| Who would have thought that the geek in the corner | | | | "Today, science fiction stories featuring the |
| reading about aliens attacking the world in 2080 AD | | | | consequences of humankind's destruction of the |
| could be holding one of the most lucrative pieces of | | | | environment or the role of female military leaders are |
| literature in today's marketplace? Although many may | | | | truly signs of our time. They are a fictional but |
| laugh at fans of science fiction, little do they know of | | | | realistic extrapolation of issues that impact ours and |
| the power of science fiction as an industry. | | | | future generations," says Ringo. |
| John Ringo, respected science fiction authority and | | | | A winning example of the science fiction industry's |
| best-selling author, reveals the hidden facts that | | | | popularity is the success of the numerous |
| describe the popularity of the industry. "The science | | | | conventions or 'cons'. Here enthusiastic fans travel |
| fiction genre is such a wildly popular genre that it | | | | across the nation, or around the world, to attend |
| generates over 200 MILLION dollars a year in book | | | | festivals of suspended reality which feature guest |
| sales. It has 11 sub-genres, all generating big numbers | | | | appearances by science fiction authors, actors and |
| consistently. And guess what? In the past two years | | | | characters. |
| of television, the highest rated debuts were for sci-fi | | | | Ringo himself uses these conventions to promote his |
| shows. This is just the tip of the iceberg." | | | | books, such as his new release "Sister Time" |
| So the question remains: how has science fiction | | | | (published by Baen Books). Tens of thousands of |
| evolved from the pinnacle of geekdom to such a | | | | fans show up to enjoy the festivities. "Some of the |
| booming industry? The answer is simple: it predicts | | | | cons have grown to astonishing proportions," says |
| the future of today's hot-button issues. Before | | | | Ringo. "Dragon Con in Atlanta boasts about 30,000 |
| society's view of the future was one of a far off | | | | fans. It's gotten enormous. Then there's Comic Con in |
| era, but today it seems within reach. A quick glance | | | | San Francisco which attracts more than 125,000 fans. |
| back to the sci-fi movies of the 80's and 90's prove | | | | Last year, the Fire Marshall shut down the convention |
| that science fiction did have a pretty realistic grasp | | | | center because there were too many people!" |
| on the future (bar the Terminator of course)! | | | | With growing popularity and huge monetary returns, |
| This growing appeal stems from the realization that | | | | science fiction continually builds its fan base by |
| stories about the future are predicated on today's | | | | catering to the desires of it's fans. This explosive |
| knowledge. Think back to a popular TV show that | | | | growth has transformed science fiction from the butt |
| first hit the airwaves in the late 1950's, "The Twilight | | | | of Star Trek jokes to a market that boasts some of |
| Zone." Rod Serling's ability to put an eerie twist on | | | | the most educated and forward-thinking consumers. |
| seemingly normal events captivated fans. As Serling | | | | And when it comes to the future, who doesn't want |
| described it, "Science Fiction is the improbable made | | | | to hang with the forward-thinking crowd? |
| possible." | | | | |