As December and January are often slower times in the editing world, I often try to take advantage of this period to catch up on my reading and my ever-growing to-read list.

In fact, I was quite productive during this period, in terms of science fiction (sci-fi) reads (and re-reads), both soft and hard. (Soft science fiction often focuses on the “soft” sciences, such as politics, anthropology, and sociology. In contrast, hard science fiction focuses on the “hard” sciences, such as physics, mathematics, and astrophysics,) 

Particularly, I focused a great deal on hard science fiction, with several reads from the Golden Age of Sci-Fi, Soviet-era sci-fi, sci-fi in translation from China and South Korea, as well as contemporary sci-fi.

Sci-Fi Professional Development

Firstly, I did a great deal of professional development related to sci-fi over these past two months. I focused on books that deal with the craft of sci-fi writing by Ray Bradbury, Ursula Le Guin, and Orson Scott Card. I also read a sort-of history of sci-fi by David G. Hartwell.

• Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You by Ray Bradbury
• Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew by Ursula K. Le Guin
• How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
• Age Of Wonder, Exploring The World Of Science Fiction by David G. Hartwell

I also signed up for another sci-fi editing course with the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), which I am very excited about.

Sci-Fi Classics

Next, I also had a chance to read some hard sci-fi classics, as well as re-read some old favourites by Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, and more.

• Rendezvous with Rama, Odyssey Two, Childhood’s End, The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke 
• Nightfall by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg
• The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
• Solaris by Stanisław Lem

Soviet-Era Sci-Fi

In addition, I had a chance to read several Soviet-era sci-fi novels.

• Professor Dowell’s Head by Alexander Belyaev
• Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky

Contemporary Chinese and South Korean Sci-Fi in Translation

I was able to read a few novels and short story collections that have been on my ever-growing to-read list for ages.

• The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin (I’ve also finally started watching the Netflix series.)
• Cursed Bunny and Your Utopia by Bora Chung

Contemporary Sci-Fi/Horror

Finally, I was able to read Ted Chiang’s short story collection, and a sci-fi/horror hybrid by Ai Jiang.

• Exhalation by Ted Chiang
• Linghun by Ai Jiang

Sci-Fi Subscriptions

I also had some time to read the January 2025 edition of Asimov’s Science Fiction magazine. It was an excellent edition, featuring the novella Moon and Mars by James Patrick Kelly. In addition, I particularly enjoyed Kelly Lagor’s  “Thought Experiment: The Impossible Spectacle of 2001: A Space Odyssey.”

As I write this, I just received the February edition, featuring Weather Duty by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. I look forward to reading this month’s novellas, plus all the short stories and poetry.

I’d love to hear your suggestions! Questions? Comments? For your sci-fi copy editing projects, please visit my Copy Editing page, which lists my experience and rates. Contact me for more information about your project needs.