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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Reminder to join us next Thursday, Oct 8th for our Chicago Deep Dish Reading featuring Annalee Newitz!

Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The Speculative Literature Foundation is grateful for the support of the Illinois Arts Council! IAC funding will support our operations and fund a summer internship!

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Join us Thursday Oct 8 6pm at after-words for a VERY special Deep Dish reading event!

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Working Class Writers Grant open for submissions Sept. 1-30! Learn more and apply at speculativeliterature.org/grants-3/the....

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

CALL FOR READERS! The Deep Dish reading series is BACK for the Fall, starting Oct 1. Wanna read with us? Sign up to join our list: forms.gle/MqU6uCUbf6ob...

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Today is the LAST day of our membership drive. Experience amazing perks such as free course access, bi-monthly writer's encouragement letters and so much more when you become a member today! speculativeliterature.org/membership/

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Tomorrow is the LAST day of our membership drive. Join today to help us reach our goal of 100 new members and access amazing perks only available to our members! speculativeliterature.org/membership/

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

STAFF FEATURE: Alex Kingsley (they/them) is a writer, game designer, and playwright. They are a co-founder of the new media company Strong Branch Productions & author of Empress of Dust, Relic of Haven, and works appearing in publications such as Strange Horizons, Translunar Travelers Lounge & more.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

LOCAL SHOUT-OUT: Sci-fi isn't just for books and movies. It can be found onstage as well! And if you're in the Chicago community, you're in luck -- Strawdog Theatre Company is producing a sci-fi show this summer! Check out ADVANCE MAN, opening August 14.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Mary Anne Mohanraj talks with Liz Gorinsky about the current day author dilemma that is hiring a professional editor or not. Liz Gorinsky is a publisher and editor of speculative fiction, founder and former publisher of Erewhon Books, a former editor for Tor Books, and Hugo Award winner.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Dr. Mary Anne Mohanraj founded Strange Horizons, directs the Speculative Literature Foundation, and has written for George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards superhero series for over a decade. Mohanraj is an English professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Wanna share YOUR work at Deep Dish Readings where you can hang out with authors like Sue Burke? Become a member today: speculativeliterature.org/membership/

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

STAFF FEATURE: Angeli Primlani is a Chicago-based playwright, director, producer and actor. She was culture and features writer and online editor for The Prague Post in the Czech Republic. She was the founding Artistic Director of Accidental Shakespeare Theatre Company.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

In this recent episode of Mohanraj and Rosenbaum are humans, listen to Ruthanna Emrys discuss her vision of the future in A Half-Built Garden. Want to hear more about the socio-political thought behind your favorite sci-fi novels? You can subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform!

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

In keeping with our theme of "Being an Artists in Difficult Times," here's a clip from a Mohanraj And Rosenbaum Are Humans episode about times of turmoil. In this snippet, Mary Anne talks a bit about finding time to write and how that has become more of a challenge over the course of her career.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

We're three weeks in to our membership drive, and nearly halfway to our goal! Will YOU be the member that brings us to 50? You could be, for as little at $2/month! Join us here: speculativeliterature.org/membership/

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

GRANT FEATURE: The A.C. Bose Grant for South Asian Speculative Literature! In 2019, the Speculative Literature Foundation and DesiLit co-sponsored the A.C. Bose Grant in memory of Ashim Chandra Bose, a lover of books—especially science fiction and fantasy.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

In this clip from Mohanraj and Rosenbaum are humans, listen to Ursula Vernon (ie, T. Kingfisher) discuss her writing journey. Wanna hear more anecdotes from your favorite authors? You can follow the show on your preferred podcast platform!

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

A panel of short fiction editors talk about what they’re looking for in stories right now and what to avoid! What common mistakes do writers make? What makes a story stand out from the slushpile? Panelists: Award-winning editor Lynne Marie Thomas and Jed Hartman. Moderated by Mary Anne Mohanraj.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

The SLF’s Working Class Writers Grant awards $1000 annually to assist working class, blue-collar, poor, and homeless writers who have been historically underrepresented in speculative fiction, due to financial barriers. Do you want to support creators of speculative fiction? Join the SLF today!

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Happening TODAY! Free virtual panel about writing during crisis. us06web.zoom.us/j/83650201648

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Our next staff feature :Sue Bedry (she/hers) is Grants Officer for Times Publishing Company, parent of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tampa Bay Times newspaper. With SF/F author Rick Wilber, she co-founded the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Award.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Join us tomorrow for a chat about the role of an artist during crisis. us06web.zoom.us/j/83650201648

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

What is the role of an artist amidst turmoil? If you've been asking yourself this question, join us for our virtual panel: Challenges of Being an Artist in Difficult Times, Saturday July 25 3PM CDT. Link to join: us06web.zoom.us/j/83650201648

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

We're halfway through the Membership Drive, and 30% of the way to our goal! We're thrilled about all the new members, and we know we can bump that number up EVEN MORE. You can become an SLF member RIGHT NOW for just $2! Get access to resources, community, and more.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

In this episode of MRAH (Flying Cars and Homosexuals), Benjamin Rosenbaum is joined by Sophia Babai to fill in for Mary Anne Mohanraj. Together they catch up on the time they've missed, discuss queerness in literature, and their unique solutions to age-old writing problems.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Andy Duncan and Mary Anne Mohanraj talk about the different music tastes and their importance to a story. Andy Duncan is a professor of English at Frostburg State University in the western Maryland mountains.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

STAFF FEATURE: Connor Nevitt (he/him) earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Creative Writing concentration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Born in Santa Clarita, CA, he seeks to make a name for himself in the speculative fiction world.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

The SLF’s Older Writers Grant awards $1,000 annually to assist writers age 50+ who are just beginning their careers in speculative fiction. Do you want to support creators of speculative fiction? Join the SLF today!

