From its humble beginnings as The Instant Science Fiction Book Collection, Sci-Fi Lists has grown into one of the most respected sites of its type on the net. A brief look at its history may help answer some of the more common questions posed by the ever-increasing numbers of site visitors turning to Sci-Fi Lists for good advice.

Some nebulous time in mid-2000 I launched an obscure site that hardly anybody ever visited called The Instant Science Fiction Book Collection. The site was borne of frustration for the simple reason that I couldn't get enough of sci-fi. I wanted to buy all the very best science fiction books ever published and needed a good list to work from.

My solution was to do some research and make the ultimate sci-fi book buying guide. I started by meticulously scouring the net for any relevant book list I could find… and there were plenty of them. Following the purchase of a few terrific basic reference books I thought I was ready to tell the world (or at least the five or six a day who were visiting) all about the state of sci-fi literature as we know it.

The first Top 100 published was basically a weighted survey of critical opinion, online polls and sci-fi book awards. While this might sound pretty scientific, like any list of its ilk it was largely reliant on the quality of the source data. Unfortunately, a huge amount of the info available was based on aging polls and lists that completely overlooked newer books, at times lacking in sci-fi credibility. As a result some ground rules were set. To qualify for listing, a book had to be generally regarded as science fiction by credible sources and/or recognised as having historical significance to the development of the genre. Older lists that had seen better days were simply tossed out.

Quite suddenly people started visiting. If I learned anything during this time it was that, with only a few exceptions, sci-fi junkies are incredibly nice people. I started getting all sorts of site feedback making diplomatic suggestions about what was right and wrong with my website. Figuring out the best of the older books and where they stood was the easy part. Nailing down which of the newer books (80s and beyond) were worthy of listing and exactly where they fitted in the overall scheme of things was the real challenge.

I had about four mid-life crises between 2002-04, but somewhere in there I introduced film and television lists. I had reached data overload mode. My life consisted of voraciously scouring every dark corner of the net for any minute skerrick of sci-fi info. Christmas 2004 was marked by the site earning a 'Site of the Week' listing from SciFi.com… and thousands of people visited. A couple hundred of them also sent me emails.

The site was terrific. It is difficult to explain what an amazing feeling it is to know that lots of people really enjoy something you have made. I stopped making excuses for the way the site was as opposed to the way visitors wanted it to be… and started pandering to the masses. None of the core data went to waste, but the introduction of online polls became the most critical element involved in keeping the site up-to-date and relevant.

The lists found at Sci-Fi Lists today are, quite simply, the best of their type found on the net. This is not a claim made lightly. For a hobby website to be receiving daily visitation numbering in the thousands, something must be going right. I like to think it is that I listen to what people have to say. I don't ignore the emails I get and I almost always answer back.

For the interested visitor, here are a few facts about the site:
- #1 of its type for several key Google search terms
- Recipient of over thirty respected website awards
- Currently averaging over 5000 hits a day

Site monitoring also reveals a few other interesting aspects of visitation patterns. The book list receives almost seven times the visitation as any other list on the site. Americans love their books, whereas the Brits are hooked on sci-fi TV. Television is very much a 'happening now' thing, as opposed to film which honours the classics. Sci-fi short fiction is in a state of decline, but its fans are extremely well-informed on all things science fiction.

People wanting to delve deeper into how the lists are constructed would do well to start with the links page. The 'Other Lists' section gives some clue as to the main sources of info used to construct the original lists. A word of caution though… most are based on the opinion of others and, from a statistical viewpoint, are not good representations of the true state of affairs. No list is perfect, but in general the ones heavy on source data are usually the best.

A quick word about the advertising on the site. For several years I proudly promoted the fact that Sci-Fi Lists was strictly "non-commercial". In 2006 I introduced a couple of advertising programs to the site… hopefully in a fairly non-obtrusive way. My fears that this would result in a drop in site visitation have proven unfounded. If anything, visitors are finding it convenient to be able to shop for books/DVDs and get current info about sci-fi through the site. In fact, visitation has more than doubled since 2006.

On the up side, the advertising helps me to keep the site going. It doesn't make much money, but when you are a grossly underpaid wildlife ranger in tropical North Queensland (Australia) it really helps. A big thanks to all of you who have gone through the site to purchase items through the Amazon associates program.

And that brings me to my final point. A lot of people think Sci-Fi Lists is a professional website. Nothing could be further from the truth. For a person who is much more comfortable with crocodiles than people, it is a fun way for me to cyber-meet those who share a common interest. I love getting site feedback and have made a few very real friends in the process.

I don't mind a casual chat and encourage all who feel so inclined to get in touch. Sci-Fi Lists has been built on the opinions of site visitors. You are the most important people to this website. With your help, this site can continue to be vibrant and relevant well into the future.

Peter Sykes
5 April 2008