val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
@spacevalkyries.bsky.social
📝sci-fi/fantasy writer V.M. Ayala (she/they) 🎮streamer, indie games, TTRPGs ✨anxiety/ADHD, chronic pain 🏳️🌈queer biracial Mexican American 🪐🗡️co-founder of @othersidespec.bsky.social
🌈 https://www.spacevalkyries.com/
💌 spacevalkyries@gmail.com
🌈 https://www.spacevalkyries.com/
💌 spacevalkyries@gmail.com
Pinned
it's award nomination season! here is my award eligibility post for 2025. I had one short story out, and I'm so proud of this queer cyberpunk/anti-corporation piece.
🌆"To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter" by V.M. Ayala - Lightspeed, Aug 2025 (Issue 183)
www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/to-a...
🌆"To Access Seven Obelisks, Press Enter" by V.M. Ayala - Lightspeed, Aug 2025 (Issue 183)
www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/to-a...
spent most of the weekend enjoying snow and resting and trying not to have a panic attack at the state of things here in the US—this week I want to get to work on some novel drafting.
because I might not be able to do much, but I can keep writing my queer stories. that's something.
because I might not be able to do much, but I can keep writing my queer stories. that's something.
January 26, 2026 at 1:50 PM
spent most of the weekend enjoying snow and resting and trying not to have a panic attack at the state of things here in the US—this week I want to get to work on some novel drafting.
because I might not be able to do much, but I can keep writing my queer stories. that's something.
because I might not be able to do much, but I can keep writing my queer stories. that's something.
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
Hail and well met traveler, what brings you to town today?
_______________________________
🔹The McRib is back!(Lie)
🔹The McRib is back!(Threaten)
👉The McRib is back!(Seduce)
🔹The McRib is back!(Intimidate)
_______________________________
🔹The McRib is back!(Lie)
🔹The McRib is back!(Threaten)
👉The McRib is back!(Seduce)
🔹The McRib is back!(Intimidate)
January 25, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Hail and well met traveler, what brings you to town today?
_______________________________
🔹The McRib is back!(Lie)
🔹The McRib is back!(Threaten)
👉The McRib is back!(Seduce)
🔹The McRib is back!(Intimidate)
_______________________________
🔹The McRib is back!(Lie)
🔹The McRib is back!(Threaten)
👉The McRib is back!(Seduce)
🔹The McRib is back!(Intimidate)
I have successfully dragged my fiancé into the snow several times today. this is definitely the most snow I’ve seen in this region since I moved here ❄️
January 25, 2026 at 8:05 PM
I have successfully dragged my fiancé into the snow several times today. this is definitely the most snow I’ve seen in this region since I moved here ❄️
woke up early for the dual reason of chronic pain from the weather and also excitement to go play in the snow. hope everyone is staying safe and warm ❄️
January 25, 2026 at 2:14 PM
woke up early for the dual reason of chronic pain from the weather and also excitement to go play in the snow. hope everyone is staying safe and warm ❄️
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
"I really wish people were angrier about this"
they can't even fucking say how they feel anymore, not on bluesky, not anywhere. I'm so beyond disappointed in bluesky for how heavy-handed their moderation is, it isn't even just for explicit things, it's just for insinuation or even vibes
they can't even fucking say how they feel anymore, not on bluesky, not anywhere. I'm so beyond disappointed in bluesky for how heavy-handed their moderation is, it isn't even just for explicit things, it's just for insinuation or even vibes
January 24, 2026 at 11:14 PM
"I really wish people were angrier about this"
they can't even fucking say how they feel anymore, not on bluesky, not anywhere. I'm so beyond disappointed in bluesky for how heavy-handed their moderation is, it isn't even just for explicit things, it's just for insinuation or even vibes
they can't even fucking say how they feel anymore, not on bluesky, not anywhere. I'm so beyond disappointed in bluesky for how heavy-handed their moderation is, it isn't even just for explicit things, it's just for insinuation or even vibes
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
this is probably the coldest I've ever experienced (or very close to), woke up to 8F temps outside. apartment is snuggly and warm enough though, and I intend to just curl up under my big comfy blankets all weekend omg.
January 24, 2026 at 2:40 PM
this is probably the coldest I've ever experienced (or very close to), woke up to 8F temps outside. apartment is snuggly and warm enough though, and I intend to just curl up under my big comfy blankets all weekend omg.
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
New story out now from @lightspeedmagazine.com! This one is all about how it feels to work in higher education these days. Spoiler: it feels extremely bad, like “what if your university signed a compact with the actual devil and now there’s an unbreakable curse” levels of bad 🫠
Academic Neutrality - Lightspeed Magazine
When Amy begins to flay herself during office hours, you aren’t quite sure what to do. You hate office hours. You used to enjoy them, actually, back before the flayings started. Sure, it’s hard sharin...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:34 PM
New story out now from @lightspeedmagazine.com! This one is all about how it feels to work in higher education these days. Spoiler: it feels extremely bad, like “what if your university signed a compact with the actual devil and now there’s an unbreakable curse” levels of bad 🫠
this whole process has taught me so much about myself and also just how talented queer writers are—I know hearing an editor go “how am I going to pick??” might seem trite but truly it’s the hardest part of the process.
also sometimes it’s extremely random! rejection doesn’t mean your story is bad!!
also sometimes it’s extremely random! rejection doesn’t mean your story is bad!!
Our submission window is closed! We had:
🪐 622 fiction submissions (all have received a rejection or a hold)
🗡️ 254 poetry packets (57 are still waiting for a response)
Thank you for trusting us with your work—we're honored. Final decisions will be made within 2 weeks. Next window opens April 1st!
🪐 622 fiction submissions (all have received a rejection or a hold)
🗡️ 254 poetry packets (57 are still waiting for a response)
Thank you for trusting us with your work—we're honored. Final decisions will be made within 2 weeks. Next window opens April 1st!
January 23, 2026 at 4:12 PM
this whole process has taught me so much about myself and also just how talented queer writers are—I know hearing an editor go “how am I going to pick??” might seem trite but truly it’s the hardest part of the process.
also sometimes it’s extremely random! rejection doesn’t mean your story is bad!!
also sometimes it’s extremely random! rejection doesn’t mean your story is bad!!
if you want to know how things are going with classes, I had a tiny meltdown earlier because brain decided to not regulate emotions well (the ADHD life), BUT then I got into homework because it demanded a character analysis essay, and I love those—so I am yet again a week ahead 😂
January 23, 2026 at 12:21 AM
if you want to know how things are going with classes, I had a tiny meltdown earlier because brain decided to not regulate emotions well (the ADHD life), BUT then I got into homework because it demanded a character analysis essay, and I love those—so I am yet again a week ahead 😂
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
I am so beyond emotional right now, because my @khoreo.bsky.social non-fiction essay about the importance of Greek and BIPOC voices in Greek myth adaptations, the angriest thing I’ve ever written, has been longlisted in the Best Short Non Fiction category in the @bsfa.bsky.social Awards.
January 22, 2026 at 1:44 PM
I am so beyond emotional right now, because my @khoreo.bsky.social non-fiction essay about the importance of Greek and BIPOC voices in Greek myth adaptations, the angriest thing I’ve ever written, has been longlisted in the Best Short Non Fiction category in the @bsfa.bsky.social Awards.
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
“Cant sleep… i’ll just have a quick look at my phone”
January 22, 2026 at 4:21 AM
“Cant sleep… i’ll just have a quick look at my phone”
Oh, waking up to 14F outside is colder than I’m used to, don’t mind me cuddled under a blanket forever and ever now.
January 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Oh, waking up to 14F outside is colder than I’m used to, don’t mind me cuddled under a blanket forever and ever now.
yay if I keep up the pace I'm at, I'll be done with my english undergrad by winter of next yeaaaar 😭 NOT TOO FAR NOW!!
January 20, 2026 at 10:08 PM
yay if I keep up the pace I'm at, I'll be done with my english undergrad by winter of next yeaaaar 😭 NOT TOO FAR NOW!!
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
today my therapist was talking about how adhd and ptsd can set each other off because it’s harder to regulate trauma responses when you’re already disregulated because you’ve forgotten to eat or drink all day so like idk who else needs to hear this but go drink a glass of water
January 20, 2026 at 3:29 PM
today my therapist was talking about how adhd and ptsd can set each other off because it’s harder to regulate trauma responses when you’re already disregulated because you’ve forgotten to eat or drink all day so like idk who else needs to hear this but go drink a glass of water
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
in which I explain why Heated Rivalry is much better TV than the later seasons of Stranger Things (this is a post about monologues) kmveohongs.beehiiv.com/p/please-sto...
Please stop talking -- a post on TV's monologue problem, ie what went wrong with Stranger Things
TV has a monologue problem. (And it's creating distracted viewers.) In which I complain jus a little bit about the later seasons of Stranger Things and talk about why Heated Rivalry is so much better.
kmveohongs.beehiiv.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:35 AM
in which I explain why Heated Rivalry is much better TV than the later seasons of Stranger Things (this is a post about monologues) kmveohongs.beehiiv.com/p/please-sto...
it's been a week since I stopped taking anitbiotics—so I think it's safe to say I cleared that sinus infection!! yaaay!!
and I left our apartment for the first time in ages (other than to go to appointments) and got the most decadent bagel. took the day off with my fiancé, so it was refreshing 💜
and I left our apartment for the first time in ages (other than to go to appointments) and got the most decadent bagel. took the day off with my fiancé, so it was refreshing 💜
January 20, 2026 at 1:51 AM
it's been a week since I stopped taking anitbiotics—so I think it's safe to say I cleared that sinus infection!! yaaay!!
and I left our apartment for the first time in ages (other than to go to appointments) and got the most decadent bagel. took the day off with my fiancé, so it was refreshing 💜
and I left our apartment for the first time in ages (other than to go to appointments) and got the most decadent bagel. took the day off with my fiancé, so it was refreshing 💜
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
Being a writer is the most embarrassing thing in the world! I write down the entire contents of my soul for validation! And then some editor will just be like no thanks!
January 19, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Being a writer is the most embarrassing thing in the world! I write down the entire contents of my soul for validation! And then some editor will just be like no thanks!
learning the basics of narratology in my english studies is fun, but I still suck at reading dense academic text.
the concept of story vs narration and also focalization is cool though—it's a lot of things I already know, but in terminology I didn't! it's making me think about my writing style 🤔
the concept of story vs narration and also focalization is cool though—it's a lot of things I already know, but in terminology I didn't! it's making me think about my writing style 🤔
January 18, 2026 at 11:21 PM
learning the basics of narratology in my english studies is fun, but I still suck at reading dense academic text.
the concept of story vs narration and also focalization is cool though—it's a lot of things I already know, but in terminology I didn't! it's making me think about my writing style 🤔
the concept of story vs narration and also focalization is cool though—it's a lot of things I already know, but in terminology I didn't! it's making me think about my writing style 🤔
I am a writer that loves to write to prompts, so I love theme calls for short fiction. AND YET EVERY TIME, I WIND UP MAKING THIS NOTE TO MYSELF…
January 18, 2026 at 6:54 PM
I am a writer that loves to write to prompts, so I love theme calls for short fiction. AND YET EVERY TIME, I WIND UP MAKING THIS NOTE TO MYSELF…
if you want to know how college is going compared to how bad it went before switching to english, I am a week ahead on homework for one class ✨
January 18, 2026 at 1:21 AM
if you want to know how college is going compared to how bad it went before switching to english, I am a week ahead on homework for one class ✨
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
damn what is wrong with me, i am having the hardest time concentrating on work, i lament as i compulsively refresh live feeds of unspeakable horrors
January 17, 2026 at 7:52 PM
damn what is wrong with me, i am having the hardest time concentrating on work, i lament as i compulsively refresh live feeds of unspeakable horrors
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
I'd rather slam my head into the wall than ask AI for help on this creative problem, Thanks
January 17, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I'd rather slam my head into the wall than ask AI for help on this creative problem, Thanks
Reposted by val - V.M. Ayala 🏳️🌈
This. Fuck, this so often
![Tumblr post: [guy whose bedtime is approaching fast] I need to write one billion words right now. and draw everything that has ever existed.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jhbsgfgcf354i7d5d3go2xdq/bafkreidk2xmbnpoes7nrzv5thdczabaqnnqtx5mmzjalhtv3bjqp4whsiy@jpeg)
January 16, 2026 at 3:26 PM
This. Fuck, this so often