Readers say they are lucky to have read "Dead End," but finding other books to compete with the series is nearly impossible. "The good writers can be counted on my fingers," said Qian Lifang, a fan of "Dead End."
In the 1980s, there was a group of good domestic writers like Xing He, Liu Cixin, Wang Jinkang and Hexi. But after more than 20 years, many writers shifted to more profitable outlets, such as children's literature. Many of them were forgotten altogether.
"In the 1990s a new group of science fiction writers appeared, but the number of good ones was small," said Xing He. "Writing science fiction is not like writing other literature. One should be more patient, experienced and have a rational imagination," said Wu Yan, a professor at Peking University.
"If writers are not patient enough, they will not produce a qualified work. In China, the reason why many writers shifted to other fields is because they lacked patience," added Wu.
Yet hope remains
Readers have complained that some Chinese science fiction writers focus too much on jargon rather than writing interesting and easy to read stories.
Some have even complained about "Dead End," saying that the book shows off with complex terminology and is hard to understand. Although the writer has denied the criticisms, the phenomenon can not be completely avoided in an industry where technology and gadgetry are key features.
Nevertheless, writers must be aware that science fiction is a form of literature, like novels and poems, but with a unique element related to science.
Though the "spring" for science fiction has yet to come, people have once again become interested in the field, said Liu Cixin.
"Although good writers are still small in number, we can use new media to advertise and let more people know about our world, and at the same time produce more classic works to win readers back," added Liu.
