The longlists for the Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) have been announced. Titles and authors of genre interest in the Prose category include:

 

S.C. Bandreddi, The Game of Oaths (Candlewick 6/26) Bandreddi’s debut outing is a young-adult historical dark fantasy novel about a magical circus in 1896 Paris. Performers trapped by contracts are forced to compete in a deadly tournament to entertain the elite while promising freedom for the winner – but one competitor is more interested in revenge. Full of magic and brutal action, with a diverse cast dealing with issues of colonialism that add a serious touch.

 

 

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Maurice Broaddus, A City Dreaming (Tor 6/26) The third and final volume in the Astra Black trilogy offers a complex mix of political intrigue and action, as a signal from a wormhole promises new arrivals, triggering conflicts across the solar system that threaten the Muungano Empire.

 

 

 

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Ellen Datlow, ed., Lovecraft’s Brood (Tachyon 7/26) A new anthology by noted editor Datlow offers 19 stories of cosmic dread from the last 20 years, with new takes on Lovecraftian themes. Authors include Laird Barron, Elizabeth Hand, Caitlín R. Kiernan, T. Kingfisher, Steve Rasnic Tem, Paul Tremblay, and L. Marie Wood.

 

 

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Kate Heartfield, Mercutio (Harper Voyager UK 5/26) In this ‘‘prequel’’ to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s witty friend Mercutio gets his own story told, as he and Dante Alighieri team up to stop a Faerie invasion into the real world.

 

 

 

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Allan Kaster, ed., The Year’s Top Hard Science Fiction Stories 10 (Infinivox 6/26) The latest volume in this popular SF year’s best anthology presents 11 stories from 2025 by an impressive roster of writers, including Vera Brook, Isabel J. Kim, Nancy Kress, Allen M. Steele, Bruce Sterling & Paul Di Filippo, and Peter Watts.

 

 

 

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Justin C. Key, The Hospital at the End of the World (Harper 2/26) This near-future SF novel imagines a world ‘‘in which hospitals are run entirely by AI and where doctors are little more than glorified software engineers.’’ [Ian Mond] Pok, a medical student, is forced to work in the only hospital not run by algorithms and learn how to deal with patients in a human way, all while trying to uncover his father’s secret.

 

 

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Haralambi Markov, The Language of Knives (Mythic Delirium 7/26) A collection of 13 dark fantasy/horror stories, four new, many involving elements of Slavic myth, dark humor, and questions of queer identity. This is Markov’s first collection, with an introduction by Ann VanderMeer.

 

 

 

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Alex Shvartsman, The Best of All Possible Planets (UFO Publishing 7/26) A satirical SF space opera novel, inspired primarily by Voltaire’s Candide (and not a little Douglas Adams), but with dozens more inspirations (and targets) from genre and pop culture (a list is provided). ‘‘But an exhaustive hunt for every Easter Egg would go against the spirit of this breezy read. Just relax and let the ride take you away from the actual world for a bit.’’ [Adrienne Martini] A small group sets out to get a new protective force shield for Earth, AKA Planet Dirt, and chaos naturally ensues.

 

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Jen St. Jude, Where You’ll Find Us (Bloomsbury US 6/26) This young-adult fantasy novel follows a disowned queer teen who finds a farmhouse out of time where queer kids from different decades have found refuge and share their experiences – until one day the clock starts ticking again.

 

 

 

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Adrian Tchaikovsky, The Best of Adrian Tchaikovsky (Subterranean 6/26) A hefty collection of 37 stories, chosen by the prolific author as his best, and with an Introduction by John Scalzi. Tchaikovsky notes he chose to omit some previously collected stories (notably those in his Shadows of the Apt series and his Lovecraftian Mythos stories) – what remains is a plentiful and entertaining mix of SF, fantasy, and ‘‘weirdness’’ that spans most of Tchaikovsky’s career, from early to recent tales.

#noinsta

What new books are worth adding to your reading list this week? Our September 22, 2026 new releases video explores the newest titles arriving across Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult fiction.

From vast futuristic worlds and magical adventures to eerie horror, supernatural discoveries, and captivating YA stories, this week’s lineup offers plenty of fresh possibilities for speculative fiction readers. We’ve gathered a selection of new and notable releases to help you discover your next book to pick up.

Be sure to subscribe for more weekly videos covering the latest Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult releases. Thanks for watching, and join us next week as we take a look at another wave of new books hitting shelves!

COVER REVEAL: Check out this dramatic cover for Battle for the Drømme, by Charles R. Cooke and Christopher X. Ryan, coming out September 29 from Driller Press.

From the publisher:

The Underground expands with Battle for the Drømme, the next action-packed novel from Charles R. Cooke and Christopher X. Ryan.

Häzzel has never ventured beyond the Drømme, the notorious trading post where smugglers, gangsters, and politicians all do business under the same roof in the frozen north of Tovsta.

When Ruslan, the newly crowned Supreme Archdeacon, begins tearing through the underground, demanding submission to his ruinous new tax, he sets his sights on the Drømme. Not to control it, but to destroy it.

With no army and no time, Häzzel does the unthinkable. She journeys into the Ulak Mountains in search of the legendary City of Lost Soldiers, a refuge for exiled warriors, disgraced soldiers, and mercenaries who fight for one thing alone: a price.

To reach them, she’ll risk everything. To hire them, she’ll have to survive them.

If she fails, the Drømme burns. If she succeeds, the battle for the Drømme begins, and something far worse may rise with it.

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Visit our bookshop.org page to purchase this week’s new books and support your local bookstore. And us!

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Bellefleur, Alexandria: Damned if I Do (Penguin Random House/Berkley Romance 978-0593952528, $20.00, 352pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Contemporary fantasy romance novel. Effie sold her soul to Lucifer centuries ago, and to proceed with her engagement to demon Belphagor, she has to persuade the reincarnation of her past human husband to divorce her.

 

Bhathena, Tanaz: Witch Daughter (Grand Central 978-1538780862, $29.00, 320pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Fantasy novel based the epic poem Shahnameh. With her royal father in poor health, Princess Tahmineh rashly commits herself to a prophesied romance with warrior Rostam, only to discover that their fated marriage has dire consequences for him and their son.

 

Blue, Sarah: The Slayer Seduction (self-published No ISBN, $3.99, 328pp, formats: ebook, audiobook, 09/25/2026)

Fantasy romance novel, third in the Celestial Witches series. Convinced she’s a demon, Slayer courts a woman, possessing a man’s body to do so — and she’s torn between freeing the man, Adam, and her attraction to Slayer.

 

Due, Tananarive: Mazywood (Simon & Schuster/Saga Press 978-1668075142, $32.00, 512pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. Filmmaker Johnny brings his family to Mazywood, cabin retreat of his grandmother, famed Black actress Mazelle Washington, and discovers dark, terrifying secrets there. Simultaneous with the Titan UK edition.

 

Garber, Stephanie: The Mirror of Infinite Endings (Macmillan/Flatiron 978-1250462039, $21.99, 256pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Fantasy novel, a companion to the Once Upon a Broken Heart series. A secret might reshape the story of Jacks and Evangeline in the Hollow. Features ttwenty full-page illustrations by Lotusbubble. Simultaneous with the Gollancz UK edition.

