NEWS & COMMUNITY
A Staff Column by C. Alexander | October 2026
The Atlantic speaks on LITRPG
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
Source:https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/09/lit-rpg-dungeon-crawler-carl-dragon-con/688825/
Can-Con is in a Couple of Weeks!
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.
Bourdain’s Get Jiro Hits HBO Max
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/
Source: https://www.hbomax.com/show/010b0d58-23ce-49e6-b58f-cb575aa8a128
Literary Magazine of the Month...
F(r)iction
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://frictionlit.org/
Throwback Recommendation of the Month...
With Get Jiro hitting 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/
Emerging Writer Opportunities...
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 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.