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Analog Writing in the Digital World
by Paul Jessup Believe it or not, I hammered out the first draft of this post on a typewriter. Gasp! Shock! Cue the fainting couch! How could I do such a thing? This day in age? Why that’s madness! And…
Technology and Worldbuilding, Part Two
by Kevin L. O’Brien In this second part of my series on technology and worldbuilding (see Part One), I would like to examine mass production. This is the concept of manufacturing many copies of a product quickly and efficiently, rather…
Plotting Asleep
by Luna Corbden
I’ve heard that insomnia is a common problem among writers. At least, it is for me.
I also frequently get stuck on “what happens next?” in my stories, which leads to me staring at the blank page, which leads…
The Space Law of Sabotage on the ISS
by Matthew Reardon
The first thing we can hope is that there haven’t been criminal acts, sabotage or other, committed on the ISS. Because the relevant space law is a bit of a mess currently, and without any precedent, it could…
Odyssey Writing Workshop 2019 Announced
News from Odyssey Writing Workshop: Now in its 24th year, the Odyssey Writing Workshop is widely considered one of the top programs in the world for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Acclaimed authors, editors and agents serve as guest…
SFWA Market Report For December
Welcome to the December edition of the SFWA Market Report. Please note: Inclusion of any market in the report below does not indicate an official endorsement by SFWA.
Automation and Worldbuilding, Part One
by Kevin L. O’Brien
Automation is defined as technology that performs work with little or no human assistance; automatic machines are known as automatons. It actually predates the Middle Ages, in that the Greeks knew about and used automated systems as…
Writing Amputees
by Diane Morrison
“Hey, I’m looking for advice. My character lost a limb in the last fight. Does anyone know about writing amputees?”
SFWA Market Report For November
Welcome to the November edition of the SFWA Market Report. Please note: Inclusion of any market in the report below does not indicate an official endorsement by SFWA.
A Publisher Might Approach YOU: Four Stupid Mistakes to Avoid
by KJ Kabza
A legitimate publisher approaching an author, rather than the other way around, is both very flattering and very rare. But because of its rarity, the experience had a downside: I had been convinced it could never happen to…
Nebula Awards Rules Changes: Associate Members Granted Voting Privileges, Game Writing Award Added
The SFWA Board of Directors and the Nebula Awards Committee are pleased to announce an extensive update to rules for the Nebula Awards®, including the Ray Bradbury and Andre Norton Awards, effective November 15, 2018.
You’re Invited to the NYC Premiere of “Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin”
News from DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival: You’re invited to the NYC PREMIERE of WORLDS OF URSULA K. LE GUIN. When? This Saturday, Nov 10, 2018, 11:45 AM Where? SVA Theatre How? BUY TICKETS. (Note: SFWA members are eligible for a discount. See…
SFWA now accepting Givers Fund Grant Requests
The Givers Fund is accepting grant requests for this cycle. The deadline for this year’s grant requests is December 1, 2018. Any forms received after that date will be automatically deferred to next year’s grant cycle.
How to Grapple With Discouragement in a Writing Career
by John Walters
When we experience setbacks as writers, especially one after the other seemingly with no end in sight, how do we keep from becoming overwhelmed with despair? Here are a few things that work for me that I hope…
Suspension of Disbelief
by Stephen Sottong
One of the problems when writing any SF story is keeping the technology reasonable enough that the reader can suspend their disbelief and focus on the story rather than being rudely pulled from the plot by preposterous violations of…
Lunar Regolith Made on Earth/State of the Art: Science and Technology
by Lauren Roux
We wanted to reach out to the Science Fiction Writers of the world and offer up our expertise to answer any questions you might have about the regolith on the Moon, some of the ices that might be there,…
Odyssey Announces Online Classes
News from Odyssey Writing Workshops Charitable Trust.
Worldbuilding with the Medieval Industrial Revolution, Part Three
by Kevin L. O’Brien
It should be pointed out that while it is easy to pattern a quasi-medieval fantasy society after medieval Europe, European society of the Middle Ages didn’t just appear out of nothing. It grew from antecedents and…
Telling Stories to Fix a Problem Telling Stories
by Clay Johnson
I’ve never been good at outlining before I write. If I know where the story is going, then the fun part is already done, and the writing becomes a chore. But this new thing, where I tell her…
SFWA Market Report For October
Welcome to the October edition of the SFWA Market Report. Please note: Inclusion of any market in the report below does not indicate an official endorsement by SFWA.
Maximizing Your Back List with a special nod to Author Estates
by Ethan Ellenberg
It’s a whole new world of Author opportunity for anyone with a backlist and that includes the Estates of deceased Authors.
I’ve written this post to provide an overview of what Authors and Heirs should be monitoring and pursuing.
Opposition to Trademark for “Quantum Series”
by Douglas Phillips
Sometimes, we get dragged into legal battles whether we like it or not. This happened to me, and I want to be sure every author hears the story, because it could happen to you too.
SFWA Market Report For September
Welcome to the September edition of the SFWA Market Report. Please note: Inclusion of any market in the report below does not indicate an official endorsement by SFWA.
The Invention Process: Ten Strategies for Producing Writing
by Brenta Blevins
Invention is, simply, the process of identifying what to write. But, whether you’re new to writing or a prolific pro, invention doesn’t always feel simple when you’re stuck on a blank page or screen.