 
Sci-Fi Women Interviews

The 2018-2019 Collection

(Smashwords Edition)

Natacha Guyot

Copyright

Text Copyright ©2020 Natacha Guyot.

All Rights Reserved.

Cover Design by Jennifer A. Miller.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Claudia Christian

Maggie Derrick

Dalea Rundblad

Jenny Graham-Jones

Lillian Noble

Annie Stoll

Brittany M. Willows

Melissa Villy

Lizbette Ocasio-Russe

Kristina Kirk

Fox Estacado

Savanna Oudit

Bria Lavorgna

Amy Richau

Whitney McGruder

Ellie Raine

S.E. Smith

Pamela Gossin

About the Author

To Lea, a fellow Sci-Fi Lady who inspires me to seek and create, always.

Acknowledgements

As always, I would like to express my gratitude to my cover designer Jennifer A. Miller.

This compilation of interviews would not have been possible without all my outstanding guests: Claudia Christian, Maggie Derrick, Dalea Rundblad, Jenny Graham-Jones, Lillian Noble, Annie Stoll, Brittany M. Willows, Melissa Villy, Lizbette Ocasio-Russe, Kristina Kirk, Fox Estacado, Savanna Oudit, Bria Lavorgna, Amy Richau, Whitney McGruder, Ellie Raine, S.E. Smith, and Pamela Gossin. Thank you for your interest in being part of this project and for takin the time to answer my questions.

I am grateful to all who have supported this project during its five year run: the guests who taught me much, as well as the audience who enjoyed this. It was a worthy journey to embark upon and I look forward to where life will take us Sci-Fi Women next!

Claudia Christian

Claudia Christian has been in the film and television business as a performer for over 35 years. She has starred in over 50 films and thousands of hours of television. Sci-Fi fans around the world know her from her work on the Hugo and Emmy award winning show Babylon 5. She is the author of two autobiographical books, "My Life with Freaks and Geeks"(2010) and "Babylon Confidential" (2012) and the novels "Wolf's Empire" (2016) and "The Original" (2016).

She is the most recognized advocate for The Sinclair Method, a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). In 2013 she started her non-profit C3 Foundation to help raise awareness of the treatment; she also became an accredited substance abuse counselor in the UK and US in 2015. In 2014 Claudia's award winning documentary about The Sinclair Method, "One little Pill" was released. Claudia has spoken at UCLA, USC and at medical conventions around the country and has appeared on Larry King and Megyn Kelly to educate people about this inexpensive, lifesaving treatment.

Claudia continues to work in TV and film and lends her distinctive voice to some of the biggest games in the world including SkyRim, Guild Wars, World of Warcraft, Halo, Call of Duty and Fallout 4. Claudia's passion is to help and educate, she recently spent a month in India working with The Chinmaya organization for rural development (CORD). Her TEDx talk on TSM has helped thousands and she spoke at the US Senate in November of 2016. She is currently working on a new book series for Tor Books with her writing partner Morgan Grant Buchanan and "TSM Journeys", a book about the individual experience on The Sinclair Method.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

CHRISTIAN: The Twilight Zone episode with Burgess Meredith losing his glasses was probably my earliest Science Fiction memory.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction books, TV shows, and movies?

CHRISTIAN: American Gods (which I know is more Fantasy), Blade Runner, and Babylon 5 of course.

NG: What are the Science Fiction female characters you have found most significant?

CHRISTIAN: Ripley from Alien, I suppose.

NG: What are some of the Science Fiction female artists you find more inspiring?

CHRISTIAN: I wish I knew; but I am more of a historian than a futurist. I am not really up on female Sci-Fi art unfortunately!

NG: What do you think of Susan Ivanova's legacy?

CHRISTIAN: I am proud to have allowed people to see themselves in Ivanova; and to have helped people be more open about their sexuality. I am also proud to have given little girls a role model to look up to. Ivanova was strong yet fallible and extremely complex.

NG: What are some of your favorite Science Fiction roles you have had?

CHRISTIAN: I have not had many: just Babylon 5, The Hidden, an episode of Space Rangers, and the film Arena. So, that said, I suppose Babylon 5 wins again.

NG: If you could portray a character in any Science Fiction universe, which one would it be?

CHRISTIAN: It would be Accala Viriduis' mother from my book Wolf's Empire.

NG: Do you think video games can be as, if not more, ambitious than films and TV series?

CHRISTIAN: Absolutely; and they certainly earn more!

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

CHRISTIAN: Indeed, it is.

NG: What would you like to see more in Science Fiction?

CHRISTIAN: I do not watch or read Science Fiction, so I am the wrong person for these questions. Ask me about Richard the Third or Hildegard of Bingen!

NG: I would love to talk about the fascinating Hildegard of Bingen at some point, then! Thank you so much for being with us today, Claudia. I am certain my readers will be glad to find out more about your current artistic projects and educational works.

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Maggie Derrick

Maggie Derrick is a bisexual writer, artist, and podcaster. She lives in Vancouver, Canada where she spends her time creating things, indulging in the local food + booze scene, and getting emotional over dogs. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Wattpad.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

DERRICK: My father is a big Science Fiction guy; and he made sure my brothers and I received a rich entertainment education! I remember Star Wars marathons in my PJs when my age was still in single digits.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

DERRICK: Science Fiction is where I go to escape and find inspiration. Few genres send my imagination soaring quite like Science Fiction!

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction books, TV shows, and movies?

DERRICK: In order: Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, and Star Wars: A New Hope.

NG: What are the Science Fiction female characters you have found most significant?

DERRICK: I am all for badass female characters in Science Fiction. And badassery does not have to be fearless and physically strong: give me Lex's hacking skills and Dr. Ellie Sattler's big educated brain right along with Leia Organa's rebellious spirit.

NG: What do you think of the versatile and hybrid nature of Science Fiction, including its ties with your favorite genres modern fantasy/magic realism?

DERRICK: I think Science Fiction and fantasy are both excellent at inspiring the imagination. The worlds created in these genres invite creators and fans alike to sink into amazing possibilities and exciting stories.

NG: Can you tell us about your project The Starborn Series?

DERRICK: The Starborn Series is a trilogy of books almost 20 years in the making! It was inspired by a lot of things, but at the core there is a star-based mythology and modern themes of prejudice and acceptance explored through the love story of two women. While it is technically a romantic fantasy, there second and third books in the series begin to introduce more sci-fi elements. Book one, The Star and the Ocean was a 2017 Watty Award winner (Wattpad.com's global writing contest).

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

DERRICK: This is a challenging question to answer. I think women have always embraced Science Fiction, regardless of what popular culture tries to tell us, and we have found all kinds of special ways to make it our own (fan fiction being a perfect example). I think there are lots of gatekeepers in the genre and plenty of people in positions of power who have not necessarily made it a safe space for women, but we are nothing if not resilient.

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction has a responsibility in terms of diversity and inclusiveness?

DERRICK: Absolutely! This question makes me think of Star Trek and all of the progressive trails the franchise has blazed over its 50+ years. Science Fiction is a genre of possibility, exploration, and discovery. If the genre can accept extraterrestrial races and brave new worlds as part of its fabric, there is no reason for people of every gender, sexuality, color, and creed not to be included in these stories.

NG: What would you like to see more in Science Fiction?

DERRICK: This is a tough question! I think it is one of those things where I will not realize what I want until it happens and then I will wonder how I ever did without!

NG: Can you tell us about your current projects?

DERRICK: I'm currently in the middle of writing The Wind and the Horizon – book two of The Starborn Series. I post "beta draft" chapters of the books as a web serial. I'm also revising a different fantasy manuscript I first wrote as part of NaNoWriMo 2016 called The Witch's Patron, with hopes of having it ready to query before the year is over. Outside of writing I co-host "The Work in Progress Podcast" with my friends Athena Wright, Brianna Kienitz, and Rey Noble, and I do a lot of digital illustration both for myself and commission clients.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today, Maggie! My readers will be happy to check out your work! I managed to miss your podcast so I will have to check it soon!

Dalea Rundblad

Master of cinematic grandeur, Pop-Rock Vocalist Dalea is one of the most intriguing acts to emerge from the New York scene in recent years. Her story in music began in 2008, after the passing of her father; she left her career in High Fashion to work in music full time. Dalea founded the band Quimera Music, which was active from 2009-2013 and set out to balance the best aspects of rock, pop and epic cinema music. Her first album "Love and Madness" (where she collaborated with various composers) was released relatively under the radar, with the Argentinian label Twilight Records. It wasn't until the release of her second (double) album titled "IMMORTAL", now working exclusively with Swedish composer Patrick Rundblad, that she was greeted with nods from music critics and fans from around the globe.

After four years with her band, Dalea set out to pursue a solo career and to continue evolving her music. Armed with single releases, music videos and cameos in film soundtracks, Dalea and Patrick began writing and recording her debut solo album titled 'VISITOR', which released May 24, 2016. The rest is a story being written.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

RUNDBLAD: As a kid, I first caught re-runs of Lost in Space, while flipping through channels; the robot in it always captured me when he said "Danger will Robinson, danger" My lifelong love affair with Science Fiction was sealed when I first saw E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

RUNDBLAD: Huge! It helps me dream of a better time, it gives me hope that visualization can help awaken humanity for the betterment of all; it inspires innovation in my life. It is also the only genre (other than action and Fantasy) for which I have any interest as an actress.

NG: What are your three favorite Science books, movies, and TV shows?

RUNDBLAD:

BOOKS

  * Frankenstein (1818) was my introduction to Sci-Fi literature. A big bonus is that it was written by a woman, Mary Shelley.

  * The Abyss, which was later made in to a stunning film by James Cameron; intriguing and inspiring.

  * The Host, it deals with Earth's colonization by an alien race, one that sees many flaws in humanity and seeks to eradicate them.

TV SHOWS

  * HBO's West World. It has a crisp and fresh storyline, very interesting and phenomenal acting. One of my favorite actors, Sir Anthony Hopkins, is in it, so that is just a great bonus. I have begun having interactions with Sophia the robot, from Hanson Robotics; she is a prime example of the now, before the future as robots like the ones in West World roam the earth.

  * Black Mirror, Really modern, with very creative stand-alone episodes, each episode is like a short film. I highly recommend it.

  * The Orville, with Seth MacFarlane, a relatively new show, it is very light, but in their first season (aired 2017) they have proven to be insightful, funny and inspiring at the same time, really not an easy undertaking.

I would be remiss not to mention Lost in Space, what started it all for me. In my childhood, I used to watch re-runs with back-to-back episodes. They dealt with all kinds of human emotions in an adventure setting, really innovative for their time (I think they are from the 60's). This show has sentimental value to me.

FILMS

  * Gattaca, with Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. Poignantly showcases human attempt to control everything. It is also a beautiful story of the human spirit and perseverance at its best. Very inspiring, I highly recommend it.

  * The Island, with Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. A very likely scenario of what will happen with Gene development and cloning. If I may ad, this film was done a terrible disservice because in my opinion they dropped the ball with inferior advertising and PR, so this magnificent film went largely under the radar; really high up on my list.

  * The Alien Series, with Sigourney weaver. She is exquisite in all, vulnerable but strong, and very inspiring.

If I could squeeze one more, I would like to include Avatar, starring Sam Worthington, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver; incredible photography, inspiring acting and phenomenal story. It sets out to remind everyone that there is more than the eye can see.

NG: What are the Science Fiction female characters you have found most significant?

RUNDBLAD: Ripley, in the Aliens Series, her endurance and heart continues to move me even now. The scene in Aliens (Alien 2) where she makes the decision to return for Newt (the little orphan girl) when she could have just escaped in her ship, still sends chills down my spine. I own the collector's set and re-watch all films, maybe once a year or so. Of note, is the fact that Ripley was also the first science fiction heroine to break through, and even more astounding fact is that the role was originally written for a man.

Sarah Connor, specifically in Terminator, "Judgment Day" is strong and courageous, in spite of a horrendous loneliness. She is also super fit. She fueled my quest for fitness. There is a scene embedded in my memory where we see her in jail (asylum) isolated in her room; but self-motivating to exercise to keep herself ready for what she knows is coming, body and mind training.

