Ellison…Brooks…Stephenson. These are some of the top fantasy and science fiction authors writing today. Their books reach an audience of tens of thousands and explore imaginative new worlds. Now writers can learn the secret to crafting their own breakout fantasy or sci-fi novel as Philip Athans provides a step-by-step guide to: developing the best plot structure; creating believable, exciting characters; writing compelling combat scenes; presenting technology that sounds as if it ought to work; and, also writing a strong proposal and finding the right publisher. Complete with an introduction by R.A. Salvatore, one of the decade’s most prolific fantasy writers, this guide holds the key to success for aspiring authors who want to fly to the stars, find treasure in the dragon’s lair, defend Earth from an alien invasion – and publish a bestseller.

About the Author

Philip Athans (Issaquah, WA) is managing editor of novels at Wizards of the Coast, t (more…)

“The Writer’s Digest Guide to Science Fiction & Fantasy” gives writers everything they need to know write the next sci-fi classic. Writers of all skill levels will discover helpful advice from best-selling author Orson Scott Card’s “How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy” on how to wield story elements that ‘define’ the science fiction and fantasy genres; build, populate and dramatize fantastic new worlds; and, construct compelling stories by developing ideas, characters, and events that keep readers turning pages, and more. In this book, readers will learn the art of world building by exploring traditional fantasy cultures, examples from world cultures, the rituals of magic and witchcraft, mythological creatures and fantasy races, weapons and armor, clothing and fashion, and much more.

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From Library Journal

This how-to book is divided into four parts: “Storytelling,” “Ideas and Foundations,” and two sections on mechanics, markets, and dealing with editors. Issac Asimov wades in rather superficially on “Plotting,” “Dialog,” and “Revisions,” but Poul Anderson’s almost technical essay on preparing a scientifically valid world couldn’t be better, and Hal Clement’s piece on peopling such a world is just as good. Norman Spinrad uses the techniques of futurists to model how space colonization could occur and provides graphs for the beginner. The tilt here is toward “hard” science fiction, but Jane Yolen’s meditation on fantasy, “Turtles All the Way Down,” is lyrical and even moving in its reverence for the past. Connie Willis writes about comedy and Stanley Schmidt, amusingly, about cliches. The market listings are exhaustive, including little magazines you won’t find elsewhere. Valuable both for the beginner and the pro.- John Mort, Kansas City P.L., Mo.Copy (more…)

Review

…takes readers from understanding the genre to reaching the published stage…section on “craft of writing” is particularly detailed. — Capital Parent, March 2001
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

* Develop believable fantasy worlds * Challenge your readers’ imaginations * Practical techniques you can apply today * Written by a successful author of SF and fantasy novels Are you struggling to get started on your science fiction or fantasy novel? Stuck at chapter two or need a fresh approach? Find new direction and inspiration with this unique guide to creating original and convincing stories. Written by a successful author of more than ten science fiction and fantasy novels, Writing Science and Fantasy takes an in-depth look at these two best-selling genres. Kilian delves into the origins and conventions of science fiction and fantasy and goes over the many subgenres, includi (more…)

Finally, Orson Scott Card’s Hugo award-winning classic on the art and craft of writing science fiction and fantasy is available in paperback! Card provides invaluable advice for every science fiction and fantasy writer interested in constructing stories about people, worlds and events that stretch the boundaries of the possible…and the magical. They’ll learn: * what is and isn’t science fiction and fantasy, and where their story fits in the mix * how to build, populate, and dramatize a credible, inviting world readers will want to explore * how to use the MICE quotient–milieu, idea, character and event–to structure a successful story * where the markets are, how to reach them and get published There’s no better source of information for writers working in these genres. This book will help them effectively produce exciting stories that are both fascinating and market-ready.

About the Author

Orson Scott Card is one of the biggest names i (more…)