iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

And here’s a sample of my SECOND publication, also flash fiction, and just announced this morning! This is from the Last Exit anthology from Crooked Spine Press: #horrorwriters #secondpub #lookatthesedangcovers

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

This is a sample of my first ever published piece, The Tip of the Spear, which made it into the First Strike anthology from Hollowpoint Press back in June: #writesky #flashfiction #firstpub

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

What a way to start the week! I’m honored to announce my short story has been selected in the “After the Last Exit” contest from Crooked Spine Press! The anthology is available 9/4 (link below). Buckle up—there are going to be some killer spooks in there! 👻🚗👻 #writersofbsky #horror #writesky

crookedspinepress.com

Last Exit · Crooked Spine Press

Last Exit is coming at a breakneck speed. In the third issue of Crooked Spine, the road stretches past empty towns, forgotten motels, and exits that do not appear on any map. These twelve stories of A...

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

We were wondering what that super bright star right next to the moon was at dusk tonight! Funny to see it caught your eye, too, but I shouldn’t be surprised. I imagine you spend quite a lot of time looking out at stars 😅

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Generally, I write the whole tempo valley of a simmering scene, the entire ramp up and climax of a big event, or the cooldown from yesterday’s big event. I try to finish one complete ‘musical phrase’ in one session and leave the response for the next!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Good rule! As a pantser (and serial procrastinator), my rule is: “write until the tempo shifts”. Helps me work out nice chunks of narrative in each sitting and also lets me leave tantalizing moments for ‘tomorrow me’ to start with.

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I absolutely love that clock! What’s the calendar you’re rolling with here?

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

But hey, that’s a net 600 words that are already plotfully sound! 2 steps forward and 1 step back is still forward progress…even if it keeps happening over and over and over (in my case, at least) 😅

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

I can’t come up with a fantasy-centric example at the moment, but I have noticed when talking about authors in the world at-large, a lot of folks forego the specificity of “oeuvre” for the less-fancy (read: ‘less-French’) “body of work” or “portfolio”.

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Excellent idea! Sure to be memorable, especially because it’s thematically apt. Good luck!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

A tip??? For carpet cleaning? Dang, it’s getting wild out here. What’s the “Labor” cost on the receipt even for if folks are not billing enough to cover…the labor?

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Wow, this story rules. Congrats on the pub and the lingering afterimage of incandescent…miracles…😂 ✨🦏🌟🦏✨

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Super interesting! I wonder if the humanities experts of Amanus study “My-cology”?

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

It’s not really Spring until the clover starts coming back! (…and the Dandelions with it) In a suburban sea of sterile lawns, I’m always happy to see these tufts pop up and take over every year. ☘️🍀☘️

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

(And a link for those passersby who want to check it out:) strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fiction/a-night-with-hui-enehana-ike/

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

My favorite piece you’ve published recently was “A Night with Hui ‘Enehama’Ike” by Ma’ema’eolehua Matsumoto; a faintly solarpunk story that opens with a help ticket follow-through that feels so familiar, but is nestled fully in the language and setting of unfamiliar Hawai’i. It was a treat!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Okay, but for real, I totally agree. I’ve been oscillating between ChillSubs and the Submission Grinder mainly, but I found a couple other collections recently that might be helpful! fundsforwriters.com/contests publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/p/calls-for-submissions.html

fundsforwriters.com

Contests | FundsforWriters

Contests Writing contests provide steps up for a writer - especially a struggling writer. A portfolio that contains contest wins means more than many clips. Can't afford the entry fees? Consider enter...

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Here’s the hack: Stuff your stories into the same slush pile 22 times and the mag will have no choice but to publish them on the 23rd. That, or they’ll block you. High risk, high reward.

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

I can think of few better ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s day than a relaxing night with a classic: Waking Ned Devine. A “bromedy” entirely shot on Ireland’s aisle of Man featuring a pair of old friends who discover someone in their small village of 52 has won the lottery. 📽️ 🇮🇪 ☘️ #movies #Ireland

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

A revision framework? Sounds super useful! What’re the broad strokes?

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Wow, Humble Bundle is always a total treasure trove but this is on another level. A friend of mine started me on Pratchett with Feet of Clay and totally drew me into Discworld as a whole, despite being the third book in the City Watch series!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

(Cont.’d) Mostly, I couldn’t work out why Harold’s wristwatch was important to the original manuscript. Since it’s his saving grace in the end, it seems like the narration about it was purely for our benefit; Harold never reacts to those comments. At any rate, this one was a great date night flick!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

(Spoiler:) I’m probably reading too much into it, but it seemed to me like there was a sort of dual timeline narrative going on: 1. The narration Harold hears is from the original, in-progress manuscript 2. The narration we hear (especially about the wristwatch) is from the rewrite at the end …

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Just rewatched Stranger than Fiction (2006) last night, and WOW, what an enchanting flick. Will Ferrell is unrecognizable, the love story doesn’t have a lazy wrench chucked in the gears, and the supporting cast bring some depth! (Spoiler down below for my favorite part) #movies #writingcommunity

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

It was an absolutely killer one-season show back in 2002-2003 starring (among others) Nathan Fillion! It only had 14 total episodes but this book really brought the show back to the front of my mind. Worth a watch, but a bit more gun violent than the book we’re talking about, so fair warning!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

I loved this one! It was like a collection of vignettes; really felt like Firefly the show the book.

