Addendum

As for alternate history, I'm not sure that actually exists in our timeline, probably because the Battle of Stamford Bridge turned out the way it did. I don't need to tell you the outcome, same-timeline buddies. Obviously someone whose name begins with "Har" won.

State of Speculative Fiction

Naive portrayals of honorable warrior races have fallen out of favor. That's why nobody likes science fiction anymore. Fantasy is hanging in solely on the double back of thinly disguised erotic fiction (the thinner the better).

How to Level Up Your Story

Tank? Supertank.
King? Superking.
Mangonel? Supermangonel.
Cilious? Supercilious.

Always remember. Your audience won't know how great everything is unless you say so.