Alastair Reynolds interview in Physics World

There's a nice interview with Alastair Reynolds in Physics World [Via SFSignal].

I used to have Physics World delivered to me in the past, when I was a physicist. In fact probably still got some knocking around somewhere. I don't remember any interviews with SF authors! Interesting to see things from the physicist becoming writer angle.

Alastair's advice...

What advice do you have for physics students thinking of a career in science-fiction writing?

Write short fiction, and keep working at it until you break into the science-fiction magazine market. Many of the big names made an initial splash in the magazine market, and it's often how they caught the eye of editors and publishers. I published my first stories when I was working towards my PhD and the contacts I established from those early days eventually led to my getting a contract to write novels. Also, make the most of your scientific literacy. Editors like to see "hard science-fiction" stories — fiction where the science plays a strong role in the narrative, even if it's wildly speculative. They never see enough of this type of story, and so are more than willing to forgive minor deficiencies in characterization, plotting, style and so on, provided the ideas are fascinating. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't work hard at those things as well — no one gets a get-out-of-jail-free card!