This article presents an interview with Paolo Bacigalupi, a rising sci-fi star who has walked away with the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and, most recently, the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature--the Young Adult Library Services Association's top prize for prose. That's pretty impressive for a guy who's published…

A. E. van Vogt's theory of "unreality" explains in part how he has become so prolific in a literary genre--science fiction/science fantasy--which only recently has experienced a rise in popularity. His theory states that the science fictional sentence must have in it something that requires a contribution from the reader. If the author…

Offers a personal view of science fiction and its value to children. (HOD)

Analyzes the professional attitudes of successful science fiction authors. (MAI)

Recounts an interview with author Madeleine L'Engle. Includes her views on who comprises the audience for her books. Explores "Many Waters,""A Wrinkle in Time,""A Swiftly Tilting Planet," and other L'Engle works. (SG)

In this interview, author Isaac Asimov discusses science fiction writing, as well as his projections for education and society in the 21st Century. A brief biography of Asimov is appended. (SJL)

Relates the author's personal experiences growing up with and writing science fiction. Discusses symbols that work themselves out in the writing of science fiction. (PRA)

Explores what it feels like for a science fiction writer to have reality alone to hold the reader's interest. Discusses the author's novels "Interstellar Pig" and "Spirit Houses," the influence of the Thai culture on the second work, and the influence of the Thai culture on the author's ideas about fantasy and science fiction.…

Provides an overview of author Sylvia Louise Engdahl, who published six novels for young adults in the 1970s but nothing of the same kind since. Reviews her history and her philosophy, and presents a critical review of her writing. (TB)

Presents an interview with science-fiction writer and 1999 winner of the Margaret A. Edwards Award, Anne McCaffrey. Discusses other awards and honors, how science fiction has changed in 30 years, inspiration for characters, writing for young adults, discovery of science fiction, research, writing habits and dealing with writer's block, and the…

Discusses how the author blends oriental myth, fantasy, and science to produce unique science fiction. (PRA)

Explores the author's experiences writing fantasy. Establishes the values of both science fiction and fantasy for the writer and the reader. Asserts that fantasy is not "escapist" and empowers a young reader against the day when real powers come into that reader's hands. (PRA)

Elaborates on an author's use of the journey motif and traces and examines its use in her novels. (NKA)

Science fiction writers' perceptions of the "thinking machine" are examined through a review of Baum's Oz books, Heinlein's "Beyond This Horizon," science fiction magazine articles, and works about robots including Asimov's "I, Robot." The future of computers in science fiction is discussed and suggested readings are listed. (MBR)

Reflects on a number of topics relating to science fiction, including the power of good science fiction to spark imaginations and provoke serious thought, the role of women in science fiction, childhood experiences that stimulated the author's thought processes, and the author's experiences as a science fiction writer. (ET)