Jamie M. Boyd
@jamieboyd.bsky.social
Writer. Mother. Recovering Journalist. Words in Strange Horizons, Heartlines Spec &more. SFWA. Codex. www.jamiemboyd.com
Pinned
Jamie M. Boyd
@jamieboyd.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Hello! I write speculative fiction centering the natural world relationships and weird stuff from biology/anthropology. Recent stories on:
The anxiety of parenting & kids turning into creepy animals
strangehorizons.com/fiction/the-...
Love, regret & aliens
www.heartlines-spec.com/the-architec...
The anxiety of parenting & kids turning into creepy animals
strangehorizons.com/fiction/the-...
Love, regret & aliens
www.heartlines-spec.com/the-architec...
The most unusual painting I saw during my visit to the Mauritshuis museum in Amsterdam this summer was "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp." What's stuck with me months later is a story the museum staff told abt the painting — a story I think any artist or writer would appreciate. 🧵 1/4
November 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The most unusual painting I saw during my visit to the Mauritshuis museum in Amsterdam this summer was "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp." What's stuck with me months later is a story the museum staff told abt the painting — a story I think any artist or writer would appreciate. 🧵 1/4
South Beach never fails to excite and inspire. Back from a quick weekend getaway and feeling refreshed.
November 16, 2025 at 11:55 PM
South Beach never fails to excite and inspire. Back from a quick weekend getaway and feeling refreshed.
Charlotte would be proud.
"If I can fool a bug, I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs."
-- E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
"If I can fool a bug, I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs."
-- E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
Ceci n'est pas a spider.
Scientists observed a species of spider (B and E) build a large decoy spider (A,C, and D) from plant detritus and prey remains, possibly to misdirect or repel predatory attacks.
(Study: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...)
#science #biology #animals
Scientists observed a species of spider (B and E) build a large decoy spider (A,C, and D) from plant detritus and prey remains, possibly to misdirect or repel predatory attacks.
(Study: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...)
#science #biology #animals
November 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Charlotte would be proud.
"If I can fool a bug, I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs."
-- E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
"If I can fool a bug, I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs."
-- E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
This is such a fun story and the perfect example of a character I love to hate!
Like reality television? Like antics in ancient history? Then you'll love my story "Good Real History"
www.unchartedmag.com/stories/good...
It placed 2nd in Uncharted's Cinematic Short Story contest, thank you again to judge @rachelharrison.bsky.social and the @unchartedmag.bsky.social team!
www.unchartedmag.com/stories/good...
It placed 2nd in Uncharted's Cinematic Short Story contest, thank you again to judge @rachelharrison.bsky.social and the @unchartedmag.bsky.social team!
GOOD REAL HISTORY - Uncharted
The silhouette of the Pharos lighthouse floats on the water in the distance, its peak is like the eye of a god, always monitoring its subjects. I can see why it’s considered one of the seven wonders o...
www.unchartedmag.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
This is such a fun story and the perfect example of a character I love to hate!
It's been several days and the New Puppy still doesn't understand the clocks "falling back." So here we are. Up since 6 a.m. on a rare morning I could've been sleeping in.
She's lucky she's cute.
She's lucky she's cute.
November 8, 2025 at 1:20 PM
It's been several days and the New Puppy still doesn't understand the clocks "falling back." So here we are. Up since 6 a.m. on a rare morning I could've been sleeping in.
She's lucky she's cute.
She's lucky she's cute.
If you or anyone you love has trouble sitting still, read this bite-sized story by @bdcutkomp.bsky.social.
"My teachers exchange concerns abt the pacing the rocking the bouncing..Theyve got it all wrong."
xraylitmag.com/in-another-life-i-am-a-direct-descendant-of-sharks-by-bethany-cutkomp/fiction
"My teachers exchange concerns abt the pacing the rocking the bouncing..Theyve got it all wrong."
xraylitmag.com/in-another-life-i-am-a-direct-descendant-of-sharks-by-bethany-cutkomp/fiction
IN ANOTHER LIFE, I AM A DIRECT DESCENDANT OF SHARKS by Bethany Cutkomp
And if I do not keep moving, I will pass away. They call this ram ventilation, a shark’s way of breathing. My invisible gills demand the same method of survival. Since hatching from your womb, I have ...
xraylitmag.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:38 PM
If you or anyone you love has trouble sitting still, read this bite-sized story by @bdcutkomp.bsky.social.
