Marissa van Uden
@marissavu.bsky.social
Freelance Editor | EiC Violet Lichen (Apex Books) | Editor "ECO: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction" | woods mädchen | friend to animals | biodiversity stan | stories in Vastarien, Dark Matter, Los Suelos | ACES & EFA member | **rarely on socials**
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
Glad I saved this by @longwall26.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Glad I saved this by @longwall26.bsky.social
Publishers, editors, authors, send us your favorite speculative ecofiction published this year. This is going to be another bouquet of truly stellar ecofiction ✨🌿🦋
Nominations for ECO25 are OPEN 🌍🌱✨ We look forward to reading your best 2025 ecofiction!
Get the full details in our blog post announcement below ⬇️
Full guidelines: apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/...
Submission Portal: apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/...
Get the full details in our blog post announcement below ⬇️
Full guidelines: apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/...
Submission Portal: apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/...
Nominations for ECO25 Now Open!
ECO: The Year’s Best Speculative Ecofiction is an annual showcase of some of the most compelling and thought-provoking ecofiction published every year. If you published speculative ecofiction in 2025 ...
www.apexbookcompany.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Publishers, editors, authors, send us your favorite speculative ecofiction published this year. This is going to be another bouquet of truly stellar ecofiction ✨🌿🦋
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
We all know what spaceships look like. But how do artists depict time machines? Sign up for my art blog newsletter and you'll find out in tomorrow's issue: 70s-sci-fi-art.ghost.io
Here's the sneak peek: Josh Kirby, Trevor Webb, Karel Thole, and Richard Powers
Here's the sneak peek: Josh Kirby, Trevor Webb, Karel Thole, and Richard Powers
December 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
We all know what spaceships look like. But how do artists depict time machines? Sign up for my art blog newsletter and you'll find out in tomorrow's issue: 70s-sci-fi-art.ghost.io
Here's the sneak peek: Josh Kirby, Trevor Webb, Karel Thole, and Richard Powers
Here's the sneak peek: Josh Kirby, Trevor Webb, Karel Thole, and Richard Powers
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
NEW VIDEO ALERT! Today on Bar Cart Bookshelf we're talking about THE WORKS OF VERMIN by Hiron Ennes. A entomological epic in a Weird city where art & revolution are intimately entwined, this queer puzzle box is TRANSCENDENT. Our drink is the Extemporist, for a perfume-soaked night at the opera.
October 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW VIDEO ALERT! Today on Bar Cart Bookshelf we're talking about THE WORKS OF VERMIN by Hiron Ennes. A entomological epic in a Weird city where art & revolution are intimately entwined, this queer puzzle box is TRANSCENDENT. Our drink is the Extemporist, for a perfume-soaked night at the opera.
LOOK AT THIS STUNNER ECO24 PHOTO! Always fun to see this book creeping around in the wild, but this shot is 🔥🔥🔥
(And thank you Sasha for the Sasha Brown Awards, greatest honor of my life and now I can't make fun of you for at least 6-8 days 🥹)
(And thank you Sasha for the Sasha Brown Awards, greatest honor of my life and now I can't make fun of you for at least 6-8 days 🥹)
ECO24 IS HERRRRRRE
I think this from @apexmag.bsky.social is the most important anthology of the year, and @marissavu.bsky.social is the editor of the year. There, I said it. There's a clarity of vision happening here (and quality) that's unparalleled.
I think this from @apexmag.bsky.social is the most important anthology of the year, and @marissavu.bsky.social is the editor of the year. There, I said it. There's a clarity of vision happening here (and quality) that's unparalleled.
December 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
LOOK AT THIS STUNNER ECO24 PHOTO! Always fun to see this book creeping around in the wild, but this shot is 🔥🔥🔥
(And thank you Sasha for the Sasha Brown Awards, greatest honor of my life and now I can't make fun of you for at least 6-8 days 🥹)
(And thank you Sasha for the Sasha Brown Awards, greatest honor of my life and now I can't make fun of you for at least 6-8 days 🥹)
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
This was a pleasant surprise! It's a huge honor to be included. Big congrats to @laurelhightower.bsky.social and everyone else who made the list!
Huge congrats to @toddkeisling.com and @laurelhightower.bsky.social, whose books were both featured on @libraryjournal.bsky.social's Best Books of 2025 list!
Both books received starred reviews from LJ earlier this year.
Both books received starred reviews from LJ earlier this year.
December 6, 2025 at 8:05 PM
This was a pleasant surprise! It's a huge honor to be included. Big congrats to @laurelhightower.bsky.social and everyone else who made the list!
