Monthly Themes

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

We did have a thread on this a little while ago, and then Shawnie showed an interest in monthly themes and reminded me that we really need some input! :) We had Women Writer's in Feb, we'll have Sci-Fi Month every November - but what monthly themes would you like to see? These wouldn't be every month, just every so often, and books nominated for BotM would have to fit the chosen theme.

Suggestions:
- Authors under 30
- Golden Age SF (1950-1970)
- Diversity
- Steampunk
- Book to Film
- Space Opera
- (Post)-Apocalyptic & Dystopia
- Mythology
- Genre Benders
- Dragons & Jetpacks
- Authors from X Country
- Horror for Halloween
- Time Travel and Alternate History
- Comedy
- Cyberpunk
- Historical Fiction
- Military

[Jim]

How about "golden age SF novels"? This could cover the period between, say 1950 and 1970.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Thanks Jim, added to the list :)

[Veronica]

How about a diversity theme, i.e. stories that feature someone other than the typical, white male as the MC?

[Dawn]

How about a Steampunk month?

[Dawn]

I'll also second Veronica's suggestion. Lead characters are too stereotyped. A few alternatives would be great. Nice idea Veronica.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

I really like the diversity month :-)

[Veronica]

Variety is the spice of life. :-)

I like the steampunk idea too!

[Kirsty, Jedi Master]

I like Diversity and Steampunk ideas!

How about Book --> Film month?

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Great ideas so far! :D The list has been updated.

[Shawnie]

We did colonization and Mars already. I love Diversity and Steampunk. How about:
Space opera
Apocalyptic, Post-apocalyptic, Dystopia

[Greg]

If you haven't done it already, what about a mythology theme: fantasy/SF that incorporates mythological elements, whether Greek/Roman, Norse, Native American, or whatever?

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

I don't know if this is too close to the Diversity theme, but what about genre-benders like weird-west (Six-Gun Tarot is a good example) or sci-fi fantasy mash-up (Heroes Die is a great example of this). they all kinda fall into that genre bending category

[Susie]

Could Dragons and Jetpacks itself be a theme? As in, fantasy selection would feature dragons, and sci-fi wouldn't need a jetpack per se, but some futuristic technology/transportation?

[Andrew]

Susie wrote: "Could Dragons and Jetpacks itself be a theme? As in, fantasy selection would feature dragons, and sci-fi wouldn't need a jetpack per se, but some futuristic technology/transportation?"

LOL I love this!

[Lel]

Something along the lines of authors from a particular country? Its not something that I normally pay attention too but could be interesting to see the effects that may have on the writing styles....

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Great ideas all :D

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

Horror for Halloween, naturally. ;)

[Greg]

Wayland wrote: "Horror for Halloween, naturally. ;)"

Definitely! Always fun to read themed books around Halloween!

[Greg]

How about a time travel/alternate history theme? That hasn't been mentioned yet. And maybe a comedic theme to lighten things up.

[Ty]

All great suggestions. I would offer up Cyberpunk as another possibility. One of my favorite sub-genres and I'm always up for another trip into it.

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

Greg wrote: "How about a time travel/alternate history theme? That hasn't been mentioned yet. And maybe a comedic theme to lighten things up."


Big yes to this.

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

Could Historic Fiction be In there. I hear Cornwell writes fabulous stuff.

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

Lancer wrote: "Could Historic Fiction be In there. I hear Cornwell writes fabulous stuff."

He does. His Sharpe series is amazing, and I liked the start of his Warlord or whatever it's called. I need to get back to that one...

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

I've had three or so series software his recommend to me and haven't gotten to them yet. Next time the big used book sale at the mall near me happens I am going to look for some

[Lancer, Warden of the Slums]

Series *of* his. Not sure what his software is like

[Brendan]

My vote(s) would go towards Steampunk and Horror for Halloween. What about Military? I know there is a ton of military Sci-Fi out there and I can think of a few that fall under the Fantasy genre.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

More ideas added! :)

As for actually choosing the theme, when the time comes I was thinking of picking maybe 4-5 at random and putting them in a poll, then people can vote.

[Wayland, Ernest Scribbler]

Rinn wrote: "More ideas added! :)

As for actually choosing the theme, when the time comes I was thinking of picking maybe 4-5 at random and putting them in a poll, then people can vote."

Works for me.

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Sounds great Rinn

[Kirsty, Jedi Master]

Yep sounds great to me Rinn!

[Kimonawhim]

Sounds good! Choosing will be difficult, saw so many themes mentioned that I love ;P

[Mike]

Instead of Authors from X Country, I would just say translated work or non native English writers. That will keep it a bit more open. And it is something I quite like as not native speaker as well.

[Roger, Knight Radiant]

Wayland wrote: "Greg wrote: "How about a time travel/alternate history theme? That hasn't been mentioned yet. And maybe a comedic theme to lighten things up."


Big yes to this."

Definiltey like this kind of book as well

[Veronica]

sir Lancer wrote: "Could Historic Fiction be In there. I hear Cornwell writes fabulous stuff."

I've been enjoying his Saxon tales series.