Do You Like Sci-Fi?

Since my first two books, Rock Bound and Rock Crazy take place on “that God-forsaken rock, the Moon,” I find myself asking people if they like science fiction.  Their answers tell me a lot about whether or not I should give them cards with information about my books.  That question has different answers.

If you ask me whether I like sci-fi, I rattle off a list of authors starting with Robert A. Heinlein, who is considered to be one of the greatest science fiction authors of all time.  I’m a science fiction purist.  My favorite authors are people who have a background in science and can also write well.  If I ask someone whether they like sci-fi and they name those authors, I know I’ve found a kindred spirit.

The next group are people who rattle off a list of fantasy authors when I ask them if they like sci-fi.  I don’t understand why sci-fi and fantasy are lumped together.  Admittedly, Heinlein himself said that to cro-magnon man an electric light would appear to be magic, but I live in the twenty-first century and to me, medieval sword-fighting and spell-casting are not scientific.  I do enjoy some fantasy, but I don’t think it should be lumped in with science fiction and if I want to know whether a person likes fantasy, I will ask if they like fantasy.  Horror has it’s own section and it truly boggles my mind when I ask someone if they like sci-fi and they reply, “Oh sure—I love Steven King.”  Nope—they probably won’t be interested in my writing.

Finally there are the people who say, “Oh, I watch some sci-fi.”  Most likely a no.  People who read sci-fi pretty much know their authors, and If someone “watches” sci-fi or “see some of those movies,” they probably don’t read much.  I’ll ask them if they read, but it’s a good bet they don’t.

My blog tour is over and we have a winner.  Roseanne Dowell has won a signed copy of Rock Bound, Book One of my Moon Rock series.  Congratulations, Roseanne.

I’m really nervous about Roseanne reading my book.  She’s a MuseItUp Publishing, Inc. author and I’ve read and reviewed three of her books, all of which were excellent.  I hope I’ve lived up to her standards.