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WRITING GUIDES
MICHAEL MENNENGA
TONY RUGGIERO
EDGE PUBLISHING
podcast
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• New Release! -- THE COMPLETE
GUIDE TO WRITING SCIENCE FICTION, Vol 1
• Featured Title --
BILLIBUB BADDINGS AND THE CASE OF THE
SINGING SWORD
• News, Updates and Articles
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NEW RELEASE --THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO WRITING SCIENCE FICTION,
Vol 1 |
What do Piers
Anthony, Orson Scott Card, and others have to say about writing
science fiction that hasn't already been published? Actually quite a
bit.
Writer's guides often group
Science Fiction with Fantasy on the assumption that the genres are
so close that a single book can cover both. As such the unique
aspects of each genre are either glossed over or
skipped entirely as being out of scope for the book. The Complete
Guide to Writing SF: Volume 1 – First Contact is a comprehensive
writer's guide to science fiction.
What is science
fiction? Critically acclaimed author Jeanne Allen gives us her
answer, with the help of numerous well known authors. Editor and
author Darin Park gives an overview of sci fi's history, while
author and columnist Bob Nailor looks at the importance of actual
science within SF.
Wil McCarthy, national best selling novelist and science
columnist for the SciFi Channel tells you how to merge technology
into your stories. Authors Kim Richards and Jeanne Allen, with
medical scientist Michael McRae, offer fascinating insights into
creating your worlds, aliens, and managing the pesky details of
space travel. Award winning
Croatian novelist Milean Benini's offers her cautions on the use of
clichés. {Darin Park, editor/contributor,
right}
Hugo/Nebula
winning author Orson Scott Card guides you in the basics of SF story
writing.
Novelist Milean Benini helps you pull it all together, from idea to
setting and plot.
Tina Morgan,
Fiction Factor's managing editor and author in her own right,
displays her deft touch in bringing your characters to life, and
polishing your manuscript.
Nebula nominated
author Bud Sparkhawk offers his rules on writing humor. Short
story
 author
and editor Carol Hightshoe gives tips on writing successful fan
fiction. Editor and comic writer Dave
A. Law looks at writing graphic novels. For those interested in
writing for younger readers,
critically acclaimed children's novelist Simon Rose can gives some
very solid advice.
Michele Acker,
author and editor, tackles the nitty gritty of publishing, with
insights from SF agents and
editors. Best selling
Australian novelist
Ian Irvine describes the art and science of book promotion.
Last,
but certainly not least, International best selling author
Piers Anthony looks at the writing life.
{ Dave Law, Guide editor, above}
Check out the Blog for the Science Fiction Guide as well as all
our Fantasy Writing Guides.
THE COMPLETE
GUIDE TO WRITING SCIENCE FICTION, Vol. 1
on shelves IN
AUGUST 2007
from Dragon Moon
Press
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FEATURED
BOOK --
Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword |
I haven't podcast a book in a long time. Since January
2005, actually, when I thought podcasting Morevi would be a good
idea. It was late last year when I hear Scott Sigler and JC Hutchins
playfully trash-talking one another that I decided I was going to
get back into the game. And I figured I would get back into the
game with something new: Billibub Baddings. Dragon Moon released
Billi in 2004, and he was the unexpected hit for Gwen.
It took an
Honorable Mention from ForeWord Magazine and received a lot of
critical acclaim from both Fantasy and Mystery websites. Gwen really
didn't expect this little guy to be a hit, but I had a feeling about
the Dwarf Detective, primarily on account of his origins.
The man I have to thank for Billibub Baddings is none other
than Leonard Nimoy. Here's how it happened...
While on a commute in Washington DC I was listening to a
cassette (this was 2004 so yeah, I was still listening to cassettes
then) of novelty song. A particular song caught my ear, a jovial
diddy about J.R.R. Tolkien's Bilbo Baggins. This "Ballad of Bilbo
Baggins" sung by Mr. Spock himself, actor Leonard Nimoy.
The song
was so dreadful that, naturally, I had to hear it again...and as I
was singing along the second time around, the name "Billibub
Baddings" popped into my head. I stopped singing and said out-loud
"And the Case of the Singing Sword." From here, the idea started to
take shape.
Podcasting Billi was a lot of fun, particularly because I had a
few more resources (i.e. guest voices, sound effects, royalty-free
music) to pull from. The most fun chapter was Chapter Ten: Hitting
the
Books as I got to mix together NYT Bestseller Tracy Hickman
locking horns with award-winning SF author, Paul Levinson. Both of
them turned in fantastic performances. The most rewarding chapter
 was Chapter fifteen: Hell, Hell, The Gang's All Here. This was the
grand finale where I had to pull out every trick and technique and
then -- in the eleventh hour -- pull out a brand new one. The end
result was a real roller coaster ride, and I'm still getting
feedback on it.
So, what's next? Another podcast -- Morevi: Remastered, followed
by Legacy of Morevi. All the while, writing the next Billi and
Morevi. That's the plan, anyway. Stay tuned to TeeMorris.com to
find out exactly what's coming up! :^)
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News, Updates and Articles |
CHALICE
of LIFE
by Karen Anne Webb
From a very
advanced ancient civilization to a sword that won’t stop
talking and everything in between, Karen Anne Webb’s
The
Chalice of Life is truly an amazing tale that will keep you
reading for hours on end.
~ Elizabeth Lehman, Planet Bahai, Book
Reviews.
Read the comprehensive review here. |
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LEGENDS
OF THE SERAI by J. C. Hall
"Ms.
Hall is a gifted writer. I am anxious to read more from her."
~Gary Wassner, SFF World |
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SOJOURN by Jana Oliver
"I'm so
glad there will be more TIME ROVER books. As the first of
the series, all I can say is WOW!" ~ParaNormal Romance
Reviews |
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ALIEN
DECEPTION by Tony Ruggiero
“I'm
not the most frequent horror reader as I often find there
can be too much of a reliance on gore to shock the reader,
but that is not the case here. This
is simply a well-constructed, tightly plotted, fun to read
novel.”
~Steve Mazey, The Eternal Night Science
Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Fiction Web Site |
ANCESTOR
by Scott Sigler --
"From ultra high-tech labs of bleeding-edge
biotech to snow-blinded islands haunted by our own genetic
past, Scott Sigler takes you on
a page-turning ride into
real fear and adventure.
Ancestor starts with a literal bang
and builds to a desperate climax that will keep you
guessing."
~David Wellington: author of "Monster Island" and "13
Bullets" |
Now HERE'S something you don't find every day! Karen
Anne Webb, author
of CHALICE OF LIFE, has developed
"a
fantasy-oriented word puzzle for my local bulletin -- which just
made the national nominations for (yes, it's an odd little
niche) the group's Publication Recognition Program, which
recognizes web and newsletter contributions from across the US.
It was one of only five selected for its particular category,
puzzles and games, from across the entire country, and Utah's
membership in the organization is itsy-bitsy compared to places
like Los Angeles.
You can link to the bulletin here, which pops up in Adobe
Reader. It's on the last two pages--very colorful graphic, so
it's hard to miss." If you have any questions on the
puzzle, feel free to contact Karen.
Contact
info available here. See further down for Karen's
experiences at "Baby's First Con"
Jana
Oliver, author of SOJOURN, has won the Golden Quill for SOJOURN!
Another win to your credit! Dragon Moon Press is SO glad to be the
publisher of the upcoming TIME ROVER series. It's sure to be superb.
(No pressure, Jana...) Congratulations!
From Gwen Gades, Dragon Moon Press publisher: "I've started a blog--pretty
lame still, but in progress, at
www.dragonmoonpress.blogspot.com.
At least the bling pictures are there! I'm also delighted to
announce that foreign rights options have been picked up for two of
our authors. Scott Sigler's Amazon bestseller, ANCESTOR is going
to Italy! Not only that, but David Sakmyster's TWILIGHT
OF THE FIFTH SUN is going to Spain!"
 The
folks at "Biology in Science Fiction" recently
interviewed Nina Munteanu,
author of "DARWIN'S PARADOX" (upcoming, November 2007). The interview covered a wide range of topics
from Nina's short story, "Julia's Gift" on her blog, The Alien Next
Door, to endosymbiosis and autopoiesis and the definition of an
"intelligent virus".
Selina Rosen , author of SWORD MASTER,
upcoming, will be a panelist at ApolloCon in
Houston, TX on June 22-24, the Heinlein Centennial in Kansas
City, MO on July 6-8, Conestoga in Tulsa, OK on July 20-22, and
at the NASFic in St. Louis, MO on August 2-5th.
BAD LANDS, the gonzo murder mystery that Selina co-authored with
Laura J. Underwood, is just out from Five Star Mystery (Techno
Books). It's available only in hardback, and can be
purchased through Amazon.com or through Selina's website at
http://www.geocities.com/lynnstran/mybooks2.htm.
Strange Robby, Selina's sci/fi-police procedural novel from
Meisha Merlin Publishing, is on the preliminary Nebula ballot,
AND it has been nominated and is presently under consideration
for a Gaylactic Spectrum Award.
ALSO, take a look at Selina's
new on-line episodic story, The House {spokes-parrot Ricky, above}
 Michele
Acker, contributor to upcoming THE COMPLETE GUIDE to WRITING SCIENCE
FICTION: "My novel, Portal to Murder was just accepted for
publication by Virtual Tales. Homicide detective, Jennifer Castle,
is faced with the impossible: several people, including an unborn
baby, have been killed by a weapon that couldn't possibly exist."
Congratulations, Michele!
David
Sakmyster, author of TWILIGHT OF THE FIFTH SUN, is totally
psyched that SUN is being optioned in a Spanish language
edition! Also, he will have a short story, "Ladders"
appearing in the Jul-Sep issue of ChiZine. Check it out online
at
www.chizine.com
{David Sakmyster, shown at left}
Jennifer Rahn, author of upcoming THE LONGEVITY THESIS is happy
to announce that artist Michael Leadingham has finished the
cover art for The Longevity Thesis. The cover, with other
tidbits, including a slide show of all the bookmarks she's made,
have been posted here.
 Oh--and as an aside from your faithful newsletter editor who
shall remain nameless,
Jennifer is QUITE the artist. She's
designed many of the bookmarks featured in this newsletter and
elsewhere. Her fellow authors, of whom I am one, are eternally
grateful for her skill, good nature, and hard work.
{newsletter editor, at left.
The wondrous Jennifer Rahn at right, above}
Baby's First CON
Karen Anne Webb says: As a new novelist, I'm considering getting one of those baby
books where you would typically list things like "baby's first
word." Instead of the usual baby fare, though, I will be listing
things like "Baby's First CON."
My memories of CONduit, a Salt Lake City CON in its 17th year,
are all pleasant. A radio-controlled Dalek greets me as I ascend the
stairs. I have a book signing, and Barnes and Noble has actually
gotten my book in. On my panels, where I manage not to say anything
stupid,
I meet Dave Wolverton and Lee Modesitt, both of whom agree
to blurb me. At my reading, people who are not my moral support team
actually show up and like what they hear. Regulars on the CON
circuit, they recommend me to MileHiCON in Denver (I wangle invites
to both MileHi and Mountain CONs).
Life is good!
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