 

Golden, Christopher: Carry Me to My Grave (Titan Books UK 978-1835419472, £9.99, 336pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. Malcolm holds a vigil at the bedside of his dying mother and alleged witch, about whom local children used to chant: Maggie Wise will take your eyes. First UK edition (St. Martin’s 7/26).

 

Grace, Adalyn: The Wretched Divine (Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends 978-1250397751, $32.99, 512pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Fantasy romance novel. Aurelie, a knight raised to kill demons, is torn between demon Severin and her family’s angel Yuriel as they seek a cure to turn demons back into humans. The author’s first adult novel. Simultaneous with the Gollancz UK edition.

 

Graudin, Ryan: Bright and Broken Things (Orbit US/Redhook 978-0316419185, $19.99, 384pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Historical fantasy novel. World War 1 survivor Ezra, haunted with magical abilities, stumbles into a lethal high-society Order and is drawn into a high-stakes treasure-hunt race during the “Egyptomania” craze of the 1920s.

 

Hardy, MK: The Haunting of Avis Lovelock (Profile/Solaris UK 978-1837866960, £9.99, 350pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/24/2026)

Historical haunting novel. Professional debunker Avis is brought aboard to the ocean liner Excambion to prove it’s not haunted, though twin spiritualists, apparitions, and a death complicate things. The author is a pen name for Morag Hannah & Erin Hardee.

 

Hellisen, CL: The Shape of Monsters (Macmillan/Tor UK 978-1037401190, £20.00, 416pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/24/2026)

Fantasy novel. Estranged siblings Aleks and Vaira return to their family’s old gothic mansion, a locus of dark and wild magic. First UK (Orbit US 2026).

 

Helm, Deena: Our Cut of Salt (Tor/Nightfire 978-1250434661, $27.99, 288pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. Marina and her mother return to their grandmother’s home in Haifa, Palestine, but the deeper Marina reaches into their family’s history, the more she becomes affected with a mysterious illness and potential haunting.

 

Katsu, Alma: Incarnate (Penguin Random House/Putnam 979-8217177707, $21.00, 336pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. Dorothy, onetime influencer now working at a tech company, uses deepfake software to create the viral sensation Isabella, only for violence to break out when someone gets too close to the truth.

 

Moore, Marshall J.: The Henchperson’s Guide to Unionizing (Penguin Random House/Bantam Dell 979-8217374168, $21.00, , formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Paranormal novel. Overworked henchman Igor forms a bond with fellow underlings — witch’s cat Grimalkin and vampire’s bride Cornelia — and together they decide to rise up against their servitude.

 

Mortlock, Amanda: Strange Bedfellows (Simon & Schuster/Atria/Bestler 978-1668205778, $20.00, 448pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. College student Cleo meets brooding musician Wes, though sometimes she shapeshifts into his pet cat — in fact, he’s a witch and she’s his familiar, with a dark shared history. A first novel.

 

Mostyn-Brown, Megan: The Need (Penguin Random House/Del Rey 979-8217093984, $28.00, 288pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. In a world where a hereditary condition called The Need makes some people desperate to eat human flesh, a single mother and her kids are drawn by secrets towards an affluent, fashionable cannibal family in New York.

 

O’Donnell, Tom: Lucy Kline: Necromancer (St. Martin’s/Wednesday Books 978-1250353122, $13.99, 336pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Young-adult horror novel. Nancy-Drew-like detective Lucy thought she solved the grim case and presumed murder of her sister Luisa, but a girl who looks just like Louisa goes missing, and Lucy starts to suspect there’s more necromantic things going on.

 

Panatier, Chris: Worry Box (Angry Robot 978-1836730323, $19.99, 352pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. The Martin family moves into a house whose cozy attic might help their foster child, Lailah, deal with her intrusive thoughts; but these thoughts start to get more violent, to her panic.

 

Reyes, Sonido: To Our Untamed Core (HarperCollins/Versify 978-0063358447, $19.99, 432pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Young-adult dystopian novel. In an alternate world where the Holy Order rules in the wake of the conquistadors, Temo, a teen trans boy living in secret, enters the battle-to-the-death game El Torneo to save his boyfriend Ollin.

 

Ridley, Erica: Insatiable (Penguin Random House/Delacorte 979-8217117413, $12.99, 352pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Young-adult horror novel. Catriona receives a mysterious scholarship to an island boarding school where the girls are outnumbered and harassed by boys. After a violent attack, she develops powers and a hunger to devour predatory males.

 

Rosson, Keith: Crone (Penguin Random House/Random House 978-0593733431, $30.00, 352pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. Ex-detective, ex-addict, and grieving father Eli Lamp works as an enforcer for a drug gang, only for a murder to bring him closer to his own daughter’s disappearance ten years ago.

 

Rushby, A.: All Her Beautiful Deaths (Penguin Random House/Berkley 978-0593954676, $30.00, 464pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Gothic horror novel. In 1865 London, maid Minnie discovers odd behavior in the Culpepper family’s twins, including glassplate photography of a dead woman. In the present, artist Hadley finds herself involved with the centuries-old photographs…and the Culpepper estate trying bury them. Author also writes as Allison Rushby and A.J. Rushby.

 

Shepherd, Ben: Blood Drunk (Macmillan/Tor UK 978-1035083831, £20.00, 416pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/24/2026)

Urban fantasy novel. After a failed hit for his gangster uncle, Freddie stumbles into an underworld of vampires and monsters, where he’s aided by his ability to draw magical strength from deaths.

 

Smith, Bryan: Monstrous (Flame Tree Press UK 978-1787589940, $26.95, 256pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, 09/22/2026)

Cosmic horror novel. An aspiring serial killer, his intended first victim, and a woman with a dark secret are on a remote mountain, where they’re transported to a surreal, endless field with a seemingly abandoned skyscraper that they must enter.

 

Smyth, Courtney: The Undetectables: The Unfathomable Curse (Titan Books UK 978-1835412213, $18.99, 496pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Fantasy mystery novel, third in The Undetectables series. Broadwick heiress Cornelia finds herself estranged from her family, only for a new serial killer — the Wickermere Reaper — to snatch her twin sisters and force her back into contact with her relatives. An international edition with US and UK prices.

 

South, Carrie Lee: In the Woods They Wait (Little, Brown/Mulholland Books 978-0316608985, $29.00, 304pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/22/2026)

Horror novel. Park ranger Audrey Figg investigates the disappearance of a child in Devil’s Den, a park in the Ozarks, eerily similar to her little brother’s case there fifteen years before. A first novel.

 

Strahan, Jonathan: Revolution in the Heart (Titan Books UK 978-1835412749, £22.00, 496pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, 09/22/2026)

Original anthology of 15 new stories inspired by the work of Ursula K. Le Guin. Authors include Karen Joy Fowler, AI Jiang, Ann Leckie, Darcie Little Badger, Kelly Link, Premee Mohamed and E. Lily Yu.

 

Watts, Peter: Fold Catastrophes (Tachyon Publications 978-1616964672, $18.95, 352pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/22/2026)

Collection of 11 science fiction stories about future technology: a weaponized water supply that reprograms the brain, an accidental hive mind, a ship trying to pass through a sun by shielding itself with an ice planet, and more. Introduction by Richard K. Morgan.

 

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The post New Book Releases: Sep 22, 2026 appeared first on Locus.

Matt Dinniman had a very good June, with four books in his Dungeon Crawler Carl series taking the top four spots on our hardcover list. Carl’s Doomsday Scenario came in first, followed closely by The Gate of the Feral Gods. We Burned So Bright (Tor), TJ Klune’s new end-of-the-world standalone novel, was our first runner-up. There were 51 nominated titles, up from 45 last month.

Matt Dinniman continued his dominance on the trade paperback list with Dungeon Crawler Carl flipping last month’s order, and coming in first over Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, last month’s winner and this month’s second place. Our new runner-up was Sarah J. Maas’s Kingdom of Ash (Bloomsbury US), the seventh book in her Throne of Glass series. Seventy-two titles were nominated, up from last month’s 63.

Two books by Dan Abnett tied for first place on our media and gam­ing-related list, Warhammer 40,000: Eisenhorn: The Omnibus and Warhammer 40,000: The Horus Heresy: Horus Rising. Critical Role: Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon come in a close second. There were no new runners-up. We had 20 titles nominated, up from 15 last month

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Compiled with data from: Bakka-Phoenix (Canada), Book Moon (MA), Borderlands (CA), McNally Robinson (two in Canada), Mysterious Galaxy (CA), Toadstool (two in NH), White Dwarf (Canada).

Data period: June 2026

The post Locus Bestsellers, August 2026 appeared first on Locus.

Ready to find your next book to dive into? Our September 15, 2026 new releases video takes a fresh look at this week’s latest arrivals in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult fiction.

This week brings another mix of imaginative settings, epic journeys, chilling encounters, supernatural mysteries, and engaging YA stories. Whether you’re looking for your next big speculative-fiction read or simply want to see what’s new on bookstore shelves, we’ve rounded up a selection of titles worth checking out.

For more weekly coverage of new Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult releases, make sure to subscribe and join us each week as we explore the latest books hitting shelves. Thanks for watching, and we’ll be back next week with another batch of new releases!

The post New Book Releases Video: September 15, 2026 appeared first on Locus.

The National Book Foundation has announced that it will present Salman Rushdie with the 2026 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters (DCAL) at this year’s National Book Awards Ceremony on November 18, 2026. Author Kiran Desai will present the award.

The DCAL Medal was created in 1988 “to recognize a lifetime of literary achievement.” Prior recipients of genre interest include Ursula K. Le Guin, Toni Morrison, and Walter Mosley. The recipient receives a solid brass medal, as well as $10,000.

For more information, see the official announcement.

The post Rushdie Receives NBF Lifetime Achievement Award appeared first on Locus.

Visit our bookshop.org page to purchase this week’s new books and support your local bookstore. And us!

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Astic, Guy & Lafond, Frank: The Art and Craft of Stephen King (Hachette/Black Dog & Leventhal 979-8894141954, SF novel, final book in the House of Atreus series set in a world where the ancient Greek gods were actually corrupted ancient artificial intelligences. Ore, 505pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Non-fiction reference guide to King’s life and works, which examines every novel, novella, and short story. Includes over 300 photos.

 

Bardugo, Leigh: Dead Beat (Macmillan/Flatiron 978-1250884312, $29.99, 496pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Dark fantasy/horror novel, third in the Ninth House series. After leaving hell, Alex Stern and her group must hunt down the demons that followed her, while Alex tries to get a degree at Yale. Simultaneous with the Orion UK edition.

 

Bayron, Kalynn: Tell the Ghosts I’m Gone (Bloomsbury USA 978-1547615896, $21.00, 336pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/01/2026)

Young-adult fantasy novel. Moll and her friends each have a supernatural power; Moll can manipulate people’s emotions and is ready to gain firsthand experience, but that may have unintended consequences.

 

Coxon, Dan & Fracassi, Philip: Unearthed (Titan Books UK 978-1835413098, $19.99, 416pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Original anthology of 19 original horror stories. Authors include Tananarive Due, Christopher Golden, Josh Malerman, Tim Lebbon, Eric LaRocca. A.M. Shine, Jonathan Maberry, Hildur Knútsdóttir, Ai Jiang, A. G. Slatter, and more.

 

Creedle, Laura: The Girl in Green (HarperCollins 978-0063359185, $19.99, 400pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Young-adult horror novel. Jess moves to a new school in the West Virginian mountains, and tries to find answers when a student goes missing.

 

Datlow, Ellen: All Hallows Eve (Titan Books UK 978-1835415436, $29.99, 336pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Original anthology of 19 horror stories offering new takes on Halloween around the globe. Introduction by Ellen Datlow; foreword by Lisa Morton. Authors include Linda D. Addison, Chikodili Emelumadu, and many more.

 

Gill, Nikita: Styx: The River (Little, Brown 978-0316613347, $21.99, 534pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Young-adult fantasy novel in poetry and vignettes, second in the Goddesses of the Underworld series reimagining Greek myth. Styx is the firstborn of the Titans, and was respected until she was overshadowed by her siblings. She finds comfort in training training the art of magic and creation. Simultaneous with the Simon & Schuster UK edition.

 

Goodman, A.B.: House of Atreus: Trial & Consequences (Planetary Books 979-8233643101, $4.99, 198pp, formats: ebook, 09/15/2026)

SF novel, fourth in a series set in a world where the ancient Greek gods were actually corrupted ancient artificial intelligences. Orestes is on trial for the murder of his mother, and Athena calls twelve mortals to judge the trial.

 

Goût, Leopoldo: Rooted (Tor/Nightfire 978-1250781529, $28.46, 288pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Horror novel. Aurora, an art major, returns to Mexico City to celebrate a major accomplishment, but reality stops working like normal.

 

Kraven, T.C.: Blood & Bedlam (Diversion Books 979-8895150733, $28.49, 329pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Vampire romance novel. Vlad Dracul, the original vampyr, hopes to reignite his love with Reine, a bartender with a very old soul, even if it starts war.

 

Kuliasha, Jasmine: Bigfoot Confidential (Orbit Works 978-0316587358, $19.99, 332pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Fantasy novel. Jericho James has been working on a case involving (big, strong, and sexy) bigfoot sightings, but she has a strong feeling that she’s being watched.

 

Lee, Laura Piper: Doomsdate (Penguin Random House/Dell 979-8217095612, $20.00, 416pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Zombie apocalypse romance novel. As the threat of a lockdown grows larger Maisie Bennett has one goal: to get laid. But on her first date with melancholy Dr. Everett Greer, people begin to turn into flesh-eating zombies.

 

Marske, Freya: Bodies of Magic (Tor 978-1250341655, $28.99, 464pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Dark academia fantasy novel. A group of mages with the gift of healing magic are about to begin their final exam when they stumble upon a dead body. Simultaneous with the Tor Bramble UK edition.

 

Mathewson, Hannah: The Age of Blood and Magic (HarperCollins/Morrow 978-0063456280, $30.00, 432pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Fantasy novel. Magic used to only belong to the witches, fae, and vampires, but a hundred years ago, Martin Maddock stole it, and built trilion-dollar company on selling bottled magic. Simultaneous with the Harper Voyager UK edition.

 

Mbengei, Peace: We Run the Night (Soho Teen 978-1641297509, $19.99, 336pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Horror novel. Shani returns to her isolated boarding school following her father’s death, but students begin experiencing strange skin conditions, and a popular student suddenly goes missing. A first novel.

