SCIENCE FICTION SUMMER nriT 7TT?TI7 NUMBER 55 1985 Fin V xJIj VV $2-50

INTERVIEWS: K.W. JETER & ROBERT E. VARDEMAN

ORSON SCOTT CARD JOHN BRUNNER SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW

PORTLAND, OR 97211 MAY, 1985 -VOL. 14, NO. 2 PH0I€: (503) 282-0381 WHOLE NUMBER 55

RICHARD E. GEIS—editor & publisher PAULETTE MINARE', ASSOCIATE EDITOR ALIEN THOUGHTS. ..4 BY RICHARD E. GEIS COVER BY ALLEN KOSZOWSKI PUBLISHED QUARTERLY FEB., MAY, AUG., NOV.

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smu PRESS NOTES... ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS, NEW AND OLD, ARE BY RICHARD E. GEIS HONORED AND FULFILLED ON AN ISSUES NUMBER BASIS. THE INTERNATIONAL WIZARD OF OZ CLUB-A REPORT FROM Copyright (c) 1985 by Richard E. OVER THE RAINBOW.39 Geis. One-time rights only have BY NEAL WILGUS been acquired from signed or cred¬ ited contributors, and all other rights are hereby assigned to the INTERVIEW: contributors. ROBERT E. VARDEMAN.40 CONDUCTED BY NEAL WILGUS SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW is published at 1525 N.E. Ainsworth, Portland, NOT NECESSARILY REVIEWS.45 NO ADVERTISING WILL BE ACCEPTED OR 97211 BY RICHARD E. GEIS Second Class Postage Paid POSTMASTER: Send address changes at Portland, OR 97208 to SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW RAISING HACKLES.47 POB 11408 BY ELTON T. ELLIOTT Portland, OR 97211 REVIEWS- DR. ADDER. BENCHMARKS. STEPHEN KING: THE ART OF DARKNESS. THE AtJb BESIDES THE TEm BELOVED EXILE. THE WILD SHORE. A GUIDE TO THE STAR WARS English-Hebrew TmctiomarV' NAKED EWL THE TBAWst-ATlO^thereof. UNIVERSE. INCARNATE. CREWEL LYE: A CAUSTIC YARN. ID THE GALMOUR. THE MAKING OF DUNE. DOON. THE PERSONAL JOURNAL HORSEMASTER. OF RICHARD E. GEIS THE IVANHOE GAMBIT. THE TIHEKEEPER CONSPIRACY. THE PIFPRENELL PLOT. Issues #1 and #2 are available. ON THE DOWN HILL SIDE. Dated from Feb. 1 to March 5, OUT OF THE CRADLE: EXPLORING from March 7 to April 3. TriEFRONTIERS BEYOND EARTH. NIGHT VISIONS I. Thoughts on years to live. THE VULCAN ACADEMY MURDERS. Mortality, aging, physical A MORTAL GLAMOUR. ills. THE INHERITOR. Professional writing ideas. THE MIST. LIGHT YEARS AND DARK. Movie reviews. THE YEAR'S BEST SF, FIRST Libertarian observations. ANNUAL COLLECTION. STORPWARDEN. The Gestetner, stencils. ONCE THERE WAS A GIANT. THE SPY WHO DRANK BLOOD. Being mistaken for a drug SIXTY SELECTED POEMS. pusher. SOUTH OF THE MOON. The failing economy. NEW LIBERTARIAN. CLAUSTROPHOBIA. The Playboy channel, dirty LATE KNIGHT EDITION. movies, censorship. FIRE AND FOG. National defense strategy. PILLAR OF NIGHT. THE UNION CLUB MYSTERIES. Next Issue. Sexual and physical abuse of DAYWORLD. children. Kids may be social THE FACES OF SCIENCE FICTION... Next issue is up in the air. lepers to adults. Is it pos¬ TIK-TOK. A lot of the regular column¬ sible for any adult-child sex FOOTFALL. ists will be with us, and I to be good? ORBITSVILLE DEPARTURE. will be here, and probably The hermit in me. BEAST MARKS. Orson Scott Card will make CONVERTS. another heroic effort...and Looking for Mr. Fireplace In¬ CRYPT OF CTHULHU. there may be something from sert. WEIRDBOOK. John Shirley... Fighting with the post office. KADATH. But nothing else is in GHOSTS AND SCHOLARS. hand and in the pot. Some¬ Prejudiced—am I? WHISPERS. body have an interview they'd FANTASY BOOK. like published? An article? The American empire. WEIRD TALES. (But keep in mind I no longer "Stealing" mail. FANTASY TALES. pay for material.) BORDERLAND. Letter from a child abuser. INTERZONE. The public morality. LAST WAVE. SOMETHING ELSE. The Ohio financial crisis. ELFQUEST, BOOK FOUR. INTERIOR ART- Augmented sex—a catalog—an order. TIM KIRK-2,4,38

THE NAKED ID is published whenever eight pages have been i—5,8,21,28,29,41, completed. $1.00 per issue. (US$1.60 for overseas airmail) ^ID transue—5,9,13,14,15,17,34, All issues sent first class. Subscription limit: 10 issues. -10,22,33,35,36,37,^5, Please make all checks payable to Richard E, GeisT OLE PETTERSON—-12J.6 P.O. Box 11408 BONDURANT—-18,23,54 Portland, OR 97211 S. FOX—31 ALF KLOSTERMAN—39 ocieo THOUGHTS | RICHARD E. GEIS |

HERE THERE BE ROTSLERS sex-for-pay cm Mather Earth has been including a Gilliland cover car¬ legal for many decades, and the Sex toon. Bill Rotsler has sent along Guild which trains and certifies The book will run about 100 another fat 9x12 full of cartoons Conj)aniens is well established and ages, I'm told, and probably cost and fillos, for distribution to trusted; its graduates and members 7.95 plus $2. shipping and handling those faneds who want them. As are hired by space and planet cor¬ before, send me a stamped, self-ad¬ porations and wealthy individuals. It's written in a conversational dressed #10 business envelope (or Trouble is, Toi keeps getting style—you knew me—and has also a 5x7 would be fine) and I'll send into trouble_ a lot of quotes from my early and a selection of his illos for use in Maybe next issue I'll have some¬ late sex novels. your fanzine. thing to offer. Some of the chapter titles are: Your only obligation is to send "Who Is Richard E. Geis, And Bill a copy of the publication in Why Is He Writing This?" which his art appears. His ad¬ "A Short History Of The Modem dress is: DEPT. OF KORRECTIONS Porno Novel, 1960-1985, With Caustic William Rotsler Jim Stunn is the editor/publish- Asides And Wry Truths" 17909 Lull Street, "Writing Dirty Stories And Novels Reseda, CA 91335 er of LIVING FREE. Paul Doerr is the editor/publisher of PIONEER. or Fun, A Hobby That Will Shock Your [Remember, a 5x7 envelope requires Relatives And Amaze Your Friends" at least 39f postage because of its On p.58, SFR #54, I attributed LIVING FREE to Paul. Jim took um¬ "Writing Porno Novels For Prof¬ 'off size'. So spake the postal it-The Nitty Gritty And The Down service. Don't blame me.] brage. Three full pounds of it as a matter of fact. [A joke, Jim, a And Dirty" joke. ] LIVING FREE is a very inter¬ This book gives real, honest-to- esting, valuable personal journal of God detailed advice on writing sex AN LM-IKELY INVESTFENT self liberation. scenes, sex novel structures, themes, L.W. Currey, Inc., an Antiquar¬ Personally, I'm into self-grati¬ the areas you can't enter, those you ian Bookseller in Elizabethtown, NY fication. . .heh-heh. Pass the ice mist enter. Yes, there are taboos 12932, sent me their Winter-Spring cream. in the pomo field. 1985 fantasy and sf catalog. Imagine ray surprise and pleasure to note that my three self-publish¬ ed limited edition mimeographed nov¬ # John Shirley is moving to Holly¬ els are listed. And at heavy pric- wood from NJ—will be there by now —and in a phone call contributed CANNED MEAT--$30. these jokes: STAR WHORES--J25. 'Trust me' in Los Angeles means: THE CORPORATION STRIKES BACK-- Fuck you. $25. A Polish actress came to Holly¬ Huh! So all you curious, interested wood and fucked the writers! SFR readers who bought one of those copies [only about 475 of each were available] are now holders of coll¬ ectors items. Original price: $4. HOW TO VKITE PORNO NOVELS FOR FUN Gad, maybe I should publish a- AND PROFIT gain! Yes, yes, the third novel of is the title of a book the Toi King erotic sf series should I wrote for Michael Hoy, editor be issued. and publisher, head honcho of Loom- You may remember that Toi King panics Unlimited. is a member of Hie Sex Guild, a I just got word from Mike that Companion Che [the highest rating] HOW TO--- will be published in May and devastatingly beautiful and (About the time you'll be reading intelligent. this), and that it will have 12 In this future of extensive Alexis Gilliland cartoons in it. space flight and 52 colony worlds. Heresy/Weird Ideas # I've already pasted-up and clos¬ Anarchism and Egoism ed the letter section. I'm days Self Publishing late getting this issue to the This catalog is a litmus test of printer. And today a letter from your real feelings about freedom. Richard F.X. O'Connor, formerly the Marketing Director of Donning [see letters from R. Friedman and Kay Reynolds this issue], who confirms that he left Donning "under my own # THERE IS A CONSPIRACY among the steam to launch my own firm. O' Con¬ artists who contribute to SFR. I nor House. Our parting was at my know! I know! I'm on to you fel¬ instigation and not Denning's, and lows. In spite of my asking you to ease off on sending me illos, you it was amicable." have sent more! My art box is This is another response to overflowing! And you're doing this Janrae Frank's letter in SFR #54. to me in order to inpose obligat¬ ion! In order to make me continue # Be seeing you next issue, barr¬ on and on with SFR, year after ing death, alien invasion, the com¬ year, in order to use up all this plete disintegration of the postal artwork. [While you send more...] servicet 0r the sale of a novel for I really do need some cover- $1,000,000. or so. size artwork. Beyond that, please, please, for the love of God, Montres- or! No more illos. No more car¬ toons. If you'd like to order a copy, the address is: Loompanics Unlimited P.0. Box 1197 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Some other recent books publish¬ ed by Loompanics are WHO SAYS PARA¬ NOIA ISN"T "IN" ANY MORE? The sec¬ ond hilarious collection of Alexis Gilliland cartoons, with an Intro¬ duction by Richard E. Geis. $5.95 plus $2. s5h. TECHNIQUES OF REVENGE, a conpila- tion of ways to Get Even; chilling and effective. $7.95 + $2. The newest Loonpanics catalog is available and it lists and describes hundreds of "underground" books. As Mike Hoy writes in his Introduction to the catalog: "So controversial are the books we offer that most magazines will not allow us to advertise. Bookstores and distributors will not

"We know where we belong: we are the lunatic fringe of the libertar¬ ian movement. Because we do not be¬ lieve in limits. We do not believe in laws, rules or regulations. We FREE on request you can receive a copy of the November 1949 issue have contempt for censorship, secrecy of Astounding Science Fiction. WHY? Because it is a very high quality and dogmatism. We don't give a damn microfiche edition that you need to see to believe! Microfiche (film), written about being "respectable." We don't about as science fiction for years, is now science fact. With your FREE care about anything except your right copy of Astounding Science Fiction (with no obligation) comes complete

Nothing is sacred to us except scap- Analog from 1930 through 1984. Also available is a 200 page index, ticism and self-relia covers in color microfiche, and desk/bedside reader/projectors. Why Some of the subjects and cate¬ wait? Find out about this remarkable collection today. A First from Science gories in this catalog are: Fiction Fteview. The Underground Economy Tax Avoidance Fake I.D. Conducting Investigations Con Games and Swindles Self Defense Guns/Silencers/Knives/Bombs Murder and Torture Survival Paralegal Skills Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll I never consciously made a de¬ cision to stop writing short fic¬ tion. I didn't even notice I had stopped until someone pointed it on out. But then I wondered why. It wasn't just because I was writing novels -- I wrote some of my best short stuff after finish¬ ing my first three books. Maybe I stopped because I ac¬ sycamore tually learned how to write novels. By the time I was through with HART'S HOPE, THE WORTHING CHRONI¬ CLE and all 1000 manuscript pages of WOMAN OF DESTINY, long treat¬ ments felt natural. I got used to hill having room to flesh things out. To linger a little. To build through lots of different scenes. Even the few short stories I actually wrote in the last few years were really novel-length id¬ eas struggling to get out. "The Changed Man and the King of Words," my last short story to see print, cost me tremendous effort just to cut it down to size. I left out a lot. And the story suffered from it. There were two stories before that, which were every bit as bad a as the ones Ben Bova didn't buy when I was starting out. The story I wrote in the fall of 1983 was the first chapter of a novel. The editors noticed that fact and did not buy the story. personal You think I didn't worry? I'm the guy who had forty-plus stories published from 1977 to 1981. Four Hugo nominations, two Nebula nomin¬ ations, an absurdly high paper ad¬ vance for my second novel. You view know me -- the one Ted White accus¬ ed of indecent exposure. And now I couldn't write short stories anymore. I couldn't even think of short stories. Now, that may not seem like much of a worry. As long as I'm selling novels for a fair price, it's not as if my kids will starve because I've got nothing to send Ed Ferman. by I wasn't even reading short fiction; ever since I burned out doing my SFR short fiction review column, I hadn't opened a magazine more than a couple of times, just to read a story by a close friend. orson I don't think I read more than three SF novels I didn't write my¬ self since 1982.

