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This article is from the rec.arts.sf.written FAQ, by Evelyn C. Leeper evelynleeper@geocities.com with numerous contributions by others.

7. What is science fiction?

This subject has been hashed out endlessly, and if you really want to
see all the definitions proposed (or at least a very substantial
subset), they have been collected by Neyir Cenk Gokce [gokce@panix.com]
at http://www.panix.com/~gokce/sf_defn.html, or Beth and Richard
Treitel's page at http://web.treitel.org/sf/sf.html. The only
definition that seems to work is Damon Knight's: "Science Fiction
is what we point at when we say it." Unless you have something really
new and amazing, don't start this topic. [Provided by Evelyn Leeper
[evelynleeper@geocities.com] and Taki Kogoma [quirk@vesta.unm.edu].]

[If you *think* you have something new and amazing, try applying it
to the following cases:
alternate history novels
novels set on another planet with no contact with Earth and
no unknown technology (e.g., HELLO SUMMER, GOODBYE
by Michael Coney, and possibly AGAINST A DARK BACKGROUND
by Iain M. Banks)
SWORDSPOINT by Ellen Kushner]

As for the origin of the term itself, according to Sam Moskowitz in
EXPLORERS OF THE INFINITE: SHAPERS OF SCIENCE FICTION (page 240):
"The first issue of SCIENCE WONDER STORIES was dated June

 

Continue to:

• prev: 6. "Does anyone want to talk about X?" (rec.arts.sf.written)
• Index
• next: 8. What is the difference between science fiction and fantasy?

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