New Volume on Science Fiction by Women Dedicated to Georgia Tech Sci Fi Scholar Lisa Yaszek

Posted March 8, 2022

The editor of a book series dedicated to rediscovering overlooked science fiction written by women has dedicated the latest volume to Regents Professor Lisa Yaszek, one of the world’s leading scholars of feminist science fiction.

The volume, titled Rediscovery, Volume 2: Science Fiction by Women (1953–1957), was published in February 2022 by Journey Press. It showcases 18 stories, one poem, and one nonfiction piece all written by women, most of which haven't been reprinted in decades.

“These stories were selected not only as examples of great writing, but also because their characters are as believable, their themes just as relevant today, their contents just as fun to read, as when they were written almost three quarters of a century ago,” the book description states.

Dedicating the volume to Yaszek was an easy call, said Gideon Marcus, managing editor of Journey Press and editor of the Rediscovery series.

“As one of the foremost scholars on science fiction, Lisa understands the context of science fiction going back a century,” Marcus said. “Not only does she understand science fiction, but she understands the history of women in science fiction. So, if there was anyone we were going to dedicate the new volume to, it had to be her.”

Yaszek is the award-winning author or editor of eight books on women in science fiction, including The Future is Female! 25 Classic Science Fiction Stories By Women from Pulp Pioneers to Ursula K. Le Guin and Sisters of Tomorrow: The First Women of Science Fiction.

While dozens of female authors were active during the 1950s, they faced barriers getting published, Marcus said. Some chose to write under a pseudonym to disguise themselves as men. Rediscovering those voices and teaching them to new generations of students and science fiction fans has been central to Yaszek’s research and teaching, and her popularity as a frequent commentator on science fiction.

“I’m honored by this book dedication, but what’s most important about this series and the work Gideon is doing is that it continues to shine a light on the important and often lost voices of women in science fiction,” Yaszek said. “That’s something I’ve spent my career doing, and I’m so glad to see broader recognition for the foundational work of these female science fiction authors.”

In addition to having the book dedicated to her, Yaszek also contributed a review of Katherine MacLean’s short story “Games” for the volume.