Subject: Elizabeth Moon: Crafting Strong Female Protagonists in Science Fiction

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Elizabeth Moon: Crafting Strong Female Protagonists in Science Fiction

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podcast highlight: + events!

This week's How To Write The Future podcast episode:

Ep. 143: Elizabeth Moon: Crafting Strong Female Protagonists in Science Fiction

https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2025/03/10/elizabeth-moon-crafting-strong-female-protagonists-in-science-fiction/

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Friday, Mar. 13, 2025

Hi Friend,

What makes for a strong female protagonist in science fiction and fantasy?

That's my focus as a novelist.

I'd say:

resourcefulness
smart
strong
knows fight strategy but prefers to avoid a fight unless she has to
willing to admit her mistakes
asks for help
works well with her teams and build teams
trouble seems to find her and her friends :)

I see those characteristics in the stories I read and watch, including the author I talk about in this week's podcast episode: science fiction and fantasy author, Elizabeth Moon.

Do you read the kinds of protagonists you like to write? Or are they different?

Hit reply and let me know.

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Help shape the podcast, How To Write The Future.

Take this poll here:

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I talk about the topics in brief in last week's episode.

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Making it Happen: Film Mixer & Fundraiser This Saturday

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When: Saturday, March 15th, 4-7pm

Where: Woody's Cafe, Oakland, CA (Street parking nearby)

What: An afternoon of film, fantasy, and fundraising

* Meet the team behind Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, enjoy refreshments, and help support independent storytelling.

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-- Adventure fantasy: magic, friendship and a chimera monster fight. Not a damsel in distress. This heroine saves the day.

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March 29, 1-4pm

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$45 for non-members

Benicia, CA

Registration is now live! Seats are limited.

https://bethbarany.com/enhance

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On to the weekly podcast...

Elizabeth Moon: Crafting Strong Female Protagonists in Science Fiction

“I highly recommend Elizabeth Moon if you like military ship captains who are these strong, interesting women.”

In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, I'm sharing one of my favorite science fiction and fantasy authors, Elizabeth Moon.

I chat about my favorite works by Moon, including Once A Hero and the Kai Vatta series, and highlight the author’s masterful creation of strong female protagonists, particularly in military sci-fi.

To listen or read this episode's transcript, go here (Writer's Fun Zone):

Or listen on YouTube

Apple Podcast

Spotify

The How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace.

Enjoy!

In the next episode, Ep. 144, I explain why I recommend you read the Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor. Plus why I recommend you read books that are different to our own cultures and backgrounds.

Stay tuned on How To Write The Future podcast.

(All previous episodes listed here.)

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Happy Writing!

Best,

Beth

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Award-winning science fiction & fantasy novelist.

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Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.

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