So when Mark Van Name and John scott Kessel invited me to the Sycamore Hill Writers Workshop, I wasn't sure. A workshop sounded good to me -- I liked teaching at Clarion, and really enjoyed teaching science card 6 fiction writing at the University of Utah. Those were both work¬ family of actors who traveled from the workshop I could print out on shops, and they were great. I town to town, putting on pageants Mark Van Name's PC, so I wouldn't said yes, definitely, count me in. on the back of their flatbed truck have to worry about taking a print¬ in exchange for gasoline and food er with me. I loaded everything And then I realized that there and spare parts for the truck. into the rust-corroded '76 Datsun was a key difference between those B-210 so my wife could have the other workshops and Sycamore Hill. That story would be a novel, Renault, and drove up the road to At Sycamore Hill, I was going to though, if I wrote it in prose, so get Gregg. have to put my own stories at risk. I couldn't use it for the workshop. However, I had two more stories in What stories? It was cold and rainy. Not that milieu vaguely plotted out. surprisingly, for January in North I sent in my thirty-five bucks. One was about a group of people who Carolina. But we'd been spoiled I marked the days on the calendar. go to the half-submerged Salt Lake lately, three weeks of summery Then I buried myself in writing Temple to try to salvage some fab¬ weather -- I'd taken walks in my SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD and a script led gold that the Mormons were sup¬ shirt sleeves. I didn't even bring for the Hansen Planetarium. Half¬ posed to have hidden there. The a heavy coat or a sweater, but I way through SPEAKER I realized I other, set in a desert-edge commun¬ began to realize right away that had to throw away that draft --a ity, was about a schoolteacher this did nothing to prove my intel¬ minor character had taken over and with cerebral palsy who uses a ligence. it wasn't the book I wanted to computer to synthesize his voice. write. That was November. I Gregg brought his Osborne and The only trouble was, it was started doing a long overdue story a suitcase; we stopped for gas and Wednesday afternoon and when Gregg for George Martin's Campbell Award I bought six liters of Diet Coke. Keizer got off work that day at Winners anthology. This will be I had visions of maybe not eating Compute! Books, I would pick him the story I take to Sycamore Hill, anything but the Coke, to shed some up and drive us to Mark Van Name's I thought. of the 45 pounds I'd picked up work¬ house for the workshop. There was ing at a desk the last two years. But it wasn't a short story. no time to write the story. There We drove 1-85 and US 70 and then A third of the way through, I knew was barely time to finish up a I managed to forget the name of the it wasn't even a novella. If I couple of other things that abso¬ road we were supposed to turn on told the whole story the way it lutely had to be done so my family after that. We ended up driving needed to be told, it was a novel. could eat while I was gone. right on into Raleigh, which I knew I was doing it again. I still I was going to Sycamore Hill was wrong; we found a payphone, couldn't tell a short story if it with nothing written, nothing at called, found out we were closer killed me. all. Oh, I could give them a frag¬ than I thought. Rain and darkness I left out chapters and kept ment of WYRMS, but what a cheat make it hard to find your way to a it down to some 42,000 words and that would be. I knew it was a house you've only visited in day¬ sent UNWYRM off to George. He told good novel, of the kind I write, light. But I also knew my mind me he could tell where the chapters anyway, and what could they tell wasn't working altogether right. were missing and asked for changes. from a fragment? There was no way I was too nervous to see I made the changes, sent the new they'd want to read 300 pages, and straight. I had to write a couple version, and then realized that I no time to make eight copies even of stories in the next few days, had half a novel sitting there and if they did. and then listen to a bunch of writ¬ I knew what the other half was. So I packed up the PCjr -- not ers tell me that I obviously must Why not finish it? So I spent Nov¬ the computer I usually work on, have had a ghostwriter on "Unaccom¬ ember and December turning UNWYRM but the only one I owned that was panied Sonata;" these little dreck- into a novel, WYRMS. I finished it small enough to carry and big lings couldn't possibly come from right after Christmas. Then I enough to run a real word proces¬ the same mind. Not just writers, had to write a new version of the sing program. Whatever I wrote at Sblished writers, and the ones I planetarium script and do my column ew, I had great respect for. for AHOY! magazine in a panic and John Kessel had pulled off the mir¬ here it was New Year's Day and I acle and got a Nebula, Greg Frost hadn't written anything short. I had a novel that had actually earn¬ was committed to going to Sycamore ed out its advance, Gregg Keizer Hill and I didn't have a stOTy. and Mark Van Name had given me But all during the month of De¬ plenty of opportunities to know cember, I had been working now and they were gifted writers and per¬ then on the stories I knew I want¬ ceptive critics, and above all, ed to write. They were set in Utah, every single person at the workshop the place I know best in all the had sold at least two short stories world, in a future after a limited since I had last sold one. nuclear exchange and heavy biolog¬ It was dark and wet and the ical warfare -- enough to decimate coldest night of the year. Evepr- the population, cool the climate, body had already eaten spaghetti but leave plenty of hope for the when we got there. There was some future. Hie Great Salt Lake was left, but true to my resolution to filling up, covering the most heav¬ starve myself, I drank half a liter ily populated parts of Utah. of Coke and dragged my stuff down into the basement. The temperature My stories focused around peo¬ of the basement made me wonder if ple surviving. Not just any people maybe it was heated with geotherm¬ my people. Mormons, and the non- al energy and the earth was cool¬ Mrnnons who live among them and ing faster than anybody thought. must adapt to this curiously secu¬ I went back upstairs. lar religion. I had first worked on this milieu back in 1980, when There were a bunch of people I outlined a play about a small sitting aroiaid the table laughing and enjoying themselves. Gregg cat, had a look of innocence and writing class at the U of U (not Keizer, as usual, immediately fit complacency that was not to be be¬ that I had anything to teach him); in and was part of the conversation lieved. Was it so? Yes, indeed, even then, whenever I looked at as if he'd been drinking beer with a little pile of kitty poo in my him I had the vague feeling that these guys every day for years. boudoir. It was going to be a I had just said something stupid I, as usual, hadn't the faintest long night. but out of kindness he wasn't go¬ idea how to get into anything. ing to tell anybody. It took years; Houses in North Carolina are I've long envied that quality in but I finally realized that this designed for suraner. Lots of air Gregg -- without calling attention iiipression was absolutely right. circulating through the walls, to himself, he can slide into any that sort of thing. This is not Che thing I've always hated in situation and within minutes it's as comfortable during a real cold bad workshop situations is when the as if he belonged there all his snap. By morning I felt like I critics vie with each other for the life. The only time I'm instantly had spent the night in Gulag, cleverest evisceration of the vic¬ comfortable is when I'm expected stiff and cold. Ten people show¬ tim. The criticism of the first to perform. Give me an audience of ering doesn't leave a lot of hot story made it clear that this group ten or ten thousand, and I know I water either, and I had stayed up was not going to do that. Oh, can hold them as long as I want; so late reading stories that I was there was some humor, but there was I've never had stage fright in my not exactly the first to shower. never any cruelty. I saw no evi¬ life. I enjoy even more the kind dence that anyone ever spoke with¬ of conversation where the idea is So I was not feeling at my best out considering the feelings of when we gathered around a group of what matters and the level of the writer hearing the criticism. thought is very high. But when I'm tables in the dining room at ten with tsi people, many of than o'clock. John Kessel read a form¬ And yet no one was ever spar¬ strangers, who are in party mode -- al statement but couldn't keep a ing, either. If we hated a story, banter, with no serious topic of straight face through the whole we said so. We also said why. conversation to attack -- I don't thing. We had some pretty simple And best of all, the comnents were belong. I've got no small talk. rules. Everybody got a turn to intelligent. When somebody pointed I always sound stupid to myself and talk about the story except the out something that I hadn't notice^ the glazed look on other people's author, who kept his mouth shut un¬ I always felt a little embarrassed faces tells me they usually agree. til it was all over. After every¬ that I hadn't noticed it. These So I did what I always do; I re¬ body had spoken, the author could guys knew how to read. treated, avoided the group at the then answer, if he was capable of And I was going to give them speech. table, busied myself with setting a story? up the computer, putting my Cokes And I mean he. About as many in the fridge, talking to Mark's There was only one bit of ten¬ women as men ha3~been invited, but wife Rana. sion at that first criticism ses¬ each for her own reason, the female sion. One of the writers did start writers had all declined. So it Finally things got structured making some comnents that were on for a minute and I could fit in. was just us guys. The old locker the level of, "You said here, 'Her We all met together long enough to room. I've never been half as com¬ eyes fell an the paper he held,' decide whose stories would be done fortable with men as with women. and I thought. There they go, plop- which days. This was Wednesday Locker rooms always smelled like plop." I really hate that sort of night. Tomorrow we'd do only two sweat and old spattered urine to criticism. In the first place, the stories, one from Jim Kelly and me. one from Greg Frost. We set up To my relief, this was no foot¬ four a day for Friday, Saturday, ball team. Greg Frost, for in¬ Sunday and Monday. Since I hadn't stance, will be unable to keep a written a story yet -- the only one straight face in his coffin. Allen who had come unprepared -- they Wold has a pony tail down to here. scheduled my first one for Satur¬ Scott Sanders looks like a college day. I couldn't even tell them a professor among a bunch of freshmen title. Everyone was very polite who surprise him by being so yourg. about it. But I was sure that be¬ Jim Kelly has a beatific grace and hind their smiles they were all looks as sensitive as the young calculating exactly how many Peter O'Toole. Steve Carper looks pounds I was overweight. "Enough like he's doing complex logarithms extra flesh on this boy to create in his head, just for fun, and four small dogs, or perhaps a when he runs across an especially third-grader. And he has the gall good one it's all he can do to keep not to bring a story." from laughing. Not what you expect You're paranoid, I told myself. to find in the average locker room Get a grip on yourself, I said. -- nobody was taped up and slobber¬ Get me the hell out of here, I an¬ ing; nobody was mumbling, "Kill. swered, get me back to where ray Kill." wife and children cooperate to sus¬ tain the illusion that I'm a com¬ The most forbidding-looking petent human being. guys at the table I already felt pretty comfortable with: John Kes¬ I took the stories for tomor¬ sel, spectral and intense, with row -- and the next day -- and es¬ more than a hint of maniacal intel¬ caped into the basement. ligence. Mark Van Name, the only As I lay there, my body pro¬ person there who I knew felt as viding the major source of heat vulnerable as me, but who always for the room, it began to dawn on seems confident enough to perform me that something was rotten in brain surgery with blinders. And the atmosphere. Dear Teela Brown, Gregg Keizer, whom I had met in my the Van Names' most socially aloof 8 metaphorical use of eyes for gaze cause I have zero sympathy whatso¬ is perfectly legitimate. In the ever with people who take drugs. second place, nobody ever notices I'm as compulsive as the next guy those things if they're involved in -- you don't get overweight by ig¬ the story; they are a symptom of a noring candy bars and driving past failure to engage the attention and Burger King without stopping -- belief of the reader, not a prob¬ but people who deliberately wipe Instead I stayed home and fin¬ lem per se. So I broke in and said out their brains get no tears of ished "The Fringe." The teacher so. I thought I was saying it po¬ sympathy from me when they wake up betrayed the ring of smugglers and litely. Afterward I realized that and discover they've got no mind. embezzlers; their sons left the I had been brusque and had, in ef¬ That's part of why I hated NEURO- teacher to die in a desert gully fect, put down one of the most per¬ MANCER. that would surely flood in the ceptive and experienced critics at Then, as the others comnented heavy rain that was coming. He the table. I had visions of being on the story, I began to see vir¬ struggled to climb only a few feet put out of the workshop with bell, tues in it that I had been blind and the pageant wagon people that book and candle. Instead, because to, before. I also began to real¬ I'll use later in the long story he was a perfect gentleman, he ize that they also saw the flaws I came and rescued him. There's more withered me with a forgiving look saw. That was when I really began to it than that, but by the end I and went on. But the point was to trust them to be good critics felt worn out but exhilarated. I taken: Never again in the workshop -- they saw what wasn’t working in had written a short story. I had did anybody make that kind of crit¬ the story, and yet they also saw not left anything out, and it was icism of the language of a story. the power in it that made the writ¬ definitely under 7500 words. Best er want to tell the story in the of all, it was finished, After the first story, every¬ first place. That was both com¬ At the same time I was worried. body else attacked an incredible forting and frightening. When I This story, I thought, was probably pile of cold cuts; I, still deter¬ finished my story, I wouldn't be OK; I wouldn't embarrass myself. mined to be ascetic, retreated to casting it among fools; but if But the second story --it depend¬ the basement. It was too cold to they hated it, I'd be compelled to ed completely on exactly that sense type, but I did it anyway, every believe them. now and then pleading with Mr. of belonging or not-belonging that Scrooge to buy more coal. Actual¬ They all went out to dinner had kept me away from the dinner ly, the PCjunior put off enough that night. I had deliberately that night. In fact, the comrade¬ heat to stave off frostbite. brought only about ten bucks with ship, the exclusiveness of people me, to avoid the temptation to do who have the same faith and share A funny thing happened as I exactly that. I never did go out the same culture was the subject of was writing the story. I had just to dinner with them on the nights the story. I began to think I finished listening to a bunch of they went. And it wasn't just be¬ wouldn't try to write the second highly intelligent and talented cause I had to finish a story, or one. I wasn't sure I could bring men criticize a story. It was ex¬ because I didn't have much money, it off, and if I failed, it would citing, it made me feel alert, a- or because I wanted to lose weight. be excruciating, because it would wake to the possibility of the It was because I still was afraid be my own people who would be made story. And as I wrote, I began to of situations where there was no to look ridiculous or unintellig¬ feel at ease in the story as I subject matter to discuss. ible. hadn't with a short story for years. It came fast. When I said I had no small I wondered if anybody else talk, that really wasn't true. I there was feeling the same level of By the time 2:00 rolled around can slip right in and be comfortable anxiety. I saw a few signs of ner¬ I had the story about a third done. with any group of my own comminity. vousness, but most seemed relaxed I had worked out a heavily exposi¬ But this wasn't my community. and comfortable. tory opening in such a way that These guys were Americans, not Mor¬ We had a new face -- Tim Sul¬ the reader only realizes the teach¬ mons; those of us who grew up in livan had decided to drive down er is speaking through a computer Mormon society and remain intensely from DC and join the workshop at and has cerebral palsy in a few involved are only nominally members the last minute. He was a welcome gradual steps. I was worried, of the American comnunity. We can addition, if only because he made though --to get some of the his¬ fake it, but we're always speaking Greg Frost seem solemn by contrast. tory and some of the social milieu a foreign language. Only when we The two of them sat together from across, I had included the teach¬ get with fellow Saints are we truly then on during critique sessions, er's lecture. Broken up with some at home. If it had been a group of and the Greg § Tim comedy show kept tension between him and a student, ten Mormons, I wouldn't have had us from getting too serious about but a lecture's a lecture no matter any problem. We'd have a common Literature, for which we were most¬ how you juice it up, and I was fund of experience, speak the same ly grateful. afraid it would be boring. Still, language, share some of the same I couldn't see any other way. So concerns. We could make jokes Steve Carper had a story that I left it in. about the Mormon culture, talk ser¬ morning that treated the void of We came back and did another iously about things that you can space like a substance, which could story. This was a fairly artsy and only discuss with someone who randomly penetrate and turn things ambitious one, interspersing lec¬ shares the same faith. With this into obsidian; a weird and fright¬ tures on Stonehenge with a cloning/ group though, relaxing would be ening concept. I had read Gregg incest/decadent-drug-society story. nuch, much harder. I trusted their Keizer’s story in an earlier ver¬ Just the kind of thing that makes criticism, but once we were removed sion; it was about a human in an me want to abolish the teaching of from the context of storytelling, alien concentration camp which con¬ contemporary literature classes in they were gentiles and I would end sisted of a perfect but unpopulated universities. I mean, the writing up sitting and saying nothing or reproduction of Paris; one of was excellent, but the story took too imich all night, feeling less Gregg's best. Allen Wold had a fun forever just to get from A to B. and less comfortable. I know this ghoul-meets-vampire story, but it Like NEW YORKER stuff. But I could from experisice. So I was just as contained a sentence about heavy not help suspecting that part of happy not to go. clouds releasing their load, which the reason it put me off was be¬ 9 had struck some people as scatalog- ically hilarious the night before jures the wind for a sailing ship get published -- and lo! it was a -- including me. There were some by dripping her own blood into the miracle. ASIMOV'S had already ful¬ cloud-dump jokes before the session sea. Mark Van Name had a story filled our prophecy. Not only that, began. about a dream therapist working her but when he was directly questioned But the knockout was Scott way back to the painful secrets a he admitted that his other story, Sanders' "Ascension." Funny, dis¬ nearly catatonic little girl was which we were going to critique the turbing, literary without being hiding from. John Kessel had a next morning, had also been sold -- dull for even a moment. We all piece of his first solo novel, to the redoubtable Ellen Datlow. wished we had written it. We even which was so beautifully written He was sheepish, and vowed that speculated that he was bound to that it made me want to kill him, our criticism really was helpful; sell it right away; unless he sent remembering the botch I made of my he still regarded the stories as it to Ellen Datlow, I pointed out, first novel. Even his synopsis was works in progress. Besides, these who would reject it because of the brilliant --we all suggested he were the only two SF stories he punctuation. ought to try to get it published had written in recent years; most as is. It was filled with the of his stories were mainstream. That night they all went to author's self-questioning -- should He was so sweet about it that we have dinner and see a movie. I I have this happen, or is the plot all agreed to forgive him, or at was tempted, but it was an old getting out of hand? There were least pretend to. Truth was, his Hitchcock, one of the ones they've some problems, of course, since criticism of other stories was so just re-released, and I wasn't in it was a first draft, but it was perceptive and helpful that we the mood for tension. So I stayed plain that Kessel's debut as a nov¬ should have paid him to come even and worked for a while, writing elist will be stunning. if he didn't bring any stories at the beginning of "Salvage" but I tried to be intelligent in all. Still, it took some of the mostly reading the stories for Sat¬ fun out of the criticism, to know urday. Then I took off and drove my comments on their stories, but the truth is I could hardly keep my that the stories had been sold. in to Raleigh and saw JOHNNY DANG¬ My only consolation was that he mind off my own. I kept trying to EROUSLY. An unbelievably stupid had sold the second one to ONUI, movie -- just what I needed. read Scott Sanders' notes on my story --it was on top of his so he still had no idea whether it Alas,, when I came home, they stack -- without letting anybody was publishable or not. were still gone, the house was else notice that I was doing it. That night I was feeling pretty locked up, and I couldn't get in. good, now that my first story had Jim Kelly and John Kessel had still When they got to my story, they were very kind; but it occur¬ been found acceptable. I began to been there talking to Jim Frenkel realize that a lot of my feeling of on the phone when I left; but of red to me for the first time that they thought my having written the awkwardness was because of my un¬ course they had finished and gone certainty about my stories. I did to join the others. story in a few hours right at the workshop was kind of a stunt. Ac¬ not feel like hiding in the base¬ I contemplated sitting in my tually, I always write quickly -- ment anymore. After reading the car with the engine running for a when I know what to write. I could next day's stories, I wandered up¬ while. Instead I broke all my res¬ not think up a story and write it stairs in my bathrobe. A lot of olutions, drove to Burger King and in five hours. I have to think them were sitting around the tables ate more than God ever meant man about it -- and not think about it while Mark Van Name read passages to eat. That was it for my money -- for weeks, sometimes months or from Joe Bob's movie review column. supply, but by then I was hungry. years; but when it's ready, it The satire was bitter and delici¬ I had a notebook with me too, and comes out in a burst. And this ous, and we laughed till we cried. all of a sudden things fell into workshop had helped me more than place for me with SPEAKER FOR THE they understood -- that story had But on Sunday, I was burned DEAD. I knew how to begin the not been ready when I arrived, but thing -- all my wonderful middles out. Everything I said sounded by the time I wrote it, the inten¬ stupid to me. Later, calm reflec¬ never worked because the beginning sity of the concentration on story¬ was totally wrong. And now it was tion assured me that my conments telling, the ambient talent and in¬ were indeed stupid. Fortunately, right. I practically wrote the telligence, all had had a profound whole first chapter there with the I noticed it in time and left most effect on me. It's not that it re¬ of the criticism to the people who smell of Cheeseburger Deluxe giving awakened my old understanding of were still making sense. We told me an empty-calorie high. Who says how to write stories. "The Fringe" Mormons can't have fun? Scott Sanders why his hunters-in- was not like what I had written a-game-preserve-world story needed There was no doubt in my mind before. Most of my old stories, if drastic revision, which it would now. No matter what happened, this I were writing them now, would never get unless the art depart¬ workshop had been worth it. I had have been novels this time. But ment at OMNI decided they needed written a story in about five hours, "The Fringe" had to be a story. thirty lines cut out to make it one that I thought had a decent It was not an accidental story, it come even with the bottom of the chance of working; and now I had was an inevitable one. page. (Actually, I loved the unknotted a novel that had been do¬ That night we went to John Kes¬ story, but I couldn't tell him ing dirt to me for nearly three sel 's and Sue Hall's place for a that, could I? Not when he'd al¬ years. stuff-it-yourself baked potato din¬ ready spent the lousy two thousand Cta Saturday, I was last. Gregg ner. I had no shame; I ate two, to bucks.) Keizer's second story was a power¬ celebrate the vast relief that my Steve Carper had a comic story ful fantasy about a woman who con¬ story had passed muster. told as a series of articles in We also restrained ourselves different magazines. Tim Sulli¬ from murdering Scott Sanders: The van’s "I Was a Teenage Dinosaur" February ASIMDV'S had just arrived, was not comic; but a story that be¬ and there was the story we had gins with a guy running over a dog, critiqued only the day before -- taking the bleeding animal home that we had been sure he would soon with him, putting it in his bed for the night, and waking up to find it 10 dead beside him -- my kind of story. Poor Greg Frost made the mistake of safely back to his apartment -- But I was still cresting from the calling his comic mystery story which ain't easy. Making a rat be¬ exhilaration of the workshop -- I "Oobidis," which kept getting sung lievable as the protagonist of an don't know if I seemed stoned to as "Oo-be-doo-be-doo" in our best urban drug-smuggling story ain't anybody else, but I was as close Frank Sinatra voices -- but he did easy, either, but Jim did it. to manic as a good Mormon is allow¬ create the most engaging pair of You'll notice the story when it's ed to get. The party ended up be¬ aliens I have ever read in SF, two published, believe me. ing a lot of fun. little furballs that copulate con¬ And then I went home. stantly in the messiest possible fashion. I spent the next several days doing the revisions that the work¬ That night I finished "The Tem¬ shop had suggested; then I sent the ple Salvage Expedition" and Gregg stories off to my agent. Ordinar¬ Keizer and I drove back to Greens¬ ily I would have sent them to the boro. He had to work the next day, magazines myself, but at least one so he'd miss the last day of the of them I figured had a fair shot workshop; Scott Sanders and Steve at getting into a non-genre maga¬ Carper also left early to meet Mon¬ zine, and Barbara Bova handles my day commitments. non-genre short fiction sales. I managed to make a wrong turn Besides, I wanted to show off to on the way through Durham. I nev¬ both Ben and Barbara that I was er get lost unless Gregg's in the actually doing stories again. I car. Another bad guess took us even went crazy enough to make halfway to Chapel Hill. I'm not some more copies and send a few to as mindless as this sounds -- you other people — a college dean in have to have driven in North Caro¬ Utah who has been following my fic¬ lina to understand. Signs are reg¬ tion; a critic for a Mormon intel¬ ularly posted just after the turn lectual journal who had just done they warn you about. Lanes of a thoughtful piece on science fic¬ traffic suddenly veer off and be¬ Allen Wold's stopr was an ad¬ tion; a few others. What they come highways going in the wrong mitted item of juvenilia --he has thought, getting a story out of direction. They put up highway not written very many short stories the blue like that, I have no idea number signs only if they feel in his life, and all his published -- but I was celebrating. like it. It's the locals' way of work is in novels. I thought of I don't nuch care who buys letting us Yankee carpetbaggers going back to my trunk and pulling them, actually (though I care very know that we aren't as smart as we out some of my earliest plays, and much that someone does). The all think we are. I decided that by contrast Allen's workshop's response to the story early stuff looked very, very good. We did get home. My kids were was better than a check. In five asleep; Kristine wasn't, but I was They were kind to "Savage." days I learned to trust their judg¬ terrible company anyway. I spent The thing that had worried me most ment and value their good opinion. an hour getting the story to print -- that the intensity of the relig¬ I don't want to get maudlin about out and then xeroxing the copies ious elements in it would put them this, but they made a real differ¬ I'd need. Finally we were able to off -- turned out not to be a prob¬ ence in ray writing -- and my con¬ talk. I woke the kids up enough lem at all. Though few there had fidence about my writing --in to tell them I was home -- Emily particularly strong religious im¬ those few days. We didn't become had been waking up with nightmares pulses, the sense of holiness that intimate friends; we're not going every night I was gone. Charlie the story depended on seemed to to sell our houses so we can live did his normal midnight-is-really- work. close together from now on, or moming routine, and seemed happy anything like that (though, come I realized then, that this to see me. It was good to remem¬ to think of it, Mark's hot tub milieu --of Mormon country under¬ ber that the workshop wasn't the might be worth living closer to). real world. It seemed hard to be¬ water, the survivors struggling to We exchanged gifts that to ine, lieve, though, that I had only been keep civilization alive -- was vi¬ able; more inport ant, I was viable. at least, came at a crucial moment. gone four nights and days. The ex¬ I had written two presentable short The burst of creative energy that perience had been so intense it it unleashed in me is still going. seemed like much longer. stories for the first time in years I felt as good as if I had actually I know I'll coast back down to nor¬ Bright and early I was back on lost all 45 pounds while eating as mal after a while, but by then may¬ the road to Sycamore Hill. Jim much as I wanted. be it'll be time for the second an¬ Kelly had finished his story only nual Sycamore Hill Writers' Work¬ We spent the afternoon clean¬ the night before, and I hadn't got shop. With any luck I won't be a ing up the mess we had made of a copy yet -- I had to get there paranoid wreck coming into the Mark's house. The carpet was new in time to read it before the 11:00 conference -- but if that's what enough that all our footscuffing session. I got there and handed it takes to get the results I got. had raised more furballs on the around my story, and then settled I'll be ready. carpet than a thousand cats. We down to read Jim's "Rat." In five vacuumed, moved beds out into the I can start warming up now: minutes I was in love. It was garage, and set up for a party for What if they don't let me back? simply one of the most wonderful local fans that was scheduled for What if they hold the second annu¬ stories I've ever read. And he that evening -- the formal ending al Sycamore Hill and don't tell me had written the last half of it on of Sycamore Hill. The party was a till it's over? What if they Mark's PC/XT upstairs -- the other party -- I figured I wouldn't be thought my criticisms were so stu¬ story that was written, in part, good for anything until I foind pid that they invite everybody else at Sycamore Hill. It's the story some people who wanted to talk and leave me out? of a rat who is smuggling drugs; about things they really cared he swallowed several ampules of it Ah. Back to normal. Feels about; I do know how to listen. and now is doing his best not to so good. defecate them until he can get 11 INTERVIEW:

