California Native Writes “The Psyche Behind Sci-Fi: The Power of Point of View”
Soon-to-be author Kristin Smith wants to help you write your next sci-fi novel.
Author Kristin Smith. (courtesy of Kristin Smith)
“The Psyche Behind Sci-Fi: The Power of Point Of View” is an educational think piece meant to help new and maturing writers navigate the different points of view an author can take when writing sci-fi and how they can affect a reader’s experience. The book will include original short stories in all three points of view and essays that analyze classic novels.
“It's kind of frustrating sometimes because I want it to be something good off the bat, even though [my team is] like your first draft is a mediocre thing, and you should be proud that you wrote a first draft, but that doesn't work for me,” Smith said. “I had to just battle to get something on the page and keep pushing forward.”
Smith, now an English Literature major at Georgia State, was used to focusing on fictional writing but chose “The Psyche Behind Sci-Fi” to challenge her. However, the book is inspired by her unreleased novel “Incipience,” which is set to release in Summer of 2021. “The Psyche Behind Sci-Fi” will also feature excerpts from the novel.
“I have to be more precise because fiction is chaotic, and you can do a lot of things. You can make it up as you go. But, I really needed this to be a very clear piece because it's supposed to be something to teach people,” Smith said.
Smith decided to partner with the New Degree Press (NDP) for publishing. NDP is a hybrid publishing company that allows writers to continue to own the rights to their work but offers some of the support a major publishing company would offer.
“In the landscape of it, most traditional publishers are fairly exclusive and difficult to publish with just because for most first time authors, you don't have a proven track record,” said Brian Bies, Head of Publishing at NDP. “What hybrid publishing is, [it’s] a middle ground. It's about giving you the benefits of support [and] the structure of a publishing company. And then also, at the same time, giving you control, and ownership of the creative process, like an author who's self-publishing where you own the rights to your work. You have the creative vision.”
While Smith has found writing a book and taking classes at the same time challenging, she expressed gratitude for her team at NDP for their support. Smith started by working with an editor. After a certain number of pages, it was time to move forward and discuss things like marketing and even a cover.
Customers who preorder “The Psyche Behind Sci-Fi: The Power of Point of View” will get to help Smith pick the final cover for her book. (Courtesy of Kristin Smith).
“I have a marketing and revisions editor, so while I'm revising my manuscript he's coaching me on how to interact with people and how to, like, spread the word about myself,” Smith said.
One of the main reasons Smith settled on this book was because it could be used by someone who may not have the means to pursue higher education to learn how to write.
“I honestly think it's overrated to have to go to a school to take writing classes because it's super expensive and that's not accessible. And I wanted people to be able to like, know what I know without having to pay what I paid and doing that. Creative writing is just like — Okay, this is just what I want to do if you don't like it you know, have fun with yourself, but [with] educational guidance.”
“The Psyche Behind Sci-Fi: The Power of Point of View” will be released in April 2021. It’s available for presale here.