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This week: A Reading List of Classic Sci-Fi Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
Reading is a helpful tool for writing and there are many books available. This time we look at some options from a few well known Science Fiction authors. |
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Reading is a well known companion for the writer. We get inspiration by the books we read and can learn elements of the craft from those that have come before us. In the speculative fiction world, there is a plethora of options available from a variety of authors.
I tend to favor the fantasy side of things when it comes to books. Always have, even from my pre-teen days. I read authors like Tamora Pierce (who still has books being released), Margarat Weis and Tracy Hickman, and even in my high school days starting the Wheel of Time series from Robert Jordan. I didn't venture much into the world of Science Fiction until college, when I took a class on Sci-Fi Literature. In the class we mostly read short stories (some of which surprised my few other, more religious classmates) and got to pick a novel to read on our own. I chose a book by Robert A Heinlein called The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
While I haven't read many books, there are certain a few that have been on my reading list. While we tend to mostly talk about fantasy with this newsletter considering the title. I thought this week, I'd instead share the reading list. Of the authors, I have only read 2 so far. The one book from college and I recently finished reading The Bellwether by Connie Willis. I am considering doing some feature author newsletters in the future. Perhaps one on Willis, whom I have seen at a writing conference. Or maybe Ursula Le Guin, who sadly passed away recently. First, though, I think we should start with the books.
Here is a short reading list of some well known Science Fiction authors that are all on my own list of books that I want to read. Most are within the genre but at least one is more of a fantasy but just couldn't pass up a novel with elves. With the help of the book site, Goodreads, I managed to find 2 per author. Some had been already marked as to read but I also found a new set of books in my search. I recommend the site to help keep track of what has already been read along with the chance to find out about others books to consider reading in the future.
Ursula K Le Guin
The Left Hand of Darkness
A Wizard of Earthsea
Connie Willis
Doomsday Book
Blackout
Isaac Asimov
Foundation
Nightfall
Philip K Dick
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
The Man in the High Castle
Octavia E Butler
Wild Seed
Kindred
HG Wells
The War of the Worlds
The Shape of Things to Come
Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451
There Will Come Soft Rain
Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid's Tale
Power Politics
Orson Scott Card
Ender's Game
Songmaster
Andre Norton
The Time Traders
The Elvenbane
Robert A. Heinlein
Stranger in a Strange Land
Friday
This is just one short list with a few authors and showcasing just a couple of their works. Science Fiction has a long standing history of having some amazing works. There is plenty to pick from and more to come in the future. Time to start reading.
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Are there any sci-fi authors you plan to read this year?
Last time for this newsletter, I discussed a question of originality. In particular mentioned my own considerations of a series, which has some similarities to popular shows/comics and such due to the use of genetic mutation as the source of powers. Here are the comments sent in over the topic.
Comment by Quick-Quill 
I have a novel written, the beginning of a series. Suddenly Heros came out. While my story is nothing like the TV series, my characters are normal people with abnormal abilities. They are a race of people with abilities. I haven't worked on it for a while since I didn't want people thinking I copied the TV series. I was influenced by Zenna Henderson who created amazing stories. One of which Disney turned into Escape to Witch Mtn and Return to Witch Mtn based on her characters. There was a movie with Kim Darby called THE PEOPLE the name of her book. Taking characteristics from things we read, see or hear is fine. Copying word for word is Plagiarism.
- Good point. Certainly we aren't doing plagiarism and the influence of others is very common. We wouldn't really have much else to read without it. I remember Escape to Witch Mountain. We used to love watching that.
Comment by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! 
Heck, JK Rowling openly admits the authors she was influenced by, including my favourite author, Paul Gallico!
I like what you say: "get writing those stories'.
Yup!
- Thank you. I hope it encourages people who are reading the newsletters to go write. 
Comment by R.D. 
Hi
In my opinion, the originality comes in the back-story. If in your story your characters have mutant abilities, then how they got those abilities is where the originality comes in.
X-men mutants I believe were developed from an X gene that was originally introduced by aliens (Celestials). How your characters have their abilities I guess is where there is room for originality.
- Interesting idea. I don't really have a strong source of the abilities so maybe it's something I need to consider.
{Comment by Red 
You could keep the genetic mutation, but you could add a source to it. Like some catastrophic event that mutated the human race to make the abilities they have possible.
- Thanks too. Seems like more than one of you had that idea. A source is a good thing to consider.
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Fantasy: January 31, 2018 Issue [#8732]
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