She-Fi

Text by Ling Chen

She—A Collection of the Classic Works of Chinese Female Science Fiction Writers,organized by Ling Chen,compiled by Cheng Jingbo,published by China Radio,Film &TV Press,September 2021.

Curiosity,adventurous minds,and acute sensitivity to the development of the times drive the female pioneers,creators,and architects of the future world.

Chinese women’s contribution to the development of literature has never been doubted.However,in the emerging field of science fiction,which has always been closely connected with future technology,well-known female authors have been few and far between.

In recognition of this im-balance,the book serieswas compiled and published to highlight the remarkable achievements of Chinese females in the realm of sci-fi literature.

The big move for Chinese female sci-fi writers highlights their outstanding spirit to break traditional mindsets,foresee the future,and weave big dreams.

From 1990 to 2020,China enjoyed fast economic development and a steep rise in science and technology.During the period,science and technology became increasingly connected to social life and even became a lifestyle.Sci-fi literature also experienced dramatic development from a niche market into a popular cultural phenomenon.

Over the three decades,the great efforts of female writers nourished the rapid river of Chinese science fiction.Many excellent sci-fi works emerged,which were honored with high-level domestic and international sci-fi awards.

Those female authors have actively participated in the popularization of sci-fi literature and contributed various commentaries on sci-fi works as witnesses to the fast development of Chinese sci-fi literature alongside practitioners.

The book series compiled works by 33 representative Chinese female sci-fi writers.Their lives were changed by science fiction,and they all helped promote China’s sci-fi prosperity.

September 5,2016:Three female sci-fi authors,including Nebula Award winner and American writer Sarah Pinsker (second right),Hugo Award winner Hao Jingfang (center) and Chinese sci-fi writer and critic Tang Fei (first left),interact with audiences during a cultural salon at OWSpace Library in Beijing.In recent years,more and more female sci-fi writers’ works have been recognized at home and abroad,inspiring a lot of Chinese women to involve in the creation of sci-fi literature. VCG

Despite living in different times,their common passion and persistence for science fiction resulted in similar characters with bravery and insight that represent the strong and independent spirit of the women of the era.

This collection includes works in different styles as well as authors’ life stories and creation experiences.It seeks to capture their rich ideas,unique personalities,and in-depth knowledge and understanding of science fiction.

Alongside their role of sci-fi writers,they are also students,mothers,teachers,and ordinary members of society.But they all show great curiosity,adventurous minds,and acute sensitivity to the development of the times,making them ideal pioneers,creators,and architects of the future world.

They process and weave the latest information of our times with wild imagination to tell stories with captivating words to speculate on what could possibly happen to humans in the future.Each of the 33 female authors created a unique and fascinating sci-fi world.

The book series features two volumes with a total of 550,000 words in a delicate design.The cover sharply contrasts usual sci-fi books,highlighting the soft and strong characteristics of female sci-fi writers.It provides valuable materials for sci-fi readers and researchers to understand the group in a comprehensive way and will surely serve as an important reference for the study of Chinese science fiction.