Conversations From the Edge

What inspired George R.R. Martin, the creator of the hugely successful Game of Throne franchise? Why did Lois McMaster, winner of six Hugo awards, start writing science fiction? How did the Vietnam war experience impact David Drake and his writing of military SF.

Get the answers to these and many other questions with these detailed interviews of some of the most iconic figures in science fiction and fantasy. These interviews show a very intimate, unknown side of these authors; many sharing very personal experiences (the good and the bad) that made them the writers that they are today.

Galaxy’s Edge magazine is known for its interviews of science fiction and fantasy professionals, and the list of writers and other professionals it has published reads like a who’s who of the field, including George R.R. Martin, Mercedes Lackey, Larry Niven, Connie Willis, Lois McMaster Bujold, David Drake and a host of other authors every science fiction reader is familiar with.

This book collects all the interviews published in Galaxy’s Edge magazine from its inception through to its 34th issue. In many cases these are expanded, original versions of the interviews published in the magazine (which had to be originally condensed for due to limitations of the magazine format).

Some of these conversations will make you think hard, some will make you smile and laugh, and some may even make you cry. But what each and every interview will do is give you a unique insight into the genre and the lives of these giants of the industry.

SELECT LIST OF INTERVIEWEES

George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin is the author of one of the bestselling series in the world, A Song of Ice and Fire, which was filmed as a TV series by HBO , titled The Game of Thrones (named after one of the books in the series).

Lev Grossman of Time magazine called him the “The American Tolkien” and he listed on the annual Time list of the 100 most influential people in the world because of the global reach of his stories and how they have influenced people around the world.

George sold his first story in 1970 when he was 21, the first of m any. Throughout the seventies he wrote part-time while also working as a VISTA volunteer, chess director (he is an avid chess player) and teacher.

He currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife Paris, where he is a major contributor to social and art projects.

Born in: Bayonne, NJ

Lives in: Santa Fe, NM

Lois McMaster Bujold

Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the most popular science fiction writers of today and the creator of the much beloved Miles Vorkosigan saga, one of the highest selling science fiction series of all times.

She has always been a voracious reader and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote the first three books in the Vorkosigan series before actually selling any novel to a publisher. Her first professional sale was a short story she sold to The Twilight Zone magazine.

Her awards include seven Hugos and three Nebulas and she was made a SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) Grand Master in 2020.

Born in: Columbus, OH

Lives in Minneapolis, MN

David Weber

David Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He has written several science-fiction and fantasy books series, the best known of which is the Honor Harrington science-fiction series and has had a number of New York bestsellers. His books are also a regular selection for the Science Fiction Book Club.

Born in: Cleveland, OH

Lives in: Greenville, SC

Terry Brooks

Terry Brooks is mainly known as the writer of epic fantasy with more than 25 million copies of his books in print. As such, he is currently one of the biggest living sellers of fantasy books.

A trained lawyer, he was a practicing attorney before deciding to become a full-time writer. His first novel was the Sword of Shannara which became the basis of the series of highly popular books

Terry also authored Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace which was published with four different dust jackets.

Born in: Sterling, IL

Lives in: Seattle, WA

Harry Turtledove

Dubbed as “The Master of Alternate History” by Publishers Weekly, Harry Turtledove has written a number of classic bestsellers in the subgenre, including How Few Remain, The Guns of the South and The Man with the Iron Heart.

He uses his study of history (with a Ph.D in Byzantine history) to create alternate worlds in intricate detail; crafting enthralling adventures that have garnered him high critical praise as well as making him one of the most successful bestselling authors in alternate history.

Turtledove has won, or been nominated, for nearly every major award in science fiction (multiple times, for many) including the Hugo, Nebula, Sidewise (alternate history), Homer (short stories), The John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction and the Prometheus Award.

Many consider him to be one of the most distinguished authors of alternate history to have ever written in that sub-genre―he is certainly one of the most critically acclaimed.

Harry Turtledove is married to novelist Laura Frankos. They have three daughters, Alison, Rachel and Rebecca.

Born in: Los Angeles, CA

Lives in: Chatsworth, CA

Mercedes Lackey

Mercedes Lacky is primarily a fantasy writer, with many of her works set in the mythical world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar.

She is a prolific author, having published over 140 books and is considered a fan favorite in the fantasy world. She is also involved in the filking community and met C.J. Cherryh through filk, with Cherryh helping her through her earlier years and guiding some of her writing.

Born in: Chicago IL

Lives in: Tulsa, OK

Larry Niven

Larry Niven, a SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) Grand Master is the author of the classic science fiction book, Ringworld which receive the Hugo, Ditmar, Locus and Nebula awards.

His work is primarily in hard science fiction, though he has written he occasional fantasy work.

Ringworld is considered one of the most influential book in hard science fiction, with many future books describing structures like Ringworld (which was a derivation of a Dyson Sphere).

Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven collaborated on a number of best-selling novels including The Mote in God’s Eye and Lucifer’s Hammer.

Larry has also written a number of TV scripts, including episodes for Land of the Lost, Star Trek: The Animated Series and The Outer Limits.

Born in: Los Angeles, CA

Lives in: Chatsworth, CA