Want to know the origin story of Shortwave press and how Alan got into this whole publishing adventure? I think this is one of the coolest NaNoWriMo tales I've heard.
I wrote a guest post for @nano2point0.bsky.social, the newly-launched project from the original founder of NaNoWriMo.
Some may know this already, but my debut novel FACE THE NIGHT was written during NaNo. This blog post is a celebration of that, and everything that came after!
bit.ly/3KDw39n
Some may know this already, but my debut novel FACE THE NIGHT was written during NaNo. This blog post is a celebration of that, and everything that came after!
bit.ly/3KDw39n
December 7, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Want to know the origin story of Shortwave press and how Alan got into this whole publishing adventure? I think this is one of the coolest NaNoWriMo tales I've heard.
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
I'm literally just a girl with a basement full of demon jars and I'm not going to apologize for that 💅🍓🫙✨
Satisfy your craving for scrumptious surreal horror and check out THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR by @ivygrimes.bsky.social, available for preorder now!
🌌 www.apexbookcompany.com/products/the...
Satisfy your craving for scrumptious surreal horror and check out THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR by @ivygrimes.bsky.social, available for preorder now!
🌌 www.apexbookcompany.com/products/the...
December 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I'm literally just a girl with a basement full of demon jars and I'm not going to apologize for that 💅🍓🫙✨
Satisfy your craving for scrumptious surreal horror and check out THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR by @ivygrimes.bsky.social, available for preorder now!
🌌 www.apexbookcompany.com/products/the...
Satisfy your craving for scrumptious surreal horror and check out THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR by @ivygrimes.bsky.social, available for preorder now!
🌌 www.apexbookcompany.com/products/the...
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
I love everything Joe writes, but I am REALLY excited to read this one.
Next up is the inimitable @horrorsong.blog with This is a Test, a disturbing story of transformation and hunger.
December 1, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I love everything Joe writes, but I am REALLY excited to read this one.
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
I made an awards eligibility post! I always feel a bit embarrassed doing these, but I'm really proud of these stories and extremely grateful to the editors who've published them
November 7, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I made an awards eligibility post! I always feel a bit embarrassed doing these, but I'm really proud of these stories and extremely grateful to the editors who've published them
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
contract is signed!!!
in a post-apocalyptic future where people live on megafauna, Beau put his roots down on the back of a jackalope. but bodies start showing up, and he's the primary suspect.
forthcoming in @apexmag.bsky.social !!!!
in a post-apocalyptic future where people live on megafauna, Beau put his roots down on the back of a jackalope. but bodies start showing up, and he's the primary suspect.
forthcoming in @apexmag.bsky.social !!!!
November 29, 2025 at 9:42 PM
contract is signed!!!
in a post-apocalyptic future where people live on megafauna, Beau put his roots down on the back of a jackalope. but bodies start showing up, and he's the primary suspect.
forthcoming in @apexmag.bsky.social !!!!
in a post-apocalyptic future where people live on megafauna, Beau put his roots down on the back of a jackalope. but bodies start showing up, and he's the primary suspect.
forthcoming in @apexmag.bsky.social !!!!
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
Another inspiration: Cormac McCarthy's The Road
Cormac and I don't have much in common, God bless us, but The Road made me think seriously about what would happen to us if we lost most of our technology.
In CELLAR, I wanted to explore this loss in the context of a small community.
Cormac and I don't have much in common, God bless us, but The Road made me think seriously about what would happen to us if we lost most of our technology.
In CELLAR, I wanted to explore this loss in the context of a small community.
November 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Another inspiration: Cormac McCarthy's The Road
Cormac and I don't have much in common, God bless us, but The Road made me think seriously about what would happen to us if we lost most of our technology.
In CELLAR, I wanted to explore this loss in the context of a small community.
Cormac and I don't have much in common, God bless us, but The Road made me think seriously about what would happen to us if we lost most of our technology.
In CELLAR, I wanted to explore this loss in the context of a small community.
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
it's truly a beautiful piece by @ivygrimes.bsky.social. pensive, mysterious, thoughtful, and weird in all the beautifulest ways. thank you for the ARC, and I can't wait for this to be out!
RSL reviews Ivy Grimes' upcoming folk horror novella THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR:
"with its poetic turns of narrative to its easily imaginable characters, reminds me time & time again that to die is not an absence, but a shift in perspective"
More: tinyurl.com/53juhdpp
bsky.app/profile/ivyg...
"with its poetic turns of narrative to its easily imaginable characters, reminds me time & time again that to die is not an absence, but a shift in perspective"
More: tinyurl.com/53juhdpp
bsky.app/profile/ivyg...
