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Rochester Speculative Literature Association

R-SPEC is a group of writers, readers and thinkers in the Rochester NY area, that exists to celebrate and create speculative literature. We hold public meetings once a month to discuss new ideas and critically examine the literature we care about. You can help by joining us at a meeting, or becoming a member.

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October 2026: Autumn Story Campfire

Title text: Autumn Story Campfire, R-SPEC Rochester Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror. To the left of the title is a collage image showing the bottom part of a decaying human face, above a log cabin at night.de

Halloween is approaching quickly, but it’s never too early for a good horror story!

On October 6, join our Autumn Story Campfire, where the R-SPEC team will recommend some of their favorite horror stories and novels. We’ll then delve into attendee favorites to learn about what horror fiction gives them night terrors.

Remember, bring an example or two of horror fiction to share. Tell us what won’t let you sleep at night, and what kept you turning the page to find out what happened next?

Moderator: Alan Vincent Michaels

Location: Our October meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)

Meeting Time: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

  • Open chat: 6:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Discussion: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
  • Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC presentations on topics of interest may be recorded, and a link to the recording posted on our website.

Calendar, News, Blog
  • September 2026: Are Media Events Driving Speculative Fiction?
  • August 2026: Share Your Story
  • July 2026: Story Club: The 2026 Hugo Short Story Award Goes to…
  • June 2026: Writing the Other
  • May 2026: Story Club: The Nebula Short Story Award Goes to…
read more recent posts...

Speculative Literature News

News from the Speculative Literature writing community, including items from Locus Magazine, SFWA, etc.

2025 Australasian Shadows Awards
(Locus News)
10/07/2026 - 12:09

The winners of the 2025 Australasian Shadows Awards have been announced. The award is given by the Australasian Horror Writers...

2026 SFPA Poetry Contest Winners
(Locus News)
10/06/2026 - 16:04

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association has announced the winners of its annual prize for poetry. Poems were judged in...

2026 Salam Award Winners
(Locus News)
10/06/2026 - 15:52

The winner, finalists, and honorable mentions for the 2026 Salam Award for Imaginative Fiction have been announced.

The winner is...

Jemisin and Block Inducted into New York State Writers Hall of Fame
(Locus News)
10/06/2026 - 13:24

The Empire State Center for the Book has announced Lawrence Block and N.K. Jemisin as two of the three writers in 2026 to be inducted...

2026 National Book Awards Finalists
(Locus News)
10/06/2026 - 11:45

Finalists for the National Book Awards (NBA) have been announced. Categories, authors, and books of genre interest include:...

Strickman Wins 2026 WSFA Small Press Award
(Locus News)
10/05/2026 - 12:38

Guardians of the Well by Rose Strickman (In Another Time 6/25) has been announced as the winner of the 2026 Washington Science...

2026 Ignyte Awards Winners
(Locus News)
10/05/2026 - 11:20

The Ignyte Awards Committee has announced the winners of the 2026 Ignyte Awards, which seek to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of...

LAcon V Worldcon 2026
(Locus News)
10/02/2026 - 12:00

LAcon V, the 84th World Science Fiction Convention, was held August 27-31, 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hilton...

2026 Prix Boréal Winners
(Locus News)
10/01/2026 - 12:00

Winners of the French-language Prix Boréal have been announced.

Best Novel

  • WINNER (TIE): Du...
HBG Staffing Updates
(Locus News)
09/30/2026 - 16:49

David Shelley will give up his current role as head of an English language management structure on January 1 2027 to become executive...

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R-Spec Press

  • 'From the Lockdown' 2021 Short-Story Contest
    • March 2021 Winner: "Pest Control", by Amy Aderman
    • April 2021 Winner: "Baby Grand", by Jack Feerick
    • May 2021 Winner: "Reading Glasses," by Sally Caves
  • Rochester Rewritten: Rochester in the Alternative
    • Buy through our online store
  • 2034: Writing Rochester's Futures
    • Buy through our online store
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