Science fiction rarely looks like this anymore, but what will it look like in the future? (Image: Everett Collection / Rex Features)

Science fiction is all about the future, but what does the future hold for science fiction?

These days, science can be stranger than science fiction, and mainstream literature is increasingly futuristic and speculative. So are the genre’s days numbered? We asked six leading writers for their thoughts on the future of science fiction, including Margaret Atwood, William Gibson and Kim Stanley Robinson.

Plus, we review the latest sci-fi novels, highlight the writers to watch and reveal the results our poll of your all-time favourite sci-fi films and books.


The future of sci-fi

Is science fiction dying, asks Marcus Chown

What does the future hold for the genre of science fiction? We asked six leading writers:

Margaret Atwood

Stephen Baxter

William Gibson

Ursula K Le Guin

Kim Stanley Robinson

Nick Sagan

Book reviews

Anathem by Neal Stephenson – including an exclusive video interview with Stephenson

The Last Theorem by Arthur C Clarke and Frederik Pohl

City at the End of Time by Greg Bear

Saturn’s Children by Charles Stross

Incandescence by Greg Egan

Plus: The best of the rest – including an exclusive video interview with Brian Greene

Who are the hot new writers to watch out for?

Your favourite sci-fi

Read the results of our readers’ poll

See all the votes in the film poll

See all the votes in the book poll

Find out New Scientist‘s favourite sci-fi:

New Scientist staffers’ favourite (and most hated) sci-fi films

New Scientist staffers’ favourite (and most-difficult-to-understand) sci-fi books