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Speculations Readings Series returns to DreamHaven Books!
After difficulties, the Speculations Readings Series returns in July to DreamHaven Books, 2301 38th St E, Minneapolis. As before, the readings will run from 6:30-7:45 p.m., including an autographing and reception with free soda pop and cookies. After the event, interested persons will adjourn to a bistro to hang out.
On Thursday, July 29, MICHAEL MERRIAM and ABRA STAFFIN-WIEBE will read from their works.
Michael Merriam is an author, performer, poet, and playwright, with ten books and over 90 pieces of short fiction and poetry published. His novel, Last Car to Annwn Station, was named a top Book by Readings in Lesbian & Bisexual Women's Fiction. His novella, Should we Drown in Feathered Sheep, was long-listed for the Nebula Award. His stories and essays have appeared in such places as the Hugo Award winning Uncanny Magazine: Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction issue, and the Ditmar Award winning magazine, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. His scripts have been produced for stage and radio. Michael is a co-founder of the Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers.
Abra Staffin-Wiebe loves optimistic science fiction, cheerful horror, and dark fantasy. Dozens of her short stories have appeared in publications including Tor.com, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Escape Pod, and Odyssey Magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, where she wrangles her children, pets, and the mad scientist she keeps in the attic. When not writing or wrangling, she collects folk tales and photographs of whatever stands still long enough to allow it. Her most recent book, The Unkindness of Ravens, is an epic fantasy coming-of-age novella about trickster gods and favors owed. Enjoy an excerpt here. Check out her website to read about fluffy pink murderbears, firebirds bearing gifts, and other things beautiful and bizarre.
S.N. Arly writes adult and young adult fantasy, science fiction, and dark fiction from her basement in St. Paul, MN. After selling several short stories in the traditional publishing model, she tried the indie path in 2014, which resulted in two published short story collections. Her indie-produced young adult series A Familiar Story debuted in spring 2019, with the sequel appearing in print just as the 2020 pandemic was getting rolling. You can find her online at https://s-n-arly.com.
On Thursday, September 16, JASON D. WITTMAN reads from his work at 6:30 p.m.
Jason D. Wittman lives and works in Minnesota. His most recent publications have been in Issue #72 of Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine (in Australia), and Issue #22 of Bruce Bethke’s Stupefying Stories.
On Thursday, October 14 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. LOIS McMASTER BUJOLD reads from a new piece. The reading includes a free reception and autographing.
Lois McMaster Bujold was born in 1949, the daughter of an engineering professor at Ohio State University, from whom she picked up her early interest in science fiction. She now lives in Minnesota, and has two grown children. She began writing with the aim of professional publication in 1982. She wrote three novels in three years; in October of 1985, all three sold, launching her popular Vorkosigan Saga science fiction series. Her fantasy work includes The World of the Five Gods and the Sharing Knife series. More recently she has been exploring self-e-publishing with the tales of the sorcerer Penric and his demon Desdemona, and other works.
In 2020, Bujold was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America. A complete list of her awards may be found here: www.sfadb.com/Lois_McMaster_Bujold. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages.
A reading-order guide to her work is here: www.goodreads.com/story/show/293438-the-vorkosigan-saga-reading-order-debate-the-chef-recommends?chapter=2
Bujold blogs on Goodreads at: www.goodreads.com/author/show/16094.Lois_McMaster_Bujold/blog
On Thursday, November 18, from 6:30-7:45 p.m., TERRY FAUST reads from his work. Terry Faust writes urban fantasy, mainstream young adult novels, and science fiction satire. Recent work includes Bearer of the Pearls, a 2017 YA urban fantasy novel published by North Star Press, St.Cloud. He also contributes to short story anthologies with stories such as: “The Secret of Erin Stewart”—2021 Stupefying Stories, and “Unpleasantness at 20,000 Feet”—2017 Boundaries Without, Calumet Editions. Terry has been an active assistant organizer of the Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers Network since 2005.
On Wednesday, December 8, Speculations presents its annual ROUND ROBIN READINGS at 6:30. Readers are encouraged to bring a five-minute piece and a ten-minute piece. We’ll call it quits at 7:45 or after everyone has had the chance to read, whichever comes first.
Speculations is a co-production of DreamHaven Books and SF MINNESOTA, a multicultural speculative fiction organization that also hosts a midsummer SF convention, Diversicon, the 29th edition of which will take place at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West July 29 - 31, 2022, with Guest of Honor T Aaron Cisco and Special Guest Sybil Smith.
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