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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.

2026 Mythopoeic Awards Winners
(Locus News)
08/05/2026 - 15:36

The Mythopoeic Society announced the 2026 Mythopoeic Awards winners during Mythcon 54, held July 24-27, 2026 in Weatherford OK.

...

2026 N3F Awards
(Locus News)
08/05/2026 - 13:36

The National Fantasy Fan Federation(N3F) has announced the winners of the2026 National Fantasy Fan Federation Laureate Awards(AKA the...

Aurealis Awards Changes
(Locus News)
08/05/2026 - 12:40

The Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) has updated the entry guidelines for the 2026 Aurealis Awards, established to recognize the best in...

2026 Dragon Awards Ballot
(Locus News)
08/05/2026 - 09:47

Dragon Con has announced the ballot for the 2026 Dragon Awards.

Best Science Fiction Novel

  • ...
2026 Dream Foundry Contest Finalists
(Locus News)
08/04/2026 - 16:32

Dream Foundry, a non-profit dedicated to bolstering the careers of nascent professionals working with the speculative arts, hasannounced...

Reclaiming Your Focus with a Writer Deck
(SFWA.org)
Planetside Crew
08/04/2026 - 11:30

by James Stegall

...
2026 World Fantasy Awards Finalists
(Locus News)
08/04/2026 - 11:12

The World Fantasy Awards ballot for works published in 2025 has been announced. The awards will be presented during the 2026 World...

Ursula K. Le Guin’s Home Recognized as National Historic Landmark, to host Writers’ Residency
(Locus News)
08/03/2026 - 16:21

Ursula K. Le Guin's longtime residence at 3321 NW Thurman St. in Portland, Oregon has been added to the National Register of Historic...

2026 Booker Prize Longlist
(Locus News)
07/28/2026 - 14:48

The 13-title longlist for the 2026 Booker Prize has been announced, with works and writers of genre interest including:

...

2026 Wellman Award Winner
(Locus News)
07/28/2026 - 13:15

The North Carolina Speculative Fiction Foundation (NCSFF) has announced the winner for the 2026 Manly Wade Wellman Award. The award...

more
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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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