“Mi inspiración para luchar […] siempre ha venido del agua: la protección por la vida, por cuidar lo que nos hace ser a nosotros quienes somos—hijas e hijos del río.”

(“My inspiration for resistance […] has always come from the water: protection for life, for taking care of what makes us who we are—daughters and sons of the river.”)

—Yuvelis Morales Blanco (2026 Goldman Environmental Prize Winner)

Issue 2026.77

Flash fiction

• “A New Shell”, Mahaila Smith - art by L.E. Badillo

Short stories

• “Those Who Remember the Promise”, Nissa Harlow - art by Carmen Moran
• “Salt Water in Their Veins”, Sam Baxter - art by Leyelle M.G.

Novelettes

• “A Word, and Its Keeping”, Gwendolyn Hicks - art by Leyelle M.G.
• “Time Travel Triad”, Kyle Aisteach
• “The King of Swords”, M.X. Merrow - art by L.E. Badillo

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Sometimes revolutionary art, speculative or otherwise, is there to remind us that hope is a radical act, that we can—indeed must—still fight back, however overwhelming the world crumbling around us seems to be, however deafeningly the fascists, the colonialists, the billionaires and the polluters insist theirs is the only way. Dystopia teaches us to recognise the repressive tactics and rhetoric used against us; hopeful or escapist futures remind us that we’re not alone and all is not yet lost. Sometimes we need clear visions and unambiguous role models.

But at the same time, some progressive speculative art is going to challenge any idea that there are easy answers, that we can ever stop questioning and examining both our goals and our methods. Are with, with our actions or inaction, making the world a better place, or are we just observing, recording, learning, but not engaging or risking anything? Is it possible to wage war—militarily or otherwise—in a just way, with acceptable motivations, ethical conduct and responsible resolution and reconstruction? Even if not, would inaction or surrender be worse? And who gets to decide?

Speculative fiction can help us to ask these questions, even if it doesn’t always give us the answers; arguably we should always be left to find our own answers, if the questions are asked well enough.

Djibril al-Ayad, September 2026

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