Future Trends To Look For In Sci-Fi Novels

Sci-fi is an exciting genre of fiction because it embraces worlds of imagination full of exotic beings, places, and things. Sci-fi fans are always interested in the quirky, the mysterious, the strange, and the impossible. Various points in history have taken more or less to certain Sci-fi topics and ideas. Here are my predictions on future trends to look for in Sci-fi novels in the coming months and years.

Transhumanism

Sci-fi literature has traditionally explored many areas of unknown, futuristic, or underdeveloped sciences and pseudo-sciences. Transhumanism is one area of scientific discovery that will likely be expounded upon and investigated in more depth in upcoming contemporary Sci-fi novels. Truly, the revolutionary concepts of transhumanism are fascinating and worthy of such exploration.

“Transhumanism” was first coined in 1957 by Julian Huxley, the brother of famed Sci-fi author Aldous Huxley (Brave New World.) Essentially, the term is used to classify areas of science and theory dealing with the transcendence of humanity — that is, the enhancement of our physical, intellectual, and psychological abilities. A few of the concepts and technologies include, but are not limited to:

• Radical Life Extension
• Human Engineering
• Simulated Reality
• Artificial Intelligence
• Brain and Body Preservation
• Cryonics
• Utopia

Some of the best contemporary Sci-fi authors have been including transhumanist thought into their works for years. Dan Brown’s Inferno, Veronica Roth’s Divergent, Ted Chiang’s Tower of Babylon, and SJ Kincaid’s Insignia are all rich examples.

Many of these futuristic technologies or theories are actually becoming reality in varying degrees. Michael Anissimov details some of these technology realities in his article, “Top Ten Transhumanist Technologies.” However, for the pop audience, these concepts are not yet generally accepted or understood. So, for many readers, the ideas and obstacles presented by the transhumanist movement are best digested in sci-fi entertainment. And why not? As a Sci-fi author myself, the attraction to these topics is immense.

Movies and Television Based on Books

The film entertainment industry continues to see large returns on the development of movies/television based on books. It comes as no surprise that this practice will continue. However, one thing is becoming clear — these productions will be released quicker and quicker, for the most part.

In the past, production took much more time and larger amounts of resources than today’s cinematic environment. Films are easier to create, so there’s little reason to delay production or release. Books are also published or self-published faster than in previous decades. This combination leads to one conclusion — movies and television based on books will often come out within months of publication. The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and The 100 are all modern examples of books which were quickly adapted to film.

Young Adult Readability

Young adults, teenagers, and tweens all represent a powerhouse of commercial activity for businesses. The Young Adult genre of literature emerged in the 1960s and has continued to rise in popularity since. However, because it is now easier to track and analyze the buying habits of various consumer groups in the digital age, publishers are taking note to encourage the development of more novels in the very successful Young Adult genre.

Young Adult literature is generally defined by a fairly fast paced plot, lighter language, and PG-13 scenes. Today’s Young Adult readers are generally enthralled by technology and Sci-fi themes, simply because they were born into it. Another reason for Sci-fi popularity in the Young Adult genre is because teens often feel caught in the midst a two worlds, a theme regularly prevalent in Sci-fi. It follows logic that Sci-fi novels will see continued or rising development of works in the Young Adult category.

What trends do you currently see in the sci-fi entertainment industry? Share in the comments! Be sure to head over to www.leifericksonwriting.com and purchase my latest books to see what future concepts I’m exploring. Thanks!