Showing posts with label Mystery Writers of America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mystery Writers of America. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Space Travel

Space Travel
by Ben Bova with Anthony R. Lewis [808.388 Bov]

Third of four volumes in Writers Digest's Science Fiction Writing Series. Bova and Lewis provide a good overview of the history of actual spaceflight technology and physics, then explore the many conceptual or theoretical methods of space exploration from a scientific background. Their discussions of the theoretical methods of space exploration include both interplanetary as well as interstellar travel. I particularly appreciated chapters entitled Starships, The Universe and the concluding chapter Military Uses of Space. As with previous volumes in the this writing guide series, there is both an extensive glossary and bibliography at the back, leading readers (and writers) to many additional sources for more detailed, more technological assistance. Of the four volumes in this series, this was probably one of the most reality-based guides, and should prove to be a helpful tool for both beginning and experienced writers of speculative fiction. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ official Ben Bova web site ]


Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Do You NaNoWriMo?

It's still early in November, and that clickety sound you're hearing in the background is the thousands of aspiring writers and wordsmiths around the world who are actively participating in the annual event known as National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short).

It's not too late for you to take part! Participants can go to the NaNoWriMo website, sign up for a free account, and then begin writing their own version of the Great American Novel. Everyone who takes part is encouraged to shoot for the ultimate goal -- start with 0 words when you register, and finish with a complete 50,000-word novel (or longer!) by the stroke of midnight at the end of November 30th.

Looking for some moral support as you keyboard your way to literary greatness? You can hang out with the 400+ other Nebraskans who are registered participants -- bemoan your progress in the discussion forums -- identify your friends as Writing Buddies and track their daily word count -- get together at regularly scheduled NaNoWriMo gatherings in Lincoln -- and look forward to the big celebration party for local writers after the November 30th deadline has passed! You can keep your writing completely private or open it up to everyone else to read and critique.

Although a complete 50,000-word novel in a month may prove to be too much for you, the creative and supportive environment of NaNoWriMo is sure to get your literary juices flowing, no matter whether you're writing a political thriller or paranormal romance!

So...check out NaNoWriMo.org, get started writing, and drop us a note in the comments here to let us know what your "handle" is on the NaNoWriMo site...we'll keep an eye on your progress!

Friday, December 21, 2007

It's a "mystery"...100 of them in fact!

Do you like "Top 100 Lists"?

The members of The Mystery Writers of America have recently assembled a list of what they consider to be the Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time.

Check out their list and let us know what you think...any essential titles missing, or are there any here you're surprised to see? Any that are now on your "must read" list?

Comment here and share your views!