Kel Coleman
@kcolemanwrites.bsky.social
Writer with stories in FIYAH, BCS, Best American, & more | CW '22 | Ignyte Award Finalist 🔥 | they/them
kelcoleman.com
kelcoleman.com
Pinned
Last Meal Aboard the Awassa - Lightspeed Magazine
Gardener ladled dark-purple porridge into her primary digestion sac, staring absently out the viewport at black space and the distant smudge of the planet they had come to study. The simple meal and t...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com
ICYMI, I have a new story out in Lightspeed Magazine about lovers aboard a doomed science vessel!!
It's short but loaded with joy and grief and lavish descriptions of alien and not-so-alien food.
Check it out:
www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/last...
It's short but loaded with joy and grief and lavish descriptions of alien and not-so-alien food.
Check it out:
www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/last...
Reposted by Kel Coleman
“Little Thief and the Martyr’s Head” is available now in the new issue of Beneath Ceaseless Skies! It’s about a homeless orphan girl who discovers she can speak to one of the severed heads mounted over the city gate.
New issue of @bcsmagazine.bsky.social is here, featuring stories by @japrenticewrites.bsky.social and @samuelchapman.bsky.social and cover art by Jereme Peabody: weightlessbooks.com/beneath-ceas...
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
“Little Thief and the Martyr’s Head” is available now in the new issue of Beneath Ceaseless Skies! It’s about a homeless orphan girl who discovers she can speak to one of the severed heads mounted over the city gate.
Reposted by Kel Coleman
When I was a submissions editor, I really enjoyed the feeling of sending up work from new writers. I think most editors do. Today, I learned that someone has their first pro sale because I told them about a call for submissions.
This is what it’s all about.
This is what it’s all about.
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
When I was a submissions editor, I really enjoyed the feeling of sending up work from new writers. I think most editors do. Today, I learned that someone has their first pro sale because I told them about a call for submissions.
This is what it’s all about.
This is what it’s all about.
Good news! You can read an oldie but a favorite of mine in Apex today! "Before, After, and the Space Between", first published in @neonhemlock.bsky.social's Unfettered Hexes: Queer Tales of Insatiable Darkness, is about the fraught relationship between a daughter and her mother and their magic 💜🖤
"It surprises me to find you, after a childhood of rejecting your heritage, preparing for a spell this frigid evening." 🩸🌿
New fiction today by @kcolemanwrites.bsky.social: "Before, After, and the Space Between"
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
New fiction today by @kcolemanwrites.bsky.social: "Before, After, and the Space Between"
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/a/blog/apex-...
November 25, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Good news! You can read an oldie but a favorite of mine in Apex today! "Before, After, and the Space Between", first published in @neonhemlock.bsky.social's Unfettered Hexes: Queer Tales of Insatiable Darkness, is about the fraught relationship between a daughter and her mother and their magic 💜🖤
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Graphic design skills I do not possess, as evidenced by this free template I selected because the other free templates kept crashing...
Still and all! Here are my awards eligible stories for this year ✨
Still and all! Here are my awards eligible stories for this year ✨
November 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Graphic design skills I do not possess, as evidenced by this free template I selected because the other free templates kept crashing...
Still and all! Here are my awards eligible stories for this year ✨
Still and all! Here are my awards eligible stories for this year ✨
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Look what I lack in pretty design skills I make up for in writing skills
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Look what I lack in pretty design skills I make up for in writing skills
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Happy release day to the very special Orbit Gold edition of the trilogy of my heart. 💚 Thank you @orbitbooks.bsky.social and @tommyarnoldart.com (Last day to take advantage of the 20% preorder discount! Link below.)
August 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Happy release day to the very special Orbit Gold edition of the trilogy of my heart. 💚 Thank you @orbitbooks.bsky.social and @tommyarnoldart.com (Last day to take advantage of the 20% preorder discount! Link below.)
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Big news! My second collection of horror stories, NOCTIVAGANTS, is coming out in 2027 with Lethe Press!
Cover reveal coming soon!
Cover reveal coming soon!
October 31, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Big news! My second collection of horror stories, NOCTIVAGANTS, is coming out in 2027 with Lethe Press!
Cover reveal coming soon!
Cover reveal coming soon!
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Hey look at that! My story “Bloody Muddy Water” is featured by Locus Magazine!
“Bloody Muddy Water” by @jduckwriter.bsky.social from @bcsmagazine.bsky.social, “To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter” by @spacevalkyries.bsky.social from @lightspeedmagazine.com, and more short fic recs from @cypayseur.bsky.social
Small Wonders, Beneath Ceaseless Skies and Lightspeed: Review by Charles Payseur
Small Wonders 7/25 Beneath Ceaseless Skies 8/7/25, 8/21/25 Lightspeed 8/25 The July Small Wonders features some great poetry, including Courtney Floyd’s “Renfield at His Windowsill”, which captures…
locusmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Hey look at that! My story “Bloody Muddy Water” is featured by Locus Magazine!
Reposted by Kel Coleman
I published some pieces I'm deeply proud of this year. My second novel, one of my most personal novelettes, one of my weirdest short stories, and an essay on an idea that's been nagging me for years.
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I published some pieces I'm deeply proud of this year. My second novel, one of my most personal novelettes, one of my weirdest short stories, and an essay on an idea that's been nagging me for years.
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Story day!! I’m so delighted to debut in @unchartedmag.bsky.social with ‘Love Story in Colored Glass:’ an inter-dimensional love story about a starship that breaks reality - and a pair of lovers who find themselves, again and again, across the fracture.
www.unchartedmag.com/stories/love...
www.unchartedmag.com/stories/love...
Love Story in Colored Glass - Uncharted
“This,” her father says, the stone a matte black promise in his hand, “is how your ship will travel.” With a bravura flick, he throws it out onto the lake, but all she can focus on is the spike of ten...
www.unchartedmag.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Story day!! I’m so delighted to debut in @unchartedmag.bsky.social with ‘Love Story in Colored Glass:’ an inter-dimensional love story about a starship that breaks reality - and a pair of lovers who find themselves, again and again, across the fracture.
www.unchartedmag.com/stories/love...
www.unchartedmag.com/stories/love...
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Can't wait until I'm allowed to tell you all about my next novelette that revisits our favorite (and only) space-faring fenox Chesirah (link if you've forgotten) in an entanglement with the fae.
podcastle.org/2018/07/03/p...
podcastle.org/2018/07/03/p...
PodCastle 529: Chesirah - PodCastle
Chesirah By L. D. Lewis “It is almost time.” Chesirah smiled despite her screaming fingers. They were a blur, working feverishly to finish lacing together the last of her dark braids before Nazar the ...
podcastle.org
November 22, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Can't wait until I'm allowed to tell you all about my next novelette that revisits our favorite (and only) space-faring fenox Chesirah (link if you've forgotten) in an entanglement with the fae.
podcastle.org/2018/07/03/p...
podcastle.org/2018/07/03/p...
Reposted by Kel Coleman
a post about Psychopomp in 2026
please read and share
thank you very much
please read and share
thank you very much
what's next for Psychopomp - PSYCHOPOMP.COM
what to expect from Psychopomp (and The Deadlands and Fantasy Magazine) in 2026.
psychopomp.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:12 PM
a post about Psychopomp in 2026
please read and share
thank you very much
please read and share
thank you very much
Reposted by Kel Coleman
thank you to whoever just went and bought books 2-8, I assume you liked the first book well enough to continue running!
November 20, 2025 at 10:13 PM
thank you to whoever just went and bought books 2-8, I assume you liked the first book well enough to continue running!
Reposted by Kel Coleman
So folks in my bondage class are really enjoying BLEED FOR ME BRO, my new story over at @nightmare-magazine.com
Just saying…
www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/blee...
Just saying…
www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/blee...
Bleed for Me, Bro - Nightmare Magazine
Watching Jules claw his way back to life was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. This was the kind of scene artists immortalized with gold and lapis lazuli illumination, the kind of scene that soared, he...
www.nightmare-magazine.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
So folks in my bondage class are really enjoying BLEED FOR ME BRO, my new story over at @nightmare-magazine.com
Just saying…
www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/blee...
Just saying…
www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/blee...
Reposted by Kel Coleman
This is a banger of a story. If you enjoy Carmen Maria Machado and/or Pemi Aguda's work, you'll probably dig this.
New story day! My twisted fairy tale, “Head of the Household,” is in the winter issue of F(r)iction.
Koschei the Deathless, Slavic folklore’s baddest bad, has met his match in Ira: a mortal woman with a clever plan to take him down. At stake? Ira’s best friend’s freedom. Warning: contains gluten 🥖🩸
Koschei the Deathless, Slavic folklore’s baddest bad, has met his match in Ira: a mortal woman with a clever plan to take him down. At stake? Ira’s best friend’s freedom. Warning: contains gluten 🥖🩸
Head of the Household - F(r)iction
Kristina Ten presents the story of a woman preparing for her high-stakes marriage to an evil immortal lord.
frictionlit.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:31 AM
This is a banger of a story. If you enjoy Carmen Maria Machado and/or Pemi Aguda's work, you'll probably dig this.
Reposted by Kel Coleman
I'm so proud to have a story in "Amplitudes," thanks to Lee.
"Fettle & Sunder" is very personal, and to have @arleysorg.bsky.social describe it as "timely" and "timeless" in his @lightspeedmagazine.com review makes me even prouder!
Now's the time to grab the book and find out why!
"Fettle & Sunder" is very personal, and to have @arleysorg.bsky.social describe it as "timely" and "timeless" in his @lightspeedmagazine.com review makes me even prouder!
Now's the time to grab the book and find out why!
November 19, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I'm so proud to have a story in "Amplitudes," thanks to Lee.
"Fettle & Sunder" is very personal, and to have @arleysorg.bsky.social describe it as "timely" and "timeless" in his @lightspeedmagazine.com review makes me even prouder!
Now's the time to grab the book and find out why!
"Fettle & Sunder" is very personal, and to have @arleysorg.bsky.social describe it as "timely" and "timeless" in his @lightspeedmagazine.com review makes me even prouder!
Now's the time to grab the book and find out why!
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Huge thanks to @diabolicalplots.com for looking at drafts of these contracts, too, and helping us tweak some language to better serve authors. David does so much for this community, and it’s never a bad time to toss a coin to your Grinder 🙂
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/Home/Donate
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/Home/Donate
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Huge thanks to @diabolicalplots.com for looking at drafts of these contracts, too, and helping us tweak some language to better serve authors. David does so much for this community, and it’s never a bad time to toss a coin to your Grinder 🙂
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/Home/Donate
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/Home/Donate
Reposted by Kel Coleman
LP is working hard to complete their BFA at the Art Institute of Chicago, but financial hurdles are making it tough. Every donation helps cover tuition. Please consider contributing or sharing this campaign to support their journey. Every bit counts!
www.gofundme.com/f/keep-lp-in...
www.gofundme.com/f/keep-lp-in...
Donate to Keep LP in School Spring 2026, organized by LP Kindred
Hey y'all,
I'm LP Kindred, a Chicagoan-Angeleno writer/editor/teaching artist/culture work… LP Kindred needs your support for Keep LP in School Spring 2026
www.gofundme.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:37 PM
LP is working hard to complete their BFA at the Art Institute of Chicago, but financial hurdles are making it tough. Every donation helps cover tuition. Please consider contributing or sharing this campaign to support their journey. Every bit counts!
www.gofundme.com/f/keep-lp-in...
www.gofundme.com/f/keep-lp-in...
Reposted by Kel Coleman
a lovely review of @bafflingmag.bsky.social's latest issue -- absolutely stoked to see my short story "At First Blush" get reviewed downthread as "fun and heartwarming" 🚀👽💗 please check it out, along with the rest of the issue!
thank you so much for your kind words, Charles!
thank you so much for your kind words, Charles!
Short SFF Reading Update #quicksipreviews
Baffling #21 (7 originals) @bafflingmag.bsky.social
Always a good day when you've got a new Baffling to read, full of queer speculative flash fiction. No theme this issue, though as always there's a focus on freedom and restriction
Baffling #21 (7 originals) @bafflingmag.bsky.social
Always a good day when you've got a new Baffling to read, full of queer speculative flash fiction. No theme this issue, though as always there's a focus on freedom and restriction
November 17, 2025 at 8:59 PM
a lovely review of @bafflingmag.bsky.social's latest issue -- absolutely stoked to see my short story "At First Blush" get reviewed downthread as "fun and heartwarming" 🚀👽💗 please check it out, along with the rest of the issue!
thank you so much for your kind words, Charles!
thank you so much for your kind words, Charles!
