ZD Dochterman
@zddochterman.bsky.social
Dark & Weird Speculative Fiction | Codex | Assistant Professor of Writing at USC | Apophatic Utopianist
Author site: zddochterman.com
Author site: zddochterman.com
Pinned
QUEST
An online magazine using sci-fi and fantasy to investigate politics, culture, and society. We publish literary, visual, and critical work that uses sci-fi and fantasy to reflect the world around us.
...
read.quest
My story, "The Poem of the Yovel" out now in Quest magazine!
An alien race experiences the universe as one giant poem, replete with meaning until one of their ships discovers a transmission that threatens to upend their understanding of the cosmos. @readquest.bsky.social
Can't wait to read it all!
An alien race experiences the universe as one giant poem, replete with meaning until one of their ships discovers a transmission that threatens to upend their understanding of the cosmos. @readquest.bsky.social
Can't wait to read it all!
I was surprised how much love my KARP shirt got this week. Truly, a legendary band. Bourgeoisie denied!
open.spotify.com/track/6g2PLk...
#karp #krecords
open.spotify.com/track/6g2PLk...
#karp #krecords
November 20, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I was surprised how much love my KARP shirt got this week. Truly, a legendary band. Bourgeoisie denied!
open.spotify.com/track/6g2PLk...
#karp #krecords
open.spotify.com/track/6g2PLk...
#karp #krecords
A love story I can believe in: "Our fingers entwine so hard it hurts. It is always bone-on-bone with him, ribs on ribs, femur on femur. Our bodies lack the most basic defenses against each other, and the more we love the more we cut."
Haunting prose; a couple drifting between life and death.
Haunting prose; a couple drifting between life and death.
My favorite short story I wrote this year. Please read! Kind of an emotional thing for me.
"Stepan comes to me in a dream, sullen, with a bleeding lower lip split just where his lower canine has been knocked out."
today, beloveds!!
Punks Don't Die by @esedia.bsky.social
read it here 🥀
psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
today, beloveds!!
Punks Don't Die by @esedia.bsky.social
read it here 🥀
psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
November 20, 2025 at 6:50 PM
A love story I can believe in: "Our fingers entwine so hard it hurts. It is always bone-on-bone with him, ribs on ribs, femur on femur. Our bodies lack the most basic defenses against each other, and the more we love the more we cut."
Haunting prose; a couple drifting between life and death.
Haunting prose; a couple drifting between life and death.
Awards season means nominating my stories for oddly specific prizes that don't exist but should. Thanks to @gravesidepress.bsky.social for publishing this one in their "What Lurks: A Cryptid Anthology," which has some great stories in it!
Buy it here: graveside-press.com/product/what...
Buy it here: graveside-press.com/product/what...
November 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Awards season means nominating my stories for oddly specific prizes that don't exist but should. Thanks to @gravesidepress.bsky.social for publishing this one in their "What Lurks: A Cryptid Anthology," which has some great stories in it!
Buy it here: graveside-press.com/product/what...
Buy it here: graveside-press.com/product/what...
Awards season means nominating myself for made-up awards that should exist. Thanks to @seizethepress.bsky.social for publishing my weird fiction story Avila Beach in the Spring!
Read it here: www.seizethepress.com/2025/03/29/a...
#weirdfiction
Read it here: www.seizethepress.com/2025/03/29/a...
#weirdfiction
November 20, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Awards season means nominating myself for made-up awards that should exist. Thanks to @seizethepress.bsky.social for publishing my weird fiction story Avila Beach in the Spring!
Read it here: www.seizethepress.com/2025/03/29/a...
#weirdfiction
Read it here: www.seizethepress.com/2025/03/29/a...
#weirdfiction
It's awards season, so I've decided to nominate my own stories for some made-up awards that should exist, starting with my metaphysical science-fiction/horror hybrid "The Poem of the Yovel," which came out a week ago in Quest #1.
Read it here: read.quest/content/the-...
@readquest.bsky.social
Read it here: read.quest/content/the-...
@readquest.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 9:11 PM
It's awards season, so I've decided to nominate my own stories for some made-up awards that should exist, starting with my metaphysical science-fiction/horror hybrid "The Poem of the Yovel," which came out a week ago in Quest #1.
Read it here: read.quest/content/the-...
@readquest.bsky.social
Read it here: read.quest/content/the-...
