A Guide to New Brunswick Science Fiction & Fantasy

New Brunswick has a storied history of speculative fiction, stretching from 19th-century "mistopias" to the cutting-edge multiverse satires. This guide provides a look at the authors who were born here, those who have made it their home, and those connected to the province through its independent publishing houses.

I. Historical Pioneers (Born in New Brunswick)

James De Mille (1833–1880): Born in Saint John. Author of the 1888 classic A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder, a foundational work of early Canadian speculative fiction.

Laurence Manning (1899–1972): Born in Saint John. A central figure of the 1930s "Golden Age" of science fiction and a co-founder of the American Interplanetary Society.

II. Contemporary Authors (Born in New Brunswick)

S.C. Eston: Hailing from Fredericton. Best known for the Deficiency series and the 2023 award-winning release The Stranger of Ul Darak.

Christopher Sweet: A rising voice in the regional scene known for his explorations of the dark fantastic and psychological speculative fiction.

Jane Spavold Tims (Alexandra Tims): A biologist and poet in Rusagonis. Author of the extensive Meniscus series, where she applies scientific precision to alien world-building.

Joe Mahoney: A three-time Aurora Award nominee and author of the time-travel novel A Time and a Place. Currently residing in Riverview, NB.

III. The "New Brunswick by Choice" Authors

Hannah D. State: Originally from Ontario, State moved to New Brunswick in 2014. She is the award-winning author of the Journey to the Hopewell Star and Journey to the Dark Galaxy series.

Lee D. Thompson: A Moncton-based editor and author of the "mistopian" science fiction novel Apastoral (2022).

Jonathan de Jager (J.M. de Jager): Based in Moncton, de Jager explores speculative poetry and the intersections of biography and genre.

Jake Swan: A physician based in Quispamsis. Author of the 2025 satirical multiverse novel Oliver Bell and the Infinite Multiverse.

IV. Connected by Publishing

The following authors are not residents of New Brunswick but are vital members of the provincial literary scene via local publishers.

David Gerrold: Based in Vermont. Author of Shadows & Reflections: Diving in the Sea of Time, an SF short fiction collection. (And many others via other publishers.)

Tanah Haney: Based in Peterborough, Ontario. Author of A Peculiar Symmetry, a psychological mystery thriller with speculative fiction elements.

Mark A. Rayner: Based in London, Ontario. Author of The Gates of Polished Horn, which was named one of the Toronto Star’s Best Books of 2025.

Matt Watts: Based in Toronto, Ontario. Author of the dystopian middle grade novel Hope of the Wasteland.

V. Publishing & Community Resources

Donovan Street Press (Riverview): A boutique independent press with a special interest in speculative fiction.

Goose Lane Editions (Fredericton): One of Canada's oldest independent publishers; frequently publishes high-fidelity literary fiction with speculative or environmental themes.

Bouton d’or Acadie (Moncton): A premier Acadian house specializing in youth and YA literature, often featuring fantastical and folkloric elements.

Galleon Books (Moncton): A publisher with a strong commitment to local genre voices and contemporary speculative fiction.

Partridge Island Press (Saint John): Dedicated to capturing the unique literary voice of regional authors.

Monster House Publishing (Moncton): Focuses on imaginative and "monster-themed" children's and youth literature.

Chocolate River Publishing (Riverview/Moncton): Produces regional stories for youth, occasionally exploring the "fabulous fantasy" of the Atlantic coast.

Writers' Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB): The provincial organization for literary support and development.