Speculative noir. I’d read a whole speculative-noir novel about this duo; or a series of them. On the night of May 12, 1984, it became the site of a shooting, as a Terminator sent from the future attempted to kill Sarah Connor, killing and injuring a number of other patrons in the process. DHP’s first book will be The New Black, an anthology featuring the best of ‘new noir’, edited by Richard, coming out Spring Apr 19, 2025 · Step into the gritty alleys, smoke-filled rooms, and neon-lit skylines of your imagination. For more Late Victorian speculative proto-noir, make sure to read Stephenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Fall into the Terahertz Gap listening to speculative-noir stories, poetry, original music, and interviews shared by the one and only Maxwell Vagus. Aug 26, 2025 · The Atomic Voodoo Lounge is the official podcast of New Stanton's surreal dive bar. Sep 23, 2025 · Fall into the Terahertz Gap listening to speculative-noir stories, poetry, original music, and interviews shared by the one and only Maxwell Vagus. 1001 Noir Thriller Creative Writing Prompts by Edgar Hem delivers a masterclass in mystery and mood, packed with evocative prompts perfect for writers, game masters, screenwriters, artists, and storytellers across formats. For Fantasy, Miriam seeks intersectional diverse stories ripe with unique magic, immersive atmosphere, and memorable characters, especially from BIPOC and/or LGBTQAI+ perspectives. Preferably something in a modern-ish to science fictional setting with the usual noir tropes. Josaline refuses to let it separate her from her beloved cousin, Rene, for any longer. But within this fascinating realm, there lies a rich tapestry of subcategories that delve deeper into specific genres of steampunk. net Publishing Edited by: Valeria Vitale & Djibril al-Ayad Stories by: Dec 3, 2019 · Tech Noir Category Entertainment, Nightclub Scenario Date Year 1984 Tech Noir is a nightclub located on Pico Boulevard in the city of Los Angeles. Apr 14, 2025 · “That was a fun read. " The Atomic Voodoo Lounge is a reader May 1, 2012 · Read 440 reviews from the world’s largest community for readers. Whether you’re crafting a short story, scripting a detective comic, building a Nov 14, 2022 · The plot centers on sword-wielding heroes and, as the name suggests, there’s usually a magic system of some kind involved. Lawrence, and “The First Person in the Park,” a piece of prose by Maxwell Vagus. To get us into the mood, and to help prospective authors think about what the intersection of Noir and TFF’s interest in progressive speculative fiction might look like, we have invited a handful of authors, editors and other Jun 25, 2023 · I highly recommend it to mystery fans, Noir fans, Speculative Fiction fans and anyone who is looking for a well-told tale that entertains you while making you think about how the world works. Fall into the Terahertz Gap listening to speculative-noir stories, original music, interviews, and more broadcast from the shores of a dried-up prehistoric sea. Fall into the Terahertz Gap listening to speculative-noir stories, poetry, original music, and interviews shared by the one and only Maxwell Theta Noir A PERFORMANCE ART PROJECT THAT CHALLENGES MAINSTREAM NARRATIVES SURROUNDING AI BY CREATING SPECULATIVE Speculative noir is not a new genre. Speculative Noir retrospective: Damien Krsteski’s “Siv Delfin” In anticipation of the Noir-themed issue of TFF due later this year, we’re thinking about some of the stories we have published in the past that fit the bill. Dec 22, 2013 · Speculative Noir is concerned with the struggle of a rational self against an irrational reality. Feb 8, 2012 · Applying a noir style to speculative fiction is an exercise in careful and precise balancing. I wouldn’t like to argue that Noir is a subgenre of speculative fiction (it obviously isn’t), but there are certainly elements of Noir that can scratch the same itches for me that some SFF stories do. Nov 3, 2015 · Made to Kill is the thrilling speculative noir from novelist and comic writer Adam Christopher. This is the first in a series doing the same thing for speculative fiction, beginning with LA. " Big thanks to my agent, @markgottliebliteraryagent for your faith and vision in my work. Dec 4, 2024 · From Lethem’s first novel, Gun with Occasional Music, speculative noir that featured a scientific process that makes animals stand and talk and creates “babyheads,” he’s folded surrealist elements into fiction. If your expectations are for a relatively light and occasionally funny sci-fi noir murder mystery on the moon, you might like it. As untold suffering grips the empire, and revolutionary fervor brews, a beautiful woman appears to a discontented prince and promises him the changes he so desires, if he Jan 14, 2013 · Before we get into a discussion of how speculative fiction approaches noir, let's start by discussing just what the noir aesthetic really is. It is our intent and purpose to foster and encourage in-depth discussion about all things related to books, authors, genres, or publishing in a safe, supportive environment. Dec 21, 2021 · The Best Speculative Thrillers and Mysteries of 2021 Scifi noir, dark fantasy, eco-thrillers, and near-future dystopias abound in this year's best fiction. Oct 7, 2025 · The Atomic Voodoo Lounge is the official podcast of New Stanton's surreal dive bar. The Atomic Voodoo Lounge is the official podcast of New Stanton's surreal dive bar. Launched 3 months ago. All this and more with Mythos Noir. In both Adult and Young Adult, they hunger in particular Aug 21, 2025 · Another surprise episode materializes to fill one of the infinite gaps betwixt Episodes 2 and 3. It's like David Lynch entering a tiki bar and trading stories with everyone from William Burroughs to Joyce Carol Oates to Ray Bradbury. Speculative Noir? Time for everybody's favourite kind of recommendation thread; the super specific kind! I'm kooking for good speculative noir. e. He wishes to support voices that aren’t getting enough recognition, especially edgy fiction that straddles the fence between genre and literary fiction. What Shop Immanentize Yehudi-Futurism - Speculative Noir Edition judaism hoodies designed by Nightmare Factory as well as other judaism merchandise at TeePublic. For those who aren't familiar, TFF is a quarterly zine focusing on "social political and speculative cyberfiction": we are big fans of their short fiction and previous anthologies!. This list is generated by aggregating 667 lists from various critics, authors, experts, and readers. The second Civil War, the Sequel, came and went in the United States, leaving radiation, sickness, and fractures too deep to mend. Their noir anthology is currently open to submissions, and we've taken the opportunity May 10, 2019 · If your first thought upon seeing the trailer for Detective Pikachu (in theaters today, pika pika!) was something along the lines of “wait, Pikachu is a detective now?” you obviously need to read more speculative noir fiction (or play more video games, but this is a book blog). " --William Gibson "I picked up Titanium Noir and then it returned the favor, sending me reeling with thrilling velocity through Nick Harkaway’s latest world of dark wonders until it set me down at the last fine Well, it isn't for everyone but I actually loved Artemis, by Andy Weir. It offers a unique reading experience that challenges perceptions of reality, identity, and social boundaries. Alabama Noir (2020) Berkeley Noir (2020) Addis Ababa Noir (2020) Tampa Bay Noir (2020) Accra Noir (2020) Palm Springs Noir (2021) Paris Noir: The Suburbs (2022) Denver Noir (2022) South Central Noir (2022) Cleveland Noir (2023) A Darker Shade of Noir (2023) East Jerusalem Noir (2023) West Jerusalem Noir (2023) Honolulu Noir (2024) Hamburg Noir Oct 20, 2025 · Dive into Fabricated by Nicole Givens Kurtz — a gripping cyber-noir mystery where justice, corruption, and technology collide. ” — Locus Magazine “Accessible, challenging, and fun by turns, Speculative Los Angeles possesses everything a fan could Oct 14, 2025 · Noir/Hardboiled The Wild Ride Behind Spike Lee's Latest NYC Opus, 'Highest 2 Lowest' Patrick Sauer on the show stopping subway sequence at the heart of the movie, and the surprise journey of the screenwriter who went from basketball to modeling to music to writing a Spike Lee joint. Well, it isn't for everyone but I actually loved Artemis, by Andy Weir. Dick’s classic 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (the basis for the film Blade Runner, which leans even more heavily into the noir tradition) and runs up through, well, the recent sequel film Blade Runner 2049. By Maxwell Vagus Share The Atomic Voodoo Lounge New Stanton's surreal dive bar's official podcast. This list is generated by aggregating 662 lists from various critics, authors, experts, and readers. You just never know where you'll end up. Ray Electromatic Mysteries Brisk Money Made to Kill Standard Hollywood Depravity Killing is My Business Motor Girl and the Endless Race is an action packed speculative noir with romance tropes thoroughout. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key, black-and-white visual style that has roots in German expressionist cinematography. If you're looking for help with a personal book recommendation, consult our Weekly Recommendation Thread, Suggested Reading page, or ask in r/suggestmeabook. This book is fun, engaging and sometimes scary. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The Greatest Speculative Fiction and Noir Books From 1 to 2025. Jekyll and Mr. These works retain the gritty, dark tone of noir with robots, AI, cybernetic modifications, and other tropes of the sci-fi world. Speculative fiction traditionally encompasses such genres as science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, utopian and dystopian literature, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history. Launched a month ago. Even the laws keep them apart. Film Noir (literally "black film" in French) is a genre of stylish, gritty crime dramas, difficult to define, but the 1940s and '50s were the classic period. Sep 12, 2025 · Fall into the Terahertz Gap listening to speculative-noir stories, poetry, original music, and interviews shared by the one and only Maxwell Vagus. There is a gritty and determined outsider, willing to break the rules, mixed up in a murder and having to solve it Dec 17, 2024 · Speculative fiction encompasses a wide range of sub-genres, from sci-fi to alternate history, making it a ripe playground for RPGs to explore. **The key is that it be speculative, not that it fit some arbitrary genre guidelines**. Lawrence; and the short prose piece "First Person in the Park" by Maxwell Vagus. Apex Magazine is an bi-monthly digital zine that publishes dark SF, dark fantasy, and horror short fiction, nonfiction, interviews, and reviews. Between those are a host of fantastic science fiction works that draw upon noir themes May 13, 2023 · He’s also a fan of darkly comic crime fiction, having delivered a couple of terrific slices of noir under the penname Aidan Truhen. This list is generated by aggregating 562 lists from various critics, authors, experts, and readers. Caitlin Kiernan's The Maltese Unicorn is by far the best combo of hardboiled and fantasy I've read, the prose is exquisite and quite reminiscent of Chandler and Hammett without seeming like a pale imitation. my queries are open and i am ready to read! manuscriptwishlist. I recommend the audiobook version of ‘Titanium Noir’, narrated by Davis Brooks. Launched 2 months ago. For added effect, play one of these songs while reading the article. In Speculative Journeys, Irene Radford extends her short story collections into science fiction and contemporary fantasy with fourteen tales both old and new. Valeria Vitale and Djibril Al-Ayad (The Future Fire Issue 61) The Future Fire's regular quarterly issue from April - June has been replaced by this full length anthology, featuring 14 stories of speculative noir fiction plus an introduction from the editors and an afterword by author Fabio Fernandes. Sometimes an off-kilter quality is produced by juxtaposing and rupturing different genre expectations. Read my full review, enjoy a special guest post from the author on speculative mystery, and enter the $20 Amazon/BN gift card giveaway! Feb 6, 2024 · In Francis Spufford’s new novel, “Cahokia Jazz,” a detective must solve the mystery of a staged killing before its repercussions destroy his city’s social and political order. This cyborg assassin almost succeeded in its mission The Greatest Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Noir, and Psychological Books From 1 to 2025. December 21, 2021 By Molly Odintz The Atomic Voodoo Lounge is the official podcast of New Stanton's surreal dive bar. Noir Fire A Gritty Speculative Fiction Anthology 2022, Futurefire. Why is time-travel reserved for wealthy tourists and forbidden to historians? Feb 22, 2016 · As of February 1, Thomas has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Gamut, an online magazine of neo-noir, speculative and literary fiction he hopes to unveil in January of 2017. Oct 16, 2024 · Film Noir Characteristics While those four items should provide an overview of what constitutes film noir, it is a little difficult to judge whether a film