From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge. Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile.
From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and outlining various literary genres, authors, and recent reads and can serve as an introduction for those unfamiliar with these works, as a refresher for long-time aficionados, and maybe as an inspiration for readers to share their own suggested topics. Do you have a topic that you would like covered in this column? Feel free to contact me for an interview and a feature in an upcoming column.
Who
Inspired by last week’s column on the craft of writing in general, this week we focus specifically on writing science fiction (SF).
Examples of authors who have written about the craft of science fiction writing include Ursula Le Guin, Ray Bradbury, and Orson Scott Card.
In addition, many more authors and editors have contributed to understanding the conventions, storylines, and tropes of this genre.
What
Notable books detailing the craft of science fiction writing include How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card, Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story by Ursula Le Guin, and Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You by Ray Bradbury.
However, it is also important to read well-regarded anthologies, such as The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One, 1929-1964, edited by Robert Silverberg; popular science fiction magazines, such as Asimov’s Science Fiction and Analog Science Fiction and Fact; and consider science fiction awards, such as the Hugo Awards, and the Nebula Awards, and the Locus Awards; to fully understand the genre’s conventions.
Finally, it is crucial to read widely in hard science fiction (science fiction focused on the “hard sciences,” such as physics, astronomy, mathematics, etc.) and soft science fiction (science fiction focused on politics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, etc.). Of course, these sub-genres are much more complex than space in the column allows. Briefly, hard science fiction typically focuses more on realistic science, while soft science fiction is more concerned with character development and humanity.
Some examples of hard science fiction include the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov and 2001: The Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke.
Examples of soft science fiction include The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin and The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.
Other authors include Robert A. Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, and Octavia Butler.
While science fiction in the English-speaking world has been dominated by authors from the United States and the United Kingdom, there are also vibrant science fiction communities throughout Latin America (consider La vía del futuro (The Way of the Future) by Bolivian author Edmundo Paz Soldán) and Eastern Europe (consider Solaris by Polish author Stanisław Lem).
Where
Many of these works focus on science fiction in the United States and in the United Kingdom, as well as Bolivia and Poland.
When
These works were published from the 20th to the 21st centuries.
Why
The works may be of interest to AU students who would like to start writing their own science fiction short stories or novels or who would like to hone their science fiction writing craft. These books, anthologies, and magazines may also be of interest to students who are not familiar with this genre and would like a brief summary of some notable works.
How
AU’s wide range of diverse courses make it easy to study this topic in depth. Courses related to the craft of science fiction writing are available in a variety of disciplines, including those that may fit into your Degree Works. (Always check with an AU counsellor to see if these particular courses fulfill your personal graduation requirements!)
AU students interested in learning more about this topic may enroll in ENGL 387: Writing Speculative Fiction, a senior, level, three-credit course, which “develops speculative fiction (SF) writing skills through a combination of strategic study and writing activity.” (Please note that this course requires ENGL 381: Creative Writing in Prose and the permission of the course coordinator as prerequisites.)
Although it is listed as a prerequisite, students may simply be interested in ENGL 381: Creative Writing in Prose, a senior-level, three-credit course, which focuses on “your work and its development.” (This course requires ENGL 211: Prose Forms, ENGL 212: Poetry and Plays, a grade of “B” in ENGL 353: Intermediate Composition, as well as the permission of the course coordinator as prerequisites.)
Students may also consider ASTR 310: Planetary Science, a senior-level, three-credit course, which focuses on “the physics of the Solar System.” (This course requires ASTR 210: Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics, or several other options as prerequisites). Happy reading!
