Title: Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and
Fantasy
Editor: Michael Knost
Page Count: 210 pages
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Published: April 18th, 2013
Publisher: Seventh Star Press
Synopsis:
Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a collection
of essays and interviews by and with many of the movers-and-shakers in the
industry. Each contributor covers the specific element of craft he or she
excels in. Expect to find varying perspectives and viewpoints, which is why you
many find differing opinions on any particular subject.
This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that's one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her.
This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that's one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her.
Featuring essays and interviews with:
Neil Gaiman
Orson Scott Card
Ursula K. Le Guin
Alan Dean Foster
James Gunn
Tim Powers
Harry Turtledove
Larry Niven
Joe Haldeman
Kevin J. Anderson
Elizabeth Bear
Jay Lake
Nancy Kress
George Zebrowski
Pamela Sargent
Mike Resnick
Ellen Datlow
James Patrick Kelly
Jo Fletcher
Stanley Schmidt
Gordon Van Gelder
Lou Anders
Peter Crowther
Ann VanderMeer
John Joseph Adams
Nick Mamatas
Lucy A. Snyder
Alethea Kontis
Nisi Shawl
Jude-Marie Green
Nayad A. Monroe
G. Cameron Fuller
Jackie Gamber
Amanda DeBord
Max Miller
Jason Sizemore
This edition also includes several full page illustrations from award-winning
artists Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson.
~ About the Editor ~
Michael Knost is an
award-winning author, editor, and columnist in the Science Fiction, Fantasy,
Horror and Supernatural Thriller genres.
He has written several books and dozens of short stories, edited a number of anthologies, including the Legends of the Mountain State series, and he currently writes a column for Shroud Magazine.
He recently won the Bram Stoker Award in the United Kingdom for his book Writers Workshop of Horror, a collection of articles and interviews on the craft of writing.
He is currently working on a Mothman novel due to hit bookshelves later this year.
Michael has worked in the radio, television, and newspaper industries, and currently lives in Chapmanville, West Virginia with his beautiful wife and daughter.
He has written several books and dozens of short stories, edited a number of anthologies, including the Legends of the Mountain State series, and he currently writes a column for Shroud Magazine.
He recently won the Bram Stoker Award in the United Kingdom for his book Writers Workshop of Horror, a collection of articles and interviews on the craft of writing.
He is currently working on a Mothman novel due to hit bookshelves later this year.
Michael has worked in the radio, television, and newspaper industries, and currently lives in Chapmanville, West Virginia with his beautiful wife and daughter.
~ About the Publisher ~
Seventh Star Press is a small press publisher located in
Lexington, KY. SSP specializes in speculative fiction (fantasy, science
fiction, and horror). The company was established in October of 2008.
A_TiffyFit's Review:
A Writer's Workshop indeed! I really have no idea how to review this book as it's a collection of essays geared at provoking thought and offering advice to a writer of science fiction/fantasy. It opens with an essay from one of my most favorite authors, Neil Gaiman answering the question every author on the planet is asked: Where do you get your ideas? Mr Gaiman says he used to use trite answers until visiting his (then) 7 year old daughter's classroom and decided those kids need an answer. The end answer? "I make them up." It made me laugh; there is more of course to his answer, but I will let you discover that on your own.
From there the next essay discusses subgenre within scifi/fantasy and as a blogger and reader, I really LOVED this essay! It helped to pinpoint things I'm reading that I don't quite know how to label for genre. Sword & Sorcery vs High/Epic vs Dark/Urban etc. And then we move on to beginnings, middles, endings, emotions, dialogues, etc.
Seriously...this is an invaluable resource for writers in my opinion. It has wonderful advice in it from authors and editors and contributors. If I were ever to try and take those ideas and attempt to write, I would have this at my side. From Ursula Le Guin to Neil Gaiman to James Gunn, these essays cover the spectrum and provide references to other works as examples.
A Writer's Workshop indeed! I really have no idea how to review this book as it's a collection of essays geared at provoking thought and offering advice to a writer of science fiction/fantasy. It opens with an essay from one of my most favorite authors, Neil Gaiman answering the question every author on the planet is asked: Where do you get your ideas? Mr Gaiman says he used to use trite answers until visiting his (then) 7 year old daughter's classroom and decided those kids need an answer. The end answer? "I make them up." It made me laugh; there is more of course to his answer, but I will let you discover that on your own.
From there the next essay discusses subgenre within scifi/fantasy and as a blogger and reader, I really LOVED this essay! It helped to pinpoint things I'm reading that I don't quite know how to label for genre. Sword & Sorcery vs High/Epic vs Dark/Urban etc. And then we move on to beginnings, middles, endings, emotions, dialogues, etc.
Seriously...this is an invaluable resource for writers in my opinion. It has wonderful advice in it from authors and editors and contributors. If I were ever to try and take those ideas and attempt to write, I would have this at my side. From Ursula Le Guin to Neil Gaiman to James Gunn, these essays cover the spectrum and provide references to other works as examples.
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