Clarkesworld is a monthly science fiction and fantasy magazine first published in October 2006. Each issue contains at least two pieces of original fiction from new and established authors. Their fiction is also collected by issue in signed chapbooks, ebook editions and in their annual print anthology, Realms. Also listen to their original, monthly fiction podcast, and become a Clarkesworld Citizen so this online magazine can continue to bring us the very best in science fiction and fantasy.
Travis Heermann, author of Heart of the Ronin and the forthcoming Sword of the Ronin, joins us to discuss samurai, life in Japan, writing an non-western fantasy for western readers, the Odyssey Writers Workshop, Cemetery Dance magazine, and the challenges he faced in finding a publisher for his novel. Also, Tobias Buckell joins us for Ask a Writer.
Show Notes:
– Please donate to the relief efforts in Japan.
– We discuss why fantasy outsells science fiction. Your thoughts?
Podcast: Download (Duration: 54:16 — 37.4MB)
I wonder if the Star Trek & Star Wars tie-in books are included in those science fiction book sales figures.
They sure do stock a lot of them in the bookstores.
I wonder that, as well. If Star Wars and Star Trek ARE included, that makes the numbers for science fiction even worse, in some respects. I guess a novel is a novel, regardless of whether or not it’s media related. Hmmm. . . this sounds like a debate for a future episode!
Shaun, I’m delighted that you have brought back the Ask a Writer segment. I had heard it several times in the archives, and lamented that it was no more. Tobias Buckell gives informative answers, and never talks down to the newbie. Much appreciated.
This is a great Podcast, Shaun.
Thanks,
Josh
Nifty. Nice to hear the Writing Excuses bumper, too LOL.
Thanks, Josh. I LOVE that segment. We are truly blessed that both Toby and Lou Anders provide us with such great information. Don’t forget to send in your own question, Josh!
Oh, that last question WAS from you, Josh! LOL
Yep, that was me 🙂 The Lou Anders segment is great, as well.
I just wanted to chime in and say it is always possible to write both Science Fiction and Fantasy. Some of my favorite writers have done both. Samuel R. Delany and Ursula K. Leguin have written in both, as well as realist or literary fiction, and prodigious nonfiction. Cory Doctorow has written a ton of nonfiction articles, and while most of his fiction has been in the science realm, “Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town” is clearly a fantasy. Write whatever your hand moves you to write. Write what your soul tells you needs to be written.