The Artifact as a Science Fiction Icon
The artifact in science fiction is typically a manufactured item with value, power, or mystery, which can be as small as a subatomic particle or as immense as the wormhole from the 2014 film Interstellar. Many science fiction stories grow around the...
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The artifact in science fiction is typically a manufactured item with value, power, or mystery, which can be as small as a subatomic particle or as immense as the wormhole from the 2014 film Interstellar. Many science fiction stories grow around the search for an artifact, the protection of an artifact, or the quest to discover what meaning or use the artifact has. Explore how science fiction giants such as Arthur C. Clark, Larry Niven, Algis Budry, Gregory Benford, and others make use of the artifact.
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The Book Publishing Contract
If you get to the point of the process where publishing contracts are being drafted, it’s important to understand the terminology and protect your rights. Examine the three areas of the contract to which you should pay close attention: the...
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If you get to the point of the process where publishing contracts are being drafted, it’s important to understand the terminology and protect your rights. Examine the three areas of the contract to which you should pay close attention: the grant-of-rights clause, the reversion-of-rights clause, and the subsidiary rights clauses. You’ll also explore matters of compensation and material ownership.
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The Early German Arthurian Tradition
Study the key Arthurian texts of Hartmann von Aue, which delve deeply into questions of the balance between noble love, knightly endeavor, and devotion to God. Then grasp the brilliance of Wolfram von Eschenbach’s portrayal of Parzival’s wisdom...
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Study the key Arthurian texts of Hartmann von Aue, which delve deeply into questions of the balance between noble love, knightly endeavor, and devotion to God. Then grasp the brilliance of Wolfram von Eschenbach’s portrayal of Parzival’s wisdom quest, involving the magical Grail stone and the legendary Fisher King.
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The Future of Science Fiction
Speculate with Professor Wolfe to consider how science fiction may be evolving in the future, as this genre is gaining popularity, acknowledgement, and recognition as an art form worthy of literary respect. Science fiction writers are topping the...
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Speculate with Professor Wolfe to consider how science fiction may be evolving in the future, as this genre is gaining popularity, acknowledgement, and recognition as an art form worthy of literary respect. Science fiction writers are topping the best-seller lists, and many works of literary fiction now seamlessly weave in elements that half a century ago would have been dismissed as science fiction. As more people realize that science fiction stories reflect the same struggles, characters, and emotions we are familiar with in literary fiction—simply in unfamiliar environments—he shares his predictions of what this fascinating genre will continue to deliver.
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The Golden Age of Science Fiction Stories
After World War II, science fiction took a turn for the better. Learn how one pivotal magazine called Astounding Science Fiction helped change the tide on science fiction. Review the specific works, writers, and editors who contributed to the...
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After World War II, science fiction took a turn for the better. Learn how one pivotal magazine called Astounding Science Fiction helped change the tide on science fiction. Review the specific works, writers, and editors who contributed to the resurgence of the science fiction. Uncover some of the little-known gems that shaped modern science fiction by reflecting society’s struggles, anxieties, and fears to capture a whole new audience.
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The Golden Age of the Science Fiction Novel
In 1950, the New York Times ran an article claiming that science fiction had graduated from pulp fiction to respectable hardcover books. Learn how this remarkable validation was brought to fruition, and see how television and radio helped propel the...
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In 1950, the New York Times ran an article claiming that science fiction had graduated from pulp fiction to respectable hardcover books. Learn how this remarkable validation was brought to fruition, and see how television and radio helped propel the popularity of science fiction novels. Examine influential authors of novels during this decade, with an in-depth look at Ray Bradbury, Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth, and Arthur C. Clarke.
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The Holy Grail from Chretien to Dan Brown
No physical object in the Arthurian canon carries more symbolic weight than the Holy Grail. Discover the origins and varied manifestations of the Grail, explore the most celebrated of the literary Grail narratives, and investigate why the Grail has...
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No physical object in the Arthurian canon carries more symbolic weight than the Holy Grail. Discover the origins and varied manifestations of the Grail, explore the most celebrated of the literary Grail narratives, and investigate why the Grail has fired the imagination of writers from the medieval world to the modern one.
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The Importance of Author Platform
A platform generally refers to an author’s visibility and reach to a target audience: who is aware of your work, where does your work appear, and how many people see it. Examine the six components that make up most platforms, and review the...