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

I think we’ve moved past “Lust” being considered a sin, but “Gluttony” seems to still be a weight against our collective necks under the new name “Overconsumption”. In fact, “Apathy” could really just be a modern rebrand of “Sloth”, though I feel distinctly stronger emotions about the former.

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

There are plenty of arguments for the 7 Modern vs. Ancient Wonders of the World; but I wonder what the 7 Modern Deadly Sins would be, especially in regards to evoking strong emotions in horror. Surely Apathy is at the top of the list? ✍️ #writingcommunity #horrorwriting @writingcommunity.bsky.social

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

In honor of the cyclical nature of time (especially on Groundhog Day), here’s some excellent advice from one of my favorite out-of-print calendars: Dreyer’s English (2022), from @bcdreyer.social “Passive Voice Is to Be Avoided” #writesky #writersofbluesky @writingcommunity.bsky.social

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

It’s excellent, top-to-bottom. One of the wonderful booksellers at The Strand in NY suggested it as a follow-up to Buffalo Hunter Hunter (by Stephen Graham Jones) and I’ve been raving about “Never Whistle…” ever since!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

I just saw that on your page! I’ve been really taking my time with ‘Never Whistle…’, so it’s exciting to hear that there’s another whole collection coming down the pipeline!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

The entire Never Whistle at Night anthology absolutely rocks, but ‘Behind Colin’s Eyes’ by @shanehawk.com sat me straight down. A killer, close-perspective trip into the woods in a subtly desperate search for dinner gone way wrong. #booksky #horror @booksky.bsky.social

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Killer spot! What’s the drink of choice? I have a local spot with a lot of plants and sunlight that does an excellent cortado—no better way to get writing than a shot of pure caffeine!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

The Phoenix airport really knows what’s up. @stephenking.bsky.social and @sgj.bsky.social? Someone’s got killer taste in here. #booksky #horrorlit #horrorwriters

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Wow, Seattle’s gorgeous! Between the sunrise on Mt. Rainier and the fog boiling up out of the Sound to spill over downtown, I’m seeing nothing but killer views on this work trip! #betweenrainandsnow #travel #cascadia

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Reposted by Aodh Alexander

Sam “The Great Pumpkin” Thielman @samthielman.com · 22/01/2026

I just thought everyone should see this

Dr Kareem Carr
man: i wish to publish
@kareem_carr
Jan 21
reviewer 2: your paper is no good
man: i'll do anything to improve
reviewer 2: it's simple. you must read the work of the great scientist Pagliarini
man: *bursts into tears* but i am Pagliarini
Andre Pagliarini
@apagliar
Jan 21
a first: in rejecting an article I submitted to a journal, reviewer 2 noted I failed to engage the work of one Andre Pagliarini
Jan 21, 2026 • 3:47 PM UTC

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Reposted by Aodh Alexander

Strange Horizons @strangehorizons.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

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...

2026 Fiction Submissions
Strange Horizons
January 19 to 21

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

I’ve always enjoyed Poirots as great road trip companions; nothing to do but listen and keep track of the odd suspicious side-character. Which three did you end up saving for last?

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

That’s the one! I really dig the theme of this contest, so I think the winning stories will be right up my alley whether I’m included or not!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Interesting! Is this a semester reading list in the works?

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Wow, that’s got to be striking…like it’s all dipped in blood. Seems like a Dracula special edition sort of bonus!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Hey, I was shortlisted in this one, too! Glad to have found a kindred spirit for this contest—best of luck to you and your Big Moose!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I have no doubts about that! This is the kind of cover I’d see in a rental store whose movie would end up scarring me for years. Great horror novel energy!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

WOW, I love the cover on this one. Looks like an 80’s horror VHS!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I always thought the hate was overblown. They ended up right where they belonged! The trial may have been a little much and all, but I think the end result is overall satisfying for me—they’re still complaining about the same inane stuff as always, even behind bars.

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Was it controversial? I guess I haven’t really dug into discussion feeds about it very deeply, but I’ve only heard overall satisfaction from those I know who finished it!

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Aodh Alexander @aodhalexander.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Cool concept! How did you find the publishing process? Was this self-pubbed?

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