Founded in 2016 as a semi-pro magazine, Augur Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit that now runs two pro magazines (Augur Magazine, Tales & Feathers Magazine), a speculative literature convention (AugurCon), and year-round programming. To continue to grow the organization, Augur CEO Kerry C. Byrne has restructured Augur Society’s editorial team and created production, programming, marketing, and online release teams.

“From day one, we wanted to be more than a magazine,” says Byrne. “We’ve accomplished that. We’re now transforming our brand from Augur Magazine to the Augur Society, recognizing our breadth of programs and our future celebrating the speculative arts across mediums.”

The organization will continue to invest in its core mission: breaking down barriers between speculative and literary fiction while making space for marginalized creators.

“We’ll do everything we did before,” says Byrne. “But with more leaders, more strategy, and plans that include a small press, a podcast, major events, and celebrating more types of media.”

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CHANGES

Newly-appointed Chief Operating Officer Toria Liao (former Managing Editor) will lead the organization’s editorial projects. Chief Program Officer Terese Mason Pierre (former Co-Editor-in-Chief) will lead the organization’s programming.

RATE INCREASES

Starting in 2024, Augur Society has made the following rate increases in CAD for its publications:

• Fiction: $0.11/word to $0.14/word (+27%)
• Poetry: $60 to $100 (+67%)
• Illustration: $350 to $500 (+43%)
• Cover Art: $500 to $1000 (+100%)

EDITORIAL CHANGES

Augur Magazine and Tales & Feathers Magazine will combine teams and move away from an Editor-in-Chief model, delegating workload. Augur Society now has three editor roles: assistant editors; editors; and senior editors, who mentor staff and lead issues.

“We’re removing silos and addressing burnout,” Byrne notes. “Plus, rotating issue leadership diversifies both the content we publish and the pool of editors who get to lead pro-rate magazines—both crucial to our mission.”

“We receive nearly 4,000 submissions per year, and publish 1% of them,” says COO Toria Liao. “If we want to keep creating amazing creator experiences and still have energy for new publication projects, we need to develop new leaders.”

In 2024, issues will be led by Kerry C. Byrne and Toria Liao; Frankie Hagg; Conyer Clayton; and Louise Koren.

ONLINE TEAM

Kelley Tai (former Online Editor) is stepping into the role of Managing Editor, Online, to develop a time-release free-to-read program for Augur Magazine’s paywalled content. 

“We’re excited to honour paying subscribers while empowering our authors to be read by a larger audience,” says Tai. “We want everyone to be able to self-advocate during awards season.”

PRODUCTION TEAM

Managing Editor, Production, André Geleynse (former Tales & Feathers Production Manager), will lead a production team to prepare for larger-scale publication projects and manage overall quality control. The team includes Art Director Martine Nguyen; Sr. Editor, Copy & Proofs, Sonia Urlando; Production Coordinator, Amelia Martinez-White; and the organization’s typesetters and first readers.

PROGRAMMING TEAM

After hosting hundreds of attendees across AugurCon (virtual and in person), workshops, and launches, Augur Society is consciously developing its speculative arts programming. Helmed by CPO Terese Mason Pierre, Augur Society will nurture existing programs while exploring new ideas.

“Over the last few years, we’ve become one of the largest speculative arts events in Canada, while also creating more intimate workshops,” says Pierre. “Community is the best place for us to feature, develop, and connect our readers, creators, and peers, and we take building that community very seriously.”

PODCAST

By early 2025, Senior Editor Sonia Urlando will launch Augur’s first podcast, Murmurstations.

MARKETING

Brand Lead Suha Tariq will own promotion for Augur Society’s publications and events. She accepted the role after supporting Augur promotions in 2023 and launching the organization’s first micro-fiction contest.