Reposted by Kel Coleman
A podcast of my story "Disassembling Light", originally published in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social is up on It's Storytime with Wil Wheaton!!!
This isn't even a career milestone I knew to want, but my nerd's heart is so full!!
This isn't even a career milestone I knew to want, but my nerd's heart is so full!!
November 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
A podcast of my story "Disassembling Light", originally published in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social is up on It's Storytime with Wil Wheaton!!!
This isn't even a career milestone I knew to want, but my nerd's heart is so full!!
This isn't even a career milestone I knew to want, but my nerd's heart is so full!!
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Look what dropped today. A little background Sis’ Bouki: the Hyena Gifts, my poem in @fiyahlitmag.bsky.social
I wrote it during the height of the pandemic at a time when I was under a lot of pressure, dealing with a serious health crisis and family.
I wrote it during the height of the pandemic at a time when I was under a lot of pressure, dealing with a serious health crisis and family.
November 15, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Look what dropped today. A little background Sis’ Bouki: the Hyena Gifts, my poem in @fiyahlitmag.bsky.social
I wrote it during the height of the pandemic at a time when I was under a lot of pressure, dealing with a serious health crisis and family.
I wrote it during the height of the pandemic at a time when I was under a lot of pressure, dealing with a serious health crisis and family.
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Psst! I've added a whole bunch of new links to my eligibility and recommendation round up post with further updates to come. Keep sending your links my way!
acwise.net/what-have-yo...
acwise.net/what-have-yo...
What Have You Done, What Have You Loved 2025 – acwise.net
acwise.net
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Psst! I've added a whole bunch of new links to my eligibility and recommendation round up post with further updates to come. Keep sending your links my way!
acwise.net/what-have-yo...
acwise.net/what-have-yo...
Reposted by Kel Coleman
Yesterday my little monster book broke into the Top 1000 Kindle books. I think this was for the first time ever? It hit #977. I was so grateful.
Today the sale is over, but it ROSE to #644.
The only reason is word-of-mouth of readers. It's been a tough time lately, and I can't thank y'all enough.
Today the sale is over, but it ROSE to #644.
The only reason is word-of-mouth of readers. It's been a tough time lately, and I can't thank y'all enough.
Yooo! Someone You Can Build A Nest In was picked as a Kindle Gold Box Deal! For today only, get it for just $4.99.
A shapeshifting monster *accidentally* falls in love with the woman who's hunting her. We've all been there, right?
A shapeshifting monster *accidentally* falls in love with the woman who's hunting her. We've all been there, right?
Someone You Can Build a Nest In
Amazon.com: Someone You Can Build a Nest In eBook : Wiswell, John: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Yesterday my little monster book broke into the Top 1000 Kindle books. I think this was for the first time ever? It hit #977. I was so grateful.
Today the sale is over, but it ROSE to #644.
The only reason is word-of-mouth of readers. It's been a tough time lately, and I can't thank y'all enough.
Today the sale is over, but it ROSE to #644.
The only reason is word-of-mouth of readers. It's been a tough time lately, and I can't thank y'all enough.
Reposted by Kel Coleman
New story this morning! The Crow's Second Tale in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social ! www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/the-... This is one of my stories that is 100% not autobiographical except the part that is, which is that I tell stories to crows too, just in case.
Beneath Ceaseless Skies - The Crow’s Second Tale by Marissa Lingen
So Kiris knew, even at the age of five: no one should only know one story. Not even a crow, like in the song. And if she was the only one who had spotted the problem, she felt down to her five-year-ol...
www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
New story this morning! The Crow's Second Tale in @bcsmagazine.bsky.social ! www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/the-... This is one of my stories that is 100% not autobiographical except the part that is, which is that I tell stories to crows too, just in case.
Reposted by Kel Coleman
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
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
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
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX