Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

2 4

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

Marie Brennan @swantower.bsky.social · 11h

<totters out onto porch>

<settles into rocker>

<thumps cane a few times>

Let's talk about what the process of submitting short fiction used to look like, shall we? And about what it looks like now.

8 62 200

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 10h

I was quite literally about to comment the same thing! The idea of wide-open sub windows and more opportunities than you can submit to at a time blows my mind 😂

2 4

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 10h

Less than $1600 and 13 hours to fund INTO THE DARK!

Filled with dark fantasy including my story 'Imperfect Monsters', you don't want to miss the chance for early copies, exclusive art, and more!

🌘 "You are the final monster, and the stars are bored. They do not wait to reveal your true nature." 🌒

4 4

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

Matt 🏳️‍🌈 @mspencerdraws.bsky.social · 18h

Hello #PortfolioDay!
I'm Matt, a queer illustrator from Michigan.

I'd love to do more:
-Book covers (and interiors!)
-TTRPG projects (items, maps, etc.)!
-DnD Character/Party Commissions 👀
-Stained Glass Style illustrations

🍂 www.mspencerdraws.com
🏹 [email protected]

‪Matt 🏳️‍🌈‬
‪@mspencerdraws.bsky.social‬
· 1mo
(3/3)

And some rarely seen but still much loved (by me) black and white pieces. Chapter headers, a temporary tattoo design, and an interior full page illustration.

A chapter header from A Mourning Coat. A drawing of various sewing notions in ink lines and digital washes of grey- a pincushion, scissors shaped like a cassowary, a measuring tape, buttons and various spools of thread.
ALT

A chapter header from North Continent Ribbon. An ink drawing of a thick tome with an ornate 8-pointed star on the cover, an elaborate lock, and a long ribbon bookmark
ALT

A drawing, in ink, of a snake curling over a rectangular shape filled with a drawing of a hemlock plant. Where the snake overlaps the rectangle, it is scaled, where the snake is outside the rectangle, it is skeletal.
ALT

From Neon Hemlock's Unfettered Hexes: Queer Tales of Insatiable Darkness. A gouache and ink painting depicting a lonesome little house on an expansive prairie. Wind blows the grass and the very sky seems like it's pressing in on the structure. Light glows from one window.
ALT

1

‪Nellie Cubed‬
‪@nelnelnellie.bsky.social‬
· 1mo
📚💙

2

For Legends of Avantris' Crooked Moon. A watercolor illustration depicting a stained glass window featuring a demonic feminine figure with her hands open expressively in front of her. She has horns, clawed wings and a tail that wraps around her hooved legs. Roses and thorny vines feature as motifs throughout the red-tinted image.
For Legends of Avantris' Crooked Moon. A watercolor illustration depicting a stained glass window featuring a demonic feminine figure with her hands open expressively in front of her. She has horns, clawed wings and a tail that wraps around her hooved legs. Roses and thorny vines feature as motifs throughout the red-tinted image.

Cover art for Neon Hemlock's "We're Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2024". An illustration (in watercolor) of an earth-toned wild hunt tapestry with muted rainbow-y accents being looked at by a trio of rad queer people in a museum-esque framing

A watercolor illustration in oranges and greys. A serpent weaves through bare branches of a tree. Centered, within a frame of antlers, a black and white portrait of a bearded man with leather armor on one shoulder and a quiver on his back.

3 44 140

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

H.V. Patterson @hvpatterson.bsky.social · 12h

If you like dark fantasy, consider backing this anthology from @awwlitmag.bsky.social!

1 2 4

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

All Worlds Wayfarer (Literary Magazine) @awwlitmag.bsky.social · 13h

Now down to just $1,500- to reach our goal by tomorrow morning!
We have a ton of great rewards including our entire AWW Library, plus your name in the book as a backer!
If you like supporting writers, small publishers and genre fiction please consider backing us!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/all...

Get more from OTHERSIDE on Patreon

3 5

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 12h

Girls at the Edge of the World by Laura Brooke Robson!

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

OTHERSIDE - Kickstarter is LIVE! @othersidespec.bsky.social · 3d

To celebrate 200 total patrons, we're giving away a 6-month Patreon subscription, including Discord access & Issue 1 of OTHERSIDE in 2026!

Winner will be drawn on Monday! (We'll choose a bonus winner from free patrons, so be sure to sign up.) To enter, repost & reply with a favorite queer read.

a magazine of the queer fantastic.

patreon.com

8 16 21

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

All Worlds Wayfarer (Literary Magazine) @awwlitmag.bsky.social · 16h

This morning we thought there was no way we could reach our goal! But, you all are so generous!

We are only $1,800- away from reaching our goal!

We have less than 24 hrs to go
Can you help us get there?

Tons of great fiction available for really great prices!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/all...

Update 16: A Letter from the Editors · Into the Dark

Hello Wayfarers,This is it—the last day of Into the Dark's Kickstarter campaign. What a journey it's been! Thank you so much to everyone who has pledged, commented, or helped spread the word. Into the...

3 3

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 17h

20 hours and just over $2k left to fund INTO THE DARK! Let's get this incredible dark fantasy anthology out in the world:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/all...

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

Apex Magazine (is funding for 2026!) 🎉 @apexmag.bsky.social · 17h

"You draw first blood, and you survive—until the day you fail the gods, and they transform you into a lion." 🏛️🩸🦁

New flash fiction today by @nadiaradovich.bsky.social: "The Fate You Choose"

Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...

"The Fate You Choose By Nadia Radovich. Apex Magazine Issue 151."

1 7

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

Bona Books 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🤘🏼 @bonabooks.bsky.social · 19h

ANNOUNCEMENT🎺🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Introducing our bona new quarterly literary magazine:

FANTABULOSA!

Pushing the boundaries of bold, authentic, QUEER storytelling. Bringing you stories of the uncanny, the dangerous and the fantastical.

& thanks to our brilliant #WrathMonth backers, we're fully funded for 2026 🤘

Bona Books Presents

A new queer literary magazine

FANTABULOSA!

Tales of the uncanny, the dangerous and the fantastical, from radical and unapologetic queer voices.

Science fiction, fantasy and horror
Short fiction & poetry

Submissions open now

6 90 150

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 18h

So exciting! Can writers submit to the fiction and poetry categories at the same time?

1 1

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

Esme Symes-Smith @esmesymessmith.bsky.social · 1d

How it started vs. How it's going
I was a kid who wanted to be a knight, fighting for equality in an unequal world.
I think I've done that 💚

4 11 47

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 18h

Happy release day!!

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

All Worlds Wayfarer (Literary Magazine) @awwlitmag.bsky.social · 19h

It’s the final day for Into the Dark. We’re still about $2,200 short—unless something miraculous happens, we won’t fund.

If you’ve been meaning to back, today’s the last chance. Even if we fall short, thank you for helping us⬇️

👉https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/allworldswayfarer/into-the-dark-2

1 4 8

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 1d

Nonfiction will officially be published in OTHERSIDE! The Kickstarter is now only $1000 from its final announced stretch goal... who wants to see what else Otherside can include in 2026?

OTHERSIDE - Kickstarter is LIVE! @othersidespec.bsky.social · 1d

🚨 ONLY $91 FROM NONFICTION! 🚨

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

2 6

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

All Worlds Wayfarer (Literary Magazine) @awwlitmag.bsky.social · 1d

We’re down to our final 49 hours. Only $2,300 stands between Into the Dark and the world.
These stories deserve to be read — strange, beautiful, haunting, hopeful.
Please, if you can, back or share today. Help us cross the finish line.
💜 www.kickstarter.com/projects/all...

The rewards for Into the Dark's Kickstarter!

5 5

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

Horror Tree @horrortree.com · 2d

🩸 Kickstarter Alert! 🩸
@awwlitmag.bsky.social is launching 'Into the Dark', a dark fantasy & fantastical horror anthology of 33 stories exploring fear, hope, and the resilience of the spirit.
Help bring this indie project to life!
Support it before Oct 15 👉 www.kickstarter.com/projects/all...

4 5

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 2d

Congratulations and so well-deserved!!

1 1

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

The Ignyte Awards @theignyteawards.bsky.social · 2d

Oh, hello

2 150 260

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

Sonia is an Ignyte and Ember Award winner! @soniasulaiman.bsky.social · 2d

I’m opening for client work for the first time in years! If you need a writer or editor, get in touch! Link is in my profile. My work has been recognized with nominations for several awards.

I’m also into game dev, and would love to work on some games.

Please help by signal boosting 🙏

14 17

Reposted by Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer

All Worlds Wayfarer (Literary Magazine) @awwlitmag.bsky.social · 2d

We’re in the final days of Into the Dark! 🌘

Check out our latest update — a deep-dive interview with editor Rowan Rook about the creative vision, challenges, and hopes behind the anthology.

🖤 Read + support: www.kickstarter.com/projects/all...

1 2

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 2d

Congrats and happy publication day!

1 3

Nico Martinez Nocito | Writer @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social · 2d

INTO THE DARK's Kickstarter has only 67 hours left!

You don't want to miss @awwlitmag.bsky.social's upcoming dark fantasy anthology featuring my story 'Imperfect Monsters'.

Back now for early copies, exclusive art, & more!

"Two hundred years ago, you would’ve been called a monster."

💙📚🩸📚🤏