What is Science Fiction?

Modern science fiction is the only form of literature that consistently considers the nature of the changes that face us, the possible consequences, and the possible solutions. --Isaac Asimov That branch of literature which is concerned with the impact of scientific advance upon human beings.

Science fiction is really sociological studies of the future, things that the writer believes are going to happen by putting two and two together. --Ray Bradbury

Science fiction frequently tries to imagine what life would be like on a plane as far above us as we are above savagery; its setting is often of a kind that appears to us technologically miraculous. It is thus a mode of romance with a strong tendency to myth. --Northrop Frye

A handy short definition of almost all science fiction might read: realistic speculation about possible future events, based solidly on adequate knowledge of the real world, past and present, and on a thorough understanding of the nature and significance of the scientific method. --Robert A. Heinlein

science fiction Noun fiction of a highly imaginative or fantastic kind, typically involving some actual or projected scientific phenomenon

Science fiction is largely based on writing entertainingly and rationally about alternate possibilities in settings that are contrary to known reality. These include: *A setting in the future, in alternative time lines, or in a historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the archeological record *A setting in outer space, on other worlds, or involving aliens *Stories that involve technology or scientific principles that contradict known laws of nature *Stories that involve discovery or application of new scientific principles, such as time travel or psionics (telepathy), or new technology, such as nanotechnology, faster-than-light travel or robots, or of new and different political or social systems

Science fiction differs from fantasy… …in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation).

Early Science Fiction Stories Most historians begin the science fiction genre with Mary Shelly's FRANKENSTEIN (1817) since it fits the definition of taking some hard science (medicine/human physiology), and telling an imaginative story, which she certainly did.

Jules Verne's "voyages extraodinaires," which began in 1851 with A DRAMA IN THE AIR, and soon included A JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (1864) and FROM EARTH TO THE MOON and A TRIP ROUND IT (1865 & 1874) brought him fame, and today he's known as the “Father of Science Fiction." Jules Verne

Edgar Allan Poe and Fitz-James O'Brien were writing what is now considered "science fiction" in mid-19th century American periodicals and there were some singular works in the 1880's. Rider Haggard began a series of "lost race" novels with KING SOLOMON'S MINES in 1885 and H. G. Wells pushed the envelope with his March, 1894 story that became THE TIME MACHINE. And of course his WAR OF THE WORLDS (1897) is a classic alien invasion of earth. H. G. Wells, says E. F. Bleiler, is "the true founder of modern science fiction." H.G. Wells Edgar Allan Poe

Birth of the Pulps The development of American science fiction as a self-conscious genre dates in part from 1926, when Hugo Gernsback founded Amazing Stories magazine, which was devoted exclusively to science fiction stories. Though science fiction magazines had been published in Sweden and Germany before, Amazing Stories was the first English language magazine to solely publish science fiction.

Birth of the Pulps, cont. Since Hugo Gernsback is notable for having chosen the variant term scientifiction to describe this incipient genre, the stage in the genre's development, his name and the term "scientifiction" are often thought to be inextricably linked. Though Gernsback encouraged stories featuring scientific realism to educate his readers about scientific principles, such stories shared the pages with exciting stories with little basis in reality. Published in this and other pulp magazines with great and growing success, such scientifiction stories were not viewed as serious literature but as sensationalism. Nevertheless, a magazine devoted entirely to science fiction was a great boost to the public awareness of the scientific speculation story. Though Gernsback encouraged stories featuring scientific realism to educate his readers about scientific principles, such stories shared the pages with exciting stories with little basis in reality. Published in this and other pulp magazines with great and growing success, such scientifiction stories were not viewed as serious literature but as sensationalism. Nevertheless, a magazine devoted entirely to science fiction was a great boost to the public awareness of the scientific speculation story.

Birth of the Pulps, cont. Amazing Stories competed with other pulp magazines, including Weird Tales, which primarily published fantasy stories, Astounding Stories, and Wonder throughout the 1930s. Fritz Lang's movie Metropolis (1927), in which the first cinematic humanoid robot was seen, and the Italian Futurists’ love of machines are indicative of both the hopes and fears of the world between the big European wars. Metropolis was an extremely successful film and its art-deco inspired aesthetic became the guiding aesthetic of the science fiction pulps for some time.

Science Fiction Today The term "science fiction" came into general use in the 1930s and the genre continued to develop and boom throughout the 20th century as the deep penetration of science and inventions into society created an interest in literature that explored technology’s influence on people and society. Today, science fiction has significant influence on world culture and thought. It is represented in all varieties of ordinary and advanced media. Robert A. Heinlein Philip K. Dick Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Ray Bradbury Isaac Asimov Greg Bear Terry Brooks Stephen King George Orwell L. Ron Hubbard Carl Sagan Arthur C. Clarke Anne McCaffrey Madeleine L'Engle Ursula K. Le Guin Orson Scott Card

Science Fiction Writing Awards The Hugo Award… …was named in honor of Hugo Gernsback, "The Father of Magazine Science Fiction," as he was described in a special award given to him in 1960. The Hugo Award, also known as the Science Fiction Achievement Award, is given annually by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). The distinguishing characteristics of the Hugo Award are that it is sponsored by WSFS, administered by the committee of the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) held that year, and determined by nominations from and a popular vote of the membership of WSFS. In general, a Hugo Award given in a particular year is for work that appeared in the previous calendar year.

Science Fiction Writing Awards The Nebula Award… …is an award given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the two previous years. There is no cash prize associated with the award, the award itself being a transparent block with an embedded glitter spiral nebula.