Adrian Ward
@adrianwardwrites.bsky.social
Speculative fiction short storyist, making the extraordinary ordinary. Codexian.
Words in the Apex blog and Beneath Ceaseless Skies, forthcoming in other venues.
https://adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/
Words in the Apex blog and Beneath Ceaseless Skies, forthcoming in other venues.
https://adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/
Pinned
Since the year's winding down, my 2025 award eligibility and the stories I had published:
Links and story info in the thread below, as well as on my site at adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/work/
Thank you for your consideration!
Links and story info in the thread below, as well as on my site at adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/work/
Thank you for your consideration!
Going through decades of harsh training to develop a third eye that can see the fourth dimension only to find "Euler was here" written on the wall
November 14, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Going through decades of harsh training to develop a third eye that can see the fourth dimension only to find "Euler was here" written on the wall
Obligatory award eligibility post:
adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/2025/11/12/a...
adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/2025/11/12/a...
Awards Eligibility 2025
It’s my first awards season as a published author. Feels a bit odd, but I did have a pretty neat year, with three stories published! “All That I Am, A Failed Dream” and “My …
adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Obligatory award eligibility post:
adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/2025/11/12/a...
adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/2025/11/12/a...
Since the year's winding down, my 2025 award eligibility and the stories I had published:
Links and story info in the thread below, as well as on my site at adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/work/
Thank you for your consideration!
Links and story info in the thread below, as well as on my site at adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/work/
Thank you for your consideration!
November 7, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Since the year's winding down, my 2025 award eligibility and the stories I had published:
Links and story info in the thread below, as well as on my site at adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/work/
Thank you for your consideration!
Links and story info in the thread below, as well as on my site at adrianwardwrites.wordpress.com/work/
Thank you for your consideration!
If you're looking for a way to wind down from the week, I hear my warlock letter exchange story in Beneath Ceaseless Skies is a fun one!
In BCS #443 "My Sincere Apologies For the Demon" @adrianwardwrites.bsky.social "Regarding the banishing of Erimodius, you shall, I expect, be most pleased to hear that he has been returned to the Realm of Flame and additional seals placed on the gate." www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/my-s...
Beneath Ceaseless Skies - My Sincere Apologies For the Demon by Adrian Ward
Regarding the banishing of Erimodius, you shall, I expect, be most pleased to hear that he has been returned to the Realm of Flame. With the aid of the Parthiet Warlock Gentlemen’s Circle, additional ...
www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
If you're looking for a way to wind down from the week, I hear my warlock letter exchange story in Beneath Ceaseless Skies is a fun one!
Reposted by Adrian Ward
One of the things I enjoyed most about studying Victorian lit in college was how these people would read each other for filth in the most roundabout ways. And "My Sincere Apologies For the Demon" by @adrianwardwrites.bsky.social puts me exactly in that mindset. I LAUGHED so many times here. Read it!
New Issue: BCS #443 out today, featuring stories by Chris Willrich @librariangoblin.bsky.social (a new Eldshore story) and @adrianwardwrites.bsky.social, a podcast of the Ward, cover art by Bruce Brenneise @brucedraws.bsky.social: www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/issues/issue...
Beneath Ceaseless Skies - Issue #443 by Scott Andrews
A Random Walk Through the Goblin Library by Chris Willrich. My Sincere Apologies For the Demon by Adrian Ward. BCS 353: My Sincere Apologies For the Demon by Adrian Ward.
www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
One of the things I enjoyed most about studying Victorian lit in college was how these people would read each other for filth in the most roundabout ways. And "My Sincere Apologies For the Demon" by @adrianwardwrites.bsky.social puts me exactly in that mindset. I LAUGHED so many times here. Read it!
"My Sincere Apologies For the Demon" is out today in Beneath Ceaseless Skies #443!
It's got liquor, malevolent entities from other planes of existence, and a warlock getting bounced from the club.
Also art, I suppose.
It's got liquor, malevolent entities from other planes of existence, and a warlock getting bounced from the club.
Also art, I suppose.
October 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
"My Sincere Apologies For the Demon" is out today in Beneath Ceaseless Skies #443!
It's got liquor, malevolent entities from other planes of existence, and a warlock getting bounced from the club.
Also art, I suppose.
It's got liquor, malevolent entities from other planes of existence, and a warlock getting bounced from the club.
Also art, I suppose.
Excited to announce that "My Sincere Apologies For the Demon" is available in Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue 443!
This was my first pro sale, and in one of my favorite mags to boot. Still doesn't feel entirely real.
This was my first pro sale, and in one of my favorite mags to boot. Still doesn't feel entirely real.
BCS #443 ebook out early today @weightlessbooks.bsky.social & Kindle Store and for subscribers, featuring stories by Chris Willrich @librariangoblin.bsky.social and @adrianwardwrites.bsky.social, behind cover art by Bruce Brenneise: weightlessbooks.com/fiction/bene... www.amazon.com/Beneath-Ceas...
Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #443
Issue #443 of Beneath Ceaseless Skies online magazine, featuring stories by Chris Willrich and Adrian Ward nd cover art by Bruce Brenneise.
weightlessbooks.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Excited to announce that "My Sincere Apologies For the Demon" is available in Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue 443!
This was my first pro sale, and in one of my favorite mags to boot. Still doesn't feel entirely real.
This was my first pro sale, and in one of my favorite mags to boot. Still doesn't feel entirely real.
Reposted by Adrian Ward
New issue of @bcsmagazine.bsky.social is here! Featuring stories by @librariangoblin.bsky.social and Adrian Ward @adrianwardwrites.bsky.social and cover art by @brucedraws.bsky.social: weightlessbooks.com/beneath-ceas...
Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #443
Issue #443 of Beneath Ceaseless Skies online magazine, featuring stories by Chris Willrich and Adrian Ward nd cover art by Bruce Brenneise.
weightlessbooks.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:19 PM
New issue of @bcsmagazine.bsky.social is here! Featuring stories by @librariangoblin.bsky.social and Adrian Ward @adrianwardwrites.bsky.social and cover art by @brucedraws.bsky.social: weightlessbooks.com/beneath-ceas...
Reposted by Adrian Ward
Early Career Hugo Nominations -- Yes, They Definitely Happen
a quantitative analysis [link in thread]
Almost half of Hugo nominations go to early-career authors: 51/112 (46%)
a quantitative analysis [link in thread]
Almost half of Hugo nominations go to early-career authors: 51/112 (46%)
October 2, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Early Career Hugo Nominations -- Yes, They Definitely Happen
a quantitative analysis [link in thread]
Almost half of Hugo nominations go to early-career authors: 51/112 (46%)
a quantitative analysis [link in thread]
Almost half of Hugo nominations go to early-career authors: 51/112 (46%)
@thomasha.bsky.social's short story collection has arrived! Absolutely terrific stories, in both senses of the word.
September 16, 2025 at 7:49 PM
@thomasha.bsky.social's short story collection has arrived! Absolutely terrific stories, in both senses of the word.
Every once in a while the Muses smile upon me, but mostly they just look vaguely disappointed
September 6, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Every once in a while the Muses smile upon me, but mostly they just look vaguely disappointed
Writing something absolutely batshit insane (in terms of content, not quality)
Weirdness give me strength
Weirdness give me strength
August 14, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Writing something absolutely batshit insane (in terms of content, not quality)
Weirdness give me strength
Weirdness give me strength
Doing edits on an old, old piece tonight
Plus side: I'm matching the prose fairly easily
Downside: Said prose is over a year behind my current capabilities
Plus side: I'm matching the prose fairly easily
Downside: Said prose is over a year behind my current capabilities
August 1, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Doing edits on an old, old piece tonight
Plus side: I'm matching the prose fairly easily
Downside: Said prose is over a year behind my current capabilities
Plus side: I'm matching the prose fairly easily
Downside: Said prose is over a year behind my current capabilities
Broke a thousand words on a new story tonight.
Not sure if I'll be doing first or second person. Starting off with second, but the prose is going in weird directions I'm not trying to evolve into.
Not sure if I'll be doing first or second person. Starting off with second, but the prose is going in weird directions I'm not trying to evolve into.
July 19, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Broke a thousand words on a new story tonight.
Not sure if I'll be doing first or second person. Starting off with second, but the prose is going in weird directions I'm not trying to evolve into.
Not sure if I'll be doing first or second person. Starting off with second, but the prose is going in weird directions I'm not trying to evolve into.
Reposted by Adrian Ward
Submission Grinder Delists Analog locusmag.com/2025/07...
Submission Grinder Delists Analog
Analog Science Fiction & Fact has been disqualified from a full listing on The Submission Grinder due to new terms in the magazine’s recent contracts. Steven Salpeter of parent company Mu…
locusmag.com
July 10, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Submission Grinder Delists Analog locusmag.com/2025/07...
Excited to announce that my speculative debut, "All That I Am, A Failed Dream", is now available to read on the Apex blog!
Fun little drabble about Courbet and art and also hell.
Fun little drabble about Courbet and art and also hell.
"In the museum closet, I am again compelled to create." 🏛️🎨
Introducing the second winner of our Pocket Hell microfiction contest: "All That I Am, A Failed Dream" by Adrian Ward!!
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontp...
Introducing the second winner of our Pocket Hell microfiction contest: "All That I Am, A Failed Dream" by Adrian Ward!!
Read it here: www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontp...
Pocket Hell Microfiction Contest - Second Place! - "All That I Am, A F
In honor of Jason Sanford's upcoming novella, We Who Hunt Alexanders, out on July 22nd, we at Apex hosted a microfiction contest inviting you to describe your own blood-maw pocket hell. We got some am...
www.apexbookcompany.com
July 3, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Excited to announce that my speculative debut, "All That I Am, A Failed Dream", is now available to read on the Apex blog!
Fun little drabble about Courbet and art and also hell.
Fun little drabble about Courbet and art and also hell.
The humble comma screams in terror as I repeatedly undo and redo while toying with a sentence.
The comma exists and ceases to exist at my whim. I am a cruel god.
The comma exists and ceases to exist at my whim. I am a cruel god.
June 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The humble comma screams in terror as I repeatedly undo and redo while toying with a sentence.
The comma exists and ceases to exist at my whim. I am a cruel god.
The comma exists and ceases to exist at my whim. I am a cruel god.
Reposted by Adrian Ward
2025 has been a hard year so far for Apex.
In the interest of transparency, we want to share what happened, the current state of things, and how you can help. We're determined to keep publishing great stories for many years to come, and your support is what will make that possible. 🖤👽
In the interest of transparency, we want to share what happened, the current state of things, and how you can help. We're determined to keep publishing great stories for many years to come, and your support is what will make that possible. 🖤👽
Looking into the Future
This year has not gone as planned. On January 14th, 2025, Diamond Comics filed for reorganization under Chapter 11. Years of bad business practices had caught up with Diamond Comics as they owed milli...
www.apexbookcompany.com
June 3, 2025 at 3:47 PM
2025 has been a hard year so far for Apex.
In the interest of transparency, we want to share what happened, the current state of things, and how you can help. We're determined to keep publishing great stories for many years to come, and your support is what will make that possible. 🖤👽
In the interest of transparency, we want to share what happened, the current state of things, and how you can help. We're determined to keep publishing great stories for many years to come, and your support is what will make that possible. 🖤👽
Excited to say that my literary fiction piece, "Alien Girl On the Balcony", is now available to read from Windhover magazine!
~2,000 words, litfic. Weird little coming-of-age story.
orgs.ncsu.edu/windhover/20...
~2,000 words, litfic. Weird little coming-of-age story.
orgs.ncsu.edu/windhover/20...
2024-2025 Publication Cycle
orgs.ncsu.edu
May 29, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Excited to say that my literary fiction piece, "Alien Girl On the Balcony", is now available to read from Windhover magazine!
~2,000 words, litfic. Weird little coming-of-age story.
orgs.ncsu.edu/windhover/20...
~2,000 words, litfic. Weird little coming-of-age story.
orgs.ncsu.edu/windhover/20...
Current project is really revealing weaknesses in my writing
Fingers crossed I'm able to take a step forward with it
Fingers crossed I'm able to take a step forward with it
May 20, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Current project is really revealing weaknesses in my writing
Fingers crossed I'm able to take a step forward with it
Fingers crossed I'm able to take a step forward with it
The fae are so crazy cause you'll just be an illiterate peasant strolling through the woods and some hunk will pop out of a tree and be like "you got all-natural berry Tums in your purse? I'll give you a hundred florins" and then you make a minor spelling error and he takes your firstborn
May 16, 2025 at 3:58 AM
The fae are so crazy cause you'll just be an illiterate peasant strolling through the woods and some hunk will pop out of a tree and be like "you got all-natural berry Tums in your purse? I'll give you a hundred florins" and then you make a minor spelling error and he takes your firstborn
Gate story first draft DONE!
May 10, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Gate story first draft DONE!
Started something new tonight. It feels like a bit of a step forward for my prose. I hope that it signals a step forward for me as a writer.
Weird af story, though. The sort that kinda explodes out of nowhere.
Sci-fantasy isekai about trippin in the woods with a yandere cat.
Weird af story, though. The sort that kinda explodes out of nowhere.
Sci-fantasy isekai about trippin in the woods with a yandere cat.
May 7, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Started something new tonight. It feels like a bit of a step forward for my prose. I hope that it signals a step forward for me as a writer.
Weird af story, though. The sort that kinda explodes out of nowhere.
Sci-fantasy isekai about trippin in the woods with a yandere cat.
Weird af story, though. The sort that kinda explodes out of nowhere.
Sci-fantasy isekai about trippin in the woods with a yandere cat.
Finished drafting a fantasy piece!
This one is gonna need some work, especially on the prose side, but it's a fun concept and I think it has potential.
This one is gonna need some work, especially on the prose side, but it's a fun concept and I think it has potential.
April 21, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Finished drafting a fantasy piece!
This one is gonna need some work, especially on the prose side, but it's a fun concept and I think it has potential.
This one is gonna need some work, especially on the prose side, but it's a fun concept and I think it has potential.
Pretty awesome month for my writing!
This month, I finished the first drafts of three full-length stories, one of which I had been working on for a while
Got a couple of very kind personal rejections on a flash piece. And made my first sale. Over the moon about that
But edits have piled up...
This month, I finished the first drafts of three full-length stories, one of which I had been working on for a while
Got a couple of very kind personal rejections on a flash piece. And made my first sale. Over the moon about that
But edits have piled up...
April 1, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Pretty awesome month for my writing!
This month, I finished the first drafts of three full-length stories, one of which I had been working on for a while
Got a couple of very kind personal rejections on a flash piece. And made my first sale. Over the moon about that
But edits have piled up...
This month, I finished the first drafts of three full-length stories, one of which I had been working on for a while
Got a couple of very kind personal rejections on a flash piece. And made my first sale. Over the moon about that
But edits have piled up...