Writing
& Publishing
Zone
Writing
& Publishing
Zone
This page contains information concerning the writing and publishing of speculative (and general) fiction.
I. General
A. Manuals
B. Trade Journals
II. Speculative Fiction
A. Manuals
B. Trade Journals
III. Internet Resources
I. General
A. Manuals
Chicago
Manual of Style, Fourteenth Ed. Chicago: Chicago University Press,
1993.
The Chicago Manual of Style has been referred to as "The Bible of Publishing" because it is the set standard for publishers and presses since it's first edition many years ago. The latest edition covers every aspect of publishing from terminology, proper formatting, editorial processes, bookmaking, binding, legal matters (including copyright laws) in publishing, and even papermaking. It also covers the area of computers in publishing: word -processing, Internet publishing, and desktop publishing. This is a vital resource for any person interested in publishing, editing, or writing as it provides important information for publishers, editors, and writers and even artists
Field,
Shelly. 100 Best Careers for Writers and Artists. New York: Macmillan
Publishing, 1998.
This book is highly recommended for those people who are interested in pursuing careers as writers or editors. It presents information on various careers that are likely employment opportunities, describing the duties generally associated with the occupation, an average yearly income estimate, educational requirements, and personality traits that are appropriate for the job. It also lists several organizations that provide information about occupations in the fields of publishing and writing, many are professional organizations that members of the profession may join, such as the American Newspaper Publishers Association, the Associated Press, National Association of Science Writers, and the National Federation of Press Women. Definitely a source worth checking out.
Novakovich,
Josip. Fiction Writer's Workshop. Cincinnati: Story Press,
1995.
This book is a fiction writing workshop providing instruction and examples; excercsies for creative writing included. Recommended for people who cannot enroll in a writing workshop or as supplemental material for this who can.
Writer's
Encyclopedia, 3rd Ed. Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books, 1996.
A handy reference volume that covers topics necessary to writers of any genre. Recommended companion to Chicago Manual of Style.
Writer's
Market. Ed. Kirsten C. Holm. Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books.
An annual publication that lists sources for writers to sell their work: screenwriting, book publishers, magazine, publishers, etc. Highly recommended.
B. Trade Journals
Publisher's
Weekly. 1872--. Weekly.
This weekly periodical reports the latest news in the publishing field covering new publishing legislation, new presses opening, changes in staff at the larger publishing houses, publishing conventions, period financial reports, interviews with key figures in the publishing industry and authors, and current trends in publishing. Past articles have covered the recent extension of copyright length, publishing religious texts, publishing for children, and the development of new digital books. Publishers Weekly is possibly (along with The Chicago Manual of Style) the most useful resource for the publishing industry. Plus, it has the advantage of being able to report current events quickly, since it is a weekly publication.
II. Speculative Fiction
A. Manuals
Card,
Orson Scott. How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy. Writer's Digest
Genre Writing Series. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books,
1990.
Award winning author Orson Scott Card resides in Greensboro , NC and has given readings at UNCG in the past. This book is a manual for aspiring speculative fiction writers with many helpful suggestions and tips on the craft; it also provides some very basic terminology that every speculative author and reader should know: BEM (Bug Eyed Monster); FTL travel (Faster Than the speed of Light); generation ship; guidelines for establishing the natural laws of a fictional world and laws for magic; and story construction. It also a chapter on the market for speculative fiction, a list of literary awards for speculative fiction, information on anthologies, L. Ron Hubberd's "Writers of the Future Contest", and information on the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) organization, and Locus, the trade journal of the speculative fiction field (see Trade Journals). This is a relatively short book and takes little time to read cover to cover, but it contains good information.
B. Trade Journals
Locus.
Monthly. Locus Publications, P. O. Box 13305, Oakland, CA 94661.
Locus is the trade journal of the science fiction and fantasy genres. It is similar in purpose and content to the general publishing journal Publishers Weekly, but concerns itself only with speculative fiction, as well as other related subjects such as games. Locus reports on the latest books accepted for publication and by which publisher; new speculative presses openings; interviews with key publishers and authors; best seller lists for speculative fiction; reviews of books and the latest issues of magazines such as Asimov's Science Fiction, Analog, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (F&SF), and Science Fiction Age. It also reports on the latest changes in staff at the larger speculative publishing houses. Locus is a requirement for serious speculative fiction fans as well as professionals in the field.
III. Internet Resources
This is a great site for authors and readers alike. Authors may join for free and promote their work. Some of the categories include fantasy, horror, science fiction, even games. Highly recommended.
Dust Books publishes several journals and books in their Small Press Information Library and has been the leader in information resources in print for small presses since 1964. Among their publications are The international Directory of Little Magazines and Small Presses, Directory of Poetry Publishers, and The Small Press Review
Science
Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America
The official web site of the professional science fiction and fantasy authors' organization.
A non-profit organization dedicated to informing independent publishers. It has a newsletter, information on SPC projects of interest to small presses, and valuable articles. Anybody serious about opening and maintaining a small press will find this to be a terrific site.
Sells e-books on writing.
Annotated
Science Fiction & Fantasy Bibliography
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