Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Jo-Anne McBride is a renewable resource specialist in Vancouver, B.C.

Written specifically for aspiring writers of science fiction or fantasy,
this accessible yet challenging book opens with an exploration of the
history of the genre, followed by a comprehensive breakdown of the
subgenres, such as space opera and military science fiction. In Part 2,
“The Craft of Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy,” Kilian examines
the elements of fiction, drawing on examples from his own writing life.
He illustrates his advice to “show, don’t tell” with examples of
both good and bad writing. In Part 3, “Getting Published,” he
provides basic information on topics ranging from manuscript format to
the functions of an agent.

Engagingly written and dense with information and sidebars, Writing
Science Fiction and Fantasy will be referred to again and again by
fledgling writers; there is much here to gratify long-time readers of
the genre as well.