Two-time Hugo Award-winning author Becky Chambers will visit Salt Lake City for the first time on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to present a lecture on her new science fiction novel. The event at Kingsbury Hall, hosted in collaboration with The Legendarium and several local organizations, celebrates the release of her latest work, As You Wake, Break the Shell.
A Celebration of Hopepunk
The lecture, titled "Thrive in Daunting Times Through Hopepunk Futures," will focus on themes of joy, community, and imagined futures. The event is organized as a collaboration between The Legendarium, Under the Umbrella, the Queer Student Union of Utah, and the University of Utah Gender Studies Program.
According to UtahPresents, the event serves as a celebration of Chambers' new novel, which explores survival through found family and hope amidst environmental collapse. The book follows the story of Signy, a reclusive botanist, and Cora, a pilot navigating a resource-poor planet named Fortune.
Community Collaboration
For The Legendarium, an independent science-fiction and fantasy bookstore and RPG cafe in Salt Lake City, the visit represents a significant milestone. The shop, which describes itself as an inclusive space for all identities, will participate in the event alongside Under the Umbrella.
To support student attendance, both The Legendarium and Under the Umbrella are sponsoring $5 admission for students who present a valid school ID at the event.
National Book Tour
The lecture coincides with the official release of As You Wake, Break the Shell, which went on sale Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The novel is the first installment of a new duology from Chambers.
Chambers' US book tour includes several stops surrounding the Utah appearance, including a visit to New York Comic Con on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10, 2026. Other scheduled tour dates include stops in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Monday, October 12, 2026, and Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Academic Connections
The involvement of the University of Utah's Department of Ethnic, Gender & Disability Studies highlights the academic interest in the themes presented by Chambers. The department's Gender Studies program examines how gender and sexuality interact with various socio-cultural and political phenomena.
The program offers several pathways for study, including a major in Gender Studies with a Queer Studies emphasis, and a graduate certificate designed to provide interdisciplinary knowledge in feminist, gender, race, sexuality, and disability studies.
Event Details
The Kingsbury Hall event will include various ticket tiers, ranging from standard admission to premium packages that include book personalization. ASL interpreters will be available for attendees.
While the event is scheduled for October 15, 2026, the novel itself became available for purchase on October 13, 2026.
Local Bookstore Background
The Legendarium remains a prominent local fixture for genre fiction, offering books, ebooks, and a community space for tabletop role-playing games. The shop has been a part of the local landscape, with its presence noted in Salt Lake City discussions since at least May 22, 2025.
