Samuel R. Delany Books

This collection showcases the diverse writings of Samuel R. Delany, an acclaimed author known for his insightful explorations of writing and science fiction. Delany delves into themes of race, sexuality, and literature, offering a rich perspective on literary theory and the craft of storytelling. His thought-provoking essays and critiques illuminate the intersections of these topics, making it a valuable resource for readers interested in the complexities of literature and its societal implications.

Delany delves into the idea that science fiction serves as a lens for understanding contemporary issues rather than merely predicting the future. By examining works from notable authors like Joanna Russ and Robert Heinlein, he presents insightful reading strategies that encourage deeper engagement with texts. His analyses challenge conventional thinking, promoting a thoughtful exploration of literature's nuances. Through this work, Delany invites readers to participate in a critical discourse that values specificity and imaginative inquiry.

An indispensable work of science fiction criticism revised and expanded

Exploring themes of identity, race, and sexuality, this collection showcases Samuel R. Delany's intellectual insights through a series of essays. Delany delves into literary theory and the writing process, addressing both queer theory and paraliterary genres such as science fiction and comics. This compilation serves as an excellent introduction for new readers while offering longtime fans a convenient gathering of his shorter works, highlighting his clarity and depth as a writer.

Winner of the 1989 Hugo Award for Non-fiction

Essential reading for the creative writer.Award-winning novelist Samuel R. Delany has written a book for creative writers to place alongside E. M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel and Lajos Egri's Art of Dramatic Writing. Taking up specifics (When do flashbacks work, and when should you avoid them? How do you make characters both vivid and sympathetic?) and generalities (How are novels structured? How do writers establish serious literary reputations today?), Delany also examines the condition of the contemporary creative writer and how it differs from that of the writer in the years of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and the high Modernists. Like a private writing tutorial, About Writing treats each topic with clarity and insight. Here is an indispensable companion for serious writers everywhere.

When Barbie's fantasy world starts affecting real life, she enters deeper into her dream world, and her friends follow her into that world in order to stop the sinister, mysterious Cuckoo, which wants her dead.

A race for the stolen phallus of a nameless god

Along with commentary on his own work and the work of other writers, he ponders the state of America, discusses friends who are facing AIDS and other ailments, and comments on the politics of working in academia.

Exploring the significance of science fiction, this book-length essay draws parallels to literary critiques by Nabokov and Barthes, establishing the genre's merit for scholarly analysis. As the third installment in Samuel R. Delany's influential critical series, it builds on earlier works that earned him a Pilgrim Award for Science Fiction Scholarship. This edition features the author's corrected text and a new introduction by Delany scholar Matthew Cheney, enriching the discussion surrounding science fiction literature and its critical reception.