Genre Grapevine

Genre Grapevine covers developments in the science fiction and fantasy (SF/F) genres, focusing on controversies, industry challenges, the impact of AI and machine learning on creativity, censorship, and community responses. It features updates on awards, the publishing ecosystem, and the evolving role of social media within the genre.

Controversies in the SF/F Community AI and Machine Learning in Creative Industries Censorship and Eligibility in Awards Social Media's Impact on SF/F Publishing Challenges for Genre Magazines Legal and Ethical Issues in AI Developments in SF/F Awards Community Responses to Industry Changes

The hottest Substack posts of Genre Grapevine

And their main takeaways

Genre Grapevine on Machine Learning’s Problem with Bad Stories and Bad Intentions

176 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Artificial Intelligence Creativity Resistance Machine Learning
  1. Bad stories can inspire writers to improve their own writing by learning from the mistakes of others.
  2. Artists and writers have pushed back against AI dominance by engaging in strikes and filing lawsuits to protect their work from being used without permission.
  3. Machine learning programs face challenges in creating truly innovative and original art, as they often get stuck in a cycle of reproducing popular styles and lacking true imagination.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Genre Grapevine for September 2023

137 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
📚 Literature Magazines Authors Awards Book Bans
  1. Good news in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres, such as a well-received live action adaptation and the Writers Guild of America strike victory.
  2. Concerns surrounding X-Twitter and the shift towards the Bluesky platform due to recent changes implemented by Elon Musk.
  3. Debates on artificial intelligence and the legal implications of using copyrighted works to train AI systems, as well as the impact on genre magazines and book ban controversies.

Genre Grapevine for October 2023

78 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Fiction Art & Illustration News Awards
  1. Small acts of goodness matter the most in our world, especially for children enjoying special moments like Halloween.
  2. Genre magazines are struggling due to changes like Amazon ending digital subscriptions, impacting revenue and leading to shifts like electronic editions replacing print.
  3. X-Twitter changes by Elon Musk affect how authors share linked articles, making it harder for them to reach readers on the platform.

Genre Grapevine Presents Even More Examples of Deceptive Language Around Machine Learning

137 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Machine Learning AI Algorithms
  1. Deceptive language is used in discussions around machine learning, like calling machine learning 'artificial intelligence' when it's really algorithms crafted from data samples.
  2. Some authors exaggerate the use of AI, like claiming to have written and sold a large number of books when the reality is quite different upon closer inspection.
  3. Manipulative language is often used to promote machine learning systems, such as claiming a machine learning system is a 'poet' when in reality humans select the best output from thousands of generated pieces.

Genre Grapevine’s Smorgasbord of 2023 Leftovers

39 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art & Illustration Sci-fi Music History
  1. The article covers news and items from 2023 that were left out of previous columns, providing a quirky collection of interesting tidbits.
  2. There are various topics discussed, ranging from the success of STEM romance novels to the impact of YouTube on book discovery.
  3. Some highlights include insights on literary hope theory, a debunked art piece, and the role of science in countering moral panics.

Genre Grapevine on Why They Want Us to Call it AI

98 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🚌 Education Language Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Ethics Labor
  1. Words are powerful and shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.
  2. The language used to describe machine learning tools can be deceptive, such as calling them 'artificial intelligence' when there's no actual intelligence behind them.
  3. Using accurate language is important in conversations about machine learning to avoid misconceptions and ensure transparency.

Genre Grapevine for July 30, 2023

58 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
📚 Literature Science fiction Fantasy Horror Short Stories Authors
  1. Twitter has undergone drastic changes under Elon Musk's leadership, impacting various user communities.
  2. Alternative social media platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky are gaining traction amid Twitter's changes.
  3. The science fiction and fantasy community is engaging in important conversations around AI, copyright, and representation in genre awards.

Genre Grapevine for June 1, 2023

58 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
📚 Literature Fiction Writing Authors Awards Opportunities
  1. Professional organizations in the science fiction and fantasy genre need to take a stand against the use of copyrighted works by large language models like ChatGPT without authors' permission or notification.
  2. Genre magazines are facing challenges with a surge in AI-generated submissions, prompting some magazines to ban AI works and artists who submit them.
  3. Genre magazines are also facing a potential crisis with the impending end of magazine subscriptions through the Kindle Newsstand platform, leading to a need for increased support from subscribers.

Genre Grapevine for April 24, 2023

58 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
📚 Literature Authors Awards Magazines Fiction
  1. Twitter faced backlash after changing verification policies, leading to a movement to block verified accounts.
  2. Fandom must navigate anti-drag laws in states affecting conventions and safety of attendees.
  3. Various awards in the sci-fi/fantasy community have finalists and winners announced, recognizing notable works in the genre.

Genre Grapevine for February 28, 2023

58 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
📚 Literature Short Stories
  1. AI chatbot submissions have overwhelmed SF/F magazines, causing bans and concerns among editors.
  2. The issue of flooding submissions from AI chatbots has been covered in various media outlets.
  3. People are discussing the impact of AI-generated works on the arts and publishing industry.

Genre Grapevine for December 31, 2022

39 implied HN points • 31 Dec 22
  1. Seek light in genre stories for solace and inspiration.
  2. Positive news stories include authors supporting each other and ancient narratives being discovered.
  3. Twitter controversies persist, with users exploring alternative platforms like Mastodon and Post.

Genre Grapevine Guide to Twitter’s Last Days

39 implied HN points • 23 Nov 22
  1. Twitter is facing potential shutdown or major changes.
  2. Consider steps to prepare for potential Twitter implosion, such as not deleting your account and removing personal info.
  3. Explore alternative social media platforms like Mastodon, Tribel Social, Cohost, and Hive.

Genre Grapevine for November 1, 2022

19 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
  1. Apps like Copper and Tertulia are stepping up for book discovery when Goodreads falls flat.
  2. People took a stand against hate speech and harassment, showing that change can be made.
  3. Financial barriers persist for international authors, despite efforts like the Wise platform.

Genre Grapevine on What Musk's Purchase of Twitter Means for the SF/F Community

19 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
  1. Elon Musk purchased Twitter and immediately fired top executives.
  2. Musk aims to make Twitter less chaotic and unwelcoming, but there are skepticism and concerns about his commitment to free speech.
  3. Several alternatives and paths are being considered by the SF/F community in response to Musk's ownership of Twitter.

Coming soon

19 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
  1. Jason Sanford is launching a newsletter about science fiction and fantasy genre
  2. The newsletter is called Genre Grapevine
  3. Stay tuned for updates and subscribe to receive news

Am I The Love?

0 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
⚔ Fiction Short Story
  1. The post is about a humorous short story by Jason Sanford.
  2. The story was published in the 2022 Origins Game Fair anthology.
  3. There are references to a website called 'Am I Evil?' and the subreddit 'Am I the Asshole?' in the story.