We are seekers…
We’re too time-poor to read boring speculative fiction. Let alone waste our time writing it.
We are readers and writers who engage deeply. We read and write broadly and bravely. We see different worlds. We are open-minded: we love other perspectives. We are intrigued by the ways and whys of how humans think and act in the world.
We don’t have all the answers; we know nobody has all the answers. We are always searching for crystalline moments of new insight, that ring like a bell and ignite the spark of wonder and awe. We delve into the structure of reality, into the human condition, and what it means to be here, on this planet, in this moment.
We are Spec. Fic. Society.
Read latest articles now
Here at Spec. Fic. Society, we explore science fiction and fantasy stories that open our minds and touch our hearts. We want stories that live on in us, rent-free, forever. We also explore writing tools and techniques that help us write better SFF. Let’s go on this journey together.
Playing with time without the tangle: writing time travel stories
Writing time travel stories is a complex endeavour. Learn about the types of time travel in stories, consequences, and grounding the reader.
The inaugural Spec. Fic. Society anthology is coming!
Spec. Fic. Society anthology: we are publishing an anthology of short stories from emerging, award-winning and dedicated authors.
The Fifth Season, by N. K. Jemisin: world-building and character-driven plot like no other
The Fifth Season novel by N. K. Jemisin is a stunning example of world-building with a rich character-driven plot unlike any other.
Does your novel pass the sexy lamp test? Representation tests for writing fiction
Representation tests for writing fiction: the Bechdel test, Mako Mori test, Pivotal Character test, DuVernay test and more.
Browse the library
These are books published by the authors in our Spec. Fic. Society community! We are proud to share the works being written by our community of readers across science fiction and fantasy, in both trad and indie publishing. Dive in and find your next favourite read.
Would you like to showcase your book or ARC opportunity to the Spec. Fic. Society readership? Submit here! It's free, and exclusive for newsletter subscribers (also free).
Son of Osivirius
When Jayden crash lands in rebel territory, his only thought is of escape and the reward his intel will get him, but all that changes when he mind-links with a Masu, the giant flying felines indigenous to the planet Osivirius. Now the unwanted attraction he’s felt for...
FrostByte
Want to read a NA, Desi Cyberpunk story about a murder victim who gets illegally resurrected in the wrong body (losing everything) & now she must figure out the mystery surrounding her death without getting caught or killed again. She gets taken in by a group of...
Moonrising
In 2073, controversial agronomist Dr. Alex Cole has dedicated her life to mutagenetic food, the only solution to feeding a world torn apart by climate change. When fierce opposition from radical environmentalists wipes out her lab funding, a surprising lifeline...
The Miraculous Life of Rupert Rocket
Rupert's family has been cursed by one Irish fairy and blessed by another. His chaotic luck takes him through careers as a dancer, model, actor, and international spy. And he always wonders when the blessing will run out.
Hello, fellow readers and writers
My name is Jemma, and I’m an author and writer, Chair of the Queensland Writers Centre, and I thrive on being part of the bookish community. I’m a reader and a learner, and I yearn for stories that challenge, go broader and deeper, and don’t just reinforce what has come before. I know the struggle of finding time to read and write, and I want my time to be well-spent.
That’s why I started Spec. Fic. Society: a place for readers and writers like me to gather. I’m a teacher with a Ba. Sci. Comm. (Hons), Grad. Dip. Ed. and M. Ed. and my default question when I learn something new and wonderful is, “Who do I know that this could help?” Hopefully, that’s you. Welcome!
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Welcome to Spec. Fic. Society, where we explore SFF that goes further. You’ll find articles here exploring SFF stories, tropes, characters, worlds, or writing tools, to expand your experience of SFF.
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Some of the tropes I love are…
- Stories where our human past is buried deep beneath the layers of the current society.
- Heroines that are more than just super amazing bad-asses at physical combat.
- Science fiction worlds that are more than stories that just happen to be on a spaceship in space.
- Clever and unique magic systems. Preferably ones that feel like they are based in pseudo-science.
- Post-apocalyptic worlds more than a zombie landscape where people do terrible things to each other. (I’m all for doing terrible things, but has to be for very good reasons – not just because they’re evil.)
… and if you like these too, you’ll be right at home here.
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What is Spec. Fic. Society about?
- Science fiction and fantasy book and story recommendations that will grab you, expand your mind and live on rent-free in your mind and heart forever. Mostly books, sometimes short stories, TV shows and movies.
- Explorations of genre tropes, exemplary characters, and wonderful world building.
- Tools for SFF authors: strategies, systems and gadgets for writing wonderful SFF.
- Emails, about once a quarter, if you sign up for them.
All the articles you can eat
Dive into the articles of Spec. Fic. Society here!
Playing with time without the tangle: writing time travel stories
Writing time travel stories is a complex endeavour. Learn about the types of time travel in stories, consequences, and grounding the reader.
The inaugural Spec. Fic. Society anthology is coming!
Spec. Fic. Society anthology: we are publishing an anthology of short stories from emerging, award-winning and dedicated authors.
The Fifth Season, by N. K. Jemisin: world-building and character-driven plot like no other
The Fifth Season novel by N. K. Jemisin is a stunning example of world-building with a rich character-driven plot unlike any other.
Does your novel pass the sexy lamp test? Representation tests for writing fiction
Representation tests for writing fiction: the Bechdel test, Mako Mori test, Pivotal Character test, DuVernay test and more.
I’ve been published: “The Closing of Doors” by Jemma Pollari in AntipodeanSF
The Closing of Doors by Jemma Pollari: read my short story on two contrasting options for humanity to survive a calamity, in AntipodeanSF.
The Calculating Stars: could an asteroid strike force space colonisation?
The Calculating Stars: multi-award winning science fiction novel in an alternate history 1950s space race to colonise the solar system.
I’ve been published: find “Trashtopia” by Jemma Pollari in Jacaranda Journal
Trashtopia by Jemma Pollari: I’ve been published in Jacaranda Journal 12.1: Scorched Earth. Read about the process, story, and where to buy.
Mermen, flying and eco-horror in new sci fi and fantasy novels July 2025
New fantasy and sci fi novels July 2025: Fractal by Shae Nicholson, Tempting Triton by Lex Logan, Skysong by C.A. Wright and more.
Mars, magic and more in new fantasy and sci fi novels May 2025
New fantasy and sci fi novels May 2025: Children of the Gods by Neen Cohen, In the Name of Honor by Courtney and Clarke Collins, and more!
Empire of the Vampire vs Lifel1k3: Jay Kristoff can plunge us into any world he chooses
Empire of the Vampire and the Lifel1k3 series by Jay Kristoff are two examples of compelling character-driven fiction in different styles.
What is the brain uploading trope? When human minds don’t need to live in human brains
Brain uploading trope is a mainstay of sci fi stories, with plenty philosophical quandaries. These books and shows will get you started.
Comes the Night, by Isobelle Carmody: the interface between dreams and reality
Comes the Night by Isobelle Carmody feels like a back to roots story from this beloved Australian fantasy and science fiction author.
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The inaugural Spec. Fic. Society anthology is coming!
Spec. Fic. Society anthology: we are publishing an anthology of short stories from emerging, award-winning and dedicated authors.
What is the brain uploading trope? When human minds don’t need to live in human brains
Brain uploading trope is a mainstay of sci fi stories, with plenty philosophical quandaries. These books and shows will get you started.
Read my winning short story: “Tremble” in March 2024 Right-Left-Write
My short story “Tremble” won the March 2024 Right Left Write competition run by Queensland Writers Centre. Read it here.
Sign up for free Spec. Fic. Society newsletter
Join Spec. Fic. Society and get SFF articles and exclusives hand-delivered (by internet robots) to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you The Story Bridge Tool for structuring a best-selling novel, and The SFF Last Books on Earth: thirty(ish) books you must have in your end-of-the-world library. You'll also be eligible for free Book Blasts and ARC Shoutouts, to share your books with our readers!