Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Science Fiction

Rating:
Summary: Fun and Informative
Review: I recently published my first book (a non-fiction title on computer programing) and I've been toying with the idea of trying my hand at fiction. I've always like to read sci-fi so picking up this book seemed like a natural choice. I was not disappointed.

This book gives a great overview of both the common pitfalls in writing sci-fi, as well as the difficulites you'll run into trying to get published. The sections on writing are great. I think I'll find myself watching for some of the things they describe as I read sci-fi from now on. I think this book will make me read some sci-fi in a more critical light. Some parts of this book would be interesting to many sci-fi fans even if they don't actually plan to ever write a book.

The great thing about this book is that it's not just informative, it's fun to read. The style is easy and entertaining. I really enjoyed this book.

Rating:
Summary: Fun and Informative
Review: I recently published my first book (a non-fiction title on computer programing) and I've been toying with the idea of trying my hand at fiction. I've always like to read sci-fi so picking up this book seemed like a natural choice. I was not disappointed.

This book gives a great overview of both the common pitfalls in writing sci-fi, as well as the difficulites you'll run into trying to get published. The sections on writing are great. I think I'll find myself watching for some of the things they describe as I read sci-fi from now on. I think this book will make me read some sci-fi in a more critical light. Some parts of this book would be interesting to many sci-fi fans even if they don't actually plan to ever write a book.

The great thing about this book is that it's not just informative, it's fun to read. The style is easy and entertaining. I really enjoyed this book.

Rating:
Summary: An easy read that explains it all!
Review: Ok, so I'm a bit of a fanatic when it comes to "How to Write" books. I buy pretty much all of them that I run across. Some good, some not so good.

This one is definitely one to get! I find that the "Complete Idiot" guides are usually written in an easy to read and entertaining format, and this one certainly didn't disappoint me.

Written from two authors in the field that, admittedly, I've never heard of, but it wasn't a disappointment in the slightest. They draw from several different viewpoints, research their facts, and even poke fun at themselves through it all.

Nor does this book a bit of fluff to encourage you on. They lay out the hard facts (not everyone can make a living at writing, sometimes your books don't sell, sometimes you get rejected after 8 years of waiting, etc) without sugarcoating them, and I really appreciate a book that doesn't talk down to me.

If you are looking for a book that will tell you how to go from Chapter 1 to the Epilogue and hold your hand the whole way, well, keep on looking. This book does not particularly focus on HOW to write, but basically what the Sci-Fi/Fantasy world of writers is like. Hence the title is "Publishing" not "Writing" Science Fiction.

Fantasy authors, don't be scared away by just Sci-Fi being listed on the cover. This is for anyone that's contemplating writing speculative fiction.

This book is going to stay in my "keepers" pile! Close at hand!

Rating:
Summary: An easy read that explains it all!
Review: Ok, so I'm a bit of a fanatic when it comes to "How to Write" books. I buy pretty much all of them that I run across. Some good, some not so good.

This one is definitely one to get! I find that the "Complete Idiot" guides are usually written in an easy to read and entertaining format, and this one certainly didn't disappoint me.

Written from two authors in the field that, admittedly, I've never heard of, but it wasn't a disappointment in the slightest. They draw from several different viewpoints, research their facts, and even poke fun at themselves through it all.

Nor does this book a bit of fluff to encourage you on. They lay out the hard facts (not everyone can make a living at writing, sometimes your books don't sell, sometimes you get rejected after 8 years of waiting, etc) without sugarcoating them, and I really appreciate a book that doesn't talk down to me.

If you are looking for a book that will tell you how to go from Chapter 1 to the Epilogue and hold your hand the whole way, well, keep on looking. This book does not particularly focus on HOW to write, but basically what the Sci-Fi/Fantasy world of writers is like. Hence the title is "Publishing" not "Writing" Science Fiction.

Fantasy authors, don't be scared away by just Sci-Fi being listed on the cover. This is for anyone that's contemplating writing speculative fiction.

This book is going to stay in my "keepers" pile! Close at hand!

Rating:
Summary: Not enough stars!
Review: The best book on science fiction writing anywhere. Not only do these authors know their craft, but they do something almost NO other book on genre writing--or even general fiction writing-- does. They demonstrate a thorough, respectful and compassionate understanding of the audience that embraces the sci-fi genre. They know and like the readers they write for, and it really shows--rather than treating them like so many wallets lined up at the bookstore checkout (a viewpoint beginning writers need to learn and experienced ones need to be reminded of). If you only ever own--and USE--one book on this topic, this is the one!

Rating:
Summary: A panorama of spec-fi industry for aspiring writers
Review: THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING SCIENCE FICTION containsneither instruction on how to register a title with Bowker nor issuesto consider when preparing a book for print. The title is actuallyambiguous. Rather than detailing procedures for selecting anddistributing genre material, it provides a broad range of excellentand inspiring advice for aspiring speculative fiction writers.

The useof the term "science fiction" is a catch-all for all of thespec-fi genres, which includes science fiction, fantasy,horror/gothic, or any story that has some sort of"fantastic" element. Some of the topics authors CoryDoctorow and Karl Schroeder include are the history of the genre,conventions, writers' workshops, tips on the craft, submission,marketing, awards, agents, electronic publishing, contracts, taxes,and associations. It is a survey of just about everything the writerencounters regarding the craft of producing spec-fi for the printmedia.

Dealing with so many subjects in one volume limits theirdepth. For instance, as someone who's been heavily involved withwriters' workshops, I noticed a couple of types the authors missedwere those at conventions and others led by selling professionals.These are the only exceptions where it's usually worth paying afee.

Frankly, though, this reviewer is a little more knowledgeableon that particular subject than this book's intended audience. Theadvice it gives in locating a writers workshop, what it's all about,and how to deal with the criticism is obviously coming from people whohave been there and have a rational perspective. Most of the pointsthey raise, especially how important it is to critique other people'swork, come from experiences common to many writers.

Likewise withthe other subjects of the book. Of timely concern is the backgroundon "e-rights," which has risen to controversial levels inthe whole writing community during the past decade. Doctorow andSchroeder basically state this is an emerging field where a lot of thebumps they elaborate are still being worked out, thus making clearthat any further research done on the issue can be valuable.

Theinformation they impart on agents, associations, contracts, and evenconventions just makes good sense. However, they're also quick toadmit that the market is in a perpetual state of flux, that some oftheir information can turn obsolete by the time their camera-readycopy goes to press, meaning if the publisher keeps this book in printvery long it will require revisions every few years to update the datait supplies, especially its contact information.

THE COMPLETEIDIOT'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING SCIENCE FICTION serves as an excellentspringboard for newcomers to the spec-fi print industry. It whets theappetite for information on the topics it covers and encourages thereader to look for more. Members of Chicon 2000 and MillenniumPhilcon, the 58th and 59th World Science Fiction Conventions(a.k.a. Worldcons 58 and 59) respectively, ought to considernominating this title for the Best Related Book Hugo in 2001. It willdefinitely be recommended reading for any workshops I coordinate inthe future.