Ben Francisco
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benfrancisco.bsky.social
Ben Francisco
@benfrancisco.bsky.social
Queer Latinx fiction writer. Debut novel, VAL VEGA: SECRET AMBASSADOR OF EARTH, out now! Stories in Strange Horizons, Indiana Review, Podcastle, LCRW, and more. All things geeky and social justice-y welcome. They/Them.
https://linktr.ee/benfrancisco
I always loved that expression, the way it made migration something casual. I thought about it endlessly, which led to the story, a full literalization of the metaphor of jumping puddles.

Karlo's been posting great Puerto Rican fiction for PR heritage month, follow @kjy1066.bsky.social for more!
November 24, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Mil gracias, Karlo! I love that you made this connection! This story, "Brincando Charcos (Jumping Puddles)," got some great reactions but I think some readers missed this reference. Puerto Ricans say "brincar el charco" the way Brits say "crossing the pond," for going between island and mainland.
November 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Reposted by Ben Francisco
In "Puerto Rico: A National History", Jorell Meléndez-Badillo talks about how "Diasporicans" make circular migrations, and "jumping the puddle" becomes a way to reconnect with the cultures of the archipelago

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strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
Brincando Charcos (Jumping Puddles)
“Dónde estámos?” Mateo asks, wiping the wetness out of his hair. We’re both sopping wet. Charcos may get you there fast, but it’s not the cleanest way to travel.
strangehorizons.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Great session, thanks y'all for sharing your wisdom!
November 15, 2025 at 11:42 PM
We interstellar ambassadors have to stick together!

En serio, Ambassador is one of my recent favs! The scenes of the kids from different planets negotiating while playing games really stick with me.
October 16, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Brilliant autora de pewpewpew y mucho mas!
October 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Presente!
August 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM