GAFIA-Away from Reality
Internet Speculative Fiction Database
GAFIA today means “getting away from it all” (usually from fandom) but it can also mean let’s take a trip away from the mundane world. What could be better than spending a few hours (or days) wandering through the pages of the giant online library devoted to speculative faction? You can contribute!
The Internet Speculative Fiction Database1
To give some idea just how much information can be found at the ISFDB, some current stats are as follows:
Authors listed: 216,901.
440,409 novels,
30,774 anthologies,
47,819 collections,
57854 magazines.
The site also tracks awards, from major awards like the Hugo and Nebula, down to comparatively obscure awards like the Balrog, the Gandalf, and the Dragon. Stats change on a daily basis; a small army of volunteers works diligently to keep up with speculative fiction and its affiliated genres.2
The Internet Speculative Fiction Database (ISFDB) is a database of bibliographic information on genres considered speculative fiction, including science fiction and related genres such as fantasy fiction and horror fiction.
Nicoll, James David (April 30, 2021). “The Single Best Bibliographical Resource There Is (if You Like SFF).” Tor.com
Early 20th century science fiction was often written as erotica, a connection I don't understand.
Speculative Fiction is the most difficult genre to write well. It requires not only a plot, character, descriptive narrative and language spoken by a culture that either never existed or has not yet existed, but creating an internally cohesive and consistent new universe. The story itself is the easy part.
Why is there no Kathleen Mac award? We need to start a petition!
I use this database quite a bit. It's especially useful to identify sf artists.