Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Kate Francia

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 23h

We're only $1,064 away from the halfway mark!! Thank you SO much for all of your support so far! 💜👽

If we manage to hit $10k by the end of today, we JUST might squeak in under our deadline 🤞 It's scary cutting it so close, but we're no stranger to scary!

🛸 www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...

Kickstarter screenshot of $8,936 pledged out of $20,000 goal.

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 21h

It’s a great day to back Apex’s kickstarter if you haven’t checked it out yet! Apex published my tiniest, strangest microfiction piece a few years ago; they are awesome to work with and such a cornerstone for the SFF community!

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 3d

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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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 6d

Ahh yay! This story has really stayed with me, I keep thinking about it! Thanks for writing it :)

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 6d

Ooh I just read this and the voice is so, so cool. Starts with a bang and weaves a spell from there.

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 6d

(2) Here's my first rec list for the year, with stories I loved by @emlinden.bsky.social, @sillysyntax.bsky.social, Safiya Cherfi, and Allegra Goodman:

medium.com/@katefrancia...

Story Recs: Bittersweet Island Stories

Isolation, community, wind-swept cliffs at the edge of the world: I can never get enough of this setting. Here are some island stories I…

medium.com

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 6d

As the nights get longer, I'm putting together all my favorite short stories and novels and novellas from 2025 so far (...sooo many). I've decided to do a series of themed recs, because I love thinking about how stories connect and are in conversation with each other...(1)

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OTHERSIDE - Kickstarter is LIVE! @othersidespec.bsky.social · 9d

WE HIT 250 BACKERS!! +1 exclusive sticker for everyone who either added a sticker or backed at a tier with sticker rewards! That is our last backer goal!

We're in awe that over 250 of you have supported us. Thank you!! Sticker reveal coming soon 💜

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...

Info for our Backer Goals! 50, 100, 150, 200, AND 250 Backers are unlocked! All backer goals are in rainbow with an open lock over a blurred version of OTHERSIDE banner art in purple, with a blurred floating fantastical head on the right.

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Catherine Tavares @cjtavares.bsky.social · 9d

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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Martha Wells @marthawells.com · 9d

Today is the release day for Queen Demon! I’ll be here at Politics and Prose in Washington DC tonight!

Martha Wells @marthawells.com · 11d

Oct 7 Politics and Prose, Washington DC 2/11

politics-prose.com/martha-wells...

Martha Wells — Queen Demon (Rising World #2) - with Dr. Leigha McReynolds — at Union Market

politics-prose.com

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Nghi Vo @nghivo.bsky.social · 9d

Hey. Hey.

On sale TOMORROW is my standalone novella A Mouthful of Dust, #6 in the Singing Hills Cycle!

us.macmillan.com/books/978125...

The story-collecting Cleric Chih and Almost Brilliant are headed to Baolin, a town known for its incredible pork and a famine that occurred eighteen years ago.

A Mouthful of Dust

Hunger makes monsters in this dark new tale in Nghi Vo's Hugo Award-winning Singing Hills Cycle."Nghi Vo is so good."―NPR on The Brides of High HillWanderi...

us.macmillan.com

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Reposted by Kate Francia

Millie Abecassis @millieabecassis.com · 15d

Preorder my book, get freebies!

If you preorder A LEGACY OF BLOOD AND BONE (release date: 10.21.2025) you'll get beautiful art prints and other freebies! Go to millieabecassis.com/preorder/ to learn more about the campaign and fill out the form.

Available worldwide! Free stuff! Beautiful art!

A collage of illustrations and text in the middle reading "preorder campaign"

A visual reading "preorder A Legacy of Blood and Bone and receive free art prints (and more) in your mailbox.

A visual reading: Go to millieabecassis.com/preoder (link in description and in author's bio) to learn more and submit your proof of purchase by October 21, 2025.

A visual showing the book cover and text reading: Coming 10.21.2025 at Brick and Bloom, an imprint of Row House Publishing + six labels around the book reading Historical Fantasy, Belle Epoque, Sapphic romance, Dangerous magic, Set in France, Politics and intrigue.

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 16d

It makes me SO HAPPY that Otherside is fully funded and already passed the first stretch goal on DAY 1!! Here’s to funding even more queer stories and art for the next two years! www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...

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Jelena @jelenawrites.bsky.social · 17d

✨Cover reveal!✨
I'm thrilled to present you the cover of my upcoming novel, LOVE LETHAL, DEATH DIVINE
It will be released in April 2026 by Dark Matter Ink
Cover art by Mona Finden.

Cover of the novel Love Lethal, Death Divine showing a young female knight wielding a sword

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 17d

Otherside kickstarter is live!!

OTHERSIDE - Kickstarter is LIVE! @othersidespec.bsky.social · 17d

WE'RE LIVE! AND WE ARE SO EXCITED! Back now to support a new magazine of speculative fiction by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors and artists! Snag some amazing rewards, including discounted subscriptions! Support queer art! And help us SMASH DAY ONE!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...

OTHERSIDE Kickstarter art. Text says OTHERSIDE Kickstarter LIVE NOW! over our purple and banner art with the Wanderer, a small figure on floating rocks, on the right.

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Fran Wilde @franwilde.bsky.social · 22d

In less than a week — six days! — the Canarviers will arrive to steal your hearts!

Make sure you catch your thieves! RSVP to an event near you (it MATTERS!) Preorder, do those magical library holds. The thieves are counting on you!

www.penguinrandomhou...
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Just one week until A Philosophy of Thieves!
Make sure you catch them!

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 18d

This was stunning; that line is such a powerful evocation of that experience. Thank you for linking it!

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 18d

Yesss I have been looking forward to this for so long! If you're not yet following Otherside's Kickstarter, they're launching tomorrow!!

OTHERSIDE - Kickstarter is LIVE! @othersidespec.bsky.social · 18d

Tomorrow is Kickstarter launch daaaay! Tomorrow!! TOMORROW!!! We appreciate everyone who has signed up for the pre-launch campaign—there are 248 of you! Could we get to 250 in the next 24 hours? 👀

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...

The dawn of the final day - 24 hours remain - Legend of Zelda meme text over the OTHERSIDE banner art, with purple shattered sword and hand in the background on a floating pink and purple backdrop.

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 18d

I'm obsessed with this description; thank you so much @nadawn.bsky.social!!

N. A. Dawn, Author @nadawn.bsky.social · 18d

@katefrancia.bsky.social’s
‘Holly on the Mantel, Blood on the Hearth’ in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social binds its delicate character study and crisply textured world, personal history and collective destiny, with nettled vine. The finale looms like a hungry shadow.

#sff #fantasy #shortstories #fiction

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 19d

Thank you so much, @jelenawrites.bsky.social!!

Jelena @jelenawrites.bsky.social · 19d

An exceptional, heartbreaking story about grief and loss, Holly on the Mantel, Blood on the Hearth by @katefrancia.bsky.social in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social
www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/holl...

Beneath Ceaseless Skies - Holly on the Mantel, Blood on the Hearth by Kate Francia

The wind wailed around the tiny pile of stones at the base of the blackthorn tree. She stood for a moment, eyes closed, willing herself to move. She could do this simple thing: walk through her door. ...

www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com

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Beneath Ceaseless Skies Magazine @bcsmagazine.bsky.social · 20d

Live right now in BCS #441: "Holly on the Mantel, Blood on the Hearth" by @katefrancia.bsky.social "The wind wailed around the tiny pile of stones at the base of the blackthorn tree. She stood for a moment, eyes closed, willing herself to move." www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/holl...

Beneath Ceaseless Skies - Holly on the Mantel, Blood on the Hearth by Kate Francia

The wind wailed around the tiny pile of stones at the base of the blackthorn tree. She stood for a moment, eyes closed, willing herself to move. She could do this simple thing: walk through her door. ...

www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 21d

Thank you so much @aimeeogdenwrites.com! I was so excited to appear in the issue with you, and I loved your story too—such a cool twist on Beauty and the Beast; the horror of what it would really be like to be turned into a piece of furniture/cutlery, being trapped by magic and also by class/power

AimEEK!! Ogden @aimeeogdenwrites.com · 23d

Delighted to share this issue with @katefrancia.bsky.social's wonderful story - the visceral hurt of Hereswith here cut deep, and I loved how it opened her up to emerge from the story's closing confrontation unharmed but not unchanged.

Beneath Ceaseless Skies Magazine @bcsmagazine.bsky.social · 28d

New Issue: BCS #441 out today, w stories of mothers by @aimeeogdenwrites.com and @katefrancia.bsky.social, podcast of the Francia read by MK Hobson @saltpdx.bsky.social, From the Archives story by @jennieevenson.bsky.social, cover art Jereme Peabody: www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/issues/issue...

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · 27d

Thank you so much!! @marissalingen.bsky.social

Marissa Lingen @marissalingen.bsky.social · 28d

I love stories where characters use their own struggles as a lens for deeper understanding of others. Here's one from @katefrancia.bsky.social in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social :

www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/holl...

Beneath Ceaseless Skies - Holly on the Mantel, Blood on the Hearth by Kate Francia

The wind wailed around the tiny pile of stones at the base of the blackthorn tree. She stood for a moment, eyes closed, willing herself to move. She could do this simple thing: walk through her door. ...

www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com

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Kate Francia @katefrancia.bsky.social · Sep 11

The ebook of the BCS issue with my story in it is out now! I’m so excited for people to read this one 😊

Beneath Ceaseless Skies Magazine @bcsmagazine.bsky.social · Sep 10

BCS #441 ebook is out early today at @weightlessbooks.bsky.social & Kindle Store and for subscribers, featuring stories of mothers by @aimeeogdenwrites.com and @katefrancia.bsky.social , behind cover art by Jereme Peabody: weightlessbooks.com/fiction/bene... www.amazon.com/Beneath-Ceas...

Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #441

Issue #441 of Beneath Ceaseless Skies online magazine, featuring stories by Aimee Ogden and Kate Francia and cover art by Jereme Peabody.

weightlessbooks.com

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Dream Foundry @dreamfoundry.bsky.social · Sep 1

It's finally September! Do you know what that means???

Flights of Foundry is THIS MONTH.

Register: flights-of-foundry.o...

Let's gooooo! 🪽🪽🪽

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Reposted by Kate Francia

Jennifer Hudak @jenniferhudak.bsky.social · Sep 2

My Nebula Finalist short story "The Witch Trap" is now free to read in The Dark! The entire issue is stunning and I'm so pleased to have a place in it!

www.thedarkmagazine.com/the-witch-tr...

The Witch Trap - The Dark Magazine

These floors, original to the house, have witnessed the turn of two centuries. The shoe concealed beneath them is older. Laces replaced, sole thrice mended, the shoe still bears the impression of the ...

www.thedarkmagazine.com

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