The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History

The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History

Author: Jack Dann

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2023-07-13

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 1350351377

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A comprehensive guide to the speculative sub-genre of alternate history fiction, this book maps the unique terrain of this vibrant mode of storytelling and then explains how to write it. First giving a concise conceptual overview and the critical tools to differentiate the different forms of counterfactual fiction, Jack Dann lays out the 'tricks of the trade' such 'Heinleining', how to create recognizable 'divergent points' and how to employ paratextual elements and 'layering' to overcome readers' unfamiliarity with invented counterfactual events and cultures. Alongside this, Dann takes you step-by-step through a complete short story to demonstrate, line-by-line, how alternative history fiction works. As well as Dann's exacting methodology for writing professional quality alternate history stories, this book also features a live-on-the-page Q&A with some of the most esteemed alternate history writers working today, including Kim Stanley Robinson, John Birmingham and Lisa Goldstein among many others, who will detail their own particular hacks, theories, processes, methods and strategies. Combining extensive and deep knowledge of the field with accessible writing advice, this is the ultimate guidebook to the broad and complex sub-genre of counterfactual and alterative history fiction.


Book Synopsis The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History by : Jack Dann

Download or read book The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History written by Jack Dann and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2023-07-13 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive guide to the speculative sub-genre of alternate history fiction, this book maps the unique terrain of this vibrant mode of storytelling and then explains how to write it. First giving a concise conceptual overview and the critical tools to differentiate the different forms of counterfactual fiction, Jack Dann lays out the 'tricks of the trade' such 'Heinleining', how to create recognizable 'divergent points' and how to employ paratextual elements and 'layering' to overcome readers' unfamiliarity with invented counterfactual events and cultures. Alongside this, Dann takes you step-by-step through a complete short story to demonstrate, line-by-line, how alternative history fiction works. As well as Dann's exacting methodology for writing professional quality alternate history stories, this book also features a live-on-the-page Q&A with some of the most esteemed alternate history writers working today, including Kim Stanley Robinson, John Birmingham and Lisa Goldstein among many others, who will detail their own particular hacks, theories, processes, methods and strategies. Combining extensive and deep knowledge of the field with accessible writing advice, this is the ultimate guidebook to the broad and complex sub-genre of counterfactual and alterative history fiction.


The Alternate History

The Alternate History

Author: Karen Hellekson

Publisher: Kent State University Press

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 9780873386838

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What would the world be like is history had taken a different course? Science fiction literature has long contemplated this question, and this text analyzes alternate history science fiction through a variety of historical models. It raises questions of narrative, writers, temporality and time.


Book Synopsis The Alternate History by : Karen Hellekson

Download or read book The Alternate History written by Karen Hellekson and published by Kent State University Press. This book was released on 2001 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What would the world be like is history had taken a different course? Science fiction literature has long contemplated this question, and this text analyzes alternate history science fiction through a variety of historical models. It raises questions of narrative, writers, temporality and time.


The Mammoth Book of Alternate Histories

The Mammoth Book of Alternate Histories

Author: Ian Watson

Publisher: Running Press

Published: 2010-05-11

Total Pages: 512

ISBN-13: 9780762438426

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Every short story in this wonderfully varied collection has in common some diversion in history, some alternate reality from what we know, resulting in a very different world. In addition to original stories specially commissioned from bestselling writers such as James Morrow, Stephen Baxter, and Ken MacLeod, there are genre classics from Kim Stanley Robinson, Harry Turtledove, and George Zebrowski: over 20 stories in all.


Book Synopsis The Mammoth Book of Alternate Histories by : Ian Watson

Download or read book The Mammoth Book of Alternate Histories written by Ian Watson and published by Running Press. This book was released on 2010-05-11 with total page 512 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every short story in this wonderfully varied collection has in common some diversion in history, some alternate reality from what we know, resulting in a very different world. In addition to original stories specially commissioned from bestselling writers such as James Morrow, Stephen Baxter, and Ken MacLeod, there are genre classics from Kim Stanley Robinson, Harry Turtledove, and George Zebrowski: over 20 stories in all.


