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An Interview with Django Wexler
I have always thought that it’s a little strange that fantasy tends to concentrate on what’s really a very small slice of history (basically 13th or 14th century England) when there’s so much available to use as an archetype. …
New Publisher: Resurrection House
I had this post ready to go on Friday, but it was pre-empted by news of Ann Crispin’s death. I was considering letting the blog sit silent for a week–but in light of the fools and trolls who are dreaming…
In Memoriam: A. C. Crispin
Author A. C. Crispin (b.1950) died on September 6 after a year-long battle with cancer. Crispin began publishing in 1983 with the Star Trek novel Yesterday’s Son. She continued writing media tie-in novels, including for the television show V and the films Star Wars, Alien, and The Pirates of the…
Ann C. Crispin
Posted by Victoria Strauss for Writer Beware
Ann Crispin, best-selling author, Writer Beware co-founder, fearless fighter in the scam wars, beloved wife and mother, my friend, died this morning after a two-year struggle with cancer.
I’ll write a mem…
A Message From Writer Beware Co-Founder and Chair, Ann Crispin
I’ve been hesitant to make this post, but it’s time. I want to thank you all for your good wishes and prayers. I fear my condition is deteriorating. I am doing the best I can to be positive but I…
In Memoriam: Frederik Pohl
Polymath and former SFWA President Frederik Pohl (b.1919) died on September 2 after entering the hospital in repiratory distress earlier in the day. Pohl joined science fiction fandom in the 1930s and quickly became an integral part of the…
A Second Bite at the Apple: Termination Rights for Writers Introduction
Early in their careers, writers sometimes sign away valuable rights under less than favorable terms. This article discusses the important right of termination under US copyright law, which allows writers to reclaim such rights in their works and to try…
SFWA at Dragon*Con
While many SFWA members are at WorldCon in San Antonio this weekend, some of us are bucking the trend and going to Dragon*Con.
More Publisher Storm Warnings
A roundup of recent publisher troubles and closures that have come across my desk…
Publisher Alert: Iconic Publishing / Jonquil Press / Red Lizard Press
Starting last February, I began hearing from Iconic authors reporting a variety of similar problems, including production delays, poor copy editing (books were printed full of errors), poor communication, and broken marketing promises. I’ve also seen several Iconic contracts, and…
Brutarian Magazine Update
After reviewing the performance of Brutarian Magazine and corresponding with its publisher, SFWA’s board has voted to delist Brutarian as a qualifying market as of August 30, 2013, due to the magazine’s inconsistent publishing schedule over the past three years…
FOGcon Rolls Into the Bay Area
FOGcon has issued the following news: Walnut Creek will once again get a little more fantastic as it welcomes back FOGcon on March 7-9, 2014. Celebrating its fourth year in the Bay Area and its third year in Walnut Creek,…
LFS Announces 2013 Prometheus Award Winners
The Libertarian Futurist Society has announced the Prometheus Awards winners for Best Novel and Best Classic Fiction (Hall of Fame), to be presented Friday Aug. 30, 2013 at LoneStarCon3, the 71st Annual World Science Fiction Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
Writing With Stolen Time
There’s a difference between being a writer and wanting to be a writer. There are plenty of conversations about it, about whether payment, time spent, or day jobs land you on either one side or the other. But the…
Board Communication on Member Expulsion
The Board, after careful consideration of the existing Massachusetts By-Laws, our approved operations and procedures, and with the advice of our legal counsel and past presidents, has decided to expel a member of SFWA from the organization. This has not…
Expanded Alert at Writer Beware: American Book Publishing / Alexis Press / All Classic Books / Atlantic National Books
Last October, I started getting inquiries about a publisher called “All Classic Books.” I hadn’t heard anything about it, though its rather odd website (a sort of online journal format, with content mill-style essays) along with the lack of…
How to Be a Happy Writer
Research by psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky and others suggests that when you are in a positive state your brain performs significantly better than when you’re in a negative or neutral state. Your intelligence, creativity and energy levels all rise when you’re…
An Interview with Julia Sidorova, Author of Age of Ice
This opening line to Julia Sidorova’s debut novel pulls the reader into an immersive and intensive read and compels us to follow the life of Prince Alexander Velitzyn in his quest to find the answer to his immunity to ice….
The Joy Of Failure: Improv And Writing
How can taking an improv acting/comedy lesson improve your writing? Well, for one thing, it forces you to think differently about story.
An Interview with Don Sakers
The other aspect of Heinlein’s work that I’ve tried to emulate is his ability to choose and present just a few precise details to convey a different world, be it the future or another planet. The classic example from his…
Jealousing Is the New Writing Exercise
When I get professionally jealous it’s often an exciting thing. “Wow! I never thought of doing that. That’s amazing!” But excitement can turn into sad feelings…
Anti-Harassment Resources For SFWA Writers
On July 2 John Scalzi, immediate past president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, announced his new Convention Harassment Policy. When my friends and fans go to conventions, I would like them not to have to worry, if…
Commemorative Stamps Petition
A letter from Chris M. Barkley to the science fiction and fantasy community:
Over a week ago, I started two online petition drives at Change.org and We the People, to gather support to establish a series of commemorative stamps honoring America’s…
An Exit Interview with John Scalzi
This June, John Scalzi stepped down as SFWA President. He took office in 2010—twelve years after beginning his wildly successful blog, Whatever, and five years after he published his first novel.
SFWA member Carrie Cuinn ventured into Scalzi’s lair (aka,…