Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:04:48 -0400
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Charles Stross on the state of SF
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

>
>>>> samlubell at verizon.net 4/19/2005 4:51:39 PM >>>
>>From: Michael Walsh <MJW at press.jhu.edu>
>>Date: Tue Apr 19 15:00:49 CDT 2005
>>To: WSFAlist at WSFA.org
>>Subject: [WSFA] Charles Stross on the state of SF
>
>>http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blosxom.cgi/2005/04/18#state-of-sf
>
>Wow.  Great commentary.  I'm not sure I agree with it.

All the better, food for thought.

> I think the worldcon being in Scotland probably decreased the number
of Americans
>who voted and increased the number of Brits.

You'd think, but ... total US memberships: 1973, total UK: 1106
<http://www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk/demograp.htm>  Looksl like a
lot of turncoat Amuricans...

> (I also don't think it a coincidence that when the Worldcon was in
Canada the winner was a
>Canadian.

& some would argue further that the winner did not win on quality of
work (not the first time that's been suggested...)

>
>Nor do I agree that the U.S. writers are turning to fantasy/historical
fiction because they can't see an optimistic future.  The two biggest
>names in fantasy are probably Pratchett and J.K. Rowlings, both
Brits.

Rowling has managed an incredible worldwide readership.  Pratchett has
never been as big here as he is in the UK.  Go figure.  OTOH, next to
the new Potter novel, the next eagerly awaited fantasy novel is GRRMs "A
Feast of Crows".

mjw