Are Readers Trying to Escape?
Are readers trying to escape into sci-fi and fantasy? Has escapist literature surged ahead of other fiction genres? I wondered if others have noticed this trend, and do they theorize, as I do, that the times we live in are so full of existential dread that readers are fleeing to other realities—even fake ones. I did an opinion poll to find out. Replies came from other readers and writers, including an editor, a librarian, and a bookseller.
All responders noticed the increasing popularity of fantasy and sci-fi, although romance and mystery remain favorites too. A youth librarian, a bookseller, and a writer said they noticed a declining interest in dystopian novels and an upsurge in other types of fantasy. One reader said, “There’s enough post-apocalyptic material in our real lives.”
A writer in the poll recently switched from writing contemporary romance to starting a post-apocalyptic manuscript. She said she is attracted to sci-fi and fantasy for the “world building possibilities” and inventing her own rules outside the box of reality. Another writer said, “Fantasy is a much cheaper and safer form of escapism than drugs!” A writer of fantasy noted “depression and anxiety can be transformed into literal darkness or monsters.”
An avid reader said she likes sci-fi for “stretching the limits of science, and fantasy for stretching the boundaries of social science.”
While there is much agreement that our present reality tempts us to escape, some responses spotlighted further reasons for upward trends in sci-fi and fantasy literature:
Popular television shows, such as “Game of Thrones,” and movies such as “Lord of the Rings”, Marvel and DC comic universes, are driving tastes toward fantasy and super heroes. Writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, and Ursula Le Guin have attracted readers to other worlds.
What future trends might we expect in escapist literature? Librarian Mark Richardson sees welcome changes, with a “distinct move toward women authors and authors of color.” With movies’ influence and more authors of color, might we see a resurgence of Afrofuturism, such as the “Black Panther” epics?
Author Sarah Hawthorne sees a “burgeoning new industry” with technological capabilities in self-publishing that will bring radical changes to “our view of novel” in the next fifty years. “And sci-fi/fantasy writers are truly driving these changes.”
My thank you to those who participated in the poll:
Gregory Zschomler: Owner, Harbor Books and Gifts, Aberdeen, WA. Author, “From the Launch Pad to New Dimensions.”
Kate Ristau: Author, “Shadow Girl.” (Not a Pipe Publishing*)
Mark Richardson: Youth librarian, Cedar Mill Library, Washington County, Oregon.
Mikko Azul: Author, “The Staff of Fire and Bone” (Not a Pipe Publishing*)
Sarah Hawthorne: Author, “Enforcer’s Price” (The Demon Horde Motorcycle Club series)
Sheila Deeth: Author, “Subtraction” (Mathemafiction Novel series)
Virginia Simmon: Lifestyle magazine writer, non-fiction editor
Walt Socha: Author, “Contact” (The Crossover series)
*Not a Pipe Publishing in Independence, Oregon, is publishing only women authors in 2018, and all have written sci-fi, super-hero, or fantasy novels.
All responders noticed the increasing popularity of fantasy and sci-fi, although romance and mystery remain favorites too. A youth librarian, a bookseller, and a writer said they noticed a declining interest in dystopian novels and an upsurge in other types of fantasy. One reader said, “There’s enough post-apocalyptic material in our real lives.”
A writer in the poll recently switched from writing contemporary romance to starting a post-apocalyptic manuscript. She said she is attracted to sci-fi and fantasy for the “world building possibilities” and inventing her own rules outside the box of reality. Another writer said, “Fantasy is a much cheaper and safer form of escapism than drugs!” A writer of fantasy noted “depression and anxiety can be transformed into literal darkness or monsters.”
An avid reader said she likes sci-fi for “stretching the limits of science, and fantasy for stretching the boundaries of social science.”
While there is much agreement that our present reality tempts us to escape, some responses spotlighted further reasons for upward trends in sci-fi and fantasy literature:
Popular television shows, such as “Game of Thrones,” and movies such as “Lord of the Rings”, Marvel and DC comic universes, are driving tastes toward fantasy and super heroes. Writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, and Ursula Le Guin have attracted readers to other worlds.
What future trends might we expect in escapist literature? Librarian Mark Richardson sees welcome changes, with a “distinct move toward women authors and authors of color.” With movies’ influence and more authors of color, might we see a resurgence of Afrofuturism, such as the “Black Panther” epics?
Author Sarah Hawthorne sees a “burgeoning new industry” with technological capabilities in self-publishing that will bring radical changes to “our view of novel” in the next fifty years. “And sci-fi/fantasy writers are truly driving these changes.”
My thank you to those who participated in the poll:
Gregory Zschomler: Owner, Harbor Books and Gifts, Aberdeen, WA. Author, “From the Launch Pad to New Dimensions.”
Kate Ristau: Author, “Shadow Girl.” (Not a Pipe Publishing*)
Mark Richardson: Youth librarian, Cedar Mill Library, Washington County, Oregon.
Mikko Azul: Author, “The Staff of Fire and Bone” (Not a Pipe Publishing*)
Sarah Hawthorne: Author, “Enforcer’s Price” (The Demon Horde Motorcycle Club series)
Sheila Deeth: Author, “Subtraction” (Mathemafiction Novel series)
Virginia Simmon: Lifestyle magazine writer, non-fiction editor
Walt Socha: Author, “Contact” (The Crossover series)
*Not a Pipe Publishing in Independence, Oregon, is publishing only women authors in 2018, and all have written sci-fi, super-hero, or fantasy novels.
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Sheila
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Feb 27, 2018 08:10PM
I guess it makes sense that scifi authors would jump into the new technologies of self-publishing. Though I have to admit, the most successful ebooks (in terms of reader preference) in our household are chess books which allow my husband to play through the game while reading. Novels just don't work like that.
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Ha ha. Your husband is at the cutting edge of chess e-books!
