Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly) @KarunaRiazi Twitter profile

Pinned Tweet

Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

1 year

PINNED "Howl, find me in the future!" post IG: karunariazi Website: (agent is Thao Le of Sandra Dijikstra and Associates) Mastodon: @/KarunaRiazi@/mas.to Cohost: karunariazi Nintendo Switch:

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

7 months

This evening, as I was standing on the sidewalk waiting for public transport, a guy spat in my direction. It might not have been deliberate. It might have been Islamophobia. What matters is what the girl standing beside me did: she moved between us, and made eye contact.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

7 months

This did not feel at all incidental. She made eye contact with him, and then with me. And she stayed right there. Another girl of color. Putting herself at risk. When non-PoC people ask, "What should I do?" This. Do. This.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

7 months

Also, before anyone goes, "OMG, now a guy can't spit any more?" Don't spit in the direction of people, period. It's disgusting, even if you didn't mean it as a possible hate crime.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Listen, I was a middle school and high school teacher. For those of you who weren't, or have been away for a few years, or are a parent with a certain privilege and open mind: THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS WHO ARE NOT GOING TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THOSE BANNED BOOKS.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Wow. So. I respect the person whose thread on their ill treatment as a breastfeeding person by the TSA is making the rounds and I do not want this to be a thing specifically about her, but: so many things have become a problem this week now that white women's bodies are at risk.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

7 months

@kianangu It was another girl of color, and I've never seen her before and am not sure if I will ever see her again, but the love I had for her in that moment.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Never, ever forget Breonna Taylor and all she wanted on this day two years ago.

Breeeee

@PrettyN_Paidd

4 years

I Hope next Christmas I have a kid so I can be super excited about today like y’all 😊

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

There are kids in your own kids' classrooms whose reading is already heavily monitored, curtailed, and limited by conservative parents or simple lack of resources beyond what the school provides for them. These kids will not pick up Maus because there will be no Maus to be had.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

I wish the writer who wrote her book during her lunch breaks and sold it for $100,000 many congratulations, good reviews and a "keep your advance/royalties in a get out fund away from your controlling husband."

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

There are kids without Kindles, without computers, with limited or no phone time, who do not have smartphones, who will not find co-conspirators in their school librarian or teacher because God don't get me started on the racism already entrenched in our institutions.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

I don't feel like writing a whole thread about it, but white women complaining about too many "diversity-focused calls and opportunities" they cannot "find a way to fit in" is an extension of the Great Replacement Theory, in my opinion.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

I am just. I cannot with the dismissiveness and the complacency as this gets worse and worse.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

There are kids who aren't going to know titles with no reference. There are kids who don't go to book signings or festivals or conventions or B&N. This entire generation is not on Tik Tok. This entire generation is not on Instagram. This entire generation is not on Twitter.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Man who relies on ghost writers, has a multi-million empire of imprints and contacts and industry connections, and has never in his life had to hear the words "we already have our XYZ author for this season" says what? 🤣

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

No. A (rightful) argument over being allowed to carry pumping material. Without even a physical gesture or manhandling by the agent. I'm just. I'm sorry this happened, but I'm going to be in my brown Muslim girl feels about this. When it happens to you, it becomes a problem.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

If you needed a reminder: The story you're writing came to you because it knew you were right for the job. If you love this story, that matters more right now than thinking about future readers and making them love the story. Every word and minute spent counts for something.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Notes from my quote-tweets: - The repeated use of "women" and "moms" in that thread excludes a great deal of marginalized bodies and experiences - I've read a GREAT DEAL of pain and abuse experienced by trans people from TSA. - The disabled community suffers TSA abuse often.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

I saw TSA and I was like: oh man, strip search? Being tugged aside because your name vaguely matches someone on the no fly list? Being harassed by an agent over nothing because of what's on your head - including being a Black woman and having the nerve to just wear your hair?

