BEING MICHAEL SWANWICK
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ALVARO ZINOS-AMARO
2024 LOCUS AWARD FINALIST FOR BEST
NON-FICTION
In 2001, Michael Swanwick published the book-length interview Being Gardner Dozois. Now Swanwick himself becomes the subject of inquiry. During a year of conversations, Alvaro Zinos-Amaro (Traveler of Worlds: Conversations with Robert Silverberg) set about discussing with Swanwick his remarkable career, with a particular focus on his extraordinary short fiction.
The resulting collection of transcribed interviews is a tribute to the similarly-named book that inspired it, a discussion of writing craft, an anecdotal genre history, and a chronological survey of the work of a modern master.
Also available from Zinos-Amaro: Traveler of Worlds
- November 2023 978-1-958880-14-2
- trade paperback
- Order copies below, or buy print or ebooks of this title from these dealers.
2024 LOCUS AWARD FINALIST FOR BEST
NON-FICTION
In 2001, Michael Swanwick published the book-length interview Being Gardner Dozois. Now Swanwick himself becomes the subject of inquiry. During a year of conversations, Alvaro Zinos-Amaro (Traveler of Worlds: Conversations with Robert Silverberg) set about discussing with Swanwick his remarkable career, with a particular focus on his extraordinary short fiction.
The resulting collection of transcribed interviews is a tribute to the similarly-named book that inspired it, a discussion of writing craft, an anecdotal genre history, and a chronological survey of the work of a modern master.
Also available from Zinos-Amaro: Traveler of Worlds
“Michael Swanwick shows a rare, writerly combination: He’s articulate about his own work and also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. What can I say other than I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt privileged to have read it.”
— Samuel R. Delany, SF Grand Master, author of Nova and Babel 17
"One of the field’s best and most dedicated critics, Alvaro Zinos-Amaro brings us a book-length one-on-one with Swanwick, in which Swanwick’s entire career is subjected to loving analysis, thoughtful dissection, and shocking (absolutely shocking!) personal revelations. . . . I found myself pulled into this book as if I were an eager specter, lonely for the living, hovering over the conversation between these two sharp-witted guys. Not only does this extended dialogue anatomize what has made Swanwick’s work so good and where the work has its roots, it also limns a broad portrait of the whole field for the past forty years; serves as a limited biography of the author; charts the path from amateur to consummate professional; and investigates in general what makes SF and fantasy so especially attractive to readers. . . . our interlocutors reveal themselves to be very simpatico. And yet the conversation never devolves into mere mutual admiration or pats on the back. Zinos-Amaro will bring up insights that Swanwick has never formulated, and Swanwick will either endorse them or politely shoot them down. But more often, they are in agreement with their estimations of the relative value of the stories and their meanings, hidden or explicit. . . . The last few pages of Chapter Eight offer a touching look backwards by Swanwick along the entire arc of his career. He concludes thus: 'In a way, at seventy-one years of age, I feel like I’m now truly getting a grip on the craft of stories. The longer I can manage to hold on, the better the chance I have to write something really good.' Words that echo those of another humble master, the painter Hokusai, at age eighty-nine: 'If heaven will afford me five more years of life, then I’ll manage to become a true artist.' When I was a lad, I discovered Sam Moskowitz’s book of portraits of SF writers, Seekers of Tomorrow: Masters of Modern Science Fiction. I was enthralled by these backstage glimpses of the writers whose work I adored. It seems to me that there is probably a cadre of young readers who will find this volume just as magical."
— Paul Di Filippo, Locus Magazine
"I’ve watched with admiration and envy as Michael Swanwick has published story after celebrated story over the years. How does he do it? Alvaro Zinos-Amaro has stepped across Michael’s keyboard to find out. Here’s a tour of four decades of science fiction history as told by someone who was always near the center of things. Not only is this a treasure trove of craft secrets, cultural insight and just enough gossip, but Michael also offers answers to those pesky FAQs we writers always get asked. Where do we get our ideas from? How do we make them come alive? Michael knows — and now he’s telling."
— James Patrick Kelly, winner of the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards
“Some authors refuse to talk about themselves or their work. Others do so, but run out of new things to say. Only a few have the fertility and the mental legs to go deep and long. J. G. Ballard and Samuel R. Delany and Robert Silverberg are three who’ve done so, at great length: but the books containing interviews with them, which take up hundreds of pages, end too soon. And so it is with Michael Swanwick. The 300 pages of Being Michael Swanwick are not enough. It is only the beginning of a fractal journey into the art and artifice and accident and fatedness inspiring his work that make almost every story Michael’s written over the near half century of a brilliant and prolific career so much worth talking about. The more we read, the more we want. The more we want from him, the more we gain.”
— John Clute, author of Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia
"This is really a book length interview, the transcription of almost a year of conversations with Michael Swanwick, one of the most respected writers in the field. Much of it is, of course, about Swanwick’s own fiction -- where the ideas came from, the choices necessary in deciding how to present the story, and other related technical matters. For that alone, it would be worth reading. But the discussion is more far ranging than that. They discuss the genre in general, some of its most revered writers and editors, the problems it has faced and the problems it has created for itself. I picked this up the first time planning to just glance through it and read halfway through before taking a break. It has also convinced me that it is time to reread a lot of stories of which I have fond memories."
— Critical Mass
“Whether you’re a longtime Michael Swanwick fan or just encountering his work for the first time, this book is a treasure trove of advice, insight, and gossip, as well as a major contribution to the oral history of science fiction.”
— Alec Nevala-Lee, Hugo Award finalist for Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction
“Being Michael Swanwick is a delightful book. The reader is drawn directly into Alvaro Zinos-Amaro and Michael Swanwick’s enthralling conversation. Alvaro’s insightful questions and Michael’s perceptive responses provide an intriguing introduction to the thoughts of one of SF’s most distinguished and creative authors. The interviews provide a master class in writing, and they are invaluable historical documents that offer reflections on a large slice of science fiction’s history.”
— Sheila Williams, editor of Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
“Michael Swanwick is one of the most interesting, important, and imaginative writers of his generation. He can ‘think around corners’ to conceive and create stories and novels that are truly astonishing. Being Michael Swanwick is insightful and—dare I say it—revelatory. My advice: read this book, and then read or reread all the work mentioned therein.”
— Jack Dann, author of Shadows in the Stone
"Zinos-Amaro is deeply familiar with Swanwick’s work, and his readings and questions are extremely perceptive. And Swanwick’s recollections of the genesis of his stories are fascinating. His methodology of composition — he considers himself an “intuitive” rather than “analytic” writer — is interesting. . . . The way books of interviews, or conversations, work best, in my opinion, is if they read like conversations — if you can hear the voices of the participants. Perhaps because I’ve had the opportunity to speak with both Michael Swanwick and Alvaro Zinos-Amaro on multiple occasions, I was able to “listen” to them “speak” in their voices as I read the book, and I found this delightful. The chronological organization worked well too, giving a sort of shape to the story of Swanwick’s career (and a certain amount of personal autobiography, too). I loved this book. I say that as someone who has read a huge portion of Michael Swanwick’s fiction, to be sure. Throughout it I was telling myself things like “I need to reread that story!” or “Hmmm, that’s fascinating — I hadn’t thought of it that way.” I am not sure it will appeal to people who’ve never read much Swanwick, but that’s OK. (Though I think it might — there’s a lot of off the cuff writing advice here, and interesting anecdotes, and just good writing.)"
— Black Gate
“You have here the rare luxury of inhabiting the uncanny world of Michael Swanwick. Try not to fall off.”
— Gregory Frost, author of Shadowbridge
"An intimate deep dive into the fiery cauldron of the creative process, Alvaro Zinos-Amaro’s Being Michael Swanwick can be equally enjoyed by devotees of Swanwick’s work and those looking for deeper insight into the craft of writing."
— Jacob Weisman, publisher of Tachyon Publications and co-author of Mingus Fingers
"The sorcerer reveals his secrets and his magic becomes all the more powerful for this telling. To read Being Michael Swanwick is pure joy!"
— Henry Wessells, author of The Private Life of Books
“Theodore Sturgeon taught us to ask the next question—but equally important is asking the right question. Alvaro Zinos-Amaro does both in this collection of interviews with one of our very finest sf writers. Few writers have been as central as has Michael Swanwick to both modern science fiction and fantasy literature and the communities from which it springs. Being Michael Swanwick offers detailed insights into both Swanwick’s individual works and those literatures and communities. An invaluable resource and a fascinating read.”
— F. Brett Cox, author of The End of All Our Exploring
"A fascinating collection of insightful interviews from a very sharp critic, of one of our smartest fantasy writers."
— Farah Mendlesohn, author of A Short History of Fantasy
"This absorbingly insightful conversation reveals not only what makes Michael Swanwick tick, and how his stories came about, but how the world of science fiction ticks, coping with and encouraging change and keeping science fiction fresh and vibrant."
— Mike Ashley, author of The History of the Science Fiction Magazine
— Samuel R. Delany, SF Grand Master, author of Nova and Babel 17
"One of the field’s best and most dedicated critics, Alvaro Zinos-Amaro brings us a book-length one-on-one with Swanwick, in which Swanwick’s entire career is subjected to loving analysis, thoughtful dissection, and shocking (absolutely shocking!) personal revelations. . . . I found myself pulled into this book as if I were an eager specter, lonely for the living, hovering over the conversation between these two sharp-witted guys. Not only does this extended dialogue anatomize what has made Swanwick’s work so good and where the work has its roots, it also limns a broad portrait of the whole field for the past forty years; serves as a limited biography of the author; charts the path from amateur to consummate professional; and investigates in general what makes SF and fantasy so especially attractive to readers. . . . our interlocutors reveal themselves to be very simpatico. And yet the conversation never devolves into mere mutual admiration or pats on the back. Zinos-Amaro will bring up insights that Swanwick has never formulated, and Swanwick will either endorse them or politely shoot them down. But more often, they are in agreement with their estimations of the relative value of the stories and their meanings, hidden or explicit. . . . The last few pages of Chapter Eight offer a touching look backwards by Swanwick along the entire arc of his career. He concludes thus: 'In a way, at seventy-one years of age, I feel like I’m now truly getting a grip on the craft of stories. The longer I can manage to hold on, the better the chance I have to write something really good.' Words that echo those of another humble master, the painter Hokusai, at age eighty-nine: 'If heaven will afford me five more years of life, then I’ll manage to become a true artist.' When I was a lad, I discovered Sam Moskowitz’s book of portraits of SF writers, Seekers of Tomorrow: Masters of Modern Science Fiction. I was enthralled by these backstage glimpses of the writers whose work I adored. It seems to me that there is probably a cadre of young readers who will find this volume just as magical."
— Paul Di Filippo, Locus Magazine
"I’ve watched with admiration and envy as Michael Swanwick has published story after celebrated story over the years. How does he do it? Alvaro Zinos-Amaro has stepped across Michael’s keyboard to find out. Here’s a tour of four decades of science fiction history as told by someone who was always near the center of things. Not only is this a treasure trove of craft secrets, cultural insight and just enough gossip, but Michael also offers answers to those pesky FAQs we writers always get asked. Where do we get our ideas from? How do we make them come alive? Michael knows — and now he’s telling."
— James Patrick Kelly, winner of the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards
“Some authors refuse to talk about themselves or their work. Others do so, but run out of new things to say. Only a few have the fertility and the mental legs to go deep and long. J. G. Ballard and Samuel R. Delany and Robert Silverberg are three who’ve done so, at great length: but the books containing interviews with them, which take up hundreds of pages, end too soon. And so it is with Michael Swanwick. The 300 pages of Being Michael Swanwick are not enough. It is only the beginning of a fractal journey into the art and artifice and accident and fatedness inspiring his work that make almost every story Michael’s written over the near half century of a brilliant and prolific career so much worth talking about. The more we read, the more we want. The more we want from him, the more we gain.”
