Definition
Speculative fiction is an umbrella term for stories that imagine worlds different from consensus reality, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and fabulist work. It groups work by the act of speculation.
Example
A bookstore section labeled speculative fiction might shelve space opera, fairy-tale retellings, and dystopian novels together.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Using speculative fiction as a polite synonym for science fiction only.
- Assuming the label tells you tone or audience; it describes method, not genre conventions.