While many science fiction/fantasy authors think they can make up whatever sorts of worlds they want, that attitude often leads to clichéd worlds that are neither realistic, nor convincing, nor vivid. The secret behind many worlds that are realistic, convincing, and vivid is research. But finding research sources that focus Read more
Alexander Jablokov will be a guest lecturer at this summer’s Odyssey workshop. He writes science fiction for readers who won’t give up literate writing or vivid characters to get the thrills they demand. He is a natural transition for non-SF readers interested in taking a stroll with a dangerous AI Read more
Podcast #35 is now available for download here. Carrie Vaughn was our writer-in-residence at Odyssey 2009, where she delivered a week of lectures, participated in workshopping, and worked one-on-one with students. Her experience as an Odyssey student turned bestselling writer was invaluable to students. Her first lecture of the week Read more
Recent/Upcoming Publications Short Stories Scott H. Andrews, class of 2005“Keeli’s Ordeal”Published by: Crossed Genres, Issue #15Scott’s website: http://www.scotthandrews.com/ Scott H. Andrews, class of 2005“Picking Up the Spin”Published by: M-Brane SF, Issue #14 Barbara A. Barnett, class of 2007“The Sins of the Living”Publication: Dark RecessesBarbara’s website: http://www.babarnett.com/ Barbara A. Barnett, class Read more
Many writers have days when they sit down to write and no words come. Is this a sign that the writer hasn’t thought out the story sufficiently? Is it a sign that the writer has written himself into a corner? That he has lost interest in his story? Does it Read more
Elizabeth Hand will be a guest lecturer at this summer’s Odyssey workshop. As a writer and critic, she is the author of eight novels, including Generation Loss (2007), winner of the inaugural Shirley Jackson Award for best work of psychological suspense, and three story collections. Her fiction has received three Read more
Podcast #34 is now available for download here. Jack Ketchum was a guest lecturer at Odyssey 2009, where he lectured on crafting strong openings, worked with students, and critiqued their stories. In this podcast, Jack discusses what the author needs to accomplish with the first sentence, the first paragraph, and Read more
Jeanne Cavelos is the director of the Odyssey Writing Workshop. She was a senior editor at Bantam Doubleday Dell, where she worked for eight years, editing the fantasy/science fiction program, the Abyss horror line, and other fiction and nonfiction. Jeanne is also the bestselling author of seven books and numerous Read more
Recent/Upcoming Publications Novels Elaine Isaak, class of 1997The Bastard QueenPublished by: Swimming Kangaroo PressElaine’s website: www.elaineisaak.com Short Stories Barbara A. Barnett, class of 2007“Monkey Love”Anthology: The Best of Every Day Fiction TwoPublished by: Every Day PublishingBarbara’s website: http://www.babarnett.com/ Jason Heller, class of 2009“Behold: Skowt!”Anthology: Descended From DarknessPublished by: Apex PublicationsJason’s Read more
Most writers are aware that the main character in a story is supposed to change; the course of that change is often referred to as the character “arc.” But making that change believable and right is often a lot more difficult than it seems. This is where many stories fail. Read more