Science Fiction Authors: A Research Guide

(Paperback)

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Description

For students, scholars, readers' advisors, and curious SF readers and fans, this guide provides an easy-to-use launch pad for researching and learning more about science fiction writers and their work. Emphasizing the best popular and contemporary authors, this book covers 100 SF writers, providing for each: a brief biographical sketch, including a quote from theauthor, awards, etc. a list of the author's major works (including editions and other writings) research sources-biographies, criticism, research guides, and web sites In addition, you'll find read-alike lists for selected authors. For anyone wanting to find information on popular SF authors, this should be the first stop.

Reviews

An impeccable guide to authors of 'yesterday, today, and tomorrow.' The helpful introduction presents the world of science fiction and includes a time line. Entries, listed alphabetically by the author's most commonly recognized name, start with a quotation and follow with a brief biography and subject headings (indexed at the end of the book) for cross-referencing. 'Major Works' and 'Other Important Works' are then listed, followed by further reading, including Web sites, blogs, bibliographies, biographies and interviews, fan forums, criticism, readers' guides, and encyclopedias and handbooks. Many of the recommended titles are abbreviated, but are explained in 'Some Notes about the Text' in the beginning of the book. Notably, there are read-alike lists for more than 20 popular authors. Lists of major awards, of 'Authors by Type,' and a general bibliography are also included. This volume will be invaluable to reader's advisory librarians and as a 'what to read next' guide for fans of the genre. * School Library Journal, Starred Review *
This volume will help the beginning science-fiction researcher get started in identifying useful sources. * Booklist *
Heaphy (fiction writing, business writing, and science fiction, Ohio State U., Columbus) presents a resource text for students, scholars, readers' advisors, and science fiction (SF) readers and aficionados interested in researching and learning more about SF writers and their works. The text features 100 entries for the most famous authors as well as popular and promising contemporary SF writers. Each entry includes the author's name; a brief biography; a list of thematic subjects typically found in the person's work; a list of major works and other important works; and a list of research sources, including encyclopedias and handbooks, bibliographies, biographies and interviews, criticism and readers' guides, and websites. Also included are a list of major SF writing awards, a general bibliography, and a list of the authors by thematic subject type to give users ideas about other authors they may enjoy reading. * Reference & Research Book News *
Heaphy achieves her goal of creating an accessible, intermediate-level resource for the genre of science fiction that bridges the gap between introductory resources such as reader's advisory guides and heavyweight references such as critical bibliographies. * Catholic Library World *
This title is an all-encompassing resource for those researching science fiction authors. It can be used by students, scholars, and general readers as well as academic and public libraries. . . . This title would be a great place to start for introductory research into science fiction authors. * ARBA *
Science Fiction Authors will be useful for libraries and students wanting a basic guide to predominantly American authors. * The Australian Library Journal *

Author Bio

Maura Heaphy is a Senior Lecturer at The Ohio State University, where she teaches fiction writing, business writing and Science Fiction. She is active in local Science Fiction Readers and Writers Groups, and is currently working on a Science Fiction novel, and has published many short stories including Douglas and the Flour Baby, which was produced as a short film by Light Industry Pictures of Liverpool (1997).