The Profession of Science Fiction

Where do science fiction writers get their inspiration from? Some of the leading authors in the field tackle this fascinating subject in a series of essays reprinted from one of the genre's most respected critical journals, Foundation Whether veterans like octogenarian Jack Williamson, acclaimed literary personalities like Ursula K. Le Guin or younger, upcoming authors like Gwyneth Jones, a wide variety of SF craftsmen reveal their secrets, both personal and analytical. This is a collection of essays of great attraction to anyone interested in SF or, for that matter, creative writing.

Foreword; A. C. Clarke - Notes on the Contributors - Introduction; M. Jakubowski & E. James - The Way it Was, 1933-1937; J. Williamson - The Development of a Science Fiction Writer; J. Blish - Wonderful Deathless Ditties; N. Mitchison - From Shanghai to Shepperton; J. G. Ballard - A Citizen of Mondath; U. K. Le Guin - Backwards Across the Frontier; R. Cowper - Where I Get my Crazy Ideas; N. Spinrad - By Chance out of Conviction; D. G. Compton - The Writer as Nomad; P. Sargent - Thank You for the Music; M. Coney - The Profession of Science Fiction; G. Wolfe - The Profession of Fiction; M. J. Harrison - Confessions of a Bradbury Eater; G. Kilworth - A Shaman's View; D. Brin - Riddles in the Dark; G. Jones - Git Along, Little Robot; R. Grant - Index