Nonfiction books about or dealing with speculative fiction and spec fic topics. You can also check out these subcategories:
Note: these books are currently sorted by release date, with newest first.
Word Count: 51200
Summary: Being An Indie Author Can’t Be That Hard, Right? So you want to be an indie author. Or maybe you're scared to do it all yourself and are looking for a publisher, but want to know more about the nuts and bolts of the book business. Either way, this book is for you. Scott is a thirty-year small press veteran who shares his knowledge—from the snarky to the sublime—and answers your questions: What should you consider before you start to write? What about when you get stuck? And what can you do when you start doubting yourself? This book is filled with practical advice, candid explanations, and emotional support for any writer navigating today's complicated publishing business, helping you to stay sane and define for yourself what being a “successful writer” means. In your career, you’ll have highs and lows. It’s important to put all the highs in a bottle and save them. And when the publishing world gets you down, pull it out and suck a little happy juice. “If I ever go off course, I will refer back to this guide to keep me going. The book's strength lies in its ability to demystify the writing and publishing process, making it a trustworthy companion for writers facing challenges. 5 Stars.” -Jaqueline Neves, Readers’ Favorite "Suck a Little Happy Juice is the kind of advice title one wishes every aspiring writer had in hand. Whether it's addressing getting ready to write or giving concrete examples contrasting tepid writing with captivating alternative approaches and revisions, Coatsworth sets aside ethereal advice in favor of the concrete examples writers need in order to prove more effective and hone their skills.. If libraries and readers were to select just a few titles on the subject of becoming an author, Suck a Little Happy Juice should be at the top of the list." --Midwest Book Review
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Summary: This book was initially compiled in honor of Black Women in Horror during February (Black History Month) and March (Women in History Month) and is an extension of a series that started out as a project for Women in Horror Month back in February 2013. At the time, Women in Horror Month was in February, although now many celebrate it during March, which is Women in History Month. Sumiko Saulson put together 2013, 2014 (60 Black Women), 2017 (80 Black Women), and 2018 (100 Black Women) editions as a project for Iconoclast Productions. The 2023 (160 Black Women) edition was assembled as a Black Women in Horror Month project with Kenya Moss-Dyme. Includes an essay by Kai Leakes.
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Summary: The Untold Story of Lesbian Love in Japanese Anime and Comics Two decades in the making, By Your Side is a collection of essays, scholarly and approachable, by the Western Hemisphere’s authority on the subject. This landmark work should be in the library of any fan of anime, manga, lesbian relationships in media–or any combination of the three! -- “By Your Side is the complete Yuri resource I only ever dreamed could exist…Friedman graces readers with illuminating insights as they follow her through a century of the genre’s evolution and revolution.” Nicki Bauman, Yurimother -- “The first in-depth study of Yuri in English.” James Welker, Professor of Cross-Cultural and Japanese Studies, Kanagawa University
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Summary: What makes a writer tick? What happens when an author gives up pure entertainment and aims instead at a deeper meaning? Can books somehow save the world? Will readers even care? A/not A explores the life and meaning of the work Tracy Shew, science fiction and fantasy author. The book begins with a detailed autobiography, and Shew's various attempts to "make the world a better place" from an early age. Then, the author's philosophy is described in detail. The description contains aspects of religion, mind science, dreams, biocentrism and especially quantum mechanics. The author concludes with a hopeful revelation that understanding "A/not A" as a philosophy and a somewhat different way of looking at the world will assist people in gaining new perceptions and new tools for understanding reality. Common social stumbling blocks which lead to division and hate might be dissolved. The author has for the last five years "salted" aspects of A/not A into all his writing. At the very least, this book will help the reader understand Shew's more bizarre stories, how (and why) he has toyed with Abstract Surrealism as a writing form, and what he hopes to accomplish. This book is half autobiographical, half philosophy (with a strong flavoring of quantum physics and neuroscience). The most basic message is that the loss of dialog between people who disagree (the "division") is the greatest threat we face today. The author recommends a simple grassroots solution: Start talking and listening to one another.
Word Count: 91
Summary: Even fictional characters gotta eat. These are their recipes. Now you can make the favorite foods of the fictional country of Industralia, from breakfast right on through to late night snacks. You’ll even learn how to make traditional New Year's “Coal Week” holiday treats.
Word Count: 8000
Summary:
Expanded 2nd Edition!
A collection of short poems in rhyme Inspired all by science; Outward to the edge of time; Or tied to earthly cadence. Light and written all for fun, There is no angst to hide. You're invited now to sample one Of my poems inside. These poems are inspired by Richard Feynman, who said "Poets say science takes away from the beauty of the stars - mere globs of gas atoms. I too can see the stars on a desert night, and feel them. Why do the poets of today not speak of it?" I take his words as a challenge and this book collects some of my science-inspired poems.
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Summary: So you want to write a fantasy novel? A trilogy? A series to rival the Wheel of Time books? Or maybe you’re into gaming and you want to put together the magical elements in a fresh, powerful way that will keep your players guessing? It’s all here. Who, what, and where. How much, how many, how often. While this ebook focuses on creating magic systems, it will also help you understand many of the elements that go into strong worldbuilding. A good foundation in your fictional world will open the doorways of inspiration to more and more plot twists, mythical creatures, cliffhangers and fabulous treasure!
