The BSFA publish 14 magazines per year, over six bi-monthly mailings.
Magazines are mailed to all current members (join
here!), and are also available to non-members, both at various SF
conventions and by post. (Email
us for details)
Each mailing includes Matrix,
the BSFA sf newsletter magazine, and Vector,
the critical and reviews journal of the BSFA. Two mailings also include
Focus, the BSFA writers' magazine. These
generally fall in the March/April and September/October mailings, while
in the months in between Matrix
carries regular updates in its 'Out of Focus' column .
Matrix, outside of Dave Langford's monthly Ansible factsheet which also appears in Interzone, is probably the only regular and wide-ranging source of sf related news, topics and events to be published in Britain. Regular features now include listings of all current and forthcoming titles from the major and independent sf publishers, news on awards and writers, film and media releases, clubs and conventions, and small press magazines and publications listings.
Vector
has probably the broadest review coverage of sf, fantasy and horror
titles of any regular sf magazine. Whether your tastes run from Banks
and Barnes to Warrington and Wells or all points in between, this is
your essential first stop on the way to the bookshop. In-depth articles,
interviews and editorials provide the critical meat for Vector
to chew on, from the films of Terry Gilliam to the exploration of
Mars, from politics and gender to science and superstition.
If you want to write, then the first piece of advice is "you have to
read". And Focus is one of the
things you should be reading. As well as features and discussion topics
on plotting, characterisation, pacing (well, we need to get some exercise
occasionally) and dialogue, as well as the joys and pitfalls of research
and revision, Focus carries details
of competitions, courses,markets, news and literary events.
Also allied to Focus is the BSFA
Orbiter system
of postal writing workshops to hone your skills as a writer and critic
and editor. If you've only shown your work to your family and friends,
it may be your first introduction to the 'school of hard knocks'. If
you're serious about writing, it almost certainly won't be your last.
Between Matrix,
Vector
and Focus, we believe we have the best
all-round coverage of what's happening in science fiction, fantasy and
horror, whether it comes between covers or on the screen. We hope to
be informative, entertaining, sometimes provocative and maybe even useful.
If you're serious about science fiction (but not too serious, we do
crack a smile occasionally) then we'd like you to join
us.
There is a useful index and guide to the magazines.
Some back issues are available -- please contact
us for details.
