Dana Kaput, LIS 748.

98, Fall 2016

Selection Tools for Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction Novels Handout

Diamond Kate. All our worlds: diverse fantastic fiction. Accessed October 21, 2016.
http://doublediamond.net/aow/home.php.

All our worlds is a database for diverse speculative fiction (focusing on Science
Fiction) that explores race, culture, disabilities, and LGBTQ characters and themes.
The database includes a review blog that focuses very heavily on indie publications
(often times published in e-book format) that would not receive much publicity
otherwise. There are also annotated booklists with both classic and new titles that
include summaries, diversity tags, audience, and year of publication. In addition,
there are a variety of web resources for diverse publishers, awards, websites,
publications, booklists, and web comics. This is a database that continues to grow
and would be a good source when looking to build the LGBTQ section of the Science
Fiction collection.

Herald, Diana Tixier and Bonnie Kunzel. 2008. Fluent in fantasy: the next
generation. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited.

Fluent in Fantasy: the next generation provides an in-depth evaluation on the genre
of fantasy. Each chapter features a short essay on a subgenre of fantasy (i.e. epic
fantasy, fairy tales, alternate/parallel worlds, time travel, etc.) and provides both
classic and popular text exemplars for the subgenre. The back of this reference
book also contains additional print and online resources, a directory of fantasy
organizations, and an appendix listing of award winning fantasy titles. While
somewhat dated, this reference book provides a good overview of the fantasy genre
and would be an essential resource for building and maintaining a core collection.

Herald, Diana Tixier and Bonnie Kunzel. 2002. Strictly science fiction: a guide to
reading interests. Greenwood Village, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited.

Strictly science fiction: a guide to reading interests defines the genre of science
fiction, provides a historical overview, identifies key subgenres (i.e. action
adventure, space opera, virtual reality, etc.), and text exemplars. This reference
book provides a listing of classic science fiction titles from the 19 th and 20th
centuries as well as more recently popular titles. In addition, the back of the
resource provides additional print and online resources, a listing of influential
publishers, a directory of science fiction organizations and conventions, and a
directory of science fiction awards with recent award winners listed. While this
resource is somewhat dated, it provides a good overview of the science fiction
genre, identifies differences between science fiction and fantasy, and provides text
exemplars to help build and maintain core collections.

Kirkus Media. Kirkus Reviews. Accessed October 21, 2016.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/.

Kirkus Reviews online offers both mainstream and indie book reviews. The content
on the website can be sorted by genre. Each book review includes basic publication
information (i.e. title, author, publication dates, ISBN, page count, and publisher),
 Dana Kaput, LIS 748.98, Fall 2016

series information (when applicable), purchasing links, and similar books suggested
by critics. The website also includes genre specific blogs that discuss various
issues/themes related to the genre and themed book lists. This is a good reputable
place to look for current and upcoming book reviews that are written very concisely.
Visitors to the website can also sign-up for the Kirkus newsletter which would
provide book suggestions.

Locus Magazine. Locus Online. Accessed October 21, 2016.

http://www.locusmag.com/index.php.

Locus Online is the online version of Locus Magazine and focuses on the fantasy and
science fiction publishing field. The website has many robust features such as news
relating to the science fiction and fantasy field (i.e. new science fiction and fantasy
publishers, book award announcements, and convention news), weekly bestsellers,
forthcoming books, book reviews, convention dates, and directories (with applicable
links) for authors, publishers, and booksellers. The website also collocates many of
the fantasy and science fiction book awards and lists the winners and runner ups.
This a great resource for monitoring the fantasy and science fiction genre/field and
would provide great ideas for collection development in these genres.

Locus Magazine. Science Fiction Awards Database. Accessed October 21, 2016.
http://www.sfadb.com/.

The Science Fiction Awards Database is an ongoing project of Locus Magazine to list
all of the Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror awards. It differs from Locus Online in
that all awards (both major and minor) are listed. Each award listing is annotated
and includes the scope of the award, award process, history, and listing of all
current and historical winners and nominees of the award. In addition, all of the
award nominated authors are cross-listed on the site to include all other award
nominations and wins. This is a good place to learn about major and minor literary
awards and quickly find award winners. It would also be useful in identifying award-
winning titles that may be missing from library collections.

NPR. NPR Books. Accessed October 21, 2016. http://www.npr.org/books/.

NPR Books does a good job of reviewing new and upcoming book releases in a
variety of genres. The website allows the user to sort book listings and reviews by
genre. Book listings contain basic information such as title, author, binding, page
count, list price, publisher, genre tags, book summaries and excerpts, and links to
book reviews. While the reviews are somewhat lengthy, they are honest in the
positives and negatives of each title. NPR Books also compiles a yearly Best Books
of the Year which can also be sorted by genre and is a good place to check at the
end of the year for possible book selections.

Reference and User Services Association. The Reading List. Accessed October 21,
2016. http://www.ala.org/rusa/awards/readinglist.

The Reading List is an annual list compiled by RUSA and it identifies notable fiction
in eight genre categories. Adrenaline, fantasy, historical, horror, mystery, romance,
science fiction, and womens fiction all receive a category. Each winning genre title
 Dana Kaput, LIS 748.98, Fall 2016

is annotated, read-a-likes are provided, and the short-list of nominees is also

included. This list is compiled by 12 librarians that closely monitor patron reading
interests and thus it is a place to look for contemporary titles that may suit the
current reading interests of library patrons.

SFF World. Accessed October 21, 2016. http://www.sffworld.com/

SFF World is a fan website dedicated to the appreciation of Science Fiction, Fantasy,
and Horror. The main contributors of this website vary from librarians, authors,
bloggers, and genre fans and hail from all parts of the world. This heterogeneous
mixture of contributors allows for a broad and world-wide focus on these genres.
This website contains news (i.e. new book releases, new fan websites, and award
announcements), book and multimedia reviews, and discussion forums. This
website is particularly rich in self-published and independent book reviews and
would be a good place to look for new yet under reviewed books. The discussion
forums are also a good place to look for book titles that genre readers are interested
in; often times, discussion forum participants post links to outside websites and
book review sources.

Presentation Highlights:
1. Guides to the literature (print resources)
a. Fluent in Fantasy and Strictly Science Fiction
b. These sources provide good overviews of the fantasy and science
fiction genres and identify key differences between the two.
c. The subgenres for each genre are identified and book lists for classic
and popular texts are included.
2. Web Resources
a. Locus Online
b. This website provides information on literary awards, upcoming book
releases and information about authors, publishers, and upcoming
conventions.
c. The book reviews on the website are slightly out of date.
3. Reviews
a. NPR Books This is a good source for new and upcoming book
releases. The book reviews can be sorted by genre. There is also a
Best books of the year section which is useful for identifying notable
and popular book titles from the previous year.
b. SFF World Is a fan website dedicated to science fiction, fantasy, and
horror. It has a world-wide focus and is good for learning about science
fiction and fantasy readers interests.
c. Kirkus Reviews This is a good source for mainstream and indie book
reviews. In addition, the blog posts provide uniquely themed booklists.
4. Award Lists
a. The Reading List, Gaylactic Spectrum Awards, James Tiptree, Jr. Literary
Award, World Fantasy Awards, Hugo Awards, Nebula Awards, and
Mythopoeic Awards
b. Award Directories Locus Online and Science Fiction Awards Database
5. Professional and Recreational Organizations
 Dana Kaput, LIS 748.98, Fall 2016

a. Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

b. World Fantasy Convention
c. World Science Fiction Society