Anthologies of mainstream author interviews are common enough, but similar resources covering sf creators rarely see print, except online. Blaschke, fiction editor for RevolutionSF.com, fills something of a vacuum, then, with this outstanding collection of conversations he has had with leading sf editors and authors since 1997. He sorts the interviewees into four whimsically titled categories. "A Source of Innocent Merriment," for instance, focuses on such highly distinctive voices in speculative fiction as urban fantasist Charles de Lint, and "I Am Legend" targets genuine luminaries of the field, such as Samuel R. Delaney and Gene Wolfe. Standout interviews include those with 800-pound gorilla Harlan Ellison, displaying his usual cynicism about sf films and their fans, and perdurable grandmaster Jack Williamson, who explains how he has kept the creative fires burning since his first publication in 1928. Another section takes note of comic book creators, with
Sandman author Neil Gaiman leading the pack. Must reading for devotees curious to see what makes their favorite authors tick.
Carl HaysCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
“An expert savvy interviewer is a rare beast. Jayme Lynn Blaschke is just such a paragon. . . . Blaschke displays reverence, passion, and curiosity. He manages to elicit quotable moments from everyone, and dredges up insightful apercus.”—Asimov’s Science Fiction
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Asimov's Science Fiction )
“Quite likely to float the boats of SF readers of every stripe. . . . Voices of Vision involves vibrant, creative types talking about things they love (and hate), which is a pretty good way to spend an afternoon.”—Revolution SF
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Revolution SF )
"Let us hope that the University of Nebraska produces other books in the vein of Voices of Vision."—Aaron Parrett, Science Fiction Studies
(Aaron Parrett
Science Fiction Studies )
“What is most engaging about this book is that it is a glimpse at the belly of the beast, so to speak—science fiction and fantasy as a business, a discipline, a means of livelihood, and a community. . . . Blaschke is an engaging interviewer. . . . Everyone will have favorites in this collection, just as everyone has favorite writers and private heroes. . . . For anyone interested in the twin genres of science fiction and fantasy, this is a treat.”—Robert M. Tilendis, Green Man Review
(Robert M. Tilendis
Green Man Review )
"Voices of Vision provides a useful look at the current and recent state of science fiction and comics from a wide range of viewpoints. Blaschke provides a more personal introduction to his subjects than is possible by reading their novels, comics or the magazines they edited. The result is a look at a vibrant genre which has broadened in both scope and appeal from the days when Jack Williamson helped found the genre."—Steven H. Silver, SF Site
(Steven H. Silver
SF Site )
“The quality of interviews is uniformly excellent. Blaschke asks intelligent questions and receives interesting answers, which are edited nicely for maximum impact while keeping the distinct personality of the speaker.”—Rick Klaw, LocusMag.com
(Rick Klaw
LocusMag.com )
“Blaschke demonstrates that he is an insightful interviewer who is interested in asking more than just basic, run of the mill questions. . . . Blaschke’s interviews and their subjects are interesting, and while brief in length, cover a tremendous amount of ground. Voices of Vision is essential for understanding the current state of science fiction from the point of view of those who write it and publish it.”—Interzone
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Interzone )
“There aren’t many interview books around these days . . . nonetheless, such books should be encouraged because they give insight into the thinking of a variety of creators. . . . There has to be someone or more in [Voices of Vision] that has to take your fancy. So, go read.”—SF Crowsnest
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SF Crowsnest )
“The interviewer does a very fine job of enticing interesting responses from [his] subjects.”—Science Fiction Chronicle
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Science Fiction Chronicle )
"Blaschke . . . fills something of a vacuum, then, with this outstanding collection of conversations he has had with leading sf editors and authors since 1997. . . . Must reading for devotees curious to see what makes their favorite authors tick."—Booklist
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Booklist )
"Jayme knows his stuff—like any good interviewer, he''s always trying to dig below the surface—and that''s where the best answers always hide."—Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author of The Millionaires and The Zero Game
(Brad Meltzer )
"Interviewing with Jayme Blaschke was an enjoyable experience. The questions were clear, well thought out, and not the run-of-the-mill interview questions. In short, it was an interview that allowed this writer to share thoughts rather than standardized facts with the reader."—Robin Hobb, author of Fools Fate and Ship of Magic
(Robin Hobb )
“Blaschke, fiction editor at RevolutionSF and Central Texas dweller, interviews the likes of Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Charles de Lint, Neil Gaiman, and Gene Wolfe in this valuable and well rounded volume.”—Austin Chronicle
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Austin Chronicle )
“It supplements brief biographical entries in reference texts and, at times, may provide ‘reality checks’ for aspiring writers, artists, and perhaps editors.”—Amelia A. Rutledge, Science Fiction Research Association
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Science Fiction Research Association )