"My teachers exchange concerns abt the pacing the rocking the bouncing..Theyve got it all wrong."
xraylitmag.com/in-another-life-i-am-a-direct-descendant-of-sharks-by-bethany-cutkomp/fiction
"My teachers exchange concerns abt the pacing the rocking the bouncing..Theyve got it all wrong."
xraylitmag.com/in-another-life-i-am-a-direct-descendant-of-sharks-by-bethany-cutkomp/fiction
I’m excited to announce the sale of my short story “Blood and Talent” to @castofwonders.org . It’s a murder mystery set in the old Wild West … with magic! Many thanks to Katherine Inskip, Alicia Caporaso and team for giving it a home.
November 3, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I’m excited to announce the sale of my short story “Blood and Talent” to @castofwonders.org . It’s a murder mystery set in the old Wild West … with magic! Many thanks to Katherine Inskip, Alicia Caporaso and team for giving it a home.
Well hello there, gorgeous. Fancy meeting you here.
October 30, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Well hello there, gorgeous. Fancy meeting you here.
What a hilarious article!!!!!!!!
Also, my heart hurts a little now.
"Oh no! Please love me! Or no worries if not!"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Also, my heart hurts a little now.
"Oh no! Please love me! Or no worries if not!"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Exclamation marks! Why do women use them three times as much as men?
It’s the punctuation that can make you seem warmer and more agreeable – but also much more compliant and lacking in analytical thinking
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:06 PM
What a hilarious article!!!!!!!!
Also, my heart hurts a little now.
"Oh no! Please love me! Or no worries if not!"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Also, my heart hurts a little now.
"Oh no! Please love me! Or no worries if not!"
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Who’d think mold could be so pretty?
We don’t carve our pumpkins until the day before Halloween b/c mold grows so fast here — it’s usually black, nasty & makes a slimy mess if I let it go more than a week. If it grew like this, I might revisit that decision.
We don’t carve our pumpkins until the day before Halloween b/c mold grows so fast here — it’s usually black, nasty & makes a slimy mess if I let it go more than a week. If it grew like this, I might revisit that decision.
Black mold on pumpkin is a sign of rot caused by fungal diseases like black rot or other molds
That develop under warm wet conditions.To prevent its growth, clean the pumpkin thoroughly with a bleach solution. If the mold is already present, it's best to discard the pumpkin #Halloween 🧪 🌱
That develop under warm wet conditions.To prevent its growth, clean the pumpkin thoroughly with a bleach solution. If the mold is already present, it's best to discard the pumpkin #Halloween 🧪 🌱
October 28, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Who’d think mold could be so pretty?
We don’t carve our pumpkins until the day before Halloween b/c mold grows so fast here — it’s usually black, nasty & makes a slimy mess if I let it go more than a week. If it grew like this, I might revisit that decision.
We don’t carve our pumpkins until the day before Halloween b/c mold grows so fast here — it’s usually black, nasty & makes a slimy mess if I let it go more than a week. If it grew like this, I might revisit that decision.
Come on, guys! There's not much time left to support this great magazine ...
There's just 4 DAYS LEFT to fund Apex Magazine for 2026, and we're SO CLOSE to hitting our 20k goal!
Our full catalogue of critiques, ebooks, merch and more will all be gone on Halloween. Don't miss out on these limited edition items and donate TODAY! 💜👽🎃
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
Our full catalogue of critiques, ebooks, merch and more will all be gone on Halloween. Don't miss out on these limited edition items and donate TODAY! 💜👽🎃
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
October 26, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Come on, guys! There's not much time left to support this great magazine ...
Reposted by Jamie M. Boyd
I have some September short science fiction, fantasy, and horror picks for you on this fine October day. reactormag.com/must-read-sh...
Must Read Short Speculative Fiction: September 2025 - Reactor
What a fall, huh? Lemon, it’s October. This season has both flown by and trickled by at a glacial pace. I’m already exhausted and there’s still so much left to go. Fortunately, reading a bunch of shor...
reactormag.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I have some September short science fiction, fantasy, and horror picks for you on this fine October day. reactormag.com/must-read-sh...
"We are not all built to be beautiful, we are not all built to rampage."
Wow. Although I have to disagree, @shanaross.bsky.social. This poem *is* built beautiful.
Wow. Although I have to disagree, @shanaross.bsky.social. This poem *is* built beautiful.
Ogress (The Incredible Shrinking Woman)
We are not all built to be beautiful, we are not all built to rampage.
strangehorizons.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
"We are not all built to be beautiful, we are not all built to rampage."
Wow. Although I have to disagree, @shanaross.bsky.social. This poem *is* built beautiful.
Wow. Although I have to disagree, @shanaross.bsky.social. This poem *is* built beautiful.
This 3D map, which you can "fly" through like you're in your own starship, is so humbling.
It reminds me of a Barbara Kingsolver quote about our need for nature and timeless landscape:
"It reminds us that our plans are small and somewhat absurd.”
