Even if you used AI to "write" a story and you got someone to publish it unawares, what exactly do you think that proves? This is no way an invitation, but unless it's replicable, and consistent, you're just one unlikely outlier—and it's the hollowest of victories, at that.

@victoriastrauss.com Is there a sample model contract on the site for magazine / online publication of short stories? I couldn't find one. Just wondering how legit one was I was offered (and turned down since it seemed to stink) after seeing all these bad deals you're posting about.

Oh. My. God. I can't even right now.

Really looking forward to reading this. #BookSky #amreading

So excited to start messing with this. Heard great things. So got it as a little prezzie for when I'm done with this next #VCFA packet work. #amwriting

*uncontrollable weeping*

Manuscript feedback, query letter critiques, portfolio reviews, and AMAs with (kid lit & adult) literary agents, editors, art directors, authors, and illustrators! Original artwork! Signed books! Virtual author visits for schools & book clubs! Social media collaborations! Bidding ends Friday night:

At 12 years old Judit Polgar broke into the world's top 100 chess players.  At 15 years old she became the youngest grandmaster EVER beating Bobby Fischer's record. Watch 'Queen of Chess' Feb 6 on Netflix, and be a part of Judit's next move as she faces the world 👇 https://go.chess.com/PlayJudit

TODAY!!

The struggle is real. #amreading

I’m launching a book club! Join me!

Congratulations, @willalex.bsky.social! #SFF #scifi #amreading

Rocking my final two semesters at #VCFA. #kidlit #amwriting

Exactly. #VCFA #CalArts #amwriting

I'm re-re-posting this because it's such a good essay. "...writers should also never forget these two secrets of using LLMs to help your writing: - First drafts are where the thinking begins. - If you become dependent upon a tool, that tool can be taken away."

we close tonight 🖤

Congratulations to all of the authors, but especially @willalex.bsky.social! Sunward is fantastic. #amreading #SFF

Issue 2 of The Eavesdrop (a quarterly newsletter about process and craft with authors Anna-Marie McLemore, @exrpan.bsky.social, @ryansara.bsky.social, @novarensuma.bsky.social, and me) goes out tomorrow morning. In this issue, we're discussing VOICE. Sign up here (free!) to get it in your inbox:

My only disappointment is that this wasn't released before Christmas so it could've been on the top of my list. #amreading

It appears as though SFWA has had a very quick change of heart and is now back on the right side of this. Shouldn't have happened in the first place. New Nebula Awards eligibility rules for generated text are now:

Oh SFWA no (fully agree with Scott here)

Ok. So. I know I'm a minute late on this one, but Whiskerella by Ursula Vernon (aka @tkingfisher.com) really is a delightful read. Highly recommend, especially because of the humor. #kidlit #amreading

Strange Horizons will be open to general fiction submissions for 48 hours beginning January 19th, 2026 at 3 p.m. UTC and ending January 21st, 2026 at 3 p.m. UTC. There will be no cap. See our fiction submission guidelines for more information on how to submit: strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...

There's always the library, where, you know, it's all free. #amreading

When Daddy is left in charge of the #ElfOnTheShelf. 💩 💩 💩

At first, I'll be honest, I thought the bear was the one using the backhoe and not the rangers. #funny #nationalparks

A large part of writing for children is trying to work out what level of swearing is acceptable to publishers

Admittedly, I actually had a puzzle streak of 205 once, so I've got that O rank locked down. 🙂 Among other bingos. #chess

Writers - the scam predators are changing up their tactics. If you don't follow Victoria Strauss and Writer Beware, why on earth not?

New scholarships available for incoming students in the Writing for Children & Young Adults low-residency MFA program at VFCA (where I teach), funded by kid lit legend Katherine Paterson. Thinking about applying? I'm happy to chat! vcfa.edu/admissions/v...

This is huge! If you've been thinking about applying to #VCFA, here's a great opportunity for incoming #WCYA students. An amazing program. I'm learning tons, and so thankful for all of the shared wisdom and connections. #kidlit #amwriting www.facebook.com/share/p/1CxL...

Loved this book. #amreading

“Every NO is a breadcrumb leading you to a YES.” @ecfeinberg.bsky.social at @SCBWIOhioNorth #kidlit

Love the pic! School is at CalArts north of LA now. A great facility for the residency programs #VCFA runs all at once. Love going there for #kidlit. #amwriting

Yay! So excited to read Sunward when on holiday break from school. #amreading #VCFA

Kinda my strategy in a nutshell. Or on a chessboard. Either, really.

#amwriting and #amquerying friends!

It arrived! Excited to read Sunward by @willalex.bsky.social. Had to wait for the local shop to order it for me, so a little delayed from the release date. But...yay! 🎉🎊🎉 #amreading #SFF #scifi

Kind of a crazy thing my wife just shared with me from the James Webb Space Telescope Facebook page. #science #astronomy

My friend just sent me a copy of a book she published. So excited to read this! The drafts were amazing. Congratulations, Katherine! a.co/d/i5EItfI #amreading #kidlit #sff

HONK HOOONK sillygoosepress.submittable.com/submit

Happy book birthday, @willalex.bsky.social! Excited for my copy to arrive at my local bookstore. #amreading

Behold: www.usatoday.com/story/entert...

Got mine on order through my local bookstore. #amreading

🤔🤔🤔 #amwriting