Daniel Ausema
@danielausema.bsky.social
Writer, experiential educator, stay-at-home dad. He/him. Strange Horizons, Daily Science Fiction, Diabolical Plots, Guardbridge Books, Fantasy Magazine, & more. danielausema.com
Pinned
Moth Plateau
Fantasy writer Daniel Ausema's page of Lyrical Worlds filled with Strange Wonder
www.danielausema.com
I have a new series launching very soon. I'll be saying plenty more about it in the coming days and weeks, with the first novella release in just one week, but for now check out the landing page for this weird western series, the Moth Plateau: www.danielausema.com/p/moth-plate...
It's been one week since Riding the Moth Plateau was released, and three weeks until Pursuit and Moth Songs comes out. I've got one more post about the series as a whole on my blog: www.danielausema.com/2026/02/moth...
Moth Plateau series overview
Fantasy writer Daniel Ausema's page of Lyrical Worlds filled with Strange Wonder
www.danielausema.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:39 PM
It's been one week since Riding the Moth Plateau was released, and three weeks until Pursuit and Moth Songs comes out. I've got one more post about the series as a whole on my blog: www.danielausema.com/2026/02/moth...
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
roses are red
chocolate is nice
read books, punch nazis
moreover, destroy I.C.E.
chocolate is nice
read books, punch nazis
moreover, destroy I.C.E.
February 14, 2026 at 9:00 PM
roses are red
chocolate is nice
read books, punch nazis
moreover, destroy I.C.E.
chocolate is nice
read books, punch nazis
moreover, destroy I.C.E.
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
February 11, 2026 at 9:56 PM
I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
"Young Riders but make it Weird"... Here are some of the characters you'll find in the Moth Plateau. I have my favorites. Any jump out as piquing your curiosity? www.danielausema.com/2026/02/the-...
The People of the Moth Plateau
Fantasy writer Daniel Ausema's page of Lyrical Worlds filled with Strange Wonder
www.danielausema.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:56 PM
"Young Riders but make it Weird"... Here are some of the characters you'll find in the Moth Plateau. I have my favorites. Any jump out as piquing your curiosity? www.danielausema.com/2026/02/the-...
It feels a bit old-school to put background info posts on my old blog, but I'm going to dip back into that blog era with a few posts about the world and series of the Moth Plateau.
Starting with, Welcome to the Moth Plateau: www.danielausema.com/2026/02/welc...
Starting with, Welcome to the Moth Plateau: www.danielausema.com/2026/02/welc...
February 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM
It feels a bit old-school to put background info posts on my old blog, but I'm going to dip back into that blog era with a few posts about the world and series of the Moth Plateau.
Starting with, Welcome to the Moth Plateau: www.danielausema.com/2026/02/welc...
Starting with, Welcome to the Moth Plateau: www.danielausema.com/2026/02/welc...
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
The Grammys. The Olympics. The Super Bowl. The message is that the world loves diversity. Don’t let the billionaires tell you otherwise.
February 10, 2026 at 6:32 AM
The Grammys. The Olympics. The Super Bowl. The message is that the world loves diversity. Don’t let the billionaires tell you otherwise.
Today is my birthday!
And also release day for Riding the Moth Plateau. What better pairing?
The blurb: Rugged prairie wanderer and cattle agent, Drusk wants to be left alone to do his job. Head down, his pet hawks circling to clear the air of moths, he can take care of himself and not be...
And also release day for Riding the Moth Plateau. What better pairing?
The blurb: Rugged prairie wanderer and cattle agent, Drusk wants to be left alone to do his job. Head down, his pet hawks circling to clear the air of moths, he can take care of himself and not be...
February 9, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Today is my birthday!
And also release day for Riding the Moth Plateau. What better pairing?
The blurb: Rugged prairie wanderer and cattle agent, Drusk wants to be left alone to do his job. Head down, his pet hawks circling to clear the air of moths, he can take care of himself and not be...
And also release day for Riding the Moth Plateau. What better pairing?
The blurb: Rugged prairie wanderer and cattle agent, Drusk wants to be left alone to do his job. Head down, his pet hawks circling to clear the air of moths, he can take care of himself and not be...
From this week's short fiction readings, I really enjoyed @swantower.bsky.social 's "The Final Voyage of the Ouranos" in Sunday Morning Transport:
www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/the-final-...
www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/the-final-...
February 8, 2026 at 8:24 PM
From this week's short fiction readings, I really enjoyed @swantower.bsky.social 's "The Final Voyage of the Ouranos" in Sunday Morning Transport:
www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/the-final-...
www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/the-final-...
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
Fascism wants you to believe that you are alone. That you are isolated. That the feelings you have are yours and nobody else has them because everybody is too afraid to speak.
But love is stronger than fascism. Community is stronger than fascism.
But love is stronger than fascism. Community is stronger than fascism.
February 4, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Fascism wants you to believe that you are alone. That you are isolated. That the feelings you have are yours and nobody else has them because everybody is too afraid to speak.
But love is stronger than fascism. Community is stronger than fascism.
But love is stronger than fascism. Community is stronger than fascism.
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
Making the rounds this week among Christian progressives: new poem by Rob Hardy, poet laureate, Northfield, MN. Yes, the protests and all the work being done to throw sand in the gears and provide aid to those at home and being released from Whipple are a kind of liturgy — “work of the people.” ⚓️
February 4, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Making the rounds this week among Christian progressives: new poem by Rob Hardy, poet laureate, Northfield, MN. Yes, the protests and all the work being done to throw sand in the gears and provide aid to those at home and being released from Whipple are a kind of liturgy — “work of the people.” ⚓️
Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes (Paul Simon)
honorable mention to “Life is a Lemon (and I Want My Money Back)” by Meatloaf. That cassette was soundtrack to my high school years, and the song itself wasn’t my favorite, but the title is great. (Several others on there are 6+ words long and better)
honorable mention to “Life is a Lemon (and I Want My Money Back)” by Meatloaf. That cassette was soundtrack to my high school years, and the song itself wasn’t my favorite, but the title is great. (Several others on there are 6+ words long and better)
Deleted a post about “what’s your least favorite song” because the vibes are bad enough already.
Instead: what’s your favorite song that has a long title, say at least 6 words long?
Mine: “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” (Pearl Jam)
Instead: what’s your favorite song that has a long title, say at least 6 words long?
Mine: “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” (Pearl Jam)
February 4, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes (Paul Simon)
honorable mention to “Life is a Lemon (and I Want My Money Back)” by Meatloaf. That cassette was soundtrack to my high school years, and the song itself wasn’t my favorite, but the title is great. (Several others on there are 6+ words long and better)
honorable mention to “Life is a Lemon (and I Want My Money Back)” by Meatloaf. That cassette was soundtrack to my high school years, and the song itself wasn’t my favorite, but the title is great. (Several others on there are 6+ words long and better)
I have a new series launching very soon. I'll be saying plenty more about it in the coming days and weeks, with the first novella release in just one week, but for now check out the landing page for this weird western series, the Moth Plateau: www.danielausema.com/p/moth-plate...
Moth Plateau
Fantasy writer Daniel Ausema's page of Lyrical Worlds filled with Strange Wonder
www.danielausema.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:47 AM
I have a new series launching very soon. I'll be saying plenty more about it in the coming days and weeks, with the first novella release in just one week, but for now check out the landing page for this weird western series, the Moth Plateau: www.danielausema.com/p/moth-plate...
Most came from the Netherlands around 1890s to 1910s, mostly economic reasons, with a strain of wanting a more extreme version of Calvinism than the state church allowed. One family came for the dry American Southwest air, hoping to cure their TB
Both sides came here after World War II (Italy and Poland) and then NEVER SPOKE OF IT AGAIN
Genuinely curious: If your family is American, what brought them here?
Mine: religious nuttery & primogeniture
Mine: religious nuttery & primogeniture
February 3, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Most came from the Netherlands around 1890s to 1910s, mostly economic reasons, with a strain of wanting a more extreme version of Calvinism than the state church allowed. One family came for the dry American Southwest air, hoping to cure their TB
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
February is almost here, and that means a new issue of Small Wonders! Subscribe now and get this whole issue in your inbox! Our cover art this month is by Deborah Beauchamp - find more of her work here:
dlbeauchamp.myportfo...
dlbeauchamp.myportfo...
January 31, 2026 at 10:08 PM
February is almost here, and that means a new issue of Small Wonders! Subscribe now and get this whole issue in your inbox! Our cover art this month is by Deborah Beauchamp - find more of her work here:
dlbeauchamp.myportfo...
dlbeauchamp.myportfo...
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took at university.
Modern poetry for the ordinary reader
Spanish linguistics
Free play: improv for inspiration
Writing for the mass media
Latin American cinema
Modern poetry for the ordinary reader
Spanish linguistics
Free play: improv for inspiration
Writing for the mass media
Latin American cinema
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took at university.
Investigative Journalism
Personality
Sociology of Deviant Behavior
Human Sexuality
Children's Theatre
Investigative Journalism
Personality
Sociology of Deviant Behavior
Human Sexuality
Children's Theatre
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took at university.
Political philosophy
Women’s studies
Sociology of education
Psychoanalysis
Water polo
Political philosophy
Women’s studies
Sociology of education
Psychoanalysis
Water polo
January 31, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took at university.
Modern poetry for the ordinary reader
Spanish linguistics
Free play: improv for inspiration
Writing for the mass media
Latin American cinema
Modern poetry for the ordinary reader
Spanish linguistics
Free play: improv for inspiration
Writing for the mass media
Latin American cinema
I've been trying to increase my current short fiction reading recently, so I'm not left with only reading others' reccs at the end of the year. I used to review short stories for various sites as well as share reccs on my blog.
I'm always in awe of the people who review short fic on social media,
I'm always in awe of the people who review short fic on social media,
January 30, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I've been trying to increase my current short fiction reading recently, so I'm not left with only reading others' reccs at the end of the year. I used to review short stories for various sites as well as share reccs on my blog.
I'm always in awe of the people who review short fic on social media,
I'm always in awe of the people who review short fic on social media,
I have a series of novellas coming out over the next few months. The Moth Plateau is a Weird Western/fantasy/steampunk series set in a rugged land where people go to escape their pasts. The wealthy factory owners are always looking for ways to tame even a place like this www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHLLNBGY
January 29, 2026 at 11:08 PM
I have a series of novellas coming out over the next few months. The Moth Plateau is a Weird Western/fantasy/steampunk series set in a rugged land where people go to escape their pasts. The wealthy factory owners are always looking for ways to tame even a place like this www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHLLNBGY
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
I love when my translators have questions. The splendid Mikael Cabon in France needs to know if a river in Written on the Dark flows into the sea or into another river: his word choice will be different.
When translators are careful it is a gift to an author AND a reminder to protect them from AI.
When translators are careful it is a gift to an author AND a reminder to protect them from AI.
January 29, 2026 at 1:28 PM
I love when my translators have questions. The splendid Mikael Cabon in France needs to know if a river in Written on the Dark flows into the sea or into another river: his word choice will be different.
When translators are careful it is a gift to an author AND a reminder to protect them from AI.
When translators are careful it is a gift to an author AND a reminder to protect them from AI.
Five jobs I’ve had:
- Christmas tree trimmer (wielding machetes!)
- Research library assistant (wielding knowledge?)
- High ropes course lead facilitator (wielding…ropes)
- K-8 Spanish teacher (wielding stories)
- Writer (wielding words)
- Christmas tree trimmer (wielding machetes!)
- Research library assistant (wielding knowledge?)
- High ropes course lead facilitator (wielding…ropes)
- K-8 Spanish teacher (wielding stories)
- Writer (wielding words)
Five jobs I’ve had:
- English Language Arts Teacher
- History/Politics/Government Assistant Lecturer
- Art Gallery Tour Guide
- Transcriber
- Retail/Customer Service
- English Language Arts Teacher
- History/Politics/Government Assistant Lecturer
- Art Gallery Tour Guide
- Transcriber
- Retail/Customer Service
Five jobs I've had
1. Donut shop clerk
2. Laser engraver
3. Industrial embroidery machine operator
4. Office temp/admin
5. Analytical software QA
1. Donut shop clerk
2. Laser engraver
3. Industrial embroidery machine operator
4. Office temp/admin
5. Analytical software QA
January 29, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Five jobs I’ve had:
- Christmas tree trimmer (wielding machetes!)
- Research library assistant (wielding knowledge?)
- High ropes course lead facilitator (wielding…ropes)
- K-8 Spanish teacher (wielding stories)
- Writer (wielding words)
- Christmas tree trimmer (wielding machetes!)
- Research library assistant (wielding knowledge?)
- High ropes course lead facilitator (wielding…ropes)
- K-8 Spanish teacher (wielding stories)
- Writer (wielding words)
Reposted by Daniel Ausema
All of this is fucking senseless. Minnesota did not have an immigration problem. Trump sent his Nazi thugs here because he's racist against Somali people and to own libs like Tim Walz. Now two Minnesotans are dead and Minneapolis is on the verge of going up in flames. None. Of. This. Was. Necessary.
January 24, 2026 at 4:55 PM
All of this is fucking senseless. Minnesota did not have an immigration problem. Trump sent his Nazi thugs here because he's racist against Somali people and to own libs like Tim Walz. Now two Minnesotans are dead and Minneapolis is on the verge of going up in flames. None. Of. This. Was. Necessary.
With all the new poetry publications flooding my timeline around New Years, I decided to hold off on this announcement (and then lost track of time...), but I also want to announce that my story "The Sea Harvest of Moonlight" came out on January 1st! sallyportmagazine.com/2026-january...
2026 January Issue - Sally Port Magazine
Purchase 2026 January Table of Contents Letter from the Editor, Patrick Kidder Middle Grade Fiction Littl Red's Big Voice, Sylvia StopforthYoung Adult FictionWinter Strawberries, Beth HudsonThe Sea Ha...
sallyportmagazine.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:06 AM
With all the new poetry publications flooding my timeline around New Years, I decided to hold off on this announcement (and then lost track of time...), but I also want to announce that my story "The Sea Harvest of Moonlight" came out on January 1st! sallyportmagazine.com/2026-january...
A favorite story I tell is a few-times-great grandpa who lived on the KY-TN line, saw brothers join the Confederate Army—neighbors too, no doubt—and said “fight so some lazy rich kid can own other human beings? f*ck that sh*t,” gave his newborn son the middle name Union and volunteered for the North
Respectfully, I am going to whisper to some of our white comrades a truth that should be more widely known: You definitely have some ancestors to be proud of, ancestors who refused white supremacy, and poured out their lives in many of these struggles over time.
Time to claim your true history.
Time to claim your true history.
January 18, 2026 at 1:09 PM
A favorite story I tell is a few-times-great grandpa who lived on the KY-TN line, saw brothers join the Confederate Army—neighbors too, no doubt—and said “fight so some lazy rich kid can own other human beings? f*ck that sh*t,” gave his newborn son the middle name Union and volunteered for the North
Immigration is good, actually.
Pass it on
Pass it on
Immigration is good, actually.
Pass it on
Pass it on
Immigration is good, actually.
January 10, 2026 at 3:21 AM
Immigration is good, actually.
Pass it on
Pass it on
The Kaleidotrope poem was actually my third poem out in two days, but the others nearly got lost in the year-end chaos...
"Six images in the mist" and "The Unpredictability of Space Rocks" are in the new SpecPoVerse issue: specpoverse.org/vol-1%2C-iss...
"Six images in the mist" and "The Unpredictability of Space Rocks" are in the new SpecPoVerse issue: specpoverse.org/vol-1%2C-iss...
Specpoverse
Join us in our mission to create a multicultural vision of speculative poetry.
specpoverse.org
January 2, 2026 at 10:40 PM
The Kaleidotrope poem was actually my third poem out in two days, but the others nearly got lost in the year-end chaos...
"Six images in the mist" and "The Unpredictability of Space Rocks" are in the new SpecPoVerse issue: specpoverse.org/vol-1%2C-iss...
"Six images in the mist" and "The Unpredictability of Space Rocks" are in the new SpecPoVerse issue: specpoverse.org/vol-1%2C-iss...