Genre News Network March 26 2026

Historical Happenings (Source: ISFDB.org)

• Birth: Robert Frost (1874), American poet whose work “The Road Not Taken” is a foundational text for alternate-history and “What If” SF themes. Source: ISFDB.org
• Birth: Joseph Campbell (1904), mythologist whose “Hero’s Journey” became the structural DNA for modern Science Fiction and Fantasy cinema. Source: ISFDB.org
• Death: Diana Wynne Jones (2011), legendary British author of Howl’s Moving Castle and the Chrestomanci series. Source: ISFDB.org
• Publication: “The Menace from Earth” by Robert A. Heinlein (1957) was first published in The Saturday Evening Post. Source: ISFDB.org
• Milestone: The original novelette version of “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes (1959) debuted in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. Source: ISFDB.org
• Publication: The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison (1961) received its first book publication. Source: ISFDB.org

Call for Submissions

• Asimov’s Science Fiction is currently seeking short stories under 10,000 words. Source: Asimovs.com
• Apex Magazine opens a special call for “International Speculative Fiction” for the 2026 calendar. Source: Apex Mag
• Strange Horizons seeks diverse voices for their upcoming “Indigenous Futurisms” special issue. Source: Strange Horizons
• Flame Tree Publishing is looking for Gothic Fantasy and SF short stories for a new hardcover anthology. Source: Flame Tree Press
• Flash Fiction Online is open for Science Fiction and Fantasy submissions under 1,000 words. Source: Flash Fiction Online
• Sixteen Rivers Press announces its 2026 call for full-length poetry manuscripts. Source: Sixteen Rivers Press
• Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores is seeking SF, Fantasy, and Myths/Legends submissions. Source: Cosmic Roots
• GigaNotoSaurus is open for Science Fiction and Fantasy stories between 5,000 and 25,000 words. Source: GigaNotoSaurus

SF Literature

• Tor UK acquires the rights to The Shape of Monsters and a sequel by C.L. Hellisen. Source: The Bookseller
• Locus Magazine highlights the release of River of Bones and Other Stories by Rebecca Roanhorse. Source: Locus Mag
• The First Step by Tao Wong receives a major traditional publishing release this month. Source: WinterIsComing.net
• After the Fall by Edward Ashton is featured as a top pick for hard Science Fiction this week. Source: Locus Mag
• The British Science Fiction Association announces the longlist for the 2026 Best Novel category. Source: BSFA
• The Infinite State explores a fascist galaxy-spanning Decurion Empire in a new space opera. Source: Grimdark Magazine
• The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao blends Speculative Fiction and mystery. Source: Penguin Random House
• The Last Guardian of Everness by John C. Wright is highlighted in a retro-review of modern space opera. Source: Locus Mag

Fantasy Literature

• Jenn Lyons releases her latest standalone fantasy, Green & Deadly Things. Source: WinterIsComing.net
• Mark Lawrence teases Daughter of Crows, set in his “Wound Garden” universe. Source: Grimdark Magazine
• The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan explores dark historical fantasy and werewolf lore. Source: Grimdark Magazine
• Ben Aaronovitch continues the Rivers of London universe with Stone and Sky. Source: Mr B’s Emporium
• Gregory Maguire returns with Elphie, a new perspective on the Wicked universe. Source: Mr B’s Emporium
• T. Kingfisher’s A Sorceress Comes to Call receives a positive critical review for its dark fairy tale elements. Source: Locus Mag

Horror Literature

• Tor Nightfire re-releases the brooding medieval horror Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman. Source: WinterIsComing.net
• Chuck Wendig’s The Staircase in the Woods is highlighted as a top psychological horror release. Source: Mr B’s Emporium
• The Horror Writers Association provides new details on the 2026 StokerCon programming. Source: HWA
• Gretchen Felker-Martin’s Cuckoo is discussed as a visceral expansion of modern body horror. Source: Tor Nightfire

Poetry

• Sixteen Rivers Press hosts a Spring Book Launch event featuring Dane Cervine and Carolyn Miller. Source: Sixteen Rivers Press
• The Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association opens recommendations for the Dwarf Stars Award. Source: SFPA
• Star*Line Magazine publishes a retrospective on the evolution of the SFnal sonnet. Source: SFPA
• A new collection of speculative haiku, Binary Sunsets, is announced for an April release. Source: SFPA

Amazing Stories Free Fiction

• “The Factory” by Lucy Egan. Read Here. Source: AmazingStories.com

Science & Spaceflight

• NASA returns the SLS rocket to the pad for the upcoming Artemis 2 mission. Source: Spaceflight Now
• ESA’s “Smile” mission is fueled and ready to study Earth’s magnetic field. Source: ESA.int
• SpaceX launches another 29 Starlink satellites, furthering global orbital coverage. Source: Spaceflight Now
• The James Webb Space Telescope identifies organic molecules in a distant protoplanetary disk. Source: NASA.gov
• Astronomers detect an unusual periodic radio signal from the Proxima Centauri system. Source: Nature
• A private aerospace firm announces plans for a “Space Hotel” prototype launch in 2027. Source: Space.com
• New data from the Perseverance rover suggests seasonal changes in Martian atmospheric methane. Source: NASA.gov

