mcb@styx.UUCP (Michael C. Berch) (02/17/85)
From: pduff <pduff%ti-eg.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa> > [Please, if you know of any other books which discuss the process of > authoring or publishing SF stories or books (not writing in general, > just SF writing) will you post title, author & publisher, and perhaps > a review on SF-Lovers?]. Here are four from my bookshelf. I've read a few others, but can't remember their titles at the moment. One was by Barry Longyear and included a writer's-point-of-view analysis of his novella "Enemy Mine." de Camp, L. Sprague and Catherine C. SCIENCE FICTION HANDBOOK, REVISED. (McGraw-Hill, 1977, trade pb, 220pp., $3.95. ISBN 0-07-016198-4). This is a revised edition of their 1953 "Handbook." It covers the recent history of sf, "how to write," "how to sell," etc. Despite the revision it still seems dated, since most of the examples are from sf of the 1940's and 50's. Bretnor, Reginald, ed. THE CRAFT OF SCIENCE FICTION. (Barnes & Noble, 1977, trade pb, 321pp., $4.95. ISBN 0-06-463457-4). Consists of 15 chapters by well-known sf authors, each focusing on some part of writing sf, e.g., Hal Clement on hard science, N. Spinrad on rubber science, Herbert on non-terrestrial planets, Ellison on video and teleplays. Well-written throughout. Hope it's sill in print. Delany, Samuel R. THE JEWEL-HINGED JAW: ESSAYS ON SCIENCE FICTION. (Berkley/Windhover, 1978, trade pb, 303pp., $4.95. ISBN 425-03852-1). A collection of critical and speculative essays about particular sf works and about the genre in general. Not a how-to book, but a must for anybody seriously interested in writing sf. There's something for everybody here: Delany can switch from casual chatter to serious discussions of semiotics and linguistics in the space of a paragraph. Highly recommended. Kenin, Millea. OTHERGATES [#3]. (Unique Graphics, 1025 - 55th St., Oakland, CA 94608, 1982, trade pb, 168pp., $5.00. ISBN/ISSN: unknown). A market guide for sf writers and artists. I have #2, which is a newsprint folio, and #3, which is a trade pb. According to the editor, it is meant to appear annually, supplemented by quarterly updates. Lists professional and fan publications, book publishers, little magazines, journals of criticism, etc. I don't know if it is still being published, but even if it isn't it's worth trying to find a copy of the latest edition. ----- Michael C. Berch {akgua,ihnp4,sun}!idi!styx!mcb mcb@lll-tis.ARPA