The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume One - First Contact (The Complete Guide to Writing Series) [Paperback]

Dave A. Law (Editor), Darin Park (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1896944396 | ISBN-13: 978-1896944395 | Publication Date: August 1, 2007 | Edition: 1

Dragon Moon Press follows its highly successful Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy series with a comprehensive writer's guide on science fiction. The book leads the writer from the pitfalls and clichés of a first story to selling and promoting a novel, and the writing life beyond. Topics in this guide range from the history of SF to alien creation, world building, space travel, and future medicine ­ a perfect reference and writing guide for someone wishing to write science fiction. The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction is written by established professionals, contributors from other DMP guides, and up-and-coming talents: Jeanne Allen Bud Sparhawk Piers Anthony Michele Acker Milena Benini Bob Nailor Orson Scott Card Michael McRae Ian Irvine Tina Morgan Wil McCarthy Darin Park Simon Rose Kim Richards ...and introducing Carol Hightshoe

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy is a broad compendium of advice and resource material developed and compiled by writers who understand the struggle involved in mastering the craft." ~Jacqueline Carey, Author Kushiel's Legacy trilogy

"In short, if you were going to look up 'experts' to talk to about some aspect of the world you are building, these are the people you'd ask." ~Moira Allen

--Jacqueline Carey, Bestselling Author

All aspiring and newly established science fiction writers should read The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction before sending out their manuscripts. --Leslie Halpern, My Shelf Book Review

About the Author

David A. Law is a published writer/editor who also operates a software company for writers - Intellectus Enterprises. Dave is chairman of e-publisher, Virtual Tales, and editor for Flash Me Magazine. He lives in Calgary, Alberta. Darin Park won the Publisher's Choice Award in Futures Magazine in 2001 for his story "The Devil, You Say?" Darin co-edited The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy Volume One. Canadian born, Darin now lives in Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dragon Moon Press; 1 edition (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1896944396
• ISBN-13: 978-1896944395
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #786,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume One-First Contact, December 21, 2007

By 

Carole Ann Moleti (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume One - First Contact (The Complete Guide to Writing Series) (Paperback)

The aspiring science fiction writer who starts at the beginning of this book will build understanding and a strong foundation of knowledge. While this by no means ensures success in a very tough business, it can give her a distinct advantage. I have read, heard, studied, and practiced all of these techniques for years. But I still found new truths and a wealth of new insights in the words.

Broken into short chapters, written in simple (but not simplistic) language, the book follows a logical progression. Three sections organize the material into five parts, plus appendices. Part I focuses on defining the history and parameters of the genre. Part II delves deep into basic scientific principles, word building, and aerospace technology. Part III covers crafting and revision and Part IV specialty sub-genres. Part V addresses publishing, marketing, and the writing life.

It's important for the writer to understand the multiple sub-genres and techniques used in each to create good stories, as well as to target marketing efforts. Having a single source for very detailed biochemistry, genetics and evolutionary biology, physics, and astronomy is much easier than unearthing it from other places.

I recommend this as the first book for new science fiction writers to buy and see it as the last one those of us slogging through the process will need.


Carole Ann Moleti writes review and commentary for Tangent Online, The Fix, Noneuclidean Café and most recently for Vision: A Resource for Writers.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive, deftly edited, 311-page 'how to' instruction guide, February 5, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume One - First Contact (The Complete Guide to Writing Series) (Paperback)

A comprehensive, deftly edited, 311-page 'how to' instruction guide for writing in the science fiction genre and any of its many subgenres, "The Complete Guide To Writing Science Fiction: Volume One" is a collection of superbly presented essays and articles by knowledgeable and successful writers ranging from Piers Anthony, to Orson Scott Card, to Tina Morgan. Beginning with Darin Park's 'Timeline: A History of Science Fiction', there are specific chapters dealing with the science and technology in science fiction, world building, the creating of aliens, the use of humor and drama, writing graphic novels in the genre, and even what to do with your science fiction short story or novel once it is written. Whether an aspiring writer yearning to break into science fiction, or even an experienced author with some publication credits in the genre, "The Complete Guide To Writing Science Fiction" will prove to be invaluable reading and instructive reference.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction, Volume One, November 13, 2007

By 

V. Kennedy "book crazed" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume One - First Contact (The Complete Guide to Writing Series) (Paperback)

I think this is a great book for a writer who's interested in learning how to write Science Fiction. It has all the nuts and bolts needed to get an aspiring writer started in writing for the genre. I enjoy reading Sci-Fi, but have always been afraid of trying to write it. Science is not my strong suit and I don't aspire to wasting my time or being a laughingstock.

They've crammed so much information into this book that it's hard for me to do it justice. It covers the mechanics of writing such as: characterization, plot, POV, pacing and so on. And yes I have read that information in other books, but it ties in with what it takes to write Sci-Fi and that's what makes it so helpful.

I liked it that the book gives out some information on black holes, time travel, wormholes and other facts or speculation. It describes the many subgenres and what is necessary for creating alien life. With World Building I create my own world for my story and its characters. World building helps me to make my story believable. I read how important technology is too. I think that's the part that's always scared me the most about writing Sci-Fi.

This book is so great because it walked me through each step of what it takes to write Science Fiction. It's a wonderful guide for a genre that is both complex and sometimes difficult to write. No, it won't write the book for me, but it does give me some basic tools to start my journey with.