Liz Johnston
@lizjohnston.bsky.social
She/her. Writer, book nerd & editor. https://liz-johnston.ca. THE FALL-DOWN EFFECT coming out from Book*hug Press in 2026. Pre-order here: https://shoplocal.bookmanager.com/isbn/9781771669627
Pinned
Liz Johnston
@lizjohnston.bsky.social
· Jul 16
I absolutely love the cover Ingrid Paulson created for The Fall-Down Effect, out spring 2026 from @bookhugpress.bsky.social: the retro feel and big red letters, the drama of the river crashing through the forest. 😍 I'm so lucky & super grateful! (Pre-order link in bio.)
Reposted by Liz Johnston
“…six years after leading body camera maker Axon Enterprise, Inc. said police use of facial recognition technology posed serious ethical concerns, the pilot project — switched on last week— is raising alarms far beyond Edmonton, the continent’s northernmost city of more than 1 million people.”
AI-powered police body cameras, once taboo, get tested on Canadian city's 'watch list' of faces
Police in Edmonton, Canada, have started a pilot project using AI-equipped body cameras to detect faces on a "high risk" watch list.
apnews.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“…six years after leading body camera maker Axon Enterprise, Inc. said police use of facial recognition technology posed serious ethical concerns, the pilot project — switched on last week— is raising alarms far beyond Edmonton, the continent’s northernmost city of more than 1 million people.”
Reposted by Liz Johnston
Do what you can to end suffering.
December 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Do what you can to end suffering.
Reposted by Liz Johnston
I can't stop thinking about the purported drug smugglers being murdered by the US military. The punishment for drug offenses isn't the death penalty. This is just bloodlust and men in suits playing with lives they don't care about. It's truly grotesque and gravely compromises this country.
December 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I can't stop thinking about the purported drug smugglers being murdered by the US military. The punishment for drug offenses isn't the death penalty. This is just bloodlust and men in suits playing with lives they don't care about. It's truly grotesque and gravely compromises this country.
Reposted by Liz Johnston
Encouragingly similar to Mike Keller’s closing reflections encouraging deep reading, deep thinking, and deep respect in libraries, archives, and museums even as they engage critically with AI #ff2025
A writing group accountability friend said the way that she is resisting AI is to slow down when reading, and not give into the pressure to continually skim the written word.
I've tried to do the same, and to take more time to read, and reread.
I've tried to do the same, and to take more time to read, and reread.
December 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Encouragingly similar to Mike Keller’s closing reflections encouraging deep reading, deep thinking, and deep respect in libraries, archives, and museums even as they engage critically with AI #ff2025
Reposted by Liz Johnston
I voted, did you?! The work of good lit mags is so underrated.
It’s back 😏
Nominate Your Favorite Lit Mags of 2025 through this form ⬇️
www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
Let’s love on some editors, folks. They freakin’ deserve it!
Nominate Your Favorite Lit Mags of 2025 through this form ⬇️
www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
Let’s love on some editors, folks. They freakin’ deserve it!
December 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I voted, did you?! The work of good lit mags is so underrated.
Reposted by Liz Johnston
I actually think it’s the perfect choice. It’s a bone bleached by sun, the 500 year old styrofoam still intact on polluted soil, a noxious fume billowing into sky, corporate minimalist interior, a splotch on an x-ray, the afterlives of the present.
Pantone’s 2026 color of the year is technically not a color at all — meet Cloud Dancer, the first-ever white shade to receive the designation from the world’s color authority.
Pantone makes a surprising choice for its 2026 color of the year
We did not see that coming.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I actually think it’s the perfect choice. It’s a bone bleached by sun, the 500 year old styrofoam still intact on polluted soil, a noxious fume billowing into sky, corporate minimalist interior, a splotch on an x-ray, the afterlives of the present.
Reposted by Liz Johnston
that "Their brains worked less, but they 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.” jumped out at me. and just feels like such a capturing of current times. reminds me of watching a movie or TV show while second-screening — you 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 just as engaged, but are probably missing a similar 47%
“When participants used ChatGPT to draft essays, brain scans revealed a 47% drop in neural connectivity across regions associated with memory, language, & critical reasoning.
