Today in Electric Literature I talk about five women who shaped my writing. They are part of my writing motherline. The rules were that I had to choose just 5; I could just as easily have chosen 25.
Too few writers, in any form or genre, talk about the women who shaped them. This distorts the history and shape of real influence. As part of the piece I say,
If you want to understand the shape of 21st-century science fiction, read Charnas, and Vonda McIntyre’s Dreamsnake (1978). They are the mothers of us all.
And I believe this is true. I believe that without Charnas and McIntyre and Russ and Tiptree, today’s SF would look very different (I doubt cyberpunk would have been born, for example). But too few of us acknowledge our debt. At some point soon I’ll talk more about that. But for now, go read Electric Lit’s Read More Women series.
Nicola Griffith 
lovely foremothers list. i would push the like button but i can’t find it, but can share your post :)
These are amazing authors…Dreamsnake remains one of my favorite books to this day. I’m doubly grateful to them for inspiring you as well. The world is a richer place, blessed with excellent books because of them and you.
Thanks. I’m just sorry that there was only room for 5.
My great women included Mary Stewart, James Tiptree, Helen Mcguinnes, Louisa May Alcott and Margaret Fuller. There were some men, too:Arthur C. Clark, Issac Asimov and M.R.James.
Yes. But everyone talks about men. I’m done talking about men for a while.