what is speculative fiction

Speculative fiction is a broad category of fiction that includes all genres that depart from realism or strictly imitate consensus reality. It encompasses science fiction, fantasy, horror, Western, superhero fiction, alternate history, utopian and dystopian fiction, and supernatural fiction, as well as combinations thereof. Speculative fiction can be set in a purely secondary world or in the real world with fantastical elements or alternate timelines. It is often used as an umbrella term for genre fiction or for narratives that do not fully belong in a particular science. Speculative fiction is a literary "super genre" that includes a number of different genres of fiction, each with speculative elements that allow writers to create new worlds, characters, and rules. It is a mode of thought-experimenting that includes narratives addressed to young people and adults alike.