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Reactor (magazine)
Reactor (magazine)
Reactor (magazine)
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Reactor
CategoriesScience fiction, fantasy
Founded2008; 17 years ago (2008)
CompanyMacmillan Publishers
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Websitereactormag.com

Reactor, formerly Tor.com, is an online science fiction and fantasy magazine published by Tor Books, a division of Macmillan Publishers. The magazine publishes articles, reviews, original short fiction, re-reads and commentary on speculative fiction. Unlike traditional print magazines such as Asimov's or Analog, it releases online fiction that can be read free of charge.[1]

Reactor was founded (as Tor.com) in July 2008[2] and renamed Reactor on January 23, 2024.[3]

Reception

[edit]

Gardner Dozois called Tor.com "one of the coolest and most eclectic genre-oriented sites on the Internet". He felt in 2011 that its short fiction output that year was weaker than usual, but said it was still a fascinating place to visit.[4] In 2014, The Guardian's Damien Walter remarked on a "digital renaissance" in short SF, and cited a new generation of online magazines, including Lightspeed, Strange Horizons, Tor.com and Escape Pod, as having transformed the genre. Of these, he described Tor.com as "the reigning champion of science-fiction magazines". He noted the broad range of its output, and said that it had published "many of the most exciting new talents" such as Maria Dahvana Headley and Karin Tidbeck.[5]

Awards

[edit]

Tor.com has won eight Locus Awards for Best Magazine (2015, 2017–23), breaking a 40-year-long streak where the category was only won by Asimov's and F&SF (in addition to Locus itself).[6] For its art direction, Irene Gallo received the 2014 World Fantasy Award for Professional Work.[7]

There have also been several award-winning collections of Tor.com content. Reviews and commentary by Jo Walton were collected in the books What Makes This Book So Great and An Informal History of the Hugos, with the former winning the 2014 Locus Award for Best Non-Fiction, and the latter nominated for the 2019 Hugo and Locus Awards.[8] The fiction anthology, Worlds Seen in Passing: 10 Years of Tor.com Short Fiction, won the 2019 World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology.[7]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Reactor (magazine)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Reactor is an and community platform dedicated to , fantasy, horror, romance, and broader pop culture topics, publishing original short fiction, essays, reviews, news, and commentary from diverse writers. Launched on July 20, 2008, as Tor.com by Tor Publishing Group—a division of —it established itself as a key hub for enthusiasts, attracting over 3 million monthly page views at its peak. On January 23, 2024, it rebranded to Reactor with a redesigned at www.reactormag.com, signaling an expansion beyond Tor-specific content to include more genres like and romantasy, while maintaining its award-winning short fiction program. The magazine's content emphasizes thoughtful analysis and accessibility, featuring daily posts on books, media adaptations, and cultural trends, alongside exclusive author interviews and cover reveals. Its short fiction has garnered critical acclaim, contributing to 's seven Locus Awards for Best Magazine between 2017 and 2023 under its former name. Under the leadership of President and Publisher Devi Pillai, Reactor continues to foster a vibrant community through newsletters, , and open calls for pitches, prioritizing inclusive voices in speculative genres.

History

Founding as Tor.com

Tor.com was launched on July 20, 2008, by , an imprint of , as a digital platform designed to promote upcoming Tor titles and cultivate an engaged community around and fantasy genres. The initiative stemmed from Tor's prior promotional blogging efforts and positioned the site as a hub for genre enthusiasts during the burgeoning era of digital publishing, where online accessibility was transforming how fans interacted with . From its outset, Tor.com operated on a free access model, making content available without paywalls to democratize engagement and bridge traditional fandom with web-based communities. Initially, the site emphasized blog-style offerings, including book reviews, author interviews, news, and original short , which debuted shortly after launch to attract readers and showcase emerging voices in the field. Under the guidance of art director Irene Gallo, visual elements such as custom illustrations and were integrated from the start, enhancing the site's appeal and aligning it with Tor's reputation for innovative design in science and fantasy . By , Tor.com expanded into novel serializations, beginning with Cory Doctorow's Makers, which ran in weekly installments and exemplified the platform's role in experimenting with digital formats for longer works. This period of growth continued into 2010, when the site introduced podcasts—such as Geek's Guide to the Galaxy, which debuted in January—to diversify its multimedia content and deepen community involvement through audio discussions on genre topics. In June 2015, Tor.com faced controversy when art director Irene Gallo posted comments on criticizing the campaign, a group seeking to influence nominations, describing it as "extreme right-wing to neo-Nazi" in parts. The remarks drew backlash from campaign supporters, leading to calls for a boycott of . Publisher Tom Doherty issued a public apology on the site, stating that Gallo's views were not representative of Tor and expressing regret for any offense caused, while affirming commitment to diverse voices in publishing. These developments solidified Tor.com's position as a pioneering online space for , setting the stage for its until the 2024 rebranding to .

