Fantasy literature outsells science fiction by a large margin.
“It’s true both in Europe and the US, fantasy outsells science fiction by at least a factor of ten, if not twenty or thirty,” says author Gregory Benford.
His numbers may be inflated somewhat by the fact that the genre of fantasy is broader and, therefore, typically more difficult to classify than science fiction — and by the wild, break-out success of fantasy series like Harry Potter.
But it’s simply an acknowledged fact in the publishing industry that fantasy is more popular than science fiction, and it has been for quite some time.
On one recent “all-time” science fiction and fantasy bestseller list, eight of the top ten best-selling authors write mostly fantasy: J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Terry Pratchett, Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (writing together), while the remaining two authors, Stephen King and Frank Herbert, are difficult to classify.
“In my own case, I know that while I get generally favorable reviews for both my science fiction and fantasy, more readers buy the fantasy, and general sales figures show more fantasy best-sellers than science fiction best-sellers,” author L.E. Modesitt Jr. told SFFWorld.com.
Indeed, there was a time in the 1990s when publishers could barely give science fiction away, and things are scarcely any better now.
And yet when you go into a bookstore, the sign on the shelves usually reads, “Science Fiction” (although sometimes it now reads “Science Fiction and Fantasy”). Likewise, it’s the “Sci Fi” (or “SyFy”) Channel, though it claims to also be a home for fantasy television viewers as well.
Why?
Science fiction didn’t precede fantasy — if you count works like The Odyssey and One Thousand and One Nights, fantasy preceded science fiction by centuries.
But these works weren’t called fantasy, nor were they considered part of a specific genre even at the time. Often, many of the elements that seem fantastical now weren’t really “fantasy” then, since many people considered them to at least be possible.
What is “fantasy” anyway? Here at TheTorchOnline.com, we define it as anything involving magic, but clearly that definition is limited. Do ghost stories involve “magic”? What about superheroes?
In fact, the definition of fantasy has never been clear, and it’s becoming increasingly murkier with the explosion of sub-genres like dark fantasy, anime, alternate history, and vampire stories.
By contrast, modern science fiction, which had its start in Europe in the 16th century, has always been much more well-defined: the genre involves science, technology, and, usually, the future.
One huge sub-genre of fantasy, meanwhile, is children’s fantasy. As a result, the entire genre has often been associated with children and childhood.
By contrast, science fiction aficionados have typically been adults — often society’s most knowledgeable and educated adults. This also explains why science fiction, while also not given much respect by the mainstream, is generally given at least more respect than fantasy.
In short, science fiction has better P.R. And that explains why we have to endure being lumped in, indistinguishable, with a genre that is, in truth, far smaller than our own.
But science fiction readers shouldn’t get too cocky. The way things are going, the genre might soon fade away completely — and bookstores could be retiring that “Science Fiction” sign for good.
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‘amine’? Did you mean to write ‘anime’?
Ha! I did indeed. Fixed, thanks.
Okay. . . Have you read the YBSF anthologies edited by Gardner Dozois? If you have, you’ll find that science fiction is doing better than those hopping for its demise think (except for short fiction and the magazines). You are right in that science fiction is more accepted than fantasy, but you’re making a false conflict. Fantasy, science fiction, horror, weird, etc. are linked because they are speculative- about an imagined past, about today, and about tomorrow. You’re creating a conflict that does not exist- have any fantasy writers complained about being lumped in with science fiction?
I don’t see any conflict. Science fiction, fantasy, horror, weird, etc. are the same genre- speculative fiction.
>>Science fiction, fantasy, horror, weird, etc. are the same genre- speculative fiction.
Actually, there is a distinct difference between sci-fi and fantasy. At least for me, as I follow the definition from Arthur C. Clark:
(paraphrased) “Fantasy is something we wish could come true, and science fiction is something we fear could come true”
Love the new site!
Thanks, Michael.
I don’t know if there’s a particular “fight” going on - if there is, it feels more like the playful nudging of siblings. Each have their own audience, and while some of those cross over, there’s never been a huge fight for stealing readers between genres.
On that note, I don’t think Science-Fiction is done at all yet. There is plenty of great sci-fi already published and I’m looking forward to more in the future. There’s room for all of us.
Yes, I agree completely — it’s a “sibling rivalry” thing (if that). And while 90% of what I read is fantasy, I read some sci fi. I’m a big Robert Sawyer and Charles Robert Wilson fan.
I believe another reason for the signage in the bookstores is that the term fantasy confuses people. I couldn’t tell you how many people have thought I meant erotica when I’ve told them I read fantasy.
At least since the LOTR movies and Harry Potter I can mention them and most people understand what I mean. Of course, I don’t even try to go into all the sub-genres and explain that LOTR and HP are only two types of fantasy I read. Exploding brains are not a pretty sight (unless you are a zombie, of course).
“I believe another reason for the signage in the bookstores is that the term fantasy confuses people. I couldn’t tell you how many people have thought I meant erotica when I’ve told them I read fantasy.”
Exactly, Angela. I have actually been sent to the Adult shelves once before (pre-Rowling), when I asked for Terry Pratchett and then had to further clarify that he wrote Fantasy.
I like the term Speculative Fiction, but unfortunately I don’t see it catching on, in a mainstream sense.
Definitely, speculative fiction is a much better and more inclusive term.
What to do with authors like KJ Parker, who are neither fish nor fowl?
“Devices and Desires” is set in an alternate reality with absolutely no sign of magic, just good old fashioned hard work and engineering genius.
Whats about “magical realism”? Does it belong in with the Fantasy and Sci-fi?
I dont mind browsing sci-fi titles while I look for my preference (fantasy) to read; I buy sci-fi soemtimes too. For me it’s a bit like being a Bear in the gay community - we’re a subcategory, within a minority, and the differences really only matter to us
I’m happy to be a proud “sibling” to sci-fi in our own little ghetto.
Well put!
I don’t think sci-fi will ever fade away; humanity eternally speculative, always advancing and re-exploring its own ideas, thoughts, and discoveries. I also have to disagree about sci-fi being given better PR, but I will say one thing: If I hear just one more person on Internet Movie Database (or any other website, for that matter) refer to Star Wars as a Fantasy series, I think I may scream.
What frustrates me is I like to go to a bookstore and peruse the Sci-Fi section for a new read every few weeks. “Urban Fantasy” has taken over (though I do enjoy some of these series). But try and find a science fiction book, almost impossible. Can’t even find the hugo and nebula award winners for the year (thankfully there is Amazon). Have we as a people run out of speculative science ideas? The other thing that frustrates me is that the Fantasy series that I have been reading don’t seem to end. They must be plotting the overall story over 10 to 20 books. Trilogy is also dead.
All good points. Publishers are sheep.