About

Site Updates

Submitted by melvin on Sat, 02/28/2009 - 19:18

R-SPEC.org's site maintenance was (mostly) successful; the Recent Posts block was an unfortunate casualty that we hope to have back soon.

What Is Speculative Literature?

Submitted by melvin on Sat, 07/14/2007 - 15:34

An emerging crossroads of science and fantasy, of literature and mystery, of the surreal and the scientific. A new kind of writing for a new kind of world.

SF authors Nancy Kress and Ruhan Zhao at a recent R-SPEC meeting

Nancy Kress and Ruhan Zhao

Speculative literature is a mode of writing that starts where genre fiction leaves off. Sometimes called slipstream, sometimes postmodernism, speculative literature is a living intersection of genres that rises to the level of art through a focused concentration on literary craftsmanship and style. A place where Wells and Orwell, Kafka and Vonnegut, Rimbaud and Lem meet and compare notes on the realities within and the shape of things to come.


Benefactors

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Where can I learn more about R-SPEC?

Submitted by melvin on Thu, 07/12/2007 - 20:36

R-SPEC meets the first Tuesday of every month at about 7pm on the second floor level of the Barnes & Noble store in Pittsford, NY (the second largest Barnes & Noble branch in New York State). Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

We invite you to read and explore the resources and articles on our web page as well.

If you'd like to contribute financially, we invite you to become a member.

R-SPEC on Facebook

Submitted by eDave on Wed, 02/25/2009 - 01:52

We have a Facebook presence, now, thanks to member Pat Rapp. Thank you, Pat!

Site updates underway

Submitted by eDave on Fri, 02/20/2009 - 12:27

As visitors may have noticed, it had been a long time since the site had been updated. There were good reasons for that, but events have transpired that have enabled those of us who can to resume updates. Updates across the board will take some time, but we'll have a bit every week.

 

Huzzah!

How can I become a member?

Submitted by escoles on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 04:58

Membership in R-SPEC is open to all. To become a member, you only need to send a check for $25, made payable to "R-SPEC, Inc.", to:

R-SPEC
2604 Elmwood Ave, Suite 277
Rochester, NY 14618

In return, you will receive a membership card, a handsome refrigerator magnet, and the comfort of knowing that you've taken your first step through that door.

BY-LAWS OF ROCHESTER SPECULATIVE LITERATURE ASSOCIATION, INC. (R-SPEC)

Teaser: 
The Rochester Speculative Literature Association (R-SPEC) has officially incorporated and adopted by-laws to govern its operations. These are the rules we have to live by.
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What Is R-SPEC?

Submitted by melvin on Thu, 07/12/2007 - 20:33

R-SPEC are a group of aspiring writers, seasoned professionals, and interested readers and thinkers who gather together to examine, discuss, celebrate, and create speculative literature.

This Upstate New York group hosts theme discussions on social, technological, and literary issues, holds readings and in-depth analyses of classic speculative works and new works by members, invites speakers to talk about hot public issues and enduring literary questions, serves as a source of information and foresight for think tanks and journalists, and strives to help young and ambitious writers further explore and contribute to this new literary world.

Speculative literature uses narrative means to probe the world around us, the ideas within us, and the direction in which society is heading. It is creation, analysis, warning and prophecy all in one. And R-SPEC is the door.