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.…

Explores the collaborative learning partnership between science fiction writer Robert Heinlein and his wife Virginia. Shows how Virginia's self-directed learning projects complemented and enabled Robert's writing. (SK)

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)

This article reviews the achievements of Delany as a critic and writer of both science fiction and short stories. His work is examined in the context of his childhood and his educational background. The role of the Black writer in the United States is discussed. (BE)

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…

This article reviews the development of the literature of science fiction and fantasy since the mid-19th century. Diversity of topics is a remarkable characteristic of this writing. An annotated reading list is included. (GC)

Data on women readers and authors indicated that: (1) women write more heroic fantasy and politically liberal science fiction than hard science fiction (physical science and technology), (2) women readers like hard science fiction less than men, and (3) many women authors use their fiction to advocate social change from a feminist perspective.…

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

An interview with Howard E. Smith, Jr., who edits science and junior books at McGraw-Hill, and with Thomas G. Aylesworth, who edits books for young readers at Doubleday. They discuss the selection of authors and subjects for books; science fiction and biography; characteristics of good science books; and foreign books. (LS)

A general semantics perspective of science fiction writer A. E. van Vogt is presented in this paper. The first major section of the paper contains a biographical sketch of van Vogt and traces the influence of A. Korzybski's work on general semantics, "Science and Sanity," on his writing, while the second major section provides an…

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)

Offered in this book is an Argentinian's view of the literary achievement of the United States. The beginning chapters discuss Mather, Edwards, and Freneau; Franklin, Cooper, and the historians; Hawthorne and Poe; and Whitman and Herman Melville. Other chapters are given to a discussion of three poets of the nineteenth century (Lanier, Whittier,…

Examines differences between male and female young adult science-fiction authors. Reviews and compares works by men and women, arguing that in many ways women handle the material better than men, despite the fact that science fiction has been a "male-dominated preserve." (AEF)

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