The Department of Agriculture said it will end a longstanding annual food insecurity survey. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid.

I have taken the Tylenol that was in the medicine cabinet and which they think probably is the reason you like trains forgive me but that’s bullshit you got autism from your dad

I loved editing @amdassu.bsky.social's books because they are so full of empathy, so full of kids caring for each other, even when the adults in their lives don't. Hear us chat about that process in our latest podcast episode! youtu.be/ZBTDONI6_J4

New podcast up! I interviewed my author, A.M. Dassu, about her wonderful books about kids who stand up for themselves and each other, kids who go through really awful experiences and come out the other end resilient and possibly even hopeful--these are just some beautiful books.

Finally getting our next podcast episode exported/uploaded. I slept all day after getting a triple shot (covid, flu, and shingles--I am of an age...) and still don't feel great, and I've been wrangling tech issues for days. Look for it tomorrow!

Thanks to all the writers who came to our first writing workshop on Saturday! It was smaller than I planned for, but I think the size ended up being just perfect for the depth of work we were able to do. I'll be announcing more in the future with that in mind.

What is writer's block? We discussed this and much more on our latest episode of @curiouscatbookshop.bsky.social's podcast. Follow the link over to YouTube for the full episode. youtube.com/shorts/RO8br...

One more day until our writing workshop tomorrow! We'll spend the day diving into all the components of worldbuilding, how to choose what YOU need for your worldbuilding, examples of how worldbuilding flows together by expert writers, & more.  https://www.stacylwhitman.com/workshops/

Today we hit 500 subscribers on YouTube! Yay! We've nearly unlocked the first tier of monetization, with only 1500 or so watch hours left for that. Interested in how to start a bookstore or the writing and publishing process? Watch here:

Today we hit 500 subscribers on YouTube! Yay! We've nearly unlocked the first tier of monetization, with only 1500 or so watch hours left for that. Interested in how to start a bookstore or the writing and publishing process? Watch here:

I first met Stacy almost 20 years ago when I took a similar workshop from her as a brand-new writer just learning about worldbuilding. That info has been invaluable in the years since.

Stacy's edit on one of my projects was really insightful and helped me make the project so much better.

Work with a pro editor for a day! Less than a week until my writing workshop in which we'll dive deep into worldbuilding--whether you're writing science fiction and fantasy or any kind of long-form narrative fiction or nonfiction.  https://www.stacylwhitman.com/workshops/

If I start this K-drama about a time-traveling chef, I am DEFINITELY going to be very hungry.

Thank you for sharing!

Thread. This is just as alarming as all the other alarming things on the tariff side of all the issues.

We've still got several seats left in my worldbuilding workshop! If you'd like to dive deep into how to build a world that hooks your reader, including writing time and critique with me and fellow class members, more info and ticket information here:

You know who DIDN'T have trouble registering voters or raising money this summer? @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. Whom the clowns in this photo haven't yet endorsed. The answer is RIGHT THERE but party leaders are pretending they can't see it.

One ... Two ... Three ... BUT HER EMAILS

It took me FAR too long to figure out how to do a custom HTML block on my website, but I finally figured it out today! Now my ancient website (originally designed in like 2007? 2008?) looks modern and sleek and even embeds a little preview of @curiouscatbookshop.bsky.social's podcast!

This looks awesome! Anyone else going?

Tell me why, if I have a doctor appointment for 12:45 and have even arrived early, the office isn't open and they "will be with me at 1"? I could have stayed home and worked on this project another 15 minutes, and instead they're going to make me late for my next meeting.

Engage in the *process* of writing, building, creating. It's the fun part, it's the part where you're making choices! You are actively participating in the word by word, brush by brush, piece by piece creation of a thing.

and not to bring it back to AI but seriously AI cannot do that, an AI thrown up story has no intention. you can't have a conversation about why it did anything because there's no reason behind any of the choices beyond probability.