Rebranding to Reactor

On January 9, 2024, Tor Publishing Group announced that the Tor.com would rebrand as Reactor, with the official launch occurring on January 23, 2024, alongside a redesigned at reactormag.com. This transition marked a significant for the platform, originally founded in 2008, as it sought to adapt to changes in and audience expectations over the intervening years. The rebranding was motivated by several factors, including the desire to better encapsulate the site's role in reacting to , fantasy, and related pop culture through news, essays, and discussions. The name "" was chosen to evoke energy, activity, and responsiveness, drawing parallels to reactors in narratives and the platform's , Stubby the reactor core. Additionally, the shift addressed the growing confusion caused by the original "Tor.com" name, which overlapped with , Tordotcom Publishing, and even the unrelated TOR browser, allowing Reactor to establish a broader, more independent identity while distancing itself from imprint-specific branding. This move responded to the digital landscape's evolution since the site's 2008 inception, aiming to expand its community and appeal beyond traditional and fantasy boundaries. Key changes included a new logo and visual identity designed to convey dynamism and maturity, emphasizing themes of energy and reactivity to align with the site's content focus. The redesigned website featured streamlined navigation, making it easier to access sections for original fiction, reviews, essays, and community discussions, while preserving all existing articles through forwarding. Importantly, the rebranding caused no disruptions to ongoing content production or editorial staff, ensuring seamless continuity in operations. In the immediate aftermath, maintained its commitment to free access for all content, with user accounts and logins transferring over without interruption. User feedback highlighted the name's resonance with nuclear and reactor motifs prevalent in science fiction, though some noted it felt somewhat generic; overall, the reception focused on the improved site usability despite minor initial design adjustments. The platform reported positive engagement, with the rebrand supporting its goal of audience expansion without evident declines in readership.

Content

Original fiction and serialization

Reactor publishes original short stories and novelettes in the genres of , , and horror, all available free online to readers worldwide. These works are acquired exclusively through editorial solicitation rather than open submissions, allowing editors to pieces from both established and emerging authors. Stories generally range up to 12,000 words for shorts, with novelettes extending longer, and the program also includes occasional and translated . In addition to standalone pieces, Reactor serializes excerpts and chapters from upcoming Tor novels, providing early access to build reader engagement for full publications. The original fiction initiative launched alongside Tor.com in July 2008, starting with sporadic new works amid a mix of reprints, reviews, and commentary. Throughout the , publication frequency increased to monthly slots and beyond, amassing a catalog that by 2023 exceeded 600 stories and garnered multiple Hugo, , and Locus Awards. The 2024 rebranding to amplified an ongoing commitment to diverse voices, incorporating international perspectives, marginalized authors, and translated speculative works from regions like and to enrich SF/F/horror narratives. This evolution has positioned the magazine as a key venue for innovative, inclusive storytelling. Seminal examples highlight the program's impact, such as "Six Months, Three Days" by (2012), a winner exploring love and alternate realities, and "The Red Mother" by (2021), selected for The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2022 for its haunting blend of horror and motherhood. Serialization efforts include pre-release chapters from authors like , such as portions of (2017), which drew massive readership ahead of the novel's launch. More recent standout pieces feature "A Dream of Electric Mothers" by Wole Talabi (2023), a nominee delving into AI and parenthood in an Africanfuturist context, showcasing emerging global talents. By serving as an early platform for breakthrough works, Reactor has propelled numerous authors' careers, with selections frequently reprinted in influential annual anthologies like The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy—including Charlie Jane Anders's "The Bookstore at the End of America" (2019) in the 2020 edition—and contributing to the genre's expansion through award recognition and broad accessibility.

Reviews, essays, and news

Reactor's non-fiction content encompasses in-depth reviews of , television, and within the and fantasy genres, often presented in weekly roundups that highlight recent releases from major publishers and independent presses alike. These reviews emphasize critical analysis, providing context on narrative techniques, thematic depth, and cultural impact, such as explorations of in Bee Wilson's Consider the Fork. Essays form another pillar, delving into broader themes like the historical evolution of megastructures in , tracing their depiction from lunar-scale habitats to galaxy-spanning constructs across decades of . News coverage focuses on industry updates, including announcements of upcoming titles, convention reports, and results, positioning Reactor as a timely resource for . For instance, monthly compilations detail new books, while dispatches from events like cover programming highlights and controversies, such as the 2025 Worldcon's use of large language models in participant selection. Publishing trends receive attention through features on indie presses, with series like "Can't Miss Indie Press " showcasing overlooked titles from small publishers, promoting diversity in voices and formats. Signature series include ongoing re-reads and analyses of classic works, such as Jo Walton's monthly "Reading List" essays, which reflect on contemporary and historical reads across genres, and extensive rewatches that dissect episodes for thematic optimism and cultural relevance. Other columns, like "The Great Rewatch," examine pop culture crossovers, blending superhero narratives with speculative elements. In 2025, essays highlighted emerging themes, including AI's intersection with creativity in pieces critiquing tools like through lenses of storytelling and authorship. Reactor produces hundreds of such pieces annually, fostering an inclusive discourse that spans mainstream blockbusters and niche indie works. The platform encourages community engagement through comment sections on articles and a that curates discussions on trends, solidifying its role as a central hub for enthusiasts.

Editorial staff

Core editors

The core editorial team at Reactor oversees acquisitions, content strategy, and daily operations, ensuring the magazine's focus on , fantasy, and related pop culture. Bridget McGovern has served as Managing Editor since at least 2008, where she coordinates content scheduling, manages the website, and handles submissions for columns, series, author appreciations, critical essays, and analyses of older media like films and literature over five years old. Christina Orlando joined as Books Editor in 2019 and was promoted to Senior Books Editor, focusing on assigning reviews, curating book-related features, and managing discussions of recent fiction including novels, novellas, and short stories from the past five years, along with author interviews and writing advice. (Note: LinkedIn used for date verification, but primary citations from official pages.) Leah Schnelbach has been a key editor since the mid-2010s, initially as staff writer and later as Senior Features Editor, handling essays, interviews, and special projects that explore and media themes. Emmet Asher-Perrin, who joined around 2011, serves as Editor (previously News & Editor), covering media adaptations, , and film reviews while emphasizing and diverse perspectives in genre storytelling, as evidenced by their contributions to anthologies like Queers Dig Time Lords. Irene Gallo served as Art Director from 2008 until her promotion to Vice President and Publisher of Tor.com Publishing in 2019, where she continues to oversee visual design, covers, and artwork for Reactor's content and the imprint; she received the 2014 World Fantasy Award for her art direction of the site. As of 2025, the team remains stable following the 2024 rebrand from Tor.com, with the addition of Mathew Byrd as dedicated News Editor to expand coverage of sci-fi/fantasy and genre entertainment news; the core staff operates remotely, supporting a broader pool of contributors.

Notable contributors

Reactor magazine has benefited from contributions by prominent freelance writers and guest experts who have helped define its distinctive voice in science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. , a -winning author, has provided ongoing book reviews and essays since 2008, including her monthly "Reading List" column that offers personal insights into her extensive reading across speculative and literary fiction. , another winner known for her Broken Earth trilogy, contributed original fiction to Reactor in the 2010s, such as the short story "The City Born Great". , author of the World Fantasy Award-winning , has supplied fiction and commentary pieces since 2018, often delving into magical realism and perspectives. The magazine's contributor base emphasizes diversity and high-impact voices, featuring award-winners such as , who has delivered poetry and reviews blending lyrical prose with critical analysis of speculative works, and , whose humor-infused columns add witty commentary on genre tropes and publishing. Recent additions in 2024 and 2025 include Gretchen Felker-Martin, whose pieces on horror trends, such as reviews of trans-centric apocalyptic narratives, have enriched discussions on contemporary genre evolution. Contributions vary in style, encompassing recurring columns like Walton's reflective reading summaries, one-off deep dives into thematic analyses, and serialized excerpts that showcase emerging talents; since its founding as Tor.com in 2008, the platform has amplified diverse voices through these formats. Notable contributors are typically invited based on their demonstrated expertise in speculative genres, though Reactor also maintains open calls for pitches via or online submissions for pieces such as essays, reviews, and lists.

Recognition

Critical reception

Upon its launch as Tor.com, the platform received early acclaim from prominent figures in science fiction. In his 2011 summation of the year's short fiction, editor described Tor.com as "one of the coolest and most eclectic genre-oriented sites on the Internet," praising its diverse range of content while noting that its short fiction output that year was somewhat lower than anticipated. Similarly, in a 2014 Guardian article on the digital revival of short stories, critic Damien Walter hailed Tor.com as the "reigning champion of science-fiction magazines," crediting it with amplifying emerging talents such as and through innovative online publishing. Following the 2024 rebrand to , industry coverage emphasized continuity and sustained relevance. Locus Magazine's year-in-review for 2024 highlighted the transition as part of ongoing professional developments in the field, observing that led all magazines with 19 recommended novellas, underscoring its editorial strength amid evolving digital landscapes. Recent analyses, including Locus's 2025 coverage of trends, have positioned as a key player in fostering digital , particularly as traditional print outlets decline, by prioritizing accessible online engagement and community interaction. Critics have occasionally pointed to fluctuations in fiction volume, such as Dozois's 2011 observation of a dip in short story output during the site's early years, which some attributed to resource allocation toward multimedia content. However, these concerns were often offset by commendations for Reactor's (and predecessor Tor.com's) robust community-building efforts and commitment to diverse voices, which broadened representation in science fiction and fantasy. Overall, Reactor has been recognized for democratizing access to and fantasy, transforming niche genres into mainstream digital conversations through its blend of original works, reviews, and fan-driven discourse. This influence is evidenced by its consistent high rankings in annual field summaries and enduring role in nurturing global readership.

Awards

Reactor magazine, formerly known as Tor.com, has achieved significant recognition in the and fantasy community, particularly through the Locus Awards for Best Magazine. It secured victories in 2015 and from 2017 to 2023, totaling eight wins and ending a decades-long dominance by and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction in the category. The publication was nominated in 2024, placing second to Uncanny Magazine, and again in 2025, where it finished behind Clarkesworld. Additional honors include the 2014 World Fantasy Special Award—Professional for art direction, awarded to Irene Gallo for her work on Tor.com. Anthologies tied to the magazine's output have also been acclaimed: Jo Walton's What Makes This Book So Great, a collection of her Tor.com essays, won the 2015 for Best Non-Fiction. Similarly, Worlds Seen in Passing: Ten Years of Tor.com Short Fiction, edited by Irene Gallo, received the 2019 for Best Anthology. The magazine's original fiction has garnered multiple nominations in major awards, highlighting its role in publishing influential short works. For instance, P. Djèlí Clark's The Haunting of Tram Car 015, serialized on Tor.com and published as a , was a finalist for the 2020 , as well as the and Locus Awards in the same category. Other stories from the platform have similarly received Hugo and Locus nominations, underscoring Reactor's impact on speculative short fiction. Following its 2023 Locus win, the magazine itself has not claimed major category victories through 2025, though it remains a consistent nominee. Contributions from its staff and published fiction continue to earn individual recognitions, including Locus nominations for short stories in 2025.

References

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  2. https://reactormag.com/advertise/
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  50. https://reactormag.com/growing-up-potter/
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