Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

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Science Fiction and Fantasy

There was a time when the idea of a world-wide system linking people and computers might have been straight out of the pages of the latest science fiction magazine. No surprise then, that science fiction and fantasy fans, writers, editors, artists, and more have taken to the Internet in large numbers from the time of the early bulletin board discussion groups to the instant messaging, blogs, and chat rooms of today. Whether you're new to science fiction and fantasy and want to know more, have a favorite writer you'd like to know more about, are looking for information on actors, movies, and TV shows, or would like to meet people who share the same interests in science fiction and fantasy as you do, the Internet is the perfect place to find out what you need to know.

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Fantasy and Science Fiction History and News

Over the years, a whole culture has grown up around people's love of and appreciation for fantasy ... read more »

Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazines and Books

For science fiction and fantasy writers, magazines, whether in print or online, are a place to try ... read more »

Sci-Fi TV

Science fiction has been on the screen since television was first born. Classic shows like The ... read more »

Fantasy and Science Fiction Films

Science fiction and fantasy in movies have a huge following. Every summer blockbuster season seems ... read more »

Science Fiction and Fantasy Art

As soon as science fiction and fantasy began to be published, books needed cover art and stories ... read more »

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Just because the content you produce will be imaginative and often unreal doesn't mean you don't need some guidelines, structure, and tips for writing. The Internet is full of advice for aspiring writers of all kinds, and, given the expansive online community, for science fiction and fantasy writers in particular. The sites below will provide both advice you can apply right away, as well as information about workshops.

Dulcinea's Insight

The first piece of advice that most writers will give to an aspiring writer is simple. Read. Read all you can, find out what you like and don't like, and it will eventually come out in your writing. Looking for recommendations for reading fantasy and science fiction? See the Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazines and Books section of this guide.

"Fanzines" are one of the earliest examples of fan activity in fantasy and science fiction. In the '40s and '50s, fans would type up their zines, mimeograph them, and send them out to other fans. Copying machines eventually made the process easier, and today, with computers and the Internet, anyone who wants to can set up a Web site or blog, the modern equivalent of those original fanzines. You don't have to be a professional or full-time writer to publish your zine, but many a science fiction and fantasy writer has started out just that way. eFanzines.com has both historical archives of past fanzines and listings of fanzines currently on the Internet.

Individual blogs and Web pages can also be a good source of information and advice for new writers. Consider the writers featured in the Author Web Sites section of this guide your virtual mentors.

Dulcinea's Picks

SpecFicWorld is a clearinghouse for resources available to science fiction and fantasy writers. There are guidelines for new writers, articles to help you choose where to submit your work, whether or not you need an agent, and how to find one if you do. There's a small fee involved, but you can try the site for one free week.

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The Critter's Workshop is an online writer's group in which members critique each other's manuscripts. This kind of mutual criticism is an invaluable method for new writers to learn and improve their work. Newsgroups and discussion boards allow members to discuss their work with other writers in real time. The workshop currently boasts 10,000 members, so you are not alone.

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Speculations is a guide to fantasy and science fiction markets for writers that provides a number of forums for writers to discuss their experiences in submitting work to various editors and publications. Get the inside scoop on what to expect when you've sent your work to a publisher here.

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Advice to Aspiring Writers is author Jeffrey A. Carver's gift to those who would like to write. Carver's advice is both practical and inspirational, aimed as much at the heart of a new writer as at her mind.

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The Clarion Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers' Workshop is science fiction and fantasy's equivalent of a major league training camp, where talented writers are taught what it takes to become a pro. Scholarships are available to successful applicants, and every year the teaching staff includes many of the most famous and talented writers in fantasy and science fiction.

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Writer Beware is the warning page put up by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, the professional association for fantasy and sf writers. The Web site lists warnings about literary fraud, scams, and schemes that target writers. The site also contains links to more information about membership in the SFWA.

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The Writer at Work can put a smile on your face when you're stuck in the middle of a paragraph and the right words just won't come out. Hopefully, you'll be back on track.

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