Sign in

Margot Atwell

@margotatwell.bsky.social
2.5K followers 892 following 120 posts

Writer, editor,publisher, creative funding expert in Brooklyn. Editor of ABSOLUTE PLEASURE. Previously @feministpress & @kickstarter. She/they 🌈📚 margotatwell.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Those are commonly accepted stand ins for em dashes but this is what a real one looks like— 😄
130 3
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
I've just launched this queer publishing event series with @hivemindbookstore.bsky.social and it's been really great so far! I'm looking for panelists for upcoming events. Please reach out or share this with folks who might be interested. Next event is April 20, link up soon! #queerpublishing
Seeking panelists for Publishing Queer

This event series at Hive Mind Books in Brooklyn brings together some of the most interesting, talented, knowledgeable people involved in publishing trans and queer writing and art to share their wisdom, hosted by writer and publishing veteran Margot Atwell, with a social hour afterwards.

Upcoming topics: literary agents, literary magazines, short stories, essays, romance, horror and more.  

Reach out if you’re interested or know someone who might be!

margotatwell.com/publishingqueer

In black and red text on a white background
11010 10
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Neon Hemlock @neonhemlock.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
✨ WHAT ELEGANT STARS is now funding ✨ satellites and sewists, terminals and tailors, dandies and dying stars www.kickstarter.com/projects/dav...
16853 68
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Boze Herrington, Library Owl @sketchesbyboze.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
This is why you need to be reading books and writing your own emails, by the way. When you outsource your thinking abilities, you risk turning your brain into soup. Heavy dependence on AI has already been linked with severe cognitive decline. What you don’t use, you will lose.
Headline in today's Guardian that reads "Reading and writing can lower dementia risk by almost 40 percent, study finds. Cognitive health in later life is 'strongly influenced' by lifelong exposure to intellectually stimulating environments, say researchers."
4772329 772
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Ellen Kushner @ellenkushner.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
NYC! 🏳️‍🌈Thursday at 4pm 🏳️‍🌈
03612 36
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Holly Anderson 🍇 @hollyanderson.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Tell your friends. Even if the only florist you can find nearby is in the Kroger produce section. There is a person putting those arrangements together and they WILL work with you and you WILL get better results with a pro who’s given a free hand
1932441 324
Reposted by Margot Atwell
.chantal//RYAN @thoughtrise.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
what are you doing!
a screenshot of two tumblr posts. the first:

aralintheobsessive
Jan 16
if you want butterflies, you need to live with
caterpillars.
iam not being metaphorical, i work in a garden center,
stop buying plants 'to bring in the bees and butterflies
and then immediately poisoning every caterpillar that
dares to consume a single leaf
you will not get butterflies if you kill all the things that
turn into butterflies! what are you doing!

(end of post)

below it, a response from afroartinc:

As a poet, I also want my viewers to take this rather
beautiful allegory into account.
61211349 1.2K
Reposted by Margot Atwell
The Trandalorian @charliejaneanders.com · 06/02/2026
Writing this story made me happy in a dark time. I talked to half a dozen people who started queer bookstores in their communities, and what I heard gave me hope. These aren't just bookstores — they're a lifeline for people who have no place else to go.
7317105 317
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
I was so honored that ABSOLUTE PLEASURE was included on this list, with a lovely review from @jennyhayes.bsky.social.
041 4
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Benjamin Larned 🍉 @rotbacchus.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Amazing to see ABSOLUTE PLEASURE on lithub's 100 Notable Small Press Books list!!! @margotatwell.bsky.social lithub.com/100-notable-...
lithub.com
100 Notable Small Press Books of 2025
The idea of 100 Notable Small Press Books was born November 2024, after The New York Times’s annual 100 Notable Books list featured eighty-two books from the Big Five publishing houses (Pengu…
052 5
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 20/11/2025
And remember, the main thing the profit motive gets you is…
Private equity takeover of hospitals led to rise in Medicare emergency patient
deaths, says study Study found seven more deaths per 10,000 patients in
private equity hospitals' versus non-private equity hospitals
2319100 319
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 31/10/2025
“There’s absolutely more need, but less food. It’s bad.” The shutdown is pushing federal workers to food banks, just as SNAP is set to expire.
motherjones.com
The shutdown is pushing federal workers to food banks—just as SNAP is set to expire
"There's absolutely more need, but less food. It's bad."
515659 156
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
It was fun talking to Jenn for the Turn the Page Podcast 🎃👻🦇💜💋
062 6
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Thank you so much!
010 1
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Jennifer Molidor @jennifermolidor.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Mutual aid is resistance. Build community, share joy, feed kids, save lives.
0167 16
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Ro Salarian @rosalarian.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
While thinking about the No Kings protests, I realized something. Trump isn't acting like a king. He's acting like a CEO. This isn't a monarchy, this is late stage capitalism. America is being treated as a business acquisition. He's stripping it for parts before dumping it like a fucking Toys R Us.
211131 111
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Ursula K. Le Guin @ursulakleguin.com · 17/10/2025
On Tuesday, October 21st—Ursula's birthday—we'll announce the recipient of the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction! Join Theo Downes-Le Guin and guest host Ebon Moss-Bachrach on YouTube for a live announcement at 9 am PDT. The announcement will happen here: www.youtube.com/@ursula.k.le...
The eight books shortlisted for the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction are in a stack, with a note on top that reads "Prize winner announcement 10.21.25 9 am PDT." The books are North Continent Ribbon by Ursula Whitcher; Remember You Will Die by Eden Robins; The City in Glass by Nghi Vo; The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy; The West Passage by Jared Pechaček; Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera; Archangels of Funk by Andrea Hairston; and Blackheart Man by Nalo Hopkinson.
3418108 418
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 11/10/2025
Tens of millions of people have died from Covid. Every country should have responded with record investments in public health infrastructure. Instead the US government is putting us all at greater risk of more catastrophes by firing hundreds of top scientists whose job is to prevent outbreaks.
451843579 1.8K
Reposted by Margot Atwell
The Trandalorian @charliejaneanders.com · 16/09/2025
Hey, I know books are expensive and money is tight right now. But if there's a brand new book you really wanna read — including my own Lessons in Magic and Disaster — you can help get the book into way more hands by requesting it from your local library! It's easy! Check your library's website.
18687260 687
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Tonight in Brooklyn, join me at Franklin Park for the World Transsexual Forum, where I'll be in conversation with two of the writers in the book and the delightful @jeannethornton.bsky.social and Anton Solominik.
092 9
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Today, I'll be doing an event in Somerville, MA with @allshewrotebks.bsky.social and Full Body Cast will perform fan favorites from Rocky Horror. Then tomorrow, I'll be back in Brooklyn and talking with @jeannethornton.bsky.social and @magsvisaggio.com Mel King and Anton Solomonik. #rockyhorror
084 8
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Jeanne Thornton @jeannethornton.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
From this morning on NPR Morning Edition, re ABSOLUTE PLEASURE (cc @margotatwell.bsky.social ) www.npr.org/2025/09/26/n...
From the NPR Morning edition transcript, ABSOLUTE PLEASURE editor Margot Atwell talking about seeing Frank-N-Furter for the first time: "suddenly I realized the world was a lot bigger and a lot weirder than I had ever known... Rocky Horror was my first experience with queer joy on a screen."
083 8
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Details and ticket links here: absolutepleasurebook.com
absolutepleasurebook.com
Absolute Pleasure: Queer Perspectives on Rocky Horror — Margot Atwell
010 1
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
The next stops on the ABSOLUTE PLEASURE Tour: Brooklyn, Providence, and Boston!
120 2
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
I could listen to that all day!
000 0
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Benjamin Larned 🍉 @rotbacchus.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
My contributor copies of ABSOLUTE PLEASURE arrived today from @margotatwell.bsky.social l and @feministpress.bsky.social ress - a dream come true!! Can't wait to read all these wonderful takes on one of my favorite movies
Me, a bearded white man, holding a copy of Absolute PleasureThe title page to my essay "Who Lives in the Old Dark House?"
251 5
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
I hope you'll check out ABSOLUTE PLEASURE and join us at an event if there's one nearby. The list so far is here, but more are in the works! absolutepleasurebook.com
absolutepleasurebook.com
Absolute Pleasure: Queer Perspectives on Rocky Horror — Margot Atwell
020 2
