You find yourself in the not so distant future; it's a place just a bit different, but in ways you hadn't imagined, and its where you will spend the REST OF YOUR LIFE. ... Alright, we're not all speculative fiction writers, but we do have a special guest, Jen Frankel, to join us to talk about the fandom around it!
Next week, we were born to make history... and talk about fans of Yuri!!! on ICE (with special guest, Nikola, of [YOI Wednesdays](https://twitter.com/yoiwednesdays)).
## Where can I learn more about Jen Frankel?
If you want to hear more about Jen Frankel and the work she does, why not check out some of the following:
- Her website: [jenkfrankel.com](http://jenfrankel.com)
- Her podcast: [JFRRS](http://www.jenfrankel.com/jen-frankel-reads-random-shit/)
- Her twitter: [@jenfrankel](https://twitter.com/jenfrankel)
## Episode outline
### Fandom Facts
**History and Origins:**
> Judith Merril, Canadian author, editor, and activist, defined speculative fiction in 1966: “… stories whose objective is to explore, to discover, to learn, by means of projection, extrapolation, analogue, hypothesis-and-paper-experimentation, something about the nature of the universe, of man, or ‘reality’…”
>
> — [DIYMFA - Defining Speculative Fiction](https://diymfa.com/writing/defining-speculative-fiction)
> Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre encompassing narrative fiction with supernatural or futuristic elements. This includes, but not limited to, science fiction, fantasy, superhero fiction, science fantasy, horror, utopian and dystopian fiction, supernatural fiction as well as combinations thereof.
> ...
> In its English-language usage in arts and literature since the mid 20th century, "speculative fiction" as a genre term is often attributed to Robert A. Heinlein. In his first known use of the term, in ... 1947, Heinlein used it specifically as a synonym for "science fiction"; in a later piece, he explicitly stated that his use of the term did not include fantasy. However, though Heinlein may have come up with the term on his own, there are earlier citations ...
> ...
> In the 2000s, the term came into wider use as a convenient collective term for a set of genres. However, some writers, such as Margaret Atwood, continue to distinguish "speculative fiction" specifically as a "no Martians" type of science fiction, "about things that really could happen."
>
> — [Wikipedia - Speculative Fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculative_fiction)
**Search Data:**
Based on google trends data [since 2004](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=%2Fm%2F014dfn), speculative fiction is on the rise! Around 2008, interest seems to have picked up until about 2015 where interest levels off and follows an oddly periodic pattern.
(Interest in _Science Fiction_ dwarfs interest in speculative fiction, but, interestingly enough, is on the decline, by comparison.)
The top ten countries for _Speculative Fiction_, by search volume, are as follows: Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan (Canada is 26th, United States is 28th).
**Fan Demographics:**
We couldn't find any demographics about fans, but we did come across some [data from Tor UK's author submissions](https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/science-fiction-and-fantasy/sexism-genre-publishing-publishers-perspective):
- Out of 503 submissions, 32% came from female writers
- Historical / Epic / High-Fantasy: 33% Women, 67% Men
- Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance: 57% Women, 43% Men
- Horror: 17% Women, 83% Men
- Science-Fiction: 22% Women, 78% Men
- YA: 68% Women, 32% Men
- Other: 27% Women, 73% Men
### [Last Episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/36795e0fece884/#player) Famous Last Words
**T**
Is the distinction between speculative fiction and genre fiction substantial?
**Z**
Is speculative fiction a label from authors, publisher, fans...?
**G**
I speculative fiction meant to be cautionary? Is it all black mirror?
**Matt**
"Avenge me"
Where does speculative fiction tow the line; when does something stop qualifying as speculative fiction?
### This week's spotlight
**[Speculative Literature Foundation Grants](http://speculativeliterature.org/grants/)**
> The SLF currently offers four grants: The Older Writers’ Grant, the Travel Grant, the Working Class Writers Grant, and the Diversite Writers/Worlds Grant. All of our grants are free to apply, and are designed as ‘gateway’ grants, with easy and straightforward applications that should be quick to complete. We hope that they will both serve the community directly, and also encourage genre writers to explore the wide variety of grants, awards, and residencies available in the larger writing community.
**[Race Against Time IV](http://raceagainsttime.io)**
> Now in its fourth year running, the Race Against Time is an annual charity marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada by beating the SNES classic, Chrono Trigger, as many times as possible in 24 hours. This year, the event is running every week until August 11 and 12 for the main event (see website for detailed schedule).
>
> Alzheimer's is a terrible disease that slowly robs those afflicted of their memories, and, eventually, their very sense of being. We are racing to help preserve those memories of loved ones and for a cure to stop it once and for all!
>
> All donations go directly to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
### Famous Last Words
This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Yuri!!! On ICE.
**T**
What is it that got people in, given the repeated video, audio, short season, etc.?
**Z**
Who is the oldest fan inspired by Yuri On Ice to get into figure skating?
**G**
Was it's integration with social media any part of people being fans of it (e.g. Instagram being featured in the show)?
**Jen**
Will Tanya Harding be participating?
## Where can you find us online?
We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:
- If you want to be part of our podcast (or just want to check us out), we record our podcast LIVE on [twitch.tv](http://twitch.tv/thenickscast) every Monday at 20:00 Eastern Time!
- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)
- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)
- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)
- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!
- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [
[email protected]](mailto:
[email protected])
- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.
- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!
## What is "Fanthropological"?
How did you read this far without asking this question?!
Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.
## Who is "The Nickscast"?
*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative (dare we say, the _most_ creative).
*Ahem*
We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.
We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*
## Credits
### Sources
- [Google Trends - Speculative Fiction](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=%2Fm%2F014dfn)
- [io9 - Why "Speculative Fiction" Is The Coolest Genre Of Them All](https://io9.gizmodo.com/5360387/why-speculative-fiction-is-the-coolest-genre-of-them-all)
- [Wikipedia - Speculative Fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculative_fiction)
- [Pan MacMillan - Sexism in Genre Publishing: A Publisher’s Perspective](https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/science-fiction-and-fantasy/sexism-genre-publishing-publishers-perspective)
- [Jen Frankel - Fanfic to Fiction Writer](http://www.jenfrankel.com/blog/fan-to-fiction-writer/)
- [TV Tropes - Speculative Fiction](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SpeculativeFiction)
- [Fanlore - Science Fiction](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Science_Fiction)
- [Fanlore - Spec](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Spec)
- [DIYMFA - Defining Speculative Fiction](https://diymfa.com/writing/defining-speculative-fiction)
- [Jen Frankel - Fanfic to Fiction Writer](http://www.jenfrankel.com/blog/fan-to-fiction-writer/)
- [r/SciFi - Why Has Science Fiction (Or Speculative Fiction in Genral) Always Been The Exception Rather Than Rule in Prose Fiction?](https://www.reddit.com/r/scifi/comments/43adbx/why_has_science_fiction_or_speculative_fiction_in/)
- [r/SciFi - Why Do You Like SciFi?](https://www.reddit.com/r/scifi/comments/nc7hn/why_do_you_like_scifi/)
- [Wikipedia - Speculative Fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculative_fiction)
- [Fanlore - Science Fiction](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Science_Fiction)
- [M.G. Herron - What Is Speculative Fiction?](https://mgherron.com/2016/03/what-is-speculative-fiction/)
- [Green Tentacles - What is Speculative Fiction?](http://www.greententacles.com/articles/5/26/)
- [The Guardian - Speculative or Science Fiction? As Margaret Atwood Shows, There Isn't Much Distinction](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/aug/10/speculative-or-science-fiction-as-margaret-atwood-shows-there-isnt-much-distinction)
- [JSTOR - The Uses of Genre and the Classification of Speculative Fiction](https://www.jstor.org/stable/44030329?read-now=1&loggedin=true&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents)
- [Quora - So, SF, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction or Speculative Fiction? And Does It Really Matter.](https://www.quora.com/So-SF-sci-fi-science-fiction-or-speculative-fiction-And-does-it-really-matter)
- [Quora - Should Speculative Fiction Be Treated Seriously?](https://www.quora.com/Should-speculative-fiction-be-treated-seriously)
- [Quora - Why Are the Science Fiction and Fantasy Genres Linked?](https://www.quora.com/Why-are-the-science-fiction-and-fantasy-genres-linked)
- [Scroll.in - Why Speculative Fiction may be the Best Way to Depict Reality](https://scroll.in/article/767824/why-speculative-fiction-may-be-the-best-way-to-depict-reality)
- [io9 - Why Speculative Fiction is the Coolest Genre of Them All](https://io9.gizmodo.com/5360387/why-speculative-fiction-is-the-coolest-genre-of-them-all)
### Music / Sound
- ["Up Against the Wall"](http://teknoaxe.com/Link_Code_3.php?q=1361) by TeknoAXE used under [CC BY 4.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
- All other music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green
