#044: Robert J. Sawyer – How to win awards, The Oppenheimer Alternative, & the evolving publishing approach.

Robert J. Sawyer is one of only eight writers ever to win all three of the world’s top awards for best science-fiction novel of the year: the Hugo, the Nebula, and the formerly titled John W. Campbell Memorial Award. He has also won the Robert A. Heinlein Award, the Edward E. Smith Memorial Award, and the Hal Clement Memorial Award; the top SF awards in China, Japan, France, and Spain; and a record-setting sixteen Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards (“Auroras”).

Rob’s novel FlashForward was the basis for the ABC TV series of the same name, and he was a scriptwriter for that program. He also scripted the two-part finale for the popular web series Star Trek Continues.

He is a Member of the Order of Canada, the highest honor bestowed by the Canadian government, as well as the Order of Ontario, the highest honor given by his home province; he was also one of the initial inductees into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

In this episode we go deep into:

How Robert cut his teeth in fiction
The power of the first generation of British science fiction
The changing landscape of audiobooks
Why artistic ambition is the secret to winning awards
The truth behind the politics of awards
The origin of Robert’s latest book "The Oppenheimer Alternative"
How Robert’s writing process has changed over the year
Why you don’t need to be a scientist to write science-fiction
Why Robert is moving into self-publishing for his latest book
Negotiating the rights for each market with your books
Adopting public domain works to promote the classics
How Robert manages the marketing and promotion of his author business
How Robert ended up receiving his Member of the Order of Canada
Why Robert J Sawyer writes

Robert answers questions from Patrons:

Mark McClure: Are science fiction and speculative fiction two sides of the same genre?
How do you reward yourself when you've completed a project?
What would your profession be if you weren't a writer (or writing wasn't an option OR never existed)?

Find out more about Robert:

https://sfwriter.com/

Links from the show:

The Oppenheimer Alternative: https://books2read.com/u/bwdyZv

Special thanks to:

Intro vocals: Persephone Rose

Show theme: Karl Hughes

Become a Patron of the show! Get exclusive bonus content, find your tribe, and get early access to all episodes.

Thank you to my patrons:

David Hines

Harley Christensen

Jon Cronshaw

Jenn Mitchell

Innes Richens

Ian J Middleton

PT Hylton

Michael Anderle

Mark McClure

Katie Forrest

Yanni Jade

Meg Cowley

H.B. Lyne

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.