The readings are usually held on the first Tuesday of every month. The New York Review of Science Fiction Readings (NYRSFr) have showcased some of the most prominent as well as upcoming authors in the genre. Our commitment is to provide a venue open to all works of speculative fiction, whether they be works of fantasy, magical realism, horror, or science fiction. The range of writers who have participated in the series speaks not only of its diversity, but its quality as well. Saladin Ahmed, Paolo Bacigalupi, Richard Bowes, Susanna Clarke, Samuel R. Delany, Neil Gaiman, Ellen Kushner, Ken Liu, N. K. Jemisin, Ursula K. Le Guin, Jonathan Lethem, Patricia A. McKillip, Michael Moorcock, Walter Mosley, Naomi Novik, Geoff Ryman, Delia Sherman, Peter Straub, Michael Swanwick, and Scott Westerfeld are among the authors who have performed for our audience. We typically showcase two writers each month.
Most readings are streamed on Livestream -- go to Livestream.com and select Watch, then search for NYRSF. The events are also taped for broadcast over WBAI, 99.5 FM, on Jim Freund's science fiction radio program, Hour of the Wolf.
The series was created by Gordon Van Gelder around 1989. Subsequent curators have included Robert K. J. Kilheffer, Claire Wolf Smith, Joe Monti, Carol Cooper, Sheree Thomas, Amy Goldschlager, Paul Witcover, and currently Jim Freund, who has been recording the series from the start. We also have guest curators who take on the task of creating an event for a single month. While she was never technically a curator, the sense of fun and community spirit that Jenna Felice brought to the events remains a lasting part of her legacy. In her memory, we serve refreshments and have a freebie table that bears her name.
A great reading every fortnight! Don't forget the KGB Bar Fantastic Fiction reading series presented by Ellen Datlow and Matthew Kressel. We're (usually) the first Tuesday and they're the third Wednesday of each month.
