AJ Wentz
@ajwentz.com
Writer of speculative poetry and prose | not hip, cool, or with it | words in Lightspeed, Modern Haiku, Dreams & Nightmares, and elsewhere | co-chair for the 2026 Rhysling Awards | member of SFPA and Haiku Society of America | ajwentz.com
Hamlet with lions? Great. Romeo and Juliet with lions?? Excellent. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead with lions??? Transcendant. Why are we getting shot-for-shot live action remakes when we could be getting more Shakespeare with lions?
AJ Wentz@ajwentz.com · 4d agoWhy did The Lion King stop after three movies? Where is A Midsummer Night's Dream with lions? Much Ado About Nothing with lions? The Tempest with lions? They could have kept this going.
Why did The Lion King stop after three movies? Where is A Midsummer Night's Dream with lions? Much Ado About Nothing with lions? The Tempest with lions? They could have kept this going.
Two tables down at my morning cafe, two people are meeting to do the morning crossword together. I love them.
The poetry Hugo is a go! At least until 2029, as there's a policy of re-ratifying new categories three years later. Thank you to @hollylynwalrath.bsky.social, @bugthewriter.bsky.social, @therisingtithes.bsky.social, and everybody else who made this happen!
I forgive my enemies in my dreams #DailySenryu
It’s true, I’ve fallen victim to cool hair danger on several occasions.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission@cpsc.gov · 2w agoDo not be fooled by danger just because it has cool hair. That's a top 5 way of being fooled by danger.
"In a fractured age, when cynicism is god, here is a possible heresy: we live by stories, we also live in them. One way or another we are living the stories planted in us early or along the way, we are also living the stories we planted - knowingly or unknowingly - in ourselves." - Ben Okri
This is the ideal Homeric body. You may not like it, but this is what epic poetry looks like
For some reason, I thought a plum was a good snack to eat on the way to work. I am now covered in plum juice. This is fine.
It’s been ~10 years since I’ve done any website coding,* but this Squarespace price hike might get me back into it. *very small projects, nothing fancy
The Ghost and the Darkness, at a friend’s house when we were in ~5th grade.
Patrick Klepek@patrickklepek.bsky.social · 3w agoDo you remember what *your* first R-rated movie was? I finally asked my mom (I couldn't remember), and she told me it was The Lost Boys when I was roughly the same age as my daughter (about 9). The movie traumatized her more than it did me, apparently
How am I supposed to eat the plums that were in the icebox under these conditions?
Cringe is the death of the self. Free yourself from cringe and let yourself have a good time dping whatever weird or silly little thing you want (as long as it doesn't hurt or violate the consent of others).
essencesimmone.blacksky.app@essencesimmone.blacksky.app · 10mo agoThose who are 35+, what advice do you have for people just entering their 30s?
If twenty years of sighing editors can't get me to stop using so many em-dashes, I'm sure as shit not stopping for the plagiarism machine.
How long does it take to emerge as a writer? From what are we emerging? It’s dark in here, and I’m starting to feel stuck.
Only Human’s inbox was filled with some truly great poetry during last month’s submission window, and we’re still discussing our selections for the upcoming issue.
Only Human: A Senryu Journal@onlyhumansenryu.bsky.social · 3w agoWe are blown away by the wonderful poems that have come our way this window. The team’s goal was to send out responses by today, but we received so many subs that we are still making final decisions. Thanks to everyone who has checked in on their submission. We hope to get responses out next week.
I cannot be mad at people for what they said to me in a dream. I cannot be mad at people for what they said to me in a dream. I cannot be mad at people for what they said to me in a dream. I cannot—
My rake gathers the usual—algaeic clumps of desire, matted threads of faerie song—before catching on something. I free it from the silty dregs of fairy wine and find a round, silver seedpod that rattles in my shaking hands. A sweet, floral smell fills my mind, and I tuck the pod into my bag.
Tales & Feathers Magazine@talesfeathers.bsky.social · 4w agoFiltration systems are good, but no mortal filter can handle debris that washes down the river from Faerie. The fae detritus follows the current to gather in a lake, where you dredge it by hand before anything slips downstream. What do you pull from the water today? #TinyTalesTuesday #WritingPrompt
The latest distinct experience I’m peddling: Sky Daddy by Kate Folk. If you’re looking for a bizarre story that will punch you in the feels, this is it.
AJ Wentz@ajwentz.com · 2mo agoA friend just said to me, "Every time I read a book you recommended, I have a distinct experience," and I'm going to need that on my tombstone.
Home and very pleased with the treasures I found.
AJ Wentz@ajwentz.com · 4w agoBrought a box of books to a used bookstore today, and not only did they take all of the books, they were excited about them. I also found some absolute gems to bring home. I have received a good grade in used bookstores, a thing that is both reasonable to want and possible to achieve.
Brought a box of books to a used bookstore today, and not only did they take all of the books, they were excited about them. I also found some absolute gems to bring home. I have received a good grade in used bookstores, a thing that is both reasonable to want and possible to achieve.
