- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Imprint Unknown; 1 edition (14 July 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0028639189
- ISBN-13: 978-0028639185
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 18.6 x 2.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,233,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #29 in Books > Reference > Writing > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction & Fantasy
- See Complete Table of Contents
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From the Back Cover
If you love science fiction and would like to write some of your own, this book will give you practical advice. Describing the different types of science fiction and fantasy genres and subgenres, it explains everything from how putting your manuscript together to getting it picked up by a publisher, and suggests relevant resources to put you ahead of the pack.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING SCIENCE FICTION contains neither instruction on how to register a title with Bowker nor issues to consider when preparing a book for print. The title is actually ambiguous. Rather than detailing procedures for selecting and distributing genre material, it provides a broad range of excellent and inspiring advice for aspiring speculative fiction writers.
The use of the term "science fiction" is a catch-all for all of the spec-fi genres, which includes science fiction, fantasy, horror/gothic, or any story that has some sort of "fantastic" element. Some of the topics authors Cory Doctorow and Karl Schroeder include are the history of the genre, conventions, writers' workshops, tips on the craft, submission, marketing, awards, agents, electronic publishing, contracts, taxes, and associations. It is a survey of just about everything the writer encounters regarding the craft of producing spec-fi for the print media.
Dealing with so many subjects in one volume limits their depth. For instance, as someone who's been heavily involved with writers' workshops, I noticed a couple of types the authors missed were those at conventions and others led by selling professionals. These are the only exceptions where it's usually worth paying a fee. Frankly, though, this reviewer is a little more knowledgeable on that particular subject than this book's intended audience. The advice it gives in locating a writers workshop, what it's all about, and how to deal with the criticism is obviously coming from people who have been there and have a rational perspective. Most of the points they raise, especially how important it is to critique other people's work, come from experiences common to many writers.
Likewise with the other subjects of the book. Of timely concern is the background on "e-rights," which has risen to controversial levels in the whole writing community during the past decade. Doctorow and Schroeder basically state this is an emerging field where a lot of the bumps they elaborate are still being worked out, thus making clear that any further research done on the issue can be valuable.
The information they impart on agents, associations, contracts, and even conventions just makes good sense. However, they're also quick to admit that the market is in a perpetual state of flux, that some of their information can turn obsolete by the time their camera-ready copy goes to press, meaning if the publisher keeps this book in print very long it will require revisions every few years to update the data it supplies, especially its contact information.
THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING SCIENCE FICTION serves as an excellent springboard for newcomers to the spec-fi print industry. It whets the appetite for information on the topics it covers and encourages the reader to look for more. Members of Chicon 2000 and Millennium Philcon, the 58th and 59th World Science Fiction Conventions (a.k.a. Worldcons 58 and 59) respectively, ought to consider nominating this title for the Best Related Book Hugo in 2001. It will definitely be recommended reading for any workshops I coordinate in the future.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
12 reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
I followed their advice and got published!
11 Aug 2002
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
My original review is below, but I have things to add. Two books made all the difference for me. Now I have an agent, and he has sold my military sci-fi adventures to Ace Book. The books that made the difference for me were "On Writing," by Stephen King, and "Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Science Fiction."
King furnished the best advice for writing... the best advice I have gotten anywhere, in his tidy little book. My professors at school were patient and gifted mentors and I was lucky to have such generous men assisting me as I started out; but they were about literature, my desire to publish potboilers confused them and placed them in unfamiliar territory.
Doctrow and Schroeder provided current (for the time) and shrewd advice for how to work in the sci-fi market. I followed their advice carefully, including going to the agents they suggested. In the end, I got one of the agents they mentioned, and my agent got me a deal with a good publisher.
The following is what I had to say about "The Complete Idiot's Guide" two years ago, as I was still writing my book. I hope it is of value.
I almost returned this book when it first arrived in the mail. I took a look at the back and saw that Cory Doctrow had published all of 15 short stories--no novels, no books, no anthologies... He publishes 15 short stories and off he goes to write a book about getting published.
I did not return the book. Instead, I scanned the pages and found that the chapter headings seemed quite sensible, even practical. So I gave the book a try.
Doctrow and Schroeder may not have all of publishing credentials of an Asimov or a Card, but they have a lot of solid practical advise to offer any fledgling writer. They have put a lot of work into creating a solid, readable guide with good information about the benefits of agents, methods of editing, places to publish, definitions of genres, and the state of Science Fiction as a whole.
I almost judged this book by its cover and it would have been a terrible mistake. Having read this reference cover-to-cover, I believe it is invaluable for the BEGINNER, the new writer or the writer who is new to SF and Fantasy.
King furnished the best advice for writing... the best advice I have gotten anywhere, in his tidy little book. My professors at school were patient and gifted mentors and I was lucky to have such generous men assisting me as I started out; but they were about literature, my desire to publish potboilers confused them and placed them in unfamiliar territory.
Doctrow and Schroeder provided current (for the time) and shrewd advice for how to work in the sci-fi market. I followed their advice carefully, including going to the agents they suggested. In the end, I got one of the agents they mentioned, and my agent got me a deal with a good publisher.
The following is what I had to say about "The Complete Idiot's Guide" two years ago, as I was still writing my book. I hope it is of value.
I almost returned this book when it first arrived in the mail. I took a look at the back and saw that Cory Doctrow had published all of 15 short stories--no novels, no books, no anthologies... He publishes 15 short stories and off he goes to write a book about getting published.
I did not return the book. Instead, I scanned the pages and found that the chapter headings seemed quite sensible, even practical. So I gave the book a try.
Doctrow and Schroeder may not have all of publishing credentials of an Asimov or a Card, but they have a lot of solid practical advise to offer any fledgling writer. They have put a lot of work into creating a solid, readable guide with good information about the benefits of agents, methods of editing, places to publish, definitions of genres, and the state of Science Fiction as a whole.
I almost judged this book by its cover and it would have been a terrible mistake. Having read this reference cover-to-cover, I believe it is invaluable for the BEGINNER, the new writer or the writer who is new to SF and Fantasy.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
An easy read that explains it all!
19 Sep 2002
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ok, so I'm a bit of a fanatic when it comes to "How to Write" books. I buy pretty much all of them that I run across. Some good, some not so good.
This one is definitely one to get! I find that the "Complete Idiot" guides are usually written in an easy to read and entertaining format, and this one certainly didn't disappoint me.
Written from two authors in the field that, admittedly, I've never heard of, but it wasn't a disappointment in the slightest. They draw from several different viewpoints, research their facts, and even poke fun at themselves through it all.
Nor does this book a bit of fluff to encourage you on. They lay out the hard facts (not everyone can make a living at writing, sometimes your books don't sell, sometimes you get rejected after 8 years of waiting, etc) without sugarcoating them, and I really appreciate a book that doesn't talk down to me.
If you are looking for a book that will tell you how to go from Chapter 1 to the Epilogue and hold your hand the whole way, well, keep on looking. This book does not particularly focus on HOW to write, but basically what the Sci-Fi/Fantasy world of writers is like. Hence the title is "Publishing" not "Writing" Science Fiction.
Fantasy authors, don't be scared away by just Sci-Fi being listed on the cover. This is for anyone that's contemplating writing speculative fiction.
This book is going to stay in my "keepers" pile! Close at hand!
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Incredibly Practical, and Fun to Read!
25 Mar 2004
Format:Paperback
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Science Fiction & Fantasy" provides practical, solid advice, and it does it with the help of some very funny stories. It's at once sobering and hopeful; it doesn't get you worked up with a lot of false hopes, yet doesn't leave you depressed and suicidal about your chances of getting published either.
This book debunks popular myths and legends about writing. It covers the varieties of science fiction, as well as fantasy, including "dark fantasy" or horror. It briefly touches on fans and conventions, including how to handle your fans (the good and the bad). It discusses the importance (or not) of having "new" ideas for your stories, and of knowing your subject. It'll also point out some of the mistakes and problems that knowing your subject can push you into.
It goes into writing as a job. It covers the usual "you have to make time for it" idea that every book trots out, but it also provides useful suggestions for how to go about this. It goes over the good and bad methods SF authors use to convey information in their stories. Instead of simply trotting out the old "show don't tell" advice, it provides practical structuring suggestions, as well as examples of those suggestions. It also goes into such genre topics as world-building.
One of the invaluable aspects of this part of the book is the insider's perspective. These authors haven't just summed up their own experiences submitting things--they've talked to lots of editors and networked with everyone. They tell you what editors like, don't like, and dread.
This book gives practical advice on self-promotion, without pushing you to use the sleazy, shady, or just plain rude self-promotion practices I've seen advocated in many articles. You'll find all sorts of tips in here on readings and signings, conventions, cards and fliers, press releases, interviews, reviews, and book launches. The book even covers web sites, newsgroups and netiquette, mailing lists and awards. There's also a section on agents, electronic rights and publishing, contracts, taxes, and writers' associations.
This is an immensely practical book for genre authors, and well worth reading several times over. It includes information on everything from idea generation through publication and promotion, in as much detail as possible!
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