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.
Michael Flynn -- May 9, 2009
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Saturday, May 9, 2009, 8p
Borders Books, Music & Cafe
Garden State Plaza, Suite 2200
Paramus, NJ 07652
201.712.1166
Borders Books, Music & Cafe
Garden State Plaza, Suite 2200
Paramus, NJ 07652
201.712.1166
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)