Strange Alchemy:
An Introduction to Weird Literature

Strange Alchemy: An Introduction to Weird Literature illuminates literature’s transformative power in our ordinary lives. Fusing historical and contemporary examples of strange storytelling, this collection features poetry, fiction, an essay, and a one-act play organized by theme. Here you will find feminist, ecological, and transhumanist writing to inspire conversation, spark debate, and propel you into bizarre new worlds. Some writers include Philip K. Dick, Carmen Maria Machado, Jane Hirshfield, Talia Lakshmi Kolluri, and Ray Bradbury.
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Feminist selections use weirdness to comment on oppression and deconstruct gender-driven power structures. Ecological writings warn of environmental crises and human hubris. Transhumanist tales raise probing questions about consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human in an age of technological and biological transformation.
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These stories don't just entertain—they ignite, in the weirdest of ways.
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Designed for introductory writing and literature courses, Strange Alchemy is a multi-genre collection of weird writing by American writers of the past two hundred years. Each selection is accompanied by a Reader’s Guide that transforms the text into an active learning experience. These guides provide flexible assignment suggestions, thought-provoking discussion questions, and writing prompts that can be adapted for academic essays, creative exercises, or in-class workshops. The result is a classroom-ready learning tool that balances structure with creative freedom.