Nila Kartika Wati
In this week’s edition, we navigate a complex landscape of literary discourse, the bittersweet closure of a prominent publication, and the shifting sands of television production. As the speculative fiction community grapples with the indefinite hiatus of FIYAH, authors like Andrea Hairston invite us to reconsider the perceived hierarchies of genre. Meanwhile, the echoes of 1990s cyberpunk cinema and the promise of classic horror restorations continue to shape our cultural conversations.
1. The Geometry of Genre: Andrea Hairston on Crafting Speculative Fiction
At the heart of the modern literary conversation is a persistent question: why do we insist on ranking genres by their "difficulty"? In a recent feature for CrimeReads, author Andrea Hairston—whose latest novel, The Redemption Center is Closed on Sundays, navigates the intersections of science fiction, mystery, and romance—challenges the status quo.
The Myth of Easy Writing
Hairston addresses the common skepticism directed toward genre-bending works. While she acknowledges the universal truth shared by veteran author Howard Waldrop—that "writing is hard"—she notes a peculiar double standard in how audiences perceive different narrative styles. While mystery is often treated like algebra—a process of teasing the unknown from the known—romance and speculative fiction are frequently dismissed as less demanding.
Hairston’s work, which often utilizes the lens of Afrofuturism, argues that storytelling is fundamentally an act of mystery-building. Whether it is a sci-fi carnival jam or a traditional murder mystery, the craft involves laying clues in plain sight and subverting reader expectations. "The setting, props, and costumes are dynamic elements of the story," Hairston notes, emphasizing that genre is not a cage, but a toolkit for exploration.
2. Industry Flux: The Indefinite Hiatus of FIYAH
In a significant blow to the landscape of Black speculative fiction, FIYAH Literary Magazine has announced it will move to an indefinite hiatus following the publication of its 40th issue.
The Impact on the Speculative Community
Since its inception, FIYAH has served as a vital platform for Black voices within the speculative genre, providing a dedicated space for narratives that have historically been sidelined by mainstream publishing. The announcement, made by Publisher and Executive Editor DaVaun Sanders via Bluesky, has sent ripples through the community. While no specific date for a return has been provided, the magazine’s legacy remains a benchmark for editorial excellence and inclusive representation in the field. The loss, even if temporary, leaves a void in the infrastructure that supports emerging and established Black writers of the fantastic.
3. Cinematic Reflections: The Legacy of Johnny Mnemonic
It has been thirty-one years since the premiere of Johnny Mnemonic, a film that serves as a fascinating case study in the friction between source material and studio intervention.
A Cyberpunk Mismatch
Based on William Gibson’s Nebula-nominated short story, the 1995 film adaptation has long been a subject of critical derision. Cat Eldridge, reflecting on the anniversary, highlights the disparity between the "idiotic grandeur" described by Roger Ebert and the harsh assessment of the New York Times, which characterized the film as a "shabby imitation" of superior genre works like Blade Runner and Total Recall.
The production history of Johnny Mnemonic is a cautionary tale of Hollywood interference. Despite a screenplay penned by Gibson himself, the film was subjected to extensive studio-mandated rewrites that fundamentally altered the director’s, Robert Longo’s, original vision. The result was a box-office underperformer that struggled to recoup its estimated $30 million budget.
The "Director’s Cut" Narrative
The film’s history is further complicated by the existence of multiple versions, including a six-minute longer cut that premiered in Japan. In 2023, a black-and-white version titled Johnny Mnemonic: In Black and White was released, intended to bring the aesthetic closer to the original vision of Gibson and Longo. For fans of the "Cyberpunk master," the film remains a "what-if" scenario, underscoring the necessity for better, more faithful adaptations—a hope currently pinned on the forthcoming Neuromancer series on Amazon.
4. Television Scheduling: Doctor Who and the Easter Delays
The Doctor Who production cycle is facing significant speculation regarding its 2026 holiday plans. According to reports from the Radio Times and The Sun, the anticipated Christmas 2026 special may be pushed back to Easter 2027.
Implications of the Delay
The BBC’s flagship series, which concluded its latest run in May 2025 with the departure of Ncuti Gatwa, left viewers on a significant cliffhanger—the regeneration into Billie Piper. While showrunner Russell T. Davies had previously expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming special, citing the positive reception of his initial plot pitches, the current delay is reportedly tied to the ongoing casting process for the next incarnation of the Doctor.
This scheduling shift suggests that the production team is prioritizing the selection of the right lead over meeting the traditional holiday broadcast window. For the "Whovian" fanbase, the wait will be agonizing, yet it signals a commitment to the long-term integrity of the series’ transition into its next era.
5. Restoration and Discovery: Hammer’s Dracula
In a triumphant moment for film preservation, Hammer Films has announced that the 1958 horror masterpiece Dracula, starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, will return to UK cinemas this October.
Recovering the Lost Frames
The 4K restoration is particularly notable for the inclusion of "lost" footage that has been absent from the film for over sixty years. Originally deemed too intense for mid-century audiences, this material was excised from the initial release. The footage, discovered in a Warner Bros. warehouse, represents a missing chapter of British horror history.
John Gore, CEO of Hammer Films, described the discovery as a monumental event for film history, noting that the sequences—which were previously only seen by audiences during the film’s original 1958 Japanese theatrical run—have never appeared in any domestic or home media format. This restoration offers a unique opportunity for modern audiences to see the definitive Hammer horror film in its intended, uncut state.
6. Official Announcements and Industry Data
The 2026 Rhysling Anthology
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA) has officially unveiled the cover art for the 2026 Rhysling Anthology. Featuring the hauntingly beautiful piece "Death on a Pale Horse" by acclaimed artist Julie Dillon, the cover serves as a striking visual accompaniment to the year’s best speculative poetry. Dillon’s work, known for its intricate detail and emotional depth, continues to be a staple of excellence within the genre’s visual arts community.
Summary of Ongoing Developments
- Literary Discourse: Andrea Hairston’s The Redemption Center is Closed on Sundays serves as a focal point for the necessity of genre-fluidity.
- Media Preservation: The re-release of the uncut 1958 Dracula reinforces the importance of archival work in the digital age.
- Industry Trends: The transition of FIYAH to hiatus and the potential delay of Doctor Who reflect the current volatility in creative production and distribution.
As we look toward the remainder of the year, these events underscore a shifting landscape where the lines between history, innovation, and preservation continue to blur. Whether through the lens of a newly restored horror classic or the closing of a chapter for a cherished literary magazine, the pulse of the speculative community remains as vital and evolving as ever.
This report was compiled with contributions from Steven French, Mike Kennedy, Andrew Porter, John King Tarpinian, Cat Eldridge, Jonathan Cowie, Chris Barkley, Mark Roth-Whitworth, and Kathy Sullivan. Title credit goes to File 770 contributing editor Jack Lint.
Siti Muinah
