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othersidespec.bsky.social
OTHERSIDE
@othersidespec.bsky.social
2.6K followers 60 following 410 posts
OTHERSIDE is a new quarterly magazine of speculative fiction, poetry, and art by queer writers and artists. Opening for submissions in January 2026!

https://patreon.com/OthersideSpec · https://othersidespec.com
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othersidespec.bsky.social
Reminder, we open to nonfiction and reprint submissions in two weeks! For reprints, we're specifically looking for stories currently unavailable to read online for free! For nonfiction, we're looking for completed pieces, not pitches.

📝Our full guidelines: othersidespec.com/guidelines/
Atop a purple illustrated background, white text reads "Nonfiction: We are looking for personal essays, literary/media criticism, creative nonfiction, and more by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors. At this time, we are only considering full pieces (up to 4,000 words) and cannot consider pitches. Open November 24, 2025. Find all the details at othersidespec.com/guidelines." Atop a purple illustrated background, white text reads "Reprints: We are looking for previously published speculative short fiction (up to 17,500 words by 2SLGBTQIA+ authors. At this time, we are only looking for stories that cannot currently be read online for free. Open November 24, 2025. Find all the details at othersidespec.com/guidelines."
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Our behind the scenes newsletter comes out tomorrow for patrons at the Voyager tier and higher.

In the spirit of haunted and hilarious vibes, here’s a clip of MR learning the xenomorph in Alien: Isolation does not care if you’re in a mini-game!

🎃 www.patreon.com/OthersideSpec
October 31, 2025 at 3:01 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Now that our Kickstarter is over, our co-founders are busy prepping next steps! Backer surveys will go out on November 5th. Thank you again—we're funded for just over TWO YEARS! We’re SO excited for OTHERSIDE’s future 🪐 🗡️

Details on late pledges, community copies, and submissions in thread 🧵
white text on a purple fantastical landscape background. Text says "OTHERSIDE Kickstarter ENDED! THANK YOU!"
October 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
ONE HOUR REMAINS IN OUR KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN! Last chance to grab a subscription + a short story critique from the brilliant Heather Clitheroe! @lectio.bsky.social is an editor and author of fiction in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Fusion Fragment, and elsewhere!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Short story critique by HEATHER CLITHEROE, editor and author of fiction in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Fusion Fragment, Lightspeed, and elsewhere!" Heather is pictured smiling at the camera on the left.
October 29, 2025 at 12:51 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
There's under 24 hours left in our Kickstarter campaign! It's not too late to pick up a subscription AND a short story critique from @carolynzhao.bsky.social! Carolyn is co-editor of WYRMHOLE and author of work in Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, and elsewhere!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Short story critique by CAROLYN ZHAO, co-editor of WYRMHOLE and author of work in Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, and Roxane Gay's The Audacity."
October 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
LESS THAN 24 HOURS LEFT! LAST CHANCE! Get a subscription AND a short story critique from the amazing Jae Steinbacher! @jaesteinbacher.bsky.social is the author of stories published in Lightspeed, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Baffling, and elsewhere!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Short story critique by JAE STEINBACHER, editor and author of stories in Lightspeed, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Baffling, and elsewhere!". Jae is pictured looking away from the camera on the left.
October 28, 2025 at 4:31 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
There are TWO DAYS LEFT in our Kickstarter! If you want a short story critique from Suzan Palumbo + a subscription, now’s the time to back! @sillysyntax.bsky.social is the multi-award-nominated author of SKIN THIEF, COUNTESS, and so much more!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Short story critique by SUZAN PALUMBO, award-nominated author of SKIN THIEF (Neon Hemlock 2023), COUNTESS (ECW Press 2024), and many other stories!". Suzan is pictured looking away from the camera on the left.
October 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
With THREE DAYS LEFT in the Kickstarter, time is running out to grab a 2026 subscription + a query letter critique from the incredible MK Hardy (@mkhardywrites.com), author of sapphic gothic novel horror The Needfire!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Query letter critique by MK HARDY, author of sapphic historical gothic novel THE NEEDFIRE (Solaris Books, 2025)." The author is pictured smiling away from the camera to the left.
October 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Pick up an OTHERSIDE subscription AND snag a query letter crit from Keala Kendall, the bestselling author of How Far I’ll Go, No One Gets Left Behind, and That Which Feeds Us! Huge thanks to @kealakendall.bsky.social for donating her time and expertise!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Query letter critique by KEALA KENDALL, author of HOW FAR I'LL GO (2025) and NO ONE GETS LEFT BEHIND (2026) in Disney's A Twisted Tale series!" Keala is pictured smiling at the camera on the left.
October 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Want feedback on your fiction from Emma Burnett? Get a subscription AND a short story critique from @slashnburnett.bsky.social, author of fantastic short fiction in Apex, Radon, Nature: Futures, Uncharted, and elsewhere!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Live now on Kickstarter! Short story critique by EMMA BURNETT, researcher and author of stories in Apex, Radon, Nature:Futures, Uncharted, and elsewhere!" Emma is pictured smiling with headphones on in a black and white photo.
October 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Getting a query letter right is tricky—it's a totally different skillset! Pick up a subscription AND get a query letter crit from the amazing Tzeyi Koay, author of the forthcoming A CURSE CARVED IN INK. Thank you, @tzeyikoay.bsky.social!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Live now on Kickstarter! Query letter critique by TZEYI KOAY, fantasy writer and author of A CURSE CARVED IN INK (Simon and Schuster 2027)". Tzeyi is pictured smiling and looking down, away from the camera in a stunning headdress on the left.
October 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
We’re so grateful to @aimeeogdenwrites.com for offering a short story critique! Snag a subscription AND get a short story crit from Aimee Ogden, author of the fantastic novella Starstruck with stories in Lightspeed, Clarkesworld, Analog, and elsewhere!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Live now on Kickstarter! Short story critique by AIMEE OGDEN, award nominated author of STARSTRUCK (Psychopomp 2025) with stories in Lightspeed, Clarkesworld, and elsewhere!". Aimee is pictured smiling and looking at the camera on the left.
October 22, 2025 at 6:01 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
The wonderful @sarahgracetuttle.bsky.social has been one of the biggest supporters of OTHERSIDE. Grab a subscription + poetry critique from the award-winning author of Hidden City: Poems of Urban Wildlife... and much, much more!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Live now on Kickstarter! Poetry critique by Sarah Grace Tuttle, award-winning author of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for children and adults!" Sarah is pictured smiling and looking at the camera on the left.
October 21, 2025 at 3:01 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Looking to begin querying soon or want advice on your query letter? M. Stevenson, author of Behooved, is offering a query letter critique! Snag this critique and get a subscription too!