@readquest.bsky.social
Initial fire reignited, leading to Palisades fire: "Firefighters were told to roll up their hoses and leave...a move that was made despite reporting to their superior that it was a “bad idea” to leave the burn scar because of visible smoldering–some rocks and tree stumps were still hot to the touch"
Scrutiny grows over LA fire origins after bombshell report: ‘Our Pearl Harbor moment’
Reports that fire crews were ordered to leave original site of blaze prompt tough questions for city and LAFD leaders
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Initial fire reignited, leading to Palisades fire: "Firefighters were told to roll up their hoses and leave...a move that was made despite reporting to their superior that it was a “bad idea” to leave the burn scar because of visible smoldering–some rocks and tree stumps were still hot to the touch"
My story, "The Poem of the Yovel" out now in Quest magazine!
An alien race experiences the universe as one giant poem, replete with meaning until one of their ships discovers a transmission that threatens to upend their understanding of the cosmos. @readquest.bsky.social
Can't wait to read it all!
An alien race experiences the universe as one giant poem, replete with meaning until one of their ships discovers a transmission that threatens to upend their understanding of the cosmos. @readquest.bsky.social
Can't wait to read it all!
QUEST
An online magazine using sci-fi and fantasy to investigate politics, culture, and society. We publish literary, visual, and critical work that uses sci-fi and fantasy to reflect the world around us.
...
read.quest
November 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
My story, "The Poem of the Yovel" out now in Quest magazine!
An alien race experiences the universe as one giant poem, replete with meaning until one of their ships discovers a transmission that threatens to upend their understanding of the cosmos. @readquest.bsky.social
Can't wait to read it all!
An alien race experiences the universe as one giant poem, replete with meaning until one of their ships discovers a transmission that threatens to upend their understanding of the cosmos. @readquest.bsky.social
Can't wait to read it all!
Picked up these two books from @vromansbookstore.bsky.social before watching Frankenstein.
Unlike the movie, I am sure these will not leave me disappointed.
@agustinabazterrica.bsky.social
& Mariana Enriquez
Unlike the movie, I am sure these will not leave me disappointed.
@agustinabazterrica.bsky.social
& Mariana Enriquez
November 10, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Picked up these two books from @vromansbookstore.bsky.social before watching Frankenstein.
Unlike the movie, I am sure these will not leave me disappointed.
@agustinabazterrica.bsky.social
& Mariana Enriquez
Unlike the movie, I am sure these will not leave me disappointed.
@agustinabazterrica.bsky.social
& Mariana Enriquez
Probably the best thing to ever happen at a beauty pageant is Chilean death metal being sung
www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsi...
www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsi...
From the Damnthatsinteresting community on Reddit: Miss World Chile semi-finalist stuns judges by performing a song from her own death metal band.
Explore this post and more from the Damnthatsinteresting community
www.reddit.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Probably the best thing to ever happen at a beauty pageant is Chilean death metal being sung
www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsi...
www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsi...
Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Happy Halloween!
If only I could press RT to accomplish this.
lol at Silent Hill f for making the subtext of every horror game into text
October 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
If only I could press RT to accomplish this.
Hey everyone, my story "The Poem of the Yovel," is coming out next month in Quest Issue 1!. It's about an alien species who sees the universe as one giant poem full of meaning, until they come across something unexpected in the far reaches of space...
See full lineup below!
@readquest.bsky.social
See full lineup below!
@readquest.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Hey everyone, my story "The Poem of the Yovel," is coming out next month in Quest Issue 1!. It's about an alien species who sees the universe as one giant poem full of meaning, until they come across something unexpected in the far reaches of space...
See full lineup below!
@readquest.bsky.social
See full lineup below!
@readquest.bsky.social
I like this comparison. Imagine the darkest most absurdist day of high school then multiply by 100, and throw in a Minotaur.
Think that captures the vibe of my story pretty well.
Think that captures the vibe of my story pretty well.
Some lunch time reading from @seizethepress.bsky.social that gives me Sideways Stories from Wayside school vibes but way darker: www.seizethepress.com/2025/03/29/a...
“Avila Beach” by Z.D. Dochterman - Seize The Press
It was a Saturday, about two weeks before I was set to graduate from high school. I went to Avila Beach to work on my last English paper, the only thing between me and graduation. As the dour tide pre...
www.seizethepress.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I like this comparison. Imagine the darkest most absurdist day of high school then multiply by 100, and throw in a Minotaur.
Think that captures the vibe of my story pretty well.
Think that captures the vibe of my story pretty well.
Not quite the same but if anyone says Highway 10 or Highway 405 they are definitely not from LA.
Always use the definite article in front of your freeways numbers, folks!
If you are LA born and raised like me, you will also just refer to them by their names. E.g. Santa Ana Freeway
Always use the definite article in front of your freeways numbers, folks!
If you are LA born and raised like me, you will also just refer to them by their names. E.g. Santa Ana Freeway
Willis 😜
What’s the word where you’re from that, when pronounced exactly as it looks, identifies a tourist immediately?
October 8, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Not quite the same but if anyone says Highway 10 or Highway 405 they are definitely not from LA.
Always use the definite article in front of your freeways numbers, folks!
If you are LA born and raised like me, you will also just refer to them by their names. E.g. Santa Ana Freeway
Always use the definite article in front of your freeways numbers, folks!
If you are LA born and raised like me, you will also just refer to them by their names. E.g. Santa Ana Freeway
Reposted by ZD Dochterman
Willis 😜
What’s the word where you’re from that, when pronounced exactly as it looks, identifies a tourist immediately?
October 8, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Willis 😜
Just got my story, "The Poem of the Yovel" picked up by Quest magazine for the "Thresholds" issue #1.
It's about an alien species for whom the universe is a poem replete of meaning--until they venture out beyond their solar system.
Parts will be illustrated too. Excited! Details soon.
It's about an alien species for whom the universe is a poem replete of meaning--until they venture out beyond their solar system.
Parts will be illustrated too. Excited! Details soon.
October 8, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Just got my story, "The Poem of the Yovel" picked up by Quest magazine for the "Thresholds" issue #1.
It's about an alien species for whom the universe is a poem replete of meaning--until they venture out beyond their solar system.
Parts will be illustrated too. Excited! Details soon.
It's about an alien species for whom the universe is a poem replete of meaning--until they venture out beyond their solar system.
Parts will be illustrated too. Excited! Details soon.
Wonderful underwater death-dreamscapes from @anovelescape.bsky.social Kelsea Yu.
psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
Deliquescence - PSYCHOPOMP.COM
It is cold where the dreamer lies. She is the only one of her kind in this dark, murky cage, but she is not alone. Claws tap out rhythms on her skull; fins brush patterns on her ribs.
psychopomp.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Wonderful underwater death-dreamscapes from @anovelescape.bsky.social Kelsea Yu.
psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
psychopomp.com/deadlands/is...
At one time or another, we must all grapple with Poe.
a black and white drawing of a man with a crow on his shoulder
ALT: a black and white drawing of a man with a crow on his shoulder
media.tenor.com
October 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
At one time or another, we must all grapple with Poe.
Important part of people’s history to remember. More than 50 years ago today.
Oct. 2, 1968: Tlatelolco Massacre
Student demonstrators and other civilians were killed by the military and police in Mexico in advance of the 1968 Olympic Games.
www.zinnedproject.org
October 2, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Important part of people’s history to remember. More than 50 years ago today.
That we continue to persist at all is a testament to our faith in one another.
October 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by ZD Dochterman
That we continue to persist at all is a testament to our faith in one another.
October 1, 2025 at 1:05 PM
That we continue to persist at all is a testament to our faith in one another.
Submit your favorite weird horror here!
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
...for BRAVE NEW WEIRD Vol. 4, our annual collection of the best **PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED** New Weird Horror of the year.
Eligibility window: stories published between 31st October 2024 and 31st October 2025.
All the deets here:
tenebrouspress.com/blog/2025/10...
...for BRAVE NEW WEIRD Vol. 4, our annual collection of the best **PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED** New Weird Horror of the year.
Eligibility window: stories published between 31st October 2024 and 31st October 2025.
All the deets here:
tenebrouspress.com/blog/2025/10...
Submissions open for Brave New Weird volume 4 — tenebrous press
REMINDER: THIS IS FOR ELIGIBLE REPRINTS ONLY Tenebrous Press presents the FOURTH (!!!) Annual Brave New Weird Awards—to reward and promote this unique blend of genres—and its accompanying antholog...
tenebrouspress.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Submit your favorite weird horror here!
Atrocity Exhibition. Not only a great Joy Division song and JG Ballard novel but also a great hip-hop album.
Post from AaronTheHipHopGuy - YouTube
Danny Brown released “Atrocity Exhibition” 9 years ago today 💿 Best Selling Rap Albums This Week - https://youtube.com/shorts/nH_74LFcOEo?feature=share Join ...
youtube.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Atrocity Exhibition. Not only a great Joy Division song and JG Ballard novel but also a great hip-hop album.