[FitzChivalry]

I agree with Shehzad, speculative fiction is just a name recently invented for all the science fiction/fantasy/horror and between genre.

[Zsinj16]

Oh, I see what you mean Shezad. I don't really like sc-fi to be divided into so many sub-genres. It kind of takes the fun out of wondering what the sci-fi book is about. Cygnus, Shehzad provided a good explaination, there, but like I said, I, myself don't really like sci-fi books to be picked apart so much and divided into so many subgenres. The way I look at it is sci-fi is sci-fi, fantasy is fantasy, and horror is horror. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Rob B]

I like the term speculative fiction. But all the other stuff, horror, dark fantasy, fantasy, swords and sorcery, science fiction, hard science fiction, space opera, etc. etc it's all pretty much a marketing thing from publishers.

Speculative fiction works for me because all the sub-genres fit in that they all lead you, the reader, to wonder/think (i.e. speculate) about what is and what isn't.

[FitzChivalry]

I don't see anything wrong with those definitions. Maybe it's a publishing thing, but it does give you some indication about the style of the book, it just makes it easier to choose.