About Speculative Fiction Writers Association
We are an online group of speculative fiction authors writing science fiction, fantasy, horror, time travel, climate fiction/solar-punk, slipstream, steampunk, weird west, fairy tales, alternate history, dystopian/utopian, cyberpunk, etc. for MG, YA, and adults.
Critique
We meet Tuesdays at 6pm MT/8pm ET on Zoom to discuss current writing topics and critique each other’s work. We are always open to new members of all ability levels.
Community
We have a private Discord server where we discuss current events, publishing opportunities, author conferences, marketing, and publishing issues.
Join Us
Please sit in and audit a session. Meet members and see how our group works. Contact us to schedule a Tuesday that works for you.
Recent Blog Posts
Fairy Tale: The Benefit and Beauty of Varying Perspectives
Give a group of authors the same writing prompt, and they will write unique stories with diverse characters and emotional journeys, differing plot elements, and singular plot twists that any element of commonality is difficult to find. Such is the power and joy of writing speculative fiction. Even the incredible …
The Six Narrative Perspectives
As a writer who has been critiqued and often critiques other authors, point-of-view (POV) is a common topic. However, talking about POV is not enough because it is intertwined with the overall narrative perspective of the work. That perspective is a mix-and-match of several concepts that should stay fairly consistent …
Creating Convincing AI Characters
You’ve got a brilliant idea for a story about an AI. Time to get writing. You sit at your desk. You boot your laptop. You dismiss those notifications about pending updates. You launch your word processor. You spend five minutes setting the font, paragraph indent, and line spacing. At last, …
Problematic Authors: Can We Separate the Art from the Artist?
PART ONE: THE PROBLEM What do L. Frank Baum, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Orson Scott Card, Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman. H. P. Lovecraft, J .K. Rowling, and J. R. R. Tolkien have in common? Each is a beloved author who has written foundational speculative works that continue to inspire today. In …
Eight More Common Problems for New Writers
2nd of 2 parts Writing speculative fiction is a nuanced craft that demands a blend of creativity, discipline, and technical skill. New writers frequently stumble over specific hurdles that can hinder their storytelling. Here are eight additional common problems beyond the typical advice: Weak Beginnings The beginning of a story …
Eight Common Problems for New Writers
1st of 2 parts Writing speculative fiction can be a rewarding and challenging experience. New writers often encounter several pitfalls as they hone their craft. This blog post will discuss eight common issues and provide tips on how to overcome them. Point-of-View Slips One of the most common problems for …