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ashvalewrites.bsky.social
ash vale
@ashvalewrites.bsky.social
3.5K followers 720 following 1.1K posts
🇨🇦 canadian writer, game master, gremlin (they/them)
🏳️‍🌈 co-founder of @othersidespec.bsky.social
🖋 fantasy, romance, horror
📖 words at or coming from Nightmare, Heartlines, PseudoPod, and more

website: https://ash-vale.ca/
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by ash vale
psudonym.bsky.social
If you see this, post a monster 🪷
A woman's face floats above the surface of a dark pool of water with lotus flowers beside it, under the surface she extends into roots and skulls trapped in it
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
ashvalewrites.bsky.social
my mom was losing her mind telling me and my siblings she could hear a turkey all day, wondering if there could possibly be a turkey outside?? would someone do that??

no, her new WiFi-enabled oven had updated itself to have gobble sounds when a timer went off
clairewillett.bsky.social Claire Willett @clairewillett.bsky.social · 1d
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore

I feel like we need this
November 25, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Reposted by ash vale
othersidespec.bsky.social
We're officially OPEN TO NONFICTION AND REPRINT SUBMISSIONS! We are looking for full nonfiction pieces (not pitches) and reprints of stories currently unavailable for free online.

🪐See our guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines

🗡️Submit here: hybrispress.moksha.io/publication/...
Atop a purple illustrated background, white text reads "Nonfiction: We are looking for personal essays, literary/media criticism, creative nonfiction, and more by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors. At this time, we are only considering full pieces (up to 4,000 words) and cannot consider pitches. OPEN NOW!! Find all the details at othersidespec.com/guidelines." Atop a purple illustrated background, white text reads "Reprints: We are looking for previously published speculative short fiction (up to 17,500 words by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors. At this time, we are only looking for stories that cannot currently be read online for free. OPEN NOW!! Find all the details at othersidespec.com/guidelines."
November 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by ash vale
unfortunatalie.bsky.social
trying to switch off the AI bloatware that has been pinned to the top of every single menu in every single app
A business woman in a grey skirt suit, pointing a rifle at a boxy 90s PC
April 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by ash vale
othersidespec.bsky.social
Thanks to the overwhelming support we received during our Kickstarter last month, we were able to add a bonus campaign-exclusive sticker for backers who had picked up a sticker pack! Huge thanks to everyone who supported OTHERSIDE before we were cool 🪐 🗡️ 🌈

And… stickers are officially IN THE MAIL!
A table strewn with stickers in various shades of purple or with holographic/rainbow hues. There’s a sticker of the OTHERSIDE banner art obscured by a holographic logo, a version of the logo with the colors of a pride flag in the center, and - in the foreground - a large stack of holographic stickers that read “I supported OTHERSIDE before it was cool.” Some of the stickers are grouped into piles with one of each of the four designs.
November 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by ash vale
aresjb.bsky.social
Beautiful piece 💓
ashvalewrites.bsky.social ash vale @ashvalewrites.bsky.social · 5d
on this trans day of remembrance my poem "live" at @moistpoetryjournal.bsky.social feels very fitting

"you have to live to hold your own failures in cupped palms, drink them up like gin and fire. to spit blood on burnt earth. to bind your chest wrong the first time."
“live” by Ash Vale
you have to live to hold your own failures in cupped palms, drink them up like gin and fire. to spit blood on burnt earth. to bind your chest wrong the first time. to feel the blunt pain of it and …
moistpoetryjournal.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM
ashvalewrites.bsky.social
I did a virtual talk this week on tension in horror for a library in California (?!) that found me online. what a very weird and awesome experience, even if I felt wildly unqualified
November 21, 2025 at 2:44 PM
ashvalewrites.bsky.social
on this trans day of remembrance my poem "live" at @moistpoetryjournal.bsky.social feels very fitting

"you have to live to hold your own failures in cupped palms, drink them up like gin and fire. to spit blood on burnt earth. to bind your chest wrong the first time."
“live” by Ash Vale
you have to live to hold your own failures in cupped palms, drink them up like gin and fire. to spit blood on burnt earth. to bind your chest wrong the first time. to feel the blunt pain of it and …
moistpoetryjournal.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Reposted by ash vale
davevriser.bsky.social
Psst you dont have to be a conventional scholar to participate--the Queer Horror Conference also accepts presentations from artists and other creative practitioners, as well as grads, undergrads, independent scholars, and established faculty.
White text on a purple backgrounds reads: “It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another.” Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, 1818 We take our inspiration for this year’s theme from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein—a foundational text for the horror and science fiction genres, a feminist exploration of patriarchal hubris and violence, and a critical commentary on our technocratic present. We also seek to engage with the broader questions inherent within Shelley’s text, from the profound to the playful: What makes a monster? White text on a purple background reads: What are the risks (and rewards) in claiming monstrosity? What does it mean to be an unholy creation–and what does it mean to be someone who creates something "unholy"? Where are the limits of technological progress, and what are the consequences for those who overstep? How does horror continue to engage with and inspire works of self-creation and transformation? Where are the linkages between horror, DIY practices, crafting communities, and other forms of reinvention?
November 21, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Reposted by ash vale
ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
happy transgender day of remembrance

thank you for sticking around in the hardest of times. if you haven't, you are missed dearly

please live 💜
A screenshot from Celeste. Madeline stands by a memorial dedicated to those who perished on the climb up Celeste Mountain.
November 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by ash vale
sweatermuppet.bsky.social
one of my most popular designs
a black and white typography edit. there is white text that reads "don't want to see trans people? pluck out your eyes." in the middle of the design is a hand holding a scorpion by the tail. between the scorpion's claws is a human eyeball. the entire image is edited to look photocopied.
September 16, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by ash vale
vireosy.bsky.social
❄️ POLAR LIGHTS 4: APPS OPEN! ❄️

A digital charity zine for polar life, we welcome nature ARTISTS and WRITERS at any level with an appreciation for these extreme environments.

• More info: polarlightszine.tumblr.com
• Apply here: forms.gle/s515VFAhKG9h...
#polar_zine
A blurred photo of a green Aurora Borealis overlaid with text. "Polar Lights 4: Eventide, A charity zine for Arctic and Antarctic life". Centered in all caps is "Applications Open" while underneath in italics is "November 17 – December 15". In the bottom left are the Tumblr and Itch.io logos next to the username “PolarLightsZine", and to the right is a credit line "Photo by Federico Di Dio on Unsplash".
November 17, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Reposted by ash vale
karinww.bsky.social
To Alberta’s trans community, and especially our trans youth: it’s deplorable that our government is abusing the notwithstanding clause to harm you.

We see you. You are beautiful and precious, and we are fighting/donating/protesting for you, and sending you all our love & support.
🩷🤍🩵 💜💛🤍🖤
November 18, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Reposted by ash vale
spacevalkyries.bsky.social
"The story is tense, the danger and the anticipation mixing deliciously... The piece is heavy with denied justice and the promise that the bigger a corporation is, the more satisfying its fall."

Thank you @cypayseur.bsky.social for the recommendation of "To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter" 😭
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by ash vale
thrasherxy.bsky.social
“Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
Black text on a yellow background - This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out. I did not ever imagine I would live to this age and end up a writer, editor, activist, and more. As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin. We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching. I'm honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don't let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.
November 15, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Reposted by ash vale
ascalaphid.com
gone fishin'
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
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adriabailton.com
In just about 5 months, my YA science fiction debut releases. I'm building a street team community for it. Interested? Join through my sign up form: forms.gle/BHdQ6jV2WMEp...
Worlds Divide Street Team Sign-Up!
Sign up today to participate in promoting my debut novel, a YA science fiction Worlds Divide by Adria Bailton. Minimum ask is a review, plus 1-2 posts per month until release in April 2026. There are…
forms.gle
November 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by ash vale
lindzmcleod.bsky.social
Oh hey! You can now add An Honour and A Privilege—our extremely fun AND educational collaborative craft book—to your Goodreads list!
An Honour & a Privilege
Discover and share books you love on Goodreads.
www.goodreads.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by ash vale
rascal.news
Workers with @kickstarterunited.org end their six-week strike victorious, enshrining 4-day work weeks and salary floors while also adding protections against gen AI replacing human labor.
Kickstarter United ends six-week strike with a resounding victory
Workers secure a 4-day work week, minimum salary floor, and protection against AI.
www.rascal.news
November 13, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Reposted by ash vale
ashvalewrites.bsky.social
contracts signed for 2(!!!) really cool sales - ya boi has new horror stories accepted at Uncharted and If There's Anyone Left!!
November 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
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serenamalyon.bsky.social
Sif - watercolour and acryla gouache
a painting of Sif from Dark Souls, a good pup
November 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by ash vale
mruthrobinson.bsky.social
Okay, okay, I give in, it’s 2025 awards eligibility time! I still have December stories coming, which means I cannot yet bring myself to make an extra-fancy graphic or a full long thread, but… until then, I hope you’ll consider reading some of my stories! Will link a couple favorites in the 🧵 (1/4)
Over a blurry background in shades of pink and purple and blue, white text reads: Awards Eligibility M.R. Robinson Lucinda Espinosa's Twenty-Seventh Death Fusion Fragment, February 2025 (sci-fi, 4900 words) Handsomest Gentlest Haven Speculative, March 2025 (fantasy, 2100 words) Erysichthon's Daughter Small Wonders, March 2025 (fantasy, 1000 words) A Recipe for the Day Alban Kills the King Orion's Belt, June 2025 (fantasy, 790 words) Even smaller text at the very bottom reads: "There's no way it is November, you guys are stressing me out." Over a blurry background in shades of pink and purple and blue, white text reads: Awards Eligibility M.R. Robinson The Hag of Beinn Nibheis Flash Fiction Online, January 2025 (fantasy, 970 words) Hound, Hart, Crow, Queen Flame Tree Press, March 2025 (fantasy, 3900 words) A Runaway Android's Guide to the Oro-Ti Night Market Small Wonders, June 2025 (sci-fi, 1000 words) Astounding Award for Best New Writer Year Two of Eligibility Even smaller text at the very bottom reads: "And a couple more in December... I'm gonna have to redo this, huh."
November 13, 2025 at 7:35 PM
ashvalewrites.bsky.social
I know, rationally, that cheesestrings are just cheese. But why do they taste so much BETTER
November 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by ash vale
sbworkersunited.org
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.

Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Don't Buy Starbucks! At any location, today and beyond, while workers are on ULP strike!
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Reposted by ash vale
othersidespec.bsky.social
Reminder, we open to nonfiction and reprint submissions in two weeks! For reprints, we're specifically looking for stories currently unavailable to read online for free! For nonfiction, we're looking for completed pieces, not pitches.

📝Our full guidelines: othersidespec.com/guidelines/
Atop a purple illustrated background, white text reads "Nonfiction: We are looking for personal essays, literary/media criticism, creative nonfiction, and more by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors. At this time, we are only considering full pieces (up to 4,000 words) and cannot consider pitches. Open November 24, 2025. Find all the details at othersidespec.com/guidelines." Atop a purple illustrated background, white text reads "Reprints: We are looking for previously published speculative short fiction (up to 17,500 words by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors. At this time, we are only looking for stories that cannot currently be read online for free. Open November 24, 2025. Find all the details at othersidespec.com/guidelines."
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM