speculative fiction – Page 2 – Stories Rule Press

Are Modern Storytellers Afraid of Happy Endings?

15 May 2026 / Cameron Cooper, Science Fiction, Space Opera

The new Dune 3 trailer should have filled me with anticipation. Instead, it left me uneasy. Not because Denis Villeneuve lacks skill as a filmmaker—far from it—but because the films seem determined to undercut Paul Atreides’ triumph before it ever truly lands. Which raises a larger question: Have modern storytellers become afraid of heroic endings? From Dune to grimdark fantasy to prestige science fiction, modern stories increasingly distrust hope, sincerity, and unapologetic victory. But is that really what audiences want—or simply what the industry keeps giving them?

When “Agentic” Suddenly Became a Thing

8 May 2026 / Cameron Cooper, Science Fiction

Why has “agentic AI” suddenly become the term everyone’s using? What looks like an overnight trend is really the visible edge of a rapid shift—from passive tools to systems that can act, decide, and iterate. For science fiction readers, it’s a familiar moment: the future we’ve long imagined beginning to take shape, with all the promise—and unease—that implies.

Must Every Fantasy Hero Be Miserable and Damp?

12 April 2026 / Contemporary Fantasy, Dystopian Fantasy, Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Portal Fantasy, Taylen Carver, Urban Fantasy

Does fantasy really need to be grimdark to feel “serious”? I’m not convinced. There is a difference between a story that is painful and one that is hopeless—and somewhere along the way, fantasy seems to have forgotten it.

Sci-Fi Movies to Watch in 2026 (and Why This Year Feels Different)

27 March 2026 / Cameron Cooper, Science Fiction

Science fiction cinema in 2026 isn’t following the usual blockbuster script. Instead of obvious juggernauts, the year is shaping up to be a mix of risky adaptations, franchise experiments, and quieter films that could surprise everyone. From Project Hail Mary to lesser-known titles flying under the radar, this may be the year sci-fi stops playing it safe—and starts getting interesting again.

VEILBOUND by Taylen Carver Now Available

26 March 2026 / Contemporary Fantasy, Fantasy, Portal Fantasy, Taylen Carver

A hidden network of portals connects our world to another—and for generations, Veilwardens have kept them stable, invisible, and under control. But now the system is faltering. VEILBOUND by Taylen Carver is a standalone fantasy novel that opens the door to a much larger story.

I Forgot I Wrote This Book

3 March 2026 / Mark Posey, Near Future, Science Fiction, Thrillers

I forgot to bring my own time-travel thriller to the market. Not sold out—forgot to order it. Which is impressive, considering I wrote it. If you like high-stakes time travel, moral consequences, and science that actually matters, this is your reminder.

Is Romantasy About to Die? Or Is It Just Growing Up?

2 March 2026 / Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Tracy Cooper-Posey

“Romantasy.”

Even typing the word makes me twitch.

It sounds like something invented during a marketing meeting that ran out of coffee and started smashing syllables together for sport. And yet here we are — romantasy dominating sales charts, fracturing into micro-niches, and now apparently flirting with pirates.

Is it about to die?

Or is it simply growing up?

A Writer’s Mind Does Not Walk in Straight Lines

24 February 2026 / Mark Posey

A writer’s mind doesn’t stop at a strange thought — it follows it past the point most people turn back. Somewhere along that drift, reality starts to feel negotiable… and a story begins to breathe.

Why Indie Authors Don’t Appear on “Most Anticipated” Lists — And Why That’s a Good Thing

6 February 2026 / Cameron Cooper, Science Fiction

Why do indie author books never show up on “Most Anticipated” lists? It’s not about quality—it’s about how the indie world works. From short release timelines to direct-to-reader communication, indie publishing plays a different game entirely. Here’s why that’s actually a very good thing for readers who love immersive series, creative freedom, and stories that don’t wait for marketing schedules.

Farewell to On Spec: A Pillar of Canadian SF Bids Goodbye

23 January 2026 / Cameron Cooper, Fantasy, Science Fiction

After 35 years, On Spec magazine is closing its doors—a loss not just for Canadian science fiction, but for the speculative fiction world at large. Based in Edmonton, On Spec championed stories with a uniquely Canadian voice and offered a home for emerging and established writers alike. Its final issue, The Final Voyage, marks the end of an era and raises the ever-relevant question: is this just another case of magazine churn, or a sign of the times?