Fantasy vs Science Fiction: A Poll

[biodroid]

I like fantasy more than SF as I can't read hard SF. If I had to choose a style of SF then I would say if it was written in a Star Wars actiony kind of way then I would read it. I guess that's more Science Fantasy then.

 

[Warren_Paul]

I'm definitely a fantasy reader. First fantasy novel I ever picked up was Betrayal at Krondor, by Raymond E. Feist, was sold on the genre ever since. (even though that book was bad compared to so many others I've read since).


I read Star Wars in my youth, but that's as far as my sci-fi experience goes.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

ughhh, first time I've looked at this for a while. We sci fi-fans are getting trashed.

 

[tangaloomababe]

My vote is for SF by a mile. I have to admit I a not a huge fan of Fantasy, but SF I love.

 

[calyxte]

I've always liked science fiction best, the only fantasy I've ever liked is the Temeraire series.

 

[Bowler1]

SciFi of course, well mostly. I have read all of the game of thrones recently, interesting if aimless by the end, but great characters. But in general SciFi has more freedom when compare to fantasy and its not all hard SciFi out there.

What does really bug me is whenever I go into a book shop, the Fantasy/SciFi section has way more Fantasy on the shevles - why is that I ask? More movies come from SciFi books so why are we not knocking fantasy off the shevles. Rant/rave/rant

 

[Fried Egg]

What does really bug me is whenever I go into a book shop, the Fantasy/SciFi section has way more Fantasy on the shevles - why is that I ask? More movies come from SciFi books so why are we not knocking fantasy off the shevles. Rant/rave/rant

Fantasy sells more, simple as that.

What it does...is another question.

 

[Bowler1]

But with all the hype and publicity movies generate you'd think a few more people would wonder if the original book was any better. SciFi should be getting ahead of fantasy because of this link, but I guess not.

However as I write SciFi, and this is blue sky thinking, when my book get mades into a movie - I'll be RICH!!

Well, I can hope.

 

[Vertigo]

I think it is easier to make SF movies; you generally only have one or two different races to create with cgi/make up, whereas fantasy frequently has lots of different races (elves, dwarves etc) not to mention weird beast like dragons etc. CGI'ing space ships (which don't move very much relative to themselves) against a nice black space background with a few stars is going to be a lot easier than CGI'ing a dragon beating huge leathery wings against a background of hills/forests/mountains/clouds. Also in this day and age it is getting ever harder to find filming locations for fantasy without modern stuff impinging. All fixable with modern techniques but just maybe a little harder, and therefore more expensive, for the fantasy genre. Gross generalisation of course.

As for the reading preferences, SF tends to attract a certain type of person with a bit of a scientific bent, interest in technology etc. whereas fantasy can appeal to a much broader audience. Another factor is there are probably more and bigger sub-genres of fantasy (possibly 'sub' only in how the shops often organise them). I don't just mean epic etc. versus space opera etc. But more the fact that, for example, vampire/werewolf style stories (of which there seem to be quite a few these days!) are typically lumped in with the fantasy books. Again more gross generalisation but possibly something to do with it.

I would also add - and I find this one just plain weird - that I know a lot of people who love SF movies but wouldn't go near an SF book with a barge pole. On the other hand most people I know who love fantasy films also devour fantasy books.

 

[Bowler1]

Well said Vertigo.

I think with technology these days flapping wings are not an issue but modern stuff impinging I will agree with.

Peter F Hamilton reality dysfunction series, has the dead returning claiming bodies of the living, so SciFi can do horror. Yet still we don't get sub-genres shelf space.

Your last point however says it all, and I find that a little weird as well. I can only assume our technology focus has put people off. Still its what I do and is my passion so head down, write away ignoring all the odds against me. Its hard tell an Irishman what he can't do!

 

[Vertigo]

I think it's hard to tell any author what they should or shouldn't write, and so it should probably be, I guess!

I think any of the sub genres can appear in SF, isn't that one of the beauties of SF? David Weber even managed to have vampires defeding Earth from invading aliens. However the difference is, I think, that they don't get separated out as they seem to elsewhere. They all just get lumped in as SF. Whether it's horror, detective murder mystery, military, pyschological, or even fantasy itself that's mixed in, it is still just SF. Mind you, in some ways I quite like that!

 

[hopewrites]

I think the reason they get lumped together is that people assume that SF is a sub of Fantasy.
*she says from a well concealed fox-hole to hide from the mob that will surely come after her for such a remark*

 

[Bowler1]

I will join you in that fox hole, Hopewrites, lock and load - prepare to defend.

 

[J-WO]

Two cent theory #29,241: Could it be possible that fantasy is more popular during an economic downturn whilst SF sales flourish during a boom?

Afterall, who wants to hear SF's stark warnings about the future when you can barely see past paying next month's rent?

 

[Vertigo]

Hm I think you have a point there JWO. The great growth of SF really came in the post war boom period, when everyone believed the rapid advances in science were going to give us the universe within their lifetimes. There seemed to be nothing that science couldn't achieve. Now people are a bit more jaded. Somehow science never quite seems to deliver on its promises. Note by the way that that really means the promises journalists make on behalf of the scientist. The scientists themselves are generally way more cautious about their promises. So maybe now more people want the more explicit escapism of fantasy.

 

[Bowler1]

J-WO, I had to think about your question and with added punch from Vertigo it was a good question. After some pondering I disagree. Spaceships whizzing around, super smart computers and all sorts of aliens are all make beleive and escapism as much as any fantasy work. Our technology moves on with each generation but the laws of physics have nearly always been played with.

I suspect the science is simply putting the reader off. Not that a lot is needed but some basics have to be known. Fantasy does not have to have that basic understanding to start with so its easier to get started in fantasy, as a reader.

 

[J-WO]

OK, maybe not all SF then. Space Opera survives pretty well, but near-future stuff--a significant part of the market--takes a tumble.

The science element, as you say, does put people off currently.

 

[Bowler1]

I love a good space opera, that must give fantasy a run for its money. I don't think you can beat aliens and ray guns!

 

[J-WO]

Amen to that.

 

[Vertigo]

Oh Yes