Charm City Spec Official
@charmcityspec.bsky.social
Come hear rising authors speak their truths at Baltimore's premier reading series in speculative fiction! Always free, and everyone is welcome.
Congratulations to CCS alumnus and one of our all-time favorite writers, Vajra Chandrasekera!!
Vajra Chandrasekera (@vajra.me)'s Rakesfall recently received the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction. In this new interview, Senior Books Editor @cxorlando.bsky.social asks him the author about genre boundaries, violence in fiction, and how Le Guin has inspired his writing:
A Conversation With Vajra Chandrasekera, Author of Rakesfall - Reactor
"I think writers, like all artists, have a responsibility to act as human cultural workers in an actual society"
reactormag.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Congratulations to CCS alumnus and one of our all-time favorite writers, Vajra Chandrasekera!!
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
That's right! THE POTENCY OF UNGOVERNABLE IMPULSES, latest and so far longest of the Mossa & Pleiti Investigations, is on ebook sale across platforms! If you've been waiting to catch up on the latest Jovian mystery, or wanted to get your own copy, now is a great time to do it!!
October 27, 2025 at 8:37 AM
That's right! THE POTENCY OF UNGOVERNABLE IMPULSES, latest and so far longest of the Mossa & Pleiti Investigations, is on ebook sale across platforms! If you've been waiting to catch up on the latest Jovian mystery, or wanted to get your own copy, now is a great time to do it!!
A HUGE congratulations to CCS alum and fabulous (in both ways) writer @vajra.me
!!! 🎉
We can't wait to see what he does next!
!!! 🎉
We can't wait to see what he does next!
Congratulations to Vajra Chandrasekera (@vajra.me), recipient of the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction for Rakesfall!
Chandrasekera's book was chosen by authors Matt Bell, Indra Das, Kelly Link, Sequoia Nagamatsu, and Rebecca Roanhorse.
Chandrasekera's book was chosen by authors Matt Bell, Indra Das, Kelly Link, Sequoia Nagamatsu, and Rebecca Roanhorse.
October 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
A HUGE congratulations to CCS alum and fabulous (in both ways) writer @vajra.me
!!! 🎉
We can't wait to see what he does next!
!!! 🎉
We can't wait to see what he does next!
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
Fall Cover Reveal! magazine.trollbreath.com/membership-a...
Support our work bringing short fiction, essays, and poetry! Join now at $5 an issue, $20 a year
Support our work bringing short fiction, essays, and poetry! Join now at $5 an issue, $20 a year
August 5, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Fall Cover Reveal! magazine.trollbreath.com/membership-a...
Support our work bringing short fiction, essays, and poetry! Join now at $5 an issue, $20 a year
Support our work bringing short fiction, essays, and poetry! Join now at $5 an issue, $20 a year
CCS alum and TropiWeird pioneer Karlo Yeager Rodriguez selling a veritable trove of great fiction over at itch.io right now! Don't miss this!
October 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
CCS alum and TropiWeird pioneer Karlo Yeager Rodriguez selling a veritable trove of great fiction over at itch.io right now! Don't miss this!
Fabulous and funny, recent CCS alumna Alaya Dawn Johnson appears in the new issue of Uncanny!
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/the-...
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/the-...
The Shadow on the Nest - Uncanny Magazine
“…but what is it like, having a war criminal as your past life?” Sadie Salazar, Licensed Life Speaker, should have been professionally above the prurient interest lighting her hazel eyes, and much too...
www.uncannymagazine.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Fabulous and funny, recent CCS alumna Alaya Dawn Johnson appears in the new issue of Uncanny!
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/the-...
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/the-...
Funny, smart, generous CCS alum Amber Sparks has a new novel out! I'm looking forward to it!
www.ambernoellesparks.com
www.ambernoellesparks.com
Amber Sparks
Click next to scroll through the selection of books. To purchase books, please visit the shop.
www.ambernoellesparks.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Funny, smart, generous CCS alum Amber Sparks has a new novel out! I'm looking forward to it!
www.ambernoellesparks.com
www.ambernoellesparks.com
Charm City Spec alumna (and friend) Fran Wilde putting an early flag down with her new fantasy heist—Go Fran Go!
I don’t think I’ve ever orange flagged right after launch - this is exciting! For everyone boosting, reading, & reviewing- thank you so much from the Canarviers and me! How far will you go to catch a thief?
@erewhonbooks.bsky.social @dianapho.bsky.social
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/781353...
@erewhonbooks.bsky.social @dianapho.bsky.social
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/781353...
October 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Charm City Spec alumna (and friend) Fran Wilde putting an early flag down with her new fantasy heist—Go Fran Go!
Edited by CCS alumna Ann Leblanc!
Today's read is a book I'm incredibly excited for - last year's award-winning cyberpunk anthology from @neonhemlock.bsky.social and @robotleblanc.bsky.social!
Huge shoutout to the team at NH for the review copy, let's give it a whirl ✨
Huge shoutout to the team at NH for the review copy, let's give it a whirl ✨
September 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Edited by CCS alumna Ann Leblanc!
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
The first episode of the new podcast miniseries I'm hosting at @issuesinst.bsky.social comes out on Tuesday! I'll be talking with @boriscrito.bsky.social about the anthropology of cloud storage, his Caribbean-influenced speculative fiction genre, Taínofuturismo, and more!
So pleased to share the incredible conversations of this upcoming podcast, talking to friends who work on topics like the intersection of food systems & climate; the takeover of Afghanistan; gender inequality; and how all of these fit into our understanding of disasters~ I hope you enjoy listening
Not Now, But Soon
Malka Older challenges our typical stories about disasters, and explains what they can teach us about society and building better futures.
issues.org
September 11, 2025 at 11:18 AM
The first episode of the new podcast miniseries I'm hosting at @issuesinst.bsky.social comes out on Tuesday! I'll be talking with @boriscrito.bsky.social about the anthropology of cloud storage, his Caribbean-influenced speculative fiction genre, Taínofuturismo, and more!
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
TOMORROW!
September 8, 2025 at 9:37 PM
TOMORROW!
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
Just a heads up that if you're coming to Charm City Spec tomorrow night--and you should! Look at that lineup!-- the bike race has falls road closed from Hampden to northern parkway and Northern parkway closed falls to Roland Ave. You can still get to the ivy if you come from the north.
Come join us this Saturday night when Alaya Dawn Johnson steps up to the mic! We have a killer lineup, and it's going to be a great night out on the patio at The Ivy Bookshop! 6:30 pm September 6th—free to all, and everyone is welcome!
September 5, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Just a heads up that if you're coming to Charm City Spec tomorrow night--and you should! Look at that lineup!-- the bike race has falls road closed from Hampden to northern parkway and Northern parkway closed falls to Roland Ave. You can still get to the ivy if you come from the north.
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT!! Don't forget to join us on the patio of the inimitable Ivy Bookshop, for an evening of drama and intrigue, as author Jeff Reynolds takes the mic to read, alongside a stellar lineup at the next CHARM CITY SPEC!! This Spec is going to be truly special. You won't want to miss it!
September 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT!! Don't forget to join us on the patio of the inimitable Ivy Bookshop, for an evening of drama and intrigue, as author Jeff Reynolds takes the mic to read, alongside a stellar lineup at the next CHARM CITY SPEC!! This Spec is going to be truly special. You won't want to miss it!
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
New story day! "The Truth About Crows" is a sweet fun story about what happens when a dragon finds a crow trespassing in her lair. I think my fondness for both crows and dragons is well documented by now!
It's the perfect length for a Friday afternoon break, too: factorfourmag.com/the-truth-ab...
It's the perfect length for a Friday afternoon break, too: factorfourmag.com/the-truth-ab...
