Books: Seattle Sci-Fi Needs More Escapism

What if instead of a post-apocalyptic future where AI overlords, climate wars, and techno-fascists ruin everything– we could imagine something else? Something better! At Clarion West’s upcoming Speculative Fiction Write-A-Thon, the chances of imagining something different and better are high. So this week, we’re not hitting the books–we’re writing them with Marnee Chua, the executive director at Clarion West– Seattle’s hub for speculative fiction. And… if you need some help filling that sci-fi void. Here’s Marnee and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): For He Can Creep by Siobhan Carroll  The Stream Team Battle Squad by  Eugene Myers   Gamers Attempting Connection by Nick Eh 30 and E.C. Myers The Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas  No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnwell African Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction edited by Sheree Renée Thomas Clarion West Discord  How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu Absolution by Jeff Vandermeer Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:  Queer Silent Book Club  June 27th, 2025 Indigiqueer at Pier 62 June 27th, 2025 The Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival at Volunteer Park July 12 & 13, 2025! Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at [email protected].  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!  Become a KUOW member today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.