Author: Saleena Karim

Saleena Karim is from Nottingham, England. She is a co-founder and admin of the Visionary Fiction Alliance. Best known for her non-fiction 'Secular Jinnah' books, her novel Systems is inspired by a real visionary idea born in history. Website: http://www.libredux.com
Are Fairy Tales Turning Visionary?

Are Fairy Tales Turning Visionary?

Editor’s note: This article (slightly edited here) was originally published at the VFA in November 2014, before the sequels to either Disney’s Maleficent or Frozen were made. Although visionary fiction often has magical and fantasy elements in common with the fairy tales of old, the two differ in some fundamental respects. The themes of the conventional fairy…

Excellent! The Lighter Side of Visionary Fiction
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Excellent! The Lighter Side of Visionary Fiction

One of Keanu Reeves’ best known movie franchises is also an unacknowledged visionary tale. Its heroes are thoroughly ordinary individuals who learn they are destined to change the future of humanity. The story touches on human potential, defeating a materialist and meaningless existence (as symbolised in a battle against artificial intelligence), and overcoming death. But…

Is All Social Commentary Visionary Fiction?
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Is All Social Commentary Visionary Fiction?

By Saleena Karim Science fiction has long been the genre of choice for social commentary. By breaking away from the everyday real world and presenting alternative realities, it offers a safe haven for making statements on controversial or otherwise sensitive topics. Unsurprisingly, as a speculative fiction type, sci-fi is also a favourite genre choice for…

Are Fairy Tales Turning Visionary?
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Are Fairy Tales Turning Visionary?

Although much visionary fiction has magical and fantasy elements in common with the fairy tales of old, the two differ in some fundamental respects. The themes of the conventional fairy tale revolve about the triumph of good over evil, where the heroes are princes and princesses, or peasants who marry princes and princesses and gain a kingdom…

The Most Important Petition You’ll Ever Sign
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The Most Important Petition You’ll Ever Sign

Note from the author The Visionary Fiction Alliance is dedicated to fiction, but since it’s fiction with a purpose, its authors necessarily care deeply about what human beings are doing to themselves and the world in which they live. In a a sense that is unique to these writers, their stories are always rooted in something…

Climate Change Requires Consciousness Change

Climate Change Requires Consciousness Change

The Goodreads book giveaway will be going on until November 30th, 2014.  Click here to enter. To paraphrase Mark Twain, everyone talks about climate change but no one does anything about it. No one, particularly those in power, wants to make the necessary sacrifices. For example, the US government refuses to comply with international environmental agreements. And…

Ripple: A Dolphin Love Story (Excerpt)

Ripple: A Dolphin Love Story (Excerpt)

Stars were appearing when Zenith saw Cosmo approaching. He listened carefully as Cosmo described the events of the afternoon. ‘What will you do now?’  Zenith asked. ‘I’m leaving,’ Cosmo said, ‘I’m not yet sure where to, but you’ve told me of the northern astronomers. I’ll swim their way until I decide.’ ‘Do you want me…

Reflections of 2012

Reflections of 2012

Thanks for supporting the VFA!  We look forward to another year of posts, book reviews and insights from visionary authors. Here are some of our highlights from 2012: The article that started it all – read how the VFA began. Relevance Of Visionary Fiction Series Visionary Fiction Challenges Our Species to Evolve – Michael Sussman…

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Author Announcement – Invitation to guest post

From Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin at http://www.playsonideas.com/ We have just put up a new post about Story — the main topic of our blog. We invite comments.  But I’d like to invite any members of the Visionary Fiction Alliance who find the topic interesting to send us guest posts about Story, what it is, what…

Visionary: Fiction of the Future – Saleena Karim
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Visionary: Fiction of the Future – Saleena Karim

(Note: This is a  slightly edited version of a blog post originally written for the VF web-ring under the title, The Place of Visionary Fiction in Today’s World and published March 2012) Saleena Karim According to one online dictionary, the meanings of the word ‘visionary’ include something characterised by foresight; fantasy and imagination; prophecy or revelation; and…

Relevance of Visionary Fiction in Today’s World – Sandy Nathan
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Relevance of Visionary Fiction in Today’s World – Sandy Nathan

Sandy Nathan Before talking about the relevance of visionary fiction in today’s world, we need a working definition of the term. Fiction is easy: it’s writing that’s made up. It doesn’t refer to the real or empirical world.  It’s imaginary. I think of writing fiction as the best way to tell the truth without getting…

Visionary Fiction Challenges Our Species to Evolve – Michael Sussman
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Visionary Fiction Challenges Our Species to Evolve – Michael Sussman

Michael Sussman Human nature is not fixed. It has evolved over the course of millennia and is capable of further change. Is it overly grandiose to suggest that visionary fiction could help play a role in such a transformation? Most likely, but I shall nevertheless make the case. Visionary fiction overlaps with several better established…