Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 3h

“Mr. Death” is a fantastic story that I’ve had my creative writing students read and discuss in previous semesters. It’s the kind of great fiction @apexmag.bsky.social publishes consistently. Check out their Kickstarter!

Angela Liu @angelaliu.bsky.social · 4h

I read "Mr. Death" by @alixeharrow.bsky.social a few years back and was just floored.

Apex introduced me to some of my favorite authors + this is their 20th anniversary doing it for countless other writers/readers. Their Kickstarter could use some help now, so consider supporting them.

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Reposted by Jeffrey Ricker (he/him)

Lindz McLeod - THE UNLIKELY PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET is out now! @lindzmcleod.bsky.social · 4h

All this to say—please donate to Apex! Please read the available work, and talk about what you read on socials. Spread the word.

Apex Magazine 2026

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

www.kickstarter.com

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 6h

If you’d like to read more, you can get the whole story for free in “Lies I Tell Myself.“ #QueerBookSky

Lies I Tell Myself: Stories - Jeffrey Ricker's Ko-fi Shop

I used to listen to a podcast called "What Some Would Call Lies.” On it, Mike Lawson shared stories that he would tell “as accurately as I see fit.” W...

ko-fi.com

Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 6h

In “Shepherd,” a couple rents a cabin by the shore for the summer, where Joe can hopefully get the rest and recovery he needs. And then one day, a dog comes to visit. #1LineWed

Joe heard the whistle of a bird, a frantic, three-note song that repeated. It was a whippoorwill. Joe read once that those birds could hear the sound of a soul departing the earth, and since then, their song had left him cold.

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Reposted by Jeffrey Ricker (he/him)

'Nathan Boo-goine 👻 🔜 Can*Con 2025 @nathanburgoine.bsky.social · 19h

Want to read a story about a matchmaking house that exists outside of reality?

Sure you do.

(One from the Flash Fics archive.)

Friday “Flash” Fics — 9 a.m. Monday, Sharp

Okay, so this isn’t a flash fiction piece. It’s a short story. Normally, I try to keep my Friday Flash Fics pieces around or below 1,500 words or so, but this story just kept going. The…

apostrophen.wordpress.com

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 16h

Okay, I can’t believe I never read that one. It’s awesome.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 1d

Oh god, I had pneumonia and was too oblivious to realize it. I ran out of breath walking from the bedroom to the bathroom. It was awful.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 1d

Fuuuuuck. I’m so sorry. I had it and it sucked the donkey. (Why do I avoid people? This.) The only time I felt worse was when I had the flu and thought expiring would be preferable.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 1d

OMG, MAX.

a woman is sitting on a bed holding a cup of coffee and a straw .

Alt: Alexis Rose is sitting on a bed at the Robust Motel, holding an iced coffee, and spreads her arms, looking nonplussed.

media.tenor.com

Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 1d

Did anyone suggest “Funny Girl”? Barbra Streisand singing “Don’t Rain on My Parade” is a formative experience for me.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 1d

I remember that story about Chopper. ❤️ If I decided to lie on the floor, I knew I could count on Dakota to come over and investigate. He was good like that.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 1d

Exactly that.

Anya, on the other hand, would duck her snout under your palm until your hands was resting on her head as if to say, “Well, you’re just sitting there, so it’s not like you have anything better to do than scratch my ears.”

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 1d

Dakota had this unerring knack for getting up and walking away as soon as he was done with whatever you were doing: petting him, brushing him, trying to trim his nails. He’d just be, “Enough of that,” and would lumber off.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 2d

a bald man in a red and black uniform is sitting in a chair looking at the camera .

Alt: Captain Picard, on the bridge of the Enterprise-D, gestures forward with his right hand and says, “Make it so.”

media.tenor.com

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 2d

I usually beg anyone even thinking of begging the question to consider raising the question instead—although just being quiet would likely be infinitely preferable.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 2d

I’m visiting my parents and just did this on my dad’s computer. Thanks for the tip! Now if only I can explain 2FA to him….

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 2d

In honor of Hallowe’en month, I’ll share a horror story that someone in practically any profession would understand:

“Per my last email….”

'Nathan Boo-goine 👻 🔜 Can*Con 2025 @nathanburgoine.bsky.social · 2d

In honour of Hallowe'en month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.

My bookstore days: "Applied wrong store optimization."
The metal factory job: "Mercury retort furnace cleaning."
As a writer: "Four hundred new comments."

Darusha Wehm @darusha.ca · 2d

In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.

Include a full synopsis.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 2d

We saw you from across the bar and we really dig your vibe.

Michael Burnham and Booker, very likely the sexiest couple in Star Trek ever, are pictured in civilian clothing in what I believe is Booker’s 32nd-century starship.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 3d

My first morning home visiting my parents was, naturally, devoted to tech support.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 3d

I would say this explains why my hands are especially achy this morning, but that’s, like you say, the rain. I love being a walking barometer.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 3d

Have you gotten @alexwhite.bsky.social’s A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe yet? While it’s on ridiculous sale? No? Go on, then. I’ll wait.

No no, I don’t mind. I’ll wait.

Alex White @alexwhite.bsky.social · 3d

*trying to ignore state of universe for 2 seconds*

It's week 2 of A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe's SUPER SALE! Just $1.99 on eBook at most fine retailers and also Jeff's. (Pls share, it helps)

Bookshop
bookshop.org/p/books/a-bi...

Jeff's Amazon
www.amazon.com/Ship-Edge-Un...

A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe

Check out A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe - <B>A crew of outcasts tries to find a legendary ship before it falls into the hands of those who would use it as a weapon in this science fiction adv...

bookshop.org

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 3d

This is a case where you can absolutely judge a book by its cover. @nathanburgoine.bsky.social’s Little Village series is as charming and fun as @inkspiraldesign.bsky.social’s covers.

'Nathan Boo-goine 👻 🔜 Can*Con 2025 @nathanburgoine.bsky.social · 3d

Random thing I love about @inkspiraldesign.bsky.social that just occurred to me whilst shaving: the way he put the little coffee bean in the Es in the Bittersweets sign. Tiny detail. Do you notice at a glance? Nope. But if you’ve read the book, notice it’s mentioned, and go check? Oh! There it is!

The illustrated cover of Village Fool, by 'Nathan Burgoine. A bearded, fit man is walking in the rain, and another is sitting under an awning using his phone and above him is the sign for a coffee shop, "Bittersweets." Inside the Es, there are coffee beans.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 3d

a man wearing a shirt that says yes is smiling

Alt: Stefon says, “Yes.”

media.tenor.com

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 3d

It’s #NationalComingOutDay, and I hate that the world is going to shit and making it harder. But above all, whether you can come out today or tomorrow or a year from now, remember who you are. You matter. We’re ready when you’re ready.

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Jeffrey Ricker (he/him) @jeffreyricker.bsky.social · 4d

We all know Your Grace’s love is infinite. Plenty to go around.

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