The problem is defining “preaching”. In my limited experience, those who complain about feminism usually see having a strong female protagonist as offensive preaching.
I read a LOT of SF. I cannot remember the last book I read that I would consider “preachy” about feminism. What are some examples that bother you?
Not OP, but I've definitely read books by authors I otherwise enjoy which I'd consider to have lecturing segments in them. I'm hesitant to name specific examples though...
I think something similar happens with politics. Some people say they don't want politics in their media, but what they usually mean is they don't want half-assed and shallow political takes. If you're going to take on a serious and important topic then you need to do a great job, otherwise you're just detracting from the experience or trying to farm brownie points from your tribe.
I love strong and complex female leads. But I want the story to focus on their journey and struggles. Not to receive multiple lectures on how women are just as capable as men. It's just bad writing when it fails at the core tenet of "show, don't tell".
I recently read a book which dealt with colonialism as a central theme. The author did a great job with some aspects of the story, but they made all the villains incredibly shallow and one dimensional. This is then used to lecture the reader on why colonialism is bad. I don't even disagree with the points that were being made, but I thought it was a poor vehicle for the message.
I think the expanse series is some of the best sci Fi I have ever read. I suspect it is because the show helped my mind paint a better picture of the universe.
It presented the concepts behind several kinds of societies and governments very well, and presented a world where sexism existed but wasn't pervasive, where women were equal and as capable and likely to have power as men.
Oh, and nom-hetero and poly relationships existed, and even had a small impact on the plot, but it was never presented as some "in your face" message. It just was there.
Expanse makes you think about harsh environments, political ideology, realpolitik dynamics between governments, morality of terrorism (by oppressed and oppressors), ethics of behavior in survival scenarios, the nature of existence/what makes someone themselves, and more.