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A platform generally refers to an author’s visibility and reach to a target audience: who is aware of your work, where does your work appear, and how many people see it. Examine the six components that make up most platforms, and review the requirements for various genres of writing.
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The Lancelot-Grail Cycle
This lecture explores the remarkable 13th-century work known as the Prose Lancelot. Discover the text’s five parts, highlighting the central section, where Lancelot assumes his place as the greatest Arthurian knight. Delve into the Grail Quest...
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This lecture explores the remarkable 13th-century work known as the Prose Lancelot. Discover the text’s five parts, highlighting the central section, where Lancelot assumes his place as the greatest Arthurian knight. Delve into the Grail Quest narrative and its theological thrust, as well as the Mort Artu, detailing the tragic outcome of the Arthurian saga.
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The Origins of King Arthur
First, consider images of the Arthurian legend familiar in Western culture, and their relationship to historical reality. Trace the history of post-Roman Britain, the large-scale invasions of the Anglo-Saxons, and evidence that a single,...
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First, consider images of the Arthurian legend familiar in Western culture, and their relationship to historical reality. Trace the history of post-Roman Britain, the large-scale invasions of the Anglo-Saxons, and evidence that a single, extraordinary individual rose from the chaos to lead and save his people.
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The Rise of the Science Fiction Pulps
Science fiction battled a long-standing bad reputation, born out of the "pulp era" in history. Survey the rise of pulp science fiction through serials, magazines, and short stories at the turn of the 20th century and through the 1950s. You’ll gain an...
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Science fiction battled a long-standing bad reputation, born out of the "pulp era" in history. Survey the rise of pulp science fiction through serials, magazines, and short stories at the turn of the 20th century and through the 1950s. You’ll gain an appreciation of the obstacles the genre had to overcome through this period in history as Professor Wolfe highlights key authors who contributed to—and helped remedy—the pulp reputation.
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The Robot: From Capek to Asimov
Robots are a common theme in science fiction, but why? Professor Wolfe introduces you to Karel Capek, who adapted the word "robot" from a Czech word meaning "forced labor." Witness the evolution of this concept in science fiction throughout...
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Robots are a common theme in science fiction, but why? Professor Wolfe introduces you to Karel Capek, who adapted the word "robot" from a Czech word meaning "forced labor." Witness the evolution of this concept in science fiction throughout history—including the introduction of the android, existential questions about the nature of cyborgs, and the consequences of robots who think.
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The Round Table—Arthur in Wace and Layamon
Discover the contributions of the Anglo-Norman scribe Wace, who translated Geoffrey of Monmouth’s text into Old Northern French, and the English cleric Layamon, who created the first comprehensive account of Arthur in English. Compare how Wace...
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Discover the contributions of the Anglo-Norman scribe Wace, who translated Geoffrey of Monmouth’s text into Old Northern French, and the English cleric Layamon, who created the first comprehensive account of Arthur in English. Compare how Wace advances the notion of courtly chivalry in the saga with Layamon’s more brutal portrayal of Arthur’s community.
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The Science Fiction Wasteland
Not all science fiction predicts technology-driven modern futures. Look at the stories over time that foreshadowed a desolate and bleak future, ravaged by environmental issues, plagues, or cataclysmic events. Examine the five components of...
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Not all science fiction predicts technology-driven modern futures. Look at the stories over time that foreshadowed a desolate and bleak future, ravaged by environmental issues, plagues, or cataclysmic events. Examine the five components of apocalyptic stories, the various paradoxes the wasteland-style novels predict or reflect, and some stellar examples from this often bleak subgenre.
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The Self-Publishing Path: When and How
Discuss the value of publishers, then review specific scenarios in which you may not need those benefits. When is self-publishing a viable option for your book? Get invaluable advice on steps you should take if you choose to self-publish, and learn...
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Discuss the value of publishers, then review specific scenarios in which you may not need those benefits. When is self-publishing a viable option for your book? Get invaluable advice on steps you should take if you choose to self-publish, and learn about the tools you will need to succeed.
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The Spaceship as a Science Fiction Icon
Science fiction is known for distinguishing elements: artificial intelligence, time travel, aliens, outer space, and more. Delve into one of the more iconic components of science fiction—the spaceship. Learn how the spaceship is portrayed in some of...
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Science fiction is known for distinguishing elements: artificial intelligence, time travel, aliens, outer space, and more. Delve into one of the more iconic components of science fiction—the spaceship. Learn how the spaceship is portrayed in some of the most famous stories, as well as lesser-known works. Consider how stories of space exploration parallel and reflect the realities in which they are written.
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The Spirit World
The idea of a parallel world of the spirits has persisted since the beginning of civilization. Ghosts returning to earth, or remaining as echoes of the past, are explored in this episode.
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The idea of a parallel world of the spirits has persisted since the beginning of civilization. Ghosts returning to earth, or remaining as echoes of the past, are explored in this episode.
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The Walking Dead
The idea of the dead coming back to life haunted stories for centuries. Differing takes on the myth led to different monsters – resurrection through science created Frankenstein’s monster, Egyptian mythology and mummified pharaohs led to reanimated...
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The idea of the dead coming back to life haunted stories for centuries. Differing takes on the myth led to different monsters – resurrection through science created Frankenstein’s monster, Egyptian mythology and mummified pharaohs led to reanimated mummies, and external forces of evil or radiation brought forth zombies.
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Today’s Book Publishing Landscape
Take an in-depth look at the world of writing and getting published: the history of the business, the competition in the modern market, and the major and minor players in the industry. Clear up some common misconceptions about what it takes to become...
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Take an in-depth look at the world of writing and getting published: the history of the business, the competition in the modern market, and the major and minor players in the industry. Clear up some common misconceptions about what it takes to become a published writer and get an overview of what to expect if you pursue a career as a writer.
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Utopian Dreams and Dystopian Nightmares
One intriguing theme presented in science fiction is the concept of utopia and dystopia—and how remarkably similar these two seeming opposites can be. Explore the fundamental questions of "Can our lives be better?" and "Can our lives be worse?" Take...
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One intriguing theme presented in science fiction is the concept of utopia and dystopia—and how remarkably similar these two seeming opposites can be. Explore the fundamental questions of "Can our lives be better?" and "Can our lives be worse?" Take an in-depth look at some of the most poignant portrayals of utopian and dystopian societies and the social contexts that inspired them.
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Vampires Part I
The presence of vampires throughout history, culminating in the writing of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, literature’s most famous bloodsucker.
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The presence of vampires throughout history, culminating in the writing of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, literature’s most famous bloodsucker.
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Vampires Part II
The popularity of Dracula cemented the vampire into fiction and popular culture, and was supplemented by the invention of cinema. Between Dracula and its not-so-subtle clone Nosferatu, vampires became a horror movie staple.
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The popularity of Dracula cemented the vampire into fiction and popular culture, and was supplemented by the invention of cinema. Between Dracula and its not-so-subtle clone Nosferatu, vampires became a horror movie staple.
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Wagner and Twain—King Arthur in the Late 1800s
In his two overtly Arthurian operas, observe how Richard Wagner adapted and modified the Arthurian legend to dramatize social and religious ideals, linking these ideals with Germany itself. On our own shores, grasp how Mark Twain satirized the saga...
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In his two overtly Arthurian operas, observe how Richard Wagner adapted and modified the Arthurian legend to dramatize social and religious ideals, linking these ideals with Germany itself. On our own shores, grasp how Mark Twain satirized the saga in Connecticut Yankee, critiquing both European aristocracy and American society.
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Werewolves and Shapeshifters
In this final episode, the role shapeshifters have played in stories and legends is explored. The evolution of the concept eventually brought us Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Wolf Man.
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In this final episode, the role shapeshifters have played in stories and legends is explored. The evolution of the concept eventually brought us Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Wolf Man.
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Working Effectively with Your Publisher
While most aspiring writers are thrilled to get to this point in the publication process, it’s also important to know what will be expected of you once a publisher agrees to move forward. Learn the several phases you’ll go through with the publisher,...
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While most aspiring writers are thrilled to get to this point in the publication process, it’s also important to know what will be expected of you once a publisher agrees to move forward. Learn the several phases you’ll go through with the publisher, including editorial development, design and production, sales and marketing planning, the book launch, and post-launch PR and publicity.
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