The Time Traveler's Guide

The Time Traveler's Guide

Author: Simon Rose

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2016-10-25

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13: 9781539749349

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The Time Traveler's Guide examines the writing of time travel stories and historical fiction. Books always transport us to other places, especially stories involving time travel or those set in different historical eras. The book examines the definition of time travel and historical fiction, the creation of time machines, methods and devices, selecting historical eras and settings, and creating characters and crafting dialogue. The book also explores common issues with time travel stories, and the importance of research, plausibility, description, and plot, along with writing about time travel into the future, alternate history, and parallel universes. The Time Traveler's Guide is an excellent resource for those writing time travel or historical fiction stories for both children and adults. "This is a unique book, overall, and I recommend it to writers and those interested in methods of time travel in general." "The Time Traveler's Guide is a great resource for any writer wanting to improve their craft."


Book Synopsis The Time Traveler's Guide by : Simon Rose

Download or read book The Time Traveler's Guide written by Simon Rose and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2016-10-25 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Time Traveler's Guide examines the writing of time travel stories and historical fiction. Books always transport us to other places, especially stories involving time travel or those set in different historical eras. The book examines the definition of time travel and historical fiction, the creation of time machines, methods and devices, selecting historical eras and settings, and creating characters and crafting dialogue. The book also explores common issues with time travel stories, and the importance of research, plausibility, description, and plot, along with writing about time travel into the future, alternate history, and parallel universes. The Time Traveler's Guide is an excellent resource for those writing time travel or historical fiction stories for both children and adults. "This is a unique book, overall, and I recommend it to writers and those interested in methods of time travel in general." "The Time Traveler's Guide is a great resource for any writer wanting to improve their craft."


The Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe

The Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe

Author: George Ochoa

Publisher: Writer's Digest Books

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9780898795363

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To hold the interest of knowledgeable sci-fi readers, a writer the genre must stay within certain fuzzy boundaries of scientific belief. This volume provides some of the scientific detail that will make a writer's adventures compelling and consistent with current views of the universe. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Book Synopsis The Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe by : George Ochoa

Download or read book The Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe written by George Ochoa and published by Writer's Digest Books. This book was released on 1993 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To hold the interest of knowledgeable sci-fi readers, a writer the genre must stay within certain fuzzy boundaries of scientific belief. This volume provides some of the scientific detail that will make a writer's adventures compelling and consistent with current views of the universe. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


The Best Alternate History Stories of the 20th Century

The Best Alternate History Stories of the 20th Century

Author: Harry Turtledove

Publisher: Del Rey

Published: 2002-01-22

Total Pages: 434

ISBN-13: 0345449517

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Explore fascinating, often chilling “what if” accounts of the world that could have existed—and still might yet . . . Science fiction’s most illustrious and visionary authors hold forth the ultimate alternate history collection. Here you’ll experience mind-bending tales that challenge your views of the past, present, and future, including: • “The Lucky Strike”: When the Lucky Strike is chosen over the Enola Gay to drop the first atomic bomb, fate takes an unexpected turn in Kim Stanley Robinson’s gripping tale. • “Bring the Jubilee”: Ward Moore’s novella masterpiece offers a rebel victory at Gettysburg which changes the course of the Civil War . . . and all of American history. • “Through Road No Wither”: After Hitler’s victory in World War II, two Nazi officers confront their destiny in Greg Bear’s apocalyptic vision of the future. • “All the Myriad Ways”: Murder or suicide, Ambrose Harmon’s death leads the police down an infinite number of pathways in Larry Niven’s brilliant and defining tale of alternatives and consequences. • “Mozart in Mirrorshades”: Bruce Sterling and Lewis Shiner explore a terrifying era as the future crashes into the past—with disastrous results. . . . as well as “The Winterberry” by Nicholas A. DiChario • “Islands in the Sea” by Harry Turtledove • “Suppose They Gave a Peace” by Susan Shwartz • “Manassas, Again” by Gregory Benford • “Dance Band on the Titanic” by Jack L. Chalker • “Eutopia” by Poul Anderson • “The Undiscovered” by William Sanders • “The Death of Captain Future” by Allen Steele • and “Moon of Ice” by Brad Linaweaver The definitive collection: fourteen seminal alternate history tales drawing readers into a universe of dramatic possibility and endless wonder.


Book Synopsis The Best Alternate History Stories of the 20th Century by : Harry Turtledove

Download or read book The Best Alternate History Stories of the 20th Century written by Harry Turtledove and published by Del Rey. This book was released on 2002-01-22 with total page 434 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explore fascinating, often chilling “what if” accounts of the world that could have existed—and still might yet . . . Science fiction’s most illustrious and visionary authors hold forth the ultimate alternate history collection. Here you’ll experience mind-bending tales that challenge your views of the past, present, and future, including: • “The Lucky Strike”: When the Lucky Strike is chosen over the Enola Gay to drop the first atomic bomb, fate takes an unexpected turn in Kim Stanley Robinson’s gripping tale. • “Bring the Jubilee”: Ward Moore’s novella masterpiece offers a rebel victory at Gettysburg which changes the course of the Civil War . . . and all of American history. • “Through Road No Wither”: After Hitler’s victory in World War II, two Nazi officers confront their destiny in Greg Bear’s apocalyptic vision of the future. • “All the Myriad Ways”: Murder or suicide, Ambrose Harmon’s death leads the police down an infinite number of pathways in Larry Niven’s brilliant and defining tale of alternatives and consequences. • “Mozart in Mirrorshades”: Bruce Sterling and Lewis Shiner explore a terrifying era as the future crashes into the past—with disastrous results. . . . as well as “The Winterberry” by Nicholas A. DiChario • “Islands in the Sea” by Harry Turtledove • “Suppose They Gave a Peace” by Susan Shwartz • “Manassas, Again” by Gregory Benford • “Dance Band on the Titanic” by Jack L. Chalker • “Eutopia” by Poul Anderson • “The Undiscovered” by William Sanders • “The Death of Captain Future” by Allen Steele • and “Moon of Ice” by Brad Linaweaver The definitive collection: fourteen seminal alternate history tales drawing readers into a universe of dramatic possibility and endless wonder.


Rising Sun

Rising Sun

Author: Robert Conroy

Publisher: Baen

Published: 2013-10-29

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781476736143

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By the author of breakout WW II era alternate history Himmler’s War, another compelling alternate history thriller. With an American loss at the Battle of Midway, Japan runs rampant in the Pacific. It is the summer of 1942 and what our historians have called the Incredible Victory in the Battle of Midway has become a horrendous disaster in this world. Two of America’s handful of carriers in the Pacific have blundered into a Japanese submarine picket line and have been sunk, while a third is destroyed the next day. The United States has only one carrier remaining in the Pacific against nine Japanese, while the ragtag remnants of U.S. battleships – an armada still reeling from the defeat at Pearl Harbor – are in even worse shape. Now the Pacific belongs to the Japanese. And it doesn’t stop there, as Japan has thrust her sword in to the hilt. Alaska is invaded. Hawaii is under blockade. The Panama Canal is nearly plugged. Worst of all, the West Coast of America is ripe for destruction as bombers of the Empire of the Sun bombard west coast American cities at will. Despite these disasters, the U.S. begins to fight back. Limited counterattacks are made and a grand plan is put forth to lure the Japanese into an ambush that could restore the balance in the Pacific and give the forces of freedom a fighting chance once more. About Rising Sun: “Conroy extrapolates a new and militarily plausible direction for WWII . . . A thrilling adventure.”—Booklist About Himmler’s War: “[Conroy] adds a personal touch to alternate history by describing events through the eyes of fictional characters serving on the front lines. VERDICT: Historical accuracy in the midst of creative speculation makes this piece of alternate history believable.”–Library Journal About Red Inferno: 1945 “An ensemble cast of fictional characters. . . and historical figures powers the meticulously researched story line with diverse accounts of the horrors of war, making this an appealing read for fans of history and alternate history alike.”—Publishers Weekly “[E]ngrossing and grimly plausible. . .the suspense holds up literally to the last page.”—Booklist About 1945: “ moving and thought-provoking . . .”—Publishers Weekly “Realistic . . .”—Booklist About 1942: “. . .fans of Tom Clancy and Agent Jack Bauer should find a lot to like here.”—Publishers Weekly “A significant writer of alternate history turns here to the popular topic of Pearl Harbor, producing. . . this rousing historical action tale.”—Booklist “A high-explosive what-if, with full-blooded characters.”—John Birmingham, bestselling author of Without Warning About 1901: “. . . cleverly conceived. . .Conroy tells a solid what-if historical.”—Publishers Weekly “. . . likely to please both military history and alternative history buffs.”—Booklist Comprehensive Teacher's Guide available.