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Literally got yanked away from my mom at eleven freaking years old to be given a rough patdown of my lower region in front of the whole line and then shoved aside without apology because they claimed my pants zipper went off. And that's a TAME story.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

Fun fact: if you're having trouble focusing on your writing, it's not because you're lazy or useless or bad at this. Drumroll, please - you are probably tired. Or overstimulated. Or need a break. Or water. Or food. Or not to do it today.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

A reminder that as helpful as it may seem to circulate videos of an attack - it is not. You are only increasing the chances of trauma for a marginalized population. Also, please DO NOT SHARE videos to "emphasize and hash out" with your Muslim friends. Please.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

1 year

I know I'm away for Ramadan, BUT I just saw a post in which an incredulous author said, "Aren't publishers [like Scholastic] the good guys?" And listen. LISTEN. You haven't been listening to the BIPOC publishing peeps these houses are bleeding out over the past few years.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

If you are a white author and feel the need to make it clear today that you aren't on the side of J*m*s P, please do the following: 1. Take a stance against book banning, in whatever way you can take proactive action.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

When should you ask a Muslim why they are not fasting/eating during the daytime? Never. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

This is an agent. Just letting PoC know so they can stay away.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

Joyous news: Remember how I said I had one more Desi rep book in me that I felt I needed to get out and set the record straight? Well...

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

1 year

I can still remember when a blogger friend who I looked up to was bullied and had to leave Twitter completely for her and her family's safety after an author took umbrage to her 1-star review and drove to find her. Don't read your reviews if you can't handle them.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

Okay. Here we go... I am delighted to announce that I am now represented by the incredible @ThaoLe8 ! I have an agent, and a wonderful one too! I can't stop smiling!

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

1 year

I'm thinking about the child whose father burned Adam's book. The father makes a point of saying "they didn't get a chance to read it." Can we please stop lying that kids are going to find ways to sneak these books into their lives with unsafe parents and guardians?

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

9 months

Also, NO ONE should be thanking this guy as he took down the ability for authors to be able to confirm whether or not their work was stripped by AI. This was a move to stem the flow of complaints and publishers involved.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

A reminder about public libraries, and young readers - To access one, you are at the mercy of a parent or guardian who is willing or able to drive or use public transport, IF IT IS CLOSE ENOUGH AND YOU HAVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT, to get you there.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

I just saw that whole "I'm going to tweet all these people, some of which aren't active, and call them out for following someone many of them can't even remember following" thing and...eesh. People. A lot of us have been on Twitter now for decades. This is not the way.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

I have been near tears for a few hours and this got me. To take advantage of this kindness, this generosity, of a people who historically live in fear of bigotry and violence…this is beyond betrayal and transgression.

Alex Edelman

@AlexEdelman

2 years

The shul let the gunman in because they thought he was an unhoused person in need of shelter.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Abortion bans are not about the kids because the kids aren't held as sacred. Book bans are not about the kids because the kids aren't kept safe.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Also, if you are marginalized and contemplating a magical school idea, please write it. I am personally standing here with a shoe in my hand to defend it.

Evewynn (she/her) evewynn.bsky.social 🍉

@EvewynnWorkshop

2 years

THERE. ARE. SO. MANY. OTHER. AND. BETTER. WIZARD. SCHOOLS. OUT. THERE.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

I'm measuring out my words on this and don't be surprised if this thread disappears. Today, at #nerdcampLI , I had a great time. I saw good friends. I hung out with the amazing, stupendous organizers. I delivered a keynote that despite my nerves and stress, seemed to land well.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Good morning, I am still mad that one of the best men I know, Jason Reynolds, has been called on the carpet for just trying to exist within a racist industry, and @Nancy_Pearl let him take hatred for HER remark and is blissfully posting poetry as of last night.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Audible is being aggressive with New Year promotions, so a reminder that an Am*zon-free alternative is the wonderful @librofm AND will support the Indie bookstore of your choice! I am currently giving love from afar to @RedBalloonBooks . ❤

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

4 years

Hey. This is a reminder that there are great things to come for you and your writing. Your time on lists, making people cry over how beautiful your words are, being tapped for cons...that is coming. It may be your debut. It may be several books later. But it is coming.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

