Fantasy vs. Science Fiction vs. Speculative Fiction

“What’s the difference between science fiction and fantasy?” is one of our favorite interview questions for interns and authors. Everyone has their own answer, and we’ve heard some great ones. For us, much of the difference comes from the “source of magic” in the story: if we’re talking technology as the driving force, that’s science fiction; if we’re talking about the power of the gods, that’s fantasy. 

Unknowable forces beyond human comprehension? That depends on how you approach them. If they’re “forces of the universe” being explored via science or magic, that can fit the science fiction or fantasy categories. If that unknowable force is encapsulated in an entity, we are in the world of Lovecraftian horror. Horror is something we’re skeptical about (we’re not saying we won’t print it, but you’re walking a tough road). 

When we get into horror and other speculative fiction, one of Sally Port’s biggest through lines becomes obvious: 

• If your story’s merely a vehicle for spectacle, violence, or sex, it’s a hard no. Seriously, hard no.
• If your story’s about the human experience. What it means to be a person, the feelings and thoughts we have, and how we grow; you might have something there.

And that divide brings us back to why science fiction is now welcome at Sally Port. It’s the same thing we love, and love to publish, in middle grade and YA fantasy: stories about identity and discovery of who we are and what it means to be human (editors note: we said identity; that’s identity as an individual not some “X group is the bestest!” rant).

In the old days (2024 and 2025) Sally Port just published fantasy, but authors still submitted science fiction and speculative fiction that didn’t quite fit fantasy or sci-fi. A lot of stories were turned down because of it.

The thing is, we like science fiction, but we wanted to give fantasy stories a place to shine. And then we noticed a need. . .

There are lots of places for science fiction to shine, but not all science fiction. Where do you send your science fiction stories for teens or middle graders? A space was needed. So, we’re adding a science fiction section.

So yes, we’re accepting science fiction for YA and Middle grade audiences in our Airlock Section. You can send us that laser-fight story (whether it’s on a submarine, fighter craft, or flying dinosaurs!). But it’s got to fit parameters (which we’ll discuss in the drop-downs below) and it should speak to the human experience (even if your characters are dwarves, elves, Andorians, or shape-shifters).