Letter from the Editors: Why Genre Fiction?
by Romie StottGenre fiction (sometimes called "pulp fiction" for the poor quality of the paper it was first printed on) is one of the most maligned publishing categories that has ever existed. Readers of fantasy and science fiction are often branded as geeks, erotica readers as mentally lazy, adventure fans as escapists, and horror fans as misfits with poor social skills - whether these lables are accurate or not.
Many genre fans defend themselves by pointing out how they are different from other genre fans - "At least I don't roleplay." "At least I don't LARP." "At least I don't write fanfiction." (Imagine the same attitude coming from baseball fans: "Yeah, I have season tickets, but at least I don't pitch.") Perhaps because of this tendency toward distinction, even genre magazines usually assume there is little overlap between fans of erotica and horror, science fiction and westerns - although stories in those genres often deal with the same themes. As for non-genre fiction magazines, their submission guidelines usually conclude: ABSOLUTELY NO GENRE FICTION, PLEASE.
Given the stigma of genre fiction - also known as the genre ghetto - and the few places that will publish it, one might wonder why anyone bothers to read or write it. A small but vocal number of literary types like to suggest that readers of genre fiction simply don't know better; as for the authors, they must not have the talent to write anything else. This misconception belies the reality that most readers of genre fiction are more avid readers than the general population; quicker to understand and embrace new technology; open-minded and optimistic; and responsible both ecologically and civically.
Genre fiction asks not just what is, but what could be. It takes us to places we can't travel with our own feet - to pasts and futures that have never existed, to sexual fantasies we couldn't or wouldn't attempt on our own, to dangers we couldn't handle alone. Disguised within these adventures, genre fiction takes the larger problems of society and makes them personal. Racism, environmentalism, and misuse of power are common themes in fantasy, science fiction, and adventure stories; erotica tackles gender roles and attacks the dogma of oppressive governments and religions; the best horror punishes or magnifies society's taboos and conventions.
Authors choose to write genre fiction out of concern for a world beyond themselves. They write out of the belief that an individual's influence is larger than a circle of friends or a walk to the corner drug store - they write to encompass the Earth, the universe, or even the afterlife. The best literary fiction has the same strength; there are too many examples of groundbreaking literature to list here. However, it is genre fiction that spends the most time addressing difficult subjects, often decades before the mainstream catches on to them. Star Trek had the first televised interracial kiss; H.G. Wells championed free love generations before the word "hippie."
Good genre fiction is as powerful, and as important, as good poetry and good literature. Genre fiction puts us in the company of heroes - whether those heroes are scientists, wizards, cowboys, ghost hunters, or incredible lovers - and it tells us that we can be heroes, too. It tells us that we are not alone - that help will come to us when we need it, and that we will be called upon to help others. It tells us that there are questions larger than a math assignment or a grocery list.
Most of all, genre fiction asserts that life is not pointless. That, in the end, pettiness and selfishness will be overcome and set aside. That heroes can exist and evil can be defeated. That we are important to the world and have a responsibility to protect it. That there is a reason to fight for good, even if we lose.
Realistic or not, that belief helps some of us carry on, and makes all of us better people. When we founded Reflection's Edge, we couldn't think of a more diverse or more noble audience than genre fans - all genre fans. We are proud to be in such company.
© Romie Stott
Romie Stott is the associate editor of Reflection's Edge.