What Is Speculative Fiction?

While debates about the true meaning and inclusiveness of the term “speculative fiction” rage on among the SF community, I find that most readers don’t know what it means, or at least have trouble distinguishing speculative fiction from other genres.

I doubt the debate will soon be resolved. Whenever one voice embraces the term, another raises in outcry. Nonetheless, the “speculative fiction” enjoys wide use today and seems determined to stick around.

So, with the aim of dispelling the confus...