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.
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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.
Bust writer’s block when editing your novel
Interrogate your novel for plot holes, and other ways to get unstuck when doing a structural edit.
I’ve been featured: Atmosphere Press
Atmosphere Press interviewed me about my current work-in-progress, Icewind: a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel about winged post-humans living in floating cities above the surface of the ruined Earth.
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.
Three books to get excited about
Three books to get excited about reading, because you know they are going to be great.
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!
Sign up for Spec. Fic. Society newsletter
Welcome to Spec. Fic. Society, where we explore SFF that goes further. About once a month, there’ll be a new article here exploring an SFF story, trope, character, world, or writing tool, to expand your experience of SFF.
Join the FREE email newsletter to be notified when new articles go live, and for exclusive extras!
- Behind the scenes of my WIP novels and adventures in the literary industry.
- Mini-reviews of the other stories and genres in my broad reading spectrum that I’m finding wonderful.
- Friend-links to read my articles on Medium without a paid subscription.
- Exclusive discount on my web design and photo services.
- Plus, get 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.
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.
Welcome to Spec. Fic. Society, where we explore SFF that goes further. About once a month, there’ll be a new article here exploring an SFF story, trope, character, world, or writing tool, to expand your experience of SFF.
Join the FREE email newsletter to be notified when new articles go live, and for exclusive extras!
- Behind the scenes of my WIP novels and adventures in the literary industry.
- Mini-reviews of the other stories and genres in my broad reading spectrum that I’m finding wonderful.
- Friend-links to read my articles on Medium without a paid subscription.
- Exclusive discount on my web design and photo services.
- Plus, get 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.
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.
Welcome to Spec. Fic. Society, where we explore SFF that goes further. About once a month, there’ll be a new article here exploring an SFF story, trope, character, world, or writing tool, to expand your experience of SFF.
Join the FREE email newsletter to be notified when new articles go live, and for exclusive extras!
- Behind the scenes of my WIP novels and adventures in the literary industry.
- Mini-reviews of the other stories and genres in my broad reading spectrum that I’m finding wonderful.
- Friend-links to read my articles on Medium without a paid subscription.
- Exclusive discount on my web design and photo services.
- Plus, get 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.
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.
Get this when you sign up!
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 month, if you sign up for them.
All the articles you can eat
Dive into the articles of Spec. Fic. Society here!
Bust writer’s block when editing your novel
Interrogate your novel for plot holes, and other ways to get unstuck when doing a structural edit.
I’ve been featured: Atmosphere Press
Atmosphere Press interviewed me about my current work-in-progress, Icewind: a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel about winged post-humans living in floating cities above the surface of the ruined Earth.
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.
Three books to get excited about
Three books to get excited about reading, because you know they are going to be great.
Three books you can’t put down
When you next get on an international flight, pack these three novels. Begin reading at bedtime at your own risk.
Stop Being Precious About Your Writing
You’re holding yourself back from success right now. Stop being precious about your writing. This is some advice to myself.
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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.