National Science Fiction Day is unofficially celebrated by many science fiction fans in the United States on January 2, which corresponds with the official birthdate of famed science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. While not an official holiday of any sort (in the sense that it is not recognized or declared by any government), National Science Fiction Day is given some degree of credence by its recognition by organizations such as the Hallmark Channel and by the Scholastic Corporation.
My favorite Indie science fiction writers include:
Alex Cavanaugh
Staci Troilo
If you write science fiction, add your name to comments so I can include you next year!
More on science fiction
32 Tips for Science Fiction Writers
Book Review: Performance Anomalies
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
I do enjoy Sci Fi books, my favourite authors are John Wyndham, Isaac Asimov, Orson Scott Card and Philip K. Dick.
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Good list. I haven’t read Philip Dick. I’ll check him out.
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Who knew there was such a thing! Happy New Year, Jacqui!
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I was sad to find there was no National Historical Fiction day!
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Haha 😂
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How fun! And, although I’ve heard the name Isaac Asimov, I don’t know what he’s written! Did he come before Wells and Verne?
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Assimov was born on January 2, 1920 in Petrovichi, Russia and died in April 6, 1992 in Brooklyn, New York, NY. Some of his stories have been made into movies such as “I Robot”
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So true.
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Thanks, Rich! I appreciate that info.
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He’s not my favorite but right up there. I read Heinlein first.
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I LOVE sci-fi. I could never write it (not smart enough!) but boy do I love reading and watching it. Preach it, sister!
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Me too–love sci fi and can’t write it. Stick with what you do write, Jessica. Guns of Pardition was beyond excellent! I think I told the entire Amazon/Goodreads world!
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Aw, shucks! I saw your review – wow, thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it, because, yep, that’s pretty much all I can write (dark, twisted spec fic) 🙂
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Hehee. I know the feeling!
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What a fascinating surprise, Jacqui! I’ve always used reading sci fi as a reward for completing a less-than-pleasant chore. Knowing that there is a day dedicated to it makes me smile. 🙂
We loved getting to know you this past year – you made 2020 so much more bearable. Wishing you a fabulous 2021. 🙂 Terri & James
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Thanks so much! Believe me, same to you. Your posts are always interesting, original, to be savored.
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I didn’t know this was National Science Fiction Day. I’ve never written any and was never much of a fan until Staci’s Astral Conspiracy series. She turned me into a fan. Nice post, Jacqui!
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I know what you mean, Joan. I had the same experience!
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Thanks for saying so, Joan.
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I had no clue today was National Science Fiction Day. What a delight to discover it, and to find Staci here. She is an amazingly talented author, and I’m in awe of her Astral Conspiracy series. Congrats to her and also to Alex Cavanaugh.
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I stumbled on it myself. And January 2nd–usually I’m still recovering. But what a great day for science fiction.
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Wow, Mae. Thanks.
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I’m so glad Denise told me you’d posted this (because I’m still on vacation and not really online much). I didn’t even know this was a “thing.” Thanks so much, Jacqui. I’m truly honored.
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I knew you were on a blog break and didn’t want to bother you but thrilled you are dropping in. Well, proof again of how much I enjoyed your books!
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You’re never a bother, Jacqui.
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Happy Sci-Fi day, Jacqui. Nice to see Traci mentioned
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Thanks, John.
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Of course! She is a stand out!
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Happy National Science Day, Jacqui. I’m a fan of Staci’s too, and should pick up one of Alex’s book based on your wonderful recommendation. Enjoy your day and have a fantastic 2021!
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Thanks so much, Diana. That means a lot.
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They both have strong characters and fast-moving plots. If you like one, you’ll probably like the other.
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I am loving Staci’s series. Happy Science Fiction Day. I also dabble and was very happy with Grinders.
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Thanks, Craig.
I’m a fan of Grinders, too.
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When someone invites, it’s okay to answer. Appreciate your comment.
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I’m sorry I haven’t read your series yet but I’ll add you for next year!
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After a hard day of studying Milton’s Paradise Lost, I find and Asimov story to be relaxing.
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Oh my. ‘Hard day’ doesn’t begin to describe that.
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Happy National Science Fiction Day to all the sci fi writers and fans across the universe!!
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And there are a lot of them!
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🙂
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Happy Sci-Fi Day! I tell my students who don’t enjoy reading that I never enjoyed reading until my senior year in high school when a friend gave me a Sci-Fi book by Asimov called “I Robot!”. I became hooked on the Sci-Fi ABC’s (Asimov, Bradbury, and Clarke). I have published two short, children’s Sci-Fi books on Amazon: “Wipe Out Earth” and “Take Me to Your Leader”. I explain to my students that Sci-Fi lets you use your imagination and think outside of the box.
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I love writing sci fi for kids. Thanks for sharing that, Rich.
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Happy Science Fiction Day! I completely agree a out Staci. I loved her series!
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It made me want more sci fi!
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I know! Did you see she has a new one out, “The Forgotten?” I’ll be reading it soon:)
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Thanks so much, Denise!
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Well, if Hallmark is behind it…. I occasionally read Sci-Fi, but have never tried to write it. My only claim to fame in this genre is that I was one of three clergy to whom L. E. Modesitt, Jr.’s dedicated one of recent books.
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Well, that deserves a Google. I’m off to look that up! BRB
OK. He has written a ton of books! They won’t show me the dedications in the ‘Look Inside’ but I can see he would like the way you think, Jeff. Interesting books.
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I love sci-fi, Jacqui! How did I not know about a national day to celebrate? In 2020, I listened to all of Asimov’s audiobooks that lead into the Foundation series and the later additions to the series. Pebble in the Sky, The Stars, Like Dust, Robots of Dawn, etc. What an amazing writer and future-caster of what we expect in sci-fi today. He really did set the “foundation” for future writers of sci-fi!
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That’s amazing, Terri. How fun I bet that was, listening to all of those timeless stories.
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A good time passer while on our road trips!
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A holiday for science fiction – I would never have guessed this one. Being such a popular genre for readers, I should have. A perfect extension of New Year’s Day. Imagine: what if New Year’s Day was the very last day of the year and everyone had to abandon Earth…
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There’s a story there, Shari. Hope your New Year is great so far! I’m hoping for a miraculous 2021.
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Always, always, I learn something from your posts. Thanks for helping expand my horizons.
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Most genres don’t have their own holiday. I had to jump on this one!
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Hi Jacqui – well you’ve opened a few eyes … Alex’s books are great fun to read … and I’d add HG Wells … I wondered about A Clockwork Orange and see that it does fit … while the film Splice comes to mind: a perfect springboard for Covid … horrifying tale. Take care and Happy New Year – Hilary
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Good additions! I realized when I was writing this article that I don’t read enough sci fi. I hope I get lots of suggestions for sci fi Indies.
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Very fitting that the chosen date is Asimov’s birthday. I imagine that he is still widely read.
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I almost took that reference out, fearing many wouldn’t know who he was. I was so very wrong!
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That is cool! I did go through a phase of Sci-Fi addiction with Asimov being the favourite.
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Asimov and Star Trek–they fueled me for many a year!
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I never knew there was a science fiction day. Thanks for the education! Happy New Year, Jacqui!
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I forget how I found out. Then, I searched the Internet for other genre-specific days. there weren’t many!
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I remember Asimov well! Margaret Attwood’s Oryx & Crake belongs in the category.
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Good point. I always thought I wasn’t a ‘sci-fi’ fan, yet have also enjoyed Atwood’s Oryx and Crake series. Doris Lessing’s science fiction (or is it space fiction) is less well known of her work, I think, but I also enjoyed her Canopus in Argos series.
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Also thinking of PD James – Children of Men
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Oooh, I’ll have to look that up.
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Well, I never knew that! I’ve been a fan of science fiction since I was in my early teens, when I devoured all of John Wyndham’s books, which I borrowed from the local library. I had to get special permission to borrow from the adult section.
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Same! I went through a big Wyndham phase in my teens. His ideas are great. I found The Chrysalids the most disturbing of them all, and perhaps, looking back, the best written.
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The Chrysalids was definitely the best. That moment when he sees the wet footprint with the six toes…
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OK, you have my attention!
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Oh you precocious nerd! I bet the librarians loved you!
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Happy SciFi Day and how fun to have a day dedicated to the genre! Like Robbie, I read a lot of Wells and Wyndham books as well Heinlein, Arthur C. Clark and Ray Bradbury and yes, of course, Asimov!
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You hit most of my list. Heinlein–haven’t thought about him in a long time.
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How interesting to have a national science fiction day. I don’t read much sci-fi, but I do like HG Wells and John Wyndham.
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I started getting into sci fi as an escape from the world. It’s fairly soothing.
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