ops@ncsc (11/07/85)
From: Jessie Tharp <ops@ncsc> For several years, I have been reading and collecting science fiction by and about women, in order to compile and code a list of women science fiction authors. I try to read a representative work of each author and critcal analysis of her work before coding her. This coding is based solely on personal opinion and the list is constantly being revised and added to. Since I am doing this for my own enjoyment, I don't really wish to get into a firefight about it. I would like to hear INFORMED opinion and discussion on the treatment of women in science fiction and as science fiction authors. I know that I have left out many writers and would welcome recommendations. ! exceptional treatment of women or radical feminism + women in non-traditional roles or exploration of roles * women in traditionally male roles (hunter, warrior, leader, etc) - sets women back ? I haven't read enough of her work to form an opinion blank women in traditional roles + Lynn Abbey + Anne McCaffrey + Robin Bailey + Vondra N. McIntyre ? Leigh Brackett + Judith Merril + Marion Zimmer Bradley ? Naomi Mitchison Angela Carter C.L. Moore ! Suzy Charnas - Janet Morris ! C.J. Cherryh ! Andre Norton * Jo Clayton + Diana L. Paxson + Christina DeWees ? Doris Piserchia + Diane Duane + Marta Randall ! Suzette Elgin @@ ! Joanna Russ - Jane Gaskill * Jessica Amanda Salmonson - Sharon Green * Pamela Sargent Zenna Henderson ? Margaret St. Clair aka Idris Seabright + Phyllis Ann Karr ? Racoona Sheldon aka Alice Sheldon Katherine Kurtz Mary W. Shelley ? Simon Lang ? James Tiptree, Jr. aka Alice Sheldon ! Tanith Lee + Sydney Van Scyoc + Jaqueline Lictenburg + Joan Vinge ! Elizabeth Lynn ! Kate Wilhelm ! Ursula K. LeGuin Men who have dealt honestly with women: Poul Anderson - most of his books, though few major female characters Isaac Asimov - his "juveniles" Ray Cummings - the Tama stories Robert Heinlein - his "juveniles" Edgar Pangborn - "Rites of Passage" James Schmitz - everything E.E. "Doc" Smith - the Skylark series Stanley G. Weinbaum - "The Black Flame" Philip Wylie - "The Disappearance" -------