Richard V. Hirst – författare

From M.R. James to Shirley Jackson, the Uncanny has long provided fertile ground for writers – and recent years have seen a notable resurgence in both literature and film. But how does the Uncanny work? What can a writer do to ensure their fiction haunts the reader’s imagination? Writing the Uncanny sees some of the best contemporary authors explain what drew them to horror, ghost stories, folklore and beyond, and reveal how to craft unsettling fiction which resonates. Authors such as Jeremy Dyson, Alison Moore, Jenn Ashworth and Catriona Ward share their insights on psychogeography, fairy tales, cultural tradition and the supernatural, and offer practical advice on their different approaches to the genre. Writing the Uncanny is an essential guide for both the casual reader and the aspiring writer of strange tales.

For as long as humans have existed, they have asked: What if?Science fiction was a defining genre of the postwar era, and its current boom across books, film and TV shows no sign of slowing. Space ships, time travel, aliens and artificial intelligence continue to obsess us, and dreams of the apocalypse haunt our own post-pandemic age. But what is it that compels writers to imagine the future?Writing the Future gathers some of the best contemporary writers of science fiction, speculative fiction, dystopia and eco-fiction to explain their craft and explore the many worlds upon which our imaginations might land. Authors such as Toby Litt, Nina Allan, Adam Roberts and Una McCormack reveal how to balance scientific research with creative freedom, examine the different forms the written text might evolve into, and offer practical advice on giving life to your own vision of the future.Whether you're a reader, a seasoned writer looking to hone your skills, or a beginner who's just starting out, Writing the Future provides valuable insights into the craft of imagining the worlds of tomorrow.

'A perceptive guide to the ploys and pleasures of writing and reading crime fiction thatwill appeal to novices and nerds alike.'Mark Sanderson, author of the Snow Hill trilogy and reviewer for The Times'Not just a dry or academic 'how to' but a provocative collection of varied essaysand revelations about what makes crime and mystery authors tick and what attractsotherwise normal human beings to a life of crime on the page. Informative, witty andfull of valuable insights, one of the best genre reference titles in ages.'Maxim Jakubowski'A fascinating collection of essays with an insight into some of the origins of thegenre, an examination of the current landscape and an intriguing glimpse of where thisendlessly adaptive genre may take us in the future. Highly recommended for all loversof crime fiction.'Bridget Walsh, author of The Tumbling GirlThere's been a murder...From the macabre tales of Edgar Allan Poe through to the locked-room mysteries ofthe Golden Age, to the many faces of modern crime fiction and the explosion of truecrime, writers have always explored the most taboo of human transgressions: thetaking of a life. What is it about murder that has fascinated us for so long? And whatis it about crimes of this nature that make for such compelling fiction?Gathering an impressive line-up of suspects, Writing the Murder asks some of thefinest contemporary writers to dissect their craft and analyse the place of murderin fiction. Authors such as Charlie Higson, Louise Welsh, Jessie Greengrass and TomMead interrogate what it means to write about this most illicit of acts, the lastingappeal of crime fiction, and offer practical advice for those looking to write seriouslyand convincingly about crime.An essential tool for the grizzled veteran and the fresh-faced rookie alike, Writingthe Murder gives you the motive and the means to write your own tales of murderand intrigue.