What is speculative fiction

After all, isn’t all fiction ‘speculative’? Even the most accurate historical novel, meticulously pieced Issue #7: Passage. a type of story or literature that is set in a world that is different from the one we live in…. Let’s take a look at speculative design, its genesis, and some great examples of how it works. As part of its more inclusive purview, speculative fiction also breaks with the traditional concerns of a white, male-dominated readership and authorship to May 9, 2024 · Genres of Speculative Fiction. Black science fiction or black speculative fiction is an umbrella term that covers a variety of activities within the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres where people of the African diaspora take part or are depicted. spec goes beyond science, or. 79 Metascore. A brief Powerpoint about the focus and elements of Speculative Fiction with musical soundtrack. involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation; also : theoretical rather than demonstrable; marked by questioning curiosity… See the full definition Gender has been an important theme explored in speculative fiction. “A Trade at the Fox Wedding” by Roshani Chokshi M. Tropes that are common to Speculative Fiction, encompassing Science Fiction, Fantasy, and everything in between See also: Asimov's Three Kinds of Science Fiction, The Grand List of Overused Science Fiction Clichés, Speculative Fiction Creator Index, and the Turkey City Lexicon website. Speculative fiction is an umbrella phrase encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion What Is Speculative Fiction? Speculative fiction invites readers to imagine possibilities that challenge and expand their understanding of the world. politician. The materials provide one way to approach conceptual programming to develop students' understanding of how the style of a text can represent larger ideas through genre. Gabriela Lee is a writer, a teacher and an amateur fangirl. 00. In this prequel to #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon They Both Die at the End, two new strangers spend a life-changing day together after Death-Cast first makes their fateful calls. The editors would like to thank Maryna for permission to share her work in issue 7. Speculative fiction is an "umbrella" category that includes science fiction, fantasy, speculative horror, alternative history, and other counterfactual realities. In other words, as its name suggest, it’s the realm of speculation: of “what ifs,” of possibilities, of the Jul 9, 2015 · Scientific romance, according to Stableford, was mostly British and concerned with intellectual speculation. Sometimes, speculative fiction is used as an umbrella term for various non-realist genres and subgenres like science fiction and fantasy. The Expanse. As Bould points out, the very term slipstream itself was coined by Bruce Feb 21, 2010 · Science fiction (SF) is a genre of fiction that features speculative scientific and technological elements, often set in the future or in alternative worlds. Speculative stories point to how much worse things could be, but also how much worse they could get. Andy McCann, editor Speculative fiction is the cheapest way to travel, and sometimes the only way. If it’s been a minute since you’ve checked out these genres, here’s a great place to find your next read, whether it’s from longtime May 11, 2023 · Speculative fiction might best be described as an umbrella term for a broad category of fiction which embraces genres that depart from reality. Notebooks; Planner Books; Writing Practice Books; Composition Books Called the “Prophet of Dystopia,” Margaret Atwood is one of the most influential literary voices of our generation. Planet of the Apes. 1: City of Bones (The Mortal Oct 4, 2018 · The conventional thinking on dystopian fiction is that it serves as both a comfort and a warning. 1968 1h 52m G. It is referred to as "Black” and not African, African-American, Haitian, etc. This includes fantasy, science fiction, post apocalyptic or dystopian fiction, and even alternative history. THAT PROVE IT’S A 🔥🔥🔥 GENRE. Here’s an overview of some of the most prominent sub-genres within speculative fiction: Sep 2, 2021 · Summary. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Alternate History and everything in between. e. This allows authors to speculate on the potential consequences and ethical dilemmas that could arise from scientific advancements. illustrates the extent to which the fantastic had become a default cultural vernacular” (qtd. Notify me when this course is scheduled. Main. Myths and mayhem, the fantastical and the scientifically plausible, these are readers’ most popular sci-fi and fantasy novels published in the past three years. Interactive Guide to the Speculative fiction, containing speculative elements based on supposition and imagination, changes the dynamics of what is real or possible as we perceive them in our current world and then Strange Horizons is a weekly magazine of and about speculative fiction. Made on Screencast-o-Matic. Herron is the author of more than 10 bestselling sci-fi adventure novels. " Sep 26, 2018 · Speculative Fiction, or Spec-Fic as it’s also known, is actually a wider genre that many other, more specific, genres fall under. Apr 20, 2023 · Speculative fiction has evolved over time, adopting different definitions and interpretations. Mar 24, 2014 · Speculative fiction is fiction in which the author speculates upon the results of changing what’s real or possible, not how a character would react to a certain event, etc. In this program, students will explore how the composers of speculative fiction use their texts to comment on real-world concerns. It includes subgenres such as science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and is characterized by its departure from the present reality. For example Margaret Atwood had the idea that it was "no Martians" and "about things that really could happen. Learn how you can get involved with the Clarion West community! The Six-Week Workshop will be in Seattle from June 16 to July 27. It can use realistic, known possibilities, but will then combine them with elements of the unknown, or known impossibilities. Science fiction is any work of fiction in which the plot involves imagined advances in science and technology and their effects on human life and society. Speculative Fiction. 1. Because dystopian literature and cinema is set in the future, it is by definition science fiction. The genres that make up speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, supernatural fiction, horror, superhero fiction, science fantasy and related genres ( utopian and dystopian fiction ), have always offered the opportunity for writers to explore social conventions, including Aug 27, 2020 · Speculative fiction that treats African-American themes and addresses African-American concerns in the context of twentieth-century technoculture — and, more generally, African-American Unleash your creativity with the speculative genre of fiction. Apr 24, 2006 · The Internet Speculative Fiction Database. It’s where writers blend elements of the fantastic, futuristic, and supernatural to explore themes beyond the scope of conventional fiction. Romeo Esparrago, associate editor, art and graphics Speculative fiction is fuel for the future and whets the appetite of the eaters of words. Feb 21, 2010 · Science fiction (SF) is a genre of fiction that features speculative scientific and technological elements, often set in the future or in alternative worlds. We are committed to providing useful information and resources to assist teachers to incorporate AustLit into their teaching activities. Science fiction also engages in speculative science, exploring what might be possible in the future based on current scientific knowledge. Books can immerse a reader in a world that is entirely different than their own with an exciting set of possibilities, new characters, and different rules. It links together various types of bibliographic data: author bibliographies, publication bibliographies, award listings, magazine content listings, anthology and collection content listings, and forthcoming books. An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved. Science-fantasy, like Dune, can be thought of as speculative sci-fi for this reason. Science fiction usually incorporates futuristic or advanced technology. May 23, 2024 · Speculative fiction is an alternate term for the literary genre known as science fiction. Speculative fiction is a broad category of fiction encompassing genres with certain elements that are nonexistent in terms of reality, recorded history, or nature and the present universe, covering various themes in the context of the supernatural, futuristic, and many other imaginative topics. There is quick glee at the sudden appearance of the two-characters-one-bed “forced proximity” trope, or comfort in the hard-bread-and-cheese-meal on the road scene. It is often used as a catch-all term for stories that don’t align with your standard, based-in-the-real-world fiction. It is basically asking, “What if?” Because writers are constantly willing to ask these important questions, several aspects of speculative fiction have been born. spec is a part of science, or. He gets up every morning excited to tell stories full of space travel, lovable bots, alien civilizations, and ancient mysteries. New faculty members whose research focuses on speculative fiction were hired as part of Speculative fiction is a hugely popular genre attracting readers of all ages. Dystopian fiction is usually set in the near — rather than far — future to generate urgency about real current events. The ISFDB is a community effort to catalog works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Of course, each of these subgenres has its own conventions, but What is Speculative Fiction? Speculative fiction is notoriously hard to define. Just like our world almost a hundred years ago, we again find ourselves at a major turning point. She loves reading and writing children’s and young adult fiction, speculative fiction and The term "speculative fiction", like most genre names, does not have a clear-cut or universally agreed-upon definition. Aug 3, 2023 · speculative fiction in its most recent understanding is a fuzzy set super category that houses all non-mimetic genres—genres that in one way or another depart from imitating consensus reality—from fantasy, science fiction, and horror to their derivatives, hybrids, and cognate genres, including the gothic, dystopia, zombie, vampire and post If speculative fiction means all fiction that is non-realist, then it has many subgenres. It’s the night before Death-Cast goes Writer’s Markets for Speculative Fiction: SF/F/H: A community for writers of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror to exchange Calls for Submission and pertinent market information. " NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction/Fantasy list. Yet while Heinlein may have coined it to make categorizing easier, the argument between speculative fiction, science fiction, and fantasy has only intensified since those early days. 3. BUT, like all things design, the concept is a little more complex than it sounds. com/feminina/The reason I’m so excited to talk about speculative fiction and the distinctions between this categoriz Best fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk, and other speculative fiction books. During 2017 and 2018 we are collaborating with internationally successful speculative fiction writer, Dr Kim Wilkins and Apr 8, 2019 · Speculative design is a design method addressing big societal problems and looking towards the future—and creating products and services for those scenarios. It's like more a thought experiment than a reverse-history book. In truth, speculative fiction, affectionately called “spec-fic,” is a very broad umbrella term for a genre that includes science fiction, horror fiction, fantasy Nov 1, 2004 · The non-realist elements and the secondary world situate the novels as speculative fantasy fiction, only to diverge immediately and repeatedly from the modern fantasy norm. Called the “Prophet of Dystopia,” Margaret Atwood is one of the most influential literary voices of our generation. , a book is speculating about. That is to say, stories with even the smallest mystical, magical, or fantastical elements can be considered speculative. Fr. In other words, speculative fiction revolves around human concerns versus technological wonders. In her first-ever online writing class, the author of The Handmaid’s Tale teaches how she crafts compelling stories, from historical to speculative fiction, that remain timeless and relevant. "speculative fiction" divides into. Some define speculative fiction with a negative—any fiction not based in the so-called “real world”—but that relies heavily on a consensus reality that may not be universally agreed upon. to show that the label includes ALL people of the Diaspora and places their culture, experiences and Apr 24, 2006 · The Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Create Subpage. " As speculative fiction author China Miéville points out, a “brief survey of popular books, television, comics, video games etc. Nov 2, 2023 · Main Menu. Speculative fiction is a genre that encompasses imaginative and futuristic elements, often exploring alternative realities, futuristic technology, and societal changes. Oct 5, 2016 · Most speculative fiction fans should know Nebula Award-winning Alyssa Wong already; “A First of Permutations in Lightning and Wildflowers,” about a girl who can tear apart the world at her will, is my personal favorite of hers. SPECULATIVE FICTION meaning: 1. About the Instructor. Against this backdrop, it is no wonder that speculative fiction is experiencing what many consider a second golden age. The Speculative Fiction and Cultures of Science (SFCS) program, founded in 2013, has its origins in then-Dean Dean Steven Cullenberg's decision to create an academic unit to complement the strength of the Eaton Science Fiction Collection in the UCR library. Speculative poetry is a genre of poetry that focusses on fantastic, science fictional and mythological themes. Apr 12, 2024 · Additionally, speculative fiction is not just limited to literature or graphic works. Another way of putting it is that the “laws” of your fictional world must be different from those of the real world. Therefore, the thing being speculated upon must be more elemental than character or plot. Speculative fiction (spec fic) includes the genres of scie Aug 10, 2016 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Mentioned above, Dune still emerges as one of the highest-selling science fiction books of all time. This video defines the genre of Speculative Fiction and outlines all the sub-genres (fantasy, science fiction, supernatural, horror, alternate history, dysto However, Black speculative fiction is becoming more prevalent among readers and writers. Sep 19, 2022 · Definition. Mar 12, 2024 · As I mentioned already, speculative fiction is a broad term that includes multiple genres, and so many sci-fi and fantasy stories fall under its umbrella. Aug 5, 2013 · 3 books, one community, countless stories. Science fiction was generally American and full of adventures and technological gadgets Oct 1, 2023 · Writing speculative fiction is more about asking questions about what would happen if X than about doing the homework to prove that X will be possible in the future. Applications are now open through March 1, 2024. Maryna Bilak, Headache, 2014, plaster, hanger, cloth, 10x16x13". Oct 4, 2023 · What Is Speculative Fiction: Sub-Genre, Science Fiction. The Write Market: The Write Market is an online writer’s market list – which has been online since 1996. It is distinguished from other poetic genres by being categorized by its subject matter, rather than by the poetry's form. 2015–2022 62 eps TV-14. The editors would also like to thank Garth Evans for curating art for Speculative Nonfiction and introducing us to so many wonderful artists. Director Franklin J. The origins of speculative fiction are usually seen as answering the question, “What if?” Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Books Speculative Fiction. Sci-fi and fantasy can be called subgenres of speculative writing. " Here is the link to the . Lippincott's Monthly Magazine: A Popular Journal of General As speculative fiction author China Miéville points out, a “brief survey of popular books, television, comics, video games etc. Science fiction became a massively popular subset of literature, film, and television in the 20th Jan 9, 2022 · Hi guys! In this video I take a look at speculative fiction and ask, is it different to sci-fi?#sciencefiction #speculativefiction #booktubeSources:https://w 2 days ago · Learn more about our online classes and workshops. The key is, any work of speculative fiction contains elements that don’t exist (or are thought not to) in the real world. Star Wars is a beloved sci-fi series. With the popularity of films like Marvel ‘s cinematic universe, post-apocalyptic young Jun 19, 2024 · Speculative Design is a design practice that has gained momentum in recent years, especially among cutting edge designers and organizations and (previously forward-thinking educational institutions like the Royal College of Art of the past). in Davidson, “Writing”). They feature regular writing news and more then 1000 Oct 7, 2019 · So whether something is spec fic or not depends on what, where, whom, etc. Speculative Fiction Tropes. It is also known as science fiction poetry or fantastic poetry . We publish fiction, poetry, reviews, essays, interviews, and art. Sep 6, 2023 · Speculative Fiction: Sci-fi, Fantasy, & More. science is a part of spec. N. Mar 4, 2024 · I read the Wikipedia article on speculative fiction a while ago, and authors seemed to have their own ideas and opinions on what speculative fiction is. Schaffner Stars Charlton Heston Roddy McDowall Kim Hunter. Space flight, light sabers, droids, and much more all belong in this category. Text-Based. Jan 17, 2024 · 17 Speculative Fiction Books. Speculative Design invites us to explore design in the context of possibilities, futures, and what-ifs. Delany has written that the science fiction community is predominantly made up of white male heterosexuals, but that the proportion of minorities, including gay people, is generally higher than found in a "literary" group. From its origins in the early 20th century, speculative fiction has grown to include a wide range of styles, themes, and media. The disappearance of rich-girl-turned-political-activist links the lives of Ceres detective, accidental ship captain and U. Speculative fiction is a broad genre that includes several unique sub-genres, each exploring different themes and elements that diverge from realistic portrayals of the world. Key elements of SF include its setting in the future or in an alternative universe, plots that explore the effects of scientific discoveries or technological developments on humans and Dec 24, 2010 · Speculative fiction includes all of the characteristics of science fiction, but often has a broader scope, including alternate histories, magic realism, contemporary fantasy, and so on. Speculative fiction is a genre that pushes the boundaries of the imaginable, inviting readers into worlds of what-if scenarios and limitless possibilities. Black Speculative Fiction: Black Speculative Fiction is an umbrella term for speculative texts with an emphasis on the people and culture of the African Diaspora. Everything from science fiction and fantasy to superversive and Sep 25, 2023 · Speculative fiction is any book in the genre of fiction that takes place in a world other than our own. More Than Just Fantasy & Sci-fi. Nov 2, 2023 · Speculative toy fiction is a sub-branch of science fiction with a focus on toys or toy-like designs, most profoundly character-types of toys—dolls, action figures, or soft toys with technologically-enhanced (digital and Internet-connected features), such as future toy robots that belong to the category of IoToys, or Artificial Friends (AF’s Dec 2, 2021 · Speculative fiction is known for tropes—it’s not uncommon to get a fuzzy feeling when what we expect to happen, happens. The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera. These can be summed up as. A writer of dazzling genius and imaginative vision, Neal Stephenson combines science, philosophy, technology, psychology, and literature in a magnificent work of speculative fiction that offers a portrait of a future that is both extraordinary and eerily recognizable. Machado talks about Speculative fiction has traditionally been "straight"; Samuel R. Amidst political tension between Earth, Mars and the Belt, they unravel the greatest conspiracy. science fiction and fantasy. Key elements of SF include its setting in the future or in an alternative universe, plots that explore the effects of scientific discoveries or technological developments on humans and Jul 29, 2021 · What Is Speculative Fiction? This genre is a broad spectrum. Aug 3, 2023 · speculative fiction in its most recent understanding is a fuzzy set super category that houses all non-mimetic genres—genres that in one way or another depart from imitating consensus reality—from fantasy, science fiction, and horror to their derivatives, hybrids, and cognate genres, including the gothic, dystopia, zombie, vampire and post Jul 28, 2020 · Speculative fiction is a genre of literature where a writer explores real-world situations through a fantastical or speculative lens. It is a place beyond reality, a place that could have been, or might have been, if only the rules of the universe were altered just a bit. Life today can feel like a maelstrom of uncertainty. MG (also known as Matt) writes from Austin, TX, where he lives with his patient family and loyal canine sidekick. Mark Bould’s chapter on “Speculative Fiction” begins with Jonathan Lethem’s literary critical counterfactual in which the genre border between science fiction and mainstream literature never existed and all novels about science were considered one group. Other examples include cyberpunk, science fiction, steampunk, fantasy, horror, weird fiction, magical realism, and others. 