Nostalgic Futures: The Reactionary Fantasies of Speculative Fiction Fandoms

Rutgers University Press, 2026

Speculative fiction imagines impossible futures and alternative pasts, alien species and angelic monsters, technological marvels and magical solutions. In recent years, however, many in its fandoms have protested the inclusion of non-white, non-male, and non-heterosexual characters as betrayals of their beloved media for the sake of “wokeness.” Nostalgic Futures: The Reactionary Fantasies of Speculative Fiction Fandoms examines how contemporary fan controversies—particularly those surrounding gender, race, and sexuality in speculative fiction media—intersect with reactionary movements within and beyond fandom. This book explores how the nostalgic fantasies of fans and far-right movements contribute to broader reactionary discourses, shaping not only the past they long for but the future they fear. From the Hugo Awards and PuppyGate to Star Wars’ #NotMyJedi to Mass Effect and The Last of Us boycotts, Nostalgic Futures reveals how speculative fiction fandom has become a site of contestation over our visions of the past, present, and future.

Praise for Nostalgic Futures

“Dosser’s accessible and informed analysis exposes the affective politics of reactionary nostalgia in fandom. Through case studies drawn from literary, film, and video game culture, Dosser shows that we can better understand the nature of right-wing backlashes against progressive speculative fiction by interrogating how these movements organize around shared emotions.”
– Jordan Carroll, author of Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right

“If you’ve ever read racist and sexist comments on a fan forum dedicated to your favorite comic book or listened to a YouTuber rant and rave about wokeness in Hollywood and wondered ‘how did we get here?’, this book is for you. Nostalgic Futures is a must-read explanation of how nostalgic fandom just might be the key to understanding what fuels reactionary political movements.”
– Megan Condis, author of Gaming Masculinity: Trolls, Fake Geeks, and the Gendered Battle for Online Culture