X-R-A-Y
@xraylitmag.bsky.social
the best writers on earth
www.xraylitmag.com
www.xraylitmag.com
Reposted by X-R-A-Y
Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun, it shines everywhere.
September 18, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun, it shines everywhere.
i love this essay by Ginger Jones !
it’s about a heartbroken woman who starts working at a New Mexico ranch after a man leaves her, out of fear.
great setting ! great sentences ! elegant & gritty & emotional
xraylitmag.com/i-will-make-...
it’s about a heartbroken woman who starts working at a New Mexico ranch after a man leaves her, out of fear.
great setting ! great sentences ! elegant & gritty & emotional
xraylitmag.com/i-will-make-...
I Will Make My Body a Scar by Ginger Jones
All of my departures have introduced me to new versions of myself but I’m beginning to resent the idea that there is still so much left to become. I am hoping crossing borders will show me what love h...
xraylitmag.com
September 18, 2026 at 12:28 PM
i love this essay by Ginger Jones !
it’s about a heartbroken woman who starts working at a New Mexico ranch after a man leaves her, out of fear.
great setting ! great sentences ! elegant & gritty & emotional
xraylitmag.com/i-will-make-...
it’s about a heartbroken woman who starts working at a New Mexico ranch after a man leaves her, out of fear.
great setting ! great sentences ! elegant & gritty & emotional
xraylitmag.com/i-will-make-...
read this story by Alex Rost !
it's about a dad & a fridge -- i don't wanna give away the funny premise
"...he flashes the grin he saves special for when he’s fucking someone over. The salesman smiles back and it’s the same kind of smile."
xraylitmag.com/the-dad-and-...
it's about a dad & a fridge -- i don't wanna give away the funny premise
"...he flashes the grin he saves special for when he’s fucking someone over. The salesman smiles back and it’s the same kind of smile."
xraylitmag.com/the-dad-and-...
The Dad and The Fridge by Alex Rost
The dad is test driving a truck from a used car dealership in order to pick up a refrigerator he found on Craigslist. He tells the salesman, “I need to show it to my wife,” and takes the keys and revs...
xraylitmag.com
September 17, 2026 at 12:08 PM
read this story by Alex Rost !
it's about a dad & a fridge -- i don't wanna give away the funny premise
"...he flashes the grin he saves special for when he’s fucking someone over. The salesman smiles back and it’s the same kind of smile."
xraylitmag.com/the-dad-and-...
it's about a dad & a fridge -- i don't wanna give away the funny premise
"...he flashes the grin he saves special for when he’s fucking someone over. The salesman smiles back and it’s the same kind of smile."
xraylitmag.com/the-dad-and-...
we have a story by Bogdan Dudzik !
it's about two strangers talking in a bar, & a dead body.
our wonderful editor Joshua Hebburn says: ‘i really enjoyed what these two men achieved with one another through what felt like an actual bar conversation”
xraylitmag.com/flanagans-ta...
it's about two strangers talking in a bar, & a dead body.
our wonderful editor Joshua Hebburn says: ‘i really enjoyed what these two men achieved with one another through what felt like an actual bar conversation”
xraylitmag.com/flanagans-ta...
Flanagan's Tavern by Bogdan Dudzik
The barmaid at Flanagan’s saw George come in and headed to meet him at his regular table. “How was your day, George?” she asked. “It was good, thank you. How was yours, Tammy?” “Mine too. You remember...
xraylitmag.com
September 16, 2026 at 12:16 PM
we have a story by Bogdan Dudzik !
it's about two strangers talking in a bar, & a dead body.
our wonderful editor Joshua Hebburn says: ‘i really enjoyed what these two men achieved with one another through what felt like an actual bar conversation”
xraylitmag.com/flanagans-ta...
it's about two strangers talking in a bar, & a dead body.
our wonderful editor Joshua Hebburn says: ‘i really enjoyed what these two men achieved with one another through what felt like an actual bar conversation”
xraylitmag.com/flanagans-ta...
we have a list of recommended books by Andrew Farkas @andrew-farkas.bsky.social !
the theme is works of fiction that use cinema as part of their style or subject matter
featuring books by David Leo Rice @raviddice.bsky.social
& Brandi Homan
xraylitmag.com/andrew-farka...
the theme is works of fiction that use cinema as part of their style or subject matter
featuring books by David Leo Rice @raviddice.bsky.social
& Brandi Homan
xraylitmag.com/andrew-farka...
Andrew Farkas Recommends
My cinematic education started pretty early. My mom introduced me to Humphrey Bogart films and my dad to the Marx Brothers and Elvira’s Movie Macabre all before I was a teenager. Later, I would attend...
xraylitmag.com
September 15, 2026 at 12:25 PM
we have a list of recommended books by Andrew Farkas @andrew-farkas.bsky.social !
the theme is works of fiction that use cinema as part of their style or subject matter
featuring books by David Leo Rice @raviddice.bsky.social
& Brandi Homan
xraylitmag.com/andrew-farka...
the theme is works of fiction that use cinema as part of their style or subject matter
featuring books by David Leo Rice @raviddice.bsky.social
& Brandi Homan
xraylitmag.com/andrew-farka...
we have a story by Wayne McMahon !
a plastic factory changes its formula, & all the local deer turn horny & violent – meanwhile, the Tombstone obsessed factory owner keeps shooting his employees.
it's American literature, baby !
xraylitmag.com/westerntown-...
a plastic factory changes its formula, & all the local deer turn horny & violent – meanwhile, the Tombstone obsessed factory owner keeps shooting his employees.
it's American literature, baby !
xraylitmag.com/westerntown-...
Westerntown by Wayne McMahon
1. About a week before the deer trouble starts, the mayor of Westerntown is sitting with his wife in a swinging loveseat on their patio, and their three kids, the two boys, who are four and six, and t...
xraylitmag.com
September 14, 2026 at 12:25 PM
we have a story by Wayne McMahon !
a plastic factory changes its formula, & all the local deer turn horny & violent – meanwhile, the Tombstone obsessed factory owner keeps shooting his employees.
it's American literature, baby !
xraylitmag.com/westerntown-...
a plastic factory changes its formula, & all the local deer turn horny & violent – meanwhile, the Tombstone obsessed factory owner keeps shooting his employees.
it's American literature, baby !
xraylitmag.com/westerntown-...
Reposted by X-R-A-Y
𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞?
You’ll have more in common with great writers on the come up than you will with Mega-Selling Authors.
New 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐐&𝐀 with Lizzie Challen Hubbard, author of “Fear Theory” in X-R-A-Y Lit…
@xraylitmag.bsky.social @desperatelit.bsky.social @streetcakemag.bsky.social #booksky
You’ll have more in common with great writers on the come up than you will with Mega-Selling Authors.
New 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐐&𝐀 with Lizzie Challen Hubbard, author of “Fear Theory” in X-R-A-Y Lit…
@xraylitmag.bsky.social @desperatelit.bsky.social @streetcakemag.bsky.social #booksky
Shoutout Q&A with Lizzie Challen Hubbard
Author of “Fear Theory” in X-R-A-Y Magazine
freilly2020.substack.com
September 11, 2026 at 3:16 PM
𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞?
You’ll have more in common with great writers on the come up than you will with Mega-Selling Authors.
New 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐐&𝐀 with Lizzie Challen Hubbard, author of “Fear Theory” in X-R-A-Y Lit…
@xraylitmag.bsky.social @desperatelit.bsky.social @streetcakemag.bsky.social #booksky
You’ll have more in common with great writers on the come up than you will with Mega-Selling Authors.
New 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐐&𝐀 with Lizzie Challen Hubbard, author of “Fear Theory” in X-R-A-Y Lit…
@xraylitmag.bsky.social @desperatelit.bsky.social @streetcakemag.bsky.social #booksky
Reposted by X-R-A-Y
My book baby’s publication date is today!
So proud of these stories featuring former sitcom stars, haunted widowers, & heroic stepdads.
Available anywhere you purchase books. I do hope you’ll consider picking up a copy.
(Link to order from the fabulous @unsolicitedpress.bsky.social below!)
So proud of these stories featuring former sitcom stars, haunted widowers, & heroic stepdads.
Available anywhere you purchase books. I do hope you’ll consider picking up a copy.
(Link to order from the fabulous @unsolicitedpress.bsky.social below!)
August 25, 2026 at 4:26 PM
My book baby’s publication date is today!
So proud of these stories featuring former sitcom stars, haunted widowers, & heroic stepdads.
Available anywhere you purchase books. I do hope you’ll consider picking up a copy.
(Link to order from the fabulous @unsolicitedpress.bsky.social below!)
So proud of these stories featuring former sitcom stars, haunted widowers, & heroic stepdads.
Available anywhere you purchase books. I do hope you’ll consider picking up a copy.
(Link to order from the fabulous @unsolicitedpress.bsky.social below!)
Reposted by X-R-A-Y
Thank you so much to @turnandwork.com for featuring my story in @xraylitmag.bsky.social! You can find it here: xraylitmag.com/origin-story...
September 4, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Thank you so much to @turnandwork.com for featuring my story in @xraylitmag.bsky.social! You can find it here: xraylitmag.com/origin-story...
this story by Brittany Menjivar is a killer ! been thinking about it all week
it's about a young woman who has built her identity around beauty & luck, but discovers that she's trapped by the same thing she’s trying to exploit.
a must read !
xraylitmag.com/slots-by-bri...
it's about a young woman who has built her identity around beauty & luck, but discovers that she's trapped by the same thing she’s trying to exploit.
a must read !
xraylitmag.com/slots-by-bri...
Slots by Brittany Menjivar
“How’s your night going?” the man asked. Mary looked into his eyes—his deep brown eyes, beautiful by all objective standards—and knew they were the eyes of a liar. He didn’t mean “Having a good night...
xraylitmag.com
September 4, 2026 at 12:29 PM
this story by Brittany Menjivar is a killer ! been thinking about it all week
it's about a young woman who has built her identity around beauty & luck, but discovers that she's trapped by the same thing she’s trying to exploit.
a must read !
xraylitmag.com/slots-by-bri...
it's about a young woman who has built her identity around beauty & luck, but discovers that she's trapped by the same thing she’s trying to exploit.
a must read !
xraylitmag.com/slots-by-bri...
we have a comic by Michael Seymour Blake !
it's a very powerful, well-drawn portrayal of a teenager living with OCD, who stays up all night arranging things in his room.
don't miss this one ! super good
xraylitmag.com/torturous-tr...
it's a very powerful, well-drawn portrayal of a teenager living with OCD, who stays up all night arranging things in his room.
don't miss this one ! super good
xraylitmag.com/torturous-tr...
Torturous Trials by Michael Seymour Blake
Michael Seymour Blake is just some person with a nice butt in Queens, NY.
xraylitmag.com
September 3, 2026 at 12:10 PM
we have a comic by Michael Seymour Blake !
it's a very powerful, well-drawn portrayal of a teenager living with OCD, who stays up all night arranging things in his room.
don't miss this one ! super good
xraylitmag.com/torturous-tr...
it's a very powerful, well-drawn portrayal of a teenager living with OCD, who stays up all night arranging things in his room.
don't miss this one ! super good
xraylitmag.com/torturous-tr...
read this story by Christine Sneed !
it’s about a group of ghosts who live in a closet in a house, watching the living residents as they move in & out. but now the house is going to be torn down…
a very beautiful & interesting story <3 check it out
xraylitmag.com/it-has-come-...
it’s about a group of ghosts who live in a closet in a house, watching the living residents as they move in & out. but now the house is going to be torn down…
a very beautiful & interesting story <3 check it out
xraylitmag.com/it-has-come-...
It Has Come To Our Attention by Christine Sneed
For many years, so many we have lost count, a Stairmaster has occupied this room, an unsightly apparatus left to gather dust after a (short-lived) period of committed use, its panels and planks fading...
xraylitmag.com
September 2, 2026 at 12:14 PM
read this story by Christine Sneed !
it’s about a group of ghosts who live in a closet in a house, watching the living residents as they move in & out. but now the house is going to be torn down…
a very beautiful & interesting story <3 check it out
xraylitmag.com/it-has-come-...
it’s about a group of ghosts who live in a closet in a house, watching the living residents as they move in & out. but now the house is going to be torn down…
a very beautiful & interesting story <3 check it out
xraylitmag.com/it-has-come-...
we have an interview with Drew Buxton about his new book 'Daytona Teddy Riggs' !
Matthew Binder talks with Buxton about Texas, OCD, & strongman competitions
read the interview & then read the book !
xraylitmag.com/daytona-tedd...
Matthew Binder talks with Buxton about Texas, OCD, & strongman competitions
read the interview & then read the book !
xraylitmag.com/daytona-tedd...
Daytona Teddy Riggs: Drew Buxton interviewed by Matthew Binder
Every spring, the inimitable Sam Berman gathers the finest writers in the land, and me, for the StoryFort Festival in Boise, Idaho. One of the writers who made the strongest impression on me at the 20...
xraylitmag.com
September 1, 2026 at 12:37 PM
we have an interview with Drew Buxton about his new book 'Daytona Teddy Riggs' !
Matthew Binder talks with Buxton about Texas, OCD, & strongman competitions
read the interview & then read the book !
xraylitmag.com/daytona-tedd...
Matthew Binder talks with Buxton about Texas, OCD, & strongman competitions
read the interview & then read the book !
xraylitmag.com/daytona-tedd...
Reposted by X-R-A-Y
Poking around XRAY again prior to new submission window, and here to agree this is indeed very entertaining! (esp when you didn't know there was a stampede of rats coming)
we have a story by Lizzie Challen Hubbard ! it's about a woman who becomes obsessed with how fear causes couples to cling to each other.
she starts scaring her dates to prompt a love connection
v entertaining story ! it's got a stampede of rats
xraylitmag.com/fear-theory-...
she starts scaring her dates to prompt a love connection
v entertaining story ! it's got a stampede of rats
xraylitmag.com/fear-theory-...
FEAR THEORY by Lizzie Challen Hubbard
Everything I know about love I learnt working weekend shifts on the Ghost Train. It was a sweet gig for a 15 year-old — sitting in the mucky perspex booth, trading tokens for screams. We opened after ...
xraylitmag.com
September 1, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Poking around XRAY again prior to new submission window, and here to agree this is indeed very entertaining! (esp when you didn't know there was a stampede of rats coming)
this story by Theo Thimo is so good !
it’s about a person at an NYC rooftop poetry reading who can’t stop thinking about getting a text from a girl: “How I just oh so badly need this text to do something to me.”
funny & beautiful prose <3
xraylitmag.com/how-babby-is...
it’s about a person at an NYC rooftop poetry reading who can’t stop thinking about getting a text from a girl: “How I just oh so badly need this text to do something to me.”
funny & beautiful prose <3
xraylitmag.com/how-babby-is...
How Babby Is Formed by Theo Thimo
I was actually at the thing nobody wanted to be at.Taking pics with Asher there like I needed somebody to know. As if my dealer were the whole globe to me reading her poems like it was just me there o...
xraylitmag.com
August 31, 2026 at 12:36 PM
this story by Theo Thimo is so good !
it’s about a person at an NYC rooftop poetry reading who can’t stop thinking about getting a text from a girl: “How I just oh so badly need this text to do something to me.”
funny & beautiful prose <3
xraylitmag.com/how-babby-is...
it’s about a person at an NYC rooftop poetry reading who can’t stop thinking about getting a text from a girl: “How I just oh so badly need this text to do something to me.”
funny & beautiful prose <3
xraylitmag.com/how-babby-is...
August 30, 2026 at 5:07 PM
in case u missed it ! this melancholy bullet by Mike Guajardo-Bennet @mguajardowrites.bsky.social is so beautiful & real <3
give it a read !
give it a read !
we have a 50 word micro by Mike Guajardo-Bennett @mguajardowrites.bsky.social !
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
xraylitmag.com
August 21, 2026 at 10:41 AM
in case u missed it ! this melancholy bullet by Mike Guajardo-Bennet @mguajardowrites.bsky.social is so beautiful & real <3
give it a read !
give it a read !
Reposted by X-R-A-Y
Reposted by X-R-A-Y
I have a new short story up today @xraylitmag.bsky.social! So excited and honored to have them publish this story!
Origin Story by Charlie Beckerman
Your mother found the place on the website that back then seemed so novel and now is considered low-key evil. “It’s on the second floor,” she’d said. “They say there’s no elevator but that shouldn’t b...
xraylitmag.com
August 20, 2026 at 12:35 PM
I have a new short story up today @xraylitmag.bsky.social! So excited and honored to have them publish this story!
we have a story by Charlie Beckerman !
it's about a person who moves to Brighton & discovers that their new place used to be a home for unwed mothers.
the last two paragraphs are especially beautiful <3
xraylitmag.com/origin-story...
it's about a person who moves to Brighton & discovers that their new place used to be a home for unwed mothers.
the last two paragraphs are especially beautiful <3
xraylitmag.com/origin-story...
Origin Story by Charlie Beckerman
Your mother found the place on the website that back then seemed so novel and now is considered low-key evil. “It’s on the second floor,” she’d said. “They say there’s no elevator but that shouldn’t b...
xraylitmag.com
August 20, 2026 at 12:29 PM
we have a story by Charlie Beckerman !
it's about a person who moves to Brighton & discovers that their new place used to be a home for unwed mothers.
the last two paragraphs are especially beautiful <3
xraylitmag.com/origin-story...
it's about a person who moves to Brighton & discovers that their new place used to be a home for unwed mothers.
the last two paragraphs are especially beautiful <3
xraylitmag.com/origin-story...
we have a story by Samantha Hund @SM_Hund !
it's about a woman who has never screamed for most of her life, until something breaks through that teaches her what a scream really is: "Exquisite Pain."
a good story about screaming in your parked car
xraylitmag.com/the-screamin...
it's about a woman who has never screamed for most of her life, until something breaks through that teaches her what a scream really is: "Exquisite Pain."
a good story about screaming in your parked car
xraylitmag.com/the-screamin...
The Screaming Place by Samantha Hund
I always thought I lacked something, a fundamental muscle or chord. While other children shrieked in delight, in terror, in exhaustion, I remained mute and unblinking. At five years old, I was questi...
xraylitmag.com
August 18, 2026 at 11:51 AM
we have a story by Samantha Hund @SM_Hund !
it's about a woman who has never screamed for most of her life, until something breaks through that teaches her what a scream really is: "Exquisite Pain."
a good story about screaming in your parked car
xraylitmag.com/the-screamin...
it's about a woman who has never screamed for most of her life, until something breaks through that teaches her what a scream really is: "Exquisite Pain."
a good story about screaming in your parked car
xraylitmag.com/the-screamin...
we have a story by Kate Xu !
it's about a character who cold calls ppl all day for a shady unlicensed real estate company, until their job is threatened by the latest AI electronic voice package.
lots of great sentences & details !
xraylitmag.com/american-spi...
it's about a character who cold calls ppl all day for a shady unlicensed real estate company, until their job is threatened by the latest AI electronic voice package.
lots of great sentences & details !
xraylitmag.com/american-spi...
American Spirit by Kate Xu
I despise smokers. With their receding gums and teeth like overripe bananas going black with spots. Never cheap out on anything that separates you from the ground: shoes, mattresses, and your teeth. O...
xraylitmag.com
August 14, 2026 at 12:21 PM
we have a story by Kate Xu !
it's about a character who cold calls ppl all day for a shady unlicensed real estate company, until their job is threatened by the latest AI electronic voice package.
lots of great sentences & details !
xraylitmag.com/american-spi...
it's about a character who cold calls ppl all day for a shady unlicensed real estate company, until their job is threatened by the latest AI electronic voice package.
lots of great sentences & details !
xraylitmag.com/american-spi...
hi ! namecheap, our hosting domain, went down. our site was down for most of the day, but now it's back.
read today’s story if u didn’t get a chance ! another day we’ll promote mike’s wonderful story again, since technology got in the way.
thank u for reading !
read today’s story if u didn’t get a chance ! another day we’ll promote mike’s wonderful story again, since technology got in the way.
thank u for reading !
we have a 50 word micro by Mike Guajardo-Bennett @mguajardowrites.bsky.social !
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
xraylitmag.com
August 13, 2026 at 11:14 PM
hi ! namecheap, our hosting domain, went down. our site was down for most of the day, but now it's back.
read today’s story if u didn’t get a chance ! another day we’ll promote mike’s wonderful story again, since technology got in the way.
thank u for reading !
read today’s story if u didn’t get a chance ! another day we’ll promote mike’s wonderful story again, since technology got in the way.
thank u for reading !
Reposted by X-R-A-Y
i have a new micro out at @xraylitmag.bsky.social !!
we have a 50 word micro by Mike Guajardo-Bennett @mguajardowrites.bsky.social !
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
xraylitmag.com
August 13, 2026 at 12:51 PM
i have a new micro out at @xraylitmag.bsky.social !!
we have a 50 word micro by Mike Guajardo-Bennett @mguajardowrites.bsky.social !
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
xraylitmag.com
August 13, 2026 at 12:34 PM
we have a 50 word micro by Mike Guajardo-Bennett @mguajardowrites.bsky.social !
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...
in three sentences, the author describes a feeling so infectiously that you'll feel it too
here's to sleepless, lovelorn nights on planet Earth
xraylitmag.com/night-by-mik...