Weekly Roundup: March 16-20, 2020


Another week has come and gone, and that means it’s time for your favorite recap! As always, we’re bringing you reviews of genre greats, special guests, awesome advice, and the great escapism that the speculative genre provides — especially needed during these trying times. While you may be asked to stay homebound, that doesn’t mean you can’t go anywhere. Stories…

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The Same But Different: An Approach for Evaluating Originality with Scott H. Andrews


The Odyssey Writing Workshop is a six-week course that takes place every summer on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Like many contributors at Speculative Chic, I had the privilege of attending, and I graduated in 2005 with today’s guest writer, Scott H. Andrews, the World Fantasy Award-winning editor of Beneath Ceaseless Skies. You may recognize Scott’s…

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Crossing the Expanse: A Discussion of Leviathan Wakes


Howdy, dear Chicers! I hope you’re staying healthy and safe out there. My Resolution Project for this year was to reread the Expanse series in its entirety in preparation/anticipation for the final book, for which the release date should be announced sooner than later. So, whether you’re looking for a refresher, are as big of a fangirl/boy as I am,…

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Ten Pieces of Speculative Entertainment For Life in Quarantine


Are you hiding from the outside world right now? Practicing “social isolation”? Welcome to my life! There are always good reasons to stay inside, especially if you’re an extreme introvert. However, there are other good reasons to sequester yourself. You may live in an area where COVID-19 has arrived. I’m so very sorry to hear that. If you’ve completed your…

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Roundtable: The Saddest in Spec


This month’s Roundtable — the most tragic moments in sci fi, fantasy, and horror — was pitched by Kelly McCarty, and it’s so good because there’s a lot to choose from. One of the key components of a traditional epic is tragedy; and in all good storytelling, there must be stakes and the threat of danger to motivate characters and…

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