science fiction - megan mcardle
TRANSCRIPT
Science Fiction Readers’ Advisory
Presented March 18, 2015for the State Library of New South Wales
Megan [email protected]
Genrify.com @megmcardle
● What is SF?● Who reads SF?● Why do people read SF?● Subgenres ● Core authors & titles● Keeping up with SF● Questions
Goals for Today
Science Fiction is the “What if?” genreIntellect + Imagination
SCIENCE fiction● Future● Space● Technology
What is SF?
Literary Fiction Genre Fiction● Reflects the reality of people’s lives● Explores the human condition● Focuses on inner life, emotions● Scope is small, intimate
● Escape from the reality of people’s lives
● Explores the human condition● Focus more on external stimuli ● Scope is large, expansive
Who reads SF?
photo via Manchester Evening News
Stereotype vs reality
If you build it, they will come● Self-service● Collectors and completists● Respect for the classics● Displays and exposed covers
Appeals: Pacing, Characters, Story, Frame (Saricks)● Fast paced● Characters to ground the story● Wide range of stories in SF
○ Science, Technology, Life on other planets● Near-future, Far future, even the past● Earth, Solar System, Universe
Why do people read SF?
● Space Opera● Military SF● Post-Apocalypse● Dystopian● Alternate History
○ Steampunk● Time Travel● SF Romance● Planetary Romance
Subgenres, Movements & Themes
● Science Fantasy● Near Future SF● First Contact● Sociological SF● Comic SF● Cyberpunk● Hard SF● Technothriller
APPEAL LABEL
I like fast reads with lots of battles and interesting worlds
MILITARY SFSPACE OPERA
HARD SFI like to learn about science & technology. It’s really important to me that the science is right.
NEAR-FUTURE SFSOCIOLOGICAL SF
I like books about the characters dealing with the consequences of changing technology
POST-APOCALYPTICDYSTOPIA
I like stories that are about dark turns the future can take & end of the world disasters
Forget the future! I like books about the past, but with robots and gadgets.
STEAMPUNK
NEWish● Peter Watts● Greg Egan● Robert Charles Wilson● Hannu Rajaiemi● Kim Stanley Robinson● Stephen Baxter● Alastair Reynolds
BACKLIST● Arthur C. Clarke● Isaac Asimov● Vernor Vinge● Poul Anderson● Larry Niven
HARD SF
THE MARTIANby Andy Weir
NEWish● John Scalzi● Joel Shepherd● Jack Campbell● T.C. McCarthy● Charles E. Gannon
BACKLIST● Robert Heinlein● Joe Haldeman● David Weber● John Ringo● Elizabeth Moon● Jerry Pournelle● David Drake
Military SF
OLD MAN’S WAR by John Scalzi
NEWish● James S.A. Corey● Rachel Bach● John Scalzi● Jack McDevitt● Pierce Brown● Brian K. Vaughan
BACKLIST● Iain M. Banks● Frederik Pohl● Lois McMaster Bujold● Peter F. Hamilton● David Weber● Sharon Lee & Steve
Miller● E.E. Smith
SPACE OPERA
LEVIATHAN WAKES by James S.A. Corey
NEWish● Ernest Cline● Ramez Naam● Lauren Beukes● Charles Stross● Paolo Bacigalupi● Tobias S. Buckell● Daryl Gregory
BACKLIST● Neal Stephenson● William Gibson● Nancy Kress● J.G. Ballard● Philip K. Dick● Bruce Sterling● Walter Jon Williams
NEAR FUTURE
READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline
NEWish● Ann Leckie● Karen Lord● Ian McDonald● Jo Walton
BACKLIST● Ursula LeGuin● C.J. Cherryh● Ray Bradbury● Octavia Butler
SOCIOLOGICAL SF
ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
NEWish● Ben H. Winters● Hugh Howey● Adam Sternbergh● M.R. Carey● Emily St. John Mandel
BACKLIST● David Brin● John Brunner● Sheri S. Tepper● Octavia Butler● Gene Wolfe
DYSTOPIAS & POST-APOCALYPTIC
THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
NEWish● Cherie Priest● China Mieville● Chris Wooding● Meljean Brooks● Gail Carriger● Ian Tregillis
BACKLIST● Tim Powers● K.W. Jeter● Neal Stephenson● Jeff VanderMeer● Philip Pullman● Connie Willis● George Mann
STEAMPUNK & ALT HISTORY
KAREN MEMORY by Elizabeth Bear
Magazines: Locus, Review journalsWebsites: Tor.com, sfsignal.com, io9.comAwards: Hugo & the NebulaMedia tie-ins: Movies, TV, streamingTalk to fans
Keeping up with SF
Find me on twitter @megmcardle &at my website Genrify.com
Thank you!