Science FictionScience Fiction

Science Fiction is fiction based on science Science Fiction is fiction based on science that may or may not exist (Derek Buker)that may or may not exist (Derek Buker)

It doesnIt doesn’’t have to be science which has t have to be science which has already been invented. already been invented. It just has to be treated within the story as It just has to be treated within the story as if it really works.if it really works.

What If ?What If ?

Science Fiction has never really Science Fiction has never really aimed to tell us when we might aimed to tell us when we might reach other planets, or develop new reach other planets, or develop new technologies, or meet aliens. technologies, or meet aliens. Science Fiction speculates about why Science Fiction speculates about why we might want to do these things, we might want to do these things, and how their consequences might and how their consequences might affect our lives and our planet. affect our lives and our planet. (John Clute)(John Clute)

Is this stuff SciIs this stuff Sci--Fi, SF, OR Fi, SF, OR Skiffy?Skiffy?

SciSci--Fi AKA SkiffyFi AKA Skiffyhttp://www.sfwa.org/misc/skiffy.htmhttp://www.sfwa.org/misc/skiffy.htm

SF SeriesSF Series

Most SF books are in seriesMost SF books are in seriesContinuing storyline Continuing storyline Thus, usually need to read in orderThus, usually need to read in order

Same Author, Many SeriesSame Author, Many Series

Frequently the same author has more Frequently the same author has more than one series going at oncethan one series going at onceCould have science fiction, fantasy, Could have science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, etc. seriesthriller, romance, etc. seriesSF readers usually enjoy reading all books SF readers usually enjoy reading all books by the same author (but may enjoy only by the same author (but may enjoy only some of that authorsome of that author’’s series)s series)

Big Three• Isaac Asimov (3 Laws of Robotics)• Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey)• Robert Heinlein (Have Spacesuit-Will Travel)

Spaceship Not Spaceship Not RequiredRequired

NonNon--ship SF Themesship SF Themes

Social SFSocial SFFirst ContactFirst ContactTime TravelTime TravelAlternate HistoryAlternate History

Apocalyptic Apocalyptic (e.g.Nuclear, (e.g.Nuclear, Environmental)Environmental)Computers / Computers / RobotsRobotsTelepaths / Telepaths / MutantsMutants

Space OperaAdventures in spaceStar Wars, Star TrekIncludes Military SF

SF for Reluctant ReadersSF for Reluctant Readers

Heinlein juvenilesHeinlein juvenilesJupiter Novels seriesJupiter Novels seriesActionAction--packed, good introduction to SFpacked, good introduction to SF

SF Awards: HugoSF Awards: Hugo

http://www.wsfs.org/hugos.htmlhttp://www.wsfs.org/hugos.htmlVoted by the fansVoted by the fansAwarded at WorldCon (Labor Day Awarded at WorldCon (Labor Day weekend)weekend)Many categories: novel, novela, novelette, Many categories: novel, novela, novelette, short story, etc.short story, etc.

SF Awards: Nebula• http://www.sfwa.org/awards/• Voted by the writers themselves• Awarded by the Science Fiction Writers of

America (SFWA) at annual banquet (April or May)

• Again, many categories

Major SF PublishersMajor SF Publishers

Baen Baen -- http://www.baen.com/http://www.baen.com/Tor Tor -- http://www.tor.com/tor.htmlhttp://www.tor.com/tor.htmlStarscape (teen) Starscape (teen) --http://www.starscapebooks.com/http://www.starscapebooks.com/

Current Awareness

• Author Web sites• CAM-INFO - http://www.cam-

info.net/madwho.html• Locus Magazine - http://www.locusmag.com/• Sci-Fi Wire (Sci-Fi Channel) -

http://www.scifi.com/• Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America -

http://www.sfwa.org/• Internet Speculative Fiction Database -

http://www.isfdb.org/

Further ReadingFurther Reading

Science Fiction & Fantasy ReadersScience Fiction & Fantasy Readers’’Advisory: The LibrarianAdvisory: The Librarian’’s Guide to s Guide to Cyborgs, Aliens, & Sorcerers by Derek Cyborgs, Aliens, & Sorcerers by Derek Buker, ALA, 2002.Buker, ALA, 2002.Science Fiction: The Illustrated Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia by John Clute, DK, 1995.Encyclopedia by John Clute, DK, 1995.SciSci--Fi 101 by Kim G. Kofmel, Library Fi 101 by Kim G. Kofmel, Library Journal, Sept. 1, 2004, pp. 46Journal, Sept. 1, 2004, pp. 46--47.47.

Margaret’s Must Reads• I, Robot by

Isaac Asimov• Ender’s

Game by Orson Scott Card

• Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey