This book of first stories by "giants" in the sci fi field came out in 2010, and it does contain a story by Nicola Griffith, but others noticed that it has 15 stories, 14 by males, and one by female author Nicola.
First off, if somebody called me a giant, I'd be a little distressed. Putting that aside, the editor James L. Sutter, who seems like a perfectly nice guy, caught some flak for including 14 early or first stories by 14 older white guys and one female science fiction author. "Giant" in this anthology's terminology is a relative term. One might give "giantlike" status to a number of the contributors, but others . . . it's almost like . . . well . . . can't go there.
Was it some ACCIDENT that I titled my second collection Female Science Fiction Writer? No.
There's another book, I believe from the same publisher (does that cover above look "retro"? - CHECK THIS OUT)
I cannot outdo this. Under no circumstances can I cheese anything up to remotely compete with this awesome piece of awesomeness.
I am going qualify this by stating that Robert "Bob" Silverberg is one of the nicest-looking, classiest gentlemen I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He is so classy, he classes up that cover that manages to take all the delight of hot James Bond girl opening film credits AND the phallic rockets of yore and geez, I guess - there's 3 of 'em! Sincerely, it's a contemporary cover that recognizes the multi-orgasmic potential of the female . . . er . . .
Listen, these other people who objected to the Before They Were Giants cover mentioned a "vagina dentata" aspect. Well . . . maybe more just like vagina tentacula or something.
What the !!! Holy !!! The more things change, the more they stay the same. Just by clicking on this article, I managed to place it above my own book. Awesome.
Yes, in 1980, Susan Shwartz wrote an article about female science fiction writers that could well have been written today. Whichever female authors were "accepted" then - they are the same ones now. Even extremely brilliant female scientists like Catherine Asaro write books that appeal more to female than male readers (often called "sci fi romance"). I know Catherine's books are popular, but the Goodreads list of books by female science fiction writers is like "all C.J. Cherryh, all the time." Now. This is not to take anything away from C.J. Cherryh, because her books have been deservedly well-read and loved for many years, but . . .
If people would give us a chance, is all I'm saying. I never even thought of writing under any type of pseudonym and I can't be anything other than what I am. But I have a hard time believing somebody would actually read Female Science Fiction Writer and . . . maybe people aren't aware that typically, stories that win either a Hugo or Nebula award have fewer than 300 votes (usually less than that).
Did ya know that? Those do not influence sales (Hugo award does, for novels). There is no such thing as "sales" with short fiction.
Just read my work. Pretend I am a man.
