1. Making the Unreal Real

2. Early Influences on American Speculative Fiction (European) 1516 Thomas More’s Utopia 1587 Faust (1956 movie Forbidden Planet) The Age of Reason – The Enlightenment Rapid scientific discovery and technological advances Johannes Kepler – The Dream: First science fiction story? Trip to the moon. Mary Shelley – Frankenstein

3. Jules Verne and H.G. Welles 1860’s - Jules Verne: A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Popular adventure stories based on up to date science or projections 1890’s - H.G. Welles: The Time Machine and War of the Worlds Using scientifically futuristic stories to comment on current society. Tension in Sci-Fi still exists: Realistic science vs. character and commentary Exciting story vs. making a point

4. Early American Speculative Fiction 1835 - Edgar Allan Poe: short story, "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall“ Flight to the moon in a balloon Poe often identified as America’s first true science fiction author 1889 – Mark Twain: Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court In some ways predicts WWI 1900-1920 – L. Frank Baum: Land of Oz series

5. The Golden Age of Sci-Fi 1940’s and 1950’s and Astounding Science Fiction Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke Science Fiction becomes a seriously regarded genre again after the pulp era. Lots of activities in other media as well

6. Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy Harry Potter Best selling book series: 400 million copies; 67 languages The top 50 young adult science fiction/fantasy bestsellers sold twice as many books as the top 100 adult science fiction/fantasy bestsellers. The Hunger Games and expanding the audience via female protagonists.

7. Diversity in Science Fiction For the longest time, mostly written by white men Sub-genre: feminist science fiction (Handmaid’s Tale, etc.) Largest change in young adult science fiction: Hunger Games and others http://girlxoxo.com/book-lists/10-young-adult-science- fiction-fantasy-books-featuring-people-of-color-on-my-2012- reading-list.php http://girlxoxo.com/book-lists/10-young-adult-science- fiction-fantasy-books-featuring-people-of-color-on-my-2012- reading-list.php

8. The Challenges of Writing Speculative Fiction Making the incredible feel plausible Author=Authority Describing new science or new beings or places in a way that is vivid and accessible.