The Truth About Crows by Jo Miles
The clink of gold against diamonds woke Artrullaxi the Magnificent from her slumber, and she held statue-still, listening. Someone had intruded on her lair. Another knight with more ambition than s…
factorfourmag.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:40 PM
New story day! "The Truth About Crows" is a sweet fun story about what happens when a dragon finds a crow trespassing in her lair. I think my fondness for both crows and dragons is well documented by now!
It's the perfect length for a Friday afternoon break, too: factorfourmag.com/the-truth-ab...
It's the perfect length for a Friday afternoon break, too: factorfourmag.com/the-truth-ab...
Friends, please join us this Saturday, September 6th, when Mary G. Thompson takes the mic to read from her provocative story of simulation, ONE LEVEL DOWN, at the next Charm City Spec! She joins a thrilling group of authors for what's sure to be a classic night!
September 5, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Friends, please join us this Saturday, September 6th, when Mary G. Thompson takes the mic to read from her provocative story of simulation, ONE LEVEL DOWN, at the next Charm City Spec! She joins a thrilling group of authors for what's sure to be a classic night!
Charm City Spec alum Andrew Hiller, kickstarting the audio book for his new novella—>
A sheyd is framed for murder in the Devil's corner of DC and Detective Sol Weiss is the only one with the Manischewitz to do anything about it.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit x Michael Chabon
#Humor #Fantasy #noir & look what @princejvstin.com has to say about it!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/att...
Who Framed Roger Rabbit x Michael Chabon
#Humor #Fantasy #noir & look what @princejvstin.com has to say about it!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/att...
September 4, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Charm City Spec alum Andrew Hiller, kickstarting the audio book for his new novella—>
Charm City Spec alumna Allison Pottern's story, up and free to read in the new Trollbreath! 👣
It's Thursday, so we are looking through our bag of gems to feature. This week, enjoy a laugh to get through: Allison Pottern's Cryptid Car Rental magazine.trollbreath.com/cryptid-car-...
@apottern.bsky.social
@apottern.bsky.social
Cryptid Car Rental - Trollbreath Magazine
by Allison Pottern
magazine.trollbreath.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Charm City Spec alumna Allison Pottern's story, up and free to read in the new Trollbreath! 👣
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
Hey, this Saturday night, come to Charm City Spec at Ivy Bookshop in Baltimore for a reading with a bunch of great writers, and also me. 😜
Note: I am not one of the amazing writers in the anthology, but I HAVE been reading it, and it IS really excellent!
www.theivybookshop.com/event/charm-...
Note: I am not one of the amazing writers in the anthology, but I HAVE been reading it, and it IS really excellent!
www.theivybookshop.com/event/charm-...
Ivy Bookshop - Charm City Spec: September Edition
Join us for Baltimore’s longstanding speculative fiction reading series on the Ivy patio! This September edition features an incredible lineup: Andy Duncan C.S.E. Cooney Mike Allen Alaya Dawn Johnson ...
www.theivybookshop.com
September 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Hey, this Saturday night, come to Charm City Spec at Ivy Bookshop in Baltimore for a reading with a bunch of great writers, and also me. 😜
Note: I am not one of the amazing writers in the anthology, but I HAVE been reading it, and it IS really excellent!
www.theivybookshop.com/event/charm-...
Note: I am not one of the amazing writers in the anthology, but I HAVE been reading it, and it IS really excellent!
www.theivybookshop.com/event/charm-...
Come join us this Saturday, September 6th, as Mike Allen augments a star-studded lineup for the next Charm City Spec! It's going to be a massive night!
September 4, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Come join us this Saturday, September 6th, as Mike Allen augments a star-studded lineup for the next Charm City Spec! It's going to be a massive night!
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
I got swag just in time for
@charmcityspec.bsky.social
on Sept. 6. Now, all I need is a book.
Wait!
That's tomorrow!
@charmcityspec.bsky.social
on Sept. 6. Now, all I need is a book.
Wait!
That's tomorrow!
September 1, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I got swag just in time for
@charmcityspec.bsky.social
on Sept. 6. Now, all I need is a book.
Wait!
That's tomorrow!
@charmcityspec.bsky.social
on Sept. 6. Now, all I need is a book.
Wait!
That's tomorrow!
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
REMINDER! This Saturday I'll be part of the @charmcityspec.bsky.social reading in Baltimore, alongside @csecooney.bsky.social, @andyduncansf.bsky.social & Alaya Dawn Johnson, reading from @thisjulieday.bsky.social’s STORYTELLER: A TANITH LEE TRIBUTE ANTHOLOGY!
descentintolight.com/2025/09/02/s...
descentintolight.com/2025/09/02/s...
September 3, 2025 at 1:06 AM
REMINDER! This Saturday I'll be part of the @charmcityspec.bsky.social reading in Baltimore, alongside @csecooney.bsky.social, @andyduncansf.bsky.social & Alaya Dawn Johnson, reading from @thisjulieday.bsky.social’s STORYTELLER: A TANITH LEE TRIBUTE ANTHOLOGY!
descentintolight.com/2025/09/02/s...
descentintolight.com/2025/09/02/s...
Come join us this Saturday night when Alaya Dawn Johnson steps up to the mic! We have a killer lineup, and it's going to be a great night out on the patio at The Ivy Bookshop! 6:30 pm September 6th—free to all, and everyone is welcome!
September 2, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Come join us this Saturday night when Alaya Dawn Johnson steps up to the mic! We have a killer lineup, and it's going to be a great night out on the patio at The Ivy Bookshop! 6:30 pm September 6th—free to all, and everyone is welcome!
Charm City Spec alumnus Andy Duncan returns to take the mic as part of a jaw-dropping lineup, Sepember 6th 2025 in what will surely be a historic night! Come join us, 6:30 pm on the patio behind the Ivy Bookshop. Everyone is welcome!
@andyduncansf.bsky.social
@andyduncansf.bsky.social
September 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Charm City Spec alumnus Andy Duncan returns to take the mic as part of a jaw-dropping lineup, Sepember 6th 2025 in what will surely be a historic night! Come join us, 6:30 pm on the patio behind the Ivy Bookshop. Everyone is welcome!
@andyduncansf.bsky.social
@andyduncansf.bsky.social
Reposted by Charm City Spec Official
Thrilled to be part of the 9/6 @charmcityspec.bsky.social reading in Baltimore, sharing from my story in @thisjulieday.bsky.social’s STORYTELLER: A TANITH LEE TRIBUTE ANTHOLOGY along w/ @csecooney.bsky.social, @andyduncansf.bsky.social & Alaya Dawn Johnson—what a lineup!
bit.ly/CharmCityTan...
bit.ly/CharmCityTan...
August 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Thrilled to be part of the 9/6 @charmcityspec.bsky.social reading in Baltimore, sharing from my story in @thisjulieday.bsky.social’s STORYTELLER: A TANITH LEE TRIBUTE ANTHOLOGY along w/ @csecooney.bsky.social, @andyduncansf.bsky.social & Alaya Dawn Johnson—what a lineup!
bit.ly/CharmCityTan...
bit.ly/CharmCityTan...
Updated link to the upcoming Charm City Spec event! (There was a recent email that had a stale link.) Please make a plan to come!
www.theivybookshop.com/event/charm-...
www.theivybookshop.com/event/charm-...
Ivy Bookshop - Charm City Spec: September Edition
Join us for Baltimore’s longstanding speculative fiction reading series on the Ivy patio! This September edition features an incredible lineup: Andy Duncan C.S.E. Cooney Mike Allen Alaya Dawn Johnson ...
www.theivybookshop.com
August 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Updated link to the upcoming Charm City Spec event! (There was a recent email that had a stale link.) Please make a plan to come!
www.theivybookshop.com/event/charm-...
www.theivybookshop.com/event/charm-...