X Avila (they/them)

Collage of Judith Slaying Holofernes in background with pearls, jewels, nails, gem hearts, stars, and heels kicking up in silhouette.

The collage cover of our Cunty Horrors zine issue, created by @pg13andabsurd.bsky.social and (to a lesser extent) me. This zine features two essays on cunty horror by Carrie-Edmund Laben and C.E. O’Cónaing. Coming soon!

YouTube video by Blumhouse Grave Seasons Nintendo Switch Trailer | Blumhouse Games

We got a sneak peek of Grave Seasons during Nintendo's Indie World! Big news: we're launching this Summer!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbZw...

Cats when you take them to the vet because they've refused food for literal days

Featuring these four excellent pieces:
“Escalation Was Discussed” by D.J. Tuskmoor
“Amulet of Torment - Does It Have A Place in Your Grindset?” by Alex. K. Masse
“Growth Mindset” by Xochilt Avila
“Seven Sales Lessons of the Leopard Slug” by D. Matthew Urban

Holy shit you absolutely killed it with this cover!!

A collage of shaking hands, a graph going up, money raining down, and fire consuming a city skyline. The middle text reads "Batshit LockedIn Posts."

Did I mention that the upcoming zine bundle will have fun collage covers (plus one illustrated cover by a rad artist)? Here's one I made for Batshit LockedIn Posts with help from @pg13andabsurd.bsky.social. I changed LinkedIn to LockedIn to avoid any legal issues, but LockedIn still has a nice ring!

I hope all my wonderful friends who made it to Authorcon this year enjoyed sharing community and got home safely 💜💜💜

*saying affirmations in the mirror* I am a big horse. I am a beautiful horse with powerful legs. I am fifteen hands tall. No one can catch me because of my powerful horse legs and wild nature. I have all the apples I want

Immediately after getting my father in law into assisted living ALL of our cats are suddenly not eating and I pulled a muscle on my back. Life is not being kind.

Man, I REALLY enjoyed the latest Poppy Playtime chapter. Absolutely unsettling, heartbreaking, and visually stunning. I really enjoyed the lore in this one. So much fun.

Thank you!! And oh my god it was amazing. Dreaming about her still.

Thank you!! 😭 This has been such a fucking journey and the victories are pushing me through.

A Sesame seed bun burger, basket of fries and a side salad on a metal tray with silverware and ketchup. A diet coke and La Croix on the table. This burger gives off the vibe of those overpriced hipster joints and to be fair I wouldn't necessarily disagree with that but it was really delicious.

This burger fixed something in me.

Also, hey friends, hope you're all doing as okay as life allows. Life is still hard, but my in laws are nearly moved into their new place. Things are slowly looking better. I even got my first acceptance of the year 💜

CHM is a small team of dedicated weird fiction fans with a passion for short stories. Print or digital subscriptions available here: https://bit.ly/3WmVbRP

Submission Calls OPEN Zine call (January 28th through February 14th) Zine PromptsFor this zine bundle, I’m looking for written pieces about these five prompts: -Cunty Horrors (cunty horror microfiction and mi…

Submissions for our zine call have been a little slow, so I've extended the call to February 14th. Check out our themes and guidelines here:
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...

I woke up still tired and frustrated, but I had the realization I might as well hype myself and my husband up crazy style. Were doing amazing. Our meat is huge.

Realistically, I know this will get easier. It's harsh to feel solace in that. Well meaning people in my life tell me I'm so *strong* 🤣 oh no, I'm breaking in a way that will take months to repair. I have eczema rashes that might be there for years.

I try not to vent my personal experiences here, but I just want people to know I love writing. I want to be doing it, and I will be soon. Right now, I'm just trying to survive.

Dealing with elder care for my in-laws has been one of the most soul sucking experiences I have ever had. My misery and exhaustion are so deep I feel it in my gut. As much as I want to be writing I realistically won't be for at least another month.

did you see that @sentencebender.bsky.social picked @xavilawrites.bsky.social’s story ‘A Tall Glass of Water’ as a best of 2025

bsky.app/profile/sent...

I called Maryland Legal Aid this morning & they do not provide services for administrative hearings w the MVA. So I am still looking for a lawyer willing to represent a disabled person before the MVA. I have like $30 to my name so pro bono or willing to work out a plan of some sort. Needed by 1/28.

Hey everyone! We've extended our preorder offer! You can now enter the giveaway until Fri 13th March 😱! Post your order confirmation or email it to encounterswithcryptids@gmail.com for a chance to win 1 of 5 paperbacks!

Fifteen monstrous tales. Out Friday 13th March! 👻 www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4BLN1GR

Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.

Good morning to everyone but especially our friends in Minnesota bravely organizing a general strike & protest in -20F weather.

In their honor, no wishlist posting today. Please check out standwithminnesota.com for ways to help them! 💕

Thank you friend 😭 we are NO where newe that point yet but!! It's coming!!

🛸🛸🛸 HEADS UP!🛸🛸🛸

🛸🛸I’m closing submissions on Sunday January 25 at 11:59pm eastern. Late submissions, even by a minute, are deleted unread

🛸🛸But I’ll be open again soon, possibly with new guidelines! please stay tuned

🛸🛸meantime, send me those stories!

HOWEVER and this is important to understand I am 🤌fucking tired

Hey what's up I'm still in the crisis but things are steadily getting better

FJIDJWJDJDJD NOOO

I'm in the middle of a family crisis, so this was such a welcoming thing to see. I'm so glad you enjoyed!

2026 Fiction Submissions Strange Horizons January 19 to 21

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...