— John Clute, author of Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia
"This is really a book length interview, the transcription of almost a year of conversations with Michael Swanwick, one of the most respected writers in the field. Much of it is, of course, about Swanwick’s own fiction -- where the ideas came from, the choices necessary in deciding how to present the story, and other related technical matters. For that alone, it would be worth reading. But the discussion is more far ranging than that. They discuss the genre in general, some of its most revered writers and editors, the problems it has faced and the problems it has created for itself. I picked this up the first time planning to just glance through it and read halfway through before taking a break. It has also convinced me that it is time to reread a lot of stories of which I have fond memories."
— Critical Mass
“Whether you’re a longtime Michael Swanwick fan or just encountering his work for the first time, this book is a treasure trove of advice, insight, and gossip, as well as a major contribution to the oral history of science fiction.”
— Alec Nevala-Lee, Hugo Award finalist for Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction
“Being Michael Swanwick is a delightful book. The reader is drawn directly into Alvaro Zinos-Amaro and Michael Swanwick’s enthralling conversation. Alvaro’s insightful questions and Michael’s perceptive responses provide an intriguing introduction to the thoughts of one of SF’s most distinguished and creative authors. The interviews provide a master class in writing, and they are invaluable historical documents that offer reflections on a large slice of science fiction’s history.”
— Sheila Williams, editor of Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
“Michael Swanwick is one of the most interesting, important, and imaginative writers of his generation. He can ‘think around corners’ to conceive and create stories and novels that are truly astonishing. Being Michael Swanwick is insightful and—dare I say it—revelatory. My advice: read this book, and then read or reread all the work mentioned therein.”
— Jack Dann, author of Shadows in the Stone
"Zinos-Amaro is deeply familiar with Swanwick’s work, and his readings and questions are extremely perceptive. And Swanwick’s recollections of the genesis of his stories are fascinating. His methodology of composition — he considers himself an “intuitive” rather than “analytic” writer — is interesting. . . . The way books of interviews, or conversations, work best, in my opinion, is if they read like conversations — if you can hear the voices of the participants. Perhaps because I’ve had the opportunity to speak with both Michael Swanwick and Alvaro Zinos-Amaro on multiple occasions, I was able to “listen” to them “speak” in their voices as I read the book, and I found this delightful. The chronological organization worked well too, giving a sort of shape to the story of Swanwick’s career (and a certain amount of personal autobiography, too). I loved this book. I say that as someone who has read a huge portion of Michael Swanwick’s fiction, to be sure. Throughout it I was telling myself things like “I need to reread that story!” or “Hmmm, that’s fascinating — I hadn’t thought of it that way.” I am not sure it will appeal to people who’ve never read much Swanwick, but that’s OK. (Though I think it might — there’s a lot of off the cuff writing advice here, and interesting anecdotes, and just good writing.)"
— Black Gate
“You have here the rare luxury of inhabiting the uncanny world of Michael Swanwick. Try not to fall off.”
— Gregory Frost, author of Shadowbridge
"An intimate deep dive into the fiery cauldron of the creative process, Alvaro Zinos-Amaro’s Being Michael Swanwick can be equally enjoyed by devotees of Swanwick’s work and those looking for deeper insight into the craft of writing."
— Jacob Weisman, publisher of Tachyon Publications and co-author of Mingus Fingers
"The sorcerer reveals his secrets and his magic becomes all the more powerful for this telling. To read Being Michael Swanwick is pure joy!"
— Henry Wessells, author of The Private Life of Books
“Theodore Sturgeon taught us to ask the next question—but equally important is asking the right question. Alvaro Zinos-Amaro does both in this collection of interviews with one of our very finest sf writers. Few writers have been as central as has Michael Swanwick to both modern science fiction and fantasy literature and the communities from which it springs. Being Michael Swanwick offers detailed insights into both Swanwick’s individual works and those literatures and communities. An invaluable resource and a fascinating read.”
— F. Brett Cox, author of The End of All Our Exploring
"A fascinating collection of insightful interviews from a very sharp critic, of one of our smartest fantasy writers."
— Farah Mendlesohn, author of A Short History of Fantasy
"This absorbingly insightful conversation reveals not only what makes Michael Swanwick tick, and how his stories came about, but how the world of science fiction ticks, coping with and encouraging change and keeping science fiction fresh and vibrant."
— Mike Ashley, author of The History of the Science Fiction Magazine
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