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Another grant feature! Today we're looking at the Gulliver Travel Grant, which allows writers to travel in order to research their speculative work. More info here: speculativeliterature.org/grants-3/the...

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Registration is now open for the SLF's Summer 2026 Mini-Workshop! This 2-day, in-person only workshop is a series of talks, exercises, and seminars designed to inspire, dig deep, and kickstart your writing praxis. The deadline to register is August 1. Link: speculativeliterature.org/register/sum...

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Look at us go! After one week, we're already at 27% of our new membership goal, and we've made $781 in donations. Thank you all, and please spread the word so we can keep building our community! Join us at: speculativeliterature.org/membership/

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Did you know that the SLF has a podcast? On Mohanraj and Rosenbaum are Humans, the titular Mary Anne Mohanraj and Benjamin Rosenbaum discuss books, philosophy, politics, and all things speculative. They often feature guest writers to discuss their work. Here’s a little sample.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Miss the Membership Drive Kick-Off Panel? That's alright! We recorded it for you :) Here at the SLF, we've got you covered. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1g...

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Here is a snippet from one of our deep dives with author Kate Elliot! Kate Elliott has been publishing science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories for over 30 years with a particular focus in immersive world building and epic stories of adventure & transformative cultural change.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The SLF strives to make an impact in the lives of speculative fiction writers, especially those who are underrepresented. That’s why it offers a wide variety of grants to different demographics! To start off with, we’re featuring the Diverse Writers Grant AND the Diverse Worlds Grant.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

That's one day of the membership drive in the books, and already we're 13% of the way towards our goal! Thank you to all our new members! Remember to join us for our Kick-Off panel today at 3pm CDT.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

BLAST OFF! The SLF Membership Drive Begins! What can you do to help? Well, become a member, of course. Our goal is to reach 100 new members after 30 days. But what are the benefits of becoming an SLF member? Stay tuned to find out.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The SLF’s membership drive is growing close! To kick off the next month of content, we’ll be hosting a kickoff panel on July 11th from 3-4:30pm CDT. Members of our wonderful staff will be there to talk about the opportunities that the SLF offers. We look forward to seeing you all there!

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Here is our shortlist for the SLF's 2026 A.C. Bose Grant! Both of these talented writers were hand-selected by one of our jurors to be a finalist. You can see the announcement on our website here: speculativeliterature.org/2026/05/18/s...

Announcement of the SLF's 2026 A.C. Bose Grant shortlist. Two writers are listed: Paromita Sengupta and Annesha Sengupta.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

The SLF is pleased to announce that Shahriar Shaams is the winner of the 2026 A.C. Bose Grant! In 2019, the Speculative Literature Foundation and DesiLit co-sponsored the A.C. Bose Grant in memory of Ashim Chandra Bose. Learn more about Shaams here: speculativeliterature.org/2026/05/18/a...

The SLF announcing the winner of the 2026 A.C. Bose Grant, Shahriar Shaams. Jurors had things to say like: “This is my top pick without a doubt. Outstanding writing and conceit, deft observations, a haunting and folkloric quality to the story.” and “This is richly and evocatively told, and I found myself eager to turn the page to the next chapter!”

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Here is our shortlist for the SLF's 2025 Gulliver's Travel Grant! Each of these talented writers were selected by one of our jurors to be a finalist.

The SLF's shortlist for the 2025 Gulliver's Travel Grant. The including writers are: Nicole M. Wolverton, Jessica Ellis, Melanie Westerberg, and Kari Luna.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

The SLF is pleased to announce that Frances Ogamba is the winner of the 2025 Gulliver's Travel Grant! Since 2004, the Gulliver Travel Grant has sought to assist writers of speculative literature (in fiction, poetry, drama, or creative nonfiction) in their research.

Announcing the SLF's winner for their $1000 2025 Gulliver's Travel Grant. Frances Ogamba won and the jurors remark that she had solid and specific research plans as well as being embedded in the speculative fiction community.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

The SLF is excited to announce that we will be extending the deadline of our Writing SFF Workshop until April 22nd! This is your LAST CHANCE to join @maryannemohanraj.bsky.social and @benjaminrosenbaum.com for a week of writing, eating, chatting, and making new friends.

Announcement of the SLF's extended deadline for the 2026 Writing SFF Workshop and Retreat. 5 slots remaining for the workshop, and 7 slots for the retreat. At the bottom is a suggestion to visit speclit.org to learn more.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

An update on our 2026 Writing SFF Workshop with @maryannemohanraj.bsky.social and @benjaminrosenbaum.com. If you are interested in attending this year, you still have a chance! Check out our website to learn more. The link is in our bio.

Text that says the 2026 Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy Workshop deadline to apply has been extended to April 8th. 4 slots remain for the workshop and 7 slots for the retreat.

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

It's decided! The 2026 Illustration of the Year is Santiago Rosas' "Cosmic Allure"! Thank you for your imaginative work. Learn more about Rosas and his inspiration behind this piece at: speculativeliterature.org/2026/03/11/2...

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

We still have slots open for the SLF's 2026 Writing SFF Workshop. Visit speclit.org to learn more if you're interested!

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Here is our shortlist for the SLF's 2025 Working Class Writers Grant! All of these talented writers were hand-selected by one of our jurors to be a finalist. You can see the announcement on our website here: speculativeliterature.org/2026/03/04/s...

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Speculative Literature Foundation @speclit.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

The SLF is pleased to announce that Nancy Omondi is the winner of the 2025 Working Class Writers Grant! Since 2013, the Working Class Writers Grant has been awarded annually to speculative fiction writers. Learn more about Omondi here: speculativeliterature.org/2026/03/04/a...

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