Film/TV/Streaming

• Disney+ reveals new behind-the-scenes footage for the upcoming series The Acolyte. Source: Disney
• Variety reports a new Science Fiction adaptation of The Mote in God’s Eye is in development. Source: Variety
• Netflix confirms the renewal of the Speculative Fiction thriller Severance for Season 2. Source: The Hollywood Reporter
• A new teaser trailer for the Dune: Prophecy series highlights the origins of the Bene Gesserit. Source: Deadline
• Apple TV+ greenlights an adaptation of the hard SF novel Blindsight by Peter Watts. Source: Variety

Art

• The Museum of Science Fiction announces an exhibition dedicated to 1970s paperback cover art. Source: MoSF
• Spectrum Fantastic Art calls for entries for its 2026 annual volume. Source: Spectrum
• A retrospective gallery of John Berkey’s space art is featured in a new digital publication. Source: Muddy Colors

Publishing

• Sweet Cherry shelves its YA and New Adult imprint, YANA, until 2027. Source: The Bookseller
• The Authors’ Collective launches to tackle market forces in genre publishing. Source: The Bookseller
• Hachette reports record growth in the Science Fiction and Fantasy digital audiobook sector. Source: Publishers Weekly

Writing

• The Clarion Workshop announces instructors for its 2026 summer session. Source: Clarion
• Writer’s Digest offers a masterclass focused on worldbuilding for Epic Fantasy. Source: Writer’s Digest
• A new craft essay by Martha Wells discusses the balance of character and tech in the Murderbot Diaries. Source: Tor.com

Fandom

• Brisbane, Australia and Nuremberg, Germany file bids to host the 2028 Worldcon. Source: Worldcon.org
• LAcon V (2026 Worldcon) releases Progress Report 1 for the Anaheim event. Source: LAcon V
• A new fanzine, The Rim-Worlder, launches to celebrate the works of A. Bertram Chandler. Source: File770
• Fan-run campaign “Save the Expanse” shifts focus to lobbying for a feature film conclusion. Source: Reddit

Gaming

• Slay the Spire 2 enters early access, bringing roguelike card battles back to fans. Source: IGN
• Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf is announced with a focus on alien biomes. Source: GameSpot
• The Science Fiction RPG Starfield receives a massive content update adding new planetary systems. Source: Bethesda

Comics & Anime

• Crunchyroll confirms the English dub for the Science Fiction anime StarVanguard. Source: Crunchyroll
• Image Comics launches The Galactic Rim, a new space opera series. Source: Newsarama
• A new graphic novel adaptation of Neuromancer is announced for late 2026. Source: Comicbook.com

Awards

• David Brin, RavenCon/SF100 Guest of Honor, announced as the recipient of the Arthur C. Clarke Memorial Award. Source: File770
• Gay Haldeman is named recipient of the Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Service to SFWA Award. Source: SFWA
• Registration for the 2026 SFWA Nebula Conference in Chicago is now open. Source: SFWA
• The Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 announces its joint winners for technical excellence. Source: The Bookseller

Editing

• Neil Clarke discusses the current state of short fiction markets on the Clarkesworld podcast. Source: Clarkesworld
• The Editorial Freelancers Association releases a new guide for editing Speculative Fiction. Source: EFA

SFNal

• A new polymer is developed that mimics the adaptive skin of cephalopods for cloaking tech. Source: ScienceDaily
• Industrial exoskeleton suits begin widespread testing in US manufacturing plants. Source: Wired
• A Silicon Valley startup teases a “Brain-Computer Interface” designed for real-time translation. Source: TechCrunch

Mundanity

• Global shipping rates fluctuate as fuel surcharges impact international book distribution. Source: Reuters
• Local weather delays affect convention attendance for regional SF events in the Northeast. Source: AP News

Cool Stuff

• Hasbro reveals a “Masterpiece” edition of a 1980s retro space toy. Source: ToyArk
• A high-end model kit of the Discovery One from 2001: A Space Odyssey is available for pre-order. Source: CultTVMan
• Fandom-themed tea blends inspired by the works of A. Bertram Chandler launch this month. Source: Adagio Teas

Events

• March 28-30: Norwescon in SeaTac, Washington focusing on Speculative Fiction literature. Source: Norwescon.org
• April 24-26: RavenCon 2026 in Richmond, VA, featuring the SF100 “100 Years of Amazing Stories” event. Source: RavenCon.com
• June 3-7: The 61st Annual Nebula Awards Conference in Chicago, IL. Source: SFWA
• August 27-31: LAcon V (Worldcon 84) in Anaheim, California. Source: Worldcon.org

Steve Davidson

Steve Davidson is the publisher of Amazing Stories.

Steve has been a passionate fan of science fiction since the mid-60s, before he even knew what it was called.