Book Synopsis Rising Sun by : Robert Conroy

Download or read book Rising Sun written by Robert Conroy and published by Baen. This book was released on 2013-10-29 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: By the author of breakout WW II era alternate history Himmler’s War, another compelling alternate history thriller. With an American loss at the Battle of Midway, Japan runs rampant in the Pacific. It is the summer of 1942 and what our historians have called the Incredible Victory in the Battle of Midway has become a horrendous disaster in this world. Two of America’s handful of carriers in the Pacific have blundered into a Japanese submarine picket line and have been sunk, while a third is destroyed the next day. The United States has only one carrier remaining in the Pacific against nine Japanese, while the ragtag remnants of U.S. battleships – an armada still reeling from the defeat at Pearl Harbor – are in even worse shape. Now the Pacific belongs to the Japanese. And it doesn’t stop there, as Japan has thrust her sword in to the hilt. Alaska is invaded. Hawaii is under blockade. The Panama Canal is nearly plugged. Worst of all, the West Coast of America is ripe for destruction as bombers of the Empire of the Sun bombard west coast American cities at will. Despite these disasters, the U.S. begins to fight back. Limited counterattacks are made and a grand plan is put forth to lure the Japanese into an ambush that could restore the balance in the Pacific and give the forces of freedom a fighting chance once more. About Rising Sun: “Conroy extrapolates a new and militarily plausible direction for WWII . . . A thrilling adventure.”—Booklist About Himmler’s War: “[Conroy] adds a personal touch to alternate history by describing events through the eyes of fictional characters serving on the front lines. VERDICT: Historical accuracy in the midst of creative speculation makes this piece of alternate history believable.”–Library Journal About Red Inferno: 1945 “An ensemble cast of fictional characters. . . and historical figures powers the meticulously researched story line with diverse accounts of the horrors of war, making this an appealing read for fans of history and alternate history alike.”—Publishers Weekly “[E]ngrossing and grimly plausible. . .the suspense holds up literally to the last page.”—Booklist About 1945: “ moving and thought-provoking . . .”—Publishers Weekly “Realistic . . .”—Booklist About 1942: “. . .fans of Tom Clancy and Agent Jack Bauer should find a lot to like here.”—Publishers Weekly “A significant writer of alternate history turns here to the popular topic of Pearl Harbor, producing. . . this rousing historical action tale.”—Booklist “A high-explosive what-if, with full-blooded characters.”—John Birmingham, bestselling author of Without Warning About 1901: “. . . cleverly conceived. . .Conroy tells a solid what-if historical.”—Publishers Weekly “. . . likely to please both military history and alternative history buffs.”—Booklist Comprehensive Teacher's Guide available.


Alt Hist Issue 2

Alt Hist Issue 2

Author: Mark Lord

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published: 2011-05-11

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13: 9781460934609

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Alt Hist is the new magazine of historical fiction and alternate history. The second issue features eight new stories and also three book reviews. From ancient Egypt to World War I, and the death of Abraham Lincoln, there is something for every fan of historical fiction in Alt Hist Issue 2. Stories featured in Alt Hist Issue 2: 'Long Nights in Languedoc' by Andrew Knighton 'The Apollo Mission' by David X. Wiggin 'Son of Flanders' by William Knight 'In Cappadocia' by AshleyRose Sullivan 'The Orchid Hunters' by Priya Sharma 'Death in Theatre' by Jessica Wilson 'The Scarab of Thutmose' by Anna Sykora 'The Watchmaker of Filigree Street' by N. K. Pulley And reviews of: Historical Fiction Writing: a practical guide and tool-kit by Myfanwy Cook Ruso and the River of Darkness by R. S. Downie Rome Burning by Sophia McDougall


Book Synopsis Alt Hist Issue 2 by : Mark Lord

Download or read book Alt Hist Issue 2 written by Mark Lord and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2011-05-11 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Alt Hist is the new magazine of historical fiction and alternate history. The second issue features eight new stories and also three book reviews. From ancient Egypt to World War I, and the death of Abraham Lincoln, there is something for every fan of historical fiction in Alt Hist Issue 2. Stories featured in Alt Hist Issue 2: 'Long Nights in Languedoc' by Andrew Knighton 'The Apollo Mission' by David X. Wiggin 'Son of Flanders' by William Knight 'In Cappadocia' by AshleyRose Sullivan 'The Orchid Hunters' by Priya Sharma 'Death in Theatre' by Jessica Wilson 'The Scarab of Thutmose' by Anna Sykora 'The Watchmaker of Filigree Street' by N. K. Pulley And reviews of: Historical Fiction Writing: a practical guide and tool-kit by Myfanwy Cook Ruso and the River of Darkness by R. S. Downie Rome Burning by Sophia McDougall


