#term # visionary fiction Visionary fiction is a fiction genre that [[adrienne maree brown]] discusses as a subgenre of [[science fiction]]. She appears to use the term differently than what is referenced on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visionary%20fiction). In *Octavia's Brood: Science Fiction stories From Social Justice Movements*, a book adrienne maree brown co-authored with Walidah Imarisha, they state: > We believe that radical science fiction is actually better termed visionary fiction because it pulls from real life experience, inequalities and movement building to create innovative ways of understanding the world around us, paint visions of new worlds that could be, and teach us new ways of interacting with one another. Visionary fiction engages our imaginations and hearts, and guides our hands as organizers."[11](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visionary_fiction#cite_note-11) > > Walidah Imarisha further said visionary fiction "allows us to imagine possibilities outside of what exists today. The only way we know we can challenge the divine right of kings is by being able to imagine a world where kings no longer rule us—or do not even exist. Visionary fiction offers social justice movements a process to explore creating those new worlds....This term reminds us to be utterly unrealistic in our organizing, because it is only through imagining the so-called impossible that we can begin to concretely build it. When we free our imaginations, we question everything".[12](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visionary_fiction#cite_note-12) > **visionary fiction** is a fiction genre with New Age or mind, body, spirit themes and perspectives, including consciousness expansion, spirituality, mysticism, and parapsychology. It is sometimes classed as a subtype of speculative fiction. Examples include the novels The Celestine Prophecy The Alchemist, and Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. The Book Industry Study Group's BISAC subject heading FIC039000 is "FICTION / Visionary & Metaphysical".Although similar themes and content occur in the literature of numerous cultures in many ages, the term "visionary fiction" was suggested by Renée Weber, professor of philosophy at Rutgers University, and used by John Algeo in a 1982 article describing recent examples and earlier precursors. By the year 2000 it had recognition as a distinct genre. Contemporary authors have formed organizations like the Visionary Fiction Alliance to clearly define what the genre is and what works belong to this category, advocate the use of this term for all fiction of the determined type, and promote authorship and readership of this form of fiction. > > [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visionary%20fiction)