Sci-Fi & Fantasy Girlz discussion

Hi all! I just created the group and feel the need to say something to my lonely self in here.

If you have just joined, don't be shy, say hello in here.

(And don't be afraid, we don't bite. Much.)

Hi back atcha.

Did you have something in particular in mind for this group? I'm sure there are plenty of possibilities....

I am open to suggestions, I just know that I would love to read and talk about more female authors (I won't lie, the sexist thread in the sci fi and fantasy group gave me the idea and I've been thinking about doing this for months now so I figured I may as well just go for it). I am starting with adding books to the bookshelf.

Wanna be a mod?

This is great, thanks for the invite. I was Just recently looking for sci-fi and fantasy stories with female protagonists.

I am just starting so there isn't much here but please contribute anything you have found. I'm now reading Ancillary Justice and getting really excited about reading sci fi written by women (even though the protagonist is a genderless AI who can't distinguish between genders so she calls everyone a she).

I read Ancillary Justice, well I gave up on Ancillary Justice last year :( It was a good premise. Calling everyone a she was very cool but other than that I felt that the story wasn't really progressing.

Can I add books to the group's bookshelf?

Just made you a mod, now you can (I can remove you later if you don't actually wish to be a moderator). I just wanted some control over the list. When you add a book, add it as to-read, place it in either the sci fi or fantasy category and one or two main sub-genres (like dystopia, space opera, cyberpunk, war/military, etc.).

Oh, and if its a series, add just the first book of the series.

Ok. I had added a few others in series, but already removed them. I added the books I had on my list, I will add others if I find more.
I can stay as mod if you need a hand with the group.

Hey, Tommy here. I myself don't have a particular preference towards female/male authors(or characters, for that matter). I was recently made aware of some pretty sexist comments/ways of thinking in the realm of scifi/fantasy literature, particularly regarding female authors. I don't know anything about the sexist thread that Alicja was talking about, but the general way of thinking just bothers me. Especially when it comes to stories, you know? Literature should be a pretty safe place where we can all come together and love what we love. That it isn't, in some circles at least, is just a shame.

That whole spiel aside, I don't consider myself to be a feminist or an activist of any sort. I do, however, believe that judging an entire group of people, regardless of how that group of people is defined, is wrong every single time. Period. And to bring it to an art form that we all love? Doubly awful.

To sum up my whole thought, I hate that something happened that hit you hard enough that you felt like this group was even necessary. But, as long as sanctuary is necessary, I fully support those who wish to provide it.

Best of luck, and I look forward to talking to like minded readers.

Hi Tommy! In a sci fi and fantasy group there is a thread that discusses women in sci fi and fantasy. Many issues that were brought up were marketing, statistics show that women don't get as much publicity as men. Whether this is unconscious or not it still leaves many female authors without support.

Its true that especially sci fi has been traditionally male dominated but many women read it as well (especially since statistics seem to show that women make up a significant majority of readers in general).

This group isn't about a preference for female authors, plenty of male authors I love. But I've found that even myself I read more male authors than female authors in sci fi and fantasy. I just want a place where we can discuss female authors, get a good list going that someone could easily look through and pick something they may like, and give female authors of sci fi and fantasy more exposure.

Its not about excluding men. I don't think gender should be used as criteria in choosing what we read. But I have heard men and even some women before saying that don't like the style of women's writing. I can understand that sentiment, I prefer reading stuff that is rough, dark, and preferably with swords or guns, but that is based on stereotypes. There are many women authors who write like that as well.

Hopefully I've clarified more what I am hoping to do with this group but ultimately I would this group to grow and have the members decide what they would like to get from a group like this.

^I like you Alicja. Your sentiments almost mirror mine. As an avid reader, I can say without doubt that most of the readers I speak to are female. They deserve respect in the industry, as they are doing a lot to support it.

Honestly, your message so far is clear. It doesn't seem to exclude males or even favor females. It seems to say "Hey, these women exist too, maybe check them out."

Again, I like the stance you're taking. Supportive without being scornful. I respect it.

Also, suggestion for the group down the road: A couple of the YA groups I'm in do ARR(advance read and review) where the author sends out digital copies of their book to the first x-amount of people to ask for it so they can get buzz going before they officially release it.
It would be cool to do something like that here, and maybe break it into 2 sections. 1. books strictly by women authors and 2. books by anyone, male authors welcome as well, that prominently feature strong female characters. Just a thought.

