This is a rare and superbly-executed collection of stories, advice, and gentle encouragement in the direction of writing, for anyone who ever wanted to try. Beyond plot, character, setting, and so forth, there are also essays on some of the more subtle topics... finding exactly the right word, getting the perfect tone, and so forth. And above and beyond that, it's an excellent collection of short stories.

Not only is this book packed with some of the best SF stories of the decade, but each story has an insightful essay by the author. If you have ever wanted to learn more about the writing process, or are just interested in learning more about your favorate SFauthor, this is a great place to start!