There’s been a bit of news out there in the Science Fiction/Romance community and thinking about what I wanted to talk about today, I couldn’t quite pin down one thing, so I thought I’d share a bit.
First, my go-to blog for Science Fiction Romance, The Galaxy Express, has posted the monthly news here. Go check that out, then come back, as I have a few things to add to that wonderful summary.
Thanks to http://www.theinterrobangs.com for this image.
First, an interesting discussion of white-washing covers has come up. Across the Universe by Beth Revis is a YA Science Fiction Romance that has *yay* hit the NYT best-selling list. It’s cover was revamped between ARC and release. This was first exposed at The Interrobangs, and further discussed today at Dear Author. This brings up marketing, racial attitudes, and white vs. Other, but though in some way I can expect it–we’ve seen it a few times recently–it seems a disappointment to come within the genre of Science Fiction. SF is that genre that can embrace differences and explore race. Once again, I think this was all the decision of the marketing department but it makes me wonder when big publishing will get a clue.
Second, GOOD NEWS!
Have you seen the list of the 2010 Philip K Dick Award nominees?
Take a look! SONG OF SCARABAEUS by Sara Creasy (Eos) is SF with Romantic Elements! And it’s nominated!
Recognition for Science Fiction with a touch of romance! That has me so excited that I’m moving it to the top of my to-be-read pile.
That’s it for now, unless you have other news, then share! I’m already pondering my next post… Lately, I’ve been thinking a bit about elements. As in, how much science do you include in the story. What elements do you include? This has to do with your target audience, but even in the genre of SF, there’s a wide range of reader expectations and patience for detail explanation of science and gadgetry. I’ll be exploring that and discussing it next time.
Tell me, what do you think of the cover fiasco for Across the Universe?
And, congrats to Ms Creasy.
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Ella Drake is a dark paranormal and science fiction romance author. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, & Goodreads. Her next release is Jaq’s Harp, coming February 21st from Carina Press.
Contact – Infinite Futures 
Fab news about Sara Creasy. I enjoyed the book’s cyberpunk & biopunk elements as well as the subtle romance. The variety in SFR blows my mind.
Re: Across the Universe: That’s pretty appalling. I was hoping we were past that. Unfortunately, the focus is now on the cover instead of the story, which I hear is good.
Ella, thanks for the linkage!
You are quite welcome for the linkage!
I haven’t read either of the books, but I plan to do so. It’s my goal for February & I think they’ll both live up to my expectations.
*Sigh.* That’s such a silly thing for a publisher to do. I wonder at their organizational structure — who thought that was a good idea? And worse, who above them approved it, or at least allowed it to slip by?
But also, good news for Sara Creasy! The Phillip K. Dick award nom is nothing to sneeze at, so congrats to her!
Unfortunately, we’ve seen this kind of thing before with covers. The one that was most appalling was for the US version of the book Liar by Justine Larbalestier. They’d originally designed a cover with a caucasian girl, but the narrator is definitely NOT. The outrage worked in this case & they changed the cover. She blogged about what happened, here: http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/07/23/aint-that-a-shame/
That’s an interesting choice about the cover art. Social commentary and the illustration of sensitive issues in a fictional construct is such a large element in most sci-fi. I guess the marketing department missed that memo.
I think they did miss that memo. Unfortunate.