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Why are authors afraid of the science fiction label? Dragonsworn Send a noteboard - 30/11/2009 05:41:35 PM
Hope this has not been posted on before.

I came across this article about authors, who according to sci-fi fans clearly write science fiction, who don't want to be associated with this particular genre.

Is a good novel a good novel whatever it is about and so shouldn't be labeled at all?

Are these authors afraid of being associated with the sci-fi and fantasy label because it might be considered to be less good literature because it may be mostly read by teenagers and nerdy people?

Pride and Prejudice and Rendezvous with Rama are novels from different genres, but aren't they really about giving us different themes or are there literary and linguistic differences that can't be bridged.

Is sci-fi defined through the use of alien technology and aliens, monsters and the like? And is romantic drama defined by romantic entanglements and loads of kissing and hugging?

What are your thoughts?
"I didn't have much to say to anybody but kept to myself and my books. With my eyes closed, I would touch a familiar book and draw it's fragrance deep inside me. This was enough to make me happy."
— Haruki Murakami (Norwegian Wood
The Genre that dare not speak it's name
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Why are authors afraid of the science fiction label? - 30/11/2009 05:41:35 PM 1259 Views
I think this may be true of genres in general - 30/11/2009 07:01:50 PM 629 Views
Aye, I agree. - 30/11/2009 07:47:55 PM 566 Views
Did you borrow my signature pic or did you get it from the web, as well ? *NM* - 01/12/2009 11:51:20 PM 247 Views
I have been meaning to ask you the same question - 02/12/2009 12:08:32 AM 597 Views
Haha! - 04/12/2009 04:36:24 PM 576 Views
Genres have their use... - 30/11/2009 08:24:29 PM 671 Views
Because then people expect them to be good - 30/11/2009 09:06:22 PM 641 Views
My favorite response. *NM* - 03/12/2009 05:39:05 PM 252 Views
Because too many people will not even try a book that is labeled Science Fiction. Too intimidating? - 01/12/2009 01:18:26 AM 603 Views
i actually have a recommendation for that... - 01/12/2009 04:07:05 AM 585 Views
most people think Star Trek or Star Wars when they think SciFi - 03/12/2009 05:28:05 PM 574 Views
but that is SciFi. I think you prefer Science Fiction - 03/12/2009 05:45:29 PM 686 Views
No that is science fantasy scifi is just an abbreviation - 03/12/2009 06:27:36 PM 567 Views
Basically what temeraire said- "genre" has a stigma, no matter how unfair it may be - 01/12/2009 07:43:50 PM 598 Views
most things that fit neatly into a genre is crap, though. - 01/12/2009 08:01:33 PM 578 Views
I know! - 03/12/2009 02:55:17 PM 536 Views
the answer can be glimpsed in Tom's thread - 02/12/2009 01:22:20 AM 566 Views
mmmno - 02/12/2009 11:11:02 AM 653 Views
but - 03/12/2009 05:35:37 PM 612 Views
Because 90% of what is written in the Scifi/fantasy genre is escapism crap - 03/12/2009 05:26:59 PM 580 Views
But 90% of what is written outside the Scifi/fantasy genre is escapism crap as well. - 03/12/2009 05:29:20 PM 609 Views
I will reiterate: 92.689% of statistics used in an argument are made up on the spot - 03/12/2009 05:39:36 PM 588 Views
I will have you know I made up that stastic some time ago - 03/12/2009 06:19:29 PM 577 Views
I am not sure that is true - 03/12/2009 06:23:04 PM 585 Views
What I wonder each time someone makes that remark... - 06/12/2009 06:44:28 PM 563 Views

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