What Fans Say...
The excerpts below are taken directly from an email survey conducted on the Sime~Gen Listserve:
This is what I tell my newest friends about why they should come visit my favorite Universe:
It's fun; it'll grab you and not let go; it's like eating Chinese food - an hour after finishing one book, you go hunting feverishly for the next one. It's about some of the *neatest* people you'll ever meet!
These are the SF/F Universes I like best in order of how much I like them
Gael Bauldino's Elvish Series
Patricia Kenneally Morrison's 'Gaels In Space' stories
Robin McKinley's Damarian stories (Blue sword, Hero and Crown, Deerskin)
Pat McKillip's Riddlemaster of Hed series
Star Trek
Valdemar/UrbanElves/SERRAted Edge
Pern/BB Shipverse
Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series
Sime~Gen (probably, if I can read these acain, the ordering will change)
Star Wars
Witch World
I think Sime~Gen would have its greatest appeal to fans of
Damar, Riddlemaster, UrbanElves
Pitching them on the Net is *very* good.
A commercial pitch would include things like a slogan for a TV advertisement, a "jingle" for advertising, a "narrative hook" for the simegen.com page, imagery for that page, etc. Consider if you were watching television and saw an advertisement for Sime~Gen but had never heard of S~G before -- what could it say in 15 seconds that would make you go hunt for the novels?
Two hands coming together in a firm grasp (one Sime, one Gen), and the starredcross in glowing outline shows up, with the words 'This way! We can hide in here!' voiced-over, and a hint of torchlight.
From Zoe Farris,
REASONS I LIKE SIME~GEN
1) The Characters are People who:
E) who seem familiar and into whose affairs I seem to fit.
I find that I identify with the situations and struggles that many of the characters have to deal with, and how they fight on when there appears to be no hope. Like one of the other list folk (sorry I can't remember who right now) said, I also feel like this is somewhere I could belong, as I too feel I have never really belonged anywhere.
2)The S~G Universe seems to be . . .
A) a world that is more real to me than the 6 O'Clock News
Actually it seams more real than a lot of the "real world"
3)What S~G and the fandom have added to my life:
B)The courage to tackle my own problems
C)An appreciation of human potential
I have always tried to tackle my own problems, and have help for when I cant, but stories like S`G and Star Trek, and some others, have given me hope and insight at times when I seamed to have needed it and could not find it in "this world".
So now see if you can figure out what makes S~G the same as and different from other fiction, and sf/f in particular:
I'm not sure exactly what it is or if I can explain it, but I said to Stas the other day that while I love Star Trek and I've read all of Isaac Azimov's robot stories and I've been into vampire stories it's as though S~G is more real and is more a part of me than the others. Well like I said I'm not sure I can explain, but I'd go as far a to say I could live without the others but I'd feel like there was a part of me missing if I suddenly lost S~G.
With sf/f in particular I would have to agree what others have said in that human issues can be explored with greater freedom than in many other genre. As with original ST having a mixed race crew.
5)This is what I tell my newest friends about why they should come visit my favorite Universe:
I'm not sure really, usually it starts with me having to explain the meaning of something I said, when I have used a Sime term (which is regularly). I explain about S`G so I can explain the meaning of the term I used.
6) These are the SF/F Universes I like best in order of how much I like them (novels, stories, tv shows, movies -- all jumbled together but listed in order of how strongly each has grabbed me
.S~G. (Honestly it is.)
Star Trek……….(All variations)
War of the Worlds. (These two are on the same tape so I watch them together)
The Time Machine… (which is quite often)
The Planet of the Apes. (All of them, the first is my fav)
Forbidden Planet.
The day the Earth stood still.
Isaac Asimov….(All his robot stories)
Piers Anthony. (The Split Infinity series)
Chelsea Quin Yarbaro.(sp?)
(Ahhhhh somebody stop me. Now I want to go and read them and see them again)
7) I think Sime~Gen would have its greatest appeal to fans of -- (fill in the blank). List as many fandoms as you feel might be appropriate.
Gee, I don't have any connection to other fandoms so I don't know.
