So, Worldcon 2025 is making headlines, but not the kind you’d put on the back of a Hugo-winning novel. The organizing committee decided to use ChatGPT to help vet over 1,300 panelist submissions. They intended to streamline the flood of applications, maybe catch a few red flags, keep things moving.
Except it’s not going well.
AI at Worldcon: Friend or Foe? Read More »
There are some books in science fiction that never seem to fade. Dune. Foundation. The Left Hand of Darkness. Decades later, we’re still reading them, studying them, arguing about them. They’ve carved out a permanent space on the shelf—and not just for their fans, but for the genre itself.
So what is it that makes a book a “classic”?
What Makes a Book a “Classic” in Science Fiction? Read More »
Every year when the Nebula finalists are announced, I get a little zing of anticipation. If you’re a fan of science fiction and fantasy, you probably know the feeling—wondering what made the cut this time, what surprises the list holds, and what favorites didn’t quite make it. The 2024 shortlist just dropped, and there’s a lot to dig into.
The 2024 Nebula Award Finalists Are Here — Let’s Talk About Them Read More »
As I’ve mentioned before, Amazing Stories is in the middle of an effort to revive the iconic science fiction magazine. After sharing the news about their commitment-based pre-order model, the team has made progress—but they’re asking for a little extra push to reach their next milestone. Currently, 50 fans have signed on to the program—an
Amazing Stories: Join the Mission to Bring It Back—One Fan at a Time Read More »
The Weight of the World These days, it feels like the world’s challenges are mounting. From economic uncertainty and environmental crises to the polarization of beliefs and values, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We’re bombarded daily by grim news, leaving many of us searching for a reprieve—a way to escape the harsh realities of life
Space Opera: The Genre Dreamers Need Right Now Read More »
Science fiction as we know it owes much to Amazing Stories, the genre’s pioneering magazine. Founded in 1926, it was the first magazine solely dedicated to speculative fiction, helping launch countless authors and igniting imaginations across generations. Now, after decades without active publication, Amazing Stories is gearing up for a triumphant return. The team behind
Amazing Stories: Help Revive a Science Fiction Legacy Read More »
In a recent conversation with Bill Gates, filmmaker James Cameron revealed a growing challenge for science fiction creators: staying ahead of real-world technological advancements. He noted that rapid innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, is outpacing the speculative futures traditionally envisioned by writers. For creators of speculative fiction, this raises a profound question: How do you imagine a future that hasn’t already arrived?
The Future Outpacing Fiction: Can Sci-Fi Writers Keep Up? Read More »
I feel a bit self-conscious, writing this post, but it seems to be a perfectly normal practice among Science Fiction and Fantasy writers, magazines, and any other individual or organization who is eligible for this pair of well-known and highly regard industry awards. The nomination periods for both the Hugo Awards and the Nebula Awards
Award Season Begins… Read More »
K-Lytics, a service that researches trends and rankings of all the categories on Amazon, put out their most recent Science Fiction & Fantasy report in July this year. I tend to take notice of K-lytic reports, even though they’re focused exclusively on Amazon, for the trends and comparisons tend to hold true across most of
Add a Bit of Crime & Mystery to Your Science Fiction Read More »
As part of being a finalist in Hugh Howey’s SPSF Contest, I was asked to guest post on Shaggy Shepherd’s blog — she is one of the reviewers for the contest. You can find the post here: https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com/2023/06/15/spsfc-finalist-guest-post-cameron-cooper/ Cam
Guest Post on Shaggy Shepherd Read More »