1 year

CAN WE PLEASE TRY NOT TO BULLY AUTHORS WHOSE BUSINESS IS STILL TETHERED TO A PARTICULAR AGENCY TO "MAKE STATEMENTS" WHEN THE ODDS THAT THEY KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN ARE ASTRONOMICALLY NOT IN THEIR FAVOR

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Evergreen reminder that book bans are not "the best form of publicity," "an opportunity for more sales," and "a good thing so be happy!" Marginalized authors of banned books have spoken for months on the worry for their readership and financial repercussions. Please listen.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

Okay, so, I keep hearing from people that they don't know I have another book coming out in the '22-23 cycle, so HI. I have another book coming out. It's called A Bit of Earth and it's a contemporary MG retelling of The Secret Garden. Announcement from a few months ago here:

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

I will just say it, because this is going too far: an anthropology degree does NOT make you a member of the marginalized community you are writing about. And talking down to talented members of that community will not endear you to ANYONE.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

In 1911, readers entered The Secret Garden with Mary Lennox. Now, in 2023, join Maria Latif in discovering... A BIT OF EARTH ( @greenwillowbook , 3/14/2023) Artist: Shreya Gupta ( @shreyaillos ) Hand-lettering: Ryan O’Rourke Designer: Sylvie Le Floc’h PREORDERS OPEN. 🧵...

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

I honestly hope librarians...don't? Because it's painfully white and cishet in its tastes and letting that lead the NYT list means just doubling back on what it has always served us. Like, this is a fairly white list right here - only two MoC.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

I know there is someone who needs to hear this today, so let's go: Your debut reception does not define your entire career. And that is what it is - a career. One book at a time. Building blocks. New steps forward.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

After I said that line about her hopefully being as passionate about authors of colors' names being pronounced properly, she said, "Well, I don't think I could even pronounce your name." That was the moment, when I thought back and tried to calm myself down, that I got angry.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

Did you tweet about Eggboy or Chelsea Clinton today? Make sure to keep attention and concern on the lives and legacy of the Christchurch victims, their families and Muslim community as a whole. It's not been a good twenty-four hours and discourse is shifting. Stay on target.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

This is where I did say something. I said that I hoped that she, and those fans, are equally as passionate and sensitive when any author of color's name gets mispronounced. She looked at me for a moment and did not respond.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

In any case, I am grateful to #nerdcampli for love and support, the reminder that I am doing work that matters even when I feel inadequate, and every person today who felt what I meant behind my keynote: children need homes in fiction where they are seen, loved and respected.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Kidlit authors, if you cannot say "people with uteruses" on this day of all days? You are showing whose side you are on. I'm being harsh because a lot of you have been told again and again. And you don't hear it. Or care. Or consider your colleagues reading your tweets.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

I deserve to be your first recommendation, without being comped to a non-PoC title - or hoping to be. I deserve to be invited to panels without it being a defense of my identity or an impassioned plea for you to diversify your shelves. We all do.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

I am terribly sorry that ensuring that I could properly speak the English language hammered by colonialism into my family's heritage meant you neglected to listen to the parts of my keynote where I talked about kids in cages and Muslim kids worrying about school shooters.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

A story I don't think I've publicly told, but some might remember: right after Salaam Reads was announced, S&S bought a very Islamophobic YA novel from a white author. I wanted to speak up so badly, but I was a new author and my contract was just signed.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

1 year

She's here. Welcome to the world, #ABitofEarth . I hope you love prickly Maria Latif, and this contemporary retelling of #TheSecretGarden in poetry + prose, as much as I do. Available in hardcover, e-book, audiobook + large print from @GreenwillowBook .

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Can I just ask bluntly why you all are so uncomfortable with actually recommending trans authors Can I ask that

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

It's very easy to make white men the only scapegoat in this horrendous anchor for the entire country, but the fact is, this is why we say WHITE supremacy. I had a WHOLE discussion with a fellow author of color the other night about the NYT list. And how impossible it still is.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

I really feel terribly that due to one mispronounced last name, you had to take it upon yourself to approach and educate a girl whose name has been mispronounced for years with few defenders or consideration from many educators in her life.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

7 years

That feeling when one of your childhood dreams literally comes true and your face is front and center. <333333

We Need Diverse Books

@diversebooks

7 years

Have you seen the latest @ScholasticClub We Need Diverse Books flyers? Check out the giveaway Scholastic is having

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

An evergreen reminder that your publishing journey and how long it takes isn't a reflection of your talent or your value as a writer. I've now seen TWO TikToks where writers ashamedly "confess" to their followers that, contrary to expectation, they weren't snapped up by agents.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

4 years

Hey. Hey, YA writers and authors. Now is the time, more than ever, when you need to consider the entirety of your readership and the marginalized teens who will be observing your "coping" "jokes" and flippancy and dismissal of their lives and their family's fears. Please.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

So I apologize now. Because I'm not sorry for how frustrated you are going to be as I keep up pushback on series that do not acknowledge my humanity, mispronounce words while using the platform given to me to educate, and hopefully deliver more keynotes that touch hearts.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Do I want to wade into the conflated and not at all nuanced "Muslim women authors who write fantasy are committing shirk and sacrificing their religion and faith" discourse today? Or do I want to preserve my peace? I think I'll just preserve my peace.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Books written now out of anger are valid. Books written now out of sadness are valid. Books written now out of the need for radical, marginalized joy and validation and life are valid. We need all of them.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

Thank you guys for the release day love! I appreciate the support for #TheBattle so much! I'm headed offline because a teacher's prep work is never done but if you have an in the wild picture to share, I'd love to see it! (And of course, buy wherever books are sold!)

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

To be clear, I'm blocking you if you're non-Muslim and liking my tweets to Muslim authors about Muslims in fantasy and quote-tweeting them about "research/interesting/thoughtful for writing fantasy" 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

"Bending" my hiatus-because-Ramadan rule slightly to ask for some solidarity: if you also feel like you're spinning your wheels and haven't been "productive enough/yet" this year and it's almost May and there's no finished draft and everyone else is doing great, please sound off?

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

I was just thinking about this. So many losses over the past few years alone, heritage roots lost we will never get to see.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

I hope all of this makes you feel better, because I know what you said was supposed to make me feel terrible after a day of good interactions and good people. And it didn't. It made me angry. And my anger only fuels me.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

1 year

I'm...I'm really tired of the continuous shock. "What has this country become?" It's always been this way. Catch up. "What has this industry become?" It's always been this way. Catch up. "What can we do?" Understand it's always been this way. Catch up. And fight back.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

Words are never merely words. When you nod, or silently stand by, or defend as "a needed counterpoint," or insist we need to hear all sides, or say "you people are always so sensitive and this isn't a big deal..." you are perpetuating bigotry.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

11 months

Just venting this out there, but...it's way past time for publishers to actually care about giving their authors some media training and protection (brought back up in my mind by seeing that a reporter with likely bad intentions sat in on a marginalized panel).

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

I said I was gone, but I lied. If you are not Muslim it is not your place to decide that Muslim villains can be written. Full stop. Period. End of story.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

So much erasure of ✨ people affected by abortion bans who are not white cis women ✨ marginalized religions - Jewish people and Muslim people DO NOT align with conservative Christians, once again. ✨ white supremacy being the backbone, the motive, the reason, the purpose.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

On an emotional note, this is my first Black/Blasian Muslim heroine so I'm really taking steps toward fully representing my whole identity as I've wanted to for SO LONG.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

3. Recognize that, if famous authors are feeling comfortable and confident to out their bigotries, you need to be making waves in the opposite direction loudly and proudly. No to racism. No to transphobia. No to homophobia. No, no, NO.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

ALSO. We need to stand for our readership and remind each other that they are CHILDREN and MINORS and not DOLLAR SIGNS and EXPLOITABLE. Let us stay human here.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

"THE BABY NEEDED HER" "SHOULD SHE HAVE BEEN USING HER LUNCH BREAK, WHICH IS TECHNICALLY HER TIME BUT I DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY" "SHE MUST HAVE BEEN GRUMPY BECAUSE OF WRITING AND NOT BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF HAVING TWO BABIES - ME INCLUDED"