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
At a time when the world wants us to be quiet or to disappear, it is a brave act to raise our voices in protest or in song, to share our stories and have our out and proud lives be the kind of representation we could only have dreamed of when we were young.
110 1
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
It's pub day for ABSOLUTE PLEASURE! It's such a thrill to get to share this incredible collection of essays by 25 brilliant, funny, earnest, thoughtful, talented writers with the world. #RockyHorror #RockyHorrorPictureShow
163 6
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
I haven't sent On the Books in a minute, but here's one that talks about launching an anthology, with bonus content about how Gay Pride Month was a little bit more Queer Wrath Month for me this year. buttondown.com/onthebooks/a...
buttondown.com
Launching a book: Absolute Pleasure
The last time I launched a book with my name on the cover (Derby Life) was ten years ago. Since then, I’ve been involved in launching dozens of books (or...
030 3
Reposted by Margot Atwell
The Transfeminine Review @thetransfemininereview.com · 12/09/2025
I am reading books by trans women tonight. And then I will write about them, and publish those thoughts. They want us scared. They want to deplatform us. Fuck them, culture work still matters.
636060 360
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
I hate how often this is relevant. 😡
031 3
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Angry Algonquin @angryalgonquin.com · 12/09/2025
#RockyHorrorPictureShow book, "Absolute Pleasure" out next week! Great title.
131 3
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Thanks! 💋
110 1
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Absolute Pleasure is in incredible company! 🤩
020 2
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
It's necessary for us to support trans & queer-centric spaces & orgs--financially if that's possible, but also with our attention, attendance, and as partners for our events. I will sign copies of ABSOLUTE PLEASURE preordered from @hivemindbookstore.bsky.social www.hivemindbooks.com/signed-absol...
absolutepleasurebook.com
Absolute Pleasure: Queer Perspectives on Rocky Horror — Margot Atwell
010 1
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
It's so important to me to create welcoming and inclusive in-person spaces for trans and queer people to come together for conversation, connection, resistance, and joy. We need each other to get through what we are facing, and to help shape what is yet to come.
150 5
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
The experience of being queer & trans in the US has changed dramatically since 2022 when I started working on the ABSOLUTE PLEASURE anthology. I finished the introduction on January 8th, 2025, knowing that the country I live in would almost definitely be changed for the worse by pub date.
140 4
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
ABSOLUTE PLEASURE, an anthology of trans and queer writers on The Rocky Horror Picture Show, launches next week with some great events in New York and elsewhere. I am incredibly proud of this collection and the in-person spaces and conversations we are creating. absolutepleasurebook.com
Margot, a white femme person with rainbow hair, holds a copy of ABSOLUTE PLEASURE in front of bookshelves at Hive Mind BooksAn illustration of a Frank-N-Stein-like figure in a gold corset against a red background, with Book Tour at the top. The text from the flyer is readable at absolutepleasurebook.comA flyer about the book launch at Hive Mind Books. Tickets and info at hivemindbooks.comA flyer about the ABSOLUTE PLEASURE launch party at 3 Dollar Bill on 9/18. Tickets and info at 3DollarBillBK.com
1267 26
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Jeanne Thornton @jeannethornton.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Noting that there is a very excellent launch party planned for this book at 3 Dollar Bill next week! I will be working the door for the first part; please come through and say hello 👋 🦇 👄 www.eventim.us/event/ABSOLU...
eventim.us
Buy Tickets to ABSOLUTE PLEASURE LAUNCH PARTY 50 YEARS OF ROCKY HORROR in Brooklyn on Sep 18, 2025
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the beloved queer cult classic film, turns 50 this month. NYC has a special place in Rocky Horror history: it’s where t
072 7
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
It's so exciting to see copies of Absolute Pleasure out in the world! I'm so grateful to the incredible writers, talented professionals, and generous backers who have helped make this book real! 📕💋
091 9
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Thank you so much!
110 1
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Eric Smith @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
Hell yes. Go after all of them. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
publishersweekly.com
Apple Sued by Authors for Copyright Infringement
On Friday, authors Grady Hendrix and Jennifer Roberson filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Apple accusing the company of illegally using their books to train its AI.
118754 187
Reposted by Margot Atwell
kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Buttondown is now very loudly advertising on their landing page that they will do the newsletter migration for you if you want off the Nazi site. They did mine, and it was painless. The only pain point I've had is how Substack handled paid subscriptions–Buttondown fixed their mess.
28771 87
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Nicole Chung @nicolechung.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Amy Sherald says the Smithsonian suggested removing a painting of a transgender woman as the Statue of Liberty from her upcoming show at the National Portrait Gallery “to avoid provoking President Trump.” Sherald: “I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship”
nytimes.com
Amy Sherald Cancels Her Smithsonian Show, Citing Censorship
6838621215 3.9K
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Guillermo del Toro @realgdt.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
415720 157
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Gretchen Felker-Martin PRE ORDER CHIMERA 2.16.27 🍉 @scumbelievable.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
"Anything that isn't more cops on the subway and death camps for the homeless is delusional leftist nonsense!"
134043 340
Margot Atwell @margotatwell.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Congratulations!
010 1
Reposted by Margot Atwell
Kate McKean @katemckean.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
TODAY'S THE DAY www.agentsandbooks.com/p/todays-the...
agentsandbooks.com
Today's the Day
For many of us
84714 47