Love it for Amazon that they apparently think all these women are the same person.
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Love it for Amazon that they apparently think all these women are the same person.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Help Indivisible ATL reach our target goal of $500 for Atlanta Community Foodbank, which serves 29 counties in Metro Atlanta.
(We’re working with a coalition of progressive Atlanta orgs to raise a total of $10k. We’re more than halfway there!)
(We’re working with a coalition of progressive Atlanta orgs to raise a total of $10k. We’re more than halfway there!)
November 16, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Help Indivisible ATL reach our target goal of $500 for Atlanta Community Foodbank, which serves 29 counties in Metro Atlanta.
(We’re working with a coalition of progressive Atlanta orgs to raise a total of $10k. We’re more than halfway there!)
(We’re working with a coalition of progressive Atlanta orgs to raise a total of $10k. We’re more than halfway there!)
Why does the myth persist that America had open borders until the passage of the 1921 Johnson Quota Act?
The Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1882.
I suppose the TLDR remains the same: our immigration policies have ALWAYS been racist.
The Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1882.
I suppose the TLDR remains the same: our immigration policies have ALWAYS been racist.
November 14, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Why does the myth persist that America had open borders until the passage of the 1921 Johnson Quota Act?
The Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1882.
I suppose the TLDR remains the same: our immigration policies have ALWAYS been racist.
The Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1882.
I suppose the TLDR remains the same: our immigration policies have ALWAYS been racist.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Does anyone know what's going on with Harlequin Afterglow? A few months ago I heard they were cancelling contracted books and closing the whole line, but now there are releases lined up all through 2026 with new submission guidelines posted. Looks like they're pivoting to more SFF?
November 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Does anyone know what's going on with Harlequin Afterglow? A few months ago I heard they were cancelling contracted books and closing the whole line, but now there are releases lined up all through 2026 with new submission guidelines posted. Looks like they're pivoting to more SFF?
Reposted by Alison Fincher
We have collapsed.
This just into the newsroom
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court issues emergency order temporarily blocking full SNAP food aid payments.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court issues emergency order temporarily blocking full SNAP food aid payments.
November 8, 2025 at 2:37 AM
We have collapsed.
I did an RJL episode about this!
November 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I did an RJL episode about this!
Reposted by Alison Fincher
The idea that EN publishers would use AI for speed is hilarious, because most LNs start out serialized as web novels or published in magazines.
They're already pirated and fan/AI-translated by impatient fans long before the JP side even publishes them as novels.
They're already pirated and fan/AI-translated by impatient fans long before the JP side even publishes them as novels.
As machine translation tools under the banner of AI become increasingly accessible and easy to use, the light novel landscape is at a crossroads. Do light novel publishers compromise their product for more speed, and if so, by how much?
Does the Light Novel Translation Process Need AI?
www.animenewsnetwork.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The idea that EN publishers would use AI for speed is hilarious, because most LNs start out serialized as web novels or published in magazines.
They're already pirated and fan/AI-translated by impatient fans long before the JP side even publishes them as novels.
They're already pirated and fan/AI-translated by impatient fans long before the JP side even publishes them as novels.
“Parental choice”
LAUSD, the second-largest school district in the country, has enabled chatbots on student devices without even notifying parents or providing any means of opting out.
I seem to remember whole congressional hearings about the terrible destructive force that is violence in video games and yet, there is a very strange quiet about an unregulated technology that coaches people to suicide.
November 7, 2025 at 2:37 PM
“Parental choice”
11yo’s science teacher requires her to use ChatGPT in the classroom.
It’s “just a tool”.
It’s “just a tool”.
1.This is not the only known example we know of ChatGPT cheering on a vulnerable young person to die by suicide, this time it is a recent Texas A&M grad
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
2. Every single university that has invited OpenAI into our midst should be asked to account for their choices.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
11yo’s science teacher requires her to use ChatGPT in the classroom.
It’s “just a tool”.
It’s “just a tool”.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
We’re also fundraising for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, one of the most important sources of food aid in the Metro Atlanta area.
Please give what you can! 🙏
Please give what you can! 🙏
November 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
We’re also fundraising for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, one of the most important sources of food aid in the Metro Atlanta area.
Please give what you can! 🙏
Please give what you can! 🙏
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Please use and/or share!
Here is a list of culturally specific food pantries in the Atlanta metro – 285 South
Amid a government shutdown and cuts to SNAP benefits, food pantries in Atlanta are stocking up—and asking for community support to help those in need
285south.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Please use and/or share!