December 1, 2025 at 3:21 PM
it's truly a beautiful piece by @ivygrimes.bsky.social. pensive, mysterious, thoughtful, and weird in all the beautifulest ways. thank you for the ARC, and I can't wait for this to be out!
This is such a beautifully thoughtful review! Love when the reader brings so much to the experience 🖤🖤🖤
RSL reviews Ivy Grimes' upcoming folk horror novella THE CELLAR BELOW THE CELLAR:
"with its poetic turns of narrative to its easily imaginable characters, reminds me time & time again that to die is not an absence, but a shift in perspective"
More: tinyurl.com/53juhdpp
bsky.app/profile/ivyg...
"with its poetic turns of narrative to its easily imaginable characters, reminds me time & time again that to die is not an absence, but a shift in perspective"
More: tinyurl.com/53juhdpp
bsky.app/profile/ivyg...
December 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
This is such a beautifully thoughtful review! Love when the reader brings so much to the experience 🖤🖤🖤
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
Finally have a minute to reflect on what a fun time this was on Tuesday (now that I'm not on a dredge 🥲). So much thoughtful discussion and many new friends! Can't wait to plant my little seed packet seeds 🌱
A few 📸 from the ECO24 book launch at Lofty Pigeon! Word is it was a full house & all the books sold out 🙌🎉🔥✨🎉💚
Pictured: @kayv.bsky.social reading from "Pig House," & @louisevans.bsky.social reading from "A Seder in Siberia."
Featuring native-seed packets designed by Apex's very own ⭐Ori Whipple!
Pictured: @kayv.bsky.social reading from "Pig House," & @louisevans.bsky.social reading from "A Seder in Siberia."
Featuring native-seed packets designed by Apex's very own ⭐Ori Whipple!
November 22, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Finally have a minute to reflect on what a fun time this was on Tuesday (now that I'm not on a dredge 🥲). So much thoughtful discussion and many new friends! Can't wait to plant my little seed packet seeds 🌱
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
Particularly affecting is interplay of fantastical and science fictional stories, showing just how broadly ecofiction speaks to our present moment. Kaleidoscopic in its approach. This series is going to be a fantastic annual addition to the thriving ecosystem of short fiction anthologies!!
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Particularly affecting is interplay of fantastical and science fictional stories, showing just how broadly ecofiction speaks to our present moment. Kaleidoscopic in its approach. This series is going to be a fantastic annual addition to the thriving ecosystem of short fiction anthologies!!
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
Timely and transcendent. I've had a marvelous time recently with ECO24, collecting some of the finest ecofiction of the last year. A chance to reflect on the anxieties of a changing world, and to consider possibilities for transformation and alternative paths. A critical collection for our time!!
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Timely and transcendent. I've had a marvelous time recently with ECO24, collecting some of the finest ecofiction of the last year. A chance to reflect on the anxieties of a changing world, and to consider possibilities for transformation and alternative paths. A critical collection for our time!!
NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS
If you published speculative ecofiction this year, we'd love to consider it for ECO25 💚🌿🐾🐚🦋🌿💚
If you published speculative ecofiction this year, we'd love to consider it for ECO25 💚🌿🐾🐚🦋🌿💚
Nominations for ECO25 are OPEN 🌍🌱✨ We look forward to reading your best 2025 ecofiction!
Get the full details in our blog post announcement below ⬇️
Full guidelines: apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/...
Submission Portal: apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/...
Get the full details in our blog post announcement below ⬇️
Full guidelines: apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/...
Submission Portal: apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/...
Nominations for ECO25 Now Open!
ECO: The Year’s Best Speculative Ecofiction is an annual showcase of some of the most compelling and thought-provoking ecofiction published every year. If you published speculative ecofiction in 2025 ...
www.apexbookcompany.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS
If you published speculative ecofiction this year, we'd love to consider it for ECO25 💚🌿🐾🐚🦋🌿💚
If you published speculative ecofiction this year, we'd love to consider it for ECO25 💚🌿🐾🐚🦋🌿💚
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
Dr. Louella Cable | Aquatic biologist & brilliant scientific illustrator #WorldFisheriesDay
First woman hired (1927) by the US Bureau of Fisheries (later became US Fish & Wildlife). Her research + art advanced fisheries science. #WomenInSTEM #art #conservation
thefisheriesblog.com/2020/04/27/l...
First woman hired (1927) by the US Bureau of Fisheries (later became US Fish & Wildlife). Her research + art advanced fisheries science. #WomenInSTEM #art #conservation
thefisheriesblog.com/2020/04/27/l...