belongs to the category of film noir based solely on those categories. I think a lot of people were expecting something more like the Martian. The term is a portmanteau that describes the conjunction of technology and science fiction: cyber- as in cyberpunk and -noir as film noir. MembersOnline • StephenKong Jan 15, 2024 · Film Noir Definition Film noir is a term used to describe a genre of films that emerged in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. Click to read The Atomic Voodoo Lounge, by Maxwell Vagus, a Substack publication. Some are sub-sub-genre films: i. Morgan, When Gravity Fa Shop Immanentize Yehudi-Futurism - Speculative Noir Edition judaism t-shirts designed by Nightmare Factory as well as other judaism merchandise at TeePublic. The editors were primarily seeking short stories, but were also looking for poetry and non-fiction. Sep 22, 2021 · The mixing of SF with noir and hardboiled fiction dates back to at least Philip K. It's 276 pages (82,749 words) of high fantasy fun. Hyde, Machen’s The Great God Pan, and Chambers’ The King in Yellow. Carlucci, Low Town, and other works in the hard to find sub genre of noir in speculative fiction. Any sort of link or text post is welcome as long as it is about printed / text for my fall #mswl i’m really looking for indigenous writers! literary fiction, upmarket, horror, thriller, grounded fantasy or speculative (adult, please!). , and more are all welcome here. Made to Kill is the thrilling new speculative noir from novelist and comic writer Adam Christopher. May 24, 2018 · Coming out of the Golden Age of Science Fiction, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep was one of the classics of SF that inspired noir-SF thrillers down the age, including William Gibson’s Neuromancer, Richard Morgan’s Altered Carbon or Simon Morden’s Metrozone. However, it is very relevant now. One faction, the Homestead Territories, dealt with the devastation by recruiting immigrants from Africa and beginning a new The Greatest American Speculative Fiction and Noir Books From 1960 to 2025. Praise for Speculative Los Angeles: "Speculative Los Angeles is a thrill ride of grand ideas and warnings. Set in a dystoian future, everyone is divided by class. Five of these stories are original, and can be read for free on The Future Fire Feb 26, 2024 · Steampunk, a captivating subgenre of speculative fiction, tantalizes readers with its unique blend of technology, fantasy, and history. Nov 29, 2021 · What can speculative fiction noir do that regular noir can’t? From neon-lit future noir to hardboiled fairy tales, this panel will discuss the influence of classic noir and hardboiled fiction on speculative fiction. Ray Electromatic Mysteries Brisk Money Made to Kill Standard Hollywood Depravity Killing is My Business Thursday, 27 May 2021 Speculative Noir retrospective: Damien Krsteski’s “Siv Delfin” In anticipation of the Noir-themed issue of TFF due later this year, we’re thinking about some of the stories we have published in the past that fit the bill. I've read only a few of them so far, but they were really good. 'The Man Who Wasn't There'Credit: Paramount Pictures Feb 14, 2024 · “Blade Runner” and other neo-noir films have significantly expanded the boundaries of the genre, incorporating elements of science fiction, cyberpunk, and speculative fiction to address contemporary issues. He gives good Noir and never descends into pastiche. “ Speculative Los Angeles is a new venture from Akashic Books, which has published an impressive series of original anthologies of noir fiction centered on various cities. New Stanton's surreal dive bar's official podcast. Essays from the underbelly. Alabama Noir (2020) Berkeley Noir (2020) Addis Ababa Noir (2020) Tampa Bay Noir (2020) Accra Noir (2020) Palm Springs Noir (2021) Paris Noir: The Suburbs (2022) Denver Noir (2022) South Central Noir (2022) Cleveland Noir (2023) A Darker Shade of Noir (2023) East Jerusalem Noir (2023) West Jerusalem Noir (2023) Honolulu Noir (2024) Hamburg Noir Feb 6, 2024 · In Francis Spufford’s new novel, “Cahokia Jazz,” a detective must solve the mystery of a staged killing before its repercussions destroy his city’s social and political order. I am drawn to the eerie, the mythical, the historical, and the weird. In general, Miriam is eagerly looking for everything and anything speculative across most age ranges (Adult, New Adult, Young Adult, and Upper Middle Grade). So here are some