Mix and Match: Speculative Sub-Genres
Lesson #6 | From Fantasies to Futures: Lessons from Speculative Fiction
Way, way, earlier, I promised we’d look into how speculative genres can be mixed or changed. I'm finally gonna deliver on that promise! In this lesson, we’re going to dive into some popular cross-genres and subgenres which will help us see just how broad speculative fiction can be.
Of course, this is just a sampler for your inspiration! There are infinitely more subgenres out there, and I encourage you to read widely to find your favorites (many speculative authors work in multiple subgenres). Don’t be afraid to go outside the speculative field, either! Even literary writers will use a speculative trope here or there.
Past Fantasy
Let’s start off with something familiar. When most people think of fantasy, they think of medieval Europe: knights, castles, princesses, etc. However, you can easily broaden that idea into “speculative fiction inspired by the past.” Any region, any time period is ripe for a little imagination. Historical fantasy often adds magic to a prior era. Alternate history usually deals with an alternate outcome to a significant event. In either case, how would technology or society have developed differently? How close or how far you depart from the history textbook is up to you: