In the Age of the Psychonauts By Longreads Feature Three psycho-spiritual “events” of the 1970s — involving Philip K. Dick, Robert Anton Wilson, and Terence and Dennis McKenna — had a strange synchronicity.
What Is Elizabeth Rush Reading? : Books on Antarctic Adventure, Ice, Motherhood By Dana Snitzky Commentary “I sometimes wonder if this continent of ice is begging for a different kind of story to be told about it.”
‘If an Animal Talks, I’m Sold’: An Interview with Ann and Jeff Vandermeer By Alan Scherstuhl Feature Ann and Jeff Vandermeer discuss talking animals, the weird/fantasy divide, and the ‘rate of fey’ as an organizing principle in their new anthology of classic fantasy.
The Great Cannabis Experiment: Ian Brown on Growing Your Own Weed By Krista Stevens Highlight Weed? Turns out it’s tricky to grow your own.
The Politics of UFOs By Anna Merlan Feature In the past few years the world of UFO “researchers” has been afflicted by the kinds of conspiratorial cracks that have appeared throughout American culture: Who can be trusted?
‘Every Woman Writer Feels Like She’s Starting Over Without Any Guides’ By Zan Romanoff Feature Ann Leckie talks about “The Raven Tower,” the erasure of women writers from the canon, the privilege inherent to ‘the anxiety of influence,’ and the power of tradition.
‘I Spent Two Years Researching Before I Wrote a Single Line’: Geeking Out With Marlon James By Adam Morgan Feature Man Booker winner Marlon James immersed himself in African myths and history, so he could use that world as a springboard for a new fantasy series.
This Heist’s for the Birds By Michelle Weber Highlight “I always say, If there is a $50,000 bill flying around, someone is going to try to catch it.”
Longreads Best of 2018: Science and Technology By Longreads Reading List We asked writers and editors to choose some of their favorite stories of the year in various categories. Here is the best in science and tech.
Dawn of Dianetics: L. Ron Hubbard, John W. Campbell, and the Origins of Scientology By nevalalee Feature Read an excerpt adapted from Alec Nevala-Lee’s book, Astounding.
Putting a New Stone on the Grave: Sjón Brings the Golem to Iceland By Adam Morgan Feature Sjón’s “CoDex 1962” is the fulfillment of a pact he made with the Maharal of Prague in the Old Jewish Cemetery almost three decades ago.
Working Through the Apocalypse: An Interview with Ling Ma By Ryan Chapman Feature In Ling Ma’s “Severance” — a novel she began to write after getting laid off, while living partly on severance pay — the characters keep going to work, even though they know it’s the end of the world.
Earning Our Place on the Planet: An Interview with adrienne maree brown By Justin Scott Campbell Feature Her planet/self-help guide for activists, “Emergent Strategy,” is going mainstream — maybe even in time to save the world.
‘They’ve Forked Baby Hitler’ By Michelle Weber Highlight High-stakes time travel adventure from sci-fi writer Jo Lindsay Walton.
Ursula K. Le Guin, Literary Legend and Cat Blogger By Krista Stevens Highlight Ursula K. Le Guin may no longer publish fiction, but that hasn’t stopped her from writing.