say, "This, on top of DR. ADDER K.W. Jeter is best known as really proves that K.W. Jeter is a the author of the infamously con¬ woman-hater, he's got some kind of troversial DR. ADDER. He was also kink, he likes to talk about women one of Philip K. Dick's closest being degraded and mutilated and friends in the last year of the killed." But it's completely the life of that widely respected writ¬ reverse. If I write about those er. That was the basis for an af¬ things in horror novels (and to ternoon's extensive descussion in some degree DR. ADDER is a horror Mr. Jeter's Nob Hill San Francisco novel), it's 'cause those things apartment, on October 27, 1984. horrified me. However, in the course of editing SFR: Exactly. But people think the interview (down to a mere you make it up! That's another 15,000 owrds) for publication in point, too, that --- the Philip K. Dick Society Newslet¬ ter (Issue #5, December 1984, JETER: Yeah, that these things write to: PKDS, Box 611, Glen Ellen, wouldn't exist if people like me CA 95442), some valuable portions didn't talk about them. Then loon¬ had to be sacrificed. In particu¬ ies read my books and say, "That lar, it seemed a shame not to be sounds like fun. Let's do that." able to. share the author's confid¬ Which is hardly, probably never, ences regarding DR. ADDER. Adding the case. Most sexual maniacs, a sense of urgency to this process murderers, mutilators, all this was the fact that K.W. Jeter and sort of thing, usually can come up his wife Gerry were planning to with their ideas themselves, out relocate to Spain in November, of their own heads. A few cases making future opportunities for in¬ have been documented about some- terviews unlikely. body being inspired by something. There was a German sex murderer who got worked up into doing his deeds by going to the Catholic SFR: There seems to be a lot of High Mass. This got him worked up violence in your writing in DR. and he'd go out and kill somebody, ADDER and again in SOUL EATER; it a woman. seems to be focused on women. I gave that some thought, and what I But the whole business of read in your books was more of some¬ what goes on in DR. ADDER -- I one who was disgusted by it than wrote about it because it was a someone who felt it himself. puzzle to me. It still is a puz¬ zle to me why there is such a cap¬ JETER: Yeah, it takes a certain acity for -- both men and women -- amount of perception, which I think to voluntarily degrade themselves. would be unlikely in a real doctrin¬ What happens to some, not all, but aire feminist, but it's easier to some of the women in DR. ADDER is read DR. ADDER as an anti-male really a metaphor for a condition book than as an anti-female book. that men and women in real life have, that voluntary drive towards SFR; That's exactly what I'm say¬ degradation and subjection to an¬ ing. other personality. And as it re¬ lates to women, it was really puz¬ JETER: I saw that. It will be zling to me because of my personal ironic if I wind up with this mis¬ background as a kid. ogynist label applied to me. I know I'm running that risk. One Looking back on it now, I of the next books I'm hoping to see that I had an unusual family do for TOR is another horror novel situation when it comes to how wo¬ which will be called MANTIS. When men were regarded. I was raised I sent the outline for it out to by blue collar Amazons. My mother my agent, I said, "Look, I know and her sisters (quite a few of what I'm risking here,, that a lot them, my aunts), were just a real¬ of people with blinders on about ly strikingly unusual group of wo¬ these kinds of things are going to men. Especially given their soc-

