Although this volume was published in 1987 (and a paperback version came out in 1991), I found the essays on writing enlightening. Most of the essays in this Writer’Digest Book publication focus on the writing process and getting published. But, the essays are also a window into the individual writers and their methods of writing. Copies of this book are available online for a pittance. But there’s a lot here to enjoy and learn from. If you’re a fan of Horror, Fantasy, or Science Fiction you’ll find How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy & Science Fiction fascinating. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Editor’s Foreword – Certain of what We Do Not See.
Introduction – How to Write Horribly for Fun and Profit by Robert Bloch.
Chapter 1: Run Fast Stand Still by Ray Bradbury,
Chapter 2: Plotting as Your Power Source by Williamson,
Chapter 3: Reality and the Waking Nightmare by Mort Castle,
Chapter 4: One View by Steve Rasnic Tem,
Chapter 5: Oh Just Call me Cuthbert by Thomas Millstead,
Chapter 6: Involving Your Reader by William F. Nolan,
Chapter 7: Freedom of Originality by James Kisner,
Chapter 8: Creating Fantasy Folk by Ardath Mayhar,
Chapter 9: Keeping the Reader on Edge by Dean R. Koontz,
Chapter 10: Stepping Into the Shadows by Charle L. Grant,
Chapter 11: Innocence and Terror by Robert R. McCammon,
Chapter 12: World Building in Fantasy by Marion Zimmer Bradley,
Chapter 13: Sword and Sorcery by Darrell Schwitzer,
Chapter 14: Science Fiction by Michael A.Banks,
Chapter 15: Researching Science Fantasy by Sharon Baker,
Chapter 16: Avoiding What’s Been Done to Death by Ramsey Campbell,
Chapter 17: Why Novels of Fear Must Do More than Frighten by Dean R. Koontz,
Chapter 18: The Supernatural, Naturally! by J. N. Williamson,
Chapter 19: Sexist Stereotypes by Jeannette Hopper,
Chapter 20: They Laughed when I Howled at the Moon, by Richard Christian Matheson,
Chapter 21: The Psychology of Horror and Fantasy by Katherine Ramsland,
Chapter 22: Fantasy and Faculty X by Colin Wilson,
Chapter 23: A “Do” List for Getting Your Literary Agent by Mary T. Williamson,
Chapter 24: Putting It on the Editor’s Desk by Alan Rodgers,
Chapter 25: The Mechanics and Mystique of Submitting Your Novel by Patrick LoBrutto,
Chapter 26: Darkness Absolute aThe Standards of Excellence in Horror Fiction by Douglas Winter,
Chapter 27: Overview of Horror, SF and Fantasy A Long-range Market Study by Janet Fox.
Contributors to This Book
The Top Ten “Favorites” List–in Horror, Fantasy & SF (Novels and Short Stories)
Recommended Reading Library in Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Index