Category Archives: Writing & Publishing

The Value of Short Fiction

Gordon van Gelder, editor of Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine, has started a debate about the value of short fiction, specifcaly questioning whether it is being finacialy devalued by the increasing number of online venues distributing stories for free, venues such as Futurismic which have also taken up the debate. As a writer of shortContinue reading “The Value of Short Fiction”

Agency

As a writer, you get used to doing thing for yourself. But one piece of common place wisdom is that in order to get published writers need a literary agent. Mark Liam Piggott at the Guardian blog is not so sure about that, having been represented by agents but eventualy selling his first novel himselfContinue reading “Agency”

The Kindle is to E-Books as the IPod is to…

Or rather not. Today over at the Guardian, Jack Schofield asks if the Kindle ebook reader is becoming Amazon’s IPod. Schofield argues that it may be newspapers, not books, that lauch the e-reader revolution and draw the Kindle up to IPod status. But as Schofield himself points out, its more likely that e-books will proceedContinue reading “The Kindle is to E-Books as the IPod is to…”

Unreal Reality

I’m working on a piece about my Top 5 ‘secondary realities’ this week. Imaginary cities, invented worlds,  inspired gallactic vistas…from  Tolkien’s Middle Earth to  Asimov’s Foundation Universe, what are the most fascinating unreal realities and why? I have some idea what my top five are (I’m not giving them away just yet) but I wantContinue reading “Unreal Reality”

Which rule do you break?

I’ve posted Heinlein’s rules numerous times, but a thred at the Asimov’s forum reminded me of them andyou can never hear them too often so here they are again. RULE ONE: You must write. RULE TWO: Finish what you start. RULE THREE: You must refrain from re-writing, except to editorial order. RULE FOUR: You mustContinue reading “Which rule do you break?”

James Patrick Kelly praises The Fix

Jim Kelly, award winning SF writer (and Clarion tutor) praises The Fix… Luckily for fans of the short form, a new site, The Fix, has arrived on the scene. Andy Cox, of TTA Press, publisher of Interzone and Black Static, and Eugie Foster have created a site that is visually pleasing and intellectually stimulating. TheContinue reading “James Patrick Kelly praises The Fix”

Arthur C Clarke Passes Away

I’ve just seen on Charlie Stross’ blog that Arthur C Clarke has passed away, age 90 at his home in Sri Lanka. He was the first science fiction writer I ever read. The Fountains of Paradise and Rendezvous with Rama still rate as among the best novels ever written. Very sad news. “The only wayContinue reading “Arthur C Clarke Passes Away”

Michael Moorcock SFWA Grand Master 2008

I’ve seen over at the Asimov’s forum that Michael Moorcock is to be made a Gand Master by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. This makes him the third British Grand Master after Arthur C Clarke and Brian Aldiss. Last years Grand Master nominations of James Gunn caused some controversy as in relation toContinue reading “Michael Moorcock SFWA Grand Master 2008”

Tor E-Book Giveaway

Tor are giving away an e-book a week to anyone who subscribes via e-mail on their website. This weeks book is Mistborn by Brandon Sandersen. Bot really my thing but at least I read the first few chapters, which I doubt I would of done without having it fall into my inbox. One big frustrationContinue reading “Tor E-Book Giveaway”

Rewriting and Editing

Writing isn’t writing. Writing is editing. I’ve been struck by the importance of rewriting, or editing, over the last few days. Yesterday I rewrote an article I was working on to editorial direction, and today I made it half way through the 4th draft of ‘The Great Western Pile’. (To those people who bravely volunteeredContinue reading “Rewriting and Editing”