As a woman with so many things weighing my chances down -First the fact that I am a woman, second I have androgen insensitivity syndrome (XY female and I am open about it) and third, I had rheumatic fever as a child (one that almost killed me, leaving me with health disadvantages)- Ripley, Sarah Connor and Wonder Woman, have provided incredible inspiration and strength. They are a great part of why I am only interested in acting in Sci-Fi films or Fantasy films..

NG: What led you to use a Science Fiction aesthetics in some of your videos, whether for your music or for Girl Comets inspirational content?

RUNDBLAD: Well, as I mentioned, Science Fiction is a big part of my life since childhood. It has offered not only new shapes and textures, but also the hope that things can get better and resolved in the future. I am incredibly drawn to futuristic aesthetics, for those who do not know me; I used to be a fashion designer in New York, before dedicating myself to music professionally. By designing my own outfits/hair/make up as well as writing the stories in my music videos, I have the luxury of doing exactly as I want, and offer a touch of magic to those that enjoy my art. I do not really use sci-fi vibe for Girl Comet, because that is purely an inspiration and strength initiative, but for anything related to my music so far, yes, sci-fi and futuristic aesthetics are center stage. I call it scifi-chic.

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

RUNDBLAD: Perhaps not so much in the near past, yet it is increasingly getting better. I have some projects that I am reviewing in film, and half of the stories are centered on futuristic female characters. Slowly but surely, things are changing for the better, no doubt. These are exciting times!

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction has a responsibility in terms of diversity and inclusiveness?

RUNDBLAD: As far as storytelling, just as much as any other entertainment medium, as long as the quality of the story is not sacrificed for the sake of diversity inclusiveness. As far as casting diverse actors, god yes, it is so incredibly simple to just change a character's gender or ethnic background to allow for a richer story. Diversity brings with it a richness that cannot be obtained or replicated in any other way. I am aware that actor's notoriety plays a huge role, because film-making is after all a business, however, when given a chance, talented actors can bring brilliance as stellar as that of any established star.

NG: Do you think Science Fiction can help bring more awareness regarding socio-cultural issues?

RUNDBLAD: Yes! One film that really embodies this is The Day the Earth Stood Still with Keanu Reeves. His character Klaatu states: "I am a friend to the Earth." This implies that the destruction of human kind, along with their destructive actions, is necessary and a natural solution to save Earth, since humans are behaving so irresponsibly. While telling the film story, we are shown just how many things need our attention in this planet. In fact, my album VISITOR, is written from the point of view of an alien from a distant planet, not too impressed with what she sees humankind doing to each other, animals and planet earth.

NG: What would you like to see more in Science Fiction?

RUNDBLAD: Definitely more female characters, but not just women as secondary characters, but women of substance who are tender enough to appreciate the subtleties of harmony and love, and strong to fight for what is right, fair and pure. Also, I would like to see more alien films where the aliens are not the enemy. Not sure where Hollywood has gotten the rule that beings from other planet have to necessarily be hostile towards earthlings, there are just as many chances that a visiting alien race may be so advanced that they would want to help us fix the mess we have going on in this planet. I mean, what if we are the ones so barbaric, that our selfish and destructive actions are the ones actually horrifying aliens?

NG: Can you tell us about your current projects?

RUNDBLAD: I am currently working on new music and testing for some film projects (as an actress). I am also finishing writing a sci-fi/fantasy short film. My husband is Film Music Composer Patrick Rundblad, he is go great at doing Epic music, so I feel blessed that he will be the one composing the soundtrack for my film. If I get my way, I will get to film/direct my short film this summer.

NG: NG: Thank you so much for accepting to be a guest for this series! I wish you all the very best with all your projects!

Jenny Graham-Jones

English author Science Fiction and Fantasy author Jenny Graham-Jones is based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. She spends her days at her job as a software developer and her evenings writing about the weird and the wonderful. You can connect with her on Twitter.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

GRAHAM-JONES: My memory is a little hazy on my first encounter with sci-fi, but some of my earliest memories of the genre are time spent with both of my grandmothers. Watching Star Trek: The Next Generation with my gran (who had a picture of Commander Riker taped to the inside of a kitchen cupboard) was a regular after-school activity. Using only a ball of wool and some cardboard, my cousins and I would transform her sitting room into the deck of the Enterprise. On the other side of my family, my nan allowed me to – perhaps when I was a little too young – watch VHS tapes of the X-Files.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction books, movies, and video games?

GRAHAM-JONES: I'm not sure I could pick just one favorite science fiction book, but some that I love are James S. A. Corey's The Expanse series, with its complex political and culture intrigues, and the utterly charming Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers. Though you could argue it's fantasy as well as sci-fi, the Saga comic book series, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, is another that I love because of the rich and fresh world-building, as well as the diverse themes the story tackles. The Themis Files series by Sylvain Neuvel is another story that presents an utterly outlandishing story, but ultimately uses the narrative as way to explore human relationships.

As far as movies are concerned, the Star Wars franchise as a whole has got to be up there, of course. I also love the film-noir tension of Dark City and the bleak but ultimately hopeful future presented in Alex Garland's Ex Machina and Spike Jonze's Her.

My favorite video game in the genre is, without a doubt, the Mass Effect trilogy. It's the story-driven gameplay of this series, similar to other titles from BioWare, which makes it a stand-out title for me.

NG: What do you think of the versatile nature of Science Fiction and its relations with other genres?

GRAHAM-JONES: Science Fiction has the freedom to explore issue and topics that other genres don't necessarily have. It can also be the starting point for a whole host of other genre stories: romance, adventure, horror, and so on. You can do almost anything with Science Fiction.

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

GRAHAM-JONES: On the whole, my experience has been that science fiction is welcoming to women. I do not know if I've just been lucky, in that I have not encountered some of the hostility that I have read about other members of the fandom coming up against, but in the Science Fiction community I have made some of my longest-lasting friendships.

NG: What are the Science Fiction female characters most inspiring to you?

GRAHAM-JONES: There are so many that I could pick out, but I think I am going to go with women from relatively recent releases in Science fiction, such as all of the women of the newest Star Wars movies, especially Admiral Holdo and Captain Phasma.

NG: Do you think Science Fiction is a suitable genre to discuss societal issues?

GRAHAM-JONES: Just about any genre of fiction can be a suitable vehicle for exploring societal issues. Where science fiction has an advantage, I think, is in the freedom it has to imagine what we could be as a society, rather than what we are. It can act as a cautionary tale, or as something to aspire to.

NG: How did you start writing Science Fiction?

GRAHAM-JONES: I was 12 years old when Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace hit cinemas, which I think might have put me in the ideal demographic for the movie. Oddly, what excited me most about the film at the time were the scenes where young Anakin Skywalker competed in high-speed pod-racing events. I spent hours coming up with designs for my own pod-racers and back-stories for the strange aliens who would fly them. I got into writing Star Wars fan-fiction not long after that, and have never truly stopped, although my enthusiasm for pod-racing has not been quite so enduring.

NG: What authors have had the most significant impact on your storytelling?

GRAHAM-JONES: Margaret Atwood, Naomi Alderman, Seth Dickinson, and V. E. Schwab are all authors who I look to for inspiration. Each of them has written stories or created worlds that I have been absolutely gripped by. They are not the only influences on the content and style of my storytelling; but I think that they are probably the most recent.

NG: What are your current writing projects?

GRAHAM-JONES: At the moment, I'm in the final stretch of my degree in computer science, so most of my writing projects have taken a back seat to various research assignments and writing code – but I do have a few things waiting for me on the back-burner. The most pressing one that I'm looking forward to getting back to is the sci-fi novel tentatively titled 1000 Faces.

Last year, after entering 1000 Faces into an Inkshares publishing contest, I was shortlisted by Penguin Random House for their WriteNow Live program, which would have seen 1000 Faces receive editorial support from one of Penguin's editors. Although I ultimately was not one of the authors awarded that support; 1000 Faces got some in-depth feedback from a number of industry professionals. In addition to getting a huge confidence boost from that feedback, I also got a good understand of what I have to work on to make myself an author and storyteller that publishers will be excited to work with.

NG: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

GRAHAM-JONES: Something that I frequently see given as a piece of advice is not to think of yourself as 'aspiring'. Do the thing, write the story or the book or whatever it may be, and you are not aspiring, you are doing.

NG: NG: Thank you so much for being with us today, Jenny! Good luck with all your projects!

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Lillian Noble

Lillian grew up in Florida, where she fell in love with movie magic and the power of film at Walt Disney World at Disney's Hollywood Studios. She was introduced to the galaxy far, far away when she was two years old, and her favorite Star Wars film is Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. She is currently a film publicity and promotions coordinator based in Washington, DC. You can connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

NOBLE: I was introduced to the world of science fiction when I was around two years old. I grew up watching Star Wars films, and reading comics, mystery and sci-fi novels. My mom grew up loving Star Wars. Her mom handmade a Princess Leia costume in the 80s for her at Halloween, and my dad loves all things Sci-Fi, Marvel, and DC comics. He introduced me to the Original Trilogy first. I remember that Darth Vader, R2-D2, and Princess Leia were my first favorite characters. I had an R2-D2 plush and a Darth Vader figure that I would carry around everywhere. My dad also had a life-size Yoda figure that he used for a Luke Skywalker cosplay that I enjoyed playing with. It was just as big as I was!

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

NOBLE: Like I mentioned before, my family loves Star Wars, so it has always been a way for us all to connect. Growing up, we would all watch the films, play the video games together, go to Star Wars Weekends and go to Celebrations together. I have also met so many people through Star Wars and have been able to connect with them through our love of the saga and science fiction. Some fans that I have met have become close friends who I talk with all of the time. Also, one of the reasons I wanted to work in the film/entertainment industry and got into film publicity is because of my love of Star Wars. I love how films, especially the Star Wars films, bring people together, inspire thoughtful discussions, and are something that people watch and enjoy with friends and family. A part of my job is that I work with the studios to set advance screenings of upcoming films for press and local organizations in market. I enjoy playing a small part in helping to bring people together to see these movies! Just this week, I worked the DC advance screening of SOLO: A Star Wars Story. After the screening, I loved that I had the opportunity to chat with several of the families who came out to see the movie.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction books, TV shows, and movies?

NOBLE: I feel like this changes all of the time (there are so many great options!), but as of right now:

Books: Fahrenheit 451, the Star Wars: The Clone Wars novelization and the Republic Commando series.

Shows: Timeless, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Runaways.

Films: The Empire Strikes Back, Rogue One, and my childhood favorite, Atlantis.

NG: What are some of the elements you like most about the Star Wars universe?

NOBLE: I love all of the themes in Star Wars. "Good" vs. "Evil," exploring each character's point of view, and the idea that there are heroes on both sides. There's so much character development in Star Wars, and so many stories of characters coming of age and succeeding and failing and learning from their mistakes.

NG: Who are the Science Fiction female characters you have found most significant?

NOBLE: There are so many...two that come to mind right now are Leia Organa and Ahsoka Tano.

I have always loved Leia. Her wit, strength, and resolve is inspiring. Despite losing her parents, her home planet, her husband, and her son, she is still so strong for everyone who is looking to her for guidance and for hope.

I also really admire Ahsoka Tano. I grew up loving Leia, but I grew up with Ahsoka. I always felt like she was a character I related to, because she was introduced in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film and series when I was around her age. She was introduced as this spunky young Jedi who wanted to prove that she deserved to be Anakin's Padawan. Throughout the series, I loved watching Ahsoka learn from her mistakes and become a leader and commander in the Clone Wars. Then, when falsely accused by the Jedi Order, Ahsoka had the courage to walk away from everything she knew–her home, her mentors, and her dreams to be a Jedi Knight in order to stay true to herself and her values, and was brave enough to go out on her own path. I always admired her bravery to be able to walk away from something that she knew was holding her back. Ahsoka is such a well-rounded character. She is a skilled warrior who can hold her own while stranded on an island being hunted by Trandoshans or in a fight against Darth Vader, she is fiercely loyal to her friends and allies, and she is compassionate and kind.