CONDUCTED BY ANDY WATSON ial class, blue collar working SFR: Well, I think that it's true bol of the whole process of view¬ class. -- this is my opinion, but others ing the other person as an object. These were women who were hold it as well -- that one of the As an object that can be modified extraordinarily gutsy and self- major limitations imposed on women and changed according to your motivated. Whatever they put their is imposed by women themselves. tastes. With that point of view, minds to they pretty much did. the person's mind itself becomes JETER: Absolutely. But I realize And it wasn't until I grew up and an object or part of an object that some of the things that my just as the leg is. If you can realized that other people didn't mother and my aunts did they had to have mothers and aunts like I did cut off the leg, you can cut off do on their own because they could the mind, if that's something that that I realized it was something not get professional level employ¬ unusual. It's perfectly normal for is more suitable to your tastes. ment. They couldn't have gotten a That's really a metaphor for a me to think of women as people, job in a printing plant. So there 'cause that' s how I grew up. whole category of sexual relation¬ were some social barriers. But in ships that certainly includes the terms of just undertaking things, .way that some women look at men. My wife claims that I have that mental attitude of being a more women friends that I relate to shrinking violet -- in my case, I Speaking of which, my wife, on a real friendship level than I never saw it. When I see this kind for laughs more than anything else, do men friends. I think that stems of thing as a social norm, it will buy an issue of COSMOPOLITAN from the way I was raised as a kid, still is very puzzling to me. magazine every once in a while. that I was surrounded by these wo¬ And that was part of the genesis She's not that kind of person, men, my mother and my aunts, who of the things in DR. ADDER. If I though. We both think it's really didn't shrink from whatever pro¬ wrote about women degrading them¬ a very funny magazine, but you have ject they took it into their heads selves, or allowing themselves to to have a cynical sense of humor. to undertake. be degraded, it was because that 'Cause if you start taking it ser¬ iously and really look at what the I remember coming home when is genuinely puzzing to me. magazine says, it has a sexual at¬ I was in junior high school, eith¬ SFR: Yes, I can see that very titude that is equivalent to, if er eighth grade or ninth grade -- clearly. In fact, with all the not worse thai, the sexual attitudes I came home from school and the graphic demonstrative aspects of of the men in DR. ADDER. The mag¬ whole house was going kachunka ka¬ DR ADDER --- azine, month after month, is stuf¬ chunka kachunka kachunka - churJca, JETER: Graphic, I'll object to. fed with articles and cartoons y'know, big machinery noises. I that completely reflect the atti¬ thought, "What the hell?" I wand¬ I don't think there's any graphic depiction there. tude of one sex looking at the mem¬ ered to the back of the house and bers of the other sex with just my mother and my aunt Peggy had a SFR: You mean the actual results that kind of rat-like objectifying full-scale full-bore printing press of it or --- approach, turning the other person going. I mean, not just some lit¬ into a thing which can then be ex¬ tle hand-cranked mimeograph or lit¬ JETER: Oh, okay, there is some de¬ piction, but even then it's spoken ploited for either monetary or sex¬ tle letter press that you do lit¬ ual advantage. tle books of poetry on, I'm talk¬ of in very metaphoric terms. You ing about a printing press the don't really see any of the actual SFR; It's very manipulative in size of a Volkswagen. The whole acts of amputation. You don't even tone. thing, offset press, professional see any actual sexual acts in the book. XTER: Oh, yeah! To me, that is layout. horrifying. That magazine is more My mother had been working horrifying than any level of gen¬ at the publications department of eral circulation men's magazines, the local school district. She HUSTLER, PENTHOUSE, anything like heard about a printing press for that. Those magazines seem quite sale from the repair man who came healthy — around to service the school dis¬ SFR: Yeah, there aren't pages and trict's machines. She bought it. pages of lurid description. In SFR: By comparison. Well, they're She and my aunt went in together fact, it's interesting that in DR. less subversive. When you approach on it, had it delivered home, while ADDER, the most profound degrada¬ them, you know what you're getting. my father was out working. She tion for a woman is not to have all They have a clear identity which and her sister had just decided to four limbs lopped off and her ana¬ shapes your attitude, which doesn't go into the printing business. tomy surgically changed to suit happen with something that seems They were always doing this kind some perverse whim. It's junkie to be innocent. of thing. This didn't faze me. balling, where they deny their selfj There's a certain stupid I just came home, saw the print¬ and their body becomes an artifact JE]ER: naive boys larking about in the ing press and thought, "Hey, this for other people. I think that mudpit, or we know it's dirty and looks like fun." So I would play that's as good a defense of the filthy but ain't it fun, essential¬ around with it a little bit too. ideas that you were putting forth as anything. ly harmless, she asked for it any¬ It wasn't until I was older, way and hey she had a good time as I said, that I realized that JETER: The whole notion of the attitude in the men's magazines other people's mothers didn't go sexual attractiveness of amputation which some people profess to be so out and buy printing presses. probably has a very limited appeal. horrified by. Whereas, COSMOPOL¬ When the big feminist thing start¬ The fact that I was able to discov¬ ITAN would not get banned under any ed happening in the 60s, reading er that letter to PENTHOUSE maga¬ of the proposed anti-pornography people's accounts of growing up fe¬ zine, which I actually discovered legislation that is apparently get- male in MS. MAGAZINE, and all these after I had written the book, the thing through some state legisla¬ social expectations about how wo¬ fact that there are people who are tures. It wouldn't trigger any of men weren't supposed to do these sexually stinulated by amputation, those criminal penalties. But to sorts of things, it was like read¬ I'm sure that's a very limited my mind, it is more degrading to ing accounts of life on Mars. I phenomenon. To me, there's more both the women who read it and take didn't see it happening around me, metaphoric value. That is, a sym- it seriously and the men they then but I guess this is the norm. 13 become involved with, than things that would get banned, like PENT- no doubt send one fleeing in terror ing is sitting there thinking, HOUSE'inaHUSTLER. It's odd. and loathing were they to be en¬ "Why do I do this? Why don't I That kind of attitude, represented countered in real life." I was get out of bed and do the things I metaphorically by the sexual rela¬ glad that he had picked up on that, want to do and not lie here like a tionships in DR. ADDER, operates because I had that conscious goal slug?" On and on and on and on. at a level of disguise that is very Everybody does that sort of thing. hard to detect. Most people don't Alcoholics do it; drug addicts do realize. I wanted to make sympathetic people that were usually just writ¬ ten off as purely dislikable, those SR;So why not some hell-bent are the villains, and that's all violent monster? you need to know about them. That JETER: Yeah. Why not a kind of is how most books, especially in person who's got a definitely vio¬ SR; That was what was so excit¬ genre fiction, treat that kind of ing about the book. When I started lent kink? Especially in this character. That's just a bad pers¬ reading it, I remember standing up book, M4NTIS, it's going to be a on and that's a given. A book then and paging through it, deciding sharply divided personality. In essentially deals with how to get whether or not to read it in earn¬ one person doing what Phil did in around or deal with those kinds of est. And I was on the fourth page, three people in VALIS, where the people. I thought it was a worth¬ I think, and already they were in characteristics are separated out while goal to take people you would the chicken brothel — for better clarity. never be sympathetic with in real v£7ER: My books move pretty fast. life, and use the medium of the When I sent the outline to book to project yourself into those my agent, I warned him. I said, SR: I thought, this is just biz¬ people's minds and find out why "Look, I realize this is going to arre. I can't believe that I'm they work like that. This is some¬ cause trouble for us because some actually reading this. And it was thing that is going to come out people, who aren't very perceptive not that I was shocked at the con¬ more in some of my future books. or who are very doctrinaire about tent, but rather that it had been these issues, are going to say, published at all. It denied all SR- It does come out again in "Obviously, K.W. Jeter grooves on my expectations of what would be in SOUL EATER, I think. this kind of behavior, if he can any book's pages. Then, that as¬ JETER: -It comes out in SOUL EATER, write this kind of book where he pect held my interest, the idea yes, but it's going to come out makes this character sympathetic that here was a book that on each very strongly in this book called because he actually likes that be¬ page, I could not possibly know in MANTIS, which I'm hoping will be havior himself." I'm going to advance what I was going to be another horror/suspense novel for reap a harvest of people kicking getting. TOR. It's a little ways down the me around on that basis. JETER: Mission accomplished, then. road; it'd be about the fourth book SR: Not necessarily. I think I'd be contracted for right now. that anybody's audience is split. SR: As I got deeper into it, it It's very much a simple story where was very thought-provoking. Ultim¬ They're not all one way or the the manner of presentation makes it other. ately, that's what drove me to complex because it's told -- and read it again, and now more recent¬ you know, I'm certainly not the v£TER: Oh, sure, I probably won't ly, a third time. The promise in first person to do this -- within get into any more trouble than ev¬ it of a very effective analytical the viewpoint of the person doing erybody does. But as soon as you approach for thinking about things the horrible things. But what I get your name on anything, there that most people tend not to think think what's going to make this are some people who are going to about, that we try not to acknow¬ book unusual is that the person is read everything else you wrrite as ledge. nuch more analytical about why he just more of the same. JETER: I think that for a lot of does these things. The usual case, SR: Well, I don't think that DR. people, this subject just triggers I think, such a character is por¬ ADDER is pornographic at all. Es¬ trayed as simply being stupid. He a blanket condemnation, that it's pecially since most of whatever not supposed to be thought about. doesn't have an analytical grasp happens that could be considered of why he's doing these things. You're just supposed to detect it pornographic is in your head, trig¬ and kill it and be done with it. He just accepts them as the things gered by the text. In fact, I he does. He sees them as okay, so There really isn't any attempt to think that's what may have disap¬ find out why, or what it means that what's the problem? pointed some people, that after these things exist. Or what gen¬ SR: There's a parallel to that wanting to read it for so long, eral phenomena are these things in people who are self-destructive, then getting it in their hands, subsets of. who are constantly asking them¬ it wasn't as scathing as they Did you read the Spinrad re¬ selves, "Why do I do this? Why do thought it would be. It didn't view of DR ADDER? I do this? I keep doing the same bum in their hands the way they things again and again." And you expected. No, I haven't. Where did SR; are saying that you're going to ex¬ he review it? ternalize that. ASIMDV'S. Isn't that fun¬ JETER: Yeah. All sorts of com¬ ny? He says something in his re¬ vETER: pulsive behavior have that in com¬ view that I'm really glad about. mon. I've fought a tendency all JETER: I never intended it to have that kind of a build-up around I'm also really glad that Spinrad my life, towards procrastination. reviewed the book because in some With a depressive personality, it. I thought I was writing some¬ thing straightforward, and normal ways, more even than Phil's stuff, which I don't regard as fixed, (I -- normal, within the new wave con- Spinrad was more of an inspiration have an ideology about these things for DR. ADDER. BUG JACK BARRON, in that they can be changed), like fines that I had thought would be particular. That shows up more most people who have habits or com¬ the new norms for science fiction then. And if I had been a writer than anything else, that deliberate pulsive behavior that they wrestle who had already published other piss-you-off attitude. In the re¬ with, a large part of that wrrestl- view, Spinrad, he says "one feels things and who had some kind of empathy for characters that would 14 reputation, if it hadn't been my first book -- that more than any¬ id and cruel as physical factors, thing else impeded its publication. that if you jump off the edge of a It would have been very easy for building you're going to break Phil to have gotten a book like your leg. that published. We were in a pub --he could JETER: Certainly not to the point of there being a submerged Atlan¬ SFR: True. I'd have to agree not buy my book, so he took me out for a drink -- and he just kept tis. But a lot of the stuff about there. But part of it has been the sewers that’s -in MDRLOCK NIfflT the financial risk the publishers shaking his head saying, "I can't do it, I can't do it. There's no is accurate, based upon Mayhew thought they might be taking with (Henry Mayhew, Victorian author of an unknown author and a very biz¬ way I can do it. It's what I want to do, it's what I went into pub¬ the four-volume set, LONDON LABOUR arre property. Whether people AND IHE LONDON POOR). There were would buy it and whether there lishing to do, but I can't do it." Now, maybe he can do it. We're large numbers of people who made would be a backlash against it as their living, one way or another, well, that was the big risk. hoping that because DR. ADDER has now been published over here, and from the London sewers. One of JETER: Oh, absolutely. Especial¬ has had pretty good sales and pret¬ the really fascinating things in ly since right at the time that I ty good reviews, and I have had this Mayhew book is that Victorian put it out on the market, trying to other books published since then, London, in terms of recycling -- sell it, the interest rates start¬ and there will be a British sale these people that do these great ed going up and the economy went pretty soon ... organizations to recycle your into a big slump. Publishers op¬ trash and your deposit bottles and erate on a margin that is dictated SFR: I tried to research you, by that sort of thing, that's nothing by the business conditions, primar¬ the way, to find out what other compared to the way life was in ily the interest rates. That's books you had written. I was only Victorian London for some people. where they get their operating cap¬ personally aware of three: DR. There were people who engaged in ital. And if they realistically ADDER, MORLOCK NIGHT and SOUL the recycling business of dog shit. project a sales return on a book EATER. In fact, you've written Really. They actually made a liv¬ that is less than the interest rate, others. Right? ing combing the streets looking then they can't publish it. If JETER: There were two Laser books. for dog shit, which was then used you expect them to publish it, you Roger Elwood contacted me and said, in tanning leather. And it was are expecting them to do something "Hey, we need lots of material. referred to with a funny euphemism. against their own business inter¬ Do you know any other guys?" And These people weren't looking for ests. That's hard. I said, "Well, there's a guy I