Justin C. Key
@justinkey.bsky.social
Author, Doctor, Husband, Father, Friend
Pinned
Reposted by Justin C. Key
Enjoyed the world-building in THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Justin C. Key and the fascinating premise of a society where almost all medical practice depends on AI...but a few doctors still believe in the power of human touch. #ewgc 💙📚
December 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Enjoyed the world-building in THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Justin C. Key and the fascinating premise of a society where almost all medical practice depends on AI...but a few doctors still believe in the power of human touch. #ewgc 💙📚
My son, ten minutes into reading my novel, comes out and says ‘does Pok ever makes it to the school?’ He’s a big reader and I’m surprised by the question, so I ask why. He smiled and said ‘it’s just a lot of suspense and I want to know!’
Then it hit me: he’s never had the author in the next room!
Then it hit me: he’s never had the author in the next room!
December 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
My son, ten minutes into reading my novel, comes out and says ‘does Pok ever makes it to the school?’ He’s a big reader and I’m surprised by the question, so I ask why. He smiled and said ‘it’s just a lot of suspense and I want to know!’
Then it hit me: he’s never had the author in the next room!
Then it hit me: he’s never had the author in the next room!
“A medical-minded dystopia with mystery elements that emphasizes the importance of human connection and equity for everyone in a world of artificial intelligence. For readers of Laila Lalami.”
—Library Journal on THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD
—Library Journal on THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD
November 26, 2025 at 8:25 PM
“A medical-minded dystopia with mystery elements that emphasizes the importance of human connection and equity for everyone in a world of artificial intelligence. For readers of Laila Lalami.”
—Library Journal on THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD
—Library Journal on THE HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Reposted by Justin C. Key
#FandSF #FavoriteStories Summer 2025 #Fantasy #SF
The Final Trial of Jalen, Oba of Uhuri by Justin C. Key @justinkey.bsky.social
A kōan for you: why, in chess, is the Queen most powerful, but the King most important?
A West African tale of atonement, redemption and belated justice.
The Final Trial of Jalen, Oba of Uhuri by Justin C. Key @justinkey.bsky.social
A kōan for you: why, in chess, is the Queen most powerful, but the King most important?
A West African tale of atonement, redemption and belated justice.
November 26, 2025 at 8:06 PM
#FandSF #FavoriteStories Summer 2025 #Fantasy #SF
The Final Trial of Jalen, Oba of Uhuri by Justin C. Key @justinkey.bsky.social
A kōan for you: why, in chess, is the Queen most powerful, but the King most important?
A West African tale of atonement, redemption and belated justice.
The Final Trial of Jalen, Oba of Uhuri by Justin C. Key @justinkey.bsky.social
A kōan for you: why, in chess, is the Queen most powerful, but the King most important?
A West African tale of atonement, redemption and belated justice.
My secret publicists
November 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
My secret publicists
Kirkus said nice things. Even one of the could-be criticisms was coupled with praise. And they ‘blinked’ at some of my nerd-talk, which I think a lot of my readers will appreciate.
I’ll take it!
I’ll take it!
November 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Kirkus said nice things. Even one of the could-be criticisms was coupled with praise. And they ‘blinked’ at some of my nerd-talk, which I think a lot of my readers will appreciate.
I’ll take it!
I’ll take it!
Reposted by Justin C. Key
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction just published their first issue in over a year. Sheree Renée Thomas continues at the helm, so we are in for some good stories.
Follow along as I post short reviews of my favorites.
@shereereneethomas.bsky.social #ScienceFiction #Fantasy #SF #FandSF
Follow along as I post short reviews of my favorites.
@shereereneethomas.bsky.social #ScienceFiction #Fantasy #SF #FandSF
November 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction just published their first issue in over a year. Sheree Renée Thomas continues at the helm, so we are in for some good stories.
Follow along as I post short reviews of my favorites.
@shereereneethomas.bsky.social #ScienceFiction #Fantasy #SF #FandSF
Follow along as I post short reviews of my favorites.
@shereereneethomas.bsky.social #ScienceFiction #Fantasy #SF #FandSF
Reposted by Justin C. Key
A new issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction is here at last from new publisher Must Read Magazines! Featuring @nnedi.bsky.social, @mauricebroaddus.bsky.social, @matthewkressel.net and @mercuriodrivera.bsky.social, @justinkey.bsky.social and more: weightlessbooks.com/the-magazine...
November 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
A new issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction is here at last from new publisher Must Read Magazines! Featuring @nnedi.bsky.social, @mauricebroaddus.bsky.social, @matthewkressel.net and @mercuriodrivera.bsky.social, @justinkey.bsky.social and more: weightlessbooks.com/the-magazine...
Publishers Weekly on THATEOTW:
“Though the level of coincidence inherent in some late plot reveals strains credulity, the worldbuilding fascinates and Pok is a wonderfully believable protagonist acting from both good intentions and naive suppositions. Key should win plenty of new fans with this.”
“Though the level of coincidence inherent in some late plot reveals strains credulity, the worldbuilding fascinates and Pok is a wonderfully believable protagonist acting from both good intentions and naive suppositions. Key should win plenty of new fans with this.”
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Publishers Weekly on THATEOTW:
“Though the level of coincidence inherent in some late plot reveals strains credulity, the worldbuilding fascinates and Pok is a wonderfully believable protagonist acting from both good intentions and naive suppositions. Key should win plenty of new fans with this.”
