Favorite Sci-Fi Author

[stonetoflesh]

Personally I don't see the difference between science fiction and fantasy (or even some things termed "horror" or "magical realism" and what formerly was known as "weird stories") other than the timeframe and the level of technology involved. The point is usually the same: to invoke a sense of wonder of the impossible.

I would agree that SF, fantasy, horror, alternate history, etc. are all closely related ("speculative fiction"?) There's an interesting bit in the entry for "Science Fiction" in Clute & Grant's Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997) that may prove helpful:

the label sf normally designates a text whose story is explicitly or implicitly extrapolated from scientific or historical premises. In other words, whether or not an sf story is plausible it can at least be argued.

 

[stonetoflesh]

I don't know if there is an official science fantasy genre, or what would be in it.

Well, that's the trouble with genre tags in general, isn't it? No "official" definitions? Here's a nice confusing Wikipedia entry for science fantasy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fantasy
Dune is mentioned, as is the "Dying Earth" subgenre, planetary romances/sword & planet, Shannara, etc.

Maybe we should change this forum to read "Speculative Fiction" instead of "Science Fiction & Fantasy"...

 

[Nienor]

Well, that's the trouble with genre tags in general, isn't it? No "official" definitions? Here's a nice confusing Wikipedia entry for science fantasy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fantasy
Dune is mentioned, as is the "Dying Earth" subgenre, planetary romances/sword & planet, Shannara, etc.

Maybe we should change this forum to read "Speculative Fiction" instead of "Science Fiction & Fantasy"...

It's all so confusing

 

[mrshoward]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Alastair Reynolds. He and Larry Niven write the best sci-fi out there.

 

[Nienor]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Alastair Reynolds. He and Larry Niven write the best sci-fi out there.

I thought I mentioned him....maybe it was in another thread though.
I love Reynolds. He is an amaaazing author. I think it's becuase he knows what he's talking about. Anyone who can tie string theory into a conversation is brilliant Century Rain is my favorite book

 

[rosemerry]

Here is a site that covers the sub-genres of science fiction with an explanation of each.

http://www.writing-world.com/sf/index.shtml

 

[mrshoward]

I thought I mentioned him....maybe it was in another thread though.
I love Reynolds. He is an amaaazing author. I think it's becuase he knows what he's talking about. Anyone who can tie string theory into a conversation is brilliant Century Rain is my favorite book

You might have mentioned him, I was scanning this thread for his name---and you're right, he is amazing. I'm reading Century Rain right now and it's great! I like that he uses real science. My son has been corresponding with him via email and he has another book coming out in the "Redemption Ark" series.

 

[Nienor]

You might have mentioned him, I was scanning this thread for his name---and you're right, he is amazing. I'm reading Century Rain right now and it's great! I like that he uses real science. My son has been corresponding with him via email and he has another book coming out in the "Redemption Ark" series.

I'm so excited It's not often that I like pure scifi, but Reynolds is good enough to make me love it

 

[TrystinxDeSoll]

SF is generally seen as plausible, consistent speculative fiction. Fantasy does not fall under this umbrella, and neither does Horror (although a fantasy or horror story can be made plausible, in which case it would be possible to claim it as SF as well as fantasy/horror/etc).

The key word here is plausible. The universe an SF tale is set in does not have to obey the rules of our own, but it does have to be consistent within itself - whatever universe an SF tale is set in must obey its own rules, and if they change, there must be a plausible reason for them doing so.

In any case, I tend to enjoy more hard SF...Gregory Benford would have to be my absolute favorite, but I particularly enjoy the works of Greg Bear and Alastair Reynolds as well.

 

[Chris Norwood]

Orson Scott Card! (he's my favorite Sci Fi author)

As far as the whole debate going on, I just choose to say that my favorite genre is "Speculative Fiction" and that pretty much sums up all Sci-Fi/Fantasy and crossover stuff.

 

[Briseis]

Well, although I do read a lot, for some reason I dont know a lot of the authors mentioned here. I have heard of some, but havent read many of them. In fact, out of those mentioned I have read one Ray Bradbury (Farenheit 451), and Orson Scott Card (I'm actually in the middle of Ender's Game right now). But my favourite is less recognized than these, Michael Crichton, since I read sci-fi soley for entertainment. But I have read all his novels. Defiantely my favourite.

 

[LadyNRA]

Easy...Peter David...hands down. He's a great SF/Fantasy writer...and I say this because he incorporates humor into most of his stories so well.

I like Nancy Kress and Joan Slonzewski (sp?). And just about any author who did the old fashioned post apocalyptic earth stories (lots of action adventure though not much SF).

 

[browncoat7]

Orson Scott Card - Ender(the series)

 

[Rebbo]

Can anyone suggest a good writer to get me started off as I haven't read a lot of Sci-Fi books, thankyou.

 

[LadyNRA]

Shame on me, I forgot to list Jaqueline Lictenberg. I just loved her novels. I'd buy her stuff any time it came out, and I'd also buy anything by Roberta Gellis (who mostly writes well-written historicals which are factually accurate, but who also writes fantasy). As for older Fantasy/Scifi, I loved Lin Carter, ER Burroughs, Robert E Howard.

 

[12345678and9]

Shame on me, I forgot to list Jaqueline Lictenberg. I just loved her novels. I'd buy her stuff any time it came out, and I'd also buy anything by Roberta Gellis (who mostly writes well-written historicals which are factually accurate, but who also writes fantasy). As for older Fantasy/Scifi, I loved Lin Carter, ER Burroughs, Robert E Howard.

I like Dean Koontz...I know he is not to sci-fi, but some of his books fall into that category...

 

[Mrs.Sidhe]

I love Frank Herbert and the Original Dune series...

From what I've heard the additional books in the Dune series (those written by his son Brian), are great to.

 

[ravenscape]

Chani makes a cool avatar!

I've read the new stuff by Brian Herbert and...um...what's his name? Kevin Anderson?

They're worth the read, and even quite interesting. But not up to the standards of the original series. Herbert was an incredible writer with an amazing ability to word-sketch for the mind's eye.

 

[Mrs.Sidhe]

I need to get a pic of the Chani from the other Dune..the Sci-Fi channel one...I like her better..plus the blue shows up nicer..

If only I could get prescription contacts with the blue in blue eyes...

heh..I really like Dune..

 

[sidhe]

I <3 Dune.