I’m a short story writer based in Osaka, Japan. I love exploring the dark edges of fiction, then slowly backing away before things get a bit too dark.

My words have appeared in Sky Island Journal, Elegant Literature, WestWord , Crepuscular and many other journals and magazines.

When not writing, procrastinating, or feeling guilty for procrastinating instead of writing, I spend my time creating escape rooms and performing close-up magic at a weekly theater show.

Hi, I'm Ben Daggers.

Publications

I, Shinigami Sky Island Journal

Murmurs Elegant Literature

Louder than Words Crepuscular

Lost Letters Does It Have Pockets? (forthcoming)

One Piece at a Time Black Hare Press

Washed Away WestWord Prizewinners Anthology

At One with Nature Crepuscular

Advent Weird Christmas

Closing the Loop Fabula Argentea Magazine (forthcoming)

Reporter Notes for the Artisanal Vendor of the Year Contest Egg+Frog

Miracle Blue Beyond the Quill (forthcoming)

A Place in the Skies Intrepidus Ink (forthcoming)

Night Shift Elegant Literature

A Prophecy Which Bears Fruit Foofaraw (forthcoming)

Alette in Lane Six is a Self-Righteous Bitch Foofaraw (forthcoming)

Awards and Accolades

2022 Runner-up, NYCM Flash Fiction

2022 3rd place, Autumn Writing Battle

2023 6th place, NYCM 250 Word Contest

2023 Finalist, WestWord Hermit Crab Prize

2023 Longlist, Globe Soup Horror Contest

2024 Finalist, NYCM Short Story Contest

2024 Finalist, WestWord Micro Contest

2024 Finalist, NYCM Screenplay Contest

2024 Runner-up, Summer Writing Battle

2025 4th place, NYCM Rhyming Story

2025 Longlist, NQW February Contest

2025 Longlist, Flash 500 Contest