Indie Spec Fic Panel & Book Launch w/ Local Authors

Fri Mar 20 2026 at 07:30 pm to 09:30 pm UTC-04:00

Side Quest Books & Games | Somerville

Side Quest Books & Games
Publisher/HostSide Quest Books & Games
Indie Spec Fic Panel & Book Launch w\/ Local Authors
Advertisement
Join authors from indie publisher Neon Hemlock for a panel on speculative fiction, as well as the launch of Jacobs' "Cyberscion"!
About this Event

Local authors Thomas Bulen Jacobs and Ann LeBlanc (The Transitive Properties of Cheese) will be join us for a panel on speculative fiction, moderated by Esther Alter.

Doors will open at 7:20, and the event will start at 7:30. There will be a moderated panel discussion, followed by an audience Q&A and author signing. Your $5 ticket can be used towards a purchase at the shop, including for Jacobs' newly published novella, "Cyberscion."


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Thomas Bulen Jacobs was raised overseas in Latin America, Turkey & Spain. He holds a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland and an MS in Urban Policy Analysis & Management from The New School in New York City. He spent a year in Washington, D.C. doing public service with the AmeriCorps * National Civilian Community Corps. He lives with his wife and kids in Massachusetts.

Ann LeBlanc is a writer, editor, and woodworker.

Her short stories can be found in Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, and Baffling Magazine (among others). Her cyber-mermaid time-loop story, “20,000 Last Meals on an Exploding Station” was chosen for WE’RE HERE: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction of 2021.

Her debut novella, THE TRANSITIVE PROPERTIES OF CHEESE, is a cyberpunk cheese heist (in space!).

Ann is also edited EMBODIED EXEGESIS, an anthology of cyberpunk and posthuman stories by transfem authors.

Esther Alter is a trans Jewish short story writer and game designer. Her fiction has appeared in Baffling Magazine, khōréō, and the print anthologies Luminescent Machinations and Other Covenants: Alternate Histories of the Jewish People. Her games can be found at https://subalterngames.itch.io Follow her at @[email protected]


ABOUT NEON HEMLOCK

Neon Hemlock is a Washington, DC-based small press publishing speculative fiction, rad zines and queer chapbooks. We punctuate our titles with oracle decks, occult ephemera and literary candles.

Publishers Weekly once called us “the apex of queer speculative fiction publishing” and we’re still beaming.


ABOUT SIDE QUEST

Side Quest Books & Games is a woman-and-queer-owned fantasy shop for magical books, indie tabletop role-playing games, and nerdy knick-knacks — all centering underrepresented folx. We are located at 1 Bow Market Way, Suite 32, Somervilla, MA. Please visit bowmarketsomerville.com for transportation and parking information. Outside food & drink are allowed in. Masks are not required for this event, but please let us know and remain home if you fall ill.


Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Side Quest Books & Games, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, United States

Tickets

USD 6.24

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Somerville

Grrrl Gang
Fri, 20 Mar at 12:00 am Grrrl Gang

Warehouse XI

Julianna Barwick
Fri, 20 Mar at 12:00 am Julianna Barwick

The Center for Arts at the Armory

MAPA Mass General APP Conference
Fri, 20 Mar at 08:00 am MAPA Mass General APP Conference

MGB Assembly Row West 399 Revolution Drive Somerville, MA 02145 United States

ECHOES IN INK: Found Poetry from the Collection
Fri, 20 Mar at 05:30 pm ECHOES IN INK: Found Poetry from the Collection

Somerville Museum

Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents We Black Folk Showcase
Fri, 20 Mar at 06:00 pm Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents We Black Folk Showcase

Arts at the Armory

Som da Massa
Fri, 20 Mar at 07:00 pm Som da Massa

The Burren

Disco Night
Fri, 20 Mar at 08:00 pm Disco Night

517 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145-2503, United States, Somerville, MA

PRYVT at Warehouse XI
Fri, 20 Mar at 08:00 pm PRYVT at Warehouse XI

Warehouse XI

Hole Show - Holey-Wood Video at Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
Fri, 20 Mar at 09:00 pm Hole Show - Holey-Wood Video at Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre

Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre

Gladdy8rs: Stand up comedy death battle
Fri, 20 Mar at 09:00 pm Gladdy8rs: Stand up comedy death battle

The Rockwell

A Queen Candlelight Experience In Somerville, MA\ud83d\udd6f\ufe0fFriday, March 20th
Fri, 20 Mar at 10:00 pm A Queen Candlelight Experience In Somerville, MA🕯️Friday, March 20th

First Church Somerville UCC

Somerville is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Somerville Events