Akira Ritos (they/them) is a queer Filipino-American and a wannabe-adult. They were previously published in Yours Poetically, WrongDoing Magazine, Marias At Sampaguitas, Yuzu Press, the lickety split, and more. In 2023, they received an AWP Honorable Mention in Creative Nonfiction and their developing debut manuscript was shortlisted for ThirtyWest’s Publishing Chapbook Contest. A 2023 RootsWoundsWords Poetry fellow and a reader for The Los Angeles Review, their work is forthcoming in Beaver Magazine, Hellebore Press, fifthwheel press, and elsewhere. Find them on Instagram @akirasoh and @akirasohspice on Twitter.