FOCUS THE BRITISHSCIENCE FICTION ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE FOR WRITERS POINTS OF VIEW Christopher Priest puts writing into perspective PRING 2007 FOCUS Editorial Editor Martin McGrath 48 Spooners Drive, Park Street, St Martin McGrath, the new editor of Focus, on getting Albans, ALz 2HL what he always wanted [email protected] How to market your book online Focus is published twice a year by the British Science Fiction Brian Turner looks at some of the ways you can use the Association. The magazine aims to present high quality articles Internet to help you sell your book about the art and craft of writing and, in particular, science fiction writing. Contributions, ideas ana correspondence are all welcome, What makes a good story but please contact the editor first if you intend to submit a lengthy Simon Morden reflects on his experiences as a Clarke article. Award judge and the qualities of gripping storytelling Individual copyrights are the property of the contributors and Let's face the future with a smile editors. Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Jetse de Vries has a challenge for writers - he wants you BSFA or BSFA committee members. Errors and omissions are the to tell him a story where the future is better than the responsibility of the editor ISSN: 0144-560X © BSFA 2007 present, and he wants it for Interzone BSFA Information Masterclass: Point of view President Sir Arthur C Clarke, CBE Christopher Priest is one of the Britsh SF's outstanding Vice President Stephen Baxter stylists. He begins his series of articles on the nuts and bolts of writing with a look at point of view. And he has some suggestions about what you can do with your Treasurer Martin Potts dream sequences 61 Ivy Croft Road, Warton, Par for the course NrTamworth, B79 oJJ Terry Jackman considers what an aspiring author should mtpottsOzoom.co.uk look for in a residential writing course Membership Services Peter Wilkinson (UK and Europe) 39 Glyn Avenue, New Barnet, Herts, EN4 9PJ The joy of Craig bsfamembershipOyahoo.co.uk Nick Wood reports on what he learned at this year's Arvon writing course Membership fees UK £26 pa or (Unwaged -£18 pa). Scriptwriting: From page to rage (part 2) Life membership Ten times annual rate (£260) Gavin Williams concludes his article on the trials of Outside UK writing a script Joint/family membership Add £2 to the above prices Short fiction markets (UK & Ireland) Cheques (Sterling only) should be made payable to "BSFA Ltd" and sent You've written the story, here's some ideas for where to Peter Wilkinson at the address above or pay via Paypal on the BSFA you might try to sell it website at www.bsfa.co.uk. Subscribers from outside the UK are invited to pay via the website. A lesson in purpose British Science Fiction Association Ltd. Dev Agarwal finds continued value in Gibson's Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 921500 "Gernsbeck Continuum" Registered address: 61 Ivycroft Road, Warton, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 oJJ 8SFA Website www.bsfa.co.uk BSFA Awards Ian Snell 16 Napier Road. Oxford. OX4 3JA [email protected] Orbiter Writing Groups: Gillian Rooke Southview, Pilgrims Lane, Chilham, Kent, CT4 8A8 Other BSFA Publications Vector. The critical journal of the BSFA Features, editorial & letters: Niall Harrison Flat 6, Arvon House, 3 Boyn Hill Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 4ET [email protected] Book reviews: Paul Billinger 1 Long Row Close. Everdon, Daventry, Northants, NN11 3BE [email protected] Website: www.vector-magazine.co.uk www.vectoredtiors.worldpress.com Matrix: News and reviews Commissioning Tom Hunter 246e Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 oAA matrix_editorsOyahoo.co.uk Features & News Claire Weaver 246e Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 oAA matrix_editorsOyahoo.co.uk All cartoons in this issue courtesy www.matrixmagazine.co.uk of www.nearingzero.net Website 2 FOCUS SPRING 20C CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR Welcome to the fiftieth issue of Focus. believe people can be taught, learn and There’ll be no looking back in this improve. I have been taught, learned issue, but it wouldn't be right to let the things and improved a bit. So that’s my moment pass without thanks to all the goal with Focus, to find those people other editors who got us this far.They who can help us all write better.To may be gone but none are forgotten! start debates that make us think about So. big number, new era and a new our writing and to take this business of writing seriously. You know the old saying about being In my first ever Focus, I'm delighted to careful what you wish for. just in case you welcome aboard three new contributors get it? Well, I've got it and I'm beginning who. I hope, are going to be regulars to see that I really should have been a over the coming issues. little bit more careful about my wishes. Jetse deVries is one of the editors Let’s take a brief diversion into the of the revitalised Interzone, which means darkened hallways of history - back that if you write short fiction in the UK. before towers fell and iPods rose, back he's the guy you want to impress. He's and back to ancient times, nearly six agreed to write a regular piece for the years ago. I'd been a member of the BSFA magazine and will give us the editor’s- for a while. I was just starting a PhD and eye-view of the writing game. reckoned I had some time on my hand Dev Agarwal is a writer with a and fancied having a go at one of the number of short story credits to his BSFA magazines.And Focus was looking name who is working on his first novel. for an editor. I met Dev about three years ago on "Pick me! Pick me!” My email pleaded. an Arvon writing course and I was And they did. impressed by how seriously he took his To edit Matrix. writing, how comfortably he manipulated ‘Til do it," I said."But I won't write language and how determined he was. anything. No way! I'll just do the lay up." Dev. I hope, will give us the aspiring "Fine,” they said. writer's viewpoint. Four years, twenty-three issues and at At that Arvon course Dev and I least 100 reviews later. I staggered away were lucky enough to have as a tutor an fascinating article on the elements Cover from Matrix now a doctor, a daddy and Christopher Priest - whose (sometimes necessary to construct a good story. artwork: back working full time as a journalist. brutal) honesty, commitment to great This is just the start. I hope, of a Tied [ye And then, they said. Focus needed an writing and experience left a real mark significant makeover of Focus. I'm hoping © jj||ja on me as a writer (I didn't write another more of you will want to contribute. Saniova "Pick me! Pick me!" My email pleaded. thing for a year, but since then I've sold I'm hoping we'll publish stuff that you'll And they did. Oops! almost every story I've written). When I find stimulating and helpful. I'm open to Now what have I got myself into? had the idea to ask an established writer suggestions, keen to hear from anyone Because what the hell do I know to contribute a "masterclass” on aspects who believes they have material to about writing? I mean I've made a (very of writing. Christopher Priest was at the contribute and desperate to hear what modest) living churning out articles on top of my list. Actually he was so far off you want to read about. everything from necrotising fasciitis to the top of my list I didn't think there was Part of the BSFA's reason for contracts for actors in the era of digital the remotest chance that he'd say yes. existence is to encourage the creation television, but I'm not a writer. but generously he agreed, and I hope you of high quality works of science fiction. I I've sold the odd short story, and find the first part of his series, on point hope that we can use Focus to do a little there’s one of them I don't totally hate, of view, illuminating. bit to help the Association meet that but no one who reads them is going Having mentioned the writing course goal. to be blown away by my mastery of at Arvon it is a neat coincidence that this Martin McGrath language and my carefully modulated issue features pieces by Terry Jackman style. I'm not that kind of writer. and Nick Wood on writers' experiences So what am I going to do with a of those sometimes fraught, sometimes whole magazine about writing! enlightening gatherings, We've also got a Contribute! First, recognising that I know nothing. feature on marketing your book online The deadline for the next issue of Focus is: I’m going to get others to give the advice. by Brian Turner, a piece on scriptwriting Second. I'm going to take it seriously. from Gavin Williams and my esteemed Friday 27 July. 2007 Great writing is undoubtedly art. but predecessor as Focus editor, Simon Send your submissions/queries/suggestions to: the process of writing is a craft and I Morden, is still around - contributing [email protected] 3 ALIpRING 2007 FOCUS HOW TO MARKET YOUR BOOK ONLINE So you get a publishing deal 1.