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.
How to publish a collaborative anthology to showcase your writing
Publishing a collaborative anthology is a powerful way to showcase your writing skills and capacity to complete a major project.
There is no Antimemetics Division by QNTM: a philosophical action romp
There is no Antimemetics Division by QNTM is a book that defies description, and will live on in your head long after the last page.
Why I bought a lifetime subscription to a beta software for authors: WriteO review first look
WriteO review first look: this software for authors has an online editor, character organisation and world-building tools, and more.
Eradicate filler words from your manuscript: an editing checklist
This filler words editing checklist will help you tighten your manuscript, cut words, and improve your prose. Save it for your next edit!
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 to the Spec. Fic. Society readership? Submit here! It's free, and exclusive for newsletter subscribers (also free).
Cloaking Fate
Felíne, the princess of Asteros, is prophesied by the Goddess to break an ancient curse, a task that could claim her life. When her destined path is unexpectedly derailed by the rebel warrior, Kalevar Kaine, Felíne is faced with harrowing truths about her parents rule...
I Am Alive
What does it mean to be alive? C4-L1 is an artificial intelligence housed in an android body, engineered by NexCore to obey, protect, and serve the interests of one of America’s most powerful tech corporations. He was never designed to question his purpose until he...
The Iron Hand Mandate
Step into The Iron Hand Mandate, an adult literary SF chronicle of an empire determined to make its rule feel inevitable rather than beloved. Archival Chronicles of the Singularity Fracture, Volume I presents a living archive testifying to the systems, choices, and...
Shanya’s Saga
"Two deaths. One life." The doors closed at midnight, and Shanya Tourni woke up on the wrong side of everything she'd ever known. Part biomedical thriller, part dystopian romance, his gripping novella explores the razor's edge between scientific progress and moral...
Hello, fellow readers and writers
My name is Jemma, I’m an author and writer, 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!
How to publish a collaborative anthology to showcase your writing
Publishing a collaborative anthology is a powerful way to showcase your writing skills and capacity to complete a major project.
There is no Antimemetics Division by QNTM: a philosophical action romp
There is no Antimemetics Division by QNTM is a book that defies description, and will live on in your head long after the last page.
Why I bought a lifetime subscription to a beta software for authors: WriteO review first look
WriteO review first look: this software for authors has an online editor, character organisation and world-building tools, and more.
Eradicate filler words from your manuscript: an editing checklist
This filler words editing checklist will help you tighten your manuscript, cut words, and improve your prose. Save it for your next edit!
Son of Osivirius by Cathryn deVries: evocative, nature-focused science fantasy
Son of Osivirius is a short but satisfying read that has already won several awards in the indie space. Plus, it has giant flying cats!
Kickstarter prelaunch: Holometabola is coming!
Our inaugural fantasy and science fiction anthology, crafted for readers who crave depth and characters that will grab you from the moment you enter their world.
The Familiar, by Leigh Bardugo: historical fantasy that will emotionally devastate you
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo is a lyrical, musical Cinderella-meets-Hunger Games retelling that will break you. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
A neurological condition you’ve probably never heard of
I’ve been struggling with a neurological condition called PPPD and I wanted to give an update of how it’s impacting me.
Nine unexpected lessons I learnt at my first writing residency
My first writing residency was a mental challenge that has changed the way I approach my writing. Here’s the nine unexpected lessons I learnt.
Writing the Journey: a walking writing exercise from my rural writing residency
This walking writing exercise will take you and your character on a journey through emotional, sensory and physical details to map a story.
The Thinning, by Inga Simpson: a near-future speculative thriller
The Thinning is a near future Australian speculative novel that frames main character Fin’s experience in a world falling apart.
Pirates and Courtiers, by Gabrielle Davis, launched at Avid Reader in Brisbane
Pirates and Courtiers by Gabrielle Davis is a fantasy novel that will appeal to readers of all ages, and second of Road to Freedom series.
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Popular
Kickstarter prelaunch: Holometabola is coming!
Our inaugural fantasy and science fiction anthology, crafted for readers who crave depth and characters that will grab you from the moment you enter their world.
Nine unexpected lessons I learnt at my first writing residency
My first writing residency was a mental challenge that has changed the way I approach my writing. Here’s the nine unexpected lessons I learnt.
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.
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, to share your books with our readers!