dog shit. They called it pure. went to college with, and I read a Obviously short for pure dog shit. There is a publisher in Eng¬ They called themselves pure hunt¬ land, and I actually talked with couple of short stories of his while I was in college. Maybe he ers and they would comb the streets the editor when I was in London picking up all the dog shit they years ago, and he really, really, could do a book for you, too." That was Tim, Tim Powers. He did could find, and then selling it to really wanted to publish it. But leather tanners. he had the expectation, the prob¬ two Laser novels also. Then, by lem, that here was the interest that time, the Laser series folded Apparently, dog shit isn't rate which in that period in Eng¬ and we went on to bigger and bet¬ used for tanning leather anymore, land was astronomically high -- ter things, eventually. Well, both but connoisseurs of leather, like it was that kind of interest rate of us went through one period professional tanners back in Vic¬ that brought in the Thatcher gov¬ where we didn't get anything else torian England, could actually tell ernment -- and here was the rate published. the quality of the leather by smel¬ at which he could realistically ex¬ SFR: And MDRLOCK NIGHT came then, ling it and tasting it, determine pect the book to sell, a book by after the two Laser Series novels? what quality and quantity of dog an unknown writer. The discrepancy I remember laughing out loud when shit was used in it. between the two was so great that I reached the point in MDRLOCK SFR: How fascinating. he just couldn't do it. To ask him NIGHT where they go down in the to do it was to ask him to risk sewers. Then they're down there JETER: So, part of what shows up losing his job. forever. And I thought to myself, in MORLOCK NIGHT, all the business with the sewers, is something I I felt a wave of sympathy this’is so much like what happened in DR. ADDER. At some point they just found very interesting in for this man. He didn't go into these non-fiction accounts of Vic¬ publishing to get rich, with a go down in the sewers, and God they're just down in those sewers torian England. The fact that sheer crass mercenary attitude. No¬ sewers keep showing up in DR. AD¬ body goes into publishing with that for the longest time, until the next phase of the novel. DER and MORLOCK NIGHT, is because kind of expectation. If they want what you said about them is cer¬ to do that, they're better off sel¬ Sewers provide for you or tainly true, that it gives you ling insurance. He went into pub¬ whoever, an interesting freedom in this world that is actually very lishing with a certain amount of that you're not talking about some close to ours in some ways, but idealism. There were books that extra-galactic environment, you're you can say whatever you want about he wanted to publish, and he had talking about something that is it. It's a very fertile field, so been able to publish some of them. very much down to earth, but at to speak. And here was another book he want¬ the same time, you can make up al¬ ed to publish, but he just could most anything you want about it. But I think there's also a not. He was as constrained by fac¬ After all, who knows anything about certain psychological resonance to tors as real as the factors of sewers? In fact, from my own gues¬ sewers too. It's like caverns. gravity keep you from flying. Ec¬ ses, I wouldn't suppose that they In a Jungian sense, these things onomic factors are as hard and rig¬ are all that subterranean. How represent secret knowledge, or many layers down could a sewer sys¬ knowledge that we don't want to tem actually go? Especially in think about, that we hide. In that sense, I guess I've over-used the idea. On the other hand, the L.A. 15 material in DR. ADDER is somewhat dreamed up, or just made out of dom to take your business wherev¬ had achieved, especially in the visits and longing for L.A. At er you want to and do it by mail, last few years of his life, aston¬ the time I wrote it, I didn't know but the negative side to that is ishing levels of recognition. As¬ as much about L.A. as I do now. that it can easily lead to tremen¬ tonishing, compared to what he had The Orange County stuff is very dous isolation, sheer loneliness. ever expected. In one sense, he close to how I actually felt, liv¬ It's probably the only field in was gratified by it, but in anoth¬ ing there. You could get the day¬ the world, at least until computer er tormented by it. Here he was, lights beat out of you by people programning came along, where you a world-wide recognition, world¬ who just didn't like the fact that could be a tremendous success at wide name, all this money coming instead of wearing short-sleeved it, making millions of dollars a in, and being alone. This seemed shirts, the way everybody else did, year, and never see another human very cruelly unfair, what good was you preferred to wear long-sleeved being. Look at J.D. Salinger, liv¬ all this if it didn't translate in¬ shirts. ing almost like a hermit, and at to the same sort of pleasures that the same time generating a lot of a truck driver or an accountant Seems incredible for some¬ SFR: money. could expect out of life? There place in southern California, the was a Goethe line that he would mecca of — SFR: That's functionally part of quote when we talked about this. it all, though. The more time JETER: Oh, yeah, it's supposed to I don't remember the exact line, that you spend socializing, the be cool and laid back. But you're so I'll paraphrase it. "The simp¬ less time you can spend at the supposed to be cool and laid back lest pleasures that a peasant with typewriter. That lowers your pro¬ in the same way everybody else is his wife considers normal are de¬ ductivity. If you have a name cool and laid back. nied to a writer." that sells, and if you do write SFR: Do you have any upcoming nov¬ well, by talent or skill, the more els you'd like to mention here? that you write, the more money and SFR: Thank you, K.W. Jeter. recognition you're going to gamer. v£TER: Well, I just finished an¬ other one for Bluejay, called THE GLASS HANMER. Next year, I'll be writing another one for them cal¬ led INFERNAL DEVICES. And I just DR. ADDER, FREAK HORROR SHOWS, AND contracted for another horror nov¬ LICENTIA POETICA el for TOR which will be called DARK SEEKER. Then I should be REVIEWED BY PROFESSOR ALEXANDER hearing from them shortly about B. NEDELKOVICH, M.A. this second one for them, called MANTIS. I was afraid, when I looked at SFR: I can see that as long as K.W. Jeter's book, DR. ADDER and you can keep that many contracts noticed Philip K. Dick's afterword going, you can live anywhere you praising the novel; afraid that want to. Dick has praised the novel more than anyone reasonably could or JETER: That's the great thing should, and that therefore my re¬ about being a writer. You can be spect for Philip K. Dick would an expatriot easier than you can have to be reduced. I read the in any other business. Certainly novel, not an easy task, then easier than any other art or creat¬ Dick's afterword, and felt a great ive form, because it can be done relief: Dick seems to defend, through the mail. Especially at most of all, the right of the art¬ the lower levels of recognition. ist to use any kind of talk, even It would be very hard for a paint¬ the dirtiest, any filth and hor¬ er or sculptor at the beginning or ror, even the gruesomest, if that intermediate levels to be anywhere suits his artistic purpose. No except the centers of the art one today intends (I hope) to op¬ world, like New York or Los Angel¬ pose that: Let the writer write es. You have to be on the spot any way he wants. That is his to sell your stuff. It's not un¬ privilege. Thank you, Philip K. til you get up into the higher Dick, for not really saying much levels that you can be that inde¬ more in that afterword. pendent. The very highest level would have been somebody like Pic¬ And the readers, of course, have the right to not like and asso, where he had a castle on the JETER: Yeah, but there are fac¬ coast of Spain someplace, and not read any specific book: to tors that weigh against your pro¬ reject it. people came to him. Then all of ductivity even then. Isolation those creative fields that depend should enable you to produce more, DR. ADDER is a 230-page book upon dealing with other people, but just like almost any other hu¬ divided into two parts with rather like playwriting or choreography, man endeavor people get into writ¬ meaningless and irrelevant titles, even music — ing as a way of winning love from namely, "Proud Flesh" and "Laud¬ SFR: You don't have that isola- other people. You're really hoping able Puss." The cover illustra¬ for recognition and attention and tion is splendid, and superbly a pretty girl (if you're a man) and printed. Inside there are some JETER: Yeah, you have to be on a handsome man (if you're a woman) dozens of black-and-white illus¬ the spot, or at least have the and the opposite (if you're a hom¬ trations, more or less naive and ability to go back and forth. For osexual) . It can seem a very cruel amateurish, many of them rather a writer, there's a negative side twist of fate. disgusting. The events shown in as well. It gives you this tre¬ this novel happen in some unspeci¬ I saw this with Phil. He mendous freedom, which in some re¬ fied distant future, in U.S.A. spects is a purely economic free¬ 16 What the novel is about is ... Well, let us approach it this ident of the U.S.A.; but neverthe¬ not have the right to misrepresent way. In my country it is not un¬ less, he travels up and down that the opinions held by someone else. common for little boys in junior street on his motorcycle, unescort¬ It is repellent that he does so grades of elementary school to ed, while bullets fly all around with an author whose work he pro¬ play "heroes" before the little ... and hamburgers get sold brisk¬ fesses to admire. girls by, for instance, bringing ly .. . and if in that very same 'A simple reading of the After¬ a live cockroach in a matchbox: street, a kid behaves arrogantly word Philip K. Dick wrote for DR. the little "hero" opens the match¬ toward the proprietor of the ham¬ ADDER makes it clear that he went box a little, so that the horrible burger stand, that proprietor will a good deal beyond merely defending black thing which is moving inside just wink an eye and the police "the right of the artist to use can be seen; he waves the matchbox will grab that young person and any kind of talk." Rather than at the faces of the little girls; take him away, to his parents! ". . .not really saying much more" they scream and run; and he struts The world of fathers is really, than that, Phil Dick expressly re¬ about, a hero. Make it a live really very nasty -- they make ro¬ fers to the book as "...not just a frog, green and cold, in the hand. bots who look like the amputee good novel: here was a great novel." Or an earthworm thrown across the (legless, armless) prostitutes. Elsewhere in his Afterword, he uses classroom during the break. Same They also eat little boys alive! the words "powerful, original, dar¬ thing. And there is a verbal (Thus they prove that their oppon¬ ing" to describe it, as well as equivalent of such "bravery:" You ents are right in every way and "a masterpiece, a truly wonderful tell your little friends about a that "everything" should be de¬ novel." I dislike quoting praise dinner made of dead cockroaches stroyed.) given to me; however, I want to cooked in puss, or some such thing. In the end the hero symbolic¬ make it clear that Nedelkovich de¬ That is what DR. ADDER is about ally bums his society, by setting liberately misleads the reader as It is an attempt to amaze the read¬ fire to his own flat and a few to what opinion Phil Dick held of er with the amount of filth and nearby flats. It seems that all my book. Quite' simply, he lies garbage put together. U.S.A. has been burned down to the about the matter. ground ... except that everybody 'As to a few of his other It shows unconvincing charac¬ is watching the hero's subsequent ters inhabiting a society that can TV speech. not exist. A good dystopia ought 'The phrases "proud flesh" and to work; this one does not. The That is a mass of nonsense. "laudable pus" are old medical society is falling apart, people There is a sign which some¬ terms. I would have thought that migrate into the sewers -- except times helps us to make sure that a professor of English, even in that the vast majority lives well the writer has been straining to Eastern Europe (as Andy Watson in¬ and comfortably, above ground, in make his book shockingly filthy: forms me Nedelkovich is), would big pyramidal buildings which are in such writings, people vomit have had the resources available well kept and protected. People much more frequently than would to determine this. live "digging up canned goods" seem probable. A novel starting (page 135) except that the produc¬ 'I've lived in numerous places off with vomiting is, oftentimes, in the USA where it was a common tion and marketing of goods is go¬ a novel trying to be nasty and not ing on quite normally. All is sight to see people digging through succeeding. They vomit all over the refuse bins behind supermarkets falling apart, but all TV sets the place in DR. ADDER. And get for discarded vegetables and dent¬ work, everybody has hot and cold shot, cut up, tom to pieces, running water, streetlights work. ed cans, while (to use Nedelko- pulped, drowned in blood, puss, vich's words) "the production and Police are very efficient (p. 153) piss etc. etc. See the cockroach? but in one long street and the sur¬ marketing of goods is going on See the writer heaving a plate quite normally." Nedelkovich, de¬ rounding "Rattown" people shoot with a live-earthworm salad splash¬ spite his nationality, is apparent¬ each other madly, all the time. ed with puss right into your face? The universities have been abolish¬ ly ignorant that a standard Marxist ed (page 127), but high schools K.W. Jeter amply proved that, criticism of a capitalist society is that it is inequitable in the function perfectly well, and peop¬ within a framework of nonsense, distribution of the goods it pro¬ le with post-graduate skills abound he can write disgustingly. He duces. Perhaps the official line The U.S.A. has crashed and been can. (He -- or she.) But why forgotten by the world, but the should anybody read such an un¬ handed out in Soviet-dominated countries is true, and they have morning traffic is quick and thick pleasant heap of rubbish? no starving people foraging through and strong, streets passable, and the rubbish heaps for something to oh what driving skills one of the eat. Or perhaps it's not my know¬ characters shows us! -- nobody ledge of politics that's at fault; mentions any fuel problem. it's Nedelkovich's knowledge of Not much better is the narra¬ # LETTER FROM K W JETER tor's knowledge of politics. For 1 Salisbury Rd, Larkhall, him, "bourgeoisie" is "a clean Bath, BA1 6QX England bed" (page 147) and revolution January 22, 1985 something like a hippie sit-around with LSD and other narcotics piled 'Andy Watson informs me that up in the middle. (There are peo¬ you will be printing in your REVIEW ple in this world, today, who in the interview he did with me on 27 a really pessimistic mood, some¬ October, 1984. He also sent me times begin to suspect that there the text of a review of my novel are many Aoericans whose knowledge DR. ADDER by Alexander B. Nedelko- of politics is at that level.) vich, which he also informs me you have accepted for publication. The hero, Adder, is producing amputee-prostitutes for perverted 'While Nedelkovich is certainly customers. He does that in only free to express whatever opinion one street, and yet he seems to he wishes about my book, he does have the power almost like a pres¬ 17 You Got No Friends In This HOW TO USE THIS COLU1S These are reviews of science fic¬ tion short stories, novelets, and novel¬ las published from January to May 1985. Out of the nearly 200 stories I read, I have chosen to discuss 123 stories which I feel are important, because of excel¬ lent or daring writing, thoughtworthy World ideas, or a plain tale of unusual power. My silence about the remaining stories also constitutes a review of sorts: Either the story was too poorly done or too slight to be worth calling it to your attention, or I was too stu¬ pid to notice its merits. If you are a writer whose work is ignored here, please assume the flaw is in my mind and not your tale.

