News

A fundamental rule of speculative fiction is to craft believable worlds that create a strong sense of place for your characters and your readers. Yet, if you solved all the aspects a world or worlds require, you may have written an encyclopedia. But, what about the story or novel you wanted to write?

On September 5, we invite you to share your worldbuilding ideas and join in a discussion with the R-SPEC Team about how much worldbuilding is considered enough.

• Moderator: R-SPEC Team
• Location: 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 5, 2023 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 (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.

What can be better on a hot August night than the time-honored tradition of sharing unsettling stories around the (virtual) campfire?

On August 1, join our Summer Story Campfire, where the R-SPEC team will recommend some of their favorite horror stories and novels. We’ll then delve into favorites from our attendees to see 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?

• Moderator: R-SPEC Team
• Location: 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 1, 2023 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 (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 July 11, 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 July 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 11, 2023 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

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

R-SPEC reading meetings are not recorded.

An author’s sleight of hand is often a good thing when writing a speculative fiction story. Creativity is always needed for stories set on alien worlds or in magic-filled lands with fantastical creatures. Good science can often underpin a more terrifying horror story.

But, can an author stray too far from the “science” in science fiction or just ignore that magical realms need boundaries and rules? If so, then why does bad science and magical chicanery appeal to some? Is it just because the author needs a plot shortcut or is hoping the reader won’t notice?

We’ll examine these and other reasons during an out-of-this world and fantasy-filled discussion in our June meeting.

• Moderator: R-SPEC Team
• Location: Our May 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 6, 2023 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 (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.

Niven and Pournelle. Gaiman and Pratchett. King and Straub. Just a few examples of creative pairings that have produced exceptional works of fantasy and science fiction.

But just how do fiction collaborations work? What does it take to successfully co-write in the first place? What are the benefits and challenges? How do you find a co-writer? And more importantly, should you?

Join us for a lively discussion featuring Nick DiChario, Marcos Donnelly, and Ted Wenskus as they share their co-writing experiences, tips, tricks, and coping devices in creating fantastic stories born of two minds.

• Moderator: Ted Wenskus & the R-SPEC board
• Location: Our May 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, May 2, 2023 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 (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 April 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 April 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, April 4, 2023 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

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

R-SPEC reading meetings are not recorded.

In February, we discussed whether AI writing software might someday replace speculative fiction writers, and what would that mean for writers and their craft. This month we’ll discuss how AI is reaching into another area of speculative fiction, often someone’s first introduction to a novel or a story: the cover artwork or story illustration.

With new AI imaging tools, such as Midjourney and WOMBO Dream (used for the image in the banner above), anyone can now use a few keywords, add their own images, and select an AI algorithm to create art in ways almost unimaginable a few years ago – and far cheaper than commissioning an artist.

Is there a dark side? Simply put, “Yes!”

Where are these tools getting their source content? If that content is copyrighted, is creating an AI image an act of infringement?

If these tools are fast and simple to use, will book and magazine publishers – and even authors – need artists anymore?

We look forward to your questions and any answers you may have!

• Location: Our March meeting will be on Zoom only. Due to scheduling conflicts, we will not meet at the Pittsford Barnes & Noble in March.
  (Please join us at least 10 minutes before the 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)
• Meeting Time: Tuesday, March 7, 2022 from 6:30-9:00 p.m.
  • Open chat 6:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Meeting 7:00-9:00 p.m.

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

On January 3, 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 January 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 3, 2023 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.

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

Note: R-SPEC reading meetings are not recorded.

Come as you are on December 6, and share what you’ve been reading, watching, and listening to recently. Join your fellow R-SPECers, as we say goodbye to 2022 and then turn our sights to the future. Who knows who – or what – we might encounter or what may inspire us! We hope to see you there.

Moderator: No one

Location: Zoom Only (Please join about 10 minutes before the start time to ensure you're connected.)

Meeting Time: December 6, 2022 from 7-9 p.m. ET

Note: The R-SPEC Social will NOT be recorded!

On November 1, 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.

Writing a novel can be difficult for any writer. What if you had a "coach and guardrails" to help you start, create, and finish your novel? For the November NaNoWriMo challenge, we'll talk about their process and how signing up for free at NaNoWriMo.org helps you to get organized, set milestones, track your writing progress, and commiserate with other writers.

• Location: Our November meeting will be in person at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford and on Zoom. (Please join Zoom at least 10 minutes before the regular 7:00 p.m. start time to ensure a good connection.)
• Meeting Time: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 from 6:30-8:45 p.m.
  • Open chat 6:30-7:00 p.m.
  • Share Your Story: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
  • Close meeting: 8:45 (or sooner to break down the Community Room before the store closes)

Note: R-SPEC reading meetings are not recorded.