[davidhaynes]

Hi,

Could anyone help me out here? I don't know what speculative fiction is?

I've written a horror short story collection (mask of the macabre on signature) does this fit with speculative fiction and what does it matter?

Thanks

Dave

 

[markobeezy]

Speculative fiction is a general term that applies to the more fantastical fiction genres. Sci-fi, superhero fiction, utopian/dystopian fiction, etc...

 

[davidhaynes]

Thanks Mark.

It's an umbrella term which doesn't really mean much then! 

 

[KevinMcLaughlin]

Speculative fiction is generically used to contain science fiction and fantasy, or stories from other genres which contain elements of those things (for example, supernatural horror, religious books with angels, and romance novels occurring on spaceships all arguably fall under this heading).

Basically, they're stories about things which have not been (future), were not (time travel altering the past), or could not be (magic, paranormal, etc.).

One of the most fun things about writing SF/fantasy - the spec fic category is *incredibly* broad.

 

[J Dean]

Speculative fiction is generically used to contain science fiction and fantasy, or stories from other genres which contain elements of those things (for example, supernatural horror, religious books with angels, and romance novels occurring on spaceships all arguably fall under this heading).

Basically, they're stories about things which have not been (future), were not (time travel altering the past), or could not be (magic, paranormal, etc.).

One of the most fun things about writing SF/fantasy - the spec fic category is *incredibly* broad.

And some authors like Bradbury and Ellison prefer the label "SpecFic" as opposed to "Scifi." I think it was Ellison who said that if you called him a science fiction writer he would tear out your liver.

 

[KevinMcLaughlin]

And some authors like Bradbury and Ellison prefer the label "SpecFic" as opposed to "Scifi." I think it was Ellison who said that if you called him a science fiction writer he would tear out your liver.

Well, to be fair - pretty much no fan of the genre born before 1980 uses the term "scifi". It's "SF", darn it.

(grumblegrumble SciFi channel get off my lawn grumblegrumble)

 

[Guest]

Well, to be fair - pretty much no fan of the genre born before 1980 uses the term "scifi". It's "SF", darn it.

(grumblegrumble SciFi channel get off my lawn grumblegrumble)

Don't you mean "SyFy channel?

 

[J Dean]

Don't you mean "SyFy channel?

Indeed, there is nothing scifi about syfy it seems.

 

[Guest]

Indeed, there is nothing scifi about syfy it seems.

You are as likely to find an actual sci-fi movie on the SyFy channel as you are a music video on MTV

 

[KevinMcLaughlin]

Don't you mean "SyFy channel?

What? People still watch TV? *blinks up from current writing project*

 

[davidhaynes]

I'm afraid it's a bit too abstract for me, I'll stick to the horror genre