Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#21

Post by 6stringmerc » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:15 PM UTC

Interesting; I've always had a bit of an issue with the lines between Science Fiction and Fantasy, in that the former is far more interesting to me than the latter. For instance, I enjoyed the movie Lucy as entertainment using a science fiction anchor, and was utterly bored with Guardians of the Galaxy which is a fine and dandy space/fantasy type of thing. I love Hackers as entertainment in spite of its drastic flaws that were obvious then and still are in the 'scientific' context.

Asking for a buddy: Would a computer/technology driven crime and character driven story be applicable in the 'science fiction' wide definition?

Hope you get what you're after and help break some new folks into the scene. Nice that you're up front about the rights too. I know my buddy would love to get paid and then take that money and register his story with WGA West in case of screenplay potential.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#22

Post by mojoe » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:17 PM UTC

eamann wrote: post #19

mojoe wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm disheartened that my site seems scary to you -- the "we" referenced is myself and some friends who have signed up as slush readers. I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know what information I could publish that would give you confidence in the site. It sounds like I should put up an 'about' page with some information about myself and my readers. For now, here's my linkedin page, to put a face to the face…

It's a matter of us not knowing who "we" are. We don't know who you are. We don't know who else is involved. Aside from your comment that this is a personal hobby, we have no idea what your intentions are with the site. Nor do we know your experience or qualifications. I'm not the only writer with an experience being ripped off by a prospective publisher. Again, while I'm sure and hoping everything here is on the up…

Thank you for your advice, you're absolutely right. I will add some more personal information to the site this evening.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#23

Post by lmm » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:19 PM UTC

mojoe wrote: post #8

eamann wrote: post #5

I like the idea, but it's a bit disheartening to submit stories to an unknown organization whose website includes zero details about who the publisher will be or how the stories will be published. I get that it's a "self-funded hobby," but it could just as well be a scam by a nameless, faceless group of con men. Considering the domain is registered anonymously through Amazon, there is absolutely no information availa…

I'm disheartened that my site seems scary to you -- the "we" referenced is myself and some friends who have signed up as slush readers. I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know what information I could publish that would give you confidence in the site. It sounds like I should put up an 'about' page with some information about myself and my readers. For now, here's my linkedin page, to put a face to the face…

A start would be your name, the legal entity's name, an address - that way at least you're putting your personal reputation on the line.

Glad that you're trying something - will try to submit if I have time to write and am happy enough with the result.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#24

Post by dotsamuelswan » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:22 PM UTC

mkrfox wrote: post #13

There are many excellent, paying science fiction/fantasy collections out there. You need to set yourself apart in a way that convinces people to trust their stories to you (who we know nothing about) instead of someone else. Especially since the established collections prefer/require first publication. Why should we risk that you'll publish and fail to pay?

If you're writing a lot, it's not a risk. You've got something sitting in a folder that you haven't touched in five years. Blow the dust off, polish the edges, and maybe you make a couple bucks.

Lining up those SFWA ducks will be important. At that point, even as a new publication, if they're easy to work with, they'll quickly become a great second or third stop for fresh stories. They won't get first submissions for awhile, because you can't compete with Terraform's (and others') 25c/word rate. But that's okay. Gems fall through the cracks. Loads of great fiction out there looking for a home.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#25

Post by Wildgoose » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:24 PM UTC

dotsamuelswan wrote: post #15

gboudrias wrote: post #14

You know, 600$ for a 1000 word story actually sounds pretty good. If I was a native English speaker I would submit some stuff. Edit: Brain fart, it's 60$ for 1000 words. I'd still do it.

Your math is a little off, but you should seriously consider brushing up a bit and writing. SFF (and speculative fiction as a whole) has a diversity problem.

Diversity problem? Nonsense! Just look how many succesful Speculative Fiction authors are female: Andrea Norton, Susan Cooper, Connie Willis, Ursula Le Guin, Julian May, Nancy Kress, Octavia Butler (black, as well as female) and dare I say it, J.K. Rowling - all off the top of my head.

