In this section you will find four partially annotated bibliographies of books, articles, and periodicals. You can use these links to jump directly to the section you are interested in, or you can scroll down through the whole document.
Book-length works represent most of the critical work on feminist science fiction that is not about a particular author or work. The books in this section refer to many primary sources but also develop some analysis of feminist science fiction as a sub-g enre or descriptive category of science fiction.
An argument for recognition of a new supergenre, feminist fabulation, to be included as part of the (otherwise patriarchal) postmodern canon.
A collection of essays engaged with feminist works that challenge patriarchal society, from science fiction to mainstream fiction and film.
An analysis of ten utopian novels written by women, primarily between 1969&endash;1986. The author is not familiar with feminist science fiction in general and so occasionally overlooks other relevant material.
Also published as In the Chinks of the World Machine. An extensive analysis of the relationship between feminism and science fiction, arguing that science fiction is particularly suited for feminist thought experiments. Also includes chapters f ocused specifically on Suzy McKee Charnas, Ursula Le Guin, Joanna Russ, and James Tiptree, Jr. (Alice Sheldon).
A collection of essays on science fiction, feminism, and writing, as well as book reviews. Arranged chronologically, 1976&endash;1988, with thematic annotations.
Collected introductions, speeches, and essays originally published between 1973 and 1978. Also includes a bibliographic checklist of over 200 works by Le Guin (fiction, non-fiction, books and short works, interviews, recordings) as of October 1978, compi led by Jeff Levin.
A consideration of the history of gender in science fiction, from Frankenstein to 1950s pulp fiction to contemporary postmodern works. One chapter focuses specifically on Doris Lessing's works.
An examination of the potential both science fiction and postmodernism offers to feminist thought. Includes analysis of many very recent works and authors of feminist science fiction.
Edited collections provide a wide and rich range of critical response to feminist science fiction. Most of these collections contain some previously published work.
A collection of essays, including generic, individual author, and thematic studies, as well as analysis of juvenile and film works.
A collection of essays, including both genre and individual author studies.
A collection of essays covering several genres. Recommended: "The Science Fictiveness of Women's Science Fiction" by Roz Kaveney (78&endash;97).
A collection of essays covering nineteenth and twentieth century works.
A collection of essays on a wide range of mainstream and science fiction authors and works.
Although this is a collection of primary works, the first "Norton" on science fiction is important to include, if only for the introduction which considers the changes and trends in science fiction between 1960 and 1990, of which feminism is particularly prominent. This collection also has a much higher percentage of works by women than most general science fiction short story collections.
A collection of essays about science fiction film expanded from a special issue of Camera Obscura.
A collection of nine essays, each on a different science fiction author: Leigh Brackett, C.L. Moore, Andre Norton, C.J. Cherryh, James Tiptree, Jr., Suzy McKee Charnas, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Suzette Haden Elgin, and Joan Vinge.
Most articles on feminist science fiction focus on specific authors and works, making them too specialized to be included in this resource guide. In this section, I have included some more general articles, most of which come from special issues of eithe r Science Fiction Studies or Women's Studies. This is in no way a comprehensive list, and researchers are advised to seek particular articles through the edited collections or the indexes listed above.
Part of a special issue of Women's Studies on women and science fiction.
Part of a special issue of Women's Studies on women and science fiction.
Outlines a trend toward dystopia in some feminist science fiction. Refers to an effect of the novelization of utopia which results in the readerŐs identification with and implication in the events and values of the novel.
A highly influential treatise on women and technology which also refers to feminist science fiction.
The introduction to a special issue of Science Fiction Studies on women in science fiction.
Part of a special issue of Women's Studies on women and science fiction.
Part of a special issue of Women's Studies on women and science fiction.
While there are many publications for short fiction in the science fiction genre as well as a few critical or review publications, none specialize in feminist science fiction. This section focuses on periodicals that publish secondary material on science fiction; all occasionally include feminist articles or review feminist works.
Critical essays and reviews of secondary material on science fiction.
The major trade magazine for science fiction and fantasy, with monthly publisher information on all forthcoming books. Extensive information on publishers, authors, and fans; gossip and news; obituaries; notice of award nominations and wins; conference a nd convention schedules. Information on a wide range of science fiction publications from books to fiction periodicals to fan publications. Mostly primary material.
The foremost academic journal for critical essays about science fiction. Includes reviews of scholarly works, notices, and correspondence. Volume 17 (1990) was a special issue focusing on women and science fiction. (Some of the articl es are included above.)
A quarterly review of "gay, lesbian, bisexual, and 'of interest' science fiction and fantasy" seeking to fill the gap left by review sources of gay and lesbian fiction that often ignore science fiction and review sources of science fiction that often igno re or overlook issues related to sexual orientation. An "unofficial mandate" of the journal is to review new releases as well as to highlight older books published since the bibliography Uranian Worlds came out (so to s peak) in 1990. WaveLengths is intended for a consumer audience, although the lack of a comparable academic publication makes it valuable in that context as well.