Seven detailed and informative essays on the science and art of writing science fiction, by Robert A. Heinlein, John Taine, Jack Williamson, A. E. van Vogt, Edward E. Smith, Ph.D., L. Sprague de Camp, and John W. Campbell, Jr. They offer valuable tips and insights to the writer breaking into science fiction, and give the general reader fascinating behind-the-scenes information on story construction.
Originally issued in 1947 by Fantasy Press, Of Worlds Beyond soon became a collector's item. Advent has returned the book to print for the benefit of present-day students of science fiction as well as those who were unable to obtain the first edition. This edition is photo-reproduced from the Fantasy Press original; we have added an index.
As courses in science fiction have proliferated, many instructors have chosen Of Worlds Beyond as either required or supplementary reading. Although it is over fifty years old, it remains one of the few (and best) explanations of how science fiction stories are written. It is full of useful insights for writers, editors, and readers.
Table of Contents
- Introduction by Lloyd Arthur Eshbach
- "On the Writing of Speculative Fiction" by Robert A. Heinlein
- "Writing a Science Novel" by John Taine
- "The Logic of Fantasy" by Jack Williamson
- "Complication in the Science Fiction Story" by A. E. van Vogt
- "Humor in Science Fiction" by L. Sprague de Camp
- "The Epic of Space" by Edward E. Smith, Ph.D.
- "The Science of Science Fiction Writing" by John W. Campbell, Jr.