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Apropos of the last retweet, Muslim people with uteruses + families are having their rights equally violated by abortion bans, as we do not align with conservative Christian propaganda any more than our Jewish siblings.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Publishing has a profound, hideous, deep-rooted, unapologetic antisemitism problem.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

Not for the first time, I yearn for a category in between MG and YA because this idea on my hands doesn't squarely fit into either and gosh, I don't want to saw off any of its corners to make it fit.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

Your being kept out of the one lane that authors of color can maybe open a door and find a seat before you lunge for it isn't oppression, honey.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

In case you need to hear it today: you are doing a fabulous job. Your words matter. Your story matters. Do not size yourself up in comparison to anyone else. If you have to, turn off social media and the highlights reel and focus on you and building your legacy.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

9 months

"In the future, I would love to rebuild this library...I truly believe these tools are useful for creative people. But now is not the right time." It is never the right time for AI, or using authors' works without their consent. You didn't learn anything.

Benji Smith

@benji_smith

9 months

I took down the prosecraft website. I'm sorry, everyone.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

You can die and the deadlines and day jobs will roll on over your body. Prioritize you. Make those moves. Do what you can to uphold your own humanity in the face of the machine showing you how replaceable they find you - and not just your humanity, but others, too.

Melody L. Simpson

@melodysimpson

2 years

What's the greatest lesson or one of the greatest lessons you've learned throughout the pandemic?

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

I would really, really like everyone who is about to have a holier-than-thou "that was a joke, it wasn't ableist" takes to take a seat. And stay there. I can feel it coming. And there's no need to put it out there.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

1 year

I see a lot of authors saying “publishing, let us write the weird things” but it should be “publishing, let BIPOC authors write their weird things” Just saying.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

This is your Friday reminder that if your feminism isn't intersectional, it is intrinsically flawed. If your feminism does not consider Black and brown bodies, it is flawed. If your feminism holds to a narrow binary and protects some identities over others, it is flawed.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

For any "she meant well" responses: I would like to repeat that this woman vanished. She disappeared right before another organizer came by and glance toward me. I have no name or school. I did mention her to an organizer who was apologetic and perplexed.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

Today, I get my MFA! That rhymes! I should go to bed because I'm a weird type of wired: sad and excited and anxious all at once.

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1

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

My biggest author dream is, and always has been, cutting the cord with all social media and having enough confidence in my establishment to be able to simply...not be perceived. 👻

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

7 months

Just a loving reminder that the NYT List is, has been, and likely always will be curated within an inch of its life. Also, the NYT List was VERY white before WNDB. This is nothing new. I've seen a few remarks like the list is "usually" diverse. It used to be all John Green.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

1 year

There are good guys in publishing. But when the houses at large tell you this is a business and not a charity, believe them. When BIPOC staff, particularly junior members, write long letters to let you know why their brief stay was untenable, read them the whole way through.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

If you are not Jewish, be aware that you should raise your voice and uplift the current situation on behalf of our Jewish siblings observing Shabbat.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

Portrait of the author in Autographing, prepping herself to sign and not to puke.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

5 years

The only person I genuinely feel apologetic to in this entire situation was my seatmate who I only met properly today, and who I turned to and blurted the interaction to just so another woman of color could tell me if I was too sensitive or not. She too thought it was bizarre.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

Now is now the time as a kidlit author to stand tall and proud and say "I don't know what an NFT is and I'm glad to not know." We're not giving out prizes for being a Luddite and allowing your readership to be victimized because you cannot educate yourself and advocate for them.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

2 years

2. Instead of asking your marginalized colleagues for emotional labor on top of the labor we are already testifying to today and everyday, make the Internet search engines your friend. Speak your marginalized friends' names in rooms of opportunity. Stop hogging the mic.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

Speak ill of the dead who did not carve out legacies of goodness and humanity while alive. Speak ill of the cruel dead so the ground where admirers would lay monuments have no space for such falsehoods. Speak ill of the dead who showed no respect to the innocents they left dead.

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Karuna Riazi (Updates Mostly)

@KarunaRiazi

3 years

Can someone else just reassure me that I am not the only one on deadline and just...mentally and physically struggling to get things done I KNOW I can do because of...everything?

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