In my last post I analysed 13 science fiction books published in the US in January 2014. In
this post I analyse the Goodreads Choice Awards for science fiction in 2013. I am interested
to see what similarities there are between what is currently being published and
what people are enjoying reading.
this post I analyse the Goodreads Choice Awards for science fiction in 2013. I am interested
to see what similarities there are between what is currently being published and
what people are enjoying reading.
To create
the Choice Awards, the Goodreads operators nominated 15 novels, based on the
amount of positive reviews for those books on Goodreads. They also allowed
Goodreads readers to add a further five novels to that list. Goodreads members then
voted for their favourite from the 20 novels.
the Choice Awards, the Goodreads operators nominated 15 novels, based on the
amount of positive reviews for those books on Goodreads. They also allowed
Goodreads readers to add a further five novels to that list. Goodreads members then
voted for their favourite from the 20 novels.
This is
how they voted, with a quick analysis by me of the book after its title.
how they voted, with a quick analysis by me of the book after its title.
1. MaddAddam,
Margaret Atwood (16,481 votes)
Margaret Atwood (16,481 votes)
Concept: Survivors
of a human made plague fight off each other and genetically engineered
creatures.
of a human made plague fight off each other and genetically engineered
creatures.
Sub-genre:
Dystopian
Dystopian
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
Yes, this is the third book in a trilogy
Yes, this is the third book in a trilogy
Debut
novel: No
novel: No
Nationality
of Author: Canadian.
of Author: Canadian.
2. Dust,
Hugh Howey (13,802)
Hugh Howey (13,802)
Concept:
The remnants of humanity live in underground silos, most of them unaware of
their fate, except those who created the silos.
The remnants of humanity live in underground silos, most of them unaware of
their fate, except those who created the silos.
Sub-genre:
Dystopian
Dystopian
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
Yes, this is the third book in a trilogy
Yes, this is the third book in a trilogy
Debut novel:
No
No
Nationality
of Author: American.
of Author: American.
3. Earth
Afire, Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston (8159)
Afire, Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston (8159)
Concept:
Earth is attacked by insect like aliens.
Earth is attacked by insect like aliens.
Sub-genre:
Military
Military
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
Yes, prequel to Ender’s Game
Yes, prequel to Ender’s Game
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Authors: Both are American.
of Authors: Both are American.
4. Lexicon,
Max Barry (4696)
Max Barry (4696)
Concept: Students
harness the hidden power of language to manipulate the mind and take control of
other people’s thoughts.
harness the hidden power of language to manipulate the mind and take control of
other people’s thoughts.
Sub-genre:
Dystopian
Dystopian
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: No
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: Australian.
of Author: Australian.
5. The
Human Division, John Scalzi (4301)
Human Division, John Scalzi (4301)
Concept: The
people of Earth have to decide whether to remain in the colonial union or join
the aliens the union have been fighting.
people of Earth have to decide whether to remain in the colonial union or join
the aliens the union have been fighting.
Sub-genre:
Military
Military
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: Yes,
it’s a sequel.
it’s a sequel.
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: American.
of Author: American.
6. The
Humans, Matt Haig (3750)
Humans, Matt Haig (3750)
Concept:
An alien is set to Earth to kill the discoverer of a scientific breakthrough
which threatens the alien’s world.
An alien is set to Earth to kill the discoverer of a scientific breakthrough
which threatens the alien’s world.
Sub-genre:
First contact
First contact
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: No.
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: English.
of Author: English.
7. Countdown
City, Ben H. Winters (3482)
City, Ben H. Winters (3482)
Concept: A
policeman searches for a woman’s husband in a world about to be destroyed by an
asteroid.
policeman searches for a woman’s husband in a world about to be destroyed by an
asteroid.
Sub-genre:
Dystopian
Dystopian
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
Yes, it’s the second in a series
Yes, it’s the second in a series
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: American.
of Author: American.
8. Great
North Road, Peter F. Hamilton (3387)
North Road, Peter F. Hamilton (3387)
Concept: A detective investigates the murder of a
clone.
clone.
Sub-genre:
Thriller
Thriller
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: No
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: British.
of Author: British.
9. Abaddons
Gate, James S.A. Corey (3004)
Gate, James S.A. Corey (3004)
Concept: Scientists investigate an alien artefact which
has built a massive gate in Uranus’ orbit. The gate leads to a starless dark.
has built a massive gate in Uranus’ orbit. The gate leads to a starless dark.
Sub-genre:
First contact
First contact
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
Yes, it’s number three in a series
Yes, it’s number three in a series
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: James S.A. Corey is the
penname of collaborators Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, both are American.
of Author: James S.A. Corey is the
penname of collaborators Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, both are American.
10.
The Lives of Tao, Wesley Chu (2995)
The Lives of Tao, Wesley Chu (2995)
Concept: A man wakes up with an alien in his brain, an
alien who has been on Earth for millions of year, and whose race has split into
two warring factions.
alien who has been on Earth for millions of year, and whose race has split into
two warring factions.