BY ORSON SCOTT CARO

ning the clothes off the Connie Willis unfortunately chose stories of perilous love, it's hard to lentative with the cutting a needlessly convoluted structure for resist THE MAGISTRATE'S PILOT (TZ Apr), torch ... I mean, 1 was wondering what her THE CURSE OF KINGS, so from begin¬ in which Gordon Linzner creates a tale you could do after something like that, ning to end it is often difficult to But I know tl of magic-aided cuckoldry so delightful le answer to that now, too. figure out something as minimal as what that it would not seem out of place in to do any goddamned thing the hell is going on. Nevertheless, it Boccaccio’s DECAMERON, if the DECAMERON is my pleasure to assure you that the had been set in Japan. story of archaeology and hideous disease it?" answers Lanyon. "They AT.nmigATK rue-STREAHJ ive. I've got a lot of time on another planet is well worth the wade through thickening flashbacks. One of the favorite themes of sf writers is the idea that each of our choices creates two different worlds,

controlled conditions, it transforms When we create a human-like ma¬ them and enables them to live easily. chine, we dream of bringing it to life, The only flaw in the story is the intru¬ in stories from Pygmalion and Galatea to sive "haunting" metaphor, which ulti¬ Geppetto and Pinocchio. Karen Joy Fow¬ mately means absolutely nothing and dis¬ ler, an absolutely stunning new writer, tracts from the story that does matter. has two stories that explore this motif Even when it isn't a matter of in very different ways. RECALLING CIN¬ survival, coping with alien customs DERELLA (WrFu) features an android that isn't easy. Larry Niven is in top form knows it is superior to its ugly "step¬ with TABLE MAHHEBS (FF 1), in which a mother" and her obnoxious daughters. In man tries to figure out how to eat din¬ a writing tour-de-force, Fowler gradual¬ ner with a race that takes its meals raw ly changes our allegiance from the an¬ and on the hoof—without offending their droid to the steadily more pitiable fam¬ sense of decorum. Chet Williamson's A ily. PRAXIS (Av's Mar) is ostensibly MATTER OF SHB1T1V1TT (F&SF Jan) stars a about a murder, and it certainly works beer-swilling protagonist who annoyed me on that level, but I was much more drawn beyond endurance, but the problem of to the milieu, a theatrical presentation aliens too fastidious to meet with each of ROMEO AND JULIET starring android other and how the human negotiator man¬ actors, which, being expendable, really aged to reconcile them saved the story. die when the script calls for death. Gordon EL Dickson's HOUSE OF WEAP¬ Look for her work; Fowler will be an ONS (FF 2) is a powerful depiction of a important writer. human serving as a house slave in the Robert Silverberg already is an home of the conquering and infinitely important writer, of course, and SAILING superior aliens. He finds that, quite TO BYZANTIUM (Av's Feb) has the beauty against his better judgment, he is be¬ of language and power of image that we coming a revolutionary. The story is have come to expect. But this story of excellent, except for a tendency to have people discovering that they are not as the protagonist endlessly review what we human as they thought (who are the ac¬ already know; the frustration is that tors, and who is the audience?), left me it's part of a much longer work, and feeling curiously empty and disengaged; since this has often been my response to 24 Silverberg's work, I can only assume

