The science-fiction genre is very wide-ranging and encompasses all kinds of plot lines, settings, and periods in history. You might think of it as a "new" genre, but it is actually older than you might think. The plots are driven by advances in science and technology, or things that could become possible at some point in the future through science and technology. Some of it can be similar to the fantasy genre, but what differentiates science fiction is that it is based in science not magic.
Future dystopian novels unsettle us and make us nervous because they are set in not-so-future societies that are almost exactly like ours, but worse. If we let all the current problems in our society run rampant and unchecked, we would end up living in a future dystopian novel. The novels in this subgenre are designed to make us nervous and act as a warning. This subgenre has been around for a while and ranges from classics like "The Time Machine" to the "Hunger Games" trilogy. Check out these authors: Franz Kafka, Aldous Huxley, Margaret Atwood, Cormac McCarthy, Ray Bradbury, H.G. Wells, Anthony Burgess, George Orwell, Megan Hunter, Emily St. John Mandel, Naomi Alderman, Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, Katharine McGee
Most science fiction authors do not write only in the alternate history subgenre, and not all alternate history novels are written by science-fiction authors. But since they involve a bending of reality, they usually fall in the science fiction category. Alternate history stories always center around what society would be like if a huge part of our world history had happened differently. What if George Washington had been declared King instead of President? What if Hitler had been killed? What if the underground railroad were an actual railroad? These authors have all written at least one alternate history novel: Kim Stanley Robinson, Harry Turtledove, Nisi Shawl, Philip K. Dick, Jo Walton, Colson Whitehead, Justina Ireland, Philip Roth, Robert Harris, Susanna Clarke, Katharine McGee
Hard science fiction means that everything that happens in the book is actually possible in our real world, with the current technology and understanding of our universe. Given those requirements, it's a difficult subgenre for an author to take on. Many "space opera" authors also write series that would be classified as "hard science fiction", but few authors write only hard science fiction. A few notable authors from the "hard science" subgenre: Arthur C. Clarke, Michael Crichton, Andy Weir, Ben Bova, Poul Anderson, Isaac Asimov
Space operas are books that take place either completely or mostly in space. The more dramatic, the better- there should be battling empires, invading aliens, mysterious ancient technology, and grand, sweeping story arcs. Here are some authors to check out: Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert, Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, C.J. Cherryh, Orson Scott Card, Alastair Reynolds, James S.A. Corey, Ann Leckie, Catherine Asaro, John Scalzi, Cixin Liu, Kim Stanley Robinson, Yoon Ha Lee, Poul Anderson
In contrast to hard science fiction, soft science fiction can contain plot lines that are not actually possible with our current technology. Soft science fiction plot lines are based on the "soft" sciences like anthropology, sociology, and psychology, rather than on the "hard" sciences like physics, biology, and chemistry. They are focused more on the characters and speculative societies. This is the science fiction subgenre that is most closely related to fantasy, since both rely on things that are not actually possible. Try these authors: Philip JoseĢ Farmer, Ursula K. Le Guin, Octavia E. Butler, Lois McMaster Bujold, Joan D. Vinge, C.J. Cherryh, Catherine Asaro, Iain M. Banks
Steampunk novels are an alternative history genre that is set in the late 19th century, when industrial steam power was changing the world. They are usually set in Britain or the American West and are retrofuturistic, featuring inventions as 19th century people might have thought of them. It is more than just a fiction genre- it is also a style of art, design, and fashion. Try these authors: H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Anthony Burgess, Brandon Sanderson, Gail Carriger, Philip Pullman, Cassandra Clare, Nisi Shawl
Cyberpunk novels are basically future dystopian novels except centered around how advances in technology (like artificial intelligence and cybernetics), if taken into the wrong hands, can become a threat to our society. This genre has its roots in the 1960's and 70's. The cult classic film "Blade Runner" is actually based on a short story in this genre by Philip K. Dick. "The Matrix" films are also part of this genre. Try these authors: William Gibson, Philip K. Dick, Richard K. Morgan, Harlan Ellison, James Dashner, Daniel H. Wilson, Neal Stephenson, Katharine McGee, Marie Lu, Marissa Meyer, Claudia Gray
