And just when you thought our great news was over 👀👀👀... We're holding an OPEN READING PERIOD for novella and novel submissions November 3RD-14TH! Bring us your best strange fantasy, beautiful horror, and surreal scifi! 🖤👽 Full details in the link below! ⬇️ www.apexbookcompany.com/pages/submis...

A real nice nuts-and-bolts look at the different cinematic Lois Lanes, a character who really does decide the quality of a Superman story. Points for avoiding the "but what does this mean for the culture" scope-broadening these things can sometimes drown in.

Eyes up here? Eyes on Lois.

I have a new story out about visiting loved ones in hell.

Writers, describe your WIP in the worst way possible. Your new pet wants you to stop petting him and start fearing him like he deserves! ... Alright, just a little more petting.

There’s a lot of trash in space and someone has to take care of it. Read my latest story, “A Feast for the Moon Junker’s Spouse” in @bsfa.bsky.social’s Fission #5. us.amazon.com/Fission-Anth...

😱Submissions are OPEN for the Disability in Dystopia anthology! If you're disabled and/or chronically ill, we want to hear your stories and pay you for them! Submissions Guide: shorturl.at/jges6 Deadline: June 20th 2025.

it's Bloomsday, and so I'd like to share these touching and intimate letters James Joyce wrote to his wife with you. tinyurl.com/2efxvh8x

When I saw this list, I was most excited by the company “Whale Fall” was in. This whole thread is a phenomenal overview. Thanks so much for your kind words, @bpladek.bsky.social.

Oh wow, it’s amazing to be a finalist. I can’t believe that’s my whale falling on this list. Congrats to all the nominees. It was an incredible year for speculative fiction.

I’m not a fan of Disney parks persay but I AM a fan of fans of Disney parks. @jrdawson.bsky.social ‘s careful observations about how we can apply Disney’s park designs to world-building really opened my eyes.

I almost forgot to post this, and it's the perfect day for it.

This story began as a wish for myself and became a promise to my daughter. Link in thread.

Highly recommend distracting yourself from current events by reading this wikipedia page in full en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

Cast of Wonders 634: Pearl Diving by @jlakagi.bsky.social narrated by @batzpajamas.bsky.social produced by @jeremycarter42.bsky.social www.castofwonders.org/2025/03/cast...

4) “Infinite Halves” by @jlakagi.bsky.social I LOVED how perfectly NYC is captured in here. The food, the landmarks, the vistas—you will feel like you’re taking a real life haunted tour of the city.

Voting for the Locus Awards is OPEN! As a nonprofit, Locus Magazine champions authors of all kinds, from big names to indies and small press. Subscriber votes count double! Voting ends April 15—make your voice heard! Vote here: poll.voting.locusmag... #LocusAwards

Oof really really amazing story in @uncannymagazine.bsky.social by @jlakagi.bsky.social www.uncannymagazine.com/article/infi...

It’s true what they say: keep your head down, write what you want, keep the rejections coming — it’s the only way forward.

Republicans working to make this part of THE LAST OF US true.

As someone who also thinks about death a lot, J.L.'s essay about the power of writing speculative fiction and forcing your characters to live, really resonated (go check out her new story in Uncanny!)

Better late than never. This month's newsletter features my favorite recent reads from @wiswell.bsky.social , @pcverrone.com, and @angelaliu.bsky.social. Plus, a maybe-too-personal essay about my latest story. open.substack.com/pub/jlakagi/...

I really loved this, and I bet you will too:

The Pacific Rim engineers that spent weeks building a 30-foot bowie knife for a mech suit to draw from its ankle sheath must have been muttering “Hell yeah” the whole time

“Sam didn’t always use his eternal life just for this. He’s tried the whole ‘live your life to the fullest’ nonsense…but when you’ve been around for as long as he has, all that’s left to do is die.” By @jlakagi.bsky.social in @uncannymagazine.bsky.social www.uncannymagazine.com/article/infi...

