I read a lot, but it’s mostly non-fiction these days. Once upon a time I read mostly fiction, and f&sf was the heart of what I read.
But then there’s Rich Horton. He reads everything. I mean everything, just about every single word of professional and most all semi-pro f&sf that is published. Every single year.
2006, for example:
And he reads dozens of novels each year. And he goes back and reads (or rereads) classic magazines, cover to cover.
In one of the rare cases of virtue being rewarded, he’s now editing Best of the Year anthologies in science fiction, fantasy, and space opera. Who better?
You can see his picks here, along with much else. You won’t find a better list of what’s good in the field in 2006.
Full disclosure: we’re acquaintances through correspondence, though I don’t remember ever talking to him in person. And he’s reviewed me very favorably when he was short fiction reviewer for Locus. That’s fairly distant as relationships go inside the field but if you want to take my praise with a grain of salt, go ahead… until you see for yourself.
Holy crap! He must be independently wealthy- or Locus must pay a lot more than I would ever expect.
Does he read all the novels, or just dozens? Does he read all the Star Wars novels? (May Og have mercy on his soul.)
Back in the early '70s MITSFS bought everything published, and I had to deal with them. That was a pretty scary pile, and the market then was nothing like it is now.
I read about a book a week, on average, and have fun doing so. Reading that much would be an onerous burden for me, not a joy. I feel a little sorry for the guy. If he likes it and is having fun, though, more power to him!
I can see somebody reading all the short fiction in the genre - you could read the monthly issues of Analog, Asimov’s and F&SF cover to cover in a single week and still have three weeks to keep up on the various small press issues. But novels? That’s tough to believe. I’d bet on average there’s probably a new fantasy or science fiction novel printed every day.
My rough guess is that the big three mags print about 250-300 stories a year. Considering that they skew longer, that’s probably about 3 million words. So that would still leave 8 million words of short fiction to deal with. Plus a minimum of one novel a week.
I also can’t imagine reading that much. But I have complete faith in Mr. Horton’s taste.
(I am certainly biased–I’m on that list. With my first ever sale, no less, so you can imagine me bouncing up and down and squeaking like a little girl.)