| Michael Flynn May 9, 2009 |
About Michael Flynn
Michael Flynn, sometimes published as Michael F. Flynn, works
full time as a statistician and writes science fiction as a sideline.
Nearly all of Flynn's work falls under the category of hard science
fiction, although his treatment of it can be unusual since he has
applied the rigor of hard science fiction to "softer" sciences such
as sociology in works such as In the Country of the Blind. Much
of his short fiction has appeared in Analog Science Fiction and
Fact. Visit his website at m-francis.livejournal.com.
Michael Flynn, sometimes published as Michael F. Flynn, works
full time as a statistician and writes science fiction as a sideline.
Nearly all of Flynn's work falls under the category of hard science
fiction, although his treatment of it can be unusual since he has
applied the rigor of hard science fiction to "softer" sciences such
as sociology in works such as In the Country of the Blind. Much
of his short fiction has appeared in Analog Science Fiction and
Fact. Visit his website at m-francis.livejournal.com.
Post Event Recap
Our May Face the Fiction guest, Michael Flynn had a very nice
turnout Saturday, 5/9/09 at Borders Garden State Plaza Mall.
Being a prize-winning bestseller, Mr. Flynn had fans in the seats
long before his scheduled 8p presentation! We had to ask the
store for more chairs.
Michael Flynn is an American statistician and science fiction
author. He was also quite humorous and poked fun at himself
and fandom. The majority of Mr. Flynn's work falls under the
category of hard science fiction. Much of his short fiction has
appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact. He was shocked
when only three or so hands went up when he asked who reads
Analog. He then promptly told those who were not familiar
with Analog that they could not listen to the answer - lol.
Mr. Flynn discussed his beginnings with much humor thrown in.
He told us about his break into writing (he got into a magazine -
that he was editor of - lol). When asked how he would have felt
if he had gotten a rejection notice, he glibly answered, "I'd
imagine not too good. That would've been bad."
He discussed his journey to prize-winning author by going
through his book in chronological order (I'll list his works at the
end of the recap). He talked about each book. He told us what
he liked or changed and how when trying to break into writing,
you'd have to learn how to edit - a lot. He explained the
emotional links to your work and that you have to be prepared
for rejection/editing and comments. It's what makes your work
better.
At one point, Mr. Flynn stopped to tell us about his
granddaughter who had just won first place in a writing contest.
He then very proudly pointed her out as she was trying to
discreetly look at manga. She hid, but very proud grandpa's work
was done!
Mr. Flynn opened the floor up to questions and was promptly
flooded with them. Bill and Mr. Flynn had a nice chat about
Pennsylvania (we were told that there are actually three PAs -
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the rest). Steve Rubin, Steve's father
and Paul also asked lot of questions and came prepared with
books for the author to sign (Paul had a huge bagful!). Mike P
had some questions pertaining to writing. Mr. Flynn had an
hour and half ride home, so he wrapped up, signed books and
thanked us. We can't thank him enough! Thanks to Mr. Flynn
for being such a great guest and for the awesome books he
provides us.
Big thanks to Steve who was responsible for this guest! Thanks
Steve.
Mr. Flynn headed home while we headed off to the diner
where they were having free bread night ;) Chris H stole the
bread out of a poor starving individual's mouth. Aurelia
wrapped bread to keep it away from Chris. Jo pocketed bread
sticks, but not the broken bits of crackers. We also had Bill
showing his pictures and regaling us with his stories. All in all,
much fun.
Short fiction (chronological order)
"Eifelheim" (1986) (nominee for Best Novella Hugo Award,
1987)
"The Forest of Time" (1987) (Hugo Best Novella nominee,
1988)
"The Adventure of the Laughing Clone" (1988)
"From the corner of the eye" Analog 113/13 (Nov 1993)
"Melodies of the heart" Analog 114/1&2 (Jan 1994 (Hugo
Best Novella nominee, 1995)
"The promise of God" F&SF 88/3 [526] (Mar 1995)
"Southern Strategy" (2002) Published in the collection,
Alternate Generals II, 2002, ed. Harry Turtledove, Baen Books
"The Ensorcelled ATM" (2005) Published in the anthology
The Enchanter Completed, 2005, ed. Harry Turtledove, Baen
Books
"Dawn, and Sunset, and the Colours of the Earth"
(Asimov's Oct/Nov 2006), Hugo nomination 2007
"Quaestiones super caelo et mundo" Analog 127/7&8
(Jul/Aug 2007), Sidewise Award for Alternate History
"Sand and iron" Analog 128/7&8 (Jul/Aug 2008) : 86-100
Novels
In the Country of the Blind (1990, revised 2001)
(Prometheus Award and Compton Crook Award)
Fallen Angels (with Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle) (1991)
(Prometheus Award, Seiun Award)
Firestar cycle
Firestar (1996)
Rogue Star (1998)
Lodestar (2000)
Falling Stars (2001)
The Wreck of The River of Stars (2003)
Eifelheim (2006) (Hugo nomination 2007)
The January Dancer (2008)
Collections
The Nanotech Chronicles (1991)
The Forest of Time and other stories (1997)
Our May Face the Fiction guest, Michael Flynn had a very nice
turnout Saturday, 5/9/09 at Borders Garden State Plaza Mall.
Being a prize-winning bestseller, Mr. Flynn had fans in the seats
long before his scheduled 8p presentation! We had to ask the
store for more chairs.
Michael Flynn is an American statistician and science fiction
author. He was also quite humorous and poked fun at himself
and fandom. The majority of Mr. Flynn's work falls under the
category of hard science fiction. Much of his short fiction has
appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact. He was shocked
when only three or so hands went up when he asked who reads
Analog. He then promptly told those who were not familiar
with Analog that they could not listen to the answer - lol.
Mr. Flynn discussed his beginnings with much humor thrown in.
He told us about his break into writing (he got into a magazine -
that he was editor of - lol). When asked how he would have felt
if he had gotten a rejection notice, he glibly answered, "I'd
imagine not too good. That would've been bad."
He discussed his journey to prize-winning author by going
through his book in chronological order (I'll list his works at the
end of the recap). He talked about each book. He told us what
he liked or changed and how when trying to break into writing,
you'd have to learn how to edit - a lot. He explained the
emotional links to your work and that you have to be prepared
for rejection/editing and comments. It's what makes your work
better.
At one point, Mr. Flynn stopped to tell us about his
granddaughter who had just won first place in a writing contest.
He then very proudly pointed her out as she was trying to
discreetly look at manga. She hid, but very proud grandpa's work
was done!
Mr. Flynn opened the floor up to questions and was promptly
flooded with them. Bill and Mr. Flynn had a nice chat about
Pennsylvania (we were told that there are actually three PAs -
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the rest). Steve Rubin, Steve's father
and Paul also asked lot of questions and came prepared with
books for the author to sign (Paul had a huge bagful!). Mike P
had some questions pertaining to writing. Mr. Flynn had an
hour and half ride home, so he wrapped up, signed books and
thanked us. We can't thank him enough! Thanks to Mr. Flynn
for being such a great guest and for the awesome books he
provides us.
Big thanks to Steve who was responsible for this guest! Thanks
Steve.
Mr. Flynn headed home while we headed off to the diner
where they were having free bread night ;) Chris H stole the
bread out of a poor starving individual's mouth. Aurelia
wrapped bread to keep it away from Chris. Jo pocketed bread
sticks, but not the broken bits of crackers. We also had Bill
showing his pictures and regaling us with his stories. All in all,
much fun.
Short fiction (chronological order)
"Eifelheim" (1986) (nominee for Best Novella Hugo Award,
1987)
"The Forest of Time" (1987) (Hugo Best Novella nominee,
1988)
"The Adventure of the Laughing Clone" (1988)
"From the corner of the eye" Analog 113/13 (Nov 1993)
"Melodies of the heart" Analog 114/1&2 (Jan 1994 (Hugo
Best Novella nominee, 1995)
"The promise of God" F&SF 88/3 [526] (Mar 1995)
"Southern Strategy" (2002) Published in the collection,
Alternate Generals II, 2002, ed. Harry Turtledove, Baen Books
"The Ensorcelled ATM" (2005) Published in the anthology
The Enchanter Completed, 2005, ed. Harry Turtledove, Baen
Books
"Dawn, and Sunset, and the Colours of the Earth"
(Asimov's Oct/Nov 2006), Hugo nomination 2007
"Quaestiones super caelo et mundo" Analog 127/7&8
(Jul/Aug 2007), Sidewise Award for Alternate History
"Sand and iron" Analog 128/7&8 (Jul/Aug 2008) : 86-100
Novels
In the Country of the Blind (1990, revised 2001)
(Prometheus Award and Compton Crook Award)
Fallen Angels (with Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle) (1991)
(Prometheus Award, Seiun Award)
Firestar cycle
Firestar (1996)
Rogue Star (1998)
Lodestar (2000)
Falling Stars (2001)
The Wreck of The River of Stars (2003)
Eifelheim (2006) (Hugo nomination 2007)
The January Dancer (2008)
Collections
The Nanotech Chronicles (1991)
The Forest of Time and other stories (1997)
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