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1.How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by: Orson Scott Card September 15, 2001
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $14.99 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $10.19 You Save: $4.80 (32%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $5.00
I received this book and was very excited to learn things that my writing has been missing. After reading this book I realized that this is not where I will find the answers. The basics of the information is OK, but I agree with what a previous reviewer said having never had any formal writing training outside of highschool english class myself that what we have here is basically just the common sence basics. It's OK for a refresher course for those who haven't done any writing since school, but if you're expecting to unlock some secret formula and suddenly be a published author by the end of reading the book, you're going to be disappointed. I've learned that there's no book out there that can tell you how to use your imagination, although some can give you tips and ideas of how to tap ... Read More

2.American Short Stories (8th Edition) by: Bert Hitchcock, Margaret Kouidis October 14, 2007
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $74.20 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $59.40 You Save: $14.80 (20%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $50.71
This is a book worth reading. Although it was assigned by a class ofmine, I really enjoyed the collection of short stories.

3.SF Writer (with MyCompLab NEW with E-Book Student Access Code Card) (4th Edition) by: John Ruszkiewicz, Daniel Seward, Maxine Hairston July 04, 2008
Average Rating: >>More Details		Off The Bookshelf's Price: $62.00 Prices subject to change. Used Price: $58.88
I did receive exactly the ISBN that I asked for, and for that I am quite thankful. This book was used and was represented as being in like new condition. When I received it there were obvious signs of use - ruffled corners, etc. There were unsightly glue marks on front where a label an attempt to remove previous used label had taken place - could have been cleaned up for better presentation - also several quite unsightly USED labels on back. Maybe an OK source if you are not that concerned about condition of book.

4.The Writers Complete Fantasy Reference by: Writers Digest November 15, 2000
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $16.99 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $11.55 You Save: $5.44 (32%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $2.12
This is a great general reference guide. It gives you a place to start so you know what direction to go in if you want to delve into a topic further. I liked the generic descriptions on witchcraft, which for being Christian, I found very benign and non-threatening concerning a topic that can get heated very quickly. The book had good general descriptions, but didn't get too deep in any one area. This lets me decide if I want to research something further. If I had to say something I didn't like; it would be that I wish the book were longer, so it could cover more, and go into greater variety of the topics it covers.

5.World Building (Science Fiction Writing) by: Stephen Gillett, Ben Bova 2001-08
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $16.99 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $15.29 You Save: $1.70 (10%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $12.30
Polishing up my own work, I recently considered purchasing this book. I checked it out at my local library, who had it in stock! (Helpful tip: check out possible purchases at the library, or request your library district buy what you're looking for!) While the information between the pages was very interesting and useful to possibly a space sci-fi writer, it wasn't what I was looking for. If you purchase this book looking for the world of a character, you'll be disappointed. If you purchase this book looking for how different geological elements and gases, orbits and the like work together, you'll be rewarded with a great peice of reference. I, for one, will not buy and stick to astronomy books from college.

6.How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy (Genre Writing) by: Orson Scott Card July 15, 1990
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $0.53
I liked much that this book had to offer for the beginning writer of speculative fiction. I appreciated the sections on building worlds and on writing well. I also gained a lot of practical advice in the last section, about the "nuts and bolts" of being a writer. However, there were times that my mind drifted while reading. The book also leaned towards science fiction and, since I prefer writing fantasy, I found myself longing for more specific info in that arena. All in all, this was a very solid choice in beginning my journey as a fiction writer. I gleaned nuggets that I can use right now in preparations. However, the book was not earth-shattering or life-changing. A good but not great resource.

7.Exploring Fiction by: Frank Madden December 10, 2001
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $71.20 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $64.08 You Save: $7.12 (10%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $5.50
I liked much that this book had to offer for the beginning writer of speculative fiction. I appreciated the sections on building worlds and on writing well. I also gained a lot of practical advice in the last section, about the "nuts and bolts" of being a writer. However, there were times that my mind drifted while reading. The book also leaned towards science fiction and, since I prefer writing fantasy, I found myself longing for more specific info in that arena. All in all, this was a very solid choice in beginning my journey as a fiction writer. I gleaned nuggets that I can use right now in preparations. However, the book was not earth-shattering or life-changing. A good but not great resource.

8.Worlds of Wonder: How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by: David Gerrold 2001-02
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $5.93
The first time I read this book i hilighted the most helpful parts. I went through three hilighters. This is a must read for any writer! I myself don't really like books that teach writing but this one is amazing. It covers everything from grammer to the difference between sex scenes and love scenes. It talks about how to think through your plot logically and some helpful little tricks to making your story extra interesting. It discusses how to construct your first and last lines and it is written extremely well and on a level anybody can understand. If I could I'd give this book a hundred stars. Not only was it helpful but it was able to keep my attention, a feat very few fiction books can do.

9.The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy, Vol. 2: The Opus Magus from: Dragon Moon Press October 01, 2007
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $24.95 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $16.47 You Save: $8.48 (34%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $13.95
I have to say that Vol. 2 is just as complete as the first book in the series. However, the first book was printed in the US, and the second book in Canada, so the second book is a little smaller (metric I guess), and the book was cut with a unsharpened blade, so the pages are not even and have blade patterns cut in them. Other, than the asthetics, the book is great. The publisher needs better QC, that's all.

10.Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life by: Terry Brooks February 03, 2004
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: $13.95 Off The Bookshelf's Price: $11.86 You Save: $2.09 (15%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: $7.85
Brooks gives an insightful look at being a fantasy writer, both in regards to the craft and the business. If you're a fantasy writer or interested in the process, this is a nice title to read.

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