A Cozy Dystopian Sci-fi?

An Explanation

Hughes

Feb 26, 2026 · 1 min read

You may be wondering what a cozy dystopian sci-fi is.

I’ve gotten many questions on this subject as I’ve shared the idea for my WIP.

The main confusion folks have is with how a dystopian novel could also be cozy.

Well, it’s all about setting, relationships, and the general feel of the story.

In my WIP, though there are definite qualities of bleakness, there is also so much hope, joy, and relational warmth. Parts of the setting have so much character hidden away in an otherwise bland world. Though there is an authoritarian government, the main focus is on the relationships between the characters and the community built through resistance, rather than violence or deprivation.

I’m so excited to get deeper into this story and share pieces with you.

Here’s an excerpt:

Callie arrives at her small cottage on Box University’s Veronica campus. Tall red metal tree sculptures shade the cottage and provide privacy, with their ugly imitation of reality. Callie unlocks the door and waves her hand for the lights as she steps into her comfy space. Soon she begins her nightly routine.

Thank you for reading.

More to come.