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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

On October 6, the R-SPEC team will suggest some of our favorite horror stories and novels. 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. Info @ r-spec.org

The October 6, 2026, R-SPEC meeting banner, titled “Autumn Story Campfire,” shows a night-time scene of a cabin in the woods. A group of people are gathered around a campfire and tinted images of an alien, a zombie, and a tombstone overlay the cabin image.

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Join us for our September 1st roundtable discussion, where we’ll examine the multi-faceted questions of “What is driving the current speculative fiction narrative?” and “How can we use SF to help shape our collective futures?” Go to www.r-spec.org for more details.

The September 1, 2026 R-SPEC banner, titled “Should Media Events Drive Speculative Fiction?,” shows a “Breaking News” image and a “Science Fiction” wordle graphic displayed on a digital pad that includes keywords, such as “future,” “time,” “civilization,” “history,” “human,” “Earth,” “planet,” “zombie,” and many others.

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

For R-SPEC’s August 4, 2026, meeting, please join the R-SPEC Team and @AlanVMichaels.bsky.social to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you’re facing. We hope to see you there! Details and meeting link… www.r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

On July 7, we’ll review 3 stories nominated for this year’s Nebula and Hugo awards, the 3 that only made the Hugo list, and we’ll cast our vote for the 2026 Hugo Awards Best Short Story. We’ll then examine the question of “What is driving the current SF narrative?” www.r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

On 6/2, the R-SPEC Team will discuss writing clearly defined and researched characters to help your readers believe in and move your story along. The Team, members, and guests in attendance will share their opinions and writing best practices. Hope to see you there! www.r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

On March 15, SFWA announced the 2025 Nebula Awards Finalists as chosen by SFWA members. On May 5, R-SPEC and its members will hold our own (non-binding) voting for Best Nebula Short Story. For the meeting link and story list > r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

For the R-SPEC’s April 7, 2026, meeting, please join the R-SPEC Team and @AlanVMichaels.bsky.social to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you’re facing. We hope to see you there! Details and meeting link… www.r-spec.org

The shoulders & head of a young, space-suited person, with their eyes closed, floating in space & receiving the words in a book though a wire attached to their helmet.

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

In our March workshop, the R-SPEC Team will explore writing ultra-short stories, which requires a strong focus on a beginning, middle, and end within a tight, concise format. We'll explore and share how writing "short" helps you shape your longer stories. www.r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

On February 3 at 6:30pm, please join us for our Annual Business Meeting, and then an exceptionally sober look at and discussion centered on the question: Will A.I. replace humans in speculative fiction? Details and meeting link… www.r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

For the R-SPEC’s January 6, 2026, meeting, please join the R-SPEC Team and @AlanVMichaels.bsky.social to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you’re facing. We hope to see you there! Details and meeting link… www.r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Hello, all! Just a quick reminder that there is NO monthly meeting in December at Barnes & Noble next Tuesday, December 2. We will resume our regular meetings in the new year on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Until then, happy holidays to you all!

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

For the R-SPEC’s November 4, 2025, meeting, please join the R-SPEC Team and @AlanVMichaels.bsky.social to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you’re facing. We hope to see you there! Details and meeting link… www.r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

On Oct. 7, the R-SPEC team will suggest some of our favorite horror stories and novels. 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. Info/link: r-spec.org

Banner artwork for R-SPEC’s “AUTUMN STORY CAMPFIRE” in-person and online meeting held on October 7, 2025. Pixabay non-AI-attributed images used in the banner include a log cabin with people sitting out front around a campfire at night, and floating in front of the cabin are a zombie face, a large, stone cemetery cross, and an “alien head” representing a modern-day jack-o’-lantern.

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

On 9/2, the R-SPEC Team will discuss how the myriad speculative fiction genres came to be and how the most-popular ones are influencing the world. Then, we’ll explore how your favorite speculative fiction genres can help bolster SF readers and authors alike. 👉 www.r-spec.org

Banner artwork for R-SPEC’s “GENRE BENDING: NAVIGATING READER EXPECTATIONS AND AUTHORIAL INTENT” in-person and online meeting held on September 2, 2025. Images include stars, a human head with a starfield-enhanced brain, a skull-like apparition in clouds over a landscape, two people sharing a romantic moment, a fantasy image of a Pegasus melding with computer code, an old man with a cane walking across a timescape, a female android face with a “third eye,” and a flying saucer sending a lightning bolt across the other images.

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

For the R-SPEC’s August 5, 2025, meeting, please join the R-SPEC Team and @AlanVMichaels.bsky.social to share your story, poem, or any writing roadblocks you're facing. We hope to see you there! Details and meeting link… www.r-spec.org

R-SPEC’s — Rochester Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror — meeting banner with the words “Share Your Story” and an ink drawing of a young person with a space helmet, and a cable plugged into the helmet that is connected to a book floating in space.

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

The 60th Nebula Award for Short Story was on 6/7. Now, we’ll vote for the 2025 Hugo Award. On 7/1, we'll discuss 3 stories that made BOTH lists, and 3 that only made the Hugo list. Get reading today at the link below, then vote early for your favorite! www.r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

All writers struggle with how to start, what to write, and how to push onward to the last sentence. During our June discussion, we’ll talk about tackling your writing roadblocks and share ideas on how to achieve your writing goals. Meeting link > r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

On April 10, 2025, our friend and long-time coworker, Lynn Spitz set off on his journey to the stars. Before our May 6 meeting, we will honor and share our thoughts of Lynn. Our tribute page: r-spec.org/in-memoriam-...

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Reposted by Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc.

Alan Vincent Michaels @alanvmichaels.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

A photo of Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series. He’s holding his right hand near his face. The words “MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU” overlay the photo.

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

*Next week*, R-SPEC will be holding its non-binding vote for the Best Nebula Short Story of the year! Check out the meeting information and the links to the six nominated short stories!👇

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

The Spring 2025 issue of UR’s alumni magazine Rochester Review is out and local author Edward Ashton’s @edashtonwriting.bsky.social multiple lives as a cancer researcher and SF author are highlighted in Luke Auburn’s excellent article. Read it @ www.rochester.edu/pr/Review/pd...

The cover of the Spring 2025 issue of University of Rochester’s alumni magazine Rochester Review. The magazine features local author Edward Ashton, a cancer researcher and SF author, whose novel, Mickey7, was the basis for the internationally released movie, Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon Ho.

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

In just under two weeks, R-SPEC will be holding its non-binding vote for the Best Nebula Short Story of the year. Check out the meeting information and the links to the six nominated short stories!👇

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

On March 12, SFWA announced this year’s Nebula Awards Finalists as chosen by SFWA members. On May 6, R-SPEC will hold our own (non-binding) voting for Best Nebula Short Story. For the meeting link and story list > r-spec.org

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

It’s no joke! On April 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. Be there and share! > r-spec.org

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Reposted by Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc.

Alan Vincent Michaels @alanvmichaels.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

👋 @InsightEditions (IG/X) & @screenrant.bsky.social please post on Bsky Want to know how Bong Joon Ho’s #Mickey17Movie was brought to the big screen? “The Art and Making of Mickey 17”chronicles the adaptation of “Mickey7,” the 2022 novel by Edward Ashton @EdAshtonWriting.bsky.social Check it out!

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Rochester Speculative Literature Association, Inc. @roc-spec.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

On March 4, the R-SPEC Team will mind-travel, seeking the birth of speculative fiction. What do you think may be the starting point of speculative fiction, when stories left the day-to-day “what was/is” and became explorations of “what if?” 👉Info @ r-spec.org

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