Big thank you to @mstevensonbooks.bsky.social for offering this!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Live now on Kickstarter! Query letter critique by M. Stevenson, author of BEHOOVED (Bramble 2025) with poetry and prose in Small Wonders, PodCastle, Barely South, elsewhere!". M. Stevenson is pictured smiling and looking at the camera on the left.
October 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Query letters can be the worst! Get a subscription + query letter critique from the amazing Sara Omer, author of The Gryphon King, for invaluable query letter insight! Big thank you to @omersarae.bsky.social for offering this!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Live now on Kickstarter! Query letter critique by Sara Omer, author of THE GRYPHON KING (Titan Books 2025) with short fiction in The Dark, PodCastle, Small Wonders, elsewhere!". Sara is pictured smiling and looking up on the left side.
October 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Poets, you can snag a subscription to OTHERSIDE that includes a poetry critique from Angela Acosta! Angela is a professor, poet, and author of collections Summoning Space Travelers, Fourth Generation Chicana Unicorn, and A Belief in Cosmic Dailiness.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
A blurry purple background with white text. It reads "Live now on Kickstarter! Poetry critique by Angela Acosta, scholar and award-nominated author of poetry in Apparition Lit, Radon, Samovar, elsewhere, and multiple collections!" Angela is pictured smiling on the left side.
October 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Looking for feedback on up to 200 lines of poetry? Nico Martinez Nocito is a Rhysling-nominated writer of fiction and poetry in Strange Horizons, Star*Line, Heartlines, and elsewhere! Pick up a subscription + crit from @nicowritesbooks.bsky.social today!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
White text on a blurry purple background. "Live now on Kickstarter! Poetry critique by Nico Martinez Nocito. Rhysling-nominated writer of fiction and poetry in Strange Horizons, Star*Line, Heartlines Spec, and elsewhere!" Nico is pictured to the left.
October 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
YOU DID IT! We hit $15,000 and unlocked a bonus reprint in every issue! Our next stretch goals are all about sustainability and survival: each goal funds a Year 3 issue of OTHERSIDE! We want to keep bringing you fantastic queer art for a long, long time.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
Over a hazy purple background, there's the header "stretch goals." Four goals of $12000 (reprints), $13000 (more art), $14000 (nonfiction), and $15000 (+1 reprints) are now illuminated in rainbow with a picture of an open lock next to them. The remaining goals of $17000 (Issue 9), $19000 (Issue 10), $21000 (Issue 11), and $23000 (Issue 12) show a closed lock.
October 16, 2025 at 9:56 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Want a short story critique from an amazing writer of short stories? Snag a subscription + a short story critique from @nadiaradovich.bsky.social, whose brilliant short fiction has appeared in Strange Horizons, Apex, Flash Fiction Online, and elsewhere!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
White text atop a blurry purple background. "Live now on Kickstarter. Short story critique by Nadia Radovich, author of stories published in Apex, Strange Horizons, Flash Fiction Online, Apparition, and elsewhere!" On the left side is a photo of Nadia.
October 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Get some expert eyes on your query letter and make the querying process less stressful! We're thrilled to offer a critique from @briannahwrites.bsky.social, author of spectacularly described “be gay, do crime” mystery romp ROBBIE MCNEIL’S HIT LIST!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
LIVE NOW ON KICKSTARTER query letter critique by BRIANNA HEATH author of "be gay, do crime" mystery romp ROBBIE MCNEIL'S HIT LIST (Poisoned Pen Press, coming March 2026!) Otherside logo is at the bottom over blurred purple OTHERSIDE website banner art. Brianna's icon is to the left of the text.
October 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Want a poetry critique from the lovely @yarntheory.bsky.social? Ursula Whitcher is a writer, poet, and mathematician published by Neon Hemlock, Analog, Asimov’s, The Deadlands, and elsewhere!

Grab a subscription + poetry critique!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
LIVE NOW ON KICKSTARTER poetry critique by URSULA WHITCHER writer, poet, and mathematician published by Neon Hemlock, Analog, Asimov's, The Deadlands, and elsewhere! Otherside logo is at the bottom over blurred purple OTHERSIDE website banner art. Ursula's icon is to the left of the text.
October 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! You also got to our 300 backer goal, a finale of silliness—for Ash and Val anyway, maybe not for MR. FOR YOU SEE NOW MR MUST PLAY ALIEN: ISOLATION ✨

Catch that on our YouTube channel this Friday @ 4pm Eastern Time! I'm sure it'll be fiiine.

🌈 www.youtube.com/@othersidespec
Info for our Backer Goals! 50, 100, 150, 200, AND 250 Backers are unlocked! All backer goals are in rainbow with an open lock over a blurred version of OTHERSIDE banner art in purple, with a blurred floating fantastical head on the right. Now at the bottom there is a FINAL GOAL: 300 backers - MR plays Alien: Isolation also in rainbow. Instead of an open lock, there is a xenomorph from the Alien franchise.
October 14, 2025 at 4:36 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
YOU DID IIIIT! Now each issue will have one piece of NONFICTION!! We're SO thrilled. Thank you!! Our next stretch goal is +1 reprint per issue.

And beyond that? Stay tuned! Remaining goals will focus on helping us hopefully stick around for a long time.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
Over a hazy purple background, there's the header "stretch goals." Five goals, of $6900, $8300, $9700, $11000, $12000, $13000, and $14000 are now illuminated in rainbow with a picture of an open lock next to them. The remaining goal $15000 (+1 Reprints!) shows a closed lock next to it.
October 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
Interested in a query critique OR a short story critique from @jomiles.bsky.social? We’re deeply grateful to Jo for offering both!

Jo is the author of The Gifted of Brennex trilogy plus short fiction published in Lightspeed, F&SF, Analog, and elsewhere!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
LIVE NOW ON KICKSTARTER short story or query letter critique by JO MILES author of THE GIFTED OF BRENNEX trilogy plus short fiction published in Lightspeed, F&SF, Analog, Fireside, and elsewhere! Logo is at the bottom over blurred purple OTHERSIDE website banner art.
October 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
othersidespec.bsky.social
If you’re interested in a query critique + a subscription, the awesome @wordsofrablack.bsky.social has offered a critique for our Kickstarter!!

Rose is the author of queer fantasy novels Til Death Do Us Bard (2023) and Fated Winds and Promising Seas (2024)!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyb...
Info on Angela Liu's poetry critique! Text says: LIVE NOW ON KICKSTARTER query letter critique by ROSE BLACK author of queer fantasy novels TIL DEATH DO US BARD (2023) and FATED WINDS AND PROMISING SEAS (2024) Otherside logo is at the bottom over blurred purple OTHERSIDE website banner art. Rose's icon is to the left of the text.
October 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM