How to Integrate Mechs Into Your Setting

Do it on page one.

Illustrating the Different Branches of Speculative Fiction

In science fiction, the AI supercar is smarter than its driver.
In fantasy, the intelligent demon sword is more powerful than its wielder.
In alt history, the Nazis won World War 2.

Don't Be Afraid of Good Ideas

Coming up with a damage formula may be a litRPG kind of thing, but that doesn't mean it won't do wonders for your space opera, alt history where the Nazis won, or cookbook. It's just a little writing aid. Plan out your battle sequences and ingredient proportions.

Trend Mend

Done: A language people understand without having learned it.
Fun: Atmospheric reentry.

Addendum

For even more realism, carry it over to the sequel.

How to Increase the Realism of Your Story

An eight-page sequence of somebody trying to get a pebble out of his shoe. He isn't sure it's a pebble exactly, but it's annoying, whatever it is.

Genre Conference

All right, speculative fiction was a bust, but we all know fantasy, science fiction, and alternative history are the same thing. What do we call it?

fakies
falsedy
simuldy
imago
imaginique
mindplay
fantasy

An Alternate Earth

What if the land were sea and the sea land? Not enough water, for one thing. The Panama Bridge would still be pretty good.

Addendum

Actually those all lead to mechs. Pranked!

Turning Points in History to Consider for Alt History

Stamford Bridge
Jugurthine War
Ferdinand and Isabella (make both women)
Alexander the Great (dies earlier)
Alexander the Great (dies later)
Alexander the Great (still alive)
Isaac Newton (discovers anti-gravity; leads to mechs)
Christopher Marlowe (wins bar fight, becomes emperor)
Pyramids (much bigger; aliens show up)

Addender

Submarines are an area of divergence between fantasy and science fiction. Submarine fantasy is fresh, exciting, and full of possibilities. Submarine scifi is full of boring technical details and horrible underwater creatures that the author alone thinks are wondrous elements of nature's beauty. As for submarine alt history, U-boats perform very well in it.

Addendum

World War III? Ha ha, what a joker you've always been.

The Qualifications for Alternative History

The Nazis won or will win World War II, although it can be World War I or IV if you want.

Physique Reminder

Unless you have a good reason to against this, your story's villain should be absolutely shredded, just an unbelievable specimen of musculature. This is true in all speculative fiction genres including alternative history.