J.L. Akagi
@jlakagi.bsky.social
110 followers 230 following 57 posts
Writes about what they’re afraid of. Works in Uncanny Magazine, Strange Horizons, khōréō, Cast of Wonders, and others. Better bio to come.
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Reposted by J.L. Akagi
bleedcubbieblue.bsky.social
Moon over postseason Wrigley #Cubs
jlakagi.bsky.social
Cannot wait for this mag to launch!
othersidespec.bsky.social
WE'RE LIVE! AND WE ARE SO EXCITED! Back now to support a new magazine of speculative fiction by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors and artists! Snag some amazing rewards, including discounted subscriptions! Support queer art! And help us SMASH DAY ONE!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
OTHERSIDE Kickstarter art. Text says OTHERSIDE Kickstarter LIVE NOW! over our purple and banner art with the Wanderer, a small figure on floating rocks, on the right.
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
apexmag.bsky.social
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...
Submissions
2025 has been a standout year in terms of the amazing projects we've been able to publish at Apex Book Company. We've had the pleasure of giving homes to titles such as ChloroPhilia, The Map of Lost P...
www.apexbookcompany.com
jlakagi.bsky.social
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m halfway through and gripped.
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
danschkade.bsky.social
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.
Margot Kidder as Lois Lane Amy Adams as Lois Lane Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
jlakagi.bsky.social
Wow, I’m a big fan of your art! Thanks for reading.
jlakagi.bsky.social
Eyes up here? Eyes on Lois.
reactorsff.bsky.social
"When it comes to a Superman movie, there is one thing that makes or breaks an adaptation: Lois Lane."

@jlakagi.bsky.social discusses how each Superman interpretation changes Lois Lane's relationship to journalism, violence, and plot:

reactormag.com/the-lois-lan...
The Lois Lane Test - Reactor
There are a few key criteria by which one can judge a Lois Lane depiction... and, in turn, our understanding of any Superman narrative.
reactormag.com
jlakagi.bsky.social
I have a new story out about visiting loved ones in hell.
smallwondersmag.com
What would take with you on a trip to Hell? And what would you leave behind? It's a bumpy ride in "Going to Hell" by @jlakagi.bsky.social, but definitely worth the trip:

smallwondersmag.com/...
Going to Hell - Small Wonders
The road to hell is paved with federal funding, and thus could use some infrastructural attention.
smallwondersmag.com
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
wiswell.bsky.social
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.
whistberry.bsky.social
Writers, describe your WIP in the worst way possible.

Army of dead animals kills all the humans 🤷🏻‍♂️
andria-kennedy.com
Writers, describe your WIP in the worst way possible.

Girl undergoes identity crisis because of a single bad date.

#HostageSituation #YA
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
ellatholmes.bsky.social
😱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.
a red square image with translucent flames in the background. All text is in capital letters, and reads "DISABILITY IN DYSTOPIA ANTHOLOGY". The bottom of the image features graphics in dark red, purple, and pink, of several differently disabled people holding flags, signs, and capes.
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
beijingpalmer.bsky.social
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
jlakagi.bsky.social
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.
bpladek.bsky.social
@jlakagi.bsky.social's gorgeous “Whale Fall” is an imaginative, thoughtful, understated-in-my-favorite-way character study of a relationship under strain (specifically the strain of supplementing paltry service-industry income by scavenging a giant sky whale). strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
Whale Fall
A whale soars over Brooklyn. Clouds spread in streaks over the pale blue sky like cold butter. And the whale cleaves right through. Dar spots it from his perch on the rooftop, smoking a contraband …
strangehorizons.com
jlakagi.bsky.social
Thank you so much, Cindy!
jlakagi.bsky.social
Thanks, M.R. That’s so kind!
jlakagi.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.
theignyteawards.bsky.social
The #IgnyteAwards finalists for the Outstanding Short Story category is for speculative works ranging from 2,000-7,499 words. Congratulations to the following titles and their authors.
Finalists for Outstanding Short Story

AGNI - Nibedita Sen (The Sunday Morning Transport)

PARTHENOGENESIS – Stephen Graham Jones (Reactor)

THE SPINDLE OF NECESSITY - B. Pladek (Strange Horizons)

WE WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO READ | WE WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO READ - Caroline M. Yoachim (Lightspeed Magazine)

WHALE FALL – J.L. Akagi (Strange Horizons)
jlakagi.bsky.social
Enjoyed it and needed it. Your observations about the castle is really making me side-eye some of my drafts.
jlakagi.bsky.social
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.
uncannymagazine.bsky.social
ICYMI, Uncanny Magazine Issue 63 Part 2 also features essays by Amanda-Rae Prescott and J.R. Dawson; poetry by Abdulrazaq Salihu and Lesley Hart Gunn; Caroline M. Yoachim interviewing Eugenia Triantafyllou; and Galen Dara‘s Blessed Universe as the cover! buff.ly/7Ihs4hc
Cover for Issue 63 of Uncanny Magazine, art by Galen Dara titled "Blessed Universe." The central figure wears purple and silver priestly robes with a bright sun-like circle in the center of their chest. Splashes of dark purple criss-cross across the robes. They have their hands outstretched palm up, a glowing spot on each emits white vapor-like smoke. The figure appears to have dark purple tears streaming from their eyes flowing down their chin and neck. Their hair appears as a dark purple halo with planet-like spheres within, and more vapors trail upwards. They stand in front of a portal-like arch of silver, and in the background purple splashes resemble gas clouds, light purple circles resemble planets, and bright light pinpoints with white trails resemble stars. The words "March/April 2025" and "Issue Sixty-Three" are at top. The list of credits is on the bottom
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
rocketgrrl.bsky.social
I almost forgot to post this, and it's the perfect day for it.
jlakagi.bsky.social
This story began as a wish for myself and became a promise to my daughter. Link in thread.
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
michaelhobbes.bsky.social
Highly recommend distracting yourself from current events by reading this wikipedia page in full
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
jlakagi.bsky.social
Your narration was so perfect. You brought these characters to a whole new level and I loved the emotionality in your voice.