Fantasy Magazine Relaunch

Sean Markey has announced the relaunch of Fantasy Magazine, with the first issue scheduled to publish June 1, 2025. Fantasy will be joining sibling magazine The Deadlands under the Psychopomp publishing umbrella. Sean has named Arley Sorg and Shingai Njeri Kagunda as co-Editors-in-Chief.

Fantasy Magazine will publish original short fiction, flash fiction, and poetry on a quarterly basis. Subscriptions will be available to support the magazine, which will also provide ...Read More

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People & Publishing Roundup, January 2025

MILESTONES

MARK W. TIEDEMANN is now represented by Vaughne Hansen of the Virginia Kidd Agency.

AWARDS

ESPAÑA SHERIFF is the win­ner of the 2024 Rotsler Award for “long-time wonder-working with graphic art in amateur publications of the science fiction community,’’ announced dur­ing Loscon 50, held November 29 – December 1, 2024 at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport Hotel in Los Angeles CA. The award was established in 1998 by the ...Read More

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Diamond Comics Distributor Bankruptcy

Diamond Comic Distributors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in US court in January 2025. They have secured $41 million in financing from JP Morgan Chase bank to “fund post-petition operating expenses and ensure adequate working capital to meet its obligations to associates and suppliers.” A letter to distributors from president Chuck Parker says,

I’m writing to share one of the most challenging messages of my career.

Earlier today, Diamond made ...Read More

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TAFF Nominees and Voting

The 2024 Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund (TAFF), which “will send a European fan to the 2025 Worldcon in Seattle,” has selected its nominees and will begin voting on January 1, 2025. All votes must reach the administrators by 11.59 pm British/Irish time on April 23, 2025.

The candidates for this year are Zi Graves, Mikołaj Kowalewski, and Jan Vaněk jr. Voting is open to any individual with their donation of £3 ...Read More

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SFWA Statement: Writers in Crisis

The Board of Directors of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) has released a statement on the freedom of expression for writers residing in conflict areas and poor living conditions:

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in education, SFWA is restricted from political campaign intervention in particular forms. At the same time, our mission is to inform, support, promote, defend, and advocate for writers of science fiction, fantasy, and related ...Read More

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Winterbottom Joins Transworld

Rachel Winterbottom has joined Penguin Random House UK imprint Transworld as sci-fi and fantasy publishing director. Winterbottom is scheduled to start working in the newly created role in March 2025, reporting temporarily to managing director Kimberly Young. Winterbottom has worked as an editor for Gollancz as well as HarperVoyager UK. Young said,

Rachel brings with her a magical combination of a deep passion for the SFF genre and a genuine ...Read More

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New York Public Library Best Books and Top Check Outs

The New York Public Library (NYPL), the Brooklyn Public Library, the Queens Public Library, and others have released their annual lists of most-borrowed books. The 2024 announcement features a list of books tabulating check outs for the combined boroughs.

On the “Citywide” list, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Knopf) was the most checked out book for the combined boroughs of New York for 2024. Third place was ...Read More

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HNS Call for Proposals

The Historical Novel Society (HNS) has issued a call for proposals for their 2025 conference (HNS25), open December 15, 2024 to January 15, 2025.

This year, the conference theme is ‘‘A Celebration of Historical Fiction in its Many Forms,’’ and HNS25 program chair Christopher M. Cevasco “welcomes proposals of panels, talks, and readings with a focus on historical fantasy, alternate history, time travel, steampunk, and historical horror, among other forms ...Read More

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People & Publishing Roundup, December 2024

MILESTONES

CLIO EVANS is now repre­sented by Stevie Finegan of Zeno Agency Ltd.

AWARDS

HAYAO MIYAZAKI is this year’s recipient of the Forry Award for lifetime achievement in the SF field, presented by The Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society. Miyazaki is the founder of Studio Ghibli and an Academy Award-winning filmmaker. The award, named for Forrest J Ack­erman, has been given annually since 1966.

BOOKS SOLD

SEANAN MCGUIRE, writing ...Read More

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NYT Best SF, Fantasy, and Horror of 2024

The New York Times published lists of the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2024 and the Best Horror of 2024, compiled by critics Amal El-Mohtar and Gabino Iglesias respectively.

El-Mohtar’s top ten picks are:

  • The Book of Love, Kelly Link (Random House)
  • Rakesfall, Vajra Chandrasekera (Tordotcom)
  • In Universes, Emet North (HarperCollins)
  • The Melancholy of Untold History, Minsoo Kang (Morrow)
  • The Practice, the Horizon, and the
...Read More Read more

ASFS Statement on Ekpeki and New Code of Conduct

On December 10, 2024, the African Science Fiction Society (ASFS) released the following statement:

In light of further revelations in the case of the allegations made by Erin Cairns’ against ASFS member Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, the specific allegations of appropriation and non-disclosure have been investigated by a third party and no longer stand, and a public retraction has been made.

As an urgent response, we have now published a new ...Read More

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NYT Notable Books of 2024

The New York Times has published its list of Notable Books of 2024. Titles are selected by staff members of the New York Times Book Review.

The list includes titles of genre interest:

  • Ghostroots, ’Pemi Aguda (Norton)
  • The Familiar, Leigh Bardugo (Flatiron)
  • Beautyland, Marie-Helene Bertino (FSG)
  • Dead in Long Beach, California, Venita Blackburn (MCD)
  • Rakesfall, Vajra Chandrasekera (Tordotcom)
  • You Dreamed of Empires, Álvaro Enrigue,
...Read More Read more

AudioFile’s Best of 2024

AudioFile magazine has published their picks for the best audiobooks of 2024 in categories including Science Fiction and Fantasy and Young Adult.

Science Fiction and Fantasy

  • The Warm Hands of Ghosts, Katherine Arden (Random House Audio)
  • The Crone of Midnight Embers, Iris Beaglehole (Podium Audio)
  • The Mercy of Gods, James S.A. Corey (Recorded Books)
  • The Stars Too Fondly, Emily Hamilton (HarperAudio)
  • When Among Crows, Veronica
...Read More Read more

Spotify’s Most Popular Audiobooks

Music and audiobook streaming service Spotify has released a list of the most popular audiobooks on their platform for 2024.

The most popular audiobook genres by Spotify listeners in 2024 were science fiction and fantasy, with romance close behind. Many of the most popular titles this year were romantasy. The top audiobooks  were:

  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette
  • ...Read More Read more

    NPR’s Best Books of 2024

    NPR has published a list of “Books We Love” in 2024, compiled by NPR journalists and associated critics. The full list of 350 books includes an extensive Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Speculative Fiction category, with numerous other works of interest on the list as a whole.

    Sci Fi, Fantasy and Speculative Fiction
    • The Bad Ones, Melissa Albert (Flatiron)
    • Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution, S.K. Ali (Kokila)
    • The
    ...Read More Read more

    Clarion 2025 Instructors

    The Clarion Workshop in San Diego CA has announced the instructors for its 2025 session: Elizabeth Bear, Premee Mohamed, Cadwell Turnbull, Annalee Newitz, Jedediah Berry, and GennaRose Nethercott. Jac Jemc is faculty director.

    The workshop will be held June 29, 2025 – August 9, 2025 at UC San Diego. Applications for the workshop opened on December 1, 2024 and close February 15, 2025.

    While you are here, please take a

    ...Read More Read more

    2025 Dragon Awards Nominations Open

    Nominations are now open for the 2025 Dragon Awards, presented by Dragon Con. “There is no qualification for submitting nominations or voting – no convention fees or other memberships are needed.” Voting closes July 19, 2025.

    For last year’s winners, see our prior post. For more information about nominations and to vote, see the official Dragon Awards page.

    While you are here, please take a moment to support Locus with

    ...Read More Read more

    2030 Edmonton Worldcon Bid

    Edmonton (AKA ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ / Amiskwacîwâskahikan), Canada has announced a bid to host the 88th World Science Fiction Convention in 2030.

    Northern Alberta Science Fiction Society chair Mike Johnson said, “Edmonton is one of Canada’s youngest and fastest-growing cities. It’s bubbling with ideas, creativity, diversity, and a can-do attitude. It has an energy that I think science fiction fans from around the globe will find themselves aligned with.”

    The committee “has ...Read More

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    Christie’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Auction

    Auction house Christie’s has announced their “first sale dedicated to Science Fiction and Fantasy,” with bidding open from November 28, 2024 to December 12, 2024.

    The auction “will explore the extraordinary history of the genres through the books, objects and artworks that continue to inspire new generations of readers and viewers.”

    Highlights include The Dune Bible, “an extraordinary artefact from Alejandro Jodorowsky’s epic Dune project (estimate: £250,000-350,000);” an “exquisite ...Read More

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    People & Publishing Roundup, November 2024

    MILESTONES

    ROY GRAHAM, K ARSE­NAULT RIVERA, and SASCHA STRONACH are now represent­ed by Arley Sorg of kt literary.

    LAURA BLACKWELL is now represented by Jake Lovell of Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.

    AWARDS

    JOHN HORNOR JACOBS received the Heasley Prize for Fiction, presented October 22, 2024 at his alma mater, Lyon College in AR.

    BOOKS SOLD

    TIM LEBBON sold folk horror novel Secret Lives of the Dead to Cath Trechman ...Read More

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    Publishers Weekly Best Books 2024

    Publishers Weekly has announced its list of the best books of 2024, divided into 13 categories.

    The Book of Love by Kelly Link (Random House) and James by Percival Everett (Doubleday) were on the overall Top 10 list.

    The best books in the SF/Fantasy/Horror category are:

    • Memorials, Richard Chizmar (Gallery)
    • Metal from Heaven, August Clarke (Erewhon)
    • Midnight Rooms, Donyae Coles (Amistad)
    • The Mercy of Gods, James
    ...Read More Read more

    SFWA Special Election Results

    The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) has announced the results of its special election.

    President: Kate Ristau

    Secretary:  Steven D. Brewer

    The newly elected officers and directors-at-large will serve on the SFWA Board from November 1st, 2024, through June 30th, 2025.

    Kate Ristau – President Anthony Eichenlaub – Vice President Jonathan Brazee – CFO Steven D. Brewer – Secretary Christine Taylor-Butler – Director-at-Large Phoebe Barton – Director-at-Large Noah ...Read More

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    Ekpeki Allegations

    Updated 10/29/24 to add ASFS statement; 10/31/24 to add Ekpeki statement; and 11/12/24 with further updates from Ekpeki, and 12/10/24 to add the ASFS statement.

    Latest update: On December 10, 2024, the African Science Fiction Society (ASFS) released a statement announcing their current stance regarding allegations against Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki and the establishment of a Code of Conduct.

    Multiple allegations of unethical and unprofessional behavior on the part of ...Read More

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    Russell Davis joins SFWA leadership

    The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) sent a message to members on October 15, 2024, announcing that Russell Davis is being brought in for “a transitional leadership position.” Interim President Anthony W. Eichenlaub said

    Recent resignations prove to us how much we’ve come to depend on our staff while also highlighting flaws in the structure of our organization. SFWA must change as it rebuilds… [Davis] knows SFWA well, ...Read More

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    Seattle Worldcon Story Contest

    Seattle Worldcon 2025 has announced a short story writing contest with separate categories for adult and young adult writers.

    The winners in each category will be recognized at the convention, receive free memberships to the convention, and have their stories published in an upcoming anthology by Grim Oak Press. Stories must draw inspiration from our Worldcon theme: Building Yesterday’s Future – For Everyone.

    The theme “was selected to invoke nostalgia

    ...Read More Read more

    People & Publishing Roundup, October 2024

    MILESTONES

    VIDA CRUZ-BORJA is now represented by Stevie Finegan of Zeno Agency Ltd.

     

    BOOKS SOLD

    SCOTT WESTERFELD & JUS­TINE LARBALESTIER sold adult novel The Mortons – “The Secret History meets The Sopranos meets Saltburn,” – and a second book to Jeramie Orton at Pamela Dorman Books at auction via Jill Grinberg of Jill Grinberg Literary Management. UK rights sold to Rosa Schierenberg at Viking UK in a ...Read More

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    Strange Horizons Launches Podcast Series

    Strange Horizons has announced the launch of a year-long podcast series, SH@25, in celebration of their 25th anniversary.

    SH@25 will feature “interviews with authors, artists, poets, and former staff of Strange Horizons, charting the magazine’s 25 year trajectory from being founded in September 2000 to winning a Hugo in August 2024, as well as looking ahead at its future.” The project will be led by podcast editor Kat Kourbeti and ...Read More

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    Scientific American Staff Picks

    Scientific American published a list of “Science-Fiction Books Scientific American’s Staff Love.”

    “Top Shelf Recommendations” include The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Contact by Carl Sagan, The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, and series The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells.

    There are a number of other categories featuring works of genre interest, including “Ghastly Thrillers” and “All’s Fair In Love, War And Time Travel.”

    For the complete

    ...Read More Read more

    Publisher Guan Leaves Erewhon

    Sarah Guan announced via social media that she has left her position as publisher of Erewhon Books. Guan said:

    Over my five years at Erewhon, we championed a diverse list of award winners and finalists, bestsellers, and Indie Next picks who garnered rave reviews from national and international media…. While I will dearly miss working with our amazing authors — and will always cheer for their success — I leave ...Read More

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    SFWA Special Election Candidates Announced

    The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) has finalized the candidates for its upcoming special election for the roles of president and secretary.

    • Candidates for president are Jennifer Brozek, Kate Ristau, and Christine Taylor-Butler.
    • The candidate for secretary is Matthew Reardon aka JRH Lawless.

    A voting link will be posted and optional paper ballots will be mailed on October 9, 2024. Ballots will be counted after October 23, 2024. ...Read More

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    F&SF Goes Quarterly

    In the newly released Summer 2024 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, publisher Gordon van Gelder explains that “Ongoing production problems have led us to skip the Spring issue and to switch to a quarterly schedule.”

    He apologized to “disappointed readers” and assured subscribers that they would not be shorted any issues. “Thank you for bearing with us during this rough stretch.”

    The magazine, edited by Sheree ...Read More

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    People & Publishing Roundup, September 2024

    AWARDS

    REBECCA YARROS’s Fourth Wing (Red Tower) won in the International Book of the Year category at the TikTok Book Awards, held July 25, 2024 in London. Winners were voted on by the #BookTok community.

    ’PEMI AGUDA’s “Breastmilk” (One Story 5/27/21) is a finalist for the £10,000 Caine Prize for African Writing. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges and announced September 17, 2024.

    KATHRYN ...Read More

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