Modern Good Reads discussion

Science Fiction authors, talk about the process and business of writing and promoting your genre here. Anything about story and character development, plot, inspiration, promotion, market reach, or anything about the business or writing this exciting niche.

I have no idea why this roundtable doesn't already exist, but it is here now. The floor is open!

There are several branches of science fiction. I usually prefer single or multiple solar system stories versus galaxy wide stories, but I do like the Honor Harrington stories.

I prefer earth-based science fiction because I can identify with and understand it better.

I only possess a cursory knowledge of outerspace and space travel from what I've read in books and articles; and, of course, Star-Trek.

I love epic space opera stories that are grounded by something very Earth-based. I also love technothrillers. Combine all three elements and I'm happy!

So it's not surprising that my own writing follows the same vein!

Does anyone have any idea why the Sci-Fi television channel changed its name to Sy-Fy?
I realize that twitter and texting are quickly making correct spelling a lost art, but Sy-Fy is just plain sad.

Greetings. I prefer science fiction with realistic characters and real science or at least science that has rules.

If you rely on Star Trek for your science, then you know nothing about science. That's not meant as an insult to either you or Star Trek, just a statement that there isn't a lot of real science in Star Trek. As an engineer I find it hard to tolerate stories that continually defy science, but I'm getting better at accepting it. I do love Star Trek, especially the Original Series. I also love Star Wars (still very little science there).

My favorite show was Battlestar Galactica. You could say it had a lot of bad science in it as well and you'd be right, but the show was so suspenseful and gritty and the characters so well done, I just loved it. Skip the last half hour and you have the greatest series ever. It just goes to show you if you write a great story it is easy for the reader to forgive some scientific flaws. The story is the most important thing. So my advice would be to concentrate on that.

The only reason I can think that Sci-fi changed their name to SyFy is because they prefer to distance themselves from actual Sci-fi by airing more shows like reality paranormal ghost chasing shows and things like Sharknado. I can hardly believe that they were responsible for BSG. So now that their channel is stupid the name can match. It's a shame.

As far as inspiration goes, I pick up my ideas all over the place. A while ago I saw a show on Shipbreaking. This is a industry that purchases old ships and runs them aground to be dismantled for scrap by the poorest people on the planet. The conditions are dangerous and the tools used are primitive. I thought to myself, hmmm that would be cool if it were done in outer space. So now I'm 425 pages into a story that uses elements of that as a backdrop.

As far as marketing goes, I don't know much. My only book is available in ebook format only, which I think is ok, but I think you have to give your book away to get readership. Maybe you don't have to give them all away, but at least one. Once you get exposure people will start buying. That seems to be the case from what I've seen so far.

Comments?

Too often, promising science fiction authors sell themselves short. They feel that the market is just so saturated with the genre and the competition is so tough that they are intimidated into underestimating the potential commercial prospects for their work.

Do not give up on striving to be accepted by a mainline publisher.

If your work is technically well-written, unique, and consistently drives the plot all the way to the climax - some publisher's acquisition team is waiting to receive your query letter.

Yes, some will be rejected; but, eventually, you will receive that request for a copy of your manuscript followed a few weeks later by a contract offer - a very exciting event; however, remember to have your attorney review it prior to signing.

I pretty much love all sci fi as long as it is well written and interesting. I don't mind if the author strays from the hard and fast rules of science as long as there is consistency in the world of the novel. I've been on a Philip K Dick kick recently and just read Black Out and All Clear by Connie Willis and enjoyed them immensely.

I write sci fi but haven't published a sci fi novel yet, just short stories. I find the possibilities fascinating. Somehow, fantasy doesn't quite grip me in the same way.

What I don't like are the same old, same old aliens. Stop having aliens kill everyone. Some making them the galaxy's gurus. Don't let them have a hidden agenda.

Jim wrote: "Too often, promising science fiction authors sell themselves short. They feel that the market is just so saturated with the genre and the competition is so tough that they are intimidated into unde..."

With so many traditionally published mid-listers jumping ship into the Indie camp, why would any new author spend years looking for that one publisher? Surely looking for /readers/ is a better way to spend our time. The same frustrations still apply, but the payoff, if it comes, is so much better.

Stan wrote: "What I don't like are the same old, same old aliens. Stop having aliens kill everyone. Some making them the galaxy's gurus. Don't let them have a hidden agenda."

Well said, Stan! Both Ursula K. LeGuin and C.J.Cherryh treat aliens as compelling characters in their stories rather than as convenient villains or gurus.

Science fiction gives us the opportunity to think outside the box. Sadly a lot of sci-fi is still tangled up in duct tape.:/

The Left Hand of Darkness was certainly different. That book opened a whole new way of looking at aliens for me.

How's this. The Ragoon believe that the God was created at the moment of the Big Bang, and that black holes are the Eyes of God. And some humans (death row inmates) can be eaten if they are prepared using strict dietary methods.

Stan wrote: "The Left Hand of Darkness was certainly different. That book opened a whole new way of looking at aliens for me.

How's this. The Ragoon believe that the God was created at the momen..."

-grin- Are the Ragoon yours? I think I might like them. Link?

A.C. wrote: "Stan wrote: "The Left Hand of Darkness was certainly different. That book opened a whole new way of looking at aliens for me.

How's this. The Ragoon believe that the God was created..."

Here, at Goodreads, is an interview with one of the Ragoon.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Stan wrote: "Stop having aliens kill everyone."

But, if you do have hostile aliens, don't make the entire species evil. Make them individuals.

F.J. wrote: "Stan wrote: "Stop having aliens kill everyone."

But, if you do have hostile aliens, don't make the entire species evil. Make them individuals."

Right. And the overriding purpose for them coming to our system does not have to be evil, but evil can result from them coming.