X Avila (they/them)
@xavilawrites.bsky.social
Author of Horror & Spec Fiction. Reader at @cateyepress.bsky.social
My debut novella MARIPOSA is coming Feb 2027 with Laughing Man House!!! 🐛🦋🪲
Icon by (my husband) @harboretum.bsky.social
https://xochilt-avila.ghost.io
https://xochiltavila.carrd.co/
My debut novella MARIPOSA is coming Feb 2027 with Laughing Man House!!! 🐛🦋🪲
Icon by (my husband) @harboretum.bsky.social
https://xochilt-avila.ghost.io
https://xochiltavila.carrd.co/
Pinned
Home | Laughing Man House | Horror Publisher
The Laughing Man House is an indie publisher of dark fantasy, horror, and southern gothic fiction.
www.lmhpub.com
🦋 The Secret Is Out 🦋
After 15 months of searching, my debut queer bug novella 'Mariposa' has found its future home with
www.lmhpub.com
I'm so grateful for all the support I've gotten for this fucked up story, and I can't wait for you to see it fully emerge Feb 2027 🐛
#horrorsky #booksky
After 15 months of searching, my debut queer bug novella 'Mariposa' has found its future home with
www.lmhpub.com
I'm so grateful for all the support I've gotten for this fucked up story, and I can't wait for you to see it fully emerge Feb 2027 🐛
#horrorsky #booksky
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
did you see that @sentencebender.bsky.social picked @xavilawrites.bsky.social’s story ‘A Tall Glass of Water’ as a best of 2025
bsky.app/profile/sent...
bsky.app/profile/sent...
"A Tall Glass of Water," by Xochilt Avila @xavilawrites.bsky.social in Night Shades @nightshadesmag.bsky.social
Fiction that truly goes by all in a flash, but so fucking fantastic - it's fun, it's funny, it's hot, it hurts.
www.nightshadesmag.com/ns-a-tall-gl...
Fiction that truly goes by all in a flash, but so fucking fantastic - it's fun, it's funny, it's hot, it hurts.
www.nightshadesmag.com/ns-a-tall-gl...
A Tall Glass of Water
By Xochilt Avila
The Roland Apartments had rules: no pets, no smoking, and no bothering Randall. By his third week, Tommy learned that most rules were ignored, but nobody fucked with Randall.
Why wo...
www.nightshadesmag.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:03 PM
did you see that @sentencebender.bsky.social picked @xavilawrites.bsky.social’s story ‘A Tall Glass of Water’ as a best of 2025
bsky.app/profile/sent...
bsky.app/profile/sent...
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
I called Maryland Legal Aid this morning & they do not provide services for administrative hearings w the MVA. So I am still looking for a lawyer willing to represent a disabled person before the MVA. I have like $30 to my name so pro bono or willing to work out a plan of some sort. Needed by 1/28.
Does anyone know a Maryland attorney willing to take on a pro bono case for a disabled person fighting the MVA for a driver's liscence? I'm on a very short deadline and need representation within the next few days.
January 27, 2026 at 2:45 PM
I called Maryland Legal Aid this morning & they do not provide services for administrative hearings w the MVA. So I am still looking for a lawyer willing to represent a disabled person before the MVA. I have like $30 to my name so pro bono or willing to work out a plan of some sort. Needed by 1/28.
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Hey everyone! We've extended our preorder offer! You can now enter the giveaway until Fri 13th March 😱! Post your order confirmation or email it to encounterswithcryptids@gmail.com for a chance to win 1 of 5 paperbacks!
Fifteen monstrous tales. Out Friday 13th March! 👻 www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4BLN1GR
Fifteen monstrous tales. Out Friday 13th March! 👻 www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4BLN1GR
January 24, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Hey everyone! We've extended our preorder offer! You can now enter the giveaway until Fri 13th March 😱! Post your order confirmation or email it to encounterswithcryptids@gmail.com for a chance to win 1 of 5 paperbacks!
Fifteen monstrous tales. Out Friday 13th March! 👻 www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4BLN1GR
Fifteen monstrous tales. Out Friday 13th March! 👻 www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4BLN1GR
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Good morning to everyone but especially our friends in Minnesota bravely organizing a general strike & protest in -20F weather.
In their honor, no wishlist posting today. Please check out standwithminnesota.com for ways to help them! 💕
In their honor, no wishlist posting today. Please check out standwithminnesota.com for ways to help them! 💕
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
standwithminnesota.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Good morning to everyone but especially our friends in Minnesota bravely organizing a general strike & protest in -20F weather.
In their honor, no wishlist posting today. Please check out standwithminnesota.com for ways to help them! 💕
In their honor, no wishlist posting today. Please check out standwithminnesota.com for ways to help them! 💕
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
🛸🛸🛸 HEADS UP!🛸🛸🛸
🛸🛸I’m closing submissions on Sunday January 25 at 11:59pm eastern. Late submissions, even by a minute, are deleted unread
🛸🛸But I’ll be open again soon, possibly with new guidelines! please stay tuned
🛸🛸meantime, send me those stories!
🛸🛸I’m closing submissions on Sunday January 25 at 11:59pm eastern. Late submissions, even by a minute, are deleted unread
🛸🛸But I’ll be open again soon, possibly with new guidelines! please stay tuned
🛸🛸meantime, send me those stories!
January 21, 2026 at 10:41 PM
🛸🛸🛸 HEADS UP!🛸🛸🛸
🛸🛸I’m closing submissions on Sunday January 25 at 11:59pm eastern. Late submissions, even by a minute, are deleted unread
🛸🛸But I’ll be open again soon, possibly with new guidelines! please stay tuned
🛸🛸meantime, send me those stories!
🛸🛸I’m closing submissions on Sunday January 25 at 11:59pm eastern. Late submissions, even by a minute, are deleted unread
🛸🛸But I’ll be open again soon, possibly with new guidelines! please stay tuned
🛸🛸meantime, send me those stories!
Hey what's up I'm still in the crisis but things are steadily getting better
January 21, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Hey what's up I'm still in the crisis but things are steadily getting better
I'm in the middle of a family crisis, so this was such a welcoming thing to see. I'm so glad you enjoyed!
"A Tall Glass of Water," by Xochilt Avila @xavilawrites.bsky.social in Night Shades @nightshadesmag.bsky.social
Fiction that truly goes by all in a flash, but so fucking fantastic - it's fun, it's funny, it's hot, it hurts.
www.nightshadesmag.com/ns-a-tall-gl...
Fiction that truly goes by all in a flash, but so fucking fantastic - it's fun, it's funny, it's hot, it hurts.
www.nightshadesmag.com/ns-a-tall-gl...
A Tall Glass of Water
By Xochilt Avila
The Roland Apartments had rules: no pets, no smoking, and no bothering Randall. By his third week, Tommy learned that most rules were ignored, but nobody fucked with Randall.
Why wo...
www.nightshadesmag.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I'm in the middle of a family crisis, so this was such a welcoming thing to see. I'm so glad you enjoyed!
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Strange Horizons fiction submissions open next Monday!
The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.
There will be no cap.
More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.
There will be no cap.
More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
January 12, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Strange Horizons fiction submissions open next Monday!
The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.
There will be no cap.
More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.
There will be no cap.
More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
OTHERSIDE is officially OPEN for fiction and poetry submissions 🪐🗡️
If you’re part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, send us your speculative fiction and poetry: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and everything in between!
📚 Open window: Jan 1-14
📑 See guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines/
If you’re part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, send us your speculative fiction and poetry: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and everything in between!
📚 Open window: Jan 1-14
📑 See guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines/
January 1, 2026 at 6:31 PM
OTHERSIDE is officially OPEN for fiction and poetry submissions 🪐🗡️
If you’re part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, send us your speculative fiction and poetry: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and everything in between!
📚 Open window: Jan 1-14
📑 See guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines/
If you’re part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, send us your speculative fiction and poetry: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and everything in between!
📚 Open window: Jan 1-14
📑 See guidelines for details: othersidespec.com/guidelines/
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Good Morning, World.
January 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Good Morning, World.
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
So living with my parents abruptly became unsafe (mentally/emotionally) and I'm leaving ASAP. I have somewhere to go, but it's out of state. I'm packing now but I have to register my car before I go and that's $500. Anything helps. 🫀
Venmo: probablyharmless
PayPal: theohillwriter at gmail
Venmo: probablyharmless
PayPal: theohillwriter at gmail
January 7, 2026 at 5:27 PM
So living with my parents abruptly became unsafe (mentally/emotionally) and I'm leaving ASAP. I have somewhere to go, but it's out of state. I'm packing now but I have to register my car before I go and that's $500. Anything helps. 🫀
Venmo: probablyharmless
PayPal: theohillwriter at gmail
Venmo: probablyharmless
PayPal: theohillwriter at gmail
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Charisma is a local trans artist, organizer, bookseller, and all-around amazing person. They have gone through a lot of housing insecurity lately, and their gofundme is stalled out at 86 percent. Can we get them the rest of the way there? <3
I have started an urgent gfm for my partner and friend Charisma and Robin. Please consider supporting them as they face financial hardship and housing insecurity! gofund.me/21cc825a8
@cyberpunk.dog @habariqueenby.bsky.social
@cyberpunk.dog @habariqueenby.bsky.social
January 7, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Charisma is a local trans artist, organizer, bookseller, and all-around amazing person. They have gone through a lot of housing insecurity lately, and their gofundme is stalled out at 86 percent. Can we get them the rest of the way there? <3
Good Evening People of Horror. To welcome the new year I had a bit of weed gummy and I finally understood my husband explaining picross to me
January 5, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Good Evening People of Horror. To welcome the new year I had a bit of weed gummy and I finally understood my husband explaining picross to me
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
"something's gotten into the animals"
happy year of the horse
happy year of the horse
January 4, 2026 at 7:05 PM
"something's gotten into the animals"
happy year of the horse
happy year of the horse
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
I have one meal slot open this week (yesterday was my last day at the bookstore) due to funding.