Sub-genre:
First contact
First contact
Market:
Young Adult
Young Adult
Series: Yes,
he has written a sequel
he has written a sequel
Debut
Novel: It appears to be his debut novel.
Novel: It appears to be his debut novel.
Nationality
of Author: Born in Taiwan and migrated to the US.
of Author: Born in Taiwan and migrated to the US.
11. The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier: Guardian, Jack Campbell (1473)
Concept:
An alliance fleet travels into unexplored space, runs into an alien race and
discovers an alien spacescraft that they endeavour to return home with while
battling rebel forces.
An alliance fleet travels into unexplored space, runs into an alien race and
discovers an alien spacescraft that they endeavour to return home with while
battling rebel forces.
Sub-genre:
Military/first contact
Military/first contact
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: Yes,
this is part of a series
this is part of a series
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: Jack Campbell is the pseudonym for American science fiction author
John G. Hemry.
of Author: Jack Campbell is the pseudonym for American science fiction author
John G. Hemry.
12. Darwin Elevator: Dire Earth Cycle 1, James M. Hough (1376)
Concept: An alien plague has devastated the world and
the survivors gather at a space elevator in Darwin.
the survivors gather at a space elevator in Darwin.
Sub-genre:
Dystopian
Dystopian
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
Yes, first in a series
Yes, first in a series
Debut
Novel: Yes, he started writing the novel in NaNoWriMo 2008
Novel: Yes, he started writing the novel in NaNoWriMo 2008
Nationality
of Author: Even though the novel is set in Australia, he’s an American.
of Author: Even though the novel is set in Australia, he’s an American.
13. The Long War: Long Earth 2, Terry Prachett and Stephen Baxter
(1195)
(1195)
Concept: Mankind’s
thoughtless exploitation of a new Earth brings them into conflict with the
local hive-minded humanoids.
thoughtless exploitation of a new Earth brings them into conflict with the
local hive-minded humanoids.
Sub-genre:
First contact
First contact
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: No
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Authors: British and American.
of Authors: British and American.
14. Shadow Freedom: Honor
Harrington 14, David Weber (1137)
Harrington 14, David Weber (1137)
Concept:
Intergalactic intrigue and rebellions (sounds a bit like Game of Thrones in
space).
Intergalactic intrigue and rebellions (sounds a bit like Game of Thrones in
space).
Sub-genre:
Space opera
Space opera
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
You bet, with 14 novels so far.
You bet, with 14 novels so far.
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: American.
of Author: American.
15. Perdition: Dred Chronicles 1,
Anne Agurrie (1052)
Anne Agurrie (1052)
Concept: The
Dred Queen fights to keep control of her territory on a huge prison spaceship.
Dred Queen fights to keep control of her territory on a huge prison spaceship.
Sub-genre:
Dystopian
Dystopian
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
First in a series
First in a series
Debut
Novel: No, she has written many novels
Novel: No, she has written many novels
Nationality
of Author: American who lives in Mexico.
of Author: American who lives in Mexico.
16. The Best of all Possible Worlds, Karen Lord (1038)
Concept: The
survivors of an alien race try to adapt to life on a planet inhabited by a race
of distant humanoid relatives.
survivors of an alien race try to adapt to life on a planet inhabited by a race
of distant humanoid relatives.
Sub-genre:
First contact
First contact
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: No
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: Barbadian.
of Author: Barbadian.
17. Terms of Enlistment, Marko Kloos (921)
Concept:
In 2106, a man enlists in the military to escape all-prevailing poverty, but
finds military service a lot more dangerous than expected.
In 2106, a man enlists in the military to escape all-prevailing poverty, but
finds military service a lot more dangerous than expected.
Sub-genre:
Dystopian/military
Dystopian/military
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
Yes, the first in a series
Yes, the first in a series
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: Born in Germany, moved to the US.
of Author: Born in Germany, moved to the US.
18. Brilliance, Marcus Sakey (921)
Concept: In
a world where one percent of the population are born with special powers, a
detective searches for a terrorist.
a world where one percent of the population are born with special powers, a
detective searches for a terrorist.
Sub-genre:
Thriller
Thriller
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: No
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: American.
of Author: American.
19. CyberStorm, Matthew Mather (569)
Concept: As
the world and cyberworlds come crashing down, bending perception and reality, a
monster snowstorm cuts New York off from the world, becoming a wintry tomb
where no one can be trusted, and nothing is what it seems…
Sub-genre: Techno-thriller
the world and cyberworlds come crashing down, bending perception and reality, a
monster snowstorm cuts New York off from the world, becoming a wintry tomb
where no one can be trusted, and nothing is what it seems…
Sub-genre: Techno-thriller
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series: No
Debut
Novel: No
Novel: No
Nationality
of Author: British.
of Author: British.
20. Ancillary Justice: Imperial Radch 1, Anne Leckie (389)
Concept: On
an isolated ice planet, a wronged soldier plots revenge against the Lord of the
empire.
an isolated ice planet, a wronged soldier plots revenge against the Lord of the
empire.
Sub-genre:
Space opera
Space opera
Market:
Adult
Adult
Series:
Yes, first in a series
Yes, first in a series
Debut
Novel: Yes
Novel: Yes
Nationality
of Author: American.
of Author: American.
Sub-genre
From the
descriptions, I classified the books into the following sub-genres:
descriptions, I classified the books into the following sub-genres:
Dystopian
6
6
First
Contact 5
Contact 5
Military 2
Space
Opera 2
Opera 2
Thriller 2
Military/First
Contact 1
Contact 1
Dystopian/Military
1
Techno-Thriller 1
1
Techno-Thriller 1
So
according to the Goodreads poll, a third of the books readers really enjoyed
reading in 2013 were dystopian. In reference to John Marsden in the previous
blog post, readers do not seem to be tiring of dystopian science fiction.
Indeed, three of the top four novels had dystopian elements. If I was a
publisher, I would not be giving up publishing dystopian fiction yet.
according to the Goodreads poll, a third of the books readers really enjoyed
reading in 2013 were dystopian. In reference to John Marsden in the previous
blog post, readers do not seem to be tiring of dystopian science fiction.
Indeed, three of the top four novels had dystopian elements. If I was a
publisher, I would not be giving up publishing dystopian fiction yet.
Surprisingly,
six of the voted on novels had major elements of first contact. This surprised
and delighted me, as I enjoy first contact novels and the epic I just finished
writing the first draft of is a first contact novel with space opera elements.
six of the voted on novels had major elements of first contact. This surprised
and delighted me, as I enjoy first contact novels and the epic I just finished
writing the first draft of is a first contact novel with space opera elements.
In my last post, I analysed some of the science fiction novels published by various
publishers in January 2014, listed in a blog post on Tor. In that post, a third
of the novels were dystopian, this matches what readers are enjoying reading.
But publishers may want to consider publishing more first contact novels, as
only one first contact novel was in that Tor blog post, as compared to six in Goodreads
Choice
Awards.
publishers in January 2014, listed in a blog post on Tor. In that post, a third
of the novels were dystopian, this matches what readers are enjoying reading.
But publishers may want to consider publishing more first contact novels, as
only one first contact novel was in that Tor blog post, as compared to six in Goodreads
Choice
Awards.
Market
Only one
of the books appears aimed at the young adult market, the rest appear to be
adult. But in January, four of the 13 listed published novels were young adult.
So are publishers publishing too much young adult fiction? Or do young adults
have better things to do than join Goodreads, write reviews and vote in the
choice awards?
of the books appears aimed at the young adult market, the rest appear to be
adult. But in January, four of the 13 listed published novels were young adult.
So are publishers publishing too much young adult fiction? Or do young adults
have better things to do than join Goodreads, write reviews and vote in the
choice awards?
Series
Eight of
the novels are the continuation of a series. Five are the first book in a
purported series, leaving only seven as standalone novels, some of which may end
up with sequels.
the novels are the continuation of a series. Five are the first book in a
purported series, leaving only seven as standalone novels, some of which may end
up with sequels.
Eight of
the thirteen books published in January were also series. So get out there and
write a series.
the thirteen books published in January were also series. So get out there and
write a series.
Debut Novel
Only three
of the novels voted for were debut novels, which makes sense as eight of the
novels were series. Debut novelists also have to build up a following before a
lot of people will read and vote for them.
of the novels voted for were debut novels, which makes sense as eight of the
novels were series. Debut novelists also have to build up a following before a
lot of people will read and vote for them.
Nationality of Author
Note: a
few of the novels were written by two authors. The authors were:
few of the novels were written by two authors. The authors were:
American:
14
14
British: 4
Australian:
1
1
Barbadian:
1
1
Canadian:
1
1
Taiwanese
who migrated to the US: 1
who migrated to the US: 1
German who
migrated to the US:1
migrated to the US:1
One of the
Americans lives in Mexico.
Americans lives in Mexico.
So ideally
a science fiction writer should be American.
a science fiction writer should be American.
Ideal Book to Write
So the
ideal science fiction book to write appears to be a dystopian/first contact
series. If you
have made it to the end of this post, I hope I have helped inform you.
ideal science fiction book to write appears to be a dystopian/first contact
series. If you
have made it to the end of this post, I hope I have helped inform you.
2 Responses
Great to hear that dystopian novels aren't dead (a pun in there somewhere). Hope for my novel yet?Sad though that Americans still have a grasp on the market, though not surprising. Across all creative fields they have it. They have the money to pay for publicity, books, films, music. Any best of lists invariably ends up being mostly American.Very thorough post Graham. You're obviously very passionate about he subject.
Hi Anthony, Well at least there was an Aussie and a Canadian in the top four. I was recently reading a list of books titled "the best book of 2013 that you never heard of" and Lexicon was on it. The list was in the Age. It seems Lexicon is going great overseas, but not so well in Australia. I have it as well as MaddAddam and Dust at the top of my to read pile.