Science Fiction

1. Short definition of Science Fiction

Science fiction is defined more by setting than by other story elements. With a few exceptions, stories off of Earth or in the future qualifies as science fiction. Within these settings, the conventions of almost any other genre may be used. A sub-genre of science fiction is alternate history where, for some specific reason, the history of the novel deviates from the history of our world. Pavane (1968) by Keith Roberts was an influential early alternate history, Harry Turtledove's The Guns of the South a popular example. Of late, alternate history has come in its own as distinct and having an independent existence from science fiction generally.

2. Science Fiction Sub-genre booklist

Science Fiction Genre Study (Acrobat Reader .pdf)

Science Fiction Genre Study (Microsoft Word .doc)

3. Science Fiction Staff Picks List

Science Fiction Staff Picks.pdf

4. Provo Library Science Fiction Booklists

• Journey to the Stars with Science Fiction
• Time Travel and Alternate History
• Time Travel for Teens

5. Science Fiction Websites:

• Internet Speculative Fiction Database

  "The ISFDB is a community effort to catalog works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. It links together various types of bibliographic data: author bibliographies, publication bibliographies, award listings, magazine content listings, anthology and collection content listings, and forthcoming books."

• Sci-Fan

  Helping readers discover new science fiction and fantasy books and authors. Updated almost daily, with the ambition to make it a comprehensive and accurate resource for bibliographies and biographies.

• SFF.net (Recommended Fantasy Author List)

  Alphabetical list of Fantasy authors and their works.

• SF Site

  Discover more great science fiction and fantasy books and their authors here.

• SFWA.org

  The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. official homepage. This site lists award winners, author information, news and more.

6. Science Fiction Book Awards

• Mythopoeic Awards

  The Mythopoeic Awards are awarded annually by the Mythopoeic Society, which is dedicated to the study, discussion and enjoyment of fantasy and mythic literature. The categories include adult literature, children's literature and a scholarship award.

• Hugo Awards

  The Hugo Award is named for Hugo Gernsback, the "Father of Magazine Science Fiction," and it is sponsored by the World Science Fiction Society.

• James A. Tiptree, Jr. Awards

  The James Tiptree Jr. Award annually recognizes science fiction or fantasy that explores and expands the roles of women and men for work by both women and men. It is named for Alice B. Sheldon, who wrote under the pseudonym James Tiptree Jr. According to the site, "By her chance choice of a masculine pen name, Sheldon helped break down the imaginary barrier between 'women's writing' and 'men's writing.'"

• John W. Campbell Award

  The John W. Campbell Memorial Award (not to be confused with the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer) is awarded each year to the best SF novel published in the US. It was the first major SF award established after the Hugos and Nebulas, and is distinguished from them by being a judged award, limited to novel.

• Locus Awards

  Yearly award presented to winners of Locus Magazine's annual readers' poll of favorite science fiction and fantasy titles.

• Nebula Awards

  The Nebula Award is given annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, an organization founded in 1965. It recognizes science fiction books in the following categories: novel, novella, novelette and short story.

• Philip K. Dick Awards

  The Philip K. Dick Award is given annually to a distinguished original science fiction paperback.

   

   

7. Books about Science Fiction available at the Provo City Library:

• Encountering Enchantment: A Guide to Speculative Fiction for Teens. Susan Fichtelberg and Diana Tixier Herald. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
• First Contact: A Reader's Selection of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Bonnie Kunzel. Scarecrow Press, 2001.
• Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests in Genre Fiction 6th ed. Diana Tixier Herald. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
• The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. Joyce G. Saricks. American Library Association, 2001.
• Strictly Science Fiction: a Guide to Reading Interests. Diana Tixier Herald. Libraries Unlimited, 2002.
• Teen Genreflecting, 2nd ed. Diana Tixier Herald. Libraries Unlimited, 2003.
• What Fantastic Fiction Do I Read Next?: a Reader's Guide to Recent Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction. Neil Barron. Gale, 1998.

8. Science Fiction magazines available at the Provo City Library

• Locus