“Though the level of coincidence inherent in some late plot reveals strains credulity, the worldbuilding fascinates and Pok is a wonderfully believable protagonist acting from both good intentions and naive suppositions. Key should win plenty of new fans with this.”
There’s an unboxing video pinned to my page. My daughter stole the show. ☝🏽
November 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
There’s an unboxing video pinned to my page. My daughter stole the show. ☝🏽
Reposted by Justin C. Key
It's true! Nightmare Magazine will open to subs in January! Check out the schedule below for dates & times; read the guidelines for more specifics.
And yes, as ever, each writer can make one submission to each category: short story, flash, poetry, CNF.
adamant.moksha.io/publication/...
And yes, as ever, each writer can make one submission to each category: short story, flash, poetry, CNF.
adamant.moksha.io/publication/...
Moksha
adamant.moksha.io
November 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
It's true! Nightmare Magazine will open to subs in January! Check out the schedule below for dates & times; read the guidelines for more specifics.
And yes, as ever, each writer can make one submission to each category: short story, flash, poetry, CNF.
adamant.moksha.io/publication/...
And yes, as ever, each writer can make one submission to each category: short story, flash, poetry, CNF.
adamant.moksha.io/publication/...
60k on my current WIP!
November 17, 2025 at 12:30 AM
60k on my current WIP!
Toni Morrison just emailed me offering to turn my book into a movie. How cool is that?!
Definitely not a scam, right?
Definitely not a scam, right?
November 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Toni Morrison just emailed me offering to turn my book into a movie. How cool is that?!
Definitely not a scam, right?
Definitely not a scam, right?
November 13, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Reposted by Justin C. Key
If the arrival of November's eligibility posts, end-of-the-year wrap-ups, year's-best lists, & Goodreads awards voting has left you feeling like a lazy, unaccomplished writer with unmemorable work, know you are not alone.
At least we can drown our sorrows in egg nog!
At least we can drown our sorrows in egg nog!
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
If the arrival of November's eligibility posts, end-of-the-year wrap-ups, year's-best lists, & Goodreads awards voting has left you feeling like a lazy, unaccomplished writer with unmemorable work, know you are not alone.
At least we can drown our sorrows in egg nog!
At least we can drown our sorrows in egg nog!
Reposted by Justin C. Key
Alright y'all. This is finally happening.
November 8, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Alright y'all. This is finally happening.
I’ve heard it’s the writer’s job to write and the publisher’s job to sell books.
This is idealistic. I’m in full hustle mode. I want to be a career novelist. This is my debut. I can’t leave anything on the floor.
Let’s get it.
This is idealistic. I’m in full hustle mode. I want to be a career novelist. This is my debut. I can’t leave anything on the floor.
Let’s get it.
November 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I’ve heard it’s the writer’s job to write and the publisher’s job to sell books.
This is idealistic. I’m in full hustle mode. I want to be a career novelist. This is my debut. I can’t leave anything on the floor.
Let’s get it.
This is idealistic. I’m in full hustle mode. I want to be a career novelist. This is my debut. I can’t leave anything on the floor.
Let’s get it.
Reposted by Justin C. Key
When I'm at conventions, I'm often asked: "What's the difference between dark fantasy & horror?"
In this month's editorial, I talk a little about my thoughts. www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/e...
In this month's editorial, I talk a little about my thoughts. www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/e...
Editorial: November 2025 - Nightmare Magazine
I have lost count of the number of discussions I’ve had about what the difference between horror and dark fantasy might be. Plenty of people have very crisp definitions and think applying them helps t...
www.nightmare-magazine.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
When I'm at conventions, I'm often asked: "What's the difference between dark fantasy & horror?"
In this month's editorial, I talk a little about my thoughts. www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/e...
In this month's editorial, I talk a little about my thoughts. www.nightmare-magazine.com/nonfiction/e...
Reposted by Justin C. Key
All the pearl-clutching about Zohran Mamdani--by right-wingers who elected a half-senile old TV star president--is very amusing. For once the shoe is on the other foot.
November 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM
All the pearl-clutching about Zohran Mamdani--by right-wingers who elected a half-senile old TV star president--is very amusing. For once the shoe is on the other foot.
Incidents Around the House was brutal.
I can’t tell if I’m more scared because of my knowledge as a mental health professional but…sheesh!
Highly recommend!
I can’t tell if I’m more scared because of my knowledge as a mental health professional but…sheesh!
Highly recommend!
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Incidents Around the House was brutal.
I can’t tell if I’m more scared because of my knowledge as a mental health professional but…sheesh!
Highly recommend!
I can’t tell if I’m more scared because of my knowledge as a mental health professional but…sheesh!
Highly recommend!
Reposted by Justin C. Key
And today, I’ll add “Now You See Me” by @justinkey.bsky.social, with some intense Twilight Zone vibes and an engrossing (if disturbing) fantastical exploration of both Black invisibility and hypervisibility in American culture www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/now-...
Now You See Me - Lightspeed Magazine
Good art changes you. And that was the point, right? That’s what the social media ad that caught my attention wanted me to believe: Our Shoes: You couldn’t understand our struggle . . . Until now. I h...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
And today, I’ll add “Now You See Me” by @justinkey.bsky.social, with some intense Twilight Zone vibes and an engrossing (if disturbing) fantastical exploration of both Black invisibility and hypervisibility in American culture www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/now-...