Roads Not Taken

Roads Not Taken

Author: Stanley Schmidt

Publisher: Del Rey

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780345421944

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With these dazzling stories, discover just how different things might have been! Alternate History: The What-If? fiction that has finally come into its own! Shedding light on the past by exploring what could have happened, this bold genre tantalizes your imagination and challenges your perceptions with thrilling reinventions of humanity's most climactic events. Enter worlds that are at once fanciful and familiar, where fact and fiction meld in a provocative landscape of infinite possibilities. . . . "An Ink from the New Moon" by A. A. Attanasio "We Could Do Worse" by Gregory Benford "The West Is Red" by Greg Costikyan "The Forest of Time" by Michael F. Flynn "Southpaw" by Bruce McAllister "Over There" by Mike Resnick "An Outpost of the Empire" by Robert Silverberg "Aristotle and the Gun" by L. Sprague de Camp "Must and Shall" by Harry Turtledove "How I Lost the Second World War and Helped Turn Back the German Invasion" by Gene Wolfe


Book Synopsis Roads Not Taken by : Stanley Schmidt

Download or read book Roads Not Taken written by Stanley Schmidt and published by Del Rey. This book was released on 1998 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With these dazzling stories, discover just how different things might have been! Alternate History: The What-If? fiction that has finally come into its own! Shedding light on the past by exploring what could have happened, this bold genre tantalizes your imagination and challenges your perceptions with thrilling reinventions of humanity's most climactic events. Enter worlds that are at once fanciful and familiar, where fact and fiction meld in a provocative landscape of infinite possibilities. . . . "An Ink from the New Moon" by A. A. Attanasio "We Could Do Worse" by Gregory Benford "The West Is Red" by Greg Costikyan "The Forest of Time" by Michael F. Flynn "Southpaw" by Bruce McAllister "Over There" by Mike Resnick "An Outpost of the Empire" by Robert Silverberg "Aristotle and the Gun" by L. Sprague de Camp "Must and Shall" by Harry Turtledove "How I Lost the Second World War and Helped Turn Back the German Invasion" by Gene Wolfe


Everfair

Everfair

Author: Nisi Shawl

Publisher: Macmillan

Published: 2016-09-06

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 1466837845

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From acclaimed short fiction writer Nisi Shawl comes a brilliant alternate history set in the Congo, where heroes strive for a Utopia and endeavor to live together despite their differences. Now with a foreward from award-winning author Cadwell Turnbull. In this re-imagining of Belgium's disastrous colonization of the Congo, African American missionaries join forces with British socialists to purchase land from the Congo Free State's "owner," King Leopold II. This land, which they name Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven for native populations of the Congo as well as settlers from around the world, including dream-eyed Europeans attempting to create a better society, formerly enslaved people returning from America, and Chinese railroad builders escaping hard labor. Using the combined knowledge of four continents, Everfair becomes a land of spying cats and gulls, nuclear dirigibles buoyed by barkcloth balloons, and silent pistols that shoot poison knives. With this technology, Everfair will attempt to defeat the Belgian tyrant Leopold II. But even if they can defeat their great enemy, a looming world war and political infighting may threaten to destroy everything they have built. “A book with gorgeous sweep, spanning years and continents, loves and hates, histories and fantasies... Everfair is sometimes sad, often luminous, and always original. A wonderful achievement.” — Karen Joy Fowler At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.


Book Synopsis Everfair by : Nisi Shawl

Download or read book Everfair written by Nisi Shawl and published by Macmillan. This book was released on 2016-09-06 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From acclaimed short fiction writer Nisi Shawl comes a brilliant alternate history set in the Congo, where heroes strive for a Utopia and endeavor to live together despite their differences. Now with a foreward from award-winning author Cadwell Turnbull. In this re-imagining of Belgium's disastrous colonization of the Congo, African American missionaries join forces with British socialists to purchase land from the Congo Free State's "owner," King Leopold II. This land, which they name Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven for native populations of the Congo as well as settlers from around the world, including dream-eyed Europeans attempting to create a better society, formerly enslaved people returning from America, and Chinese railroad builders escaping hard labor. Using the combined knowledge of four continents, Everfair becomes a land of spying cats and gulls, nuclear dirigibles buoyed by barkcloth balloons, and silent pistols that shoot poison knives. With this technology, Everfair will attempt to defeat the Belgian tyrant Leopold II. But even if they can defeat their great enemy, a looming world war and political infighting may threaten to destroy everything they have built. “A book with gorgeous sweep, spanning years and continents, loves and hates, histories and fantasies... Everfair is sometimes sad, often luminous, and always original. A wonderful achievement.” — Karen Joy Fowler At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.