Hell's Cartographers

What motivates great science fiction writers? Why did they choose the genre? Where do they get their ideas? In this illuminating volume, six of the field's bestselling authors present lively personal histories that provide fascinating insights into the creative process — and offer inspiration for aspiring wordsmiths.
In the introduction, Brian W. Aldiss observes, "Never have critics and readers in any field been more divided than they are over science fiction." Aldiss goes on to define his concept of the difference between fiction and nonfiction in "Magic and Bare Boards." His coeditor, Harry Harrison, reminisces about his bookish childhood in "The Beginning of the Affair."
"Ah, science fiction, science fiction!" sighs Alfred Bester in "My Affair with Science Fiction." He notes, "I've read it all my life, off and on, with excitement, with joy, sometimes with sorrow." Other heartfelt and insightful contributions include Robert Silverberg's "Sounding Brass, Tinkling Cymbal," Damon Knight's "Knight Piece," and Frederik Pohl's "Ragged Claws."

Brian Wilson Aldiss, OBE, was an English writer and anthologies editor, best known for science fiction novels and short stories. His byline reads either Brian W. Aldiss or simply Brian Aldiss, except for occasional pseudonyms during the mid–1960s.
Harry Max Harrison was an American science fiction author, known for his character the Stainless Steel Rat and for his novel Make Room! Make Room! The latter was the rough basis for the motion picture Soylent Green.

Contents Introduction Robert Silverberg: Sounding Brass, Tinkling Cymbal Alfred Bester: My Affair with Science Fiction Harry Harrison: The Beginning of the Affair Damon Knight: Knight Piece Frederik Pohl: Ragged Claws Brain Aldiss: Magic and Bare Boards Appendices:How We WorkSelected Bibliographies