 

McGrath, Paul: A Hard Left (Stoney Creek 978-1965766811, $21.95, 270pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Satirical SF novel, third in the Terran Incognita series. The FBI investigates a case of a person waking up in a different body, and two aliens known as Xylodonian Guardians try to keep the world together.

 

Merriam, Joanne: Aether and Ego (Inanna 978-1834210261, $24.95, 240pp, formats: paperback, 09/15/2026)

SF novel, a retelling of Pride & Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennett is the second generation of people on a long journey to Alpha Centauri. When her younger sister Lydia elopes, she must work with the insufferable Mr. Darcy to save her reputation. A first novel.

 

Miéville, China: The Rouse (Penguin Random House/Del Rey 978-0399181092, $40.00, 1260pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Uncanny novel wuth horror elements. Maur’s entire life has been filled with loss, and the answer seems to lie within the dark past of a soldier who shares the same interests and motivations as her. Simultaneous with the Macmillan UK edition.

 

Morgan, Louisa: The Faerie Handmaid (Orbit US/Redhook 978-0316585170, $19.99, 432pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Fantasy novel. Braithe becomes the handmaid to a powerful priestess named Morgana, and must travel with her to the white city to investigate a cursed king.

 

O’Regan, Marie & Kane, Paul: The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Enchantment (Titan Books UK 978-1835415337, $29.99, 352pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Anthology of 12 stories of fantasy and romance. Authors include Kelley Armstrong, Rebecca Thorne, Alexis Hall, L. R. Lam, A.Y. Chao, and more.

 

Patrick, Auden: Thoughts Be Bloody (Astra House/DAW 978-0756420475, $20.00, 368pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Fantasy novel, a retelling of Hamlet. At a magical college, Horatio stumbles upon his fellow student Carson Hamlett cradling his father’s dead body in the library.

 

Piper, Hailey: This Movie Doesn’t End the Way We Want (Titan Books UK 978-1835411483, $18.99, 320pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Horror novel. In 1994, Val watched an obscure horror movie in theaters with her sister and friend, and was the only one ever seen again.

 

Ralph, Vincent: Corpse Creek (St. Martin’s/Wednesday Books 978-1250372185, $15.00, 256pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Young-adult horror novel, third in the Bleak Haven series. Teen Ethan returns to the cursed creek where his brother died years ago, only to find a figure that looks eerily like his brother demanding a sacrifice.

 

Ralph, Vincent: Fear Farm (St. Martin’s/Wednesday Books 978-1250372161, $14.00, 240pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Young-adult horror novel, fourth in the Bleak Haven series. Tori goes undercover at the Fear Farm Fright-Fest, Bleak Haven’s suspicious annual event where odd accidents happen.

 

Reid, Ava: Winterveil (HarperCollins 978-0063462281, $21.99, 448pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Young-adult SF novel. At Winterveil, where criminal students are trained to play war simulations, four students are drawn together into a conspiracy.

 

Schaefer, Saratoga: A Thousand Monstrous Forms (The Quick Brown Fox/Crooked Lane 979-8892427401, $29.99, 326pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Horror novel, a Bluebeard retelling. Impulsive artist Poppy Reed marries wealthy art dealer Celia Marie Fox, but finds herself drawn towards a forbidden, locked basement.

 

Schuyler, Nina: Open the Floodgates (Chin Music Press/Reverberations 978-1634051040, $24.95, 224pp, formats: hardcover, 09/15/2026)

Environmental fable. In a California town, a River is granted personhood, where it argues in court for its existence against powerful enemies who want to keep filling it with toxic waste.

 

Steven, L.K.: Turncloak (Penguin Random House/Del Rey 978-0593974025, $32.99, 544pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Fantasy romance novel, second in the Silvercloak Saga. The new kingpin of the Bloodmoon Gang has discovered Saffron is a Silvercloak, and a detective follows them both while Saffron tries to fix her mistakes. Simultaneous with the Del Rey UK edition.

 

Thomas, Sheree Renée: The Tongue I Dream In (PM Press 979-8887441955, $16.00, 160pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/15/2026)

Book of poems, stories, essays, and an interview, part of the Outspoken Authors series. Thomas discusses the intersections of poetry, science fiction, and myth across Black and white cultures.

 

Valldeperas, R.J.: Daughter of the Dark (Tor/Bramble 978-1250427953, $29.17, 336pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Dark fantasy novel, first in the Daughters of Auquis series. In Supay, people are cursed to be resurrected as muki, and Solana is offered the position of Royal Demon Hunter.

 

Waring, Wendy: The Hunger of Those Who Built It (Stelliform Press 978-1998466054, $22.99, 415pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/17/2026)

Solarpunk novel. In 2049 Paris devastated by ecological collapse, people fight to save seeds and retain their bonds with one another. A first novel.

 

Williams, LaDarrion: Ashes at the Altar (Penguin Random House/Labyrinth Road 978-0593712009, $20.99, 528pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Young-adult fantasy novel, third in the Blood at the Root trilogy. Malik continues at secret magical HBCU Caiman academy, and fights the demonic entity Marinette and contends with his father’s family, the Bonclairs.

 

Zinnikas, Emily: I Am the Monster Under the Bed (St. Martin’s 978-1250454782, $29.00, 320pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/15/2026)

Horror novel. Reclusive painter Willa is outed as the only survivor of a massacre during her time in high school, and tries to remember not just that night but the benevolent creature under her bed. A first novel. A first novel.

 

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The post New Book Releases: Sep 15, 2026 appeared first on Locus.

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WENDY N. WAGNER is stepping down as editor-in-chief of Nightmare Magazine and senior editor of Lightspeed “to focus on her own writing.” Founding editor John Joseph Adams will resume the role at Nightmare starting with the January 2027 issue; in her place, associate publisher Christie Yant will assume the role of senior editor.

 

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C. RHOAD ELLIS sold The Poison Vein, first in the Saga of Ruined Saints trilogy, with two more books to Anne Groell at Del Rey via James McGowan of BookEnds. UK rights sold to Delayna Spencer

GRACE D. LI sold You Bring Death to Our Shores, “an epic told in two timelines, the Trojan War and the Greek afterlife,” and another book to Ruoxi Chen while at Tor via Kate Schafer Testerman of kt literary. Stephanie Stein will edit for Wildthorn. UK rights sold to Daphne Tonge and Davi Lancett at Daphne Press (UK).

REBECCA TEMPLETON’s Lochbound, “a reimagining of The Little Mermaid set in 18th-century Scotland,” went to Jessica Case at Pegasus via Jessica Purdue at Little, Brown UK.

CHARLOTTE IDYLLWILD’s historical fantasy The Bottom of the Library and another book sold to Nate Lanman at Del Rey via Lauren Bajek of Liza Dawson Associates. UK rights went to Kate McHale at Del Rey UK.

MILES LYON sold The Price of Fear, first in a trilogy, and two more titles to Joe Monti at Saga Press via John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton Agency. UK rights sold to Jorgie Bain at Michael Joseph.

CATELYN WILSON sold two dark fantasies to Rebecca Hilsdon at Michael Joseph via Stevie Finegan of Zeno Agency.

