A humanoid robot posing like Rodin's The Thinker, sitting with chin resting on hand.

Creating Convincing AI Characters

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You’ve got a brilliant idea for a story about an AI. Time to get writing. You sit at your desk. You boot your laptop. You dismiss those notifications about pending updates. You launch your word processor. You spend five minutes setting the font, paragraph indent, and line spacing. At last, …

Evil and Angle statue

Problematic Authors: Can We Separate the Art from the Artist?

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PART ONE: THE PROBLEM What do L. Frank Baum, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Orson Scott Card, Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman. H. P. Lovecraft, J .K. Rowling, and J. R. R. Tolkien have in common? Each is a beloved author who has written foundational speculative works that continue to inspire today. In …

Big truck stuck on the edge of a cliff.

Eight More Common Problems for New Writers

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2nd of 2 parts Writing speculative fiction is a nuanced craft that demands a blend of creativity, discipline, and technical skill. New writers frequently stumble over specific hurdles that can hinder their storytelling. Here are eight additional common problems beyond the typical advice: Weak Beginnings The beginning of a story …

Truck about to fall into a giant pothole.

Eight Common Problems for New Writers

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1st of 2 parts Writing speculative fiction can be a rewarding and challenging experience. New writers often encounter several pitfalls as they hone their craft. This blog post will discuss eight common issues and provide tips on how to overcome them. Point-of-View Slips One of the most common problems for …

eye with overlying measurement apparatus

Author Elaine Clark

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Elaine W. Clark is a native of New Mexico where she has lived all but eight months of her life. Reading was a joy she discovered from the yearly Christmas present books she received as a child from her uncle and aunt who were both librarians. Influences The first book …

Man on pier, smoking

La Jetée: A Classic, Mindblowing SF Experience

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Chris Marker’s 1962 film, La Jetée, clocks in at a mere twenty-eight minutes, but once seen, will stay with its viewers forever. In French, the phrase la jetée denotes “a pier,” and it is one man’s childhood memory of standing on a pier, watching planes take off, that forms the linchpin of this sf …

Multiple book covers for same story with main image showing a rocket with two people sitting in the front.

Book Review: Flight to the Mushroom Planet (1958)

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The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, by Eleanor Cameron, has been in print since the 1950s. It features the adventures of Chuck and David, two boys who travel to the alien planet Basidium in their homemade spaceship. This classic, primarily for children, is fun for adults, too, and you’ll …

Images of six book covers

Books Every Writer Should Have

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A fantastic source of knowledge and inspiration for writers is other writers. Those who have been through it before can share their knowledge and experience with those who are just starting out or new to a certain area. From planning, writing, and editing to querying, publishing, and marketing—and everything in …

Modern Library with lots of light and a few books.

Fall 2024 Member Publications

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In the third quarter of 2024, our members have been busy writing, publishing and winning awards. Danaeka Scrimshaw’s novel Worlds of Fire and Glass is a Finalist for the 2024 Gold Rush Literary Awards in the speculative fiction category. Colleen Mueller’s novel The Megaclub Soldiers is a Finalist in the …