Betsy Mitchell
Betsy Mitchell has been a New York science fiction/fantasy editor for more than 30 years, holding senior positions at Baen Books, Bantam Spectra, Warner Books, and the Random House Publishing Group, where she spent ten years as Vice President/Editor-in-Chief of Del Rey. As well as being the owner of Betsy Mitchell Editorial Services, she is currently a consultant for corporate clients such as Open Road Integrated Media, where she acquires and republishes backlist science fiction and fantasy.
She has edited more than 150 titles, including such works as Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon, Bearers of the Black Staff by Terry Brooks, Virtual Light by William Gibson, and Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik (all New York Times bestsellers); the Hugo Award-winner Hyperion by Dan Simmons, and the Nebula Award-winner Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler. She received a World Fantasy Award for co-editing the anthology Full Spectrum 4.
Read the Short Story Behind the Sci-Fi Film Needle in a Timestack
What if a romantic rival changed your past?
More Than Just the One Ring: 9 Fantasy Books Featuring Magical Jewelry
Tolkien’s One Ring may top the list of magical jewelry, but there are scores of powerful shiny objects in fantasy.
She Tried to Wake Me: My Humbling First Meeting With Octavia Butler
Octavia Butler's long-time editor Betsy Mitchell shares the story of their memorable first meeting.
7 Visionary Quotes from Sci-Fi Futurist Bruce Sterling
The prescient author of Islands in the Net and Schismatrix foresaw many aspects of modern life.
Interview: Nnedi Okorafor Talks the Wild Seed TV Adaptation and Octavia Butler
The Binti author discusses the powerful relationship at the heart of Wild Seed, and how the TV adaptation will defy expectations.
Journey Through Tolkien's Artwork at the Morgan Library & Museum
This exhibition of original Tolkien works offers an inside glimpse of the author's process and will delight devotees of Middle-earth.
First Read: Poul Anderson's Operation Chaos and Operation Luna
Seasoned sci-fi and fantasy editor Betsy Mitchell dives into Poul Anderson's urban paranormal duology for the first time.
Terry Brooks Talks Moving from Fantasy to the Future for His Novel Street Freaks
The author of the Shannara saga explains why he took a break from epic fantasy with a futuristic thriller set in dystopian L.A.
REVIEW: Harry Potter: A History of Magic
The fascinating exhibit is on display at the New-York Historical Society until January 27, 2019.
Truth Is Change: The Evolution of Octavia Butler's Cover Art
Octavia Butler's editor looks back at some of the worst — and best — out-of-print covers for the late author's influential books.
Triumphant Musical Adaptation Shows the Power of Butler's Parable of the Sower
One of Octavia E. Butler's editors shares how a new opera highlights the prescience and beauty of the late author's dystopian masterpiece.
Philip José Farmer's Books Are More Relevant Than Ever
Thirty years after it first came out, Philip José Farmer's "Dayworld" continues to resonate with modern readers.
First Read: “Way Station,” by Clifford D. Simak
Seasoned sci-fi and fantasy editor Betsy Mitchell dives into Clifford Simak's award winning, out-of-this-world read for the very first time.