So if you know a hungry trans person in need of a meal today, please fill out the Emergency Trans Meal Fund form. I'll get them a meal.
forms.gle/eAcfeP4czVan...
So if you know a hungry trans person in need of a meal today, please fill out the Emergency Trans Meal Fund form. I'll get them a meal.
forms.gle/eAcfeP4czVan...
January 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM
I have one meal slot open this week (yesterday was my last day at the bookstore) due to funding.
So if you know a hungry trans person in need of a meal today, please fill out the Emergency Trans Meal Fund form. I'll get them a meal.
forms.gle/eAcfeP4czVan...
So if you know a hungry trans person in need of a meal today, please fill out the Emergency Trans Meal Fund form. I'll get them a meal.
forms.gle/eAcfeP4czVan...
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Look what came in today! I have an essay and a short story in this anthology, so check it out!!
January 3, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Look what came in today! I have an essay and a short story in this anthology, so check it out!!
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Writers! Vol. 2 of 'The Best Weird Fiction of the Year' is open to your submissions. Please adhere to the guidelines.
undertowpublications.com/best-weird-f...
undertowpublications.com/best-weird-f...
January 2, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Writers! Vol. 2 of 'The Best Weird Fiction of the Year' is open to your submissions. Please adhere to the guidelines.
undertowpublications.com/best-weird-f...
undertowpublications.com/best-weird-f...
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
I hope 2026 is kind to us all
January 1, 2026 at 4:09 PM
I hope 2026 is kind to us all
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
New year, so time for a reintroduction.
I’m Kara! I’m a trans lesbian from Portland who writes books about a queer magical girl rock band. People who know what’s up like them a bunch, so maybe check ‘em out why don’t ya. magicariot.com
I’m also a nerd, a games & anime enjoyer, and I love cats.
I’m Kara! I’m a trans lesbian from Portland who writes books about a queer magical girl rock band. People who know what’s up like them a bunch, so maybe check ‘em out why don’t ya. magicariot.com
I’m also a nerd, a games & anime enjoyer, and I love cats.
January 1, 2026 at 5:40 PM
New year, so time for a reintroduction.
I’m Kara! I’m a trans lesbian from Portland who writes books about a queer magical girl rock band. People who know what’s up like them a bunch, so maybe check ‘em out why don’t ya. magicariot.com
I’m also a nerd, a games & anime enjoyer, and I love cats.
I’m Kara! I’m a trans lesbian from Portland who writes books about a queer magical girl rock band. People who know what’s up like them a bunch, so maybe check ‘em out why don’t ya. magicariot.com
I’m also a nerd, a games & anime enjoyer, and I love cats.
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Okay, might as well get this started.
It's January 1, which means, as I'm sure you all know, that there's a whole new bunch of characters who have entered the public domain. This time around, it's characters created in 1930.
The following is a list of pulp & pulpy characters now in the p.d.
1/
It's January 1, which means, as I'm sure you all know, that there's a whole new bunch of characters who have entered the public domain. This time around, it's characters created in 1930.
The following is a list of pulp & pulpy characters now in the p.d.
1/
January 1, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Okay, might as well get this started.
It's January 1, which means, as I'm sure you all know, that there's a whole new bunch of characters who have entered the public domain. This time around, it's characters created in 1930.
The following is a list of pulp & pulpy characters now in the p.d.
1/
It's January 1, which means, as I'm sure you all know, that there's a whole new bunch of characters who have entered the public domain. This time around, it's characters created in 1930.
The following is a list of pulp & pulpy characters now in the p.d.
1/
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
✨ 2025 Eligibility ✨
December 31, 2025 at 9:29 PM
✨ 2025 Eligibility ✨
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
December 31, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Reposted by X Avila (they/them)
Energy I'm bringing into 2026
December 31, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Energy I'm bringing into 2026
In seriousness, I haven't figured out how MUCH I want to advertise my erotica account when I get it up and running.
If anyone had experience balancing two pennames, I'd appreciate any advice. Probably not helpful to ask at midnight but what can ya do
If anyone had experience balancing two pennames, I'd appreciate any advice. Probably not helpful to ask at midnight but what can ya do
December 30, 2025 at 5:07 AM
In seriousness, I haven't figured out how MUCH I want to advertise my erotica account when I get it up and running.
If anyone had experience balancing two pennames, I'd appreciate any advice. Probably not helpful to ask at midnight but what can ya do
If anyone had experience balancing two pennames, I'd appreciate any advice. Probably not helpful to ask at midnight but what can ya do
I've been struggling for a week to write an erotica novelette. Turns out the secret is to come up with an even stupider hornier idea and pump out 700 words in an hour
December 30, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I've been struggling for a week to write an erotica novelette. Turns out the secret is to come up with an even stupider hornier idea and pump out 700 words in an hour