Archive for the ‘SFWA Blog’ Category

The Importance of Context (Part 1)

I’m not saying you shouldn’t self-publish if you want to (though I would urge you to do so on the basis of knowledge rather than hype), or that self-publishers can’t become successful (clearly, they can–something that has always been true, for every possible value of success). I’m just saying that it’s risky to assume that others’ success stories will apply to you.

Tanglewood Press is SFWA’s newest qualifying market

The board of directors of SFWA unanimously voted to add Tanglewood Press to the list of SFWA qualifying markets. This independent publishing house focuses on Young Adult novels and books for children. Speculative fiction sales to Tanglewood Press may be used toward membership with SFWA for sales after July 1, 2008 Congratulations to the entire editorial staff at Tanglewood […]

Guest Post: 10 Books for Writers Focusing on Craft

When I’m teaching, I do bring some books to class in order to point students toward them. I don’t think books are a substitute for the act of writing, but they can help focus and direct your practice and give you a list of things to work on that might not otherwise occur to you. Here’s a list of my top ten for speculative fiction writers focusing on their craft. I was sad to find some not available on the Kindle, but where possible, I’ve pointed to the e-version.

Key Conditions for Reader Suspense:
Part 3 – It’s gotta be difficult

It’s one thing to say that something bad is going to happen. It’s quite another to know that kidnappers are going to cut your finger off with a pair of wire cutters. It’s one thing to have someone say something good will happen (Chinese fortune cookie) and quite another to say your uncle just died and left you a million dollars, but you have to fight your three cousins for it.