I have a flash piece about a suicidal man who can’t die in @uncannymagazine.bsky.social. www.uncannymagazine.com/article/infi...

Plott Hound Magazine is OPEN for submissions! We are taking original short fiction, flash, poems, and essays for the inaugural issue (spring 2025). We want to see the creatures you feature! Sub period: March 1-15, 2025 Submit through Moksha: plotthound.moksha.io/publication/...

All I want is a reasonable let’s play of Lisa: The Painful where the player isn’t a) horrifyingly sexist and homophobic or b) as bad at playing video games as I am.

As good a time as any to announce I have a story coming out in Uncanny. (I can’t believe it either.) Brush up on your Zeno’s paradoxes; “Infinite Halves” (about a suicidal man who can’t die) will be out soon.

I wrote about my experience submitting short SFF non-stopping for ten years. It's out now in my newsletter! renanbernardo.substack.com/p/ten-years-...

This muthafukka really doesn't take a bad shot.

hugo nominations are open!!! so, if you don't mind a spot of self promo, i have a (completely normal*) story about a trans man who vomits up an entire skeleton (boyfriend). *not normal you can read it here!!

DREDF is holding a free Zoom briefing to inform how you can help on February 12 (Wednesday). If you want to help, they'll give clearer guidance than I can. It's a great start. You can sign up to attend here: dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Body horror commercials galore

Heads up to the #SFF #writers out there: SFWA (@sfwa.bsky.social) will begin taking applications soon for the next round of the 3-month-long Career Mentorship Program! Applications will open on February 8 and close February 22. More info here: www.sfwa.org/other-resour...

It’s the first Monday of the month which means a fresh newsletter. Featuring recommendations for poetry and short fiction by @hotpoet.bsky.social @mruthrobinson.bsky.social @bpladek.bsky.social and others. jlakagi.substack.com/p/4-places-t...

Because this keeps getting lost in all the Costco praise for their DEI commitments, the Teamsters there are about to go on strike. No crossing the picket lines. Lots of these folks are BIPOC. DEI is more than a statement. teamster.org/2025/01/cost...

There are a zillion articles on the web about how to fight book bans. This is mine from 2 years ago. reactormag.com/book-bans-af...

Dearest writers, Updated submissions info! We plan to open Jan 22-29 22-25 to works by BIPOC authors 26-29 open to all Short fic! Flash fic! Poetry! Please check guidelines; apologies for any confusion. We are eager to see your words! psychopomp.com/fantasy-maga... - A

hello again psychopomp.com/fantasy-maga...

The submission gates are opened--send us your stories! sarossf.com/submissions/

Did you know that Highlights has been running a scholarship for trans women and transfemme people who want to write children's and YA? You can apply here, or share it with your friends, or donate if you're so incline! www.highlightsfoundation.org/trans-women-...

Darlings, I know the everything is, you know, a mess. But I have a new poem up at @strangehorizons.bsky.social today! It'd mean a lot to me if you'd read "Of Water, Always Seeking." I wrote it as a reminder of strength, a reminder to remember who you are. strangehorizons.com/poetry/of-wa...

I have a very twisted imagination. For example: what if a clown—who dedicates his life to making people happy—was very sad. So sad he required medical attention. I know, I know

Submissions for our queer sword and sorcery anthology are open until January 15th. 8¢/word. <6000 words. Very keen on tyrant-killing, intimate stakes, unknowable magic, tiny loincloths, sweaty muscles, big thighs. Good to avoid: epic fantasy tropes. More info: www.neonhemlock.com/submissions

Okay I’m doing it, I’m starting a newsletter. For real, I’m doing it. (I’m definitely doing it.)

Incredible read, dead on.

Special Submissions Call! Disability Pride & Magic! The Castle gates are open for an extended special submissions call from 7 January to 31 March, and we are looking for stories celebrating disabled authors, character and themes for this event. Details Below!