Thanks Tommy! I like your suggestion but I think we need a better established group first. Although I'll check next time I have a moment and see what sweet free Kindle deals I can find on amazon among female authored sci fi & fantasy.

I know when I'm getting recommendations of what to read, I usually get a whole list of male authors with a sprinkling on female authors. I would love to eventually have these huge lists where someone could click the sub-genre they like (like cyberpunk, space opera, speculative fiction, war/military, etc.) and have a whole list to choose from so they can easily find what interests them from these authors (and no only have one or two examples in a sub-genre and if they happen to dislike them they may not pick up another female authored book).

Hey Tommy, actually the thing about equality is actually a feminist view - which is completely fine since feminism IS about equality for everyone. :)

Anyway, hello people. I randomly saw the groups title and thought, well yeah, this sounds like the place for me. <3

I mean no disrespect in not claiming feminist. I claim nothing so that that way my entire outlook is completely my own. I'll borrow from feminism, Christianity, Buddhists, Dumbledore, etc. haha.
I feel a bit cramped under any label, even one I agree with in most if not every way, because I feel, personally, that it claims I agree with any one way of thinking fully, which is pretty untrue.

Let's just say I certainly am not anti-feminist and that I can appreciate the ideals. If I had to wear a label, I'd say I'm an equalist. Thus, the message of this group ringing true and convincing me to join in :]

My comment was really only meant as a sort of olive branch. :) The thing is, popular media often shows feminism as something that it isn't (most often the idea of turning privileges around).
One doesn't need to be an activist to have feminist views. :)

Well very appreciated. And thank you all who I've spoken to in the group so far. I've felt nothing but welcome, and hopefully we'll see the scifi/fantasy world at large embrace a similarly warm and welcoming feel for all.

As I said in my first comment, I was only made aware of the inequality in this area of publishing recently, so I'm fairly ignorant as to how bad it is. But I do believe it exists and want to support any group that wants to play its part in fixing that.

Welcome Sparrowlicious! We are just getting started so feel free in starting any discussions, book or otherwise, or posting anything else that sounds interesting.

Alicja! Garry! Good to see familiar faces! I myself feel a bit impoverished when it comes to female writers. Going back over the list of my favorite books and authors, it looks like a real sausage fest! Naturally, I wonder how much of this is due to attitudes and barriers that exist within the industry, but also feel I need to make an effort and read authors like Ursula K Le Guin, Margaret Atwood, Elizabeth Bear, Anne McCaffrey, and not just say I WANT to read them.

Know what I'm saying? Also, looking over the list of the most famed and renowned science fiction authors, I can't help but notice that it too is a total sausage fest! Coincidence? ;:I

You've come to the right place then! We'll be doing bi-monthly reads so you can join us and at least get a few authors in. Check out our bookshelf for some ideas as well (and if you have others to add, give me a list on the bookshelf suggestion page).

I go out of my way to find and read sci-fi and fantasy written by female authors, so it will be nice to be able to talk about it here!

Welcome EJ!!! We look forward to learning about your favorites and learning from your experience. Feel free to start up any discussions that may interest you and vote in our poll for our first group read.

Hello everyone.

Hey Mark! Welcome! Feel free to browse and start any topics you wish to discuss. We're glad you're with us.

Thank you.

Hi everyone, I've fairly recently (last year or so) really gotten into sci-fi, but I've hardly read any of the "classics" and tend to gravitate towards female authored works. I'm trying to get back in the swing of using goodreads groups and writing reviews. I need the mental stimulation! It's hard for me to set aside the time to do so, but I'm stuck at a horribly boring level of Candy Crush Saga at the moment so it seems like a good time to start. I'm really interested in both of the May-June reads and am about to request them from the library.

Welcome Dimity! Feel free to post and discuss about anything you wish.

I'm also stuck on an awful level of Candy Crush, have been for the last 2 weeks! By now I am so bored I may actually quit it (its on the new nighttime side of the board).

I love finding sf and fantasy books by women as well as about women because for most of my life they weren't available. Now I am finding all this great stuff and I'm like the proverbial kid in the candy store. I'm looking forward to reading the posts of this group.

Welcome Cynthia! We are glad to have you here. Feel free to start any discussions you want and give a try to our bi-monthly reads.

I'm silent and unseen, I'm the submarine!
Laurentiu is happy to be here! Hello!

From time to time I'll pass by with words or eyes. More often with the latter.

Welcome Laurentiu! Lurk as much as you please, and chime in whenever you want.

Hi all, I've just joined Goodreads, and am still finding my way around. This group sounds right up my alley. I read some sf but my main focus is fantasy, and my shelves are full of great female authors. I like plenty of male authors too, but a lot of my favourites are women: Glenda Larke, Karen Miller, Ursula le Guin, Robin Hobb, Anne MacCaffrey, Jennifer Fallon ...

I'll be very interested to follow the group's discussions!

Welcome Marina! We are happy to have you here. Feel free to discuss or start up your own discussions. And if you have any GR questions let us know; quite a few of us have been around awhile.

Hi All,

Just found my way here via a thread called 'Are we, as readers, sexist?' on another group. Alicja posted the link. I'll be a little quiet to begin with, as I have a pile of commitments - one of which is going to Continuum X, here in Australia, and contributing to a panel which looks at gender stereotyping in Science Fiction :)

Apart from that, I'm an avid reader and writer of Sci-fi, and look forward to participating in the group!

Hi All!

I've already left my boot-prints in some threads, so you know I'm up for some fun discussions.

For several years now, I've been reading more female authors than male, and I really like strong female characters - especially if they carry really big guns!

I tend to avoid pure fantasy (magic and dragons) but quasi-magical aspects (telepathy, etc) are fine. Feel free to check my scifi bookshelf for ideas.

Hi Leonie and Laz!! We are happy to have you both, feel free to participate as much or as little as you want. I myself am heading to Europe for 3 weeks so I won't be on here as much either so no worries about having prior commitments.

Laz, I'll take a look at your bookshelf but it may not be until July. I'm leaving tomorrow to fly across the "pond" but a quick look made me realize just how many female authors I've missed. Thanks!

Thanks for the invite to the group Laz! I primarily read female authors and I ended up leaving a sci-fi/fantasy group because 95% of the books were ones I would never pick up.

I am here! I have been a published author since 1984.

Brenda wrote: "I am here! I have been a published author since 1984."

The year or the novel? (Kidding. I think we gotcha. I would call myself a reader since both the novel and the year, now that I think on it....)

I have an author page, somewhere around here in GR, and a web page with a bibliography. Also I am about the first 300 hits if you put my name into Google!

Hi all! I would like to welcome all new members (and author members).

Hi! I followed the link from the thread on sexism in the big SF group, but I prefer the smaller ones. Published author, voracious reader.

Sarah wrote: "Hi! I followed the link from the thread on sexism in the big SF group, but I prefer the smaller ones. Published author, voracious reader."

Hi Sarah! Glad to have you here. Feel free to discuss or start any discussions you'd like. Also, we have an author area in which you can feel free to shamelessly self-promote your writing.

Hope you enjoy our little group.

Sarah wrote: "Hi! I followed the link from the thread on sexism in the big SF group, but I prefer the smaller ones. Published author, voracious reader."

Oh, hey, I didn't say hello. I followed the same link :). Bookshelf is very appealing! Looking forward to checking things out (although it might be July before I can settle in - houseguests through the month of June)

Hi MK! No worries, participate when you can. If you have any suggestions for the bookshelf, let us know. And don't forget to vote in our poll for the July/August group reads.

Welcome!

thx, A! :)

Hey, great idea for a group - I'm a female fantasy author!
Looking forward to some fun discussions :)

Hello!

I mostly read fantasy, but science fiction definitely appeals to me also.

Though I do not look for books by gender, I do read a lot of books by female authors.
:)

*psst....I also like to draw fantasy-ish art.
:)

Deborah wrote: "Hey, great idea for a group - I'm a female fantasy author!
Looking forward to some fun discussions :)"

Great to have you with us! We have an author promotions section. I hope you have fun with our discussions, and feel free to start any you'd like to see discussed.

Brenda ╰☆╮ wrote: "Hello!

I mostly read fantasy, but science fiction definitely appeals to me also.

Though I do not look for books by gender, I do read a lot of books by female authors.
:)

*psst....I also like to ..."

We have a mix of fantasy and sci fi fans here (although we may seem a bit sci fi heavy so far). The next poll (September/October) will definitely be a fantasy poll. And you may find some interesting sci fi choices here too.

I also don't pay attention to gender, but I realized that I still read a lot more male authors, mostly because they got more marketing (and not because of quality of work). With this group we are hoping to spread the word that there are many female authors that write amazingly (not to stop reading male authors).

Hope you can find some use for this group.

Also, we have an art thread, if you'd like to post your art or a link to your art, please do. Welcome!