Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre encompassing fiction with certain elements

that do not exist in the real world, often in the context of supernatural,
futuristic or other imaginative themes.[1] This includes, but is not limited to,
science fiction, fantasy, superhero fiction, horror, utopian and dystopian fiction,
fairytale fantasy, supernatural fiction as well as combinations thereof (e.g.
science fantasy).[2]

Speculative fiction differs from other types of fiction such as slice of life and
from non-fiction.

Contents
1 History
2 Distinguishing science fiction from other speculative fiction
3 Speculative fiction genres
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
History
Speculative fiction as a category ranges from ancient works to both paradigm-
changing and neotraditional works of the 21st century.[3][4] Speculative fiction
can be recognized in works whose authors' intentions or the social contexts of the
versions of stories they portrayed are now known, since ancient Greek dramatists
such as Euripides (ca. 480�406 BCE) whose play Medea seems to have offended
Athenian audiences when he fictionally speculated that shamaness Medea killed her
own children instead of their being killed by other Corinthians after her
departure,[5] and whose play Hippolytus, narratively introduced by Aphrodite,
Goddess of Love in person, is suspected to have displeased his contemporary
audiences because he portrayed Phaedra as too lusty.[6]

In historiography, what is now called speculative fiction has previously been

termed "historical invention",[7] "historical fiction", and similar names. It is
extensively noted in literary criticism of the works of William Shakespeare[8] as
when he co-locates Athenian Duke Theseus and Amazonian Queen Hippolyta, English
fairy Puck, and Roman god Cupid across time and space in the Fairyland of its
Merovingian Germanic sovereign Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream.[9]

In mythography the concept of speculative fiction has been termed "mythopoesis" or

mythopoeia, "fictional speculation", the creative design and generation of lore,
regarding such works as J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.[10] Such
supernatural, alternate history and sexuality themes continue in works produced
within the modern speculative fiction genre.[11]

The creation of speculative fiction in its general sense of hypothetical history,

explanation, or ahistorical storytelling has also been attributed to authors in
ostensibly non-fiction mode since as early as Herodotus of Halicarnassus (fl. 5th
century BCE), in his Histories,[12][13][14] and was already both practiced and
edited out by early encyclopaedic writers like Sima Qian (ca. 145 or 135 BCE�86
BCE), author of Shiji.[15][16]

These examples highlight the caveat that many works now regarded as intentional or
unintentional speculative fiction long predate the coining of the genre term; its
concept in its broadest sense captures both a conscious and unconscious aspect of
human psychology in making sense of the world, and responding to it by creating
imaginative, inventive, and artistic expressions. Such expressions can contribute
to practical progress through interpersonal influences, social and cultural
movements, scientific research and advances, and philosophy of science.[17][18][19]

In its English-language usage in arts and literature since the mid 20th century,
"speculative fiction" as a genre term is often attributed to Robert A. Heinlein. He
first used the term in an editorial in The Saturday Evening Post, February 8, 1947.
In the article, Heinlein used "Speculative Fiction" as a synonym for "science
fiction"; in a later piece, he explicitly stated that his use of the term did not
include fantasy. However, though Heinlein may have come up with the term on his
own, there are earlier citations: a piece in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1889
used the term in reference to Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward: 2000�1887 and
other works; and one in the May 1900 issue of The Bookman said that John Uri
Lloyd's Etidorhpa, The End of the Earth had "created a great deal of discussion
among people interested in speculative fiction".[20] A variation on this term is
"speculative literature".[21]

The use of "speculative fiction" in the sense of expressing dissatisfaction with

traditional or establishment science fiction was popularized in the 1960s and early
1970s by Judith Merril and other writers and editors, in connection with the New
Wave movement. It fell into disuse around the mid-1970s.[22]

The Internet Speculative Fiction Database contains a broad list of different

subtypes.

In the 2000s, the term came into wider use as a convenient collective term for a
set of genres. However, some writers, such as Margaret Atwood, continue to
distinguish "speculative fiction" specifically as a "no Martians" type of science
fiction, "about things that really could happen."[23]

Academic journals which publish essays on speculative fiction include

Extrapolation, and Foundation.[24]

According to publisher statistics, men outnumber women about two to one among
English-language speculative fiction writers aiming for professional publication.
However, the percentages vary considerably by genre, with women outnumbering men in
the fields of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and young adult fiction.[25]

Distinguishing science fiction from other speculative fiction

"Speculative fiction" is sometimes abbreviated "spec-fic", "specfic",[26] "S-F",
"SF" or "sf".[27] However, the last three abbreviations are ambiguous as they have
long been used to refer to science fiction (which lies within this general range of
literature[28]) and in several other contexts.

The term has been used by some critics and writers dissatisfied with, what they
consider, the limitations of science fiction: i.e., a need for the story to hold to
strict scientific principles. They feel the term "Speculative Fiction" better
defines an expanded, open, imaginative fiction, stories typically dismissed as
"genre fiction", such as "Fantasy," "Mystery," "Horror," "Science Fiction," etc.
[29] Harlan Ellison used the term to avoid being pigeonholed as a writer. Ellison,
a fervent proponent of writers embracing more literary and modernist directions,
[30][31] broke out of genre conventions to push the boundaries of "Speculative
Fiction."

The term "suppositional fiction" is sometimes used as a sub-category designating

fiction in which characters and stories are constrained by an internally consistent
world, but not necessarily one defined by any particular genre.[32][33][34]

Speculative fiction genres

Speculative fiction may include elements of one or more of the following genres:

Name Description Examples

Fantasy Includes elements and beings originating from or inspired by
traditional stories, such as mythical creatures (dragons, elves, dwarves and
fairies, for example), magic, witchcraft, potions, etc. The Lord of the Rings,
The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, A Song of Ice and Fire
Science fiction (sci-fi) Features technologies and other elements that do not
exist in real life but may be supposed to be created or discovered in the future
through scientific advancement, such as advanced robots, interstellar travel,
aliens, time travel, mutants and cyborgs. Many sci-fi stories are set in the
future. The Time Machine, Dune, Star Trek, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Planet of the
Apes, The Left Hand of Darkness, Star Wars, Blade Runner, Jurassic Park
Horror Focuses on terrifying stories that incite fear. Villains may be either
supernatural, such as monsters, vampires, ghosts and demons, or mundane people,
such as psychopathic and cruel murderers. Often features violence and death. The
Exorcist, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Books of Blood, The Hellbound Heart
Utopian Takes place in a highly desirable society, often presented as advanced,
happy, intelligent or even perfect or problem-free. Island, Ecotopia, 17776
Dystopian Takes place in a highly undesirable society, often plagued with strict
control, violence, chaos, brainwashing or other negative elements. Brave New
World, 1984, Brazil, The Handmaid's Tale, The Hunger Games
Alternate history Focusing on historical events as if they happened in a different
way, and their implications in the present. The Man In The High Castle, The
Last Starship from Earth, The Tales of Alvin Maker, The Guns of the South,
Fatherland
Apocalyptic Takes place before and during a massive, worldwide catastrophe,
typically a climatic or pandemic natural disaster of extremely large scale or a
nuclear holocaust. On The Beach, Threads, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012
Post-apocalyptic Focuses on groups of survivors after similar massive, worldwide
disasters. The Stand, Mad Max, Waterworld, Fallout, Metro 2033
Superhero Centers on superheroes (i.e., heroes with extraordinary abilities or
powers) and their fight against evil forces such as supervillains. Typically
incorporates elements of science fiction or fantasy, and may be a subgenre of them.
DC, Marvel, Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, Metal Heroes, Power Rangers
Supernatural Similar to horror, it exploits or requires as plot devices or
themes some contradictions of the commonplace natural world and materialist
assumptions about it. The Castle of Otranto, Weaveworld, Imajica, Paranormal
Activity, Fallen