NEWS & COMMUNITY - october
A Staff Column by C. Alexander | October 2026
The Atlantic speaks on LITRPG
The Atlantic's Sophia Ngyuen discusses the rise of the LITRPG subgenre through the success of Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl series. "Dinniman has written the breakout hit of litRPG, a sci-fi subgenre that draws on the mechanics of role-playing video games, or RPGs."
Source:https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/09/lit-rpg-dungeon-crawler-carl-dragon-con/688825/
Can*Con is in a Couple of Weeks!
Originally founded in 1991, Can*Con is a long running science fiction, fantasy, and horror literature convention in Ottawa, Canada. Run by an all-volunteer team, Can*Con "supports diverse, emerging and established speculative fiction authors in honing their craft, expanding their professional networks, and accessing tools and resources to further their artistic careers." The 3-day conference is held from Oct 16-18, 2026. Registration links and further details are available at the site below.
Source: https://www.can-con.org/
Bourdain’s Get Jiro Hits Adult Swim & HBO Max
Anthony Bourdain's contributions to the food world are well established. I grew up on shows like No Reservations and Parts Unknown, and I still remember how interesting a read Kitchen Confidential was. The man could write as well as he could cook. But perhaps, a lesser known fact is that he'd made some hefty contributions to the comic book world, too: the graphic novel Get Jiro, along with its sequel, Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi. Now, more than a decade later, an animated iteration is upon us. The show premiers on Adult Swim's Toonami Oct 3rd, and on HBO Max Oct 4th.
Source: https://www.hbomax.com/show/010b0d58-23ce-49e6-b58f-cb575aa8a128
Source: https://ebs.publicnow.com/view/9A3F59BB7864D4267B5AA932B16019C20AE06280?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Literary Magazine of the Month...
F(r)iction
I can't do this one justice with my words here. You'll just have to pick up a copy. If you like what Alchemical is up to, you'll certainly enjoy this magazine, too. From their About page: "Whether it’s traditional literary fiction, speculative fiction, or genre-bending sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, we look for short stories, flash fiction, poetry, essays, creative nonfiction, and short comics that move us to think in new ways and challenge our assumptions about the world." Well said, F(r)iction. Can't wait to read the latest issue!
Source: https://frictionlit.org/
Throwback Recommendation of the Month...
With Get Jiro hitting Adult Swim & HBO Max this month, I think it’s only fitting to mention Bourdain’s three graphic novels: Get Jiro (2013), Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi (2015), and Anthony Bourdain’s Hungry Ghosts (2018). You don't have to be a foodie to enjoy these works (though your tastebuds will be tantalized, I can assure you); they are all rich, satisfying stories paired with incredible art and design. RIP, Tony - you're still missed.
Sources:
https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/get-jiro
https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/get-jiro-blood-and-sushi
https://www.darkhorse.com/books/3000-827/anthony-bourdains-hungry-ghosts-hc/
Featured Contests this Month (all with prize money)
Uncharted Horror Challenge - Deadline: Oct 11
Kurt Vonnegut Speculative Fiction Prize - Deadline: Nov 2
https://northamericanreview.org/kurt-vonnegut-speculative-fiction-prize?utm_source=chatgpt.com
The Fifth Corner Dark Fiction Prize - Deadline: Oct 30
https://thefifthcorner.ca/prizes/
New Releases
China Mieville’s The Rouse
Tor’s new collection: Forged in Fiyah: Celebrating Ten Years of Black Speculative Fiction
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250472236/forgedinfiyah/
Emily St. John Mandel's Exit Party
https://www.emilymandel.com/exit-party
Isabel J. Kim's Sublimination
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250376794/sublimation/
Coming Soon...
October is here! One of our favorite times of year, no doubt. I've personally been waiting for this all summer - here in Charlotte, NC it has been a toasty past few months, and the cool of the Autumn breeze is ever so welcome. Believe me, I don't want to rush this at all. Leaves gathering, temperatures cooling, pumpkin spice coffee a-brewing... oh, and Halloween soon to come? Yes, these are fun times, friends. I hope you'll enjoy them with me.
But, the hands of the clock do tick on, and November will be here before you know it. What does that mean? Well, for one thing, we are one month closer to our first issue release!
If you write spec fiction, we'd love to consider your work for our inaugural issue. Submit a short story, essay, graphic narrative, or art piece for cover consideration here.
If you read spec fiction, then you certainly won't want to miss our first issue. Check back here for updates, and join our mailing list.
NEWS & COMMUNITY - SeptEMBER, ARCHIVED
A Staff Column by C. Alexander | September 2026
The 2026 Hugo Award winners just announced...
Best Short Story: “In My Country” by Thomas Ha (Clarkesworld, Issue 223)
Best Novella: The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (Tordotcom; Arcadia UK)
Best Novelette: “Never Eaten Vegetables” by H.H. Pak (Clarkesworld, Issue 220)
Best Novel: The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow (Tor US; Tor UK)
Best Graphic Story or Comic: A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel, written by Ursula K. Le Guin, adapted and art by Fred Fordham (Clarion Books; Walker UK)
Best Game or Interactive Work: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, published by Kepler Interactive
Best Semiprozine: Uncanny Magazine, publisher and editor-in-chief: Michael Damian Thomas; managing editor Monte Lin; poetry editor Betsy Aoki, podcast producers Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky
For the full list of award winners, click below.
Source: https://www.thehugoawards.org/2026/08/2026-hugo-awards-results/
William Gibson's Neuromancer hits Apple TV in Jan 2027...
A monumental pioneering work in the world of science fiction, and sure prime mover of the cyberpunk subgenre, Neuromancer has long been held in the highest regard within the community. Now, it’s time for a mainstream endeavor. In January 2027, the Apple TV production will be released on its platform to eager viewers across the globe.
E.J. Swift's When There Are Wolves Again won the 2026 Arthur C. Clarke Award...
The Arthur C. Clarke Award is still going strong in its 40th year. The 2026 award for the best science fiction novel published in the U.K. goes to When There Are Wolves Again, by E. J. Swift. Swift's novel surrounds climate change and social conflict, while delivering a story precisely at the intersection of literary and speculative fiction. You can acquire a copy here: https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/e-j-swift/when-there-are-wolves-again/9781529436471/
Oh, and she beat out Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl... so there's that.
Literary Magazine of the Month...
Elastic
Self-described as a "print magazine of psychedelic art and literature," Elastic is this year's "Best Debut Magazine" winner of the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses' Firecracker Award. Think: trippy, wild, dreamlike, arresting, and sharply vivid. A conventional take on genre? Absolutely not. You'll find no less than genre-blurring amalgamations here. Give it a read.
Source: https://www.elasticmag.com/
Throwback Recommendation of the Month...
Tokyo Ghost, an Image Comics publication, by Rick Remender and Sean Murphy
As we're coming up on the 10 year anniversary of the release of the second volume, I thought it might be time to remind others of this absolute gem. Or, perhaps, introduce a new group of curious readers to what is one of the quintessential, contemporary cyberpunk graphic novels on the shelves today. STILL. Give it a read. And do brace yourselves... it's an homage as well as a reinvention. I thought the Neo Tokyo concept was simply played out, but boy, was I wrong. For fans of the heavy hitting and ultraviolent, and with a desire for electric, unrestrained, social commentary, this is your read.
Source: https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/tokyo-ghost
Featured MFA Programs...
- NC State University - MFA in Creative Writing (low residency)
- Western Colorado University - MA or MFA in Creative Writing (on campus / full residency)
- University of Texas at El Paso - MFA in Creative Writing (100% online option)
- Lindenwood University - MFA in Writing (100% online option)
- Emerson College - MFA in Popular Fiction Writing & Publishing (100% online option)
Emerging Writer Opportunities...
- NESFA's Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Story Contest
-
Intrepid Voices Fund: Spooky Speculative Fiction Short Story Contest
- NYC Midnight Contests
Discover Literary Magazines…
Community Spotlight…
While we are an online publication aimed at readers far and wide, we’re also an organized effort based out of Matthews, North Carolina—a small town just outside of Charlotte. We aim to feature literary news and writer opportunities for Charlotte, but also the greater area, including the Piedmont, Appalachian, and Coastal regions of the state.
This month, the spotlight is on:
The North Carolina Writers Network Fall Conference, hosted by the NCWN
When: Nov 6-8 Where: Asheville, NC
- over 200 writers and publishing pros scheduled to attend
- a full weekend of workshops, readings, panels, and more
- from their August 31st post: "This Fall Conference will feature more classes on genre craft than ever before, with “Mastering Genre: Writing Beyond the Trope” with Van Jensen, “Uncanny Language: Crafting Voice-Driven Horror” with Taylor Sykes, “Writing for the YA Audience” with F. T. Lukens, and “The Character of Horror” with Jamieson Ridenhour, who also will lead a class on “Creating Audio Dramas.”"
- direct registration link: https://www.ncwriters.org/ncwnsecure/reg/fallConferenceForm2026.php
Source: https://www.ncwriters.org/news/network-news/registration-now-open-for-2026-ncwn-fall-conference/
Coming Soon...
October is just around the corner, and that means the spooky season is nigh! It also means that alchemical will be one month closer to the release of its very first issue! Check back soon for more updates. Or, join our mailing list, and never miss a beat.
- Fall issues abound! Literary magazines you need to know about
- Halloween contests! Whether you are an emerging writer or an aspiring writer, we'll have some new opportunities for you
- New book releases! Sci-fi, fantasy, horror, slipstream, and amalgamations of all varieties
And of course, send us your subs! We are currently open to submissions for our inaugural Spring 2027 Issue! Click here for more details.