characteristics that may help in identifying a noir (do remember though that it is not necessary for a film to have all of the characteristics to be Cyber noir Cyber noir, also called tech noir, deals either with dark shenanigans in the world of computers and hi-tech supernerds; or the virtual landscapes of a techno-generated underworld; or both. Click to read Mythos Noir, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers. Round-table: Progressive Speculative Noir We will be publishing a Noir-themed issue of The Future Fire later this year, guest edited by TFF associate editor Valeria. In the 1940s, as film noir reached the height of its generic consolidation, a more uncanny and supernatural variant emerged in its shadow: speculative noir. Morgan, Broken Angels by Richard K. It's been a long road. This is a moderated subreddit. " -- Guardian "Cross-genre brilliance from the superbly talented Nick Harkaway. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American film noir. While the genre's hard-boiled lineage, Expressionist aesthetics, and the lyrical fatalism of French Poetic Realism define its conventional form, certain films of the period reconfigured noir through Lovecraftian horror, gothic motifs Aug 15, 2025 · My Mystery-Thriller and Noir slides outline the genre histories, describe salient features, prominent authors, and provide a checklist for evaluating two sample speculative fiction novels (my own). As history repeats itself, noir is back again and speculative fiction is here to stay ICYMI: Check out our piece 'What is Jun 8, 2022 · Noir Fire ed. Jun 1, 2018 · May 24, 2018 By Lisa Levy Speculative Noir 10 Classic Sci-Fi Thrillers That Tore Down Genre Borders Supernatural Noir is an anthology of fantasy noir stories by Ellen Datlow. Sep 22, 2025 · “Gunship: Tech Noir” is a potent dose of retro-futurism, a visual and auditory symphony that blends the aesthetics of 1980s action films and cyberpunk literature with the raw energy of electronic music. social #amquerying. Imagine a world where steam-powered contraptions coexist with Victorian aesthetics, where gears and goggles reign supreme. Oct 20, 2025 · Fall into the Terahertz Gap listening to speculative-noir stories, poetry, original music, and interviews shared by the one and only Maxwell Vagus. Jul 10, 2024 · The novel boils with opium, sexual libertinism, blackmail, and murder, not to mention doomed pansexual romances. ) brings together 14 outstanding stories of Mar 28, 2023 · Fantastic noir is a subgenre that blends film noir or its literary inspiration and counterpart, hardboiled fiction and roman noir (respectively), with the more outlandish elements of speculative fiction. The Greatest Irish, British Fiction, Speculative Fiction, and Noir Books of 2025. Enjoy a cocktail of the evening, six-word speculative-noir stories, a surf instrumental—“Tiki Bob”, and a tiki-noir story—"The Sea Maid's Music. Many of the prototypical stories and Speculative: Noir Longcoat, Lawless Enforcer's Jacket, Augmented / Shire Conservator's Coat Legs (Fresh and Formal): Best Man's Slacks, Slacks of Eternal Passion/Innocence/Devotion, High House/Rainbow Breeches, Loyal / Butler's Slacks Thursday, 27 May 2021 Speculative Noir retrospective: Damien Krsteski’s “Siv Delfin” In anticipation of the Noir-themed issue of TFF due later this year, we’re thinking about some of the stories we have published in the past that fit the bill. H. bsky. On the one hand, we need to employ metaphor and simile to communicate our world-building. Click to read Notes From Elsewhere, by Jason Garman, a Substack publication. First up, we have invited Damien Krsteski to come and talk to us about his 2016 story, “ Siv Delfin ”—if you don’t remember it, please read the story before Speculative noir and surreal horror from the edges of reality: short fiction, novel excerpts, personal stories, and reflections on writing. Books shelved as sci-fi-noir: Altered Carbon by Richard K. "A highly entertaining, satisfying blend of classic detective noir and inventive speculative fiction. Join us tonight for music by Insect Surfers and The Riptide Rats in addition to our cocktail of the evening, six-word speculative/noir stories, a poem by D. Aug 22, 2025 · This episode of The Atomic Voodoo Lounge Podcast includes The Smoked & Spiced Bee’s Knees Cocktail; music from Insect Surfers and The Riptide Rats; six-word speculative/noir stories; the poem "Snake" by D. Whether works since … Film noir (/ nwɑːr /; French: [film nwaʁ]) is a style of Hollywood crime drama that emphasizes cynical attitudes and motivations. Crime and speculative fiction. Not sure if a book counts? Then post it! Science Fiction, Fantasy, Alt. He currently lives in Chicago, where he is working on The Census Taker, a speculative noir novel that follows the work of a Quechua entomologist in the Amazon and her son, a census taker in Chicago who documents disappeared peoples following a coup. 🚨Thrilled to announce that I've officially signed with @trident_media for my debut novel, PATCHWORK GODS - a speculative noir that my good buddy @markslouka has called "Raymond Chandler meets Neuromancer. ” is published by Kay Flanagan. Take a place that already defines the future of culture, add 14 unbound minds and you get a collection that wows the imagination like no other. “Innovative Mexican author Rivera Garza’s dazzling speculative noir novel is narrated by a… Sep 12, 2025 · Create Your Podcast In Minutes Full-featured podcast site Unlimited storage and bandwidth Comprehensive podcast stats Distribute to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more Make money with your podcast Get Started It is Free Gamut published neo-noir, speculative fiction with a literary bent. Morgan, Woken Furies by Richard K. History, Postmodern Lit. I hold a Masters in History and am currently at work on my first novel, Natural Neon, a cyberpunk speculative noir set in Miami, 2097, exploring debt, desire, and the uneasy intersections of technology and the soul journey. The SoulScape Chronicles Explore the psychologically immersive world of Alicia Darker’s speculative noir Dec 13, 2021 · Today we're joined by Valeria Vitale and Djibril al-Ayad, co-editors of the forthcoming Noir issue from The Future Fire (TFF). It was just another Tuesday morning when she walked into the office--young, as I suspected they all might be, another dark brunette with some assistance and enough eye black to match up to Cleopatra. Often categorized as a blend of speculative fiction, noir detective story, and political allegory, the book defies simple genre classification. **A place to discuss published speculative fiction**—novels, short stories, comics, and more. From this classic noir setup, to the character voice and dialect, to the shady characters, to the twists and reversals, this book really keys into the strengths of the genre, and amplifies them even further with the visceral horrors of imaginary beasts. Oct 11, 2016 · Made to Kill is the thrilling new speculative noir from novelist and comic writer Adam Christopher. Blade Runner, which is a neo-noir of speculative fiction; and The Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) is a noir of speculative fiction (though it is SF first and foremost). Understanding its origins requires delving into the cultural landscape that birthed it, examining the specific influences that shaped its unique identity, and appreciating the creative Gamut published neo-noir, speculative fiction with a literary bent. The term "film noir" is a French term meaning "black film" or "dark film," which refers to the dark and moody themes and visual style of these films. It is a rage for order, not to discover an order that exists of itself, but to impose an order on the face of the howling void. Feb 4, 2025 · The Freedom Race, Lucinda Roy’s explosive first foray into speculative fiction, is a poignant blend of subjugation, resistance, and hope. Science fiction, fantasy, and noir work so […] Dec 22, 2023 · Allison Epstein, Let the Dead Bury Their Dead (Doubleday) An evil vila, or shapeshifting spirit in Russian folklore, is the catalyst for this noir take on the Russian Empire just after their pyrrhic victory against Napoleon. Feb 22, 2021 · Just as speculative fiction can have a complex relationship with reality, so often does Noir. His latest novel, Titanium Noir, combines these two loves to deliver a story that is simultaneously a down-and-dirty crime tale and a wonderfully expansive and visionary piece of speculative fiction. Tech noir/cyber noir – Combination of film noir and sci-fi. " - Michael Connelly "Hamilton (Los Angeles Noir, ed. Apr 28, 2013 · We’re happy to announce that award winning author Richard Thomas (Transubstantiate, Staring in the Abyss, Herniated Roots) will be Editor-in-Chief of our new speculative fiction, neo-noir imprint Dark House Press. xoyhathbpw7gcgbhnh5fmlmefexaimkd1gscco8o0x30