Whether you are new to the genre or looking for inspiration, this book provides the tools you need to succeed. Develop believable fantasy worlds

Challenge your readers’ imaginations

Practical techniques you can apply today

Written by a successful author of SF and fantasy novels

Master the craft of magical worlds

Are you struggling to get started on your science fiction or fantasy novel? Stuck at chapter two or need a fresh approach? Find new direction and inspiration with this unique guide to creating original and convincing stories. Written by a successful author of more than ten science fiction and fantasy novels, Writing Science and Fantasy takes an in-depth look at these two best-selling genres. Kilian delves into the origins and conventions of science fiction and fantasy and goes over the many subgenres, including nanotechnology, space opera, and sword and sorcery. He forces you to ask yourself crucial questions about your own novel, and also offers practical advice on how to prepare and market your manuscript to publishers, editors, and agents. With this book as a guide, both novice and experienced writers can learn how to make their work both a literary and financial success. Learn about:

Constructing a scene

Showing versus telling

Avoiding clichés

Developing good writing and research habits

Creating plausible fantasy worlds

Using symbolism and imagery effectively

Crawford Kilian has been teaching and writing online since the 1980s. He developed Capilano University's first online writing course, as well as teaching how to write for multimedia and the web. Kilian has published over 20 books as well as hundreds of articles both in print and online. He is a contributing editor of The Tyee.ca, and runs numerous blogs. His Self-Counsel books include Writing for the Web, Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy, and the forthcoming Write Your Nonfiction Book Online.Crawford blogs about writing: * Writing for the Web * Ask the English Teacher * Books and Writers * Write a Novel * Write Your Nonfiction Book

Crawford Kilian's profile page

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy: 2nd Edition

This book gives readers insights into how to develop their writing skills and the confidence to write and publish. Kilian shows how to “save time, energy and grief” when writing, how to market stories and encourages writers to go beyond a specific market. Topics such as know your genre, how to develop the craft of writing Sci Fi/Fantasy and how to get published (the mechanics of manuscript production, marketing, researching publishers, agents and publishing contracts) are included. Practical tips and tools are plentiful. The author recommends reading widely outside the genre in order to avoid writing formula fiction. Includes a CD Rom with helpful exercises, articles, web resources with writing samples, checklists and worksheets.

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Many of the tips and techniques presented in this title in a series of genre writing how-to books will carry over to other styles of fiction writing. Beginning with an analysis of the sub-genres and formats of science fiction and fantasy, the reader is guided through the process of creating a story with sections on Developing Efficient Work Habits, Research and Soul Search, Elements of a Successful Story, Developing Characters, Plotting, Constructing a Scene, Narrative Voice, Exposition and Dialogue, and Symbolism. A significant part of the book gives practical advice on producing and marketing a manuscript. Ideas are organized in a coherent manner. For the beginner fiction writer, this book offers valuable and helpful content.

A companion CD contains “Ten steps for pre-editing,” “Exercises on character and dialogue,” essays, and links to relevant websites. Kilian has published twenty books.