From high school onwards Science fiction and Fantasy is looked down upon. It’s real books about real stuff1 or mimetic fiction (as mentioned on the Writer & The Critic podcast) that gets the guernsey.
As a result we few, we happy few, we band of social non–conformists stand walled off from many works that share genre elements.
Community has its advantages of course, in numbers we gain strength, understanding and validation but we also stand to miss those works which breach genre boundaries, which refuse to sit comfortably in distinct categorisations.
Hence the point of this post. There are two books that I have recently come across that I have not heard mention of in Speculative Fiction circles. These would easily be appreciated by members of the Speculative Fiction community.
These books slip into categorisations that some of us would not be seen dead browsing in for example:
- Black Glass by Meg Mundell – filed under Religion & Beliefs/Contemporary Fiction it’s reviewed here as part of the AWW challenge.
- When We Have Wings by Claire Corbett – filed under Contemporary fiction and reviewed by me and others at AWW challenge.
So my question is dear readers, is what books have you noticed that have flown under the radar, books that you think might fit the Speculative Fiction label?
1.Ignoring the fact of course that all fiction is made up, an exercise in shared imagination or fantasy↩
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David Golding · 682 weeks ago
Part of the issue is that unless a book is marketed to a specific community, they just don't hear about it. People don't go searching for a near-future book about genetically modified flying humans — instead, they go to their trusted weblog/zine/forum/specialty bookshop and see what's available. Meanwhile, if they frequent literary weblogs/etc too, a book they might enjoy will often have its sf elements downplayed by reviewers there (or even denigrated by reviewers who are sf fans policing genre boundaries).
SB Wright 110p · 682 weeks ago
I note that I get most of my book recommendations from pod casts, namely Galactic Suburbia and Coode Street. I never developed a taste of cultural affiliate with any of the broadsheets either so I really have no signposts for contemporary literature. My studies at university consisted of Elizabethan, 19th Century American and a smattering of Science Fiction.
Claire Corbett mentioned that despite getting a glowing review in Aurealis, she didn't detect much of a buzz (paraphrasing here) in the community. Is this because the community is fragmented on state lines?
Thoraiya · 682 weeks ago
Saw you mention elsewhere that you don't get enough comments when you review. That's because we agree with you ;) I've been yapping about When We Have Wings to everyone who will listen, so I guess you weren't listening ;)
I also, have thought about this, lately in regards to Andrew McGahan and Audrey Niffenegger. I love their stuff. They chose where they wanted their books to go, though. You can't tell your agent and your editor that you want to be on the literary shelf or the mainstream shelf (or the YA shelf, for that matter) and then cry when you don't win a Hugo. And if you choose to be on the Spec Fic shelf, don't cry when you don't win the Premier's Literary Award or whatever. If you let the publishing professionals make the decision for you, well and good, it's wise to trust people with experience, but the final decision is yours.
Book publishing: More fun than betting on horses ;)
SB Wright 110p · 682 weeks ago
Oh and I LOVE the comments I do get and commenters who are regulars
.
I've been yapping about When We Have Wings to everyone who will listen, so I guess you weren't listening
I need to broaden my information gathering net obviously B) (you are not on twitter are you)
I guess the only answer to the issue is to try and get a book that you think deserves attention up on the radar, perhaps through semi regular posting.
Thoraiya · 682 weeks ago
You're right, I don't have a huge online presence. Allow me to bring "Mistification", "Throne of the Crescent Moon", "Reign of Beasts" and "The New Moon's Arms" to your attention right here and now if you haven't already read them ;)
I have McGahan's "Coming of the Whirlpool" on my list. The sequel is supposed to be out this year. Ironically, I was alerted to his mainstream literary Miles- Franklin-winning other books when "Wonders of a Godless World" won the Aurealis. So I guess I lied above when I said you shouldn't expect honours from The Other Side, heh.
SB Wright 110p · 682 weeks ago
Mistification is Kaaron's book? Saladin Ahmed's book was recently brought to my attention by the Waldorf and Statler of scifi pod casting (Jonathan and Gary), but Coming of the Whirlpool I have not heard of.
Thanks Thoraiya
David Golding · 682 weeks ago
Regarding Thoraiya's comments, most authors don't get much choice about who publishes them, how they are promoted, or where they are shelved.
Thoraiya · 682 weeks ago
You could be right. I guess what I was really trying to get at is that the whole reason the Hugos exist - the whole reason science fiction HAS so many awards - is that spec fic books get overlooked by mainstream and literary awards all the time.
If The Left Hand of Darkness or The Windup Girl were capable of winning Bookers or Pulitzers, there would be no need for Hugos. It seems bizarre to complain about mainstream literary books going unnoticed when it comes to genre awards. Maybe they do go unnoticed by the popularly voted awards, like the Hugo, but the Aurealis has rewarded books about time travel, mind powers or future technology even when their publishers weren't prepared to stamp SCI FI COOTIES on the spine.
SB Wright 110p · 682 weeks ago