June 2026 Newsblotter
Latter-day Saints Winning Tony Awards and Thoughts on AI
As part of Further Light’s mission to gather together a community who is interested in the conversation about LDS speculative fiction, we publish a free monthly-ish roundup of news, events, and interesting publications. If we missed something that you think should be included, please drop us a note!
Further Light News
Issue 2 is quickly approaching the finish line! We’re laying out the pieces for our print issue, which is over 30% longer than our previous issue. That means more fiction, more poetry, and more great insights in the connection between the gospel and speculative fiction. Everyone who is a paid or founding Substack subscriber by the end of July will receive a print copy of the magazine mailed straight to their door, so now is a great time to get on board!
The full contents will be announced on July 7th, but here’s a sneak peak at a few pages we’re working on:
Now is also a great time to start working on your submissions for issue 3. The submission deadline is August 31st. We are always in need of more poetry that includes fantastical elements and isn’t preachy. And we would particularly love to receive nonfiction essays discussing Harry Potter, Dune Messiah, and The Magician’s Nephew, which all have major new adaptations coming up. Another subject we’d love to see examined is Latter-day Saint speculative fiction that involves the Salt Lake Temple, like Orson Scott Card’s “Salvage.”
Further Light also got a shout out in the latest episode of Dialogue Book Report, discussing the current trends and markets in LDS short fiction. Go straight to the 40:00 timestamp to hear that part of the conversation or listen to the whole thing to learn more about the LDS short story landscape. (Warning: there are some adult themes discussed.)
Interesting Publications
Did you know that this year’s Tony Award for Best New Musical went to a show written by a Latter-day Saint? (And that it’s a speculative musical?) Check out this interview with award-winning writer Cinco Paul at Saints & Cinephiles. (And then check out his jazzy and humorous Book of Mormon song. Coming to a primary near you?)
Some thought-provoking writing on AI lately:
Technology ethicist Cal Newport talks about the concept of a “living being” in Genesis and its relevance to modern AI dilemmas in “On God and LLMs”
Sci-fi author Ted Chiang writes about whether AI can have morality in “No, Artificial Intelligence is Not Conscious”
BYU adjunct Tanner Millet writes “the three laws” for AI and creative writing
If you enjoyed our recent publication of Nephi Anderson’s “Grandmother’s Rocking Chair,” you might want to read this essay about his Utopian writing about the Millenium. We hope to publish the relevant section of Added Upon eventually as part of our First Light series.
I try to avoid doing too much self-promo here, but I don’t want you to miss this conversation on my podcast Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree about the LDS short supernatural horror film “The Angel.” Make sure to watch the film first (for free!) and then join us and the creators to discuss the future of LDS speculative filmmaking.
Are you a BYU student registering for fall classes and looking for a speculative literature class? Aaron Eastley is teaching a section of ENGL 236 focused on “How Tolkien and Lewis Lead Us to Christ.” Joseph Darowski’s Digital and Visual Literacies class (ENGL 344) will be discussing Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, and Superman through various media incarnations. Inspired by Tolkien? Maybe this is your semester to follow in his footsteps and learn Old English with Miranda Wilcox in ENGL 386. If spookiness is more your vibe, Emron Esplin is teaching an Author Studies course (ENGL 384) on Edgar Allen Poe. Maybe your final paper could be published in Further Light!
Read something great that we should know about? Send links to editor@furtherlightmag.com with the subject line “Interesting Publications.”
Community Events
All of June - Lore: The Power of Stories - The Compass Gallery’s annual fantasy show will be open all month. You won’t want to miss this exhibit, so check their hours and plan to come view amazing fantasy art with spiritual significance. Plus you can flip through issue 1 of Further Light, on sale in the book section!
June 17-18 - Writers Cantina - Join local Utah authors for a casual and inexpensive event in West Valley City.
June 22-July 4 - Read the 15th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz - This is an online event, so if you’re not in the Utah area, listen up! The Mormon Lit Blitz is a two-week festival of Latter-day Saint microliterature. Read a short piece every day (excluding Sundays) and vote for your favorite to win a prize at the end! The long list of pieces was announced this week, and the titles are most intriguing.
June 27 - Hoid Presents His Most Excellent Art - This fundraiser for Brandon Sanderson’s Lightweaver Foundation charity will feature live painting of models who are cosplaying Cosmere characters as well as pizza and ice cream from local Provo vendors. If it’s anything like last year’s event, it will be well worth the cost to attend! If you’re not local, you can also support with a donation to access the livestream.
August 17–21 - BYU Education Week - We happen to know there will be a track on science fiction and theology that you don’t want to miss!
Got an event we missed? Send information to editor@furtherlightmag.com with the subject line “Community Events.”
Submissions & Deadlines
Jun 19 - Audition for Lord of the Rings musical - Hale Center Theatre is putting on the Lord of the Rings musical next year and you could be in it!
July 20 - Submit to Infinite Valley’s American fantasy issue - Our other favorite LDS SFF magazine is collecting for an “American Dreams” issue right now. Submit your America-inspired fantasy, sci-fi, or alternate history short story to be considered for the issue!
July 20 - Write a review of a fake piece of LDS art - Irreantum is collecting new pieces for a special themed issue of reviews of LDS art. The catch is that these works don’t exist yet. Check out this fake review of a (speculative?) novel written by Brigham Young as an example. I’m hoping for a review of a magical installation or perhaps some space-based performance art.
Aug 1 - Enter Wayfare’s short play competition - Wayfare Magazine is hosting its third annual short play competition. We loved the winners of previous years, some of which incorporated some speculativeness. Maybe you’ll try your hand at it?
August 31 - Submit to Further Light issue 3 - Submissions continue to roll in! We are always in need of more poetry that includes fantastical elements and isn’t preachy. And we would particularly love to receive nonfiction essays discussing Harry Potter, Dune Messiah, and The Magician’s Nephew, which all have major new adaptations coming up. Another subject we’d love to see examined is Latter-day Saint speculative fiction that involves the Salt Lake Temple, like Orson Scott Card’s “Salvage.”
October 1 - Send in a paper to LTUE - Got something clever to say about your favorite science fiction or fantasy property? Submit an essay to LTUE’s academic track to share your thoughts with everyone (and get free conference admission and snacks in the green room—seriously, those mini eclairs are worth it).
Got an opportunity we missed? Send information to editor@furtherlightmag.com with the subject line “Submissions & Deadlines.”