I am really excited about the character Enfys Nest. I love that she's the leader of this group of "marauders," and that she's feared across the galaxy by smugglers and "big shot gangsters." I don't want to go into it too much because I don't want to spoil anything, but once you've seen the film, you'll know why I love her. I can't wait to learn more about Enfys and I hope she's in a comic series or novelization.

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

NOBLE: I think so! Although there have been times that men have made comments to me about "not actually being a true fan" and have questioned my love of science fiction and my knowledge of some characters, I have been blessed that for the most part I have always felt welcome. I try to ignore the negative comments when they come my way. I found a community of other female Star Wars fans when I was a teenager, and would meet up with them at Star Wars Weekends every year. I hope that every fangirl can find other women to discuss and share their love of sci-fi with! Please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter!

NG: How much do you think fangirls can influence the industry?

NOBLE: Fangirls are a Force to be reckoned with. I believe that fangirls and women creators speaking up and working hard to get their voices heard have contributed to some of the positive shift we have seen in the representation of female characters in films and other media. Years ago, all of the superhero films were about male heroes. While these were amazing movies, there are hundreds of heroines out there who deserve their own films. Women spoke up about wanting to see these characters as more than just secondary characters or cameos. Now, we have Wonder Woman 2 and Captain Marvel coming out. We have the Forces of Destiny series and figures. Rey is the Force-sensitive lead in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and Solo: A Star Wars Story has three amazing new characters in Val and Qi'ra and Enfys.

Where I'd really like to see more of a change is in the industry itself. There are so many talented female writers and directors, and I'd love to see more women write and direct sci-fi and superhero films. I'm really looking forward to seeing a Star Wars film that is directed by a woman! I think that day is coming soon..

NG: Who are some women you find most inspiring in that industry?

NOBLE: I look up to the women who are so passionate about their professions and who are so talented at what they do. Some ladies I'm inspired by are Annie Stoll (Art Director, Designer at Sony), Claire Raskind (unit publicist), Lynne Hale (VP, Publicity & Communications at LFL), Kiri Hart (SVP, Development at LFL), Ashley Eckstein (Her Universe founder), Tracy Cannobbio (LFL Publicist), and Kathleen Kennedy (LFL President).

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction has a responsibility to be diverse and inclusive?

NOBLE: Absolutely. Science Fiction should reflect our own world, no exceptions.

NG: What are you most looking forward to in the Star Wars universe?

NOBLE: I am looking forward to exploring more of the galaxy through the new films. We know the Skywalkers, we're caught up on The Clone Wars, we are learning about the First Order in the sequel trilogy right now. I'm excited to learn more about the other people in this galaxy and hear how their lives and experiences shape the rest of the story. I think some of the new films that are in the works (like the new trilogy by Rian Johnson that was announced, and the spin-off films) will explore these characters.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today, Lillian! It is always a pleasure to talk all things Science Fiction (and of course Star Wars)!

Annie Stoll

Annie Stoll is a Grammy nominated art director and award-winning designer and illustrator. She currently works in New York City as an art director at Sony Music Entertainment. A lifelong Star Wars fan, Annie worked with Lucasfilm on a number of projects, including illustration for "Sabine: My Rebel Sketchbook" with author Dan Wallace and the upcoming "Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy" by author Amy Ratcliffe. When she is not doodling or dreaming about a galaxy far far away, Annie loves to create zines inspired by her West-Coast travels and curate comic anthologies such as the recent massive 3-Volume people-positive anthology, 1001 Knights. You can find her on Twitter and Instragram @aniistoll.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

STOLL: I honestly cannot even remember. I think that Science Fiction is a genre that was woven into my childhood from an early age from playing with hand-me-down Star Wars figures to playing dress up as a space-wizard and reading as many Science Fiction/Fantasy books as I could when I was young. We did not grow up with a lot and one of the things my brother and sister and I would do is swipe giant cardboard boxes from the street, paint them like spaceships, find bits and pieces of computers and make our own space world. It is hard to pinpoint one precise franchise or moment. Rather, it was how my parents encouraged us and certainly were open to books that we read as young children up through our teen years.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

STOLL: A very special and loving place for sure. My favorite anime and movies are generally within this genre and often comics I love to read as well. I feel like science fiction can be so broad and there is always something new to learn about it.

NG: What are your favorite Science Fiction books and movies?

STOLL: Movies: Star Wars (all of them!), Black Panther, and everything else from Back to the Future to Blade Runner to Super 8.

TV Shows: Cowboy Bebop, FLCL, Stranger Things, Doctor Who, and pretty much any anime with mechs, Star Wars Rebels, Almost Human, Sense8, Space Dandy.

Books: When it comes to books, I read a lot more fantasy and manga lately, but my spouse writes rad Science Fiction, I really love that. I am currently drawn to Science Fiction writing that is more personal and less epic.

Star Wars Books: Kenobi by John Jackson Miller, and Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson, and then all the art of the movie books!

Manga: Aria (or Aqua), Full Metal Alchemist, Trigun, Evangelion, FLCL.

NG: What are the Science Fiction female characters you have found most significant?

STOLL: Amanita & Nomi from Sense8 for so many reasons but especially for what they and their entire show represent.

Also Sabine from Star Wars Rebels— she's a character that let me be a part of the Star Wars universe that is so special and personal to me. And having a major character who is an artist as well as someone who stands up for their beliefs and isn't afraid to be themselves is really important to me.

Shuri in Black Panther was absolutely amazing. It is so cool to see a young woman who is super smart, energetic and confident be a major character in a huge franchise film.

NG: What are some of your greatest influences for your art?

STOLL: For sure, things like Star Wars inspired me when I was young, as well as comics like Spiderman. But it was really the shojo genre with Sailor Moon that opened me up to an even more vibrant world. And from there I would say that the art community on the internet constantly inspires me– the more you know, the more you find there is to know and to learn. I love all kinds of art and genres of art. I try to keep learning so that I am constantly challenging myself and evolving my style.

NG: Can you tell us about your experience freelancing for Lucasfilm?

STOLL: I can tell you that every time it has been an absolute honor, joy and privilege. I'm so very grateful not only because I am a big Star Wars fan, but also because my first gigs with Lucasfilm were part of what helped me save enough money to move to New York and from there I have been able to pursue my graphic design dreams of working in the music industry. Working for Lucasfilm, whether doing design for merch or books, has been such a joy. Everyone I have been lucky enough to work with really loves what they do and also really respects art. They allow artists the freedom to be themselves in artistic expression and they always have a really excellent collaborative vibe.

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

STOLL: Science Fiction as a genre is not inherently gendered, but for a long time the community was not very inclusive. I think things like social media and the internet have gone a long way to bring people together in their love of the genre and I am hopeful that the community will grow and include everyone equally.

NG: How much do you think fangirls can influence the media industry?

STOLL: Girls can accomplish anything when they work together. We can be a force for good to be reckoned with!

NG: What would you like to see more in Science Fiction?

STOLL: Women of color. Non Binary representation. Women directors/creators/crew. LGBTQIA+characters. People of color in lead roles.

NG: Can you tell us about your current projects?

STOLL: I am really excited to be a part of an amazing group of artists in "Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy" by Amy Ratcliffe with Chronicle Books out this fall. Additionally, I am working on a second volume of "Hana Doki Kira" a shojo anthology with the Year 85 Group. And!! I'm doing design on an amazing anthology edited by my spouse, Thea Ferrara, called "Planetside Anthology" which is a Science Fiction slice of life anthology with a ton of amazing comics by really rad creators.

Thanks so much for asking me these questions! Rock on!

NG: Thank you so much for being with us today! I wish you the best of luck for your upcoming projects and can't wait to see all the amazing art in Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy!

Brittany M. Willows

Brittany M. Willows is a self-published bisexual author / digital artist /comic colorist living in rural Ontario, Canada with her mother, a cat, and a nutty little dog called Chili. Her love for video games and the stories they told was what inspired her to start writing her own stories in the first place, and she has been building fictional universes for over a decade. When she's not writing about post-apocalyptic lands and aliens and people gallivanting through the stars, she can be found hunched over a tablet drawing the very same things. You can connect with her on DeviantArt, Twitter, her blog, and Facebook.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

WILLOWS: I was first introduced to science fiction when my Dad bought me and my sister our very first Xbox with a copy of Halo: Combat Evolved. I started playing when I was seven years old and I have loved the series ever since. It was the thing that made me want to create my own worlds and characters, to tell my own stories.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

WILLOWS: Science fiction is near and dear to my heart. It is a constant source of inspiration for me and the spark behind most of my stories (even if my story's main genre is not science fiction, it will usually have some sort of Science Fiction aspect to it). It is such an imaginative genre that can take you on some of the most extraordinary adventures.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy books, TV shows, and movies?

WILLOWS: Books: Halo: Cryptum by Greg Bear, The Star and the Ocean by Maggie Derrick, and Beyond the Red by Ava Jae.

TV shows: Fringe, Stranger Things, Steven Universe.

Movies: Treasure Planet, Lilo & Stitch, Black Panther.

NG: What authors had had the most influence on your own craft?

WILLOWS: Early on, it was Erin Hunter – the trio behind the Warriors books. Then it was Tobias Buckell. His novel, The Cole Protocol, was my first real foray into Science Fiction books. And more recently, Victoria Schwab has become a massive influence. Her prose sings. It flows off the page and paints such beautiful scenes in my mind.

NG: Can you tell us about the Calypsis Project?

WILLOWS: In short, The Calypsis Project is a space opera that follows an unlikely team of aliens and humans who come together in order to save the galaxy. This story is my baby, my oldest project. I started developing it when I was nine years old and it's been through many, many, many iterations since then. It is a story of acceptance, of camaraderie, and fighting the odds even when they are stacked against you

NG: What are your inspirations for your digital art?

WILLOWS: Music has got to be my biggest inspiration when it comes to artwork! In fact, it's also the biggest inspiration for the more emotional or epic scenes in my stories. I like to imagine the scenes playing out like a movie in my head, and it's those scenes I typically draw. Other than that, it's really just my characters that inspire me.

NG: What are the Science Fiction female characters you have found most significant?

WILLOWS: Cortana from Halo (surprise, surprise). I think she was one of the first female characters I had seen in science fiction who had depth a personality beyond the "Love Interest" role I had grown so used to seeing. Olivia Dunham from Fringe is another. She was a badass and the writers were not afraid to also show her vulnerable moments. And Okoye and Shuri from Black Panther were terrific examples as well!

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

WILLOWS: Personally, I've had a pleasant experience so far. I have not encountered too many unwelcoming folks. However, I have met a few who sneer and tell me that I should take my writing elsewhere. That I do not have what it takes to write in this genre. Or they simply assume my stories are romance based solely off the fact that I am a woman. So it definitely can be and often is unwelcoming to women, but things are starting to change!

NG: Do you think Science Fiction helps in fostering discussions discussion about LGBQIA+ issues?

WILLOWS: I think it can, absolutely! Many science fiction stories are set in a future where all different gender identities and sexual orientations are commonplace—not treated as oddities. I think these books provide people with a glimpse of what could be, of a world where LGBTQIA+ folks are not merely tolerated, but accepted. This encourages us to continue the push for acceptance, and shows others that we can be out and proud and be part of the world without disrupting it.

NG: What are you currently working on?

WILLOWS: I am currently drowning in revisions on two projects. One is the much-needed rewrite of the first Calypsis Project book, my little debut. Having wrote it between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, it's a little on the rough side. The other is the prequel novel, Pulse, which takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth thirty-odd years prior to the main series.

I also have several short stories in the works, and a magical Science Fiction/Fantasy project I'm tinkering with on the side. In other words, I have way more on the go than I probably should. I may have a bit of a problem!

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today, Brittany! I wish you all the best with your current projects!

Melissa Villy

Melissa is a lifelong Star Wars fan and all around fangirl. Her favorites over the years include Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, Eureka, Warehouse 13, Defiance, The Vampire Diaries, Outlander, Game of Thrones, and many more. In 2013, she graduated with my Master's in Library and Information Science and works as a Youth Services Librarian where she uses her love of all things geeky to help the next generation be as geeky as possible. In her spare time she reads all the books, writes, and dabbles in costuming. She has a young Jocasta Nu costume and is working on a Duchess Satine Kryze costume with the help of her mom. You can connect with her on her blog and on Twitter @jedilibrarian42.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

VILLY: My mom took me to the library from a very young age, and we would check out videos. Around age three I checked out Star Wars. I was instantly in love. I did not understand the plot for years, but I know I loved it. There was a princess, a pilot with a winning smile, and an evil bad guy. What's not to like for a little kid? The rest, is, as they say, history. I tried anything that took place in space after that. I never really got into Star Trek, but Stargate become my second favorite after seeing the TV show as a teen. Now, I give most Science Fiction things a chance, I usually end up loving them.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

VILLY: I think it's got a huge place. I've grown up reading and watching science fiction and fantasy. I think it helped shape me into the person I am in subtle ways. Being a fangirl has also brought me some of my best and closest friends, one I met in college and another through Tampa's Steampunk community. If I had not grown up being a fan I would not have these wonderful women in my life.

On another note, it's inspired me to write my own original fiction. I have had this idea since I was around 14 or 15 or so, so 17 or 18 years. While I do not actually have a lot of it written down, or typed out I guess I should say, It's something that's always churning in my mind. Star Wars has been a big influence on it, as has Game of Thrones, and Downtown Abbey, which may not be science fiction but it kick started a love of British Television. I have also got a Steampunk story idea and a Vampire idea kicking around in the old noggin.

NG: What are you top 3 Science Fiction books/films/TV shows?

VILLY: Star Wars is definitely number one. Stargate, is my second favorite. I really got into the fandom through Gateworld.com and even wrote fanfiction and made a lot of fan art for it. My third favorite is a tricky one. I have been a fan of a lot of stuff over the years. But I think I would have to go with Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles YA series. It combines fairy tales with a futuristic space setting. I devoured the books and even have the coloring book. They are a go to recommended series at work when I have a tween who is advanced enough reading level wise for YA, but their parents are concerned over some of the content in YA.

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

VILLY: Princess Leia will always be a princess to me. Colonel Samantha Carter from Stargate: SG-1, while I am not a science fan, I know she has been an inspiration to girls that are, but I love her for her brains and toughness. She saves the day on numerous occasions. Plus, she is blonde like me which was always a plus since so many blonde characters are not shown as being highly intelligent. Teyla from Stargate: Atlantis, Padme from Star Wars, Claire Fraser from Outlander.

NG: Can you tell us about your experience as a contributor to Future of the Force?

VILLY: It has been so much fun! I started writing for them randomly last May. I contacted Patty Hammond, who is one of the editors, with a story idea I had and asked her if she thought they'd be interested. After that, I kept submitting things and before long, I was asked to join as a regular. In the fall, I started reviewing the children's titles, which aren't given the credit they deserve on most sites. As a librarian, I'm a big advocate for more children's titles for young fans and reviewing them on FotF gives me the opportunity to help spread the word that they exist and highlight the awesome authors creating Star Wars content for kids.

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

VILLY: Considering that Frankenstein, arguably the first science fiction book, was written by a woman, yes. It has always had women in it. However, I think male authors and creators took it over and forgot that it was a woman that started it in the first place. Somehow it became a genre written mostly by men. As more women start to become known for writing science fiction, I think we'll have a healthy balance of men and women creating it. In fact, I'm pretty sure that most of the YA science fiction books out now are written by women and they are getting plenty of accolades and recognition.

NG: How do you think Science Fiction could be more inclusive?

VILLY: I have never really thought about it. I have never thought it was not inclusive. Maybe my experiences just have not included a lot of negativity the way other fangirl's have.

NG: What were some of your most significant experiences in Science Fiction fandom?

VILLY: My first Stargate fanfic got nominated for a Stargate fan award. I did not win, but getting nominated was such a shock and honor. It was the first completed story I had written and the fact that people liked it that much really boosted my confidence with my writing. That was 13 or so years ago now, and my writing has changed a lot, but I can always look back at that as proof that I can one day finish my original story.

I would also say that Twitter has opened a whole new facet of fandom. I have met so many other awesome fangirls thanks to it and to Her Universe's fangirl of the day, for which I got the honor the week of July Fourth 2013. I got to meet several of those women at Celebration last year which was a great experience. Patty Hammond adopted me for the day on Easter when I did not have anyone to walk around with, and it was so much fun. I wish I had met up with her earlier in the con since I was alone last year. I have met so many other great fangirls thanks to Twitter, and not just Star Wars Twitter, but Library Twitter is just as awesome, particularly when it crosses over. I know the downsides of social media and hyper connectivity get all the attention, but it has really made the world smaller and allowed people from all over the world to connect over the things they love.

NG: Do you believe fangirls can influence the media industries?

VILLY: I think we have already begun to. The plethora of t-shirts and now even fashion pieces for women, which feature various fandoms, has exploded. Ten years ago we would have been lucky to find a decent t-shirt. I now own two Captain America dresses and a blouse, a Padme Sweater, and more t-shirts for more fandoms than I ever thought possible. By buying these items we continue to prove we want them.

I think it is the same with other merchandise or movies. If we buy the stuff, we influence whether or not more is made. If you build it, they will come after all. I think our voices are finally getting heard and progress is being made to seeing more women on screen and as creators. I know some aren't content with the slow progress, but I am.

NG: What are you most looking forward to in the Star Wars universe?

VILLY: I'd really like to see the Siege of Mandalore. My first article on Future of the Force was about YA novel stories I'd like to see including Sabine's time at the Imperial Academy, Cassian Andor's time growing up (because he has been in this fight since he was six), and a Padme/Handmaiden duology. I want to see Maul's full story, I want the end of Clone Wars. However, we have no idea if we will ever be getting these stories. If we do, they are what I'd be most looking forward to seeing explored in some way.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today, Melissa! I wish you all the best with your different projects!

Lizbette Ocasio-Russe

Lizbette Ocasio-Russe received her B.A. in Journalism/Romance Languages with a minor in Creative Writing from New York University. She completed her M.A. in English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. She is currently working on her PhD in Humanities at the University of Texas at Dallas where she works both as an undergraduate Rhetoric instructor and as the creative nonfiction editor for Reunion: The Dallas Review. She has had short fiction published in eTropic: Electronic journal of studies in the tropics, Poui: The Cavehill Journal of Creative Writing, Moko: Caribbean Arts and Letters, Tonguas: Student Literary and Artistic Expression Journal, scholarly publications in postScriptum: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Literary Studies and the NAAAS & Affiliates Monograph Series, and horror genre articles in Horror Queen Media. You can find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Horror Queen Media.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

OCASIO-RUSSE: Through Back to the Future, which I completely fell in love with. The idea of time travel and two uniquely brilliant underdog protagonists harnessing it fascinated me.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

OCASIO-RUSSE: Science Fiction is validation that no idea is too wild. Since Back to the Future Science Fiction has just been inspiration and motivation. The creativity and thought process that go into Science Fiction are insane. Most of them require the creation of new rules and paradigms of existence. To come up with all of that and put it together in a coherent story that compels millions is nothing short of impressiv..

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy books, TV shows, and movies?

OCASIO-RUSSE: There is Back to the Future, Terminator, Black Mirror, and Stranger Things (horror/drama/science fiction hybrid). I also consider David Bowie a kind of sci-fi singer. Dick Hebdige puts it best in his book Subculture: The Meaning of Style (1979): "Bowie's meta-message was escape – from class, from sex, from personality, from obvious commitment – into a fantasy past or a science-fiction future."

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

OCASIO-RUSSE: Sarah Connor, all the way. I have wanted to be her since I was 12. She was this normal and rather uninspired twenty-something who turned into the biggest badass ever; she began the resistance and gave birth to its leader. No matter how much and for how long they called her crazy, she knew the truth and waited patiently until she could act. She didn't let them win. And guess what, she's back for another movie.

NG: What do you think of the versatility of Science Fiction?

OCASIO-RUSSE: I love that it can also creep into other genres. Stranger Things, for example, is like a sci-fi/horror mashup. Signs is a Sci-fi/horror/drama with surprising amounts of depth and aesthetic sensibilities. It's also so interesting that no matter the time period, you can always contextualize a sci-fi adventure within it.

It is also particularly interesting as a genre because the conflict always has to do with what Judith Hess Wright refers to as providing "a solution to the problems by intrusion—that is, they tell us how to deal with what may be called 'the other.'" This allows for so much diversity in content and subject matter; you can have a Science Fiction film that deals with issues of colonialism and coloniality just as easily as you can have a film that present issues of modernity.

NG: How do you see the relations/hybridity between Science Fiction and Horror?

OCASIO-RUSSE: The hybridity between Science Fiction and horror is where the future is at in terms of film and television. This hybridity has been present for a while, films such as Ridley Scott's Alien and M. Night Shyamalan's Signs attesting to that. I feel like sci-fi and horror have a special relationship. The futuristic and quasi-magical has always been closely tied to the horrific, as the unknown always brings fear with; "the other" is always a source of concern and what are horror and sci-fi if not about the fear of the unknown "other." Even slasher films take from sci-fi, Todd Strauss-Schulson's The Finals Girls, which I discuss in a recent article about campy horror films on a website called Horror Queen Media, being a contemporary example. In the movie, a group of teenagers gets transported into the 80s cult horror classic they were viewing in theaters and must find a way to work with the characters of the film to make it till the end of the movie. The futuristic and magical elements of sci-fi present opportunities for horror, these elements can allow for the inclusion of themes and storylines that the traditional conventions of horror might not permit. Once magic and futuristic technologies are incorporated, terror can be taken to new heights.

Black Mirror is a perfect blend of sci-fi and horror especially episodes like "Playtest" and "Nosedive" from season 3.

NG: Do you think Science Fiction a genre welcoming to women?

OCASIO-RUSSE: Absolutely, especially now when girl power, as the Spice Girls would say, is so in vogue. Sci-fi is kind of the great equalizer of the sexes. Technology and the supernatural make it so that men and women can exist on a level playing field; not even physical biological superiority is a factor most of the time. Since Science Fiction goes beyond the human experience to imagine how it can be improved, there are no limits, for men or women. Sarah Connor (Terminator), Eleven (Stranger Things), Ellen Ripley (Alien), Dana Scully (X-Files), and Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games) are proof of this.

NG: What are current issues you see in Science Fiction?

OCASIO-RUSSE: What seems the most present and pertinent issue in Science Fiction entertainment texts is ethics and morality. With limitless possibilities, comes the danger of going too far. How far should we take technology, artificial intelligence? Black Mirror is an excellent example of this concern. The world presented in "Nosedive" (season three episode one) seems to have taken it too far with a social credit score determining every aspect of individuals' lives. Interestingly, this is now a reality in China. Millions of cameras are making it possible for Chinese citizens to be monitored during their everyday lives, their social interactions and decision making earning them a social credit score that determines whether or not the individual can do things such as travel and buy property.

NG: How do you think Science Fiction could be more inclusive?

OCASIO-RUSSE: It is no secret that Science Fiction has historically been a rather misogynistic genre, not that it stands as the only one. All genres were at some point insanely patriarchal because of the dominant order of the time. It is also no secret that equality among the sexes is still not a real thing, though we are much closer than we have ever been, the patriarchy is still in control. Thus, of course Sci-fi can be more inclusive and that does not just mean including more badass female characters. It means including characters from all parts of the sexual and gender spectrum and showcasing a variety of ideologies (not just western ones). This goes for all genres; they can all be more inclusive.

NG: What are upcoming Science Fiction projects you are most looking forward to?

OCASIO-RUSSE: Season 3 of Stranger Things, the follow up to The Power Rangers, Halloween (if you consider the supernatural element enough grounds to qualify it as a horror Science Fiction hybrid), there is rumor of an Avatar 2, and if you consider superhero movies Science Fiction (which I believe you can) then Aquaman and Shazam. I am also curious to see how the reboot of Roswell (1999-2002); honestly, it looks like they are trying to make it entirely too serious, but we will see.

NG: Thank you for being with us today, Liz! I look forward to reading more of your articles!

