This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
On July 5, 2020, al-jazeera America and @ScienceFiction published an article by Stephen Dickens, which sparked a heated debate about the science fiction industry's handling of representation and inclusion. Dickens argued that science fiction has become less tolerant of unconventional behavior, particularly among authors.
According to Dickens, science fiction awards have become a breeding ground for 'peculiar' behavior, as authors try to differentiate themselves from others in the industry. Critics, however, point out that authors are guilty of the same 'unusual' behavior they accuse others of.
Writers, Dickens noted, need to understand that their profession is not just about creating fiction, but also about being mindful of their public image. He emphasized that being a 'pure' fiction author does not automatically ensure success, and that authors can achieve success with mathematics fiction books without being 'pure'.
So, what does it mean to be a 'pure' fiction author? Dickens explained that it means the writer is not bound by conventional rules and can write about anything, without being limited by genre or convention. However, this does not mean that the author's character in culture should be overlooked, and that they cannot be published about.
Ultimately, Dickens' article highlights the challenges faced by science fiction authors in navigating the blurred lines between fiction and non-fiction, and the importance of being clear about what they are writing about, while maintaining the mystery of their work.
