*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a collection of essays and interviews by and with many of the movers-and-shakers in the industry. Each contributor covers the specific element of craft he or she excels in. Expect to find varying perspectives and viewpoints, which is why you many find differing opinions on any particular subject.
This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that's one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her.
Featuring essays and interviews with:
Neil Gaiman, Orson Scott Card, Ursula K. Le Guin, Alan Dean Foster, James Gunn, Tim Powers, Harry Turtledove, Larry Niven, Joe Haldeman, Kevin J. Anderson, Elizabeth Bear, Jay Lake, Nancy Kress, George Zebrowski, Pamela Sargent, Mike Resnick, Ellen Datlow, James Patrick Kelly, Jo Fletcher, Stanley Schmidt, Gordon Van Gelder, Lou Anders, Peter Crowther, Ann VanderMeer, John Joseph Adams, Nick Mamatas, Lucy A. Snyder, Alethea Kontis, Nisi Shawl, Jude-Marie Green, Nayad A. Monroe, G. Cameron Fuller, Jackie Gamber, Amanda DeBord, Max Miller, Jason Sizemore
This edition also includes several full page illustrations from award-winning artists Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson.
Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy is a compilation of different articles and interviews written by various well known authors. It definitely isn't a conventional read for non writers, but still it's very interesting to discover where authors get their ideas from, the importance of beginning, middle and end, all the different genres of fantasy... Even if you're not a science fiction or fantasy reader, it's always fun to get inside the head of an author.
I do think if you're a writer it really has a better purpose as it is filled with tips and techniques that will certainly be able to help your writing. Most are definitely applicable to all genres, so even if you will never in your life write a fantasy story, there is still plenty to learn.
As a regular reader it's a bit more difficult to digest this book. It took me about a week to finish it, partly because I had to read it all for this tour but also because, even though there is great use of subtle humor, it's a bit dry. So I did have to struggle to finish, but if you read like one or two parts each day it's much more manageable.
Total Book Geek
Thank you for the review of WWoSFF! We hope writers find it to be very helpful in improving their skills! :)
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