Their brains worked less, but they felt just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.”🧪
Their brains worked less, but they felt just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.”🧪
December 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
that "Their brains worked less, but they 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 just as engaged—a kind of metacognitive mirage.” jumped out at me. and just feels like such a capturing of current times. reminds me of watching a movie or TV show while second-screening — you 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 just as engaged, but are probably missing a similar 47%
Grateful to Phillip Dwight Morgan and @thegrindto.bsky.social for giving me space to write about AS THE EARTH DREAMS, edited by Terese Pierre; TO PLACE A RABBIT by Madhur Anand; and THE BOOK OF RECORDS by Madeleine Thien. Check out Phill & Jody Chan's recs too!: www.thegrindmag.ca/our-favourit...
Our Favourite Books of 2025
The Grind’s arts and culture editor Phillip Dwight Morgan and writers Liz Johnston and Jody Chan share some of their favourite books of 2025.
www.thegrindmag.ca
December 2, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Grateful to Phillip Dwight Morgan and @thegrindto.bsky.social for giving me space to write about AS THE EARTH DREAMS, edited by Terese Pierre; TO PLACE A RABBIT by Madhur Anand; and THE BOOK OF RECORDS by Madeleine Thien. Check out Phill & Jody Chan's recs too!: www.thegrindmag.ca/our-favourit...
Reposted by Liz Johnston
’Tis the season to give the gift of Brick! Send the finest in contemporary writing—essays, fiction, interviews, and poetry—for your loved ones to enjoy year-round.
Save $5 on all one- and two-year gift subscriptions with code THEGIFTOFBRICK.
brickmag.com/subscribe/
Save $5 on all one- and two-year gift subscriptions with code THEGIFTOFBRICK.
brickmag.com/subscribe/
November 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM
’Tis the season to give the gift of Brick! Send the finest in contemporary writing—essays, fiction, interviews, and poetry—for your loved ones to enjoy year-round.
Save $5 on all one- and two-year gift subscriptions with code THEGIFTOFBRICK.
brickmag.com/subscribe/
Save $5 on all one- and two-year gift subscriptions with code THEGIFTOFBRICK.
brickmag.com/subscribe/
Reposted by Liz Johnston
Subscribe your loved ones to literary magazines for the holidays
December 1, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Subscribe your loved ones to literary magazines for the holidays
Reposted by Liz Johnston
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
December 1, 2025 at 11:09 AM
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
Reposted by Liz Johnston
The Canada-Alberta deal pushes a pipeline AND
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
Carney’s Alberta pipeline deal weakens climate policies | The Narwhal
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ‘grand bargain’ isn’t just about an Alberta pipeline —it also proposes rolling back a host of climate policies
thenarwhal.ca
November 28, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The Canada-Alberta deal pushes a pipeline AND
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
Reposted by Liz Johnston
More than six weeks after the Gaza ceasefire came into force, journalists are still prevented by the Israeli military from entering the Gaza Strip.
November 25, 2025 at 3:08 PM
More than six weeks after the Gaza ceasefire came into force, journalists are still prevented by the Israeli military from entering the Gaza Strip.
Reposted by Liz Johnston
"A novel of remembering, of the times in our lives we carry around like a precious and hefty rock in our back pocket. A novel about learning to be—for ourselves—who we want to be."
@junctionreads.bsky.social reviews celebrated writer Shani Mootoo's Starry Starry Night. tinyurl.com/mru8vept
@junctionreads.bsky.social reviews celebrated writer Shani Mootoo's Starry Starry Night. tinyurl.com/mru8vept
Book Reviews
For reviews of Junction Reads’ titles, check out the Homepage. STARRY STARRY NIGHT by Shani Mootoo, from Book*hug Press. What does a reader want from a novel that you know is connected in man…
junctionreads.ca
November 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"A novel of remembering, of the times in our lives we carry around like a precious and hefty rock in our back pocket. A novel about learning to be—for ourselves—who we want to be."
@junctionreads.bsky.social reviews celebrated writer Shani Mootoo's Starry Starry Night. tinyurl.com/mru8vept
@junctionreads.bsky.social reviews celebrated writer Shani Mootoo's Starry Starry Night. tinyurl.com/mru8vept
Reposted by Liz Johnston
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
Is it really Nov. 20? How is time passing like this!
November 20, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Is it really Nov. 20? How is time passing like this!
Reposted by Liz Johnston
“LLMs aren’t going away” statements are wishes, not predictions, that they’re trying to make happen. Treat them as advocacy for a specific future, not observations of inevitability
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
“LLMs aren’t going away” statements are wishes, not predictions, that they’re trying to make happen. Treat them as advocacy for a specific future, not observations of inevitability
Folks in Ontario, please email your MPPs and urge them to vote no on Bills 60 & 33. We need to our government to invest in repairing and funding our schools and support strong tenant protections and real solutions to the housing crisis: win.newmode.net/ontarionewde...
New/Mode | Make your voice impossible to ignore
win.newmode.net
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Folks in Ontario, please email your MPPs and urge them to vote no on Bills 60 & 33. We need to our government to invest in repairing and funding our schools and support strong tenant protections and real solutions to the housing crisis: win.newmode.net/ontarionewde...
Reposted by Liz Johnston
Yes!! I want to put down my phone and get more subscription s.
I do love my magazines.
I got out of the habit of reading magazines bc of the social pressure of writers reading what's trendy/popular or frankly expected of you.
This year, I've dedicated myself back to reading magazines and I'm truly having the time of my life.
This year, I've dedicated myself back to reading magazines and I'm truly having the time of my life.
November 16, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Yes!! I want to put down my phone and get more subscription s.
Reposted by Liz Johnston
Palestinian families call for help as Israel's two-year military assault has left hundreds of thousands vulnerable.
Palestinians reel under winter rains as Israel blocks Gaza shelter supplies
Palestinian families call for help as Israel's two-year military assault has left hundreds of thousands vulnerable.
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Palestinian families call for help as Israel's two-year military assault has left hundreds of thousands vulnerable.
Reposted by Liz Johnston
$1 billion data centre to maybe create 100 jobs. That's likely an overstatement.
It is truly not worth draining the living word for this vampiric tech and people are starting to realize it.
www.wisn.com/article/meta...
It is truly not worth draining the living word for this vampiric tech and people are starting to realize it.
www.wisn.com/article/meta...
Meta plans $1 billion data center in Beaver Dam
The facility is expected to be completed in 2027 and will support 100 jobs, according to state officials.
www.wisn.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM
$1 billion data centre to maybe create 100 jobs. That's likely an overstatement.
It is truly not worth draining the living word for this vampiric tech and people are starting to realize it.
www.wisn.com/article/meta...
It is truly not worth draining the living word for this vampiric tech and people are starting to realize it.
www.wisn.com/article/meta...
Save the date—Dec. 8—& celebrate the latest issue of @brickliterary.bsky.social with us: simpli.events/e/brick116
Brick 116 Launch | Simpli Events
On Monday, December 8, at Flying Books, join us in celebrating the launch of Brick 116. There will be readings from Angelo Santos and Josiah Nelson, plus refreshments!
Flying Books, 784 College Street...
simpli.events
November 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Save the date—Dec. 8—& celebrate the latest issue of @brickliterary.bsky.social with us: simpli.events/e/brick116
"B.C. forests were four times more likely to be logged inside recommended deferral zones than outside over the past four years." Wow.
A new Sierra Club BC report reveals gaps between B.C.’s forestry promises, including old-growth deferrals, and reality. thenarwhal.ca/bc-forests-l... #bcpoli
How logging has sent B.C. forests into freefall | The Narwhal
A Sierra Club BC report reveals a gap between B.C.’s forestry promises, including old-growth deferrals, and reality
thenarwhal.ca
November 12, 2025 at 3:32 PM
"B.C. forests were four times more likely to be logged inside recommended deferral zones than outside over the past four years." Wow.
Reposted by Liz Johnston
I'm doing 2 workshop webinars for 1 price for the Writers Guild of Alberta on Writing Very Short Narratives and Book Publicity (that you can live with)
Open to all! Recording available after.
writersguild.ca/tickets-avai...
Open to all! Recording available after.
writersguild.ca/tickets-avai...
Tickets Available Now: Kathryn Mockler 2-for-1 Webinar Bundle
writersguild.ca
October 2, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I'm doing 2 workshop webinars for 1 price for the Writers Guild of Alberta on Writing Very Short Narratives and Book Publicity (that you can live with)
Open to all! Recording available after.
writersguild.ca/tickets-avai...
Open to all! Recording available after.
writersguild.ca/tickets-avai...