5 (174K) Rate. Have you noticed a splash of magic or a hint of the surreal worming its way into your reading, or perhaps even your writing? Join us for a four-week introduction to science fiction, fantasy what is speculative fiction? a world that writers create, where anything can happen. with Tara Campbell. Hers was an early example of a non-stereotypical role for an African-American actress. How to use speculative in a sentence. You can support Clarion West’s mission to forge new voices in speculative fiction in many different ways. TV Series. All material in Strange Horizons is copyrighted to the original authors and may not be reproduced without permission. Explore Margaret’s creative Apr 2, 2024 · Speculative fiction is a term that encompasses any fiction that delves into the realm of the unknown. Elements such as time travel, ancestral magic, gods, the supernatural, alternate histories, and dystopian stories allow Black authors to deliver endless possibilities of Black people surviving and overcoming the impossible in worlds similar to our reality. Speculative fiction can appear in films and television series, video games, animations, fictional universes and franchises, radio shows and more. Other times, speculative fiction is itself considered a specific form of non-realist writing, with features distinct from The Future of Speculative Fiction. With the popularity of films like Marvel ‘s cinematic universe, post-apocalyptic young Jul 9, 2021 · poses of writing a short story and entering that short story in the LBRWC, here’s how they define speculative fiction: Your Submission must fit within the broad category of speculative fiction, defined as fiction that encompasses works in which the setting is other than the real world, involving supernatural, futuristic, or other imagined elements, including but not limited to science The term "speculative fiction" has a history of conflicting meanings. 2. Jul 13, 2020 · 45 Recent Hits of Speculative Fiction. May 1, 2024 · What is Speculative Fiction? "The term “speculative fiction” has three historically located meanings: a subgenre of science fiction that deals with human rather than technological problems, a genre distinct from and opposite to science fiction in its exclusive focus on possible futures, and a super category for all genres that deliberately Jul 12, 2018 · In an interview published earlier this year by Electric Literature, Sofia Samatar discusses the concept of speculative memoir with authors Matthew Cheney, Carmen Maria Machado, and Rosalind Palermo Stevenson, all who have written work that blends memoir with elements of the highly imaginative that is typically reserved for science fiction, fantasy, and fabulist literature. $ 345. This wide classification includes (but is not limited to) science fiction, fantasy, horror, superhero fiction, alternate history, utopian and dystopian fiction, supernatural fiction, gothic, weird Nov 5, 2023 · Speculative Science. Dec 20, 2021 · He asserted that speculative fiction is fiction that focuses not on science and technology, but on human reactions to new situations caused by science and technology. スペキュレイティブ・フィクション（Speculative Fiction）とは、さまざまな点で現実世界と異なった世界を推測、追求して執筆された小説などの作品を指す語。フィクションの複数のジャンルにまたがって使用される。 Sep 28, 2016 · When you think about it, the phrase speculative fiction seems quite redundant. Speculative fiction doesn't speculate in the sense of "what might the future hold," it speculates in the sense of "what if this counterfactual reality existed. Students will investigate speculative fiction Aug 2, 2023 · The Feminina Series: https://1mkwilliams. G. Read more. Feb 7, 2017 · Learn about the genre umbrella of speculative fiction - it's history, elements and famous examples. The term Speculative Fiction was originally a backronym for the initials SF; at the time, during the New Wave Science Fiction movement of the 1960s, some writers felt that science fiction, or 'sci-fi,' was equated to flying saucers and rubber monsters Apr 15, 2022 · When we speculate, we are, effectively, "wondering" about something. The term appears to have been coined by Robert A. science fiction that relies on the scientific accuracy of the problems and solutions included in the work). Learn more. Speculative fiction is the roadmap to tomorrow and the bible for beyond. The original (but mostly lost) understanding of this had it as a subset of science fiction. Feb 14, 2021 · Dystopian speculative fiction The purpose of Dystopian Fiction . 0 (198K) Rate. Home; About; Books; Shop Menu Toggle. Some definitions of speculative fiction emphasize works of fiction that evoke a sense of "wonder" in readers. September 6, 20234 Weeks. Heinlein, a popular and respected writer of "hard-core" science fiction (i. Because of its widely cast net, spec Speculative fiction is an "umbrella" category that includes science fiction, fantasy, speculative horror, alternative history, and other counterfactual realities. 8. flag All Votes Add Books To This List. Speculative fiction. " Speculative Fiction is an umbrella term encompassing a lot of other genres: science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature. For more information, see our about page. At first glance, Heinlein's definition appears useful. rc gi qb uy qm yj dj zt nf wh