Ursa Story Company

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Ursa Live at the Center for Fiction

Amazing night in Brooklyn: packed house for @ursastory.bsky.social live at The Center for Fiction with @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social @dawniewalton.bsky.social @kiese.bsky.social, Lawrence Burney, and Carrie R. Moore.

Ursa live in Brooklyn Wednesday, Nieman Storyboard update Join us Wednesday July 9 at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn.

Dear friends, I'll see you Wednesday night in Brooklyn with @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social, @dawniewalton.bsky.social, and @kiese.bsky.social, in conversation with Lawrence Burney (NO SENSE IN WISHING) and Carrie R. Moore (MAKE YOUR WAY HOME).

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#booksky #podcasts

Ursa Live, July 9, The Center for Fiction

This is one week away! Join us Wednesday, July 9, for Ursa's first-ever live storytelling night at the Center for Fiction in Brooklyn — with @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social, @dawniewalton.bsky.social @kiese.bsky.social, Carrie R. Moore and Lawrence Burney:

centerforfiction.org/event/ursa-l...

❤️❤️❤️

Halle Hill x @ursastory.bsky.social! Fun fact, this was the story I read in @oxfordamerican.bsky.social that led to @hubcitypress.bsky.social acquiring GOOD WOMEN 💫

Story: ‘Bitch Baby,’ by Halle Hill - Ursa Story Company "The story is really about two siblings and their love for each other. And the limits of love."

Ursa Short Fiction is proud to present a new audio story, "Bitch Baby," written by Halle Hill and performed by Nytia Nikole.

@oxfordamerican.bsky.social @hubcitypress.bsky.social @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social @dawniewalton.bsky.social

#podcasts #shortstories

ursastory.com/bitch-baby-b...

Who doesn't love a good interview to start ACCOMPLISHMENT SUNDAY? Contributor @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social interviewed @dawniewalton.bsky.social on the latest episode of @ursastory.bsky.social 🤩 Become a member now: https://buff.ly/41zRUEx

Member Bonus: What Deesha and Dawnie Are Reading Right Now - Ursa Story Company Books and anthologies to look out for in 2025.

Catch up with @dawniewalton.bsky.social and me on the latest episode of @ursastory.bsky.social ! ursastory.com/member-bonus...

“ if the characters are taking me to a place, I’ll go” …. Yes. 👏🏽 👏🏽

Member Bonus: What Deesha and Dawnie Are Reading Right Now - Ursa Story Company Books and anthologies to look out for in 2025.

New Episode: What @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social and @dawniewalton.bsky.social are reading, writing, and watching right now...

ursastory.com/member-bonus...

Destiny talks about navigating censorship and what happens when writers and editors don’t see eye to eye, and they highlight the necessity of respect and support from editors and keeping the integrity of your work when finding a home for it.

One helluva post script…

Destiny O. Birdsong on Navigating Censorship in Storytelling - Ursa Story Company Birdsong published a short story, “The Jump,” only to have it pulled from publication less than a day later.

Last year, Destiny Birdsong published a short story, “The Jump,” only to have it pulled from publication less than a day later over disagreements with the editors. She talks with @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social and @dawniewalton.bsky.social about it:

ursastory.com/destiny-o-bi... #longreads

Authors Deesha Philyaw (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies) and Dawnie Walton (The Final Revival of Opal & Nev) in front of a dark background with yellow geometric patterns and the text "Ursa Short Fiction," celebrating thrilling writers and underrepresented voices.

Today's episode of Ursa Short Fiction feat Destiny O. Birdsong is JUST SO GOOD.

Destiny O. Birdsong on Navigating Censorship in Storytelling

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#blackBooksky #bookpods

Listening to a rough cut of the next episode of @ursastory.bsky.social. Sex scenes and censorship and saying no to editors, oh my! Stay tuned…

Listen and find out why Dawnie’s agent said, “Fuck Nev”…

A friend gifted me a copy of this. As much as I have trouble reading things quickly coz I don't have time, I got thru this one almost too quickly. Such a validating read considering at least one of my WIPs and my friend is hoping for an adaptation.

Loved doing this one, obvs! Thanks to my friends and Ursa partners for welcoming me home 🥰

Love this episode, and Dawnie's journey to writing her debut novel is super inspiring.

#podcasts #booksky #writers

"I had never really given myself a chance to do the things that I really, truly, in my heart, dreamed about."

Member Exclusive: The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, by Dawnie Walton - Ursa Story Company "I had never really given myself a chance to do the things that I really, truly, in my heart, dreamed about."

❤️ New Ursa Short Fiction!

@deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social and @dawniewalton.bsky.social break down the first chapter of Dawnie's debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev.

ursastory.com/final-reviva...

I loved this story so much. Thank you Stacie and Nasheen, and associate producers Marina Leigh and @heyjackson.bsky.social, editor Kelly Araja, and special shout-out to Cleyvis Natera for helping us choose this story for Season Three.

#longreads

Ursa Short Fiction Presents: ‘Snow Bath Season,’ by Stacie Denetsosie - Ursa Story Company Stacie Denetsosie asks the question: "What if Amazon Alexa was a Navajo woman?"

"I asked myself, What if Amazon Alexa was a Navajo woman?"

Presenting "Snow Bath Season," a short story by Stacie Denetsosie, performed by Nasheen Sleuth.

Introduction by @dawniewalton.bsky.social and @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social.

#shortstories #longreads #podcasts

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The latest on Ursa Short Fiction!Dawnie and I interview our agents about the publishing industry, what it means to be a white agent representing authors of color, what makes an agent say “hell yes” to a pitched book, common red flags with scammy “agents,” and more!

Member Exclusive: Agents PJ Mark and Danielle Chiotti on Getting Published - Ursa Story Company "Your patience will likely be more rewarded than your impatience."

"Your patience will likely be more rewarded than your impatience."

New Ursa Short Fiction! @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social and @dawniewalton.bsky.social chat with their agents, Danielle Chiotti and PJ Mark, about getting published.

#podcasts #longreads #writing

ursastory.com/agents-pj-ma...

I usually listen to a literary podcast while cooking breakfast on Sunday. Can’t listen to my favorite one this week cuz I’m on it 😬 but you should.

Dream ep

Rion Amilcar Scott: ‘It Has to Be Fun, It Has to Be Funky’ - Ursa Story Company “We have to write what we're obsessed about. Big things and small things."

You need a good podcast to listen to while cooking your turducken? I talk short story creation with my faves @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social and @dawniewalton.bsky.social on the latest episode of @ursastory.bsky.social

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I really enjoyed the episode with Rion and what he said about the many layers of the Black experience. It reminds me of Ross Gay writing about joy and sorrow existing in the same place.