Leah Wilson's Blog, page 7

Star Wars on Trial: Charge #5

Star Wars Has Dumbed Down the Perception of Science Fiction in the Popular Imagination

For the Prosecution: Tanya Huff
For the Defense: Richard Garfinkle

Tanya Huff claims that Star Wars has inaccurately become “a shorthand definition for science fiction.” She states that the movie tie-ins have “wiped out any literary merit science fiction had gained in the minds of the general public” and reminds us there are now “adults, with children of their own, who have never lived in a world where sci...

Star Wars on Trial:Charge #4

Science Fiction Filmmaking Has Been Reduced by Star Wars to Poorly Written Special Effects Extravaganzas

For the Prosecution: John G. Hemry
For the Defense: Bruce Bethke

John G. Hemry‘s thoughts on Star Wars’ impact on filmmaking can be easily summed up by the title of his essay, “Millions for Special Effects, Not One Cent for Writers.” In particular, Hemry attacks the prequel trilogy, alleging that through all the “wooden acting and clichéd dialogue” the only thing that holds the audience’s...

Star Wars on Trial: Charge #3

Star Wars Novels Are Poor Substitutes for Real Science Fiction and Are Driving Real SF off the Shelves

For the Prosecution: Lou Anders
For the Defense: Laura Resnick
For the Defense: Karen Traviss
For the Defense: Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Lou Anders argues for the prosecution that popular Star Wars novels are being mislabeled in bookstores everywhere as “science fiction,” when in fact they’re actually just fantasy stories set in space. He argues that the “serious” SF literature is often ignore...

Star Wars on Trial:Charge #2

While Claiming Mythic Significance, Star Wars Portrays No Admirable Religious or Ethical Beliefs

For the Prosecution: John C. Wright
For the Defense: Scott Lynch

John C. Wright asserts that the films make no efforts to address “metaphysics, spiritual powers, martyrdom, ethics, fate, salvation miracles, and life after death,” which thereby means that there is no “real religion” in Star Wars. He also claims that the so-called “ethics” of the Force in Star Wars are simply “what the script force...

Star Wars on Trial: Charge #1

The Politics of Star Wars Are Anti-Democratic and Elitist

For the Prosecution: David Brin
For the Defense: Keith R. A. DeCandido

David Brin challenges whether Star Wars promotes anything resembling democracy, given that a chosen few are left to decide what’s right under both the Rebellion and the Empire. He declares that, in the Star Wars universe, “the right to rule is inherited” and that those “elites have an inherent right to arbitrary rule.”

Keith R.A. DeCandido claims that Star Wars is...

We Can’t Get Enough of Fifty Shades of Grey

The movie may have been released in February, but we still can’t get over Fifty Shades of Grey.

Our examination of E.L. James’s Fifty Shades trilogy in Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey has been an invaluable resource for us when diving into the (unavoidable) conversations surrounding the trilogy and the movie’s release.

BDSM, erotic fiction, sexual empowerment, oh my! Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey discusses both the sexy and cultural sides of the Fifty Shades trilogy and is broke...

The Big Bang Theory: A Writer’s Panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2014

Coming just in time for the holidays, Smart Pop is working with George Beahm on an updated edition of Unraveling the Mysteries of The Big Bang Theory. Including brand-new chapters on Big Bang’s leading ladies Amy Farrah Fowler and Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, a fully up-to-date section on the supporting cast and guest stars (with new entries on LeVar Burton, Alex Jensen, George Takei, Siri, and more), and a revamped annotated glossary on the SFF, pop culture, and other miscellany mention...

San Diego Comic-Con 2014 Recap + Giveaway

A couple weeks ago we headed to San Diego for our fourth year of exhibiting at Comic-Con. It was equal parts exciting and busy, which you probably know all too well if you’ve ever been to the show, but it was ultimately another great year of introducing Smart Pop Books to new potential readers while having the wonderful opportunity of reconnecting with past readers and contributors.

Comic-Con was the official launch of our 2014 Smart Pop Sampler, and it was such a treat to hand out copies earl...

San Diego Comic-Con 2014

It’s that time of year again, although we can hardly believe it. Time for San Diego Comic-Con! As we frantically finish up a million to-dos, we wanted to share what we’ll be up to at this year’s convention. Click/scroll onward to see where you can find us in the convention center this year, what we’ll be up to, and what we’re giving away.

Jump to:Location,Signings,Free Stuff (With Bonus Prize Wheel!)

Location(#4300 – Exhibit Hall, Entrance F)

We’re sharing booth space again with Friend of Smart...

BIG discount on Fic: Why Fanfiction is Taking Over the World

For a very limited time, we’ve put the e-book of Fic: Why Fanfiction Is Taking Over the World on sale for only $3.99 US. And not just for US readers!

Fic‘s also heavily discounted at:

Amazon.ca (Canada)
Amazon.co.uk (UK)
Amazon.com.au (Australia)
Amazon.com.mx (Mexico)
Amazon.fr (France)
Amazon.it (Italy)
Amazon.es (Spain)
Amazon.de (Germany)
Amazon.com.br (Brazil)
Amazon.co.jp (Japan)

What people are saying about Fic:

“An indispensable guide to the dizzying world of fanfiction—its history, names, games,...