CAJAMARCA CREATING FRIVOLOUS LITERARY THEORIES

BY DARRELL SCHWEITZER

In the January 1983 issue of I was well on my way to be¬ plus quality term papers in one F8SF, Algis Budrys descends from coming a practitioner of the Friv¬ sitting, composed at the typewrit¬ Mt. Sinai to smite the golden calf olous Literary Theory. (Hereaft¬ er like fanzine articles. In of academic criticism of science er F.L.T.) fact, some of them were later pub¬ fiction. Most of his blows are The theory behind the Theory lished in fanzines. My favorite was the one for which I composed well aimed: at ignorami who chase is simply this: It doesn't have the slightest nuance of thematic to be true; it merely has to work. two "translations" of non-exist¬ drift for pages upon pages of tur¬ In other words, no matter how rid¬ ent Anglo-Saxon elegies, then gid academic prose, but fail to iculous, if it fits the seeming wrote a lengthy afterword, ex¬ do basic research, or even read a facts, and can't be disproven, plaining how they came to be found ("in the binding of an Arabic copyright page. Hie most spectac¬ your tenure may be assured. But sorcery text once owned by the ular example cited is the fellow more than that, a really good one, who was teaching a course based like a good example of any art, Elizabethan scholar. Dr. John Dee"), why they varied from many on the idea that Orson Welles, who should have an grandeur and ele¬ A.S. poetic norms, where they fit was responsible for the 1938 radio gance about it. It should give into A.S. literature, and how they version of THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, aesthetic pleasure, and even have happened to contain wholly remark¬ was actually the son of H.G. Wells, the power to change people's lives. and, further, the author of the able references to King Arthur, radio script which in our space- If we overlook such holdovers Constantine the Great, and other time continuum at least was written from antiquity as the old saw people I put in to make the allit¬ by Howard Koch. that the works of Homer were not eration work. So effectively was written by Homer, but by someone this done that when the thing was Budrys' subtext implies that of the same name, one of the earl¬ published in ASH WING a while lat¬ the professor had the brain of a iest examples of the F.L.T. is al¬ er, half the readers seemed to be¬ cucumber*, but that only applies so one of the most super-colossal: lieve it genuine, while the rest if you assume that literary criti¬ The Shakespeare-Bacon Controversy were merely puzzled at finding cism has to adhere to some sort of of the late 19th Century. This is something like that in a fanzine. scientific rigor and be right. sort of the Arthurian Legend of German cannon known as "Big Ber¬ If you believe that, you believe the F.L.T. It inspired great tha." The German crew had left scholars should read copyright writers to contribute to its con¬ the safety off. pages, and even call up authors to tinuing growth. No less than ask them questions about their Mark Ttoain wrote "Is Shakespeare Actually, I will confess that work. But if you take literary Dead?" (in WHAT IS MAN?). George in the previous paragraph, I have criticism as art, as many of the Bernard Shaw got endless mileage in fact indulged in a little people I knew in my years as an out of it. Then there were the F.L.T.- spinning (or maybe F. His¬ English Literature graduate stud¬ two prominent female Baconians who torical T.-spinning) before your ent did, then the whole perspec¬ went to the site of the alleged very eyes. And you must admit it tive changes. Such investigative Bard's alleged grave, having con¬ works. After all, nobody ever digging would merely spoil the cealed shovels, picks, and many a omclusively proved that Shakes¬ fun. pneumatic drill under their copi¬ peare is in that grave, right? Taken as a particularly kinky ous Victorian skirts, petticoats, I believe that the potential flight of fancy, the Welles/Wells underskirts, underpetticoats, and for Frivolous Literary Theorizing idea rates about a B. It's pretty whatever else women wore in those is in all of us, particularly in good. It explains a lot of things days. The plan was to hide till fans. after closing time, then dig the which have puzzled scholars over My friend, Lee Weinstein, (a the decades. Further, it now be¬ old faker up. Alas, they got scared away before they did, but real person, not made up by me; comes possible to explain the you may know him as the author of hitherto inexplicable awfulness of benefitting from the experience, the two of them earned a handsome a splendid story, "The Box," in the Orson Welles movie of MACBETH WHISPERS II, edited by Stuart in terms of the direction, cast¬ living as shoplifters in hardware stores, making off with numerous Schiff) is a natural, a veritable ing, set design, costuming and goldmine of nonsense. Sometimes, much of the acting having been implements which they sold to la¬ borers on the Capetown-to-Cairo as when we are driving together, done by Martians. It's fright¬ when he is not trying to explain fully convenient and elegant. railway at a tidy profit. They came to a patriotic, if Freudian the basis of humor in terms of What it is, in fact, is a end during World War I, when they words which are inherently funny at the syllabic level (A Frivol¬ prime specimen of an old, but new¬ tried to spirit away a top secret ly recognized art form, the Friv¬ ous Linguistic Theory, and a good one), he might attempt something olous Literary Theory. Certainly one of the joys of like this: * One need not worry about hurt being an English major is that feelings with remarks like this. you don't need to work with as "Let's start a discussion on I keep in mind Somtow Sucharitkul's many uncomfortable facts as you whether or not Edgar Allan Poe astute observation that every ac¬ would if you were a Chemistry ma¬ was black." jor. For the most part, you can ademic likes to hear academics in¬ "He wasn't," I say. sulted because he knows in his just wing it. I used to write B- heart of hearts that he isn't one. "That's not much of a discus¬ 27 sion." This is to the F.L.T. what sense of being bored because the For a moment there, it seemed the haiku is to the epic poem. thing you are studying is a load he was about to permanently remove But we have come up with more el¬ of crap.) TITUS ANDRONICUS is the possibility that I would ever aborate ones. fully as worthy a subject of become an Arkham House author. I scholarship as HAMLET. So there. don't think he appreciates a good Lee is a fan of William Hope F.L.T. any more than Algis Budrys I guess they must have impres¬ Hodgson, who was a British horror does. and SF writer, the author of the sed some of their thinking on me, very cosmic THE HOUSE ON THE BORD¬ because I'm rather proud of this And there it hangs, tantaliz- ERLAND, which is sort of a clas¬ insidious theory of mine. It's ingly inviting further investiga¬ sic, and THE NIGHT LAND, which is like a sonnet that goes together tion, nothing disproven. The road a monument to unreadability, and with flawless ease. It may not to the Ph.D. mill is paved with might be described as E.E. "Doc" say anything profound, but it is many less plausible serious liter¬ Smith collaborating with Malory on unquestionably a technically per¬ ary theories. a plot by Fenimore Cooper. Hodg¬ fect sonnet. This is, again, the If I designed swamps, I sup¬ son also wrote a volune of psy¬ very essence of the F.L.T. pose I would get as much satisfac¬ chic detective stories, CARNACKI And my theory works frighten¬ THE GHOST-FINDER. tion out of a really good patch ingly well. For all its frivol¬ of quicksand. Gloating is one of My theory is that August Der- ity, Lee became seriously inter¬ the joys of the F.L.T. leth wrote the last Camacki story. ested or at least disquieted by the fiendish elegance of it. He However, I don't claim to be (I hasten to add at this point wrote to a noted American Hodgson the leading modern practitioner of that the modem state of the art expert, who replied that, indeed, this art. The honor goes to my prefers that the F.L.T. be on there might be some merit in the literary idol. Lord IXmsany. In some esoteric subject. Ones about idea, and referred him to a Brit¬ the course of collecting material the biggies are a trifle passe.) ish expert, who had allegedly for a book I edited, THE GHOSTS OF THE HEAVISIDE LAYER (a collection The beauty and terror of this seen the manuscript of "The Hog." of previously uncollected stories, theory, which I made up off the The British fellow didn't know essays, etc., Owlswick Press, cuff, comes from the following what the American was talking 1980), I found a really classic facts, which I pointed out to Lee: about, but suggested that if any¬ one would know, it would be the specimen that His Lordship wrote In 1917 Kaiser Wilhelm II made folks at Arkham House. for PUNCH, "The Authorship of BAR¬ his sole contribution to fantast¬ RACK ROOM BALLADS." ic literature, by having Hodgson So at a World Fantasy Con, The alleged purpose of this blown up by a German artillery Lee and I confronted the editor article is to prove that Swinburne shell, possibly in revenge for the of Arkham House, James Himer, didn't write Kipling. First, Dun- fate of Big Bertha. This render¬ with the idea. The two of them sany presents the evidence so of¬ ed Hodgson incapable of refuting discussed it seriously for a ten touted by Swinbumians. Kip¬ the rest of this theory. while. Then Turner asked, "Where did you get this idea, anyway?" ling was too young, under-educated The last Camacki story, "The and inexperienced to have written Hog," appeared for the first time "Oh," I piped up cheerfully. such masterpieces as the BALLADS in WEIRD TALES in 1947, then the "I made it up." and PLAIN TALES FROM THE HILLS, same year, in the definitive edi¬ tion of CARNACKI THE GHOST-FINDER appeared under Derleth's mystery inprint, Mycroft § Moran. That very year WEIRD TALES published "The Churchyard Yew," allegedly a newly discovered story by J. Sheridan LeFanu (convenient¬ ly died, 1873), which turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by Der- leth. Nobody but Derleth has ever seen the manuscript for "The Hog." Further, the story seems to contain borderline Cthulhu Mythos elements, which would have to post-date Hodgson's lifetime. In 1917 Lovecraft was little more than an eldritch recluse and scribbler of bad verse. Considering that Derleth fak¬ ed one "lost" story by a famous dead author, why not two?

The only objection to this is that "The Hog" is too good to be the work of Derleth, who was a third-rater on his best days, and rarely that when imitating other people. However, as the academics kept telling me in my grad stud¬ ent days, a scholar cannot afford to consider quality. (In the ession that the few good stories are so different, they seem to be the work of another writer. My theory is that they were written by M.G. Lewis.