8) A commercial pitch would include things like a slogan for a TV advertisement , a "jingle" for advertising, a "narrative hook" for the simegen.com page, imagery for that page, etc. Consider if you were watching television and saw an advertisement for Sime~Gen but had never heard of S~G before -- what could it say in 15 seconds that would make you go hunt for the novels?
The Sime~Gen Universe. Where a split human race fights for it's very existence, and for unity. The Simes; Who must survive month to month on the life force of the Gens, resulting in the Gen's death. The Gens; Who produce the life force the Simes need, and who fear the Simes deadly touch. Two side of humanity who deny the humanity of the other. Into this comes the Channels And Companions. The Channels; Simes who can take the life force from Gens without killing and give to other Simes. The Companions; Gens who can give their life force without being killed. Are the Channels and Companions enough to bring the human race back together?
Consider if you saw one of these banner advertisements that pop up on websites -- what could such a banner say that would make you click it and discover S~G? How would you recognize something that you'd never heard of before -- recognize it as something vitally important to you?
Maybe two hands reaching toward each other, one Sime, one Gen. I think someone else may have said something simular, but that is what mad me pick up "House of Zeor" all those years ago.
Stay Safe, Stay Strong.
Zoe.
I like S~G because the characters are people who C) I could learn something from and E) who seem familiar. The S~G universe seems to be A) a world that is more real than the 6 o'clock news. S~G has added to my life B) the courage to tackle my own problems and C) an appreciation of human potential.
Favorite sf/f universes, in order: original series Trek, S~G, Arthurian.
I think different aspects of S~G would appeal to almost anyone with an interest in good storytelling set in a coherent, well-developed universe.
Peace and long live,
Dave O'Neal
Hello, one and all! It's been over a month since this survey was posted, and here I am at last. It's been a particularly hectic several weeks, and I'm not even quite caught up reading s/g list digests, but here I am on a sleepless early am with time to respond.
I first discovered S/G at a con in NY, Creation? Townsley? It was my first con, 1977 or 78, and both Jean and Jacqueline were there signing and autographing their new book, FIRST CHANNEL. I was at that con with my friend who had introduced me to the wonder of zines, some of which had had intriguing stories by JL. We split the cost of a book. I ended up loving it, she didn't, so I got custody and sought out the related zines and previously published books.
First Channel remains my favorite, though among fan-published work I like MaryLou's Den and Rital stories and Karen Litman's Frevven stories best.
My life: I'm 46, married, no kids, but I love kids so I've been working since 1991 as a live-out nanny in the Cambridge/Boston area. I'm crafty, but practical--what I make is durable, useful, machine wash/dryable. Mostly I make stuffed animals and dolls, including fannish ones like Vulcan babydolls that salute, and Ewoks that really do look like Ewoks, unlike the smarmy Kenner ones. Ahem. To continue: Since nannying doesn't pay well and my husband, a talented but largely unrecognized composer, works halftime as a tech writer to help pay expenses, we have to pinch pennies. I sometimes can attend one con per year, MediaWest, if I've raised the funds via craft sales. I wish I could visit you all at Darkover or other cons you discuss on the list, but maybe sometime you'll be at something local.
The computer I'm using is my husband's composing tool, and I get access when he's asleep or otherwise occupied. S/G is the only list to which I subscribe.
I enjoy reading the lists...it's like instant round-robin on many topics. i tried archiving certain discussion topics, like s/g geography, newly stated canon by Jean or JL on various characters and eras, etc., but lost all the material via computer glitch or ineptitude...I really have so little time to spend at the keyboard that I haven't learned much about what I can or should do.
REASONS I LIKE SIME~GEN
1) The Characters are People who:
A) I wish I were like
B) I'm glad I'm not like
C) I could learn something from
D) I could help make their lives better
E) who seem familiar and into whose affairs I seem to fit
2)The S~G Universe seems to be . . .
A) a world that is more real to me than the 6 O'Clock News
3)What S~G and the fandom have added to my life:
Personal friendships (whom I've never seen, and may hve spoken to once)
An appreciation of human potential
A broader view of what is heroism, and the worth of my own perseverance
5)This is what I tell my newest friends about why they should come visit my favorite Universe:
I mention that the mutation is as great or greater a polerization as male/female and that it's so engaging that I can neither put the book down once begun nor think of anything else for a week or so once finished. I see things from the perspective of the S/G universe--it becomes real to me.
6) These are the SF/F Universes I like best in order of how much I like them
Unfair! I like S/G better than most of the stuff on the list, with the exception of some notable books (Like L'Engle's Wrinkle, etc), TV series (currently Babylon...it's not only good, there's one every night, unlike s/g books), some zine stories, and all-time favorite movies...tho' I don't bother with most movies, some I won't miss.
7) I think Sime~Gen would have its greatest appeal to fans of.
I'm running out of time...I think generically, fans who attend fan-run cons, ie fans who are there not to get near stars or for glitz & collectables, but those who mob the Dealer's room for zines, who discuss relationships and background details passionately, who need their characters to matter and their universes to feel real. Of non-fans, people who read in order to feel, hope, care, and look at themselves with an eye toward self-improvement.
I wish I had more time and brain cells to devote to this, and to the list itself.
Take care, all. Thanks for being there.
Pax.
Janice
REASONS I LIKE SIME~GEN
1) The Characters are People who:
C) I could learn something from
F)Other (specify)......... aliens with a most fascinating and well thought-out physiology which affects their lives in ways analogous to our own strivings to understand difference and to adapt to each other
2)The S~G Universe seems to be . .
........... a marvelous laboratory in which to contemplate ways of being... much more than entertainment... a safe place to be .... and, yes, more thrilling than many aspects of "real life"
3)What S~G and the fandom have added to my life:
C)An appreciation of human potential
..... more, a hope for us, in all our myriad ways of being, that we might yet survive and be better, more complete folk
5)This is what I tell my newest friends about why they should come visit my favorite Universe:
............. It's good science fiction *and* science fantasy, with deep and true characterizations. It's a Real place where you will thrive and grow.
6) These are the SF/F Universes I like best in order of how much I like them
Roughly chronological : Tolkien, Roddenberry (Star Trek), Saberhagen's Dracula, Sherlock Holmes (believe me there's lots of SF Holmes), SIME~GEN, Forever Knight, The Modern Vamps (Rice to Huff to Elrod to Hamilton) ....... most importantly I've only worked on stories in Star Trek and SIME~GEN
7) I think Sime~Gen would have its greatest appeal to fans of --
all of those listed above ... also any F Paul Wilson "Healer" fans, those in the healing and bology professions...
8) A commercial pitch
... would include things like a slogan for a TV advertisement , a "jingle" for advertising, a "narrative hook" for the simegen.com page, imagery for that page, etc. Consider if you were watching television and saw an advertisement for Sime~Gen but had never heard of S~G before
8a) what could it say in 15 seconds that would make you go hunt for the novels?
.................. In quick flashes with thrumming music : non -tentacled hands reaching out Voiceover :"When touch is forbidden," ...... tentacled hands reaching out "Because humanity has changed" ...... changover victim to hero/heroine , "I'm changing, run NOW! before it's too late".....
9)How would you recognize something that you'd never heard of before -- recognize it as something vitally important to you?
.................... Anything that delineates themes of differentness --- tolerating it without denying its dark and fearful side : for example I love vampires struggling with their own nature (Forever Knight), hate the RayBan vampires watching the sun rise commercial.... Forever Knight narrates that theme in its first seconds of the credits... American Gothic spelled it out in its credits too... both grabbed me when noted surfing tv.... took only a few seconds.... Hamilton's Anita's situation is equally succinctly spelled out, clear even in a book blurb....
Well, as usual .. dreadfully late due to my impossible schedule.... (what a month of deliveries and surgeries!! Whew!!)
More later,
Pat N
As soon as I realized that Sime~Gen was a living presence online, I nearly exploded with happiness. Oh, WOW! Wonderful new novels of *top* quality; the presence and participation of Jacqueline and Jean (I bow deeply to you both!); warm and gracious responses to my initial queries; even the loan of several books -- ah, to FINALLY get to read RenSime -- *need assuaged*. Thank you, Tori!
I have been reading digest logs of this list. The discussions are fascinating, and this is clearly an intelligent and enlightened group of folks. It's great to be here. I'll stop babbling.... now.
Janet Coleman Sides
http://magibox.net/~storybox