Britannica Academic Online Encyclopedia (authoritative and academic)
The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (authoritative, but not strictly academic)
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Themes
Alternative History – one or more historical events have occurred
Apocalyptic & Dystopian – how the world ended or do you wish it
Military – space warriors
Space Opera – drama on the largest stage possible
Short Stories & Anthologies – an exploratory mission
Action-packed – bookshelf blockbusters
Heartwarming – feel-good stories
Stylistically Complex – in pursuit of challenging reads
Thought-provoking – what does the future hold if … ?
Humorous – in space, no one can hear you chuckle
World-building – immerse yourself in these richly detailed worlds
Artificial Intelligence – robots
Aliens & First Contact – what happens when humanity encounters alien life?
Generation Ships – life aboard a ship meant to bring settlers to a new colony
Hostile Planets – when the ship reaches its destination, it isn’t always pretty
Space Horror
Trends
Afrofuturism & African Futurism – re-creating the narrative
Classics … in Space – retellings of classic myths and reinterpretative of ancient heroes
Interrogating Imperialism – striking back at the Empire
Parallelism – there is only one you … in this universe
Mystery & Thriller – the robot butler did it
Romance … in Space – aliens need love, too
Reads like Classic Science Fiction – dust off a good trope
Television & Film Adaptation – interpreting older titles for fresh audiences
Awards
IGNYTE Awards - https://ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com/
Hugo Award - https://www.thehugoawards.org/
NEBULA Award - https://nebulas.sfwa.org/
The Arthur C. Clarke Award - https://www.clarkeaward.com/#about
Themes
Epic – high stakes, original worlds
Afro – African American
Science – spaceships, dragons, etc.
Urban – magic in the big city (real or fantasy city)
Dark – blend fantasy and horror/terror, goth
Magical Realism – fiction with a magical twist
Alternate History/Historical Fantasy – reimagined history with a magical twist
Worldbuilding – the many pieces that make the incredible whole
Systems of Magic – hard magic vs soft magic, etc.
Fantastic Creatures – dragons, centaurs, gnomes, etc.
Heroic Tales – heroes in imaginary lands
War and Magic – epic battles, wars, & fights – all with magic
Magical Items – cool swords and more
The Gods Provide – religion plays a big part in the world building and magic of the book
Loss/Return of Magic – what happens when magic is in peril?
Scum and Villainy – working class, but magic
Court or Political Intrigue – backstabbers and ladder climbers
Trends
All Things Witches – double, double toil , and trouble…
Romantic – love and magic
Dark Academia – smart but sullen; effortlessly cool schools/magic
Re-Centering the Narrative – non-Eurocentric stories are coming to the fore
Retelling & Reimagining – old stories remade, folklore, history, etc.
Cozy – low stakes magic that makes you feel good
Others
Book to screen and video game adaptations
Graphic adaptations and original comics
Cross genre appeal
Board games/video games
Awards
The World Fantasy Awards - https://www.minlib.net/booklists/award-winners/world-fantasy
NEBULA Award - https://nebulas.sfwa.org/
Hugo Award - https://www.thehugoawards.org/
The British Fantasy Awards - https://britishfantasysociety.org/fantasy-awards/
Avalanche: the Secret World Chronicles by 
Book of Night by 
The Candy House by 
The City by 
End of Watch by 
Fractal Noise by 