Matthew Gregory Lewis (bom 1775) was an Englishman, the auth¬ or of THE MONK, one of the most noted Gothic novels. After a brief burst of literary notoriety he died in 1818 on a ship in the Carribean. His funeral had a suitably eldritch touch. His cof¬ fin did not sink. The wind caught the shroud like a sail, and off he went, out of sight over the horizon. while they could have been more So shut up and admire the design. So much for history. My the¬ ory is that in the course of the plausibly produced by an older, At the risk of seeming passe, more experienced literary figure. long and boring voyage, Lewis had we return to Edgar Allan Poe, a It is true that Swinburne suppos¬ a burst of creativity, and penned writer whose high reputation rests edly died in 1909, but he had been over a dozen first-rate tales. on the fact that few people ever a virtual recluse for years before But, when he knew his end was near read the majority of what he that and could well have continued he was beset by a fit of niggard¬ wrote. If you go beyond the few to do so while writing the materi¬ liness, and insisted on taking the famous stories, you'll find dry, al which, in order to maintain his fruits of his labors with him. synoptic little stories, appalling privacy, he ascribed to a young His coffin was lined with manu¬ attempts at humor, and general in¬ journalist then living in India. scripts. About twenty years lat¬ eptitude which will surprise you. er it was washed up on the shore To disprove this, Dunsany pre¬ You will come away with the impr¬ of Virginia, where it was found sents an overwhelming piece of ev¬ by an unhappy, unsuccessful and idence reminiscent of the Shakes¬ rather morbid young man -- you pearean cyphers: a sonnet by guessed it. Swinburne, in which the first let¬ ters of each line spell out "I It has been noted that most of DID NOT WRITE IF." Poe's best tales have European settings and subject matter and hearken back to the Gothics more It follows that if Swinburne than they resemble anything in Am¬ denied writing Kipling's most fam¬ erican literature of the time. ous work, he must not have written any of it. Nevertheless, Poe was able to pass the manuscripts off as his However, for all the sonnet own. He used them sparingly. reads like Swinburne, and even Slowly his reputation grew as fits into a sonnet sequence he did, "The Masque of the Red Death," "A it does not appear in any edition Cask of Amontilliado," "The Black of his collected poems. I know Cat," and the rest appeared. He becaiuse I checked. It is in fact became a modest financial success, an extremely clever pastiche by but kept ruining himself with his Dunsany. drinking. The drinking, of course, I am left speechless with ad¬ was brought on by the haunting re¬ miration at the brilliance of this alization that he would never, ploy. Dunsany created a compel¬ never produce one such masterpiece ling F.L.T., then pretended to lay himself and on the day that his it to rest, utilizing a crucial supply ran out, he would be ruined. piece of evidence which a minimal amount of research will prove to So once upon a midnight dreary, be a fake. It doesn't matter that as he pondered weak and weary over he didn't believe a word of what what he would do next, in from he wrote. These things have a night's Plutonian shore flew a life of their own, like my Hodg- large black bird which had escaped son/Derleth theory. The seed has from an Italian organ grinder who been planted. Someday, no doubt, couldn't afford a monkey. some academician will owe his lifetime salary to Lord Dunsany. "Oh, when will I be able to equal such tales?" Poe moaned I doubt I'll ever be able to rhetorically, in despair. "When do better than that. But then will I write something worthy of Dunsany was a better writer than myself?" I am. Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore." However, I can try. Here's my latest. It is like a vast # # # clockwork, the gears furiously Go ahead. Try to disprove it. spinning, connected to nothing in particular. But they do spin. violence, horror and chaos captiv¬ ated millions of readers? He writes well. He fills his tales with gritty, easily visualized, VOICES here-and-now settings and charac¬ ters who are so real that they get right up off the page and walk in¬ to our minds. And he plots like a BENCHMARKS: GALAXY BOOKSHELF is not is bland. You may agree or bom yam spinner. But these fac¬ By Algis Budrys disagree with his opinions, but ile observations seem inadequate to S. Ill. Univ. Press, 400 pp, $19.95 either way his essays are bomd to explain the mesmerizing power of a arouse strong emotions. Stephen King novel. How does he REVIEVCD BY MARK BERRY do it? As the title indicates, this Now then, who is this book for? is a collection of book reviews Well, if the first or second item In STEPHEN KING: THE ART OF which Budrys wrote for GALAXY mag¬ which you turn to in F6SF each DARKNESS, Douglas Winter defini¬ azine from February 1965 to Decem¬ month is Budrys' colunn, then shell tively answers this question. Win¬ ber 1971. The style is quite sim¬ out the twenty bucks and buy this ter is a young Washington lawyer ilar to the one he uses in his cur¬ book. For those people, it will who in his spare time has made him¬ rent review column in THE MAGAZINE be money well spent. Also, if self the foremost critic of horror OF FANTASY 5 SCIENCE FICTION. you are interested in the state of fiction -- or "dark fantasy," as the field during that pivotal per¬ it is known by aficionados. He You might be asking yourself iod you might want to consider buy¬ was recently described by T.E.D. why you should buy a collection of ing it. However, the casually in¬ Klein, editor of THE TWILIGHT ZONE fifteen-year-old book reviews. terested reader (unless he/she is magazine and himself the author of Well, as it turns out, there are much richer than I) will want to such brilliant horror stories as several good reasons. wait and see if a paperback edi- THE CEREMONIES (1984), as "the hor¬ First, 1965-1971 was a rather ror genre's most influential ob¬ good time for speculative fiction server, its Edmund Wilson and Bos¬ If you would like to get a bet¬ well with a touch of cheerleader with such important books as DAN¬ ter idea of what the book is like GEROUS VISIONS, DUNE, BUG JACK BAR¬ thrown in." Winter has written on pick up a few copies of FSSF and King's fiction before, in his RON, THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS and read Budrys' column, "On Books." THE MDON IS A HARSH MISTRESS first READER'S GUIDE TO STEPHEN KING BENCHMARKS is just as interesting (Starmont House, 1982) --of which seeing the light of day. All of as the contemporary columns. these plus 151 other books are sub¬ THE ART OF DARKNESS is a major ex¬ jected to the unique Budrys style If you want insight into one of pansion -- and in "The Night Journ¬ of criticism. the most vital eras of the genre, eys of Stephen King" in the critic¬ with a guided tour from the best al anthology FEAR ITSELF: THE HOR¬ Budrys gives you his reasons SF critic around, with occasional ROR FICTION OF STEPHEN KING (Under¬ for doing the column (and this col¬ pitstops to examine such topics as wood-Miller, 1982). But THE ART lection) in the first words of his fandom, the business of publishing OF DARKNESS is his magnum opus: Foreword: and several other subjects, then a readable, provocative literary 'A book should be good. A order this book. It will make a appreciation cum biography cum an¬ bird should fly. valuable addition to any serious alysis of the works of one of Am¬ reader's bookshelf. erica's most widely-read authors. 'Writers of imperfect, tous¬ led books should be made a- Winter concentrates on King's ware that standards of breed¬ novels -- from the early, intros¬ ing and grooming exist. I pective fables of CARRIE (1974), STEPHEN KING: THE ART OF DARKNESS SALEM'S LOT (1975) and THE SHINING strive to fulfill that func¬ By Douglas E. Winter (1977), to the rationalized, soci¬ tion. Nal Books, Nov 1984, 252 pp., $14.95 opolitical horror tales of THE 'Would-be writers peering REVIEWED BY MICHAEL A. MORRISON STAND (1978) , THE DEAD ZONE (1979), in should be made aware of FIRESTARTER (1980) and "The Mist," the same thing. In addition, Why is Stephen King so popul¬ and the more personal terrors of they are then reasonably en¬ ar? Why have his fantasies of CUJO (1981), DIFFERENT SEASONS titled to a practicable a- mount of technical and theor¬ etical forth-putting, intend¬ ed to hasten the day of their excellence. I claim to act within that compass as well.' Bydrys is probably the finest critic of speculative fiction today. Damon Knight, Harlan Ellison and Marta Randall say so and I tend to agree with them. The operative word here is critic. Though these pieces are referred to as reviews, they are actually pieces of criticism, link¬ ing whichever books are being ex¬ amined to the field and, at times, the world as a whole.

Budrys is witty, incisive and sometimes nasty. The one thing he 30 (1982), CHRISTINE (1983) and PET But there is more than horror formation of his rather hackneyed SEMATARY (1983), finally arriving and death in the novels of Stephen plot device --a breach of the bar¬ at the King-Straub collaboration King. By skillfully placing these rier between life and death -- into THE TALI34AN (1984). He also novels in a clearly-defined social, a haunting vivification of the per¬ briefly discusses King's lesser- political and literary context. ils of blind rationalism in the known books -- THE DARK TOWER: THE Winter demolishes the charge that late twentieth century. King is a hack writer of "trash," GUNSLINGER (1982) and THE CYCLE OF In addition to illuminating proving that he is a romantic, nat¬ THE WEREWOLF (1983) -- and provides "the intrinsically subversive art" uralistic, social novelist of the tantalizing glimpses of several of these and other novels. Winter forthcoming books. As if that was first rank and that his contempor¬ offers a thoughtful study of the not enough, THE ART OF DARKNESS in¬ ary fairy tales mirror, probe and nature and role of dark fantasy cludes invaluable primary and sec¬ comment on the anxieties, the psy¬ and of the need it alone seems to ondary bibliographies and appendix¬ chic pressure points, of our time. satisfy. To succeed as "surrogate es covering King's short fiction night journey" from, as King puts and film adaptations of his work. it, "the land of the living to the Winter eschews the sclerotic land of the dead," horror fiction jargon and constricting structures must be firmly grounded in the very of academic literary criticism in reality from which it offers un¬ favor of an appealing, conversa¬ easy escape. Paradoxically, great tional style. His informal tone tales of terror must focus on pre¬ is enhanced by extensive quotations cisely the fears from which their from King that Winter liberally readers want to hide. Typically, sprinkles throughout each chapter. they resolve this paradox by fo¬ These remarks -- taken from King's cusing on the emotions of fear, non-fiction book DANSE MACABRE eliciting these emotions via blat¬ (1981), from hard-to-find publish¬ antly un-real constructs like ed interviews and from over 12 vampires and werewolves. As Wint¬ hours of taped conversations, in er puts it (p. 100): "...the best fuse THE ART OF DARKNESS with the horror fiction is a dark analogue presence of Stephen King. The re¬ of reality, its authors conscious¬ sult is rather like sitting down ly or unconsciously expounding over a few beers with King and his fears that are a reflection or sub¬ enthusiastic Boswell to rap about tle variation of actual fears." his books. Winter documents King's And that is why Stephen King has meteoric rise in popularity fol¬ become "America's storyteller." lowing the success of Brian de Pal¬ ma's 1976 film of CARRIE and the A reviewer is never satisfied. paperback publication in the same I wish Winter had written more year of SALEM'S LOT, how these and about King's less familiar, now Winter writes most perceptive¬ other novels came to be written out-of-print books, especially the ly on those novels in which socio¬ and how King feels about them now. enigmatic THE DARK TOWER: THE GUN¬ political themes are paramount. Along the way, Winter and King SLINGER. I wish he had given us In the epic fantasy THE STAND treat us to dozens of choice tid¬ more than a couple of pages on THE (1978), for exanple. King contrasts bits of inside information: about CYCLE OF THE WEREWOLF, in which the "dual landscapes" of America King's first bestseller (a novel- King explicitly uses the motif of before and after the coming of ization of the American Interna¬ the werewolf. This motif, symbol¬ Captain Tripps, the plague that tional film THE PIT AND THE PENDU¬ ic of the beast within man and rep¬ wipes out almost all of her people. LUM) , about his planned sequel to resentative of internal evil, is Winter unveils the purpose behind SALEM'S LOT and the return of Ran¬ implicit in many of King's novels dall Flagg in the forthcoming nov¬ this metaphor (p. 57): "Superim¬ and, as Winter suggests, is impor¬ posing the illusions of our modem el THE NAPKINS, about how he and tant to understanding horror fic¬ Peter Straub developed and wrote world upon the ravished landscape tion. And I wish he had discussed of catastrophe. King explores the THE TALISMAN, etc. But the heart the structure and thematic content strange mixture of myth and reality of THE ART OF DARKNESS is Winter's of King's major short stories in a that comprises our perception of critical analyses of King's novels chapter-length essay, rather than America," and follows this insight and why they are such potent enter¬ limit his coverage of these stories with a provocative analysis of the tainments. to the admittedly valuable synop¬ distortions and ironies that de¬ ses in Appendix A. The theme that gives coherence fine our self-image. Winter's to this eclectic book is "the night sociological conmentary is not But these are minor quibbles. journey" --a complex, multi-facet¬ gratuitous, however; it supports THE ART OF DARKNESS is literary ed motif that Winter sees as cen¬ his critical stance: that King commentary at its finest: readable, tral to King's fiction. In its uses dual landscapes and other unpretentious and suffused with broadest sense, the night journey Gothic devices to highlight the intelligence and enthusiasm for is an interior exploration through paradoxically necessary but stult¬ King's novels and the genre of which King's Everyman characters ifying nature of Western civiliza- dark fantasy. Whether writing on come to confront their (and our) the dual nature of evil in THE true natures; only after their DEAD ZONE-, the brutal, unremitting His analyses of King's more night journeys can these characters realism of CUJO, the cinematic personal novels are equally acute. cope with the terrible moral dilem¬ qualities of "The Mist," or any of In PET SEMATARY, arguably the best mas they must face. It is also the host of other topics in this of these books. King confronts the the journey towards death that we book, Winter -- like the best lit¬ ultimate secret, the bedrock of each must take, accompanied by the erary critics -- enhances rather ghosts of our childhood selves. horror and the end of all our than spoils the pleasures and fris¬ night journeys: death. Winter And it is the descent into horror sons of the original works. THE examines King's remarkable trans- that King's readers know and re¬ ART OF DARKNESS is easily the best lish. 31 writing yet on America's master of horror and is sure to become mand¬ but we gave it a fine try. The two of people struggle to survive in atory reading for King's legion of of us in a legend: I've always San Onofrio, California several fans. fancied that, but won’t we shock decades after the United States them?" was virtually destroyed by nuclear bombing. The author briefly dis¬ If you've grown tired of the cusses the bombardment itself as Arthurian Matter -- because it al¬ BELOVED EXILE well as why the world's powers are ways seems the same, those unchang¬ By Parke Godwin preventing the U.S. from rebuild¬ ing characters parading through Bantam, July 1984, (from an advance ing, but his main concern is ex¬ those situations that we all have reading copy), 422 pp., $6.95 amining life in a civilization come to know so well -- then do that is decadent compared to the REVIEWED BY CHARLES DE LINT give BELOVED EXILE a try. The richness and sophistication of a legends are there, the magic is few generations earlier. He con¬ FIRELORD CDoubleday, 1980) present, for- all the gritty reality vincingly portrays a state of mind was the first panel of Parke God¬ of the tale's presentation. As that has a greater effect on the win's triptych of Roman Britian Godwin himself has said: "It lives of San Onofrio's people than and one of the finest novels to be should have happened this way, it their physical hardships. released that year. What raