Metaphor Space is an independent, non-profit digital platform dedicated to the translation, curation, and preservation of speculative fiction. Sitting at the unique intersection of literary art and technology, our mission is to build dynamic, cross-cultural bridges between the Persian-speaking world and global genre literature.

Founded and managed by Amir Sepahram, the platform serves as a curated haven for short stories in science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

Our Literary Philosophy

The name Metaphor Space pays homage to a foundational passage from Ursula K. Le Guin's seminal prologue to The Left Hand of Darkness:

"All fiction is metaphor. Science fiction is metaphor. What sets it apart from older forms of fiction seems to be its use of new metaphors, drawn from certain great dominants of our contemporary life—science, all the sciences, and technology, and the relativistic and the historical outlook, among them. Space travel is one of these metaphors; so is an alternative society, an alternative biology; the future is another. The future, in fiction, is a metaphor."

In honor of this profound influence, Le Guin's translated prologue stands as the inaugural piece of this website. We believe that speculative fiction is a vital tool for exploring the human condition, testing societal boundaries, and dreaming up alternative futures.

Scope, Originality, and Community

Curated Forms: While navigating the fast-paced online landscape, we intentionally prioritize the artistic density of short stories, novelettes, and structural literary essays. However, our horizon is expanding toward comprehensive research, deeper literary cross-examinations, and full-length novel adaptations.

A Dual-Track Ecosystem: Metaphor Space is not merely a translation archive. We are progressively weaving together translated works from around the world alongside original contributions from emerging and established contemporary Persian speculative writers, fostering a unified space for genre experimentation.

Ethical Curation: Respect for intellectual property is core to our operational philosophy. We conscientiously approach international authors and rights-holders to secure legitimate permission to translate and host their creative works.

Visual Identity: Embracing the technical forward-momentum of our genre, the featured imagery, author impressions, and world-building aesthetics across this platform are custom-conceptualized using advanced generative AI software.

Metaphor Space remains a labor of pure cultural devotion—a non-profit pursuit designed to elevate speculative literature and provide a sophisticated, intellectually stimulating sanctuary for readers and creators alike.

Inquiries & Submissions

To submit your original stories, translations, or proposals, please utilize our Submission Form.

For institutional partnerships, publishing rights inquiries, or general communications, contact us directly at editor@metaphorspace.com.

We welcome collaborations with writers, translators, editors, and publishers who share our passion for expanding the horizons of speculative fiction.

Amir Sepahram

Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Metaphor Space