Category Archives: Writing & Publishing

The Politics of Gloom

The debate on positivity in science fiction continues. Co-editor of Years Best SF Kathryn Cramer makes a robust response to my Guardian article on the subject. Lou Anders, editorial director of Pyr, finds the middle ground and Jetse de Vries, who started the debate back in January, rebutts Cramer’s response. There have been too manyContinue reading “The Politics of Gloom”

Get Your Electric Velocipede Hot and Fresh!

Electric Velocipede is without doubt the magazine I most look forward to finding in my mail box. Yes, I know, I’m biased because I’ve featured in their pages. But even if I hadn’t, I hope I would have the sense to recognise what a great ‘zine editor John Klima is putting into the world. TheContinue reading “Get Your Electric Velocipede Hot and Fresh!”

Happy SF

With the news that Jetse de Vries has left the editorial group who make Interzone magazine, some discusion has arisen at the Asimov’s fourm about whether the tone of not just Interzone, but the whole of contemporary science fiction, has become too pessimistic. Its an interesting discussion and makes me wonder, are we in needContinue reading “Happy SF”

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”