The Business of Science Fiction: Two Insiders Discuss Writing and Publishing [Paperback]

Mike Resnick (Author), Barry N. Malzberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786447974 | ISBN-13: 978-0786447978 | Publication Date: March 26, 2010

Two prolific and award-winning science fiction writers, Mike Resnick and Barry N. Malzberg, have been publishing a "Dialogue" in every issue of the SFWA Bulletin, official publication of the Science Fiction Writers of America, for more than a decade. These collected columns explore every aspect of the literary genre, from writing to marketing to publishing, combining wit and insight with decades of experience in 25 topics.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mike Resnick, named Locus magazine's all-time leading award winner for short science fiction, is the author of 58 novels, 225 short stories, and 2 screenplays, and is the editor of 48 anthologies. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Barry N. Malzberg is the author of more than 90 books and has edited science fiction anthologies and magazines. He won the first John Campbell Memorial Award, has won two Locus Awards for essay collections, and is a Hugo and Nebula Award nominee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (March 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786447974
• ISBN-13: 978-0786447978
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,428,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mike Resnick is the author of numerous science fiction novels and short stories, including Dragon America, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Amulet of Power, Mutiny, Return to Santiago, and Santiago. He is the editor of This Is My Funniest and has won five Hugo Awards and the Nebula Award. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The REAL Nitty Gritty on SF Authoring/Publishing, September 13, 2010

By 

J. Burke "jcburke1" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Business of Science Fiction: Two Insiders Discuss Writing and Publishing (Paperback)

This book is exactly what it purports to be and that is perfectly fine: a series of meaty discussions from two long-published and very experienced sci-fi authors on all parts of the publishing industry as relates to the past and the currents trends in Sci-Fi publishing and selling, including the awards and the magazines. For a lover of writing and a huge fan of sci-fi from the 50's to now, I was pleased to read as these guys covered all the bases. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am glad to own and keep it to refer back to.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like having a couple of agents on your nightstand, October 27, 2010

By 

Jamie Rubin (Falls Church, VA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Business of Science Fiction: Two Insiders Discuss Writing and Publishing (Paperback)

As a fairly new science fiction writer with a handful of pro-credits, I've read a number of books on writing. There are "how-to" books and books on the writer's life, but none have been as helpful, as important, and as candid as Mike Resnick and Barry Malzberg's The Business of Science Fiction: Two Insiders Discuss Writing and Publishing. Reading the "dialogues" in this book (which originally appeared in the SFWA Bulletin, the organ of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) is like sitting between two seasoned veterans and listening them give you the kind of candid advice that no one else will give you about the business of science fiction writing. It is an absolute pleasure to read, and moreover, it gives potential authors the low-down on what to expect (not large advances and cocktail parties, for one thing). At times, the advice and insider stories of the publishing business can seem downright depressing, but if you take what Mike and Barry say, and balance it with your own experience in the genre, then what you find is that they are providing you with invaluable information to use when making important career decision.

This book contains the kind of information every would-be science fiction writer needs to hear, but few in the industry are willing to share or admit. It is a remarkable collection of discussions ranging from topics like agents and money to e-books and the Google settlement. It's a must-have for anyone serious about becoming a science fiction writer and I highly recommend it.