February 13, 2012 – 19:38
The Alpha SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers is awesome. For proof, check out what previous students (including me) have to say about the workshop, or watch this video by 2011 student Aleka Gurel. Still, you might have doubts about applying. Here are some of the more common objections I’ve heard, and … Read more
December 14, 2011 – 15:16
3. ????
4. PROFIT!
First and foremost, applications are now open for the 2012 Alpha workshop. The deadline is March 1, so start working on your application stories!
This post, however, is mostly about the Dell Awards. Or, more precisely, the Dell Magazines Award for Undergraduate Excellence in Science Fiction and … Read more
November 21, 2011 – 14:38
Last week, we posted about strategies for making it through National Novel Writing Month. This week, a couple of us are going to talk about why we aren’t doing NaNo this year, and why that’s totally fine.
Rachel Halpern (Alpha 2007 & 2008):
I … Read more
November 14, 2011 – 18:08
Last week, Alpha graduate Jameyanne Fuller talked about “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly About National Novel Writing Month.” This week, Alphans discuss how they do the impossible (or at least highly improbable), win NaNoWriMo, and finish their 50,000 words … Read more
This post is short, but exciting! Two Alpha alumni, Allison Jamieson-Lucy (2009 & 2010) and Evelyn Wang (2010) have recently published short stories.
Allison’s story, “To Soothe Ravaged Throats,” can be found at Daily Science Fiction, and Evelyn’s story, “Tippler’s Bane,” is available in podcast form over at Pseudopod. Congratulations to Allison … Read more
It’s hard to know how to start this post. I could say that rejection is part of the publication process (which is true), or that it can make you a better writer (also true). But right now, if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you didn’t get into Alpha, and that it hurts … Read more
Our last couple of posts have been about what to do once you’ve finished a story. But how do you finish in the first place? What happens if you’re not inspired one day, or if you suddenly (hi, college) get really busy? Having dealt with inspiration droughts and academic avalanches–or, as often as not, both … Read more
September 6, 2010 – 20:22
If you want to become a published author, the first step is to send your work out to paying markets. For novelists, that means writing query letters and proposals and a bunch of other stuff we’re not talking about today. Short story writers have it a bit easier. Finish your story, choose where you want … Read more
Writing unobtrusive exposition — that is, getting a story’s background information across in a way that doesn’t interfere with narrative flow — presents a unique challenge if you’re writing science fiction, fantasy, or certain types of horror. Not only do you have to worry about things like characterization and foreshadowing, you also have to make … Read more
Having had occasion to read several stories by beginning writers recently, I noticed a common thread: the supposed protagonists don’t really do anything. Sure, lots of interesting things happen in the main character’s general vicinity, but he or she doesn’t actually affect how events play out. This is usually bad.
Take a look at … Read more
