J. Ashley-Smith

@spooktapes.bsky.social

501 Followers 247 Following

Author of dark fiction. Shirley Jackson Award winner. Co-host of the Let The Cat In podcast. Also: father, insomniac, moth dust gatherer. he/him. spooktapes.net

David Lynch on set, directing the actors to "try that again, but this time good."
A bit fat super-plump puffy white fungus
J. Ashley-Smith, smiling, holding a turtle.
Poster for upcoming event: The Horror of Care. Text reads: "Readings and music with Aaron Dries, Ben O'Mara, Kaaron Warren, Joseph Ashley-Smith, and Jenny Sawer. 6.30pm, 18 Feb 2026, at Gang Gang Cafe
J. Ashley-Smith holds up a copy of Kathe Koja's new novel Dark Matter.
Scene from Twin Peaks - The Return. An enormous black kettle spewing steam, and the numbers 4, 8, 5, 5 and 1.
A five thousand year old megalith poses beside author J. Ashley-Smith (who is almost as old).
Mary Gaitskill quote: "I would sometimes get five rejection letters in my mailbox at once. The main thing editors would write was that the characters were too hapless, and it was all too depressing."
Street mural of a magpie speaking with an old lady with green skin who may or may not be a witch (she has a pointy nose)
Playwright Václav Havel
Google telling me that 'Help is available' and sharing the number of Lifeline Australia.
Two puffball-like fungi, one of which has exploded.
Sand sculpture of a naked man with his head covered in sand.
Superfine on stage at the Hallamshire Hotel, circa 1995. Steve Pih and Mal Skene on Guitar. J. Ashley-Smith on bass guitar.
J. Ashley-Smith with father and two sons in the Australian bush.
Vangelis recording the Blade Runner soundtrack.
Meerkat Press Halloween Sale – All books 20% off with code HR23SCARE. meerkat-press-shop.fourthwall.com
Deer skull in foreground and converted train carriage in the background, Australian bush.
Cover of The Measure Of Sorrow by J. Ashley-Smith
Blue bowl of Japanese beef and potato stew. Chopsticks and a bottle of Sapporo.
Screenshot of an email with the text "Dear Madam/Sir, We have been paying attention to you for a period of time..."
A cabinet door slides open. There’s a man in the cabinet.
Sun through clouds. Spider web on tree branch, hung with moisture.