Fantasy Newsletter , later renamed Fantasy Review , was a major fantasy fanzine founded by Paul C. Allen and later issued by Robert A. Collins . Frequent contributors included Fritz Leiber and Gene Wolfe .
28-499: Literary award The Balrog Awards were a set of awards given annually from 1979 to 1985 for the best works and achievements of speculative fiction in the previous year. The awards were named after the balrog , a fictional creature from J. R. R. Tolkien 's Middle-earth legendarium . The awards were originally announced by editor Jonathan Bacon in Issue #15 of Fantasy Crossroads and presented at
56-536: A "no Martians " type of science fiction, "about things that really could happen." Speculative fiction is also used as a genre term that combines different ones into a single narrative or fictional world such as "science fiction, horror, fantasy...[and]...mystery". The Internet Speculative Fiction Database contains a broad list of different subtypes. According to publisher statistics, men outnumber women about two to one among English-language speculative fiction writers aiming for professional publication. However,
84-476: A category ranges from ancient works to paradigm-changing and neotraditional works of the 21st century. Characteristics of speculative fiction have been recognized in older works whose authors' intentions , or in the social contexts of the stories they portray, are now known. For example, the ancient Greek dramatist, Euripides , ( c. 480 – c. 406 BCE ) whose play Medea seems to have offended Athenian audiences when he speculated that
112-446: A completely imaginary way or been followed by major new events that are completely imaginary (the genre of alternative history ). Or, it depicts impossible technology or technology that defies current scientific understandings or capabilities (the genre of science fiction ). Contrarily, realistic fiction involves a story whose basic setting (time and location in the world) is, in fact, real and whose events could believably happen in
140-510: A genre term has often been attributed to Robert A. Heinlein , who first used the term in an editorial in The Saturday Evening Post , 8 February 1947. In the article, Heinlein used "Speculative Fiction" as a synonym for "science fiction"; in a later piece, he explicitly stated that his use of the term did not include fantasy. However, though Heinlein may have come up with the term on his own, there are earlier citations:
168-605: A piece in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1889 used the term in reference to Edward Bellamy 's Looking Backward : 2000–1887 and other works; and one in the May 1900 issue of The Bookman said that John Uri Lloyd 's Etidorhpa , The End of the Earth had "created a great deal of discussion among people interested in speculative fiction". A variation on this term is "speculative literature". The use of "speculative fiction" in
196-474: Is characterized by a lesser degree of adherence to realistic or plausible individuals, events, or places, while the umbrella genres of realistic fiction or literary realism are characterized by a greater degree of adherence. For instance, speculative fiction may depict an entirely imaginary universe or one in which the laws of nature do not strictly apply (often, the sub-genre of fantasy ). Or, it depicts true historical moments, except that they have concluded in
224-791: Is different from Wikidata Speculative fiction Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre of fiction that encompasses all the subgenres that depart from realism , or strictly imitating everyday reality, instead presenting fantastical, supernatural , futuristic , or other imaginative realms. This catch-all genre includes, but is not limited to, science fiction , fantasy , horror , slipstream , magical realism , superhero fiction , alternate history , utopia and dystopia , fairy tales , steampunk , cyberpunk , weird fiction , and some apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction . The term has been used for works of literature , film , television , drama , video games , radio , and their hybrids. The umbrella genre of speculative fiction
252-399: Is sometimes abbreviated "spec-fic", "spec fic", "specfic", "S-F", "SF", or "sf". The last three abbreviations, however, are ambiguous as they have long been used to refer to science fiction (which lies within this general range of literature). It is sometimes also known as "the fantastic" or as fantastika , the latter term attributed to John Clute who coined it in 2007 after the term for
280-1613: The Star Wars saga ) SF Film Hall of Fame: The Empire Strikes Back Fantasy Film Hall of Fame: The Wizard of Oz Special Award: Jorge Luis Borges Special Award: Fritz Leiber 1982 [ edit ] Best Novel: Camber the Heretic , Katherine Kurtz Best Short Fiction: "A Thief in Korianth", C. J. Cherryh Best Collection/Anthology: Shadows of Sanctuary , Robert Lynn Asprin , ed. Best Poet: Frederick Mayer Best Artist: Real Musgrave Best Amateur Publication: Eldritch Tales Best Professional Publication: Omni Best Amateur Achievement: Robert A. Collins (for saving Fantasy Newsletter ) Best Professional Achievement: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg (tie) SF Film Hall of Fame: Forbidden Planet Fantasy Film Hall of Fame: King Kong Judges' Choice: Leo & Diane Dillon 1983 [ edit ] Best Novel: The One Tree , Stephen R. Donaldson Best Short Fiction: "All of Us Are Dying", George Clayton Johnson Best Collection/Anthology: Storm Season , Robert Lynn Asprin , ed. Best Poet: Frederick J. Mayer Best Artist: Tim Hildebrandt Best Amateur Publication: Shayol Best Professional Publication: F&SF Best Amateur Achievement: Allan Bechtold (for SF workshops) Best Professional Achievement: Ben Bova (for writing and editing Omni and Analog ) SF Film Hall of Fame: The Day
308-4836: The Balrog Awards . Accessed 26 March 2021. ^ Nemedian Chroniclers Archived 2013-01-16 at the Wayback Machine , Issue #4, p. 12. v t e Fantasy fiction History Literature Magic Sources Subgenres Action-adventure Lost world Sword and sorcery Wuxia Alternate history Contemporary Children's fantasy Comedy Bangsian Dark fantasy Grimdark Fairy tale parodies Fairytale fantasy Fantastique Fantasy of manners Hard fantasy High fantasy Historical fantasy Isekai LitRPG Low fantasy Magical girl Mythic Mythpunk Mythopoeia Omegaverse Romantic Science fantasy Dying Earth Planetary romance Shenmo Urban fantasy Occult detective fiction Paranormal romance Weird fiction New weird Weird West Western fantasy Media Film and television Anime Films highest-grossing S&S Television programs Literature Authors Ballantine Adult Fantasy series Comics list The Encyclopedia of Fantasy Fantasy Masterworks Internet Speculative Fiction Database List of novels A–H I–R S–Z List of story collections Publishers Magazines Fantastic Fantastic Adventures Locus The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction Science Fantasy Unknown Weird Tales Other Dungeons & Dragons Féeries Podcasts Awards Balrog British Fantasy Crawford Dragon Gandalf Gemmell Hugo International Fantasy Japan Fantasy Locus Méliès d'Or Mythopoeic Nebula Saturn Tähtifantasia World Fantasy Fandom Art Fanspeak Filk music Harry Potter fandom The Inklings Lovecraft fandom Mythopoeic Society Tolkien fandom Tolkien's influence Works inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien World Fantasy Convention Tropes Creatures Angels Demons Devils Ghouls Elementals Faeries Familiars Fire-breathing monsters Chimera Dragons Gargoyles Imps Jinn Nymphs Shapeshifters Werecats Werewolves Skin-walkers Spirits Talking animals Undead Death Ghosts Liches Mummies Skeletons Vampires Zombies Unicorns Yōkai Characters Barbarian Caveman Damsel in distress Dark lord Donor Dragonslayer Fairy godmother Heroes Magicians Occult detective list Wild man Witches Magic system Hard and soft Elements Dark / neutral / light Ceremonial Love Moon Magic item Grimoire Magic ring Magical weapons Magic sword Runes Wand Schools Alchemy Demonology Divination Egregore Evocation Incantation Necromancy Runecraft Shamanism Shapeshifting Thaumaturgy Theurgy Witchcraft Fantasy races Centaurs Dwarves Elves Treants Giants Gnomes Goblins Gremlins Halflings Hobgoblins Kobolds Leprechauns Merfolk Mermaids Mermen Ogres Oni Orcs Trolls Places and events Quests Worlds list Maps Lost city Hollow Earth Astral plane Dreamworld Castle Enchanted forest Thieves' guild Magic school Related Allegory Epic poetry Fable Fairy tale Ghost stories Gothic fiction Horror fiction LGBT themes in speculative fiction Mecha Mythology Science fiction Supernatural fiction Superhero Tokusatsu Kaiju Urban legend [REDACTED] Outline [REDACTED] Category Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Balrog_Awards&oldid=1252724803 " Categories : American literary awards American speculative fiction awards Science fiction awards Fantasy awards Hidden categories: Webarchive template wayback links Articles with short description Short description
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#1732790925014336-996: The Balrogs) Best Professional Achievement: Pendragon Gallery (for promoting fantasy artwork) SF Film Hall of Fame: Blade Runner Fantasy Film Hall of Fame: Bambi Judges' Choice: Mercer Mayer (for educating children in fantasy art ) 1985 [ edit ] Best Novel: The Practice Effect , David Brin Best Short Story: "A Troll and Two Roses", Patricia A. McKillip Best Collection/Anthology: Daughter of Regals and Other Tales , Stephen R. Donaldson Best Poet: Ardath Mayhar Best Artist: Richard Pini & Wendy Pini Best Amateur Publication: Eldritch Tales Best Professional Publication: Masques , J. N. Williamson , ed. Best Amateur Achievement: David B. Silva (for The Horror Show ) Best Professional Achievement: Hap Henriksen (for
364-640: The Earth Stood Still Fantasy Film Hall of Fame: The Dark Crystal Special Award: Kirby McCauley 1984 [ edit ] Best Novel: The Armageddon Rag , George R. R. Martin Best Short Story: "Wizard Goes A-Courtin'", John Morressy Best Collection/Anthology: Unicorn Variations , Roger Zelazny Best Poet: Frederick J. Mayer Best Artist: Real Musgrave Best Amateur Publication: Fantasy Newsletter Best Professional Publication: F&SF Best Amateur Achievement: Stan Gardner (for saving
392-2084: The Fool-Con II convention on April Fool's Day , 1979 at Johnson County Community College , Kansas . The awards were never taken seriously and are often referred to, tongue-in-cheek, as the "coveted Balrog Awards". Awards (by year) [ edit ] 1979 [ edit ] Best Novel: Blind Voices , Tom Reamy Best Short Fiction: "Death from Exposure", Pat Cadigan Best Collection/Anthology: Born to Exile , Phyllis Eisenstein Best Poet: Ray Bradbury Best Artist: Tim Kirk Best Amateur Publication: Shayol Best Professional Publication: Age of Dreams , Alicia Austin Best Amateur Achievement: Paul C. Allen (for Fantasy Newsletter and "Of Swords & Sorcery") Best Professional Achievement: J. R. R. Tolkien and Donald M. Grant (tie) Judges' Choice: Jonathan Bacon (for Fantasy Crossroads ) Judges' Choice: Andre Norton (for lifetime achievement) 1980 [ edit ] Best Novel: Dragondrums , Anne McCaffrey Best Short Fiction: " The Last Defender of Camelot ", Roger Zelazny Best Collection/Anthology: Night Shift , Stephen King Best Poet: H. Warner Munn Best Artist: Michael Whelan Best Amateur Publication: Fantasy Newsletter Best Professional Publication: Omni Best Amateur Achievement: Paul Allen (for Fantasy Newsletter and "Of Swords and Sorcery") Best Professional Achievement: Anne McCaffrey SF Film Hall of Fame: 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars (tie) Fantasy Film Hall of Fame: Fantasia Special Award: Ian Ballantine & Betty Ballantine 1981 [ edit ] Best Novel: The Wounded Land , Stephen R. Donaldson Best Short Fiction: "The Web of
420-514: The Magi", Richard Cowper Best Collection/Anthology: Unfinished Tales , J. R. R. Tolkien , edited by Christopher Tolkien Best Poet: H. Warner Munn Best Artist: Frank Frazetta Best Amateur Publication: Fantasy Newsletter Best Professional Publication: F&SF Best Amateur Achievement: Paul C. Allen & Susan Allen (for Fantasy Newsletter ) Best Professional Achievement: George Lucas (for contributions, including
448-619: The National SF/Fantasy Hall of Fame ) SF Film Hall of Fame: Starman SF Film Hall of Fame: E.T. The Extraterrestrial Fantasy Film Hall of Fame: Raiders of the Lost Ark Special Award: Lester del Rey See also [ edit ] Bram Stoker Award Hugo Award Nebula Award World Fantasy Award List of science fiction awards References [ edit ] ^ Locus Index to SF Awards: About
476-452: The context of the real world. One realistic fiction sub-genre is historical fiction , centered around true major events and time periods in the past. The attempt to make stories feel faithful to reality or to more objectively describe details, and the 19th-century artistic movement that began to vigorously promote this approach, is called "literary realism", which incorporates some works of both fiction and non-fiction. "Speculative fiction"
504-765: The creative design and generation of lore and mythology for works of fiction. The term's definition comes from its use by J. R. R. Tolkien , whose novel, The Lord of the Rings , demonstrates a clear application of this process. Themes common in mythopoeia, such as the supernatural , alternate history and sexuality , continue to be explored in works produced within the modern speculative fiction genre. The creation of speculative fiction in its general sense of hypothetical history, explanation, or ahistorical storytelling , has also been attributed to authors in ostensibly non-fiction modes since as early as Herodotus of Halicarnassus (fl. 5th century BCE), for his Histories , and
532-451: The genre in some Slavic languages . The term has been used by some critics and writers dissatisfied with what they consider to be a limitation of science fiction: the need for the story to hold to scientific principles. They argue that "speculative fiction" better defines an expanded, open, imaginative type of fiction than does "genre fiction", and the categories of "fantasy", "mystery", "horror" and "science fiction". Harlan Ellison used
560-527: The percentages vary considerably by genre, with women outnumbering men in the fields of urban fantasy , paranormal romance and young adult fiction . Academic journals which publish essays on speculative fiction include Extrapolation and Foundation . Speculative fiction may include elements from one or more of the following genres: Fantasy Newsletter The first issue appeared in June 1978, and Allen continued publication until October 1981. It
588-591: The review section continued as Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Review Annual well into the 1990s. The magazine won the Balrog Award and the World Fantasy Award . It was also 1984 finalist to the Hugo Awards , in the semiprozine category. This fantasy -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a literary magazine published in
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#1732790925014616-608: The sense of expressing dissatisfaction with traditional or establishment science fiction was popularized in the 1960s and early 1970s by Judith Merril , as well as other writers and editors in connection with the New Wave movement. However, this use of the term fell into disuse around the mid-1970s. In the 2000s, the term came into wider use as a convenient collective term for a set of genres. However, some writers, such as Margaret Atwood , who wrote The Handmaid's Tale , continue to distinguish "speculative fiction" specifically as
644-500: The term to avoid being pigeonholed as a science fiction writer. Ellison, a fervent proponent of writers embracing more literary and modernist directions, broke out of genre conventions to push the boundaries of speculative fiction. The term suppositional fiction is sometimes used as a sub-category designating fiction in which characters and stories are constrained by an internally consistent world, but not necessarily one defined by any particular genre. Speculative fiction as
672-591: The titular shamaness Medea killed her own children, as opposed to their being killed by other Corinthians after her departure. Additionally, Euripides' play, Hippolytus , narratively introduced by Aphrodite , Goddess of Love in person, is suspected to have displeased his contemporary audiences, as his portrayal of Phaedra was seen as too lusty . In historiography , what is now called "speculative fiction" has previously been termed "historical invention", "historical fiction", and other similar names. These terms have been extensively noted in literary criticism of
700-486: The works of William Shakespeare , such as when he co-locates Athenian Duke Theseus , Amazonian Queen Hippolyta , English fairy Puck , and Roman god Cupid across time and space in the Fairyland of the fictional Merovingian Germanic sovereign Oberon , in A Midsummer Night's Dream . In mythography the concept of speculative fiction has been termed "mythopoesis", or mythopoeia . This practice involves
728-409: The world, and responds to it by creating imaginative , inventive , and artistic expressions. Such expressions can contribute to practical societal progress through interpersonal influences, social and cultural movements , scientific research and advances, and the philosophy of science . In its English-language usage in arts and literature since the mid 20th century, "speculative fiction" as
756-445: Was already both practiced and edited out by early encyclopedic writers like Sima Qian ( c. 145 or 135 BCE–86 BCE), author of Shiji . These examples highlight the caveat that many works, now regarded as intentional or unintentional speculative fiction, long predated the coining of the genre term; its concept, in its broadest sense, captures both a conscious and unconscious aspect of human psychology in making sense of
784-693: Was then taken over without a break by Collins, director of the International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts at Florida Atlantic University . At the beginning of 1984, it was combined with Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Review , and given a new title, Fantasy Review . At this point, it became a semi-prozine, with substantial bookstore sales, and provided the widest coverage of science fiction and fantasy books then in existence. The magazine folded with issue #103, July/August 1987, but
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