Supernatural Fiction Writers

This two-volume set for high school students, college undergraduates, and teachers and other nonspecialists contains essays on 116 contemporary supernatural fiction writers whose prose the editor considers equal to, if not superior to, that of writers who have been granted mainstream acceptance. Entries are approximately seven to 12 pages in length and cover all aspects of each writer's career. They also address questions such as the literary value of these genres of fiction, and whether the science fiction or horror label discourages taking such work seriously. Each essay is followed by a bibliography of primary works, a critical and biographical bibliography citing books and articles, and lists of interviews and book reviews. Annotation c. Book News, Inc.,Portland, OR

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-A trustworthy source of biographical information and analysis of 116 contemporary writers. Supernatural is loosely defined as including horror, fantasy, and some science fiction: "-the writings of people who have deliberately chosen to root their subject matter in the limitless rather than in the limited." A number of articles from Everett F. Bleiler's Supernatural Fiction Writers: Fantasy and Horror (S & S, 1985) have been updated, such as those on Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, and Patricia McKillip, but most of the pieces here are completely new. While the earlier edition examined the development of the genres and the work of individual authors under such topics as "Early Writers" and "British Gothic and Romantic Writers," this set is arranged alphabetically by author. The articles, ranging in length from 8 to 12 pages, include book and series description, analysis, and critique. They offer specifics about stories, plots, characters, and themes, and provide a sense of the individuals' body of work. Writers examined include such notables as Mercedes Lackey, Raymond Elias Feist, George R. R. Martin, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Anne McCaffrey. Selected bibliographies of the authors' works and critical studies about them conclude the entries. The index is extensive. This fine extension to the earlier edition will be useful for reports and appreciated for its inclusion of many authors who have not received much attention in other sources.-John Palmer, Bryan & College Station Library System, Bryan, TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.