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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.

R-SPEC Home Page

August 2026: Share Your Story

The shoulders & head of a young, space-suited person, with their eyes closed, floating in space & receiving the words in a book though a wire attached to their helmet. The words Share Your Story float in space between them & the book.

On August 4, you're invited to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you're facing. Bring a piece with fewer than 1,000 words, if you can, but no more than 2,000 words, if you can't break the scene. This helps give everyone sufficient reading and feedback time.

Moderator: Alan Vincent Michaels

Location: Our August 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, August 4, 2026 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

  • Open chat: 6:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Share Your Story: 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 reading meetings are not recorded.

Calendar, News, Blog
  • 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…
  • In Memoriam: Lynn Spitz

Speculative Literature News

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

Dark Carnival “Bookstore of the Imagination” to Celebrate 50 Years in the Bay Area
(Locus News)
07/23/2026 - 16:14

Dark Carnival, the second oldest science fiction bookstore in the US, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on Saturday, August 1,...

Russell Kirkpatrick (1961–2026)
(Locus News)
07/22/2026 - 11:06

Russell Kirkpatrick, 65, died June 26, 2026 in Canberra Hospital. He was diagnosed with aggressive melanoma.

Kirkpatrick was born...

Katharine T. Carroll (1958–2026)
(Locus News)
07/22/2026 - 11:03

Titan US publicity director Katharine T. Carroll, 68, died June 28, 2026. The cause was attributed to aortic dissection.

Carroll...

Anthropic Settlement Receives Final Approval
(Locus News)
07/22/2026 - 11:00

On July 20, the US District Court for the Northern District of California granted final approval of the $1.5 billion settlement proposed...

Westercon to “Retire” after 2028
(Locus News)
07/21/2026 - 17:26

Westercon 80, to be held in 2028 by the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS) in conjunction withLoscon 54, will officially be the...

Apex Magazine Removes Story for Suspected AI Usage
(Locus News)
07/21/2026 - 17:14

Following a careful review, Apex Magazine has removed the story Vigil of the Tenth Air from Apex #153 amid skepticism...

Now Hiring: Events Coordinator and Web Contractor
(SFWA.org)
SFWA Communications
07/21/2026 - 14:20
Now Hiring:
Events Coordinator and Web Contractor

Our team is...

2026 Tähtifantasia Award Winner
(Locus News)
07/21/2026 - 14:18

Noidanlanka by J. S. Meresmaa (Myllylahti), is the winner of the 2026 Tähtifantasia Award, presented by the Helsinki...

Matt Haig to Open Bookshop
(Locus News)
07/21/2026 - 14:11

Matt Haig announced on Instagram plans to open a bookshop and coffee place called Golden, to be located in Brighton UK in the...

How to Fact-Check Your Science and Gain Inspiration Along the Way
(SFWA.org)
Planetside Crew
07/21/2026 - 11:30

by Marlee Baldridge

Read by the author

...

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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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