New York, Wednesday, June 22, 2022 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

After more than twenty years of being held on the third Wednesday of every month, the Fantastic Fiction reading series, currently hosted by Ellen Datlow and Matthew Kressel at the KGB Bar in Manhattan, will be switching to the second Wednesday of the month, beginning in September, for the foreseeable future. Previously, the series was held on the third Wednesday of the month.

During the Pandemic, when Covid cases in New York City were dangerously high, hosts Ellen and Matt decided to go virtual (via YouTube) for the safety of all. This virtual period lasted for more than eighteen months, during which time Ellen and Matt were able to bring in guests, many of whom were unable to visit New York in person, from all over the world, including Pakistan, Barbados, the U.K., Australia, South Africa and elsewhere.

During this same period a younger crowd less fearful of Covid began to congregate in person at the KGB Bar during the series’ usual third Wednesday. When the Fantastic Fiction series finally returned to the KGB Bar in person in late 2021 and early 2022, the KGB Bar saw a significant drop in income. Because of this, the KGB Bar owner has asked Ellen and Matt to switch weeks for this “big earner/younger generation” that they wish to accommodate on the third Wednesday of each month.

The Fantastic Fiction at KGB schedule has therefore shifted one week earlier and beginning on September 14th will now be held on the following dates (with more dates to come once Ellen and Matt confirm the new dates with their guests):

July 20
Daniel Braum
Greg Frost

August 17
Veronica Schanoes
Richard Butner

** DATE CHANGE TO SECOND WEDNESDAY **

September 14
Naseem Jamnia
Nicholas Kaufmann

October 12
Clay McCleod Chapman
Meg Elison

November 9
Stephanie Feldman
Eileen Gunn

Also, since Fantastic Fiction’s continued presence at the KGB Bar is highly dependent on the amount of revenue we bring in, Ellen and Matt kindly ask that all guests purchase a drink, hard or soft, since there is never cover charge to enter the bar.

Questions about the change can be directed to Ellen and Matt via email at info@kgbfantasticfiction.org.