Then there are well known award-winnning gay authors such as David Gerrold.

And I've just finished reading last year's Hugo Award winning novel "The Three Body Problem" written by Cixin Liu, a Chinese SF author.

If anything, SF is the field of fiction which has the least problems with "diversity" - its readers are open-minded almost by definition!

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#26

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:26 PM UTC

dotsamuelswan wrote: post #15

gboudrias wrote: post #14

You know, 600$ for a 1000 word story actually sounds pretty good. If I was a native English speaker I would submit some stuff. Edit: Brain fart, it's 60$ for 1000 words. I'd still do it.

Your math is a little off, but you should seriously consider brushing up a bit and writing. SFF (and speculative fiction as a whole) has a diversity problem.

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#27

Post by mojoe » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:26 PM UTC

6stringmerc wrote: post #21

Interesting; I've always had a bit of an issue with the lines between Science Fiction and Fantasy, in that the former is far more interesting to me than the latter. For instance, I enjoyed the movie Lucy as entertainment using a science fiction anchor, and was utterly bored with Guardians of the Galaxy which is a fine and dandy space/fantasy type of thing. I love Hackers as entertainment in spite of its drastic flaws…

I definitely like near-future stories that are character driven -- If computers/tech are crucial to the plot (and especially if the software/technology doesn't quite yet exist in the real world) I'd definitely be interested in reading his story. Thanks for your comments!

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#28

Post by dotsamuelswan » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:27 PM UTC

Wildgoose wrote: post #25

dotsamuelswan wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your math is a little off, but you should seriously consider brushing up a bit and writing. SFF (and speculative fiction as a whole) has a diversity problem.

Diversity problem? Nonsense! Just look how many succesful Speculative Fiction authors are female: Andrea Norton, Susan Cooper, Connie Willis, Ursula Le Guin, Julian May, Nancy Kress, Octavia Butler (black, as well as female) and dare I say it, J.K. Rowling - all off the top of my head. Then there are well known award-winnning gay authors such as David Gerrold. And I've just finished reading last year's Hugo Award win…

It's certainly been getting better. I have no argument there.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#29

Post by 6stringmerc » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:27 PM UTC

mojoe wrote: post #27

6stringmerc wrote: post #21

Interesting; I've always had a bit of an issue with the lines between Science Fiction and Fantasy, in that the former is far more interesting to me than the latter. For instance, I enjoyed the movie Lucy as entertainment using a science fiction anchor, and was utterly bored with Guardians of the Galaxy which is a fine and dandy space/fantasy type of thing. I love Hackers as entertainment in spite of its drastic flaws…

I definitely like near-future stories that are character driven -- If computers/tech are crucial to the plot (and especially if the software/technology doesn't quite yet exist in the real world) I'd definitely be interested in reading his story. Thanks for your comments!

Okay cool, just wanted to run that by real quick because there's so much leeway in the perspective. Best of luck to you and the team for sure.

Re: Show HN: I'm looking for science fiction writers

#30

Post by bryanlarsen » Mon, Feb 22, 2016, 4:36 PM UTC

Wildgoose wrote: post #25

dotsamuelswan wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your math is a little off, but you should seriously consider brushing up a bit and writing. SFF (and speculative fiction as a whole) has a diversity problem.

Diversity problem? Nonsense! Just look how many succesful Speculative Fiction authors are female: Andrea Norton, Susan Cooper, Connie Willis, Ursula Le Guin, Julian May, Nancy Kress, Octavia Butler (black, as well as female) and dare I say it, J.K. Rowling - all off the top of my head. Then there are well known award-winnning gay authors such as David Gerrold. And I've just finished reading last year's Hugo Award win…

It's "Andre Norton", not "Andrea Norton". Her real name was Alice.

It'd be nice to think we'd advanced far enough that females wouldn't feel it was necessary to use male pseudonyms, but it's "JK Rowling" not "Joanne Rowling" to avoid scaring off the boys.