Curio Fiction: Showcasing the Fantastic in Our World

Curio fiction as a subgenre places the fantastic alongside the mundane, yet the story’s speculative elements feel subtle compared to other works classified as fantasy or science fiction. What all curio stories have in common is that they explore human relationships and daily life through the lens of an often-singular or anomalous speculative element. By coining this new fantastical subgenre, I’m hoping to discuss how these stories operate, help authors set expectations with their readers, and inspire writers to bring more curio fiction stories into the world.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

My curio fiction article on Tor: https://www.tor.com/2022/09/26/what-i...

“11 questions you're too embarrassed to ask about magical realism” by Kelsey McKinney: https://www.vox.com/2014/4/20/5628812...


Opening Animation by Vitor A. Dupont: https://www.behance.net/vitordupont

Title and End Music: “Clockwork” by Vindsvept –    • Fantasy Music - Vindsvept - Clockwork  

Background Music by Vindsvept:
+ “Through the Fog”
+ “Light the Bonfire”
+ “Chasing Shadows”
+ “Illuminate”
+ “The Journey Home”
+ “Diverging Realms”
+ “Satyr”
+ “Lake of Light”
+ “Skymning”
+ “Never to Return”

Introduction (0:00)
The Defining Features of Curio Fiction (3:35)
Tropes & Curio Fiction (9:54)
The Problem with Other Genre Labels (17:32)
Guided Writing Exercise (23:06)