Sequestrum, a literary magazine with a reputation for discerning taste, opens a themed reading period for Science Fiction & Fantasy. The editors approach these genres with a capacious definition: not merely swords and sorcery or aliens and artificial intelligence, but also narratives of defeating disease, communing with memory, and finding paths to the past or future. The call seeks work that makes the familiar strange and the strange familiar—writing that uses speculative elements to illuminate our own world. The magazine accepts fiction and nonfiction, with a general word limit of 12,000 words, though exceptional longer pieces may be considered. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, and a brief bio is requested. The reading period closes on October 16, 2026. A submission fee of $7.15 (USD) applies. This is not a call for genre pastiche. The editors emphasize literary quality and emotional resonance, seeking narratives that transcend category. They invite writers to explore other worlds not as escape, but as a means to better understand this one. The thematic focus is on work that is fantastical in element but rigorous in execution—writing that thrills without boring, and that demonstrates a command of craft.