Spec

A spec is a term for fanfic. "Spec" is short for "speculative fiction." Someone who writes "specs" is a "spec writer." 
It was most commonly used for fanfic based upon the Vampire Chronicles and other fiction by Anne Rice.
Specs were first posted to alt.books.anne-rice in the early 1990's.
As of March 1995, there were twelve specs posted to alt.books.anne-rice.
==Memnoch the Spec==
A very early, well-known spec was Memnoch the Spec. This was possibly the very first spec, but there is some debate in the fandom about that.
: 
Those who view Memnoch the Spec as the first spec credit Susie K., co-author of MtS, as the first spec author.
However when it comes to the term itself, S.A. Buday claims credit for coining the terms spec and silly spec (to refer to crack fics).
:
==Journey of a Term==
* 1994 - "creative posts": "If these creative posts are bothering other people and "clogging up" the news group I'm really sorry. I for one have really enjoyed reading them. The only thing I can suggest is that whenever someone posts a bit of fanfiction or something regarding to it they could put "story" or "creative"(err no, how about "speculation", that sounds better lawyer wise) in the title so that those who don't wish to read any of this stuff could easily creat[e] kill files to filter it out." Attention Observers (I think "Lurkers" is rather rude!) (December 28, 1994) 
* 1995 - "bridge passage": "Is anyone interested in being sued for copyright infringement by Anne Rice? Hasn't a topic like this been discussed before in this forum, when somebody posted a fanfic "bridge passage" for the Chronicles? Creative Vampire Writing by Cathy Krusbeg, The Mad Bibliographer (January 1, 1995) 
* 1995 - "hypothetical": "Hi folks, Just heard from Laura Ann and she mentioned to me(and asked me to mention to all of you) that any "speculations" anyone may post (or even write I guess) should probably contain the word "hypothetical" in the title(or header, or thread description or whatever the hell you call them). She said that this was the handiest word for avoiding legal messes and lawyer troubles. And she further mentioned that she comes from a family with a lot of Irish cops, so she should know!:) So there, you have been informed, Laura Ann has spoken :). Henceforth all fanfiction shall bear the label "Hypothetical". Referring of course to a purely _hypothetical_ situation in which any of us would be _writing_ fanfiction. - Drake word from Laura Ann, at alt.books.anne-rice (January 2, 1995)
* 2000 - "VampChron": "This is not the first spec I've written, there is another one archived at fanfiction.net under another name but this is my first attempt at 'proper' VampChron. I write for my own pleasure, to keep boredom at bay, to add a small part of my self to Anne Rice's wonderful characters, to prevent withdrawl symptoms when it's too long a gap between books. I have read so many specs, wonderful, entertaining, moving fiction written by contributors to this newsgroup over the last few years that I felt inspired to write my own. SPEC-Ties that Bind (January 7, 2000) 
==From a 1995 FAQ for alt.books.anne-rice"==
==A 1994 Conversation==
From a December 28, 1994 post to alt.books.anne-rice:
==The Spec Writer Massacre==
When Anne Rice banned fanfiction based on her books in April 2000, many fan sites were decimated. Many fans refer to this as the Spec Writer Massacre. 
==Further Reading==
* SPEC FAQ (1995)
* decision on "specs" policy, post at alt.books.anne-rice (1995)
* spec faq and abar, post at alt.books.anne-rice (1998)
==References==
Category:The Vampire Chronicles