It reminds me of a Barbara Kingsolver quote about our need for nature and timeless landscape:
"It reminds us that our plans are small and somewhat absurd.”
👶🌟 ICYMI, Gaia released the most accurate 3D map of stellar nurseries in the Milky Way.
The map extends 4000 light-years from us, with the Sun at the centre.
Explore it here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/lkkmqlzqih 🔭
The map extends 4000 light-years from us, with the Sun at the centre.
Explore it here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/lkkmqlzqih 🔭
October 17, 2025 at 10:49 PM
This 3D map, which you can "fly" through like you're in your own starship, is so humbling.
It reminds me of a Barbara Kingsolver quote about our need for nature and timeless landscape:
"It reminds us that our plans are small and somewhat absurd.”
It reminds me of a Barbara Kingsolver quote about our need for nature and timeless landscape:
"It reminds us that our plans are small and somewhat absurd.”
Reposted by Jamie M. Boyd
Translunar Travelers Lounge closes to submissions end of day tomorrow, 15th October at midnight Eastern Time (US) (UTC-4:00). If you want to submit speculative fiction to us, make sure it's before then! Please read the guidelines. translunartravelerslounge.com/submissions/
Submissions
Broadly defined, the type of fiction we are looking for is “fun”. [Go to Submissions]
translunartravelerslounge.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Translunar Travelers Lounge closes to submissions end of day tomorrow, 15th October at midnight Eastern Time (US) (UTC-4:00). If you want to submit speculative fiction to us, make sure it's before then! Please read the guidelines. translunartravelerslounge.com/submissions/
Important Pupdate!
The New Puppy is growing fast and getting into all sorts of wonderful trouble.
The Old Man has gone from being sullen, grumpy and jealous to playing like he's a youngin' again. They are so sweet together! 🥰🐾
The New Puppy is growing fast and getting into all sorts of wonderful trouble.
The Old Man has gone from being sullen, grumpy and jealous to playing like he's a youngin' again. They are so sweet together! 🥰🐾
October 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Important Pupdate!
The New Puppy is growing fast and getting into all sorts of wonderful trouble.
The Old Man has gone from being sullen, grumpy and jealous to playing like he's a youngin' again. They are so sweet together! 🥰🐾
The New Puppy is growing fast and getting into all sorts of wonderful trouble.
The Old Man has gone from being sullen, grumpy and jealous to playing like he's a youngin' again. They are so sweet together! 🥰🐾
This gorgeous story contains the most bittersweet recipe.
"The forest needs a witch like the sky needs lightning and the night needs wolves. ... But to become a witch you first have to do this thing. This last, difficult, and horrible thing."
"The forest needs a witch like the sky needs lightning and the night needs wolves. ... But to become a witch you first have to do this thing. This last, difficult, and horrible thing."
I had a story come out today!
If you think too much about fairy tale witches and also murder and complicated relationships, this one is for you.
theorangebee.substack.com/p/tasting-no...
If you think too much about fairy tale witches and also murder and complicated relationships, this one is for you.
theorangebee.substack.com/p/tasting-no...
Tasting notes
Issue seven: flash fiction by Cislyn Smith
theorangebee.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This gorgeous story contains the most bittersweet recipe.
"The forest needs a witch like the sky needs lightning and the night needs wolves. ... But to become a witch you first have to do this thing. This last, difficult, and horrible thing."
"The forest needs a witch like the sky needs lightning and the night needs wolves. ... But to become a witch you first have to do this thing. This last, difficult, and horrible thing."
Lush strange & beautiful flash by @mizukiyamagen.bsky.social
"A snail no larger than my pinky glides from the wound leaving a delicate silver calligraphy across the pillowcase. .. I hold my breath astonished less by its existence than bythe elegant hydraulics of emergence. hexliterary.com/?p=2878
"A snail no larger than my pinky glides from the wound leaving a delicate silver calligraphy across the pillowcase. .. I hold my breath astonished less by its existence than bythe elegant hydraulics of emergence. hexliterary.com/?p=2878
The Hand's Aperture by Mizuki Yamagen
There is an aperture in my hand, a thumb-print whirl where tissue once flowed uninterrupted—like a channel grown curious and turning back on itself. Last week it was a mosquito bite: a temporary river...
hexliterary.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Lush strange & beautiful flash by @mizukiyamagen.bsky.social
"A snail no larger than my pinky glides from the wound leaving a delicate silver calligraphy across the pillowcase. .. I hold my breath astonished less by its existence than bythe elegant hydraulics of emergence. hexliterary.com/?p=2878
"A snail no larger than my pinky glides from the wound leaving a delicate silver calligraphy across the pillowcase. .. I hold my breath astonished less by its existence than bythe elegant hydraulics of emergence. hexliterary.com/?p=2878
I’ve always had a good feeling about life on Enceladus.
The very first short story I ever had published imagined an ancient forest of giant, coral-like sea life hibernating there.
With studies like this, maybe we'll have some exciting news in my lifetime.
The very first short story I ever had published imagined an ancient forest of giant, coral-like sea life hibernating there.
With studies like this, maybe we'll have some exciting news in my lifetime.
October 5, 2025 at 2:10 AM
I’ve always had a good feeling about life on Enceladus.
The very first short story I ever had published imagined an ancient forest of giant, coral-like sea life hibernating there.
With studies like this, maybe we'll have some exciting news in my lifetime.
The very first short story I ever had published imagined an ancient forest of giant, coral-like sea life hibernating there.
With studies like this, maybe we'll have some exciting news in my lifetime.
RIP, Jane Goodall.
October 1, 2025 at 7:43 PM
RIP, Jane Goodall.
Reposted by Jamie M. Boyd
This is the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), native to North America. And it runs a PROTECTION SCHEME.
It's 'connected', see, A Wise Guy, an Avian Cosa Nostra, a Made Bird. "Nice nest here, be a shame if something happened to it."
Let's talk about the MAFIA HYPOTHESIS & brood parasitism.
It's 'connected', see, A Wise Guy, an Avian Cosa Nostra, a Made Bird. "Nice nest here, be a shame if something happened to it."
Let's talk about the MAFIA HYPOTHESIS & brood parasitism.
a black and brown bird with a red head is perched on a wire fence .
Alt: A black and brown bird with a brownhead is perched on a wire fence. It fluffs feathers, swelling in size, and hops to one side.
media.tenor.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:31 PM
This is the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), native to North America. And it runs a PROTECTION SCHEME.
It's 'connected', see, A Wise Guy, an Avian Cosa Nostra, a Made Bird. "Nice nest here, be a shame if something happened to it."
Let's talk about the MAFIA HYPOTHESIS & brood parasitism.
It's 'connected', see, A Wise Guy, an Avian Cosa Nostra, a Made Bird. "Nice nest here, be a shame if something happened to it."
Let's talk about the MAFIA HYPOTHESIS & brood parasitism.
I just finished The Starving Saints by @caitlinstarling.com. Wow! 🤯 What a strange, beautiful novel that somehow manages to be both stomach churning and intoxicating.
September 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I just finished The Starving Saints by @caitlinstarling.com. Wow! 🤯 What a strange, beautiful novel that somehow manages to be both stomach churning and intoxicating.
Starts today! I'm always amazed at the quality of programming given this accessible, all-online conference for writers and creators of speculative fiction is FREE.
Just a few sessions I'm 👀 today:
Publishing Contracts
Sinners film discussion
Spec Biology
New Gender
Gothic
LET'S GOOOOOOO ...
Just a few sessions I'm 👀 today:
Publishing Contracts
Sinners film discussion
Spec Biology
New Gender
Gothic
LET'S GOOOOOOO ...
ICYMI
We have FOUR Guests of Honours this year for Flights of Foundry. Can you name them? 👀
We have FOUR Guests of Honours this year for Flights of Foundry. Can you name them? 👀
September 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Starts today! I'm always amazed at the quality of programming given this accessible, all-online conference for writers and creators of speculative fiction is FREE.
Just a few sessions I'm 👀 today:
Publishing Contracts
Sinners film discussion
Spec Biology
New Gender
Gothic
LET'S GOOOOOOO ...
Just a few sessions I'm 👀 today:
Publishing Contracts
Sinners film discussion
Spec Biology
New Gender
Gothic
LET'S GOOOOOOO ...
Happy to announce that my poem "Perish and Live Forever," which first appeared in MEXICANS ON THE MOON, has just won the @sfpoetry.bsky.social 's Dwarf Star Award for poetry. This award is for best micro poem of 10 lines or less. Many thanks to members who voted. It is a big honor. Much love!
September 24, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I'm the mother of two teenage daughters, so this story hits home. And that ending? 💀
I see you @jenniferhudak.bsky.social !
smallwondersmag.com/piece/echo-s...
I see you @jenniferhudak.bsky.social !
smallwondersmag.com/piece/echo-s...
Echo Syndrome - Small Wonders
When my daughter climbs in the car, there’s three of her. They shouldn’t all fit in the passenger seat, but they overlap each other to save space.
smallwondersmag.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I'm the mother of two teenage daughters, so this story hits home. And that ending? 💀
I see you @jenniferhudak.bsky.social !
smallwondersmag.com/piece/echo-s...
I see you @jenniferhudak.bsky.social !
smallwondersmag.com/piece/echo-s...