J.L. Akagi
LightNews LightNews
jlakagi.bsky.social
J.L. Akagi
@jlakagi.bsky.social
120 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.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
uncannymagazine.bsky.social
Reading 2025 fiction?

Try the short story "Infinite Halves" by J.L. Akagi @jlakagi.bsky.social!

You can read it here!

buff.ly/6FsWf1x
The cover for Uncanny Magazine Issue 63, “Blessed Universe" by Galen Dara: An ethereal figure stands front and center of the frame, behind here there is a shower of stars on a violet space-landscape. She is dressed in robes that blend into her, and she holds her palms open. On each hand and the center of her chest there are three sources of light, as if she has the moon for a heart, and stars on the palm of her hands, a mist rises from her open palms. The quote reads: "In the city, it can be quite difficult to find a private place to kill yourself. Doing it alone in the apartment is depressing, so Sam tries to at least be subtle about it—no leaping from the Empire State Building or flinging himself in front of the A-train."
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
bleedcubbieblue.bsky.social
Moon over postseason Wrigley #Cubs
October 2, 2025 at 11:36 PM
jlakagi.bsky.social
Cannot wait for this mag to launch!
othersidespec.bsky.social OTHERSIDE @othersidespec.bsky.social · Sep 29
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.
September 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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
September 3, 2025 at 3:41 PM
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
August 25, 2025 at 5:38 PM
jlakagi.bsky.social
Eyes up here? Eyes on Lois.
reactorsff.bsky.social Reactor Magazine @reactorsff.bsky.social · Aug 25
"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
August 25, 2025 at 5:47 PM
jlakagi.bsky.social
I have a new story out about visiting loved ones in hell.
smallwondersmag.com Small Wonders @smallwondersmag.com · Aug 4
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
August 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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 Helen Whistberry @whistberry.bsky.social · Jul 5
Writers, describe your WIP in the worst way possible.

Army of dead animals kills all the humans 🤷🏻‍♂️
andria-kennedy.com Andi Kennedy: Art & Words @andria-kennedy.com · Jul 5
Writers, describe your WIP in the worst way possible.

Girl undergoes identity crisis because of a single bad date.

#HostageSituation #YA
July 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
jlakagi.bsky.social
There’s a lot of trash in space and someone has to take care of it. Read my latest story, “A Feast for the Moon Junker’s Spouse” in @bsfa.bsky.social’s Fission #5.

us.amazon.com/Fission-Anth...
Fission #5: An Anthology of Stories from the British Science Fiction Association
Amazon.com: Fission #5: An Anthology of Stories from the British Science Fiction Association eBook : Rowe, Gene, Bacon, Eugen: Kindle Store
us.amazon.com
June 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
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.
May 10, 2025 at 2:08 AM
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
June 16, 2025 at 3:38 PM
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 B. Pladek @bpladek.bsky.social · Jun 15
@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
June 16, 2025 at 4:42 PM
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 Ignyte Awards @theignyteawards.bsky.social · Jun 9
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)
June 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
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 Uncanny Magazine @uncannymagazine.bsky.social · Apr 2
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
April 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
rocketgrrl.bsky.social
I almost forgot to post this, and it's the perfect day for it.
March 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
jlakagi.bsky.social
This story began as a wish for myself and became a promise to my daughter. Link in thread.
March 31, 2025 at 2:40 PM
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...
March 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
castofwonders.org
Cast of Wonders 634: Pearl Diving by @jlakagi.bsky.social narrated by @batzpajamas.bsky.social produced by @jeremycarter42.bsky.social

www.castofwonders.org/2025/03/cast...
a girl reaching out for an object on the seafloor. She is wearing a snorkelling mask and is silhouetted by a pale blue light in the background.
March 28, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
angelaliu.bsky.social
4) “Infinite Halves” by @jlakagi.bsky.social

I LOVED how perfectly NYC is captured in here. The food, the landmarks, the vistas—you will feel like you’re taking a real life haunted tour of the city.
Infinite Halves - Uncanny Magazine
Content note: Suicide   In the city, it can be quite difficult to find a private place to kill yourself. Doing it alone in the apartment is depressing, so Sam tries to at least be subtle about it—no l...
www.uncannymagazine.com
March 25, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
locusmag.bsky.social
Voting for the Locus Awards is OPEN! As a nonprofit, Locus Magazine champions authors of all kinds, from big names to indies and small press. Subscriber votes count double!

Voting ends April 15—make your voice heard! Vote here: poll.voting.locusmag... #LocusAwards
March 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
jrdawson.bsky.social
Oof really really amazing story in @uncannymagazine.bsky.social by @jlakagi.bsky.social

www.uncannymagazine.com/article/infi...
Infinite Halves - Uncanny Magazine
Content note: Suicide   In the city, it can be quite difficult to find a private place to kill yourself. Doing it alone in the apartment is depressing, so Sam tries to at least be subtle about it—no l...
www.uncannymagazine.com
March 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
jlakagi.bsky.social
It’s true what they say: keep your head down, write what you want, keep the rejections coming — it’s the only way forward.
March 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
readingdanger.bsky.social
Republicans working to make this part of THE LAST OF US true.
Two men talking. "I love in this world. You live in a psycho bunker where 9 11 was an inside job. And, and the government are all Nazis." "The government are all Nazis!" "Well, yeah, now! But not then!"
March 13, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Reposted by J.L. Akagi
angelaliu.bsky.social
As someone who also thinks about death a lot, J.L.'s essay about the power of writing speculative fiction and forcing your characters to live, really resonated (go check out her new story in Uncanny!)
jlakagi.bsky.social J.L. Akagi @jlakagi.bsky.social · Mar 10
Better late than never. This month's newsletter features my favorite recent reads from @wiswell.bsky.social , @pcverrone.com, and @angelaliu.bsky.social.

Plus, a maybe-too-personal essay about my latest story.

open.substack.com/pub/jlakagi/...
March reads + an immortal suicide
Plus, 5 places to submit in March 2025.
open.substack.com
March 10, 2025 at 8:18 PM
jlakagi.bsky.social
Better late than never. This month's newsletter features my favorite recent reads from @wiswell.bsky.social , @pcverrone.com, and @angelaliu.bsky.social.

Plus, a maybe-too-personal essay about my latest story.

open.substack.com/pub/jlakagi/...
March reads + an immortal suicide
Plus, 5 places to submit in March 2025.
open.substack.com
March 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM