tangentially, I should also mention that I'm not the one who called it "hard SF." (See above.) My publisher calls the books near-future SF thrillers; other people call it chickpunk, military science fiction, or neo-Cyberpunk. (or "crap." *g*) I just write books. Marketing categories are *so* not my job.
And since there's nothing in the world more boring than a writer talking about her book, that's my last word on the subject.
Nick B.:
There are women with PhDs who write hard SF.
Feel free to enlighten me. Name some. Don't name "Elizabeth Bear". Jodi attempted to suggest that one over on Vox's website, it got shredded within minutes. She's "hard SF" like "The Day After Tomorrow" is an SF movie (In case you need to be told, it's crap. Entertaining crap with cool FX, but scientifically, *crap*)
Amusing that I, a relative newcomer on the SF scene, am somehow becoming a poster child for women in SF in this discussion. Actually, if you'll see above, I said "I can't hack the physics." No Ph.D. here. I did, however, have the assistance of several computer scientists, two biologists, an astrophysicist, a geologist, a physicist, an MD, and a variety of other real honest to Betsy working scientists and/or technical professionals in working out the science in that series.
Wandering over to the comment thread in question, it appears that none of the people commenting have actually read the material under discussion, but are contenting themselves with mocking the cover blurb, the Amazon excerpt, and my presumed political agenda and/or lack of historical/current events knowledge, using language that also makes it pretty plain they're unacquainted with the text.
So, that dog won't hunt, Nick. (You're welcome to take exception to my literary and/or intellectual merit, but do try not to make yourself look like an ass doing it.)
*g* Nate, the issue is not whether or not I suck, but whether or not I, and S. Evans, and Leah Bobet, and Marissa K. Lingen, and others who have not spoken up in this thread *do* write hard SF.
It's the opinion, in the very least, of Peter Watts and David Brin that I do. I figure they're qualified to judge. Therefore, I'm willing to identify myself as a female hard science fiction writer, although if forced to categorize myself, I'd say I owe far more to the New Wave.
The literary skills of the writers under discussion are not at issue. And I would say that Mr. Beale is fortunate that they are not.
But if you want to embarrass yourself providing a little free advertising for me, I'm always amused to watch my Amazon rank improve. And I'm really very, very much not scared of you.
Tracina: Oh, no, not at all. I just wanted to see if it was true that my uterus would shrivel up if I overheated that brain thingie of mine by thinking hard.
Damn, I wish that worked. I could have saved a fortune on birth control.
"Do let me know when someone gets an official hard SF-writing head count together."
How about just a head-count of the women (both scientists and laypeople) writing 'hard' SF who have poked their heads up in this comment thread?
I notice Mr. Day seems disinclined to so much as acknowledge our existence. Apparently, looking through the girls when they raise their hands isn't limited to the classroom.
(full disclaimer: I also write fantasy, 'soft' SF, genre mystery, YA, lit-fic, and Lovecraftian category romance. So there.)
I've been accused of writing hard science fiction (by people who write some of the crunchiest hard science fiction going, at that), and I can't hack the physics.
That's why I send long letters and drafts to people who *can* hack the physics, and let them tell me where I'm wrong. It works good.
Do the romance novels in space count if the women are rugged and the men are beautiful? If the men are beautiful and the men are smart? What about if everybody gets way too busy to actually have time for any romance? I'm having a hard time finding my marketing category here....
*goes to sit next to John and Charlie*
Drinks are on me, guys. Apparently I'm a boy. But the first guy who tries to check for testicles is drawing back a stump.
while I'm sad that these marriages were annulled, I can't help but agree that the court made the correct decision.
Yes.
On the other hand, I also support Newsome's political activism, and that of everybody who got involved. If nothing else, it has successfully broadened the dialogue.
Personally, I'm in favor of a googlebomb.
Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
| Year | Number of comments posted |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2004 | 2 |
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