November 21, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Dr. Louella Cable | Aquatic biologist & brilliant scientific illustrator #WorldFisheriesDay
First woman hired (1927) by the US Bureau of Fisheries (later became US Fish & Wildlife). Her research + art advanced fisheries science. #WomenInSTEM #art #conservation
thefisheriesblog.com/2020/04/27/l...
First woman hired (1927) by the US Bureau of Fisheries (later became US Fish & Wildlife). Her research + art advanced fisheries science. #WomenInSTEM #art #conservation
thefisheriesblog.com/2020/04/27/l...
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
wrote an article for @thebookseller.com outlining to the industry why small presses are the lifeforce & future of book production. Pls share esp w people who may not know what small press publishers do!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Don’t invest in AI, invest in the future of the book
Why the publishing industry must back small presses, rather than LLMs.
www.thebookseller.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
wrote an article for @thebookseller.com outlining to the industry why small presses are the lifeforce & future of book production. Pls share esp w people who may not know what small press publishers do!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
Also got interviewed by the delightful @marissavu.bsky.social ❤️ I always appreciate the research and thoughtfulness she puts into her interview questions!
"The biggest piece of writing advice I always keep in my brain is that anything can work if you can make it work." 🪸💬
New interview by @marissavu.bsky.social: Interview with Author @leahning.bsky.social"
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
New interview by @marissavu.bsky.social: Interview with Author @leahning.bsky.social"
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
November 20, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Also got interviewed by the delightful @marissavu.bsky.social ❤️ I always appreciate the research and thoughtfulness she puts into her interview questions!
Here's my interview with the amazing @leahning.bsky.social! We discuss her incredible new piece of ecofiction, "We Used to Wake to Song," & many other things. LOVED this story 🪸
~
"I think we’ll become a better sanctuary in the future. I hope we become a better sanctuary in the future." -Leah Ning
~
"I think we’ll become a better sanctuary in the future. I hope we become a better sanctuary in the future." -Leah Ning
"The biggest piece of writing advice I always keep in my brain is that anything can work if you can make it work." 🪸💬
New interview by @marissavu.bsky.social: Interview with Author @leahning.bsky.social"
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
New interview by @marissavu.bsky.social: Interview with Author @leahning.bsky.social"
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Here's my interview with the amazing @leahning.bsky.social! We discuss her incredible new piece of ecofiction, "We Used to Wake to Song," & many other things. LOVED this story 🪸
~
"I think we’ll become a better sanctuary in the future. I hope we become a better sanctuary in the future." -Leah Ning
~
"I think we’ll become a better sanctuary in the future. I hope we become a better sanctuary in the future." -Leah Ning
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
✨2025 Awards Eligiblity Post✨
if anyone needs a copy of anything for awards consideration, do reach out! 🙆🏻♀️🤍🙇🏻♀️
if anyone needs a copy of anything for awards consideration, do reach out! 🙆🏻♀️🤍🙇🏻♀️
November 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
✨2025 Awards Eligiblity Post✨
if anyone needs a copy of anything for awards consideration, do reach out! 🙆🏻♀️🤍🙇🏻♀️
if anyone needs a copy of anything for awards consideration, do reach out! 🙆🏻♀️🤍🙇🏻♀️
This story will haunt you - it is somehow harrowing and heartening at the same time. Unforgettable 🖤🖤
Another thing today!
My story "Love, Scotland" gets a new life in ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction from Apex Books / Violet Lichen, out TODAY 🎉
The anthology received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly! 🥂 More here, including the lush ToC:
www.apexbookcompany.com/products/eco...
My story "Love, Scotland" gets a new life in ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction from Apex Books / Violet Lichen, out TODAY 🎉
The anthology received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly! 🥂 More here, including the lush ToC:
www.apexbookcompany.com/products/eco...
ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction
Preorder and save 30%! Release Date 11/18/25 "A triumph. 23 stellar tales offering creative and varied takes on the book's themes. Every entry is equal parts thought-provoking, insightful, and impactf...
www.apexbookcompany.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:42 PM
This story will haunt you - it is somehow harrowing and heartening at the same time. Unforgettable 🖤🖤
Reposted by Marissa van Uden
Vasilisa has to contend with Baba Yaga, a crone who lacks the charm and safety of a fairy godmother. Instead, she's rich in magic, lights her property with fire skulls, and guards many secrets in her house and the surrounding woods.
November 20, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Vasilisa has to contend with Baba Yaga, a crone who lacks the charm and safety of a fairy godmother. Instead, she's rich in magic, lights her property with fire skulls, and guards many secrets in her house and the surrounding woods.