RICARDO MENÉNDEZ SALMÓN’s Ark, “blending noir, speculative fiction and metaphysical mystery,” went to Brian Etling at Knopf via Cristina Hidalgo of Grupo Planeta.

JUSTIN SLOAN sold “military progression fantasy” Yokai Protocol to Daniel Ehrenhaft at Blackstone Publishing via Connor Smith of Hesperides Literary.

L.K. STEVENS’s The Kindling, “pitched as Fahrenheit 451 for the ChatGPT generation,” sold to Daniel Ehrenhaft at Blackstone Publishing at auction via Chloe Seager of Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. UK rights went to Charlotte Trumble at Voyager UK.

JASON KASPER’s The Vesper Hour, “first in a post-apocalyptic thriller series,” and at least one other book sold to Andrew Watts at Severn River. Catherine Streissguth will edit.

HELEN KNOTT sold The Dreams We Remember and another title to Janice Zawerbny at Harper Canada at auction via Carolyn Forde of Transatlantic Literary Agency.

P.C. VERRONE’s The Blond, “a genre-bending historical thriller following queer communities from the 18th century and into the 22nd,” went to Elizabeth Pankova at Catapult via Alyssa Jennette of Stonesong.

ALBERTO LAISECA’s Los Sorias, “pitched as the Latin American Gravity’s Rainbow,” translated by Max Lawton, sold to Will Evans and Sarah McEachern at Deep Vellum via Zacarías Lara Peláez of Barrett.

M. JOHN HARRISON’s post-apocalyptic adventure The End of Everything, “set in a drowned world where government barely functions and entire continents have been mislaid,” went to Parisa Ebrahimi at Riverhead via PJ Mark of Janklow & Nesbit on behalf of Will Francis. UK rights sold to Serpent’s Tail

JENNIFER DIARENZO sold An Act of Flesh and Fins, “in which a scorned marine biologist becomes queen of a hidden mermaid kingdom beneath the Bermuda Triangle,” to Lynn McNamee at Red Adept via Lindsay Guzzardo of Keystone Literary Agency.

JESSICA WIDNER sold In Residence, a ghost story about a married couple in Edinburgh who start an artist residency in a remote, luxurious house, to Caroline Zancan at Mariner at auction via Kate Johnson of Wolf Literary Services. UK rights went to Jenna Gordon at Verve Books, and Canadian rights to Shivaun Hearne at House of Anansi.

KEVIN MACK sold Glide Ratio, set in an alternate 1937 where Jim Crow rules the south and Florida is an independent nation, to Geoff Habiger at Shadow Dragon Press.

OFELIA J. VAZQUEZ sold fantasy Grave of Petals, “loosely inspired by the Mexican Revolution,” to Michael Kist at Bindery Books via Miriam Cortinovis of Ki Agency.

JACK SHERWIN writing as JKSMANGA sold Return of the Legendary Dragon, “in which a sickly young man becomes host to the soul of an ancient dragon and enters a deadly game that the government has rigged against the underclass,” and two more books to Rhett Bruno at Aethon & Vault via M.H.F. Saint of Achilles Literary Agency. The First Vampire Punisher by Sherwin and L.E. GRAVES plus two more books also went to Bruno at auction via Saint.

BROOKE ABRAMS’s Annie Torres Checks In, “pitched as Jane the Virgin meets Practical Magic,” went to Selena James at Lake Union Publishing via Joanna MacKenzie of Nelson Literary Agency. Pippa White will edit.

GWENDOLYN WOMACK sold The Last Immortal, the final book in the Last Labyrinth duology, and another title to Elizabeth Agyemang at 47North via Alec Shane of Writers House.

KELLIE WALLACE’s Heavenly Bodies went to Jean Lowd at Creative James.

SARAH FOX sold Barking in a Winter Wonderland to Sara Porter at Severn House via Jessica Faust of BookEnds (world English).

TANYA GUERRERO sold Meet Me in the Future, “about a time-traveling Soviet space dog,” and another title to Wendy Wong at Bantam Dell via Amy Bishop-Wycisk of Trellis Literary Management.

SEREN ROSE sold “siren-pirate romantasy” The Song of Salt and Shadow and another title to Juliana Nador at Simon Maverick for six figures at auction via Angie Ojeda Hazen of Lunar Literary Agency.

ELIZABETH HELEN sold Her Dark Empire, first in a trilogy “set in a world ravaged by storms and divided by magic,” and two more titles to Christa Desir at Bloom Books via Susan Velazquez Colmant at JABberwocky Literary Agency. Kylie Hagmann will edit.

JESSIE SYLVA’s My Big Fat Halfling Wedding went to Tiana Coven at Orbit and Jenni Hill at Orbit UK via Maeve MacLysaght of Aevitas Creative Management.

PIXIE RELLA sold Blackheart, “first in a romantasy trilogy following a seamstress for the army and prisoner condemned for a crime she didn’t commit,” and two more books to Marilyn Kretzer at Blackstone Publishing for six figures via Jeanne De Vita of Martin-Newens Literary Management. UK rights sold to Rebecca Hilsdon at Michael Joseph via Stevie Finegan of Zeno Agency on behalf of JABberwocky Literary Agency.

RY HERMAN sold This Fairy Stabs Everyone, “based on the Kalevala, an epic poem recounting the myths and folktales of Finland,” to Katy Nishimoto at Dial Press via Michelle Hauck of Storm Literary Agency.

FINNEGAN MARCH’s “dark sapphic fantasy” What Crawls from the Forest went to Katie McGuire at Alcove Press via Katie Blagden of The Ampersand Agency.

MAX WALKER sold Dating & Dragons to Thaisheemarie Fantauzzi Pérez at Alcove Press via Kirsten Lang of Zeno Agency.

SAMANTHA DEVEREAUX’s Healer’s Touch and two more titles in the Gifted Legacy fantasy romance series sold to Ajebowale Roberts at Macmillan via Stevie Finegan of Zeno Agency.

DANI RAANAN sold The Crafter’s Wife to Ian Whates at NewCon Press via John Jarrold of John Jarrold Literary Agency.

JENNA LEVINE sold Accidental Main Character and another title to Kristine Swartz at Berkley via Gaia Banks of Sheil Land Associates.

MEGHAN LE FAY sold Twisted Fates, “a series of interconnected yet standalone dark fairy tale retellings,” and two more books to Meredith Wild at Page & Vine via Diego Harrison of SBR Media.

E.A. NOBLE sold “sapphic dark fantasy” Blessed Be the Fall, following an immortal mermaid and a priestess, to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow.

HAYLEY REESE CHOW’s House of the Chosen, a dark fantasy with a side of romance, went to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow via Kristen Terrette of Martin-Newens Literary Management. Lisa Morris will edit.

HEATHER HEAL’s Crown of Void and Starlight went to Lisa Green at City Owl Press.

H.M. WOLFE resold originally self-published The Book of Cin and Blood Rains Down and sold an untitled third book to Sarah McCabe at Scarlett Press via Angie Ojeda Hazen of Lunar Literary Agency.

NOAH BODIE sold I Think I’m in Love With the Villain’s Son to Lisa Green at City Owl Press.

CHRISTA CARMEN’s Threshing Rock, “in which a pregnant doomsday prepper/influencer discovers her every fear can be banished via a ritual atop a threshing rock,” and another title went to Mika Kasuga at Union Square & Co at auction via Jill Marr of Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.

