Blog

On March 3, please join the R-SPEC Team as we explore writing “microfiction,” “flash fiction,” and even 100-word “drabble” stories – all of which require you to focus on the full narrative arc (beginning, middle, and end) within a tight, concise format.

As a group, we’ll select a writing theme, create a fictional piece, then share them, if you desire, in the hope this writing format can help you shape your longer works of fiction. Remember to bring pencil and paper, or a digital pad, to work your microfiction and record notes.

During the workshop, we’ll discuss these questions and others you may have: Why should I write such short stories? How do I start? What about character and plot development? What do I leave in? What must I leave out?

• Location: Our meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom.
  (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)
• Meeting Time: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 6:30-8:45 p.m.
• Open chat: 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Meeting: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
• Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner, to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Supplemental: Writing Workshop - Can Microfiction Pay Off Big?

Note: R-SPEC presentations on topics of interest may be recorded, and a link to the recording posted on our website.

R-SPEC holds its Annual Business Meeting during the first half-hour of our February meeting. We look back upon our accomplishments in 2025 and elect Board members for 2026. The meeting is open to the public, but only paid R-SPEC members are eligible to be on the Board and to vote in the elections.

Will A.I. Replace Humans in Speculative Fiction? Three years ago, we discussed the potential of A.I. changing the words and art of speculative fiction. As with all things in the digital realm, events are now moving faster than a quantum tunneling effect. Are we at the end of humanity creating speculative fiction – or anything else for that matter?

• Meeting Time: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.
• Location: Our meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)
• 6:30-7:00 p.m.: Open chat
• 7:00-7:30 p.m.: Annual Business Meeting
  • Moderator: Ted Wenskus
  • Note: This is the same as the regular meeting - plan to stay connected to participate!
• 7:30-8:45 p.m.: Will A.I. Replace Humans in Speculative Fiction?
  • Group Discussion
  • Note: This is the same as the regular meeting - you don't need to disconnect & reconnect.
• Close meeting: 8:45 (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC presentations on topics of interest may be recorded, and a link to the recording posted on our website.

On January 6, you're invited to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you're facing. Bring a piece with fewer than 1,000 words, if you can, but no more than 2,000 words, if you can't break the scene. This helps give everyone sufficient reading and feedback time.

Moderator: Alan Vincent Michaels

Location: Our November meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)

Meeting Time: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

• Open chat: 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Share Your Story: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
• Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC reading meetings are not recorded.

On November 4, you're invited to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you're facing. Bring a piece with fewer than 1,000 words, if you can, but no more than 2,000 words, if you can't break the scene. This helps give everyone sufficient reading and feedback time.

Moderator: Alan Vincent Michaels

Location: Our November meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)

Meeting Time: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

• Open chat: 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Share Your Story: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
• Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC reading meetings are not recorded.

Halloween is approaching quickly, but it’s never too early for a good horror story!

On October 7, join our Autumn Story Campfire, where the R-SPEC team will recommend some of their favorite horror stories and novels. We’ll then delve into attendee favorites to learn about what horror fiction gives them night terrors.

Remember, bring an example or two of horror fiction to share. Tell us what won’t let you sleep at night, and what kept you turning the page to find out what happened next?

Panel: R-SPEC Team

Location: Our October 7 meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)

Meeting Time: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

• Open chat 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Discussion: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
• Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC presentations on topics of interest may be recorded, and a link to the recording posted on our website.

On Tuesday, September 2, the R-SPEC Team will lead a panel-style discussion that delves into how the myriad speculative fiction genres came to be and how the most-popular ones are influencing the world.

Then, more importantly, we’ll focus on how readers and authors alike can use these categories to find fantastical stories to bolster their favorite reads and literary styles, how to watch for biases and marketing realities, and how to find and even create new genres to fire up your imaginations.

Come to the meeting with your favorite speculative fiction genres in mind and join us in what will surely be an intriguing literary exploration.

Moderator: R-SPEC Team

Location: Our September 2 meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)

Meeting Time: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

• Open chat 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Discussion: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
• Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC presentations on topics of interest may be recorded, and a link to the recording posted on our website.

On August 5, you're invited to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you're facing. Bring a piece with fewer than 1,000 words, if you can, but no more than 2,000 words, if you can't break the scene. This helps give everyone sufficient reading and feedback time.

Moderator: Alan Vincent Michaels

Location: Our August meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)

Meeting Time: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

• Open chat: 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Share Your Story: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
• Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC reading meetings are not recorded.

Coming up on Tuesday, July 1...you know, we had so much fun discussing all the short stories on this year’s ballot for the 2025 Nebula Awards that we’ve decided to reprise that idea by talking about this year’s short story nominations for the 2025 Hugo Awards!

This year’s winners will be announced at the 83rd World Science Fiction Convention to be held in Seattle, Washington from August 13-17. For our July meeting, we’ll discuss what we liked, what we didn’t care for, and hold our own (non-binding) voting for Best Hugo Short Story.

If you read the Nebula stories for our May meeting, you’re already ahead of the game as three of the stories are the same.

See full article for list of stories. Start reading today!

Moderator: R-SPEC Team

Location: Our July 1 meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)

Meeting Time: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

• Open chat 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Discussion: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
• Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC presentations on topics of interest may be recorded, and a link to the recording posted on our website.

Does the blank page feel intimidating? Do you struggle finding the best words to use or feel your prose and characters need more substance? Are there moments you can’t see what to write next? 

Fear not! You’re not alone. All writers, from those new to the craft to experienced, best-selling novelists, struggle with how to start, what to write, and how to push onward to the last sentence of a story or novel.

During our June roundtable discussion, we’ll talk about how to tackle your writing roadblocks and share ideas on how to achieve your writing goals.

Moderator: R-SPEC Team

Location: Our June 3 meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)

Meeting Time: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

• Open chat 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Discussion: 7:00-8:45 p.m.
• Close meeting: 8:45 p.m. (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC presentations on topics of interest may be recorded, and a link to the recording posted on our website.