Kristina Kirk

Kristina Kirk is a PhD student in the Arts and Humanities department and a rhetoric instructor at the University of Texas at Dallas. She holds bachelor's degrees in sociology and English from Middle Tennessee State University and a master's degree in literature with a focus on creative writing from Belmont University. She is interested in researching music as literature, narrative in young adult literature, and books as cultural artifacts. Her work often aims to examine the popular as academic. Her larger academic project seeks to legitimize young adult literature as literature through the construction of a theory of narrative in young adult literature that is distinct and separable from narrative in literature written by and for adults.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

KIRK: My first introduction to science fiction was The X Files. I was nine and they terrified me! We had a giant window behind the couch and I was always afraid to sit there. One specific episode, with an underwater alien thing, really haunts me to this day. I think it's incredible that something so scary and awesome (in the truest sense of the word) can spring from someone's imagination.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

KIRK: I am a young adult scholar, so my main interaction with Science Fiction is through YA. Dystopian was a thing for a long time, and I got dystopian'd out, but I am beginning to read for field exams, so I am getting back into them. I am in the middle of Alexandra Bracken's Darkest Minds series right now.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction books, TV shows, and movies?

KIRK: Oh boy, top 3 is always a tough one. These are in no particular order:

I will always say Buffy—not only were they funny and feminist AF; but Faith was my first crush, and Willow and Tara were the first lesbian couple I ever knew of.

Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series is another must. Actually, anything by Kelley Armstrong, but this series is especially compelling because it is all different types of women and the stories are loosely connected. My favorite is Haunted. The imagination it takes to create an afterlife so well-crafted is amazing.

Kerstin Geir's Gem trilogy is another favorite: YA, time travel, excellent writing, and an innovative story. I wish I could read German so I could read the series in its original form.

NG: What are the female Science Fiction writers that have most influenced you?

KIRK: Definitely Kelley Armstrong, as mentioned before. She is incredible. Also influential is Cornelia Funke, who wrote Inkworld, a series where the characters go into books. Ryssa Walker is the last I will mention. Her Chronos Files series is time traveling, genetics-altering, YA awesomeness.

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

KIRK: Leia, hands down. Also Rey; but Leia was the OG. She founded the Resistance! She is a badass lady.

NG: What do you think of Young Adult Science Fiction?

KIRK: For me, Science Fiction is not as strict as it is for others, so the blurring between it and fantasy /other genres is an integral part of Science Fiction, especially in regards to YA. YA is all about innovation and creativity, trying new things, relating to teens in new ways. Science fiction lends itself pretty well to that idea, I think.

NG: How do you see the relations/hybridity between Science Fiction and other genres such as Horror and Fantasy?

KIRK: I am not entirely sure I believe in genre as we currently define it. Originally, genre was fiction, drama, and poetry, and actually I am not entirely sure that holds true anymore either. What I mean to say is I do not see genre, Science Fiction or otherwise, as fixed with hard edges.

NG: Do you think Science Fiction a genre welcoming to women?

KIRK: I think it has become so. Of course, the only Science Fiction I really know is YA, and YA as a whole definitely welcomes and accepts women.

NG: What are current issues you see in Science Fiction, especially Young Adult?

KIRK: I think we all got SO dystopian'd out. YA Sci-Fi seems to be stuck in the rut of "oh, this worked for Veronica Roth and Suzanne Collins, so it will work for me." Stop it! Go back to innovating.

NG: How do you think Science Fiction could be more inclusive?

KIRK: I am pretty sure you mean of women, but I am going to intersectional this. I think we need to try harder to write diverse characters. We are going to get it wrong, but in getting it wrong we learn, and we grow. We will not ever get there if we do not try.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today, Kristina! I wish you all the best with your PhD and creative projects!

Fox Estacado

Fox Estacado is a public health and policy researcher, fan, artist, and member of Three Patch Podcast.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

ESTACADO: I believe my very first science fiction or fantasy work was the children's book Mrs. Frisby and The Rats of NIMH at the age of 9 or so. And a few years later, The X-Files.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

ESTACADO: As I am now a big consumer of fanfiction and fanworks, science fiction alternate universes (AUs) are one of my favorite genres. Inserting characters from shows such as Sherlock (BBC) and Yuri! on Ice into science fiction and fantasy situations — such as time travel, futuristic dystopias, space exploration, Harry Potter crossovers– provides endless opportunities to explore the characters' dynamics, ethics, romance, angst, in wildly different settings. Some of the most moving, memorable, and impactful stories I've ever read are science fiction and fantasy AUs. Science fiction has a way of heightening the emotional risks the characters go through, and very often, present provocative and novel ethical dilemmas that increase the angst.

NG: Can you tell us about your digital design work?

ESTACADO: I have been working as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer for over a decade now. In middle and high school, I was fortunate enough to have received scholarships to attend prestigious fine arts programs, where I honed my technical skills in drawing and painting. But, ultimately I decided not to pursue art in college. Nonetheless, I continued to work on art for fun, and I am always curious to try new techniques and learn new programs. I transitioned to digital illustration, first as a means to escape the smell and impact of turpentine in a small apartment, but I grew to enjoy the freedom and utility of the medium. I was able to paint digitally in a very similar way as I paint in analog. When I started to exhibit my digital paintings at fan conventions, I realized that other fans were interested in collecting my works. So I began to expand my hobby into a small business. I now attend conventions around the U.S. and internationally to sell and exhibit my artwork. I maintain my freelance art business alongside my non-art-related career, and it is incredibly fulfilling to watch my "for fun" hobby grow into a successful business. I am constantly experimenting with new styles of art, and have expanded my art products from prints to a line of t-shirts and apparel, including my "Ask Me About My Ship" shirts. I also occasionally accept projects that involve collaborating with other creators I admire. Most notably, I worked with author Cecilia Tan to develop and paint the covers for the re-release of her series, The Magic University.

NG: How did you experience as a fan artist influence your professional career?

ESTACADO: In my career, I am an HIV/AIDS activist and researcher, and even though this career appears to have nothing to do with art, I have been able to translate the skills I honed as a fan artist into work I do in HIV/AIDS research dissemination. A lot of research is still stuck in pre-social media days, and researchers often have a hard time finding an audience in social media. As a fan artist and an entrepreneur who has built a brand online, I was able to use my branding, illustration, and graphic design skills to disseminate research findings to a much wider audience online, an audience that would otherwise miss critical findings that could impact public health policy.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction, TV shows, and movies?

ESTACADO: The X-Files, Interstellar, and Blade Runner. There are many, many more, but these are the first 3 that came to mind!

NG: What are the Science Fiction female characters you have found most significant?

ESTACADO: Definitely Dana Scully! She is accomplished, intelligent, empowered, capable, stubborn, stands up for her truths, and fights. She is such an inspiring strong female character and she has made a deep impression on me at a young age.

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

ESTACADO: In terms of mainstream science fiction, no, but it is changing and I am hopeful it will be more welcoming to women fans and creators. I feel more at home in online fan communities that are largely female and queer.

NG: How much do you think fangirls can influence the media industry?

ESTACADO: I think the recent successes of mainstream sci-fi films that feature strong women and diverse characters have finally proven to the industry what we've all known for years: that we will come out to see films that reflect and portray us, and that fangirls are a significant portion of sci-fi fans. In this way, we will influence the media industry. I want to see a media industry that is full of women, women of color, and queer women of color.

NG: Do you think Science Fiction helps fostering discussion about societal issues?

ESTACADO: In the U.S., media is one of our greatest exports in the world, and we have incredible opportunities to craft and share stories that envision a future we want. So often, sci-fi stories are allegories for current events and social issues, and can provide compelling insight and perspective. In this way, sci-fi storytelling is a powerful format for communication, one that can transcend cultural, linguistic, and social boundaries.

NG: What Science Fiction stories are you most looking forward to?

ESTACADO: Since I am currently reading a lot of Sherlock (BBC) and Yuri! on Ice fanfiction, I am most looking forward to reading more of some of my favorite sci-fi AU tropes, such as alien!Sherlock's adventures with a human John Watson on a deep space exploration journey, or how Hufflepuff!Yuuri meets and befriends Victor, a remarkable transfer student from Durmstrang wizarding school.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today, Fox! It was nice to have you here and I look forward to all your future arts!

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Savanna Oudit

Born and raised in central Florida, Savanna is a self-proclaimed dorky diva as she sports her geeky side with a splash of class and style. Her passion for Star Wars has led Savanna to explore her personal style and integrate it with her love of science fantasy films. She's currently a self-employed brand manager and resides in Seattle, Washington with her husband and their dog, Rex. You can connect with Savanna on her website, Twitter, and Instagram.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

OUDIT: It is difficult for me to remember my first introduction to science fiction, but I know that introduction was most likely through Star Wars. My mom has been a Star Wars fan since she first saw the original film in 1977. As soon as my brother and I were old enough to watch TV, her first mission was to make us love Star Wars and she was successful! My brother, who is older than me, got his first lightsaber toy for Christmas when he was two or three years old, and I always felt like science fiction was his "thing". He always got Science Fiction toys for his birthday and watched all the Star Wars movies on repeat when we were kids. It was not until the introduction of The Clone Wars animated series in 2008 that I actually felt like Science Fiction and Star Wars could be my thing too. Around that time, I also discovered online forums for women to talk about Star Wars, which really encouraged me to let my love for science fiction fly free.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

OUDIT: Today science fiction plays a huge role in my life. I tend to watch very few movies in the theaters these days, but oftentimes the ones I will see on the big screen are science fiction. I feel like Star Wars practically consumes my life, but in a good way. I love having an interest like Science Fiction because it brings me to new people that I would probably never know if we did not have that one thing in common.

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

OUDIT: If you were asking me this question about five years ago, I am not sure what I would answer yet today I have so many female characters that come to mind. Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars has inspired me a lot because she is one of the most resilient characters I've ever seen. Her story along with the character of Asajj Ventress in The Clone Wars were two women that really stood out to me because they were betrayed in every sense of the word, yet they found their path and made do with what they could. Outside of the Star Wars universe, how can you not say Ripley from the Alien franchise? She's an all-around badass and I love her character, but on a different wavelength from the ladies of Star Wars.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction universes?

OUDIT: Star Wars definitely takes first place for me, but I also love the Alien and Jurassic Park universes. There's something about Sigourney Weaver's character in Alien that I found inspiring when I first saw the movie in my early teens. I love seeing more female roles coming about in science fiction films, both on camera and behind the scenes. All three of these universes have brought women to the forefront in some way or another, and I love it.

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

OUDIT: Generally, yes. I have had few instances where I felt like I was unwelcomed in the science fiction fandom communities, but I also think I have been lucky. There are plenty of women out there who have experienced gate-keeping in Science Fiction fandom, but thankfully I have avoided this for the most part. I think the greatest thing about being a female sci-fi fan now is that there are more of us out there who are willing to band together! When I was younger, I found it very difficult to meet female Science Fiction fans like me which is probably why I neglected that part of my life for so long. However, with social media, online forums, and comic conventions on the rise, it is really easy to meet female fans and be welcomed by them these days. I also think men are starting to realize that female fans have been around for a long time, but now we are more comfortable sharing our fandom publicly and the guys know we're here to stay. I have been super grateful to have an awesome group of male friends that do not make me feel unwelcome in Science Fiction fandom.

NG: Can you tell us about the Dorky Diva and how you started this project?

OUDIT: I started The Dorky Diva back in 2015 to "grow-up" a previous blog that I had, which was clearly made by an 11-year-old. When I made The Dorky Diva, I was still very much into Star Wars, but I was also exploring my personal style and all sorts of other fandoms so I wanted a place where I could write about all of these things without putting myself in a box. The name "The Dorky Diva" was made up by my brother, who truly understands that I am a dork who loves Science Fiction, but also a diva who has a girly side. It's the perfect combination and representation of who I am. Right now, I use the blog to express my passions for geek style, beauty products, and fandom inspired home decor. It is also home to The Dorky Diva Show, a weekly podcast where my co-host Brian and I discuss and review the latest Star Wars content. The Dorky Diva is a place where all people who love nerd culture, beauty, and style can gather and celebrate the things they love.

NG: What are some of your all-time favorite geeky fashion items?

OUDIT: My most treasured item is a green geometric top designed by Preen that has Vader's helmet on the front. Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, herself wore this same top to San Diego Comic Con years ago and since she is a huge source of inspiration for me, I knew I needed to own it. Aside from that, I also really like the denim jacket trend and my personal favorite is the "May the Force be with you" jacket from Her Universe. It has a really nice fit and is perfect for displaying all of my favorite fandom pins.

NG: What were some of your most significant experiences in Science Fiction fandom?

OUDIT: The first one that comes to mind is seeing the very first full-length trailer for The Force Awakens at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in 2015. Han Solo is my favorite Star Wars character and Harrison Ford is one of my all-time favorite actors so hearing "Chewie, we're home," was an incredibly emotional experience for me. Plus, I was in a room with thousands of other Star Wars fans. The energy in that room was something I'll never ever forget! Another significant experience of mine was meeting my now husband at the first Star Wars Celebration I attended in 2012. We met through a group of mutual friends and while we didn't talk a whole lot that weekend, we ended up forming a friendship over the years that all stemmed from Star Wars. Now we're married and have a full of Star Wars prop replicas, costumes, and toys. It's the best!

NG: Do you believe fangirls can influence the media industries?

OUDIT: I absolutely do believe that fangirls can influence the media industries, but I think that sometimes it is still an uphill battle for women to make their voice heard- especially online. Social media platforms give fangirls a place to put their thoughts and make their opinions public, but sometimes that can be very exhausting when "fanboys" want to discount the opinions of women. I think it is very important for women to keep voicing their thoughts on science fiction though. Whether it be attending a Science Fiction convention or writing a review on the latest Science Fiction movie, the world needs more women who are offering their takes on Science Fiction to a typically male dominated fandom.

NG: What are you most looking for in the Star Wars franchise?

OUDIT: There is so much to look forward to in the Star Wars franchise right now, which is exhilarating! Hearing that The Clone Wars will be returning this year was the best news I have gotten in a long time. It is so exciting to think of what a new season of The Clone Wars will bring and it is super special to me since that is what made me a Star Wars fan in the first place. I actually cried when I heard the announcement about the show returning, because without it, I honestly have no idea what type of person I would be today. That show shaped my life. So definitely The Clone Wars, but I was also thrilled to hear about the upcoming Cassian live action show. There are so many things to get excited about in the Star Wars franchise as Lucasfilm continues to push technological boundaries with everything they do. It is incredible.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today, Savanna! It is definitely a good time to be a Star Wars fan, and I look forward to The Dorky Diva's future!

Bria Lavorgna

Bria LaVorgna was once called a "noted Doctor Aphra scholar" on Twitter and honestly... they weren't wrong. By day, she is a project analyst in Northern Virginia and by night, she is a freelance writer with bylines on StarWars.com and in Marvel Comics. A science fiction and fantasy nerd since before she can remember, Bria likes to keep busy at all times or else she inevitably finds a new project to add to her current roster or starts yet another Mass Effect play through. You can find her on her personal website, Twitter, and Instagram.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

LAVORGNA: This answer goes hand-in-hand with my answer for how I was first introduced to Star Wars. When I was two years old, I was left with my uncle and cousins for a few days and they showed me Star Wars for the first time and also fed me chocolate cake. Needless to say, I was immediately hooked on both. I do not actually recall a time when I did not know that Vader was Luke's father.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

LAVORGNA: A very prominent one! The vast majority of the books, TV shows that I watch or engage with are either Science Fiction or fantasy. Star Wars in particular plays a large role. (Such a surprise, I know.) Outside of my day job, it influences most of what I spend my time doing from cosplaying to my freelance work to even the television shows and books I will pick up for fun.

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

LAVORGNA: Right now, I have to go with Iden Versio, Leia Organa, and Padmé Amidala. Leia's been an influential factor in my life since I was a child just like she has been for so many Star Wars fans. She's a leader and fights for what she believes in and doesn't take crap from anyone. She was also one of the few female characters I saw holding her own against the men. Padmé is one of the driving factors behind my interest in both politics and fashion. She's a rejection of the idea that a strong female character can't also embrace the traditionally feminine and enjoy things like beautiful, elaborate dresses. We could do with a few more characters like her especially in science fiction. And then there's Iden Versio who is my everything. She is a woman who holds tight to her convictions but can still admit when she's in the wrong. She's a hero who's willing to give everything she has for the right cause, even her life. I found myself drawn to her as soon as I saw the first Battlefront II trailer partially because she's one of the few Star Wars characters who look like me and partially because I just got who she was as a person from those few minutes. Truly feeling represented for the first time within a universe that you love is an incredible feeling that I hope everyone gets to feel one day.

NG: What are you three favorite Science Fiction universes?

LAVORGNA: This the hardest question because I love so many but at the moment (if we exclude Star Wars because obviously), I think my answers have to be Battlestar Galactica, Mass Effect, and Red Rising. The latter two are relatively new to my life but I fell hard for both of them within the last few years. All three help cover different aspects of stories I love. Battlestar Galactica is the grounded, heart wrenching, and somewhat depressing story that hits you in the gut but ultimately leaves you with a feeling of hope that you can get through these trials. Red Rising is the fight for freedom against an oppressive regime that also hits hard emotionally. Mass Effect is the story of a hero who fights for the fate of the galaxy, inspiring fierce loyalty in her friends and the rest of the galaxy while also breaking you emotionally. (Are you sensing a pattern here in the stories I like?)

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

LAVORGNA: I think it is overall a lot more welcoming than it once was. While we're still constantly being challenged to prove that we're "true fans," I have noticed that (as a whole) we're also now far more willing to stand up and say that it's bullshit and we do not have to prove anything. Fandom gatekeeping is unacceptable behavior. Social media has definitely played a role in making science fiction more welcoming that given how immediate it is and how far a simple tweet can go. It is very different from the world of message boards in which I grew up. More and more, we're seeing more women in prominent positions, both on the professional and fan sides, who are making their voices heard and making the genre feel more welcoming to other women. I think we are really going to see the full, positive effects once this generation of girls who have Rey and Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel grow up. Sometimes, half the battle is just seeing other people like you actively enjoying something that you love too. I like to believe the majority of nerds are past the erroneous mindset that women do not like Science Fiction. There are still naysayers, of course, but they are increasingly fewer and farther between and tend to group together. After all, a simple look around most conventions halls nowadays makes it pretty obvious that we're here to stay

NG: Can you tell us about the White Hot Room and how the project started?

LAVORGNA: White Hot Room is the geek fashion blog I started with my friend Lin back in 2012. It used to also focus on our cosplay but that's been somewhat phased out at this point. Like so many of my projects, it partially came about because I was bored but also because Lin and I really wanted somewhere to channel our love of both fashion and nerdy things. Luckily for us, we started White Hot Room at just the right time as the comic book industry was starting to take more notice of artists who paid attention to fashion and how it can and should play a crucial role in character design. I still remember how thrilled we both were when some of those creators (both artists and writers) noticed the comic character inspired outfits we were putting together and let us know how cool they thought it was. It felt like a validation of not just our love of comics but also how we expressed that love. (I am lucky to now count some of those creators among my friends.) This was also in the early years of Her Universe and the market slowly realizing that women wanted geek clothing too. Ever since, we're put together outfits either inspired by different characters or featuring a piece of nerdy clothing (or both) and also try to share some of the cool new geek fashion pieces we find online. It is the perfect sort of project for us that let us combine two of our loves into one.

NG: Can you tell us about your experience as a cosplayer/trooper with the 501st Legion and now with the Rebel Legion as well?

LAVORGNA: I have been in the 501st Legion for a little over 2 years and the Rebel Legion for 6 months. For those who do not know, they are international screen accurate Star Wars costuming organizations who volunteer their time at charity and community events to help share the love of Star Wars with everyone. We do everything from film premieres to hospital visits to conventions to local community events. The 501st covers the bad guys and the Rebel Legion has the good guys. From the costuming side, joining both Legions has been a fun challenge for my creator side because making something screen accurate is a whole new level of dedicated. (I have a new found hatred of pockets after making my X-Wing flightsuit.) I have also learned a ton about fabrication that I might never have without getting into the crazy world building armor and helmets. It's 100% worth it though. There is nothing quite like the glee in someone's eyes when they encounter a group of stormtroopers and pilots or Princess Leia and a pair of x-wing pilots for the first time. What I love most about being in the Legions though are the smiles we get to bring to the faces of those who need it most. My garrison goes to the local children's hospital every month and we spend a few hours going through some of the floors and even the lobby and just spending some time with the kids. They are the toughest and most rewarding troops we do because honestly, it can be really hard to see how much pain some of these kids are in but then it also feels like you're really making a difference just by bringing a smile to their faces. At least once a troop, a parent or nurse will remark to us that it's the first time one of the kids has smiled in days. Those are the moments where you really feel like you are making a difference.

NG: How much do you think fangirls can influence the media industry?

LAVORGNA: Absolutely! The more we make our voices heard, the more the sorts of stories we get change to reflect the world around us. (AKA: the heroes are not always straight white men anymore.) A fair number of the women who work in the media industries are also fangirls but you do not have to be quite that official to have an impact. I have always loved the Lord of the Rings quote "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." because it's true. Like I said before in relation to science fiction being welcoming to women, social media has helped change for the better how fangirls can elevate their voices. It is much easier now for the people in charge to see how we react to different stories and different characters. We are seeing more stories featuring women because our voices have been heard. Plus, the media industries are also businesses and fangirls have more than proven in multiple arenas that we are a worthy market to pay attention to. (All you need to do is look at Her Universe for proof of that.) .

NG: What are you most looking for in the Star Wars franchise?

LAVORGNA: Stories that make me feel something. I love a good space battle or lightsaber duel just as much as anyone but it's the emotion of the stories that I love most. I want characters that I connect with which is why Iden Versio and Doctor Aphra both resonate with me so deeply. It makes a huge difference to see characters in the stories you love who actually look like you. Despite being almost polar opposite in regards to their personalities, I was able to relate to both of them on very personal levels. The short version of my answer is good stories that feature diverse characters and have a strong emotional core. And also fantastic space battles. Excuse me; I need to go rewatch Rogue One for the billionth time.

NG: What are some of your current projects?

LAVORGNA: Right now, in addition to running White Hot Room, I'm the Managing Editor for Tosche Station where I also host two monthly podcasts: the Vongcast and the Kanjikast. I'm also a writer for StarWars.com and mostly focus on comics for them. Most recently, I've done some work for Marvel Comics and have written essays for the bonus pages of some of the Star Wars: Age of Republic comics.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today, Bria. Good luck with all your projects!

Amy Richau

Amy fell in love with the Star Wars universe when she was kid growing up in Montana. Now after several years of working as a film preservationist and archivist in California (including a brief time at the Lucasfilm film archive at Skywalker Ranch) Amy works as a freelance writer in Boulder, Colorado with her husband, two kids, two cats, leopard gecko, and betta fish. You can connect with Amy on Twitter, and check out her site 365 Star Wars here

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

RICHAU: One of my first memories is a glimpse of seeing A New Hope in a movie theater when I was four. I did not become a huge Star Wars fan until Return of the Jedi came out (when I was 10) but Star Wars toys were always scattered around my house. I also remember seeing a lot of Twilight Zone re-runs as a child which both delighted me and completely freaked me out.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

RICHAU: I think many science fiction stories (or in the case of Star Wars fantasy/science fiction) have been a great mental escape for me. If I need to take a break from "the real world," if I am in a rut, or in a dark place – it is great to have a story that is completely separate from my day to day life. The theme of hope plays a part in a lot of science fiction I am drawn to. And I also love stories that aren't afraid to be odd and quirky.

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

RICHAU: Leia was everything to me when I was growing up. I wanted to be her best friend and go on adventures with her. I have also always loved Mon Mothma. I think it meant a lot to me to see her in a leadership position in Return of the Jedi. I'm so glad her story has been expanded so much over the last few years.

Ripley from the Alien films and Scully from The X-Files are also favorites of mine. I watched those films and that TV series when I was in my 20's and loved their characters. I did not really see myself in either one of them, but that's one of the reasons I found them inspiring – it's so important to see a variety of women on screen – women who make mistakes, women who do not back down...

NG: What are you three favorite Science Fiction universes?

RICHAU: Star Wars will always be my #1. Nothing really comes close actually. I am one of the people who will never complain about there being too many Star Wars stories. There is no such thing in my mind.

The X-Files and Twin Peaks might be my other two. I was a bit obsessed with both series when they originally debuted. I have mixed feelings about both of their returns. The first convention I even went to was an X-Files one many, many years ago. And Twin Peaks is so original and goofy and weird.

I am also really enjoying Star Trek Discovery which is the first Trek show I have watched right around the same time it aired.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction, TV shows, and movies?

RICHAU: and Blade Runner. There are many, many more, but these are the first 3 that came to mind!

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

RICHAU: That is a complicated question. In some ways, it is; and in some ways, it is not. I have only recently shared my Star Wars "fandom" online (publicly?) and have felt very welcomed. But I see a lot of inexcusably bad behavior on social media directed at women. Women have always been a part of Science Fiction – from writing it to creating fanzines to attending conventions – and hopefully the people who have issues with this will just shut up about it. Women are not going anywhere.

NG: Do you believe fangirls can influence the media industry?

RICHAU: Yes, of course. Sometimes it is frustrating to have to "prove" the same thing over and over – like a high profile film with a female star can be a success at the box office. But overall, they absolutely can.

NG: What inspired you to bring 365 Star Wars Women to life?

RICHAU: I wanted to do a project that celebrated women (and Star Wars overall) and gave me an excuse to learn more about Star Wars content I didn't know much about (mostly comics and some Legends books). I also wanted to do something that was fact-based and positive. No rankings. No hot takes about these women. More "here they are and here is where you can find out more about them."

I did not even consider asking people to do interviews until a few months into the project and that has become my favorite part of it. I am going back now and interviewing some of the women I profiled in 2018 (like a few of the women who worked with ILM in the 1980s) and adding new women every week in 2019.

NG: What are you most looking for in the Star Wars franchise?

RICHAU: I love it when stories connect or stories like Rogue One which fill a specific time/content gap. I also am looking forward to Star Wars stories that happen well before or well after Episodes I and IX. What am I not looking for may be a better question for me! Hope as an overall theme and the idea of found families are in almost all of my favorite Star Wars stories.

This year I am most looking forward to Episode IX, although The Mandalorian is also something I cannot wait to check out.

NG: What are some of your current projects?

RICHAU: Shortly into 2019 I moved 365 Days of Star Wars Women to an umbrella site – 365 Star Wars – where I can talk about absolutely everything Star Wars. I am continuing 365 Days of Star Wars Women and adding articles about the greater Star Wars universe. I am also still a contributing writer for StarWars.com which has been a lot of fun.

See Classic Films is a site I've been neglecting for ages that I'm also finally coming back around to. After Star Wars Celebration in April most of my writing energy will be directed to that site.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us, Amy! I wish you the best of luck with your projects, and look forward the continuation of 365 Star Wars!

Whitney McGruder

Whitney O. McGruder has been plotting to become a published author ever since she wrote her first Sailor Moon fanfic in middle school. She earned her BA in English with a minor in editing in order to make this dream a reality. Fifteen years after the fanfic, not only has she finally published her debut novel, but she is a savvy full-time editor and the co-owner of Wit & Travesty, a freelance service for authors. She also plays Pokémon Go, plays RPG games with her husband, takes excellent selfies, dyes her hair pink, collects nerdy clothing, and otherwise has no chill. She lives happily ever after with her author-husband, Travis, in Utah.

You can find more about her on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

McGRUDER: Mainly through Star Wars. I watched the movies as a kid and I remember seeing the prequels in theaters with my younger brothers. Star Wars has a special place in my heart because it is how I connected with my brothers when we were younger, and it is how I bond with my husband today.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

McGRUDER: As mentioned, it is how I connect with those I care about the most. But it finds its way into what I read, wear, watch, and think about.

NG: What do you think of the relationship between Science Fiction and Fantasy?

McGRUDER: To me, it is tapping into certain kinds of creativity that many of us like to express; fantasy is a bit wilder to me where pretty much anything is possible. Science fiction is that mesh between creativity and logic–where some of the things Science Fiction authors dream up could actually happen in real life. But both of them are ways we can express our creativity but still speak about real issues that affect many of us, such as relationships, growing up, politics, identity, and more.

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

McGRUDER: Oh my gosh, that is a close tie between Ahsoka Tano and Rey–both from Star Wars. They are both talented Jedi in their own right. Ahsoka strikes me as a character that uses her abilities to do good. Even in the midst of the Clone Wars, she saw the humanity in the universe she was trying to protect. Rey is amazing. Like, she is my favorite character to cosplay. Even with really terrible life circumstances, she still retains her hope and light. She is proof that bad experiences and environment do not define who we are; we get to decide who we are.

NG: What are your three favorite Science Fiction books and movies?

McGRUDER: Leia by Claudia Gray, Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston, and Cinder by Marissa Meyer. My favorite movies are The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

McGRUDER: I think the genre in its natural form is welcoming to women. We know that the earliest iterations of Science Fiction were written by women. However, I feel that certain pockets of toxic fans are still standing as gatekeepers against female or "new" fans. I have noticed this with the rise of more diverse characters; those who claim to be "true fans" think that they are being betrayed for a "PC culture," when Science Fiction was always meant to be inclusive and break societal molds. The earliest episodes of Star Trek did not hold back in discussing politics and identity; the desire to critique and change society through sci-fi has always been there. My hope is that we will continue to create Science Fiction and Fantasy stories that show that we have a right to enjoy the genres we are drawn to.

NG: Do you think fangirls can influence the media industries?

McGRUDER: I have already seen this happen. I would recommend you look up Ashley Eckstein/Her Universe. Eckstein is the voice actor for Ahsoka Tano in the Star Wars: Clone Wars TV series. She saw a lack in female fan representation and created Her Universe to provide fan fashion for women (of all sizes). I buy so much of her stuff because the style is incredible. It goes beyond standard t-shirts: we have swimsuits, sweaters, dresses, partial costumes, jewelry, pants, coats, and more. She saw a lack of representation and fans all over the world benefit. With the rise of podcasts, Patreon, Etsy shops, and indie publishing, we can create influence without waiting for anyone's permission.

NG: What writers influenced your storytelling?

McGRUDER: Honestly, I pull a bit of influence from every writer I come across–including my fellow indie friends. What most of them have in common is that they are honest and transparent about their writing and publishing experience. This is one of my favorite things about social media: it is easy to find other writers who are truly supportive and friendly rather than distant and competitive. These female writers are also vocal about current events. I think it's impossible to separate real life from our writing, and so I am drawn to women who don't feign ignorance about what is happening in the world and in their community.

NG: Can you tell us about what inspired Destiny Seeker?

McGRUDER: As a middle schooler, I LOVED The 10th Kingdom. If I watched my favorite parts, it would still clock in around 4 hours (it was a 10-hour movie released as episodes). But I have always been drawn to fairy tales and their retellings. There was a character called Wolf who actually turns into a wolf in one of the scenes. It inspired a similar scene in my book and the rest of the story blossomed around it. I kept up this project for nearly two decades because I realized I had a story to tell that I was not seeing on the bookshelf. I wanted my own little slice of representation and I knew I could do it through this book.

NG: What are some of your current projects?

McGRUDER: I am currently juggling two projects: I'm working on the sequel to Destiny Seeker. It is focusing a lot on mental health challenges that I have experienced but I am putting that fantasy glaze over it. I am excited to publish it late this year or early 2020. I'm also working on a non-fiction eBook called Finding Your Future Fans. I am overly obsessed with Instagram so I am pooling together my top tips and principles to help fellow writers (of any genre) to know how to market their books on Instagram. I publish a free chapter each month on my website, and I will release the eBook version at the end of the year.

NG: Thank you for being with us today, Whitney! Wishing you the best of luck with your projects!

Ellie Raine

Ellie Raine is a die-hard lover of epic adventures, detailed world-building and thrilling battles. Since it's what she loves to read (Douglas Hulick, Rachel Aaron, and Brandon Sanderson especially!) obviously it's what she loves to write.

Her ongoing Hard Fantasy book series, The NecroSeam Chronicles, was originally intended to be that explosive video game series, but she's found that the book adaptation is far more fulfilling and exciting. Now she writes like mad while at home with her wonderful husband, their two cats, and their darling daughter: the Dragon Princess Felicity.

The first edition of book 1 in the NecroSeam series, Willow of Ashes, was originally published in 2016 by Dark Oak Press, but the second edition was later re-published with ScyntheFy Press in 2018, along with the subsequent books, Orbs of Azure and Pearl of Emerald. Ellie Raine's latest book, Princess of Shadow and Dream, is a Fantasy Novella in the universe of the NecroSeam Chronicles. Her other works include a supernatural-noir novella titled Nightingale that was published with Pro Se Productions in early 2018.

You can find more about Ellie Raine on her author website or the NecroSeam series' official website.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

RAINE: I grew up in a strictly Science Fiction/Fantasy reading household, so I was introduced at an early age. I was not able to read until I was older, of course, but I think my first encounter with the genre itself was Disney's Sword in the Stone movie and episodes of Tom Baker's Doctor Who. From there, it is sort of fuzzy what I saw and when, but as far as reading goes, Ender's Game was the first full Science Fiction novel I finished on my own. After that was a hodgepodge of other books like A Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, Ice and Fire (unrelated to Game of Thrones), the Dragon and the George, Hogfather by Terry Pratchett.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

RAINE: It may as well have its own docking station in my life–or I should say our lives. My husband and I both love Science Fiction and Fantasy endlessly, but my husband tends to favor Science Fiction more whereas I tend to lean in favor of fantasy. Either way, my six-month-old daughter will be well saturated in the fandom culture by the time she is all grown. Her favorite toys are dragons already–I am so proud!

NG: What do you think of the relationship between Science Fiction and Fantasy?

RAINE: I think the two go hand in hand, absolutely. Science Fiction tends to ask the question "What could happen?" and Fantasy tends to ask "What couldn't happen?" Both questions have such a slight yet drastic difference, but they both involve taking the reader on new adventures–whether it be in space or a different world of magic.

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

RAINE: Well, these are primarily fantasy characters, but Astrid from How to Train Your Dragon, General Amaya from Dragon Prince, and Steris from Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson come to mind, since they're a little more fresh in my memory as characters that had a pretty big impact on me.

I chose Astrid because she is not held to an unreasonable standard that you see all too often in Science Fiction/Fantasy – you know, that aggravating "Wow, look how unique this girl is because she likes to fight and is good at fighting even though she is a girl" kind of feel, rather than "this person likes and is good a fighting."

I chose General Amaya because she is a deaf General who is brilliant at her job, and is depicted as a real person, who not only is good at her job but is also a loving aunt, she is shown in full body armor instead of a bikini, and is in a high military position that absolutely no one in the show bats an eye at (to the point that I did not even notice this was unusual for fantasy because the writing and world-building is so seamless). That is how Science Fiction/Fantasy should handle those characters, in my opinion: as if these things are normal. which, most of us can agree, they should be. If something is treated like it is no big deal, then over time, it will be no big deal.

I chose Steris from Brandon Sanderson's Alloy of Law because I felt for her character on a personal level. Steris is a scheduler to a fault. She has to make lists and predictions of disasters or occurrences that could happen, and all other possibilities, or else she feels sickeningly out of control and unprepared. Throughout the trilogy, she is able to utilize this honed skill of planning to help her fiancée throughout his journey and grows to love and accept the way she is without changing who she is. This was personally inspiring because I have been through the gauntlet of trying to change who I am by pretending to hate the things I actually loved, but I eventually figured out that that crap is soul-crushing and ultimately gets you nowhere. When I decided to just be who I was, openly, my life had only gotten better. And that is what Steris had to learn throughout the series.

NG: What are you three favorite Science Fiction universes?

RAINE: Dr. Who (No surprise), the universe in John Steakley's Armor, and Altered Carbon!

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

RAINE: I believe it is really on its way to getting there. If the writers continue to treat all genders and races in their stories the way Dragon Prince and the new Star Wars trilogy handles them, then we'll be in good shape. I look forward to the day I read/watch something and don't think "Wow, look! They put a girl in X position!" and can just kick back and enjoy the story for the story, because it will be so normal that a girl is in X position that it will not even be a thought.

NG: What writers influenced your storytelling?

RAINE: I will be honest, it was mostly video games that influenced my storytelling. So, I guess you could say Tetsuya Nomura was a huge influence.

NG: Can you tell us about the NecroSeam Chronicles?

RAINE: The NecroSeam Chronicles is a Hard Fantasy epic story that takes place in a world called Nirus. In this world, there are five realms: the kingdoms of Land, Sky, Ocean, Dream... and Death. Each kingdom is protected by a unique branch of knights who oversee the balance of the world–but most important is the duty carried out by the Knights of the Death realm: the Reapers of the underworld caverns known as Grim.

Everyone born in this world has a ghostly thread inside them called the NecroSeam, which binds their souls to their bodies. When someone dies, it is a Reaper's job to cut the NecroSeam and release their soul, which will then be escorted to the safety of Grim's nether-caverns where they will live out their afterlives. But if that Seam isn't cut in time, the trapped soul rots within the body and fuses with the decaying flesh, forming nightmarish beasts known as the Necrofera. Without the Reapers to hunt these demons, the five realms would be infested with the creatures, and both the living and the dead would live in constant terror.

Twins Xavier and Alexander are apprentices Reapers training to become these demon-slaying knights. But the two are an oddity among their kind and thought to be crippled in the magic community. While both possess magic Hallows to control the dead, the twins' powers were split between them at birth. Alexander resurrects decaying corpses while Xavier stitches the ghosts he befriends back into their risen vessels–with the ghosts' permissions, of course. And aside from their strange, halved Death magic, they now face an even greater dilemma: Xavier's soul is trapped inside his brother.

This is an epic journey I've been developing for over a decade now, since I was in high school. At the time, it was going to be a videogame until I wrote a portion of it as a written novel for a creative writing class at the Art Institute of Atlanta in college. I really loved it in a book format, so I ended up finding my true calling as a writer instead. The series is a planned Pentalogy, of which three are currently published, plus a novella prequel. The fourth installment is due to release in mid-May of 2019, and I'm currently halfway through the first draft of the fifth and final book (Very excited about the finale!)

NG: How would you describe your writing process?

RAINE: Chaotic and disorienting. I have moments where I am forced out of a scene by either a phone call or my six-month-old wailing, and it takes me a minute to remember I'm not out in a faraway land slicing up demons and running from colossal dragons. I have other moments where I will have written something months (or years) ago, forgotten most of what I had written, then had a friend/family member/fan come up to me and quote a line from one of my books saying they loved how I worded that–and I look at it and think did I write that? It's interesting and funny sometimes. The actual writing process is a blur because I do not write in words per se, my fingers fly off on their own while I play the game in my head.

NG: What are some of your current projects?

RAINE: My current projects are vast and many, but right now, I'm focusing on finishing up the finale of the NecroSeam Chronicles. It has been over a decade of building this story; it is about bloody time I finished!

NG: Thank you for being with us today; and good luck with your projects!

S. E. Smith

S.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.

Readers can check out her website, and chat with her on Facebook.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

SMITH: My first introduction into Science Fiction happened when I was a child. I was browsing through the library bookshelves when I discovered a book by Alexander Key called The Forgotten Door (I highly recommend it.) I was hooked, and my love for Science Fiction has only grown.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

SMITH: My life is filled with Science and Science Fiction. I primarily write Science Fiction Romance and Grounded Science Fiction. I love most Science Fiction movies that do not combine horror with it (with the exception of a few of the Alien movies). My husband also does astrophotography so I spend a lot of new moons out under the stars.

NG: What Science Fiction female characters do you find most inspiring?

SMITH: I love a strong female protagonist—yet one that never loses the fact that she is a woman. I think Sigourney Weaver did a fantastic job as Ripley. I thought Gene Roddenberry and the Star Wars (fan of the original three here) did an excellent job of portraying strong female characters.

NG: What are you three favorite Science Fiction universes?

SMITH: I am slow to the game, but I have just discovered Firefly. The world and characters really resonate with me. I also enjoy the worlds in Star Trek (any of the series). The fact that it shows we are not the only one and the humor/action/adventure pull me in. On a humorous note, I really enjoyed Galaxy Quest. I try to incorporate the action/adventure/suspense/romance and humor in all of my stories. In addition, I enjoy worlds that interconnect and where you get to see the characters over and over.

NG: How important are heroines for you as a reader and a storyteller?

SMITH: As an author, I hold the responsibility and duty to set a good example. It does not matter that I am writing fiction, how I portray my heroines is very important as it sets them as a role model. I have had readers tell me how my heroines have affected how they view life. As a reader, I want heroines that I can connect with and relate to. I am not a weak woman, but I still have my moments of weakness (they are two very different things). I want to read about strong women who have a weak moment—not a weak character or 2-D personality.

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

SMITH: I believe it is now—though I have heard that the more grounded Science Fiction groups can still be difficult for women to get their foot into the door, but I have not experienced that issue myself. The Science Fiction genre is evolving and so are the readers. I think readers are expecting more and since women are a huge target group, it only makes sense to write the types of stories they enjoy reading.

NG: What writers influenced your storytelling?

SMITH: I think life more than other writers influence my writing—though, there have been a few. Alexander Key, Jules Verne, and Gene Roddenberry are three of the biggest authors I remember, but again, I look to life and its experiences to give me the stories I write.

NG: How would you describe your writing process?

SMITH: Chaotic, varied, exciting are three adjectives I would use. I am a Pantser, meaning I just sit down and write. I don't plan out my plot arcs. I do not know which characters will appear or what will happen next which makes the stories just as exciting for me as they are for the readers. I also tend to move from one series to another. My theory is it keeps my stories fresh. I recently had a reader say that she had read every book I have written and was amazed to discover that I had written all of them because they were not your typical 'cookie cutter' style that she had grown tired of. I took that as a huge compliment, of course.

NG: Which one of your books would you recommend for Science Fiction readers discovering your work?

SMITH: All?! For those who would love a sample of my writing style, I have Tink's Neverland: Cosmos' Gateway Book 1 (full novel) available for free on all major distributors. I also have A Warrior's Heart (novella) and Taking on Tory: Magic, New Mexico (novella) for free as well as several of my Dragonlings stories (they are worth their own blog interview).

NG: What are some of your current projects?

SMITH: I am currently working on several projects at the moment. I have Saving Runt: Cosmos' Gateway Book 7 almost completed and two of my Seven Kingdom stories (Books 5 and 6) in progress. I am also releasing my stories in French, German, and Spanish, including in audiobook form. I have many more stories planned and will be working on my short list through the rest of this year.

NG: Thank you very much for being with us today! I wish you the best of luck with all your projects!

Pamela Gossin

Pamela Gossin holds a double PhD in the History of Science and English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied the interrelations of literature and astronomy, 1600-1900. She is currently Professor of History of Science and Literary Studies and the Director of Medical and Scientific Humanities at UT-Dallas, where she also teaches in the Science and Math Education program. Her major publications include: An Encyclopedia of Literature and Science; Thomas Hardy's Novel Universe: Astronomy, Cosmology and Gender in the Post-Darwinian World and "Across the Spectrum: The Interdisciplinary Life and Work of John G. Neihardt". She is currently working on a monograph exploring Neihardt's contribution to early 20th C. popular understanding of science.

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NG: How were you first introduced to Science Fiction?

GOSSIN: Probably through having storybooks read to me as a child by my parents and elementary school teachers. It was a nightly ritual at home. It also used to be a big part of the regular curriculum to have "story time" circles in K-3, and then "story time" / quiet time in the classroom at least once or twice a week. Other times we would "read silently" (practice "sight" reading without moving our lips or saying the words aloud) and then the teacher would read aloud afterward. We should still do this even at the college level!

The biggest benefit I recall from listening to stories read aloud is that the words "made pictures" in my head / mind's eye. Having the opportunity to practice "seeing" in imagination is really an essential component of science fiction creation and appreciation and really, all forms of creativity and problem-solving.

NG: What place does Science Fiction have in your life?

GOSSIN: On the personal side, I am really benefiting from the contemplative/meditative/ thought-experiment side of full-length feature Science Fiction films in which the writers/directors creative narratives in which the literal story is really a complex metaphor for deeper, individual psychological states and philosophical dilemmas (e.g., Gravity, Interstellar, Ad Astra, Summer Wars etc). A lot of Japanese SF anime use the same approach and they present some space for mental and emotional "time away" from the barrage of daily stimuli and to-do lists – they offer complex "puzzle" time that helps me find local order in the galactic chaos.

On the professional side, I get to include this kind of material in my anime/manga courses and help a bunch of other students how to "read" and "view" / interpret the imagery, narrative and characterizations non-literally too and we all get group therapy!

NG: What Science Fiction women authors and artists have had the most significant influence for you?

GOSSIN: Madeleine L'Engle, Margaret Atwood, Ursula K. LeGuin, Linda Hogan in 20/21C; Mary Shelley, Margaret Cavendish in 17-19thC.

PS: Greta Thunberg should count here – and she is "telling us a SF story that is true."

NG: What women characters in Science Fiction do you find the most compelling?

GOSSIN: Meg in A Wrinkle in Time; Uhura and Troi in Star Trek and ST: Next Generation; Scully in The X Files and my all-time favorite, Nausicaa, of the Valley of the Wind.

NG: Do you think that Science Fiction is a genre welcoming to women?

GOSSIN: Not historically. Enough said?

NG: What are some of your favorite Science Fiction books, movies, or TV series?

GOSSIN: Wrinkle in Time; Frankenstein; ST: Next Gen; X Files; 2001: Space Odyssey; Man Who Fell to Earth; all the films listed above and everything by Hayao Miyazaki as well as anime by Shinkai, ABe, Rintaro, Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), Hosoda, Takahata and others.

NG: Do you believe Science Fiction has a responsibility to be inclusive?

GOSSIN: Not more so than any other form of art or literature. I would prefer it, but I am not sure where the "authoritative enforcement" of such responsibility would come from.

NG: What do you think is the most important aspect in the dialogue between science and humanities?

GOSSIN: It is complicated: part of the trick is overcoming mutual fear and lack of understanding (as in all communication across "cultural" differences of any kind) and part is "language" itself – as in SF some highly technical components of the narrative require mathematical proficiency or knowledge of physics/chemistry/biology etc. and vice versa "emotional IQ" and sometimes adequate "linguistic" skills just are not strong enough on both receiving/sending sides to enable deep translation and communication.

There is also the problem of "acculturation" where we are all taught to believe that these domains are polarized (and incommensurable) and that we can only be "good" at one of them or the other – that is a horrible and tragically wide-spread belief.

NG: How do you think Science Fiction participate to shaping general audience's views of science?

GOSSIN: All sorts of ways: sometimes inspiring inquiry into "real" science content; sometimes inspiring human aspirations and curiosity and wonder (and fear); other times enabling deeper thought experiments into un-solvable human problems and "future" issues (that are usually already upon us but we're in denial of, as a species).

NG: What progress do you think Science Fiction can make?

GOSSIN: The same that the human species can make, although there may be more hope for extremely "local" orderliness and "progress" (which I would define as evolution toward kinder, more inclusive and sustainable ways and means) vs. "global" ones, where large systems of governance and profit-makers/takers/extractors can generate negative impacts on such a large scale that their consequences can seem – and may well be – insurmountable.

NG: Thank you so much for being with us today, Professor Gossin! I wish you the best of luck in all your current projects!

About the Author

Natacha Guyot is a French scholar, author, and public speaker. Her academic background includes two Master's: one from Paris III Sorbonne Nouvelle in Film and Media Studies, and one from King's College London in Digital Culture and Technology. She is currently studying for her Ph.D. in Arts and Humanities at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she worked as a Teaching Assistant from 2016 to 2019. Her main fields of research, which influence her fiction projects as well, are storytelling, Science Fiction, women and spirituality.

You can connect with Natacha Guyot on her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