REBECCA MAHONEY’s Otherling, “pitched for fans of Jordan Peele’s Us and Severance,” sold to Olivia Zavitson at Hyperion Avenue via Michaela Whatnall of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

CARLIE ST. GEORGE sold We Were Meant to Rot, “in which a distraught mother embarks on the last road trip she’ll ever take with the body of her dead daughter,” and another title to Rachel Gilmer at Poisoned Pen Press at auction via Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency.

V. CASTRO sold “erotic horror Latinx novel” Jaguar Nights to Christoph Paul at Clash via Jessica Berg of Rosecliff Literary

ERIK HANSON’s Wake the Mariner, in which an expedition to the wreck of the Titanic inadvertently frees an ancient vampire from its grave, sold to Michael Dolan at Winding Road Stories.

ROBIN BECKER sold “Southern gothic horror” Dear Connie to Dan Franklin at Cemetery Dance via Connor Smith of Hesperides Literary.

WENDY DALRYMPLE sold Liquid Gold, in which a young mother becomes trapped in a cult of lactation specialists, to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow.

SHANNON IVES’s We Have Ruined Each Other with Our Love, “pitched as Lovecraft meets Little House on the Prairie,” went to Alexandra Murphy at Page Street Horror via John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton Agency.

ARIES AMIAN sold Boycraft, “a Filipino folkloric retelling of Frankenstein through the hands of a trans girl,” to Alexandra Murphy at Page Street Horror.

Mathew L Reyes’s Its Hour Come Round at Last sold to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow. Lisa Morris will edit.

SANDRA BECERRIL sold The Unspeakable to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow. A.L. Garcia will edit.

RAMSEY CAMPBELL sold Embrace the Dark to Don D’Auria at Flame Tree Press via John Jarrold at John Jarrold Literary Agency (world English).

EMILY SHINER sold My Summer Camp Slasher to Ariana Sinclair at William Morrow via Logan Harper of Jane Rotrosen Agency.

DENNIS MAHONEY’s Dear Demon, “about the cat-and-mouse game of a battle-hardened exorcist and the demon desperate to possess her,” sold to Taz Urnov at Hell’s Hundred via Stacia Decker of Dunow, Carlson & Lerner.

STEPHANIE SANDERS-JACOB’s Nothing Gentle Walks Here went to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow. Lisa Morris will edit.

DANE ERBACH’s Skitters sold to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow.

HOLLY HAMMOND’s Doll Eyes sold to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow. Lisa Morris will edit.

SHAWN SELDERS sold Shark Rising to Marcia Markland at Crooked Lane via Jess Gilbert of D4EO Literary Agency.

STACI LAYNE WILSON’s short story collection The World’s Oldest Baby went to Jarret Keene at Dark Wolf.

BLAINE DAIGLE sold The Devil’s Keeper to Rhett Bruno at Wicked House. Andrew Najberg will edit.

AMBER HAMILTON’s “dark academia romantasy Little Mermaid retelling” Three Wicked Lies sold to Mary Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury Children’s via Caitlin Blasdell of Liza Dawson Associates.

LINDSAY RIBAR sold We Brought Her Back, in which a girl resurrects her girlfriend but learns “that the demon who caused her death has hitched a ride back to the land of the living,” to Clare Vaughn at Avon A via Brenda Bowen of The Book Group.

HAILIE KEI’s Tokyo Shadow Games, about a group of teens taken to a parallel Tokyo and forced to compete in a tournament to win a wish from the gods and a chance to go home, went to Lauren Knowles at Page Street Kids via Saffron Dodd of ASH Literary.

ANNA MERCIER’s YA fantasy romance Scatter the Night sold to Carina Licon at Holt Children’s via Michaela Whatnall of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

BRANDIE JUNE sold “dark gothic Slavic fairy tale” Ruler of the Dead City and an untitled standalone to Tamara Grasty at Page Street Kids in a pre-empt via Connor Smith and Jennifer Pien of Hesperides Literary.

GINA BANKS sold debut novel We Have So Many Problems, “pitched as The Martian but with kissing,” and another title to Ghjulia Romiti at Forever at auction via Joanna MacKenzie of Nelson Literary Agency. UK rights went to Sanah Ahmed at Orion in a pre-empt.

TYLER WEST’s debut novel A Covenant of Starlight sold to Delayna Spencer at Hodderscape via Daisy Arendell of CAA.

IRIS ANDERSI’s debut “cozy fantasy” Potions Unincorporated, “following a chronically ill witch who sells her excess pain management potions to a greedy corporation” until the company pushes her too far, sold to Thaisheemarie Fantauzzi Pérez at Alcove Press via Mara Hollander of Azantian Literary Agency.

NATALIE S. PAGOLA sold debut, “cozy fantasy” The Garden of Otherworldly Delights to Maya Guthrie at Little, Brown in a pre-empt via Andie Smith of Creative Media Agency.

ANNEKE SCHWOB sold debut, “queer fantasy… with a folk horror flavor” and another title to John Morgan at Grand Central and Jenni Hill at Orbit UK in a pre-empt via Martha Perotto-Wills of David Higham Associates. Cassie DeNicola will edit for Grand Central.

LARA SLABBER’s debut, post-apocalyptic romance Zombies to Lovers and another book went to Jess Verdi and Eugenie Szwalek at Afterglow via Saskia Leach of Kate Nash Literary Agency UK.

SOPHIA ZHAO sold debut, supernatural horror Sleeping Beasts and another book to Angelica Chong at Run For It at auction via Paul Lucas of Regal Hoffmann & Associates.

ANDREA ANDERSON’s debut They’ll Eat You Alive sold to Olivia Zavitson at Hyperion Avenue via Aurora Fernandez of Trident Media Group.

LIZ PINTO’s debut Melbourgh Manor, “pitched as The Housemaid meets The Haunting of Bly Manor,” went to Cassandra Thompson at Quill & Crow.

TERI DEDERER’s debut young adult romantic fantasy Feast of Hearts sold to Mallory Kass at Scholastic via Alexandra Machinist of CAA. UK rights sold to Tom Bonnick at Harper Fire.

ADWITIYA CHOWDHURY sold debut romantasy We Burn by Starlight, “inspired by Indian mythology,” to Lauren Knowles at Page Street Kids via Kristina Pérez of Pérez Literary & Entertainment on behalf of Anuj Bahri of Red Ink Literary Agency.

MIA DALIA sold “sapphic horror novella” A Witch to Live to David-Jack Fletcher at Slashic Horror Press.

 

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LIV ZANDER’s previously self-published duology Crown Me Dead and Crown Me Yours resold to Lisa Yoskowitz at Requited at auction via Pete Knapp and Stuti Telidevara of Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management. UK rights went to Kate Byrne at HQ at auction via Safae El-Ouahabi of Rogers, Coleridge & White on behalf of Olivia Malesco at Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management.

GUILLERMO DEL TORO and CHUCK HOGAN resold previously serialized “fairy-tale thriller” The Boy in the Iron Box, “soon to be a Netflix movie,” to Joe Monti at Saga Press via Richard Abate at 3 Arts Entertainment.

B. CELESTE resold Not Another Vampire Romance to Puffin UK on behalf of Kim Ryan of Penguin Young Readers.

 

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LISA GREEN has been promoted to senior editor at City Owl Press.

KIRSIAH DEPP has been promoted to senior editor at Grand Central

 

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Film rights to REBECCA YARROS’s forthcoming Peculiar Stars, “for development as a series,” went to Apple TV in a pre-empt via Weintraub Tobin and Untitled Entertainment on behalf of The Fury Agency. Yarros’s Full Measures Productions will be executive producer.

The post People & Publishing Roundup, September 2026 appeared first on Locus.

The Indiana Authors Awards have announced the 2026 winners. The awards “celebrate the best books by Indiana authors written in eight different categories and published during the previous two years.” Works from the Genre category follow.

Genre

• WINNER: Departure 37, Scott Carson (Artia/Emily Bestler)

• Breath of Oblivion, Maurice Broaddus (Tor)
• Sisters of Fortune, Anna Lee Huber (Kensington)
• Veil, Jonathan Janz (Blackstone)
• The Lost Heiress, Elizabeth Klehfoth (Lake Union)

Winners receive $5000 and are invited to participate in an Indiana speakers program. Winners and shortlisted authors are chosen by a panel of judges, including “former winners, writers, educators,  scholars,  local bookstore owners and librarians.” Nominations for the 2028 awards are to be opened Fall 2027. For more information, including the other winners and the complete shortlist, see the awards website.

The post 2026 Indiana Authors Award Winners appeared first on Locus.

Looking for something new to read this week? Our September 8, 2026 new releases video rounds up some of the latest books arriving across Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult fiction.

From imaginative worlds and sweeping adventures to dark horror, supernatural stories, and exciting YA tales, this week’s releases offer plenty of new reading possibilities. We’ve gathered a variety of standout titles to help you discover your next great book and find something to add to your ever-growing reading list.

If you enjoy keeping up with the newest releases in speculative fiction, be sure to subscribe to the channel and check back each week for another look at the books making their debut. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next week for another collection of new titles!

The post New Book Releases Video: September 8, 2026 appeared first on Locus.

The HWA (Horror Writers Association) has undergone several changes throughout August and early September. Many of these changes were announced via video message by the organization’s president, Lisa Wood, as well as a September 6 text update on their Facebook page.

The post Updates from the HWA Board appeared first on Locus.

The August 30 LAcon V WSFS business meeting voted to censure and place bans of varying lengths on four officials for their “actions related to the 2023 Worldcon”: Dave McCarty, the 2023 Hugo administrator, Yao Chi, a 2023 Hugo co-administrator, Shi Chen, a 2023 Worldcon co-chair, and Ben Yalow, also a 2023 Worldcon co-chair.

According to a recap of the session posted by Business Meeting Chair Jesi Lipp, “future Worldcons are requested to ban Dave McCarty indefinitely from WSFS membership and from joining any future Worldcon, and from volunteering at any future Worldcon in any capacity.”

Yao Chi and Shi Chen are each censured and banned for two years as well as banned “from joining any future Worldcon committees in a leading capacity.”

Yalow is censured and banned for five years as well as banned “from volunteering for any future Worldcon in any capacity.”

For more info on the LAcon V WSFS Meeting, see Lipp’s recap.

The post Four Chengdu Worldcon Officials Banned appeared first on Locus.

Baen Books, an independent publisher of military science fiction and fantasy, has announced the creation of a new short story award, named in honor of the author David A. Drake. The reward is in addition to their currently sponsored awards, the Baen Fantasy Adventure Award and Jim Baen Memorial Award.

Baen hopes to “find new writing talent and will reward winners with professional publication contracts for their stories as well as a lovely trophy.” They will be searching for “works of great science fiction or fantasy with strong military themes central to the characters and plot, not mere window dressing.” The reward is judged by a board of Baen editors and “a widely published military science fiction author.”

Baen indicates, “Submissions of original, unpublished short stories of up to 8,000 words will be accepted from 24 September 2026 until 10 December 2026.” They hope to announce the finalists February 2027 and present the award at LibertyCon, Chattanooga TN.

For more information on the award, see the Baen press release.

The post Baen Introduces David A. Drake Memorial Award appeared first on Locus.

The shortlist for the 2026 Prix Utopiales (honoring the best SF published in France) has been announced.

The post 2026 Prix Utopiales Finalists appeared first on Locus.

“Wolf Moon, Antler Moon” by A. C. Wise (Reactor 1/13/25) is the winner of the 2026 Eugie Foster Memorial Award for Short Fiction for “stories that are irreplaceable, that inspire, enlighten, and entertain.”

Other finalists were:

Speculative stories up to 20,000 words published in the previous year are eligible for the award, with nominations made by a panel of editors, reviewers, and select readers, and the winner chosen by a jury.

For more information, visit the award’s website or see the Dragon Con press release.

The post 2026 Eugie Award Winner appeared first on Locus.

The winners of the 2026 Dragon Awards were presented at Dragon Con, held September 3 – September 7, 2026 in Atlanta GA.

Best Science Fiction Novel

 

The post 2026 Dragon Awards Winners appeared first on Locus.

Visit our bookshop.org page to purchase this week’s new books and support your local bookstore. And us!

 

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Ancrum, K.: Adam, Mine. (HarperCollins 978-0063449022, $19.99, 380pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Young-adult reimagining of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein brings a dying teen boy named Elias Hilfiker back to life because he wants to prove he can change the world, but they become tethered and feel each other’s pain.

 

 

Assi, Seraj: Rubble (PM Press 979-8887441948, $16.00, 160pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/08/2026)

Near-future magical realism novel. A man trapped beneath rubble as a genocide occurs above him begins experiencing vivid hallucinations of what’s happening, and the line between fantasy and reality gets blurred.

 

 

Aveyard, Victoria: Tempest (Harper Voyager US 978-0063572027, $36.00, 768pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Fantasy pirate novel, the first book in the Lyrian Sea duology. Cat Rose lives two lives. The first, as a Lady who’s tied to a lord of the Meridian empire, and the second, as the queen of a pirate tavern located in the Lyrian Sea. Simultaneous with the Orion UK edition.

 

 

Azad, Nafiza & Khanani, Intisar: A Thousand Nights (Candlewick Press 978-1536241549, $19.99, 496pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, 09/08/2026)

Young-adult original anthology with a frame story about refugees telling each other fantastical stories as they travel and search for safety. Authors include: Hanna Alkaf, Sara Sharaf Beg, Loretta Chefchaouni, Heba Helmy, Zeyneb Holdridge and more.

 

 

Boey, Meihan: The Enigmatic Madam Ingram (Harper Perennial 978-0063508941, $19.99, 512pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Historical fantasy novel drawing on Asian folklore, the second book in the Miss Cassidy series. Letty Ingram receives help from Leda Cassidy in lifting a curse that causes her to lose consciousness and awake in different places.

 

 

Chidley, Elise: The Raven, the Wolf, and the Rose (Catalyst Press/Flare Books 978-1963511642, $19.95, 422pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/08/2026)

Young-adult fantasy novel, the first in the Deepwood trilogy. Willow McBane is recruited by Raff Dunaid, the heir of Emberlyn, to protect The Deepwood, the last place where magic from another world seeps into ours.

 

 

Cole, Kamilah: Wicked Endeavors (Little, Brown 978-0316613361, $21.99, 434pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Young-adult fantasy novel. Caya is seeking revenge against the three witch Houses that stole power from the Coventry’s royal family when she was a kid. She plans to sneak in under the alias of “Marisol” and kill prince Tomás Castellan.

 

 

Flynn, Avery: Hexy Beast (Penguin Random House/Berkley Romance 978-0593956243, $20.00, 352pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Fantasy romantic comedy novel, third in the Sherwood Witches series. Effie Sherwood accidentally becomes entangled with a werewolf named Darius Aetos, and they quickly try to find a way out, but over time, they start hoping they can stay together.

 

 

Ford, R.S.: Absolon Creed (Orbit US 978-0316595797, $19.99, 352pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Fantasy novel. As the city of Bastion is falling to eldritch creatures, the Order of Draken is the only thing attempting to keep it together, but when suspicions arise about a traitor, Absolon Creed is told to investigate with Guenivar Blackmere.

 

 

Griffin, Sarah Maria: Strange Is the Light (Tor 978-1250910882, $28.99, 400pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Fantasy novel. After twenty years, a group of childhood friends accidentally open a rift to an alternate dimension after playing a strange RPG version of their favorite childhood game, and Daphne is forced to repay a debt. Simultaneous with the Titan Books UK edition.

 

 

Hardinge, Frances: Traitors’ Nest (Abrams/Amulet 978-1419794148, $19.99, 400pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/01/2026)

Young-adult fantasy novel. Above the Kingdom of Thaletal a game is played where castles are moved around like chess pieces. When a mysterious new castle shows up, Burr decides he’s had enough and begins to stage a coup. Simultaneous with the First Ink UK edition.

 

 

Harrison, Rachel: Kiss Slay Replay (Penguin Random House/Berkley 979-8217188574, $30.00, 336pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Time-loop horror novel. Willa wakes up on the morning of her best friend’s wedding after suffering from a nightmare where she was murdered, but as the events of the wedding begin to feel awfully familiar, she realizes it wasn’t a nightmare at all. Simultaneous with the Titan Books UK edition.

 

 

Jiang, Ai: An Empire in the Clouds (Titan Books UK 978-1835414941, $26.99, 384pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Science fantasy novel inspired by Chinese history. After her parents murder, Princess Xīlián of Piāo stumbles upon a plot to kill her brother, the emperor, so she flees to find her other brother Làng to save the emperor.

 

 

Konate, Moussa & Pickford, Susan: Headless in Kita (Dedalus UK 978-1918467055, £11.99, 192pp, formats: paperback, 09/11/2026)

Fantasy novel. Someone in Kita is killing the street beggars, and when a glowing figure appears on the hills above the town, people begin to think dark forces are involved. Captain Dembélé begins to investigate the killings.

 

 

Liu, Ken: The Passing of the Dragon and Other Stories (Simon & Schuster/Saga Press 978-1668208342, $29.00, 384pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Collection of science fiction stories. Includes stories about a painter who feels like she’s failing as an artist, and many other tales. Simultaneous with the Ad Astra UK edition.

 

 

Malerman, Josh: Pictures of You (Penguin Random House/Del Rey 978-0593723159, $28.00, 288pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Horror novel. Emily wakes up alone in a bed she has no memory of ever sleeping in, and a mysterious woman tells her to stay in bed. She sees a canvas on the wall with no frame, and the woman is acting like Emily is the painting. Simultaneous with the Tor Nightfire UK edition.

 

 

McCauley, Susan: The Raven (Celtic Sea 978-1951069315, $15.99, 218pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 08/28/2026)

Gothic horror novel set in 1665 England. Martin Blake is already struggling to protect his family as a plague ravages London, so when his wife’s uncle brings orphaned children into their house, his life starts to fall apart.

 

 

Mohamed, Premee: Wickhills (Tor 978-1250378415, $29.17, 320pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, 09/08/2026)

Fantasy spy thriller novel. Vycol Ferec must find a defecting scientist who may be carrying a magical weapon that could cause the apocalypse. Ferec and his team need to travel underground to find him and protect the magic weapon.

 

 

Nix, Garth: Massif (Harper Voyager US 978-0063292017, $30.00, 352pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Standalone SF space opera novel. For centuries humans have been riding on sentient, space-travelling mountain ranges known as Massifs, but people always wonder what’s in it for the Massif’s, and Parnell decides to look for answers

 

 

Quinn, Bonnie: How to Survive Camping: The Ancient Things (Simon & Schuster/Saga Press 978-1668096673, $19.00, 320pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Cozy horror novel, the third in the series. Each year, Kate sends out a pamphlet on how to survive encounters with the campground’s other entities, but as the land turns ancient, the creatures begin hunting her too, so she starts hunting them back.

 

 

Smith, Nicholas Sansbury: Burning Skies (Blackstone Publishing 979-8228499133, $29.99, 400pp, formats: hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Post-apocalyptic SF novel, a second in a Hell Divers prequel series set more than two centuries before the Hell Divers series. Cecil Pepper and his wife desperately search for a bunker that might protect them from the fires raining from the sky.

 

 

Sterling, Isabel: With All My Haunted Heart (Penguin Random House/Berkley Romance 978-0593956649, $20.00, 384pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Paranormal romance novel. Pippa Ainsley doesn’t think twice about helping her friend by doing inspections for his bed-and-breakfast for ghosts, until his extremely attractive co-owner, Elle Thompson, says that she wants their B&B to be haunted.

 

 

Wallin, Nick: The Quiet Resurrection of Sister Evelida Livingston (Rising Action 978-1998672264, $17.99, 432pp, formats: paperback, ebook, 09/08/2026)

Horror novel of witchcraft. Cinnamon Carmichael doesn’t remember anything about the killings until she sees the blood on her hands and the smile on her best friend’s face, and she realizes something horrible is feeding off them to grow.

 

 

West, S.B.: Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed (Ace 979-8217191093, $30.00, 368pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Cozy fantasy novel. Morfran is done being the dark lord, so he runs away to the hills with hopes of living as a goat farmer, but when his soldiers follow him with the intent to behead him, he flees to a tiny forest where he won’t be recognized. A first novel.

 

 

Woo, Ashley: Wildwood (Harper Perennial 978-0063434578, $19.99, 352pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Gothic mystery/horror novel. Right as Elinor loses her job, she inherits her family’s estate. But after moving in, she begins to feel more isolated, and starts having nightmares that feel like memories of something that happened long ago. A first novel.

 

 

Wood, Lucy Jane: Disenchanted (Ace 979-8217195312, $20.00, 400pp, formats: paperback, ebook, audiobook, 09/08/2026)

Cozy fantasy novel. Sage Hemlock distrusts magic, so she’s instead devoted herself to her work and studies, but when a strange book releases a curse, her town is overrun with magic, and she must confront the one thing she keeps avoiding. Simultaneous with the Macmillan UK edition.

 

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Ready to discover your next favorite book? Our September 1, 2026 new releases roundup highlights this week’s newest titles across Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult fiction.

Whether you’re searching for bold new worlds, epic fantasy quests, unsettling horror, or compelling YA adventures, there’s plenty arriving this week to explore. We’ve picked out a selection of notable releases to help you find something worth adding to your reading queue.

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