I've been thinking about the BTS clip of Superman where David Corenswet stops a scene bc he doesn't understand how it makes sense, so he & James Gunn have this passionate convo about *why* Supes is saying what he's saying and it's such a great example of how much intention there was in the writing

Does Melanie Scrofano EVER get to film in summertime? Or any other season but full-on winter? (I'm loving Revival. I absolutely loved Wynonna Earp. But I don't think I've ever seen her in a non-winter setting!) Also, what year/time period is Revival set in? They all have flip phones.

Why are books so "expensive"? Because so many people participate in making them, and their work is valuable. New podcast episode out discussing where bookstores get their books, and in the process, we discuss how and why books cost what they do!  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gHaUo6MpA_E #booksky

So... I know Kim Ji-hoon best from Flower Boys Next Door, a super cute romantic comedy, so seeing him as a creepy assassin in Butterfly is a BIG difference!! (I love seeing actors taking on completely different roles where you see them embody different people so well, though)

We're going to go on a deep dive into worldbuilding! This workshop is open to all skill and experience levels. Get tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/everything...

This is SO very weird. There are so many ways to get book summaries that don't involve plagiarism machines.

Okay, deep breath! I put together my first workshop! Please share widely (and sign up if it sounds interesting!). I'm hoping to do a few of these before the holidays--both day-long events and maybe a few shorter online classes. www.eventbrite.com/e/everything...

I still struggle with finding everyone I know on here. If you're a children's or YA writer, editor, publishing person, etc., and/or if you're a bookseller/bookstore owner, I'd love to connect! #booksky, maybe do your thing?

Bookstore tour coming soon! But on the writing/editing side: Stacy has been spending some time going back through her old talks. Let us know what you'd like to hear her talk about, or even work with her on in a small group in depth. youtube.com/shorts/TPL_W...

Hi Everyone. I'm Becky's agent and can verify that this is NOT Becky. Please do not fall for scams like this.

New podcast episode! Ever wondered what the publishing process looks like inside a publishing house? We're starting a series to demystify the publishing process. Here's an overview! https://youtu.be/FYCjHG46Xrg #books #book #writing

No amount of money or benefits are worth your soul.

I made an event timeline to try to make sense of all the federal overreach at @georgemasonu.bsky.social and whoo boy. When you lay it out like this, the executive over reach comes into focus. open.substack.com/pub/misofact...

How does a bookstore owner pay herself? I recorded this video a couple weeks ago, before I was laid off, so I'll have to do a part 2 down the road, but this was how I was approaching it as of earlier this month. 

Bookstores need to meet readers where they are. If you’ve ever wondered how a bookstore owner makes a living, I did a new podcast episode on our podcast talking about our goals as a bookstore and more. Check out the full episode at youtu.be/6AGQAiDT8vk.

How does a bookstore owner pay herself? I recorded this video a couple weeks ago, before I was laid off, so I'll have to do a part 2 down the road, but this was how I was approaching it as of earlier this month. 

WCK can use your donations. They are on the ground in Gaza, doing what they can in the face of a staggering and ongoing crime against humanity.

When you strip away humanity

Ghislane Maxwell, in addition to being a convicted child sex trafficker, is also a known perjurer. That is, she willingly lies under oath and on record to gain personal advantage. And there's no greater personal advantage than a pardon from a lifelong prison sentence.

A woman breaking into the capital building through a broken window defying police orders and now a woman who helped child sex traffickers are their heroes and martyrs. These are the fruits of their spirit.

Finally watching Captain America: Brave New World, and I'm a little confused. Do I need to have watched the very first Hulk movie that wasn't played by the same actor to understand the Hulk stuff in this movie? The terrible one everyone keeps forgetting exists?

I've been trying to find a good place to donate and I recommend this one below if anyone else is in the same boat. It's awful to feel like you can't help but at least this is something.

the most important part of this story is not that US diplomats asked if nonwhites qualify for Trump's South Africa refugee program but that Spencer Chretien--a high ranking appointee in Trump's State Department and former Associate Director of the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025--answered NO

If you haven't already heard, or perhaps read today's PW Children's Bookshelf, which simply described me as "leaving" L&L, I was laid off last week.

This is a for-profit concentration camp.

Friends who do Warhammer: what would you think if I carried a small line in the bookstore? Would it attract people in the SFF section of the store?