The first thing you should know about Jayme Lynn Blaschke is that, despite his name, he is a guy. The next thing you should know is that he is a talented writer and interviewer. Voices of Vision is a collection of Blaschke's interviews done between 1997 and 2002. Some of these interviews have been previously published, while some are seeing the light of day for the first time.

Among those interviewed are Charles de Lint, Robin Hobb, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Harlan Ellison, Gardner Dozois and Neil Gaiman, to name just a few. A short introduction to each interview relates some of the circumstances surrounding the piece. The book is organized into four sections: The Editors, Unique Voices in Speculative Fiction (authors), The Comic Book Creators and Masters of Fantasy & Science Fiction (legendary authors). The interviews present an interesting range of information from how the editors choose to publish stories to Harlan Ellison's assertion that he doesn't actually write science fiction. It is always fascinating to see how creative people think and work, what brings them inspiration, even how they deal with their fans, and these interviews cover much of that.

My only complaint about this book has to do with the cover design. The photo is certainly evocative, but seems to me that it would be better placed on a horror novel than a book of interviews.

A good interviewer has to be able to think quickly on his or her feet to sometimes follow the good stuff that deviates from any planned questions or to rein in an interviewee who heads off into Outer Mongolia. Blaschke proves that he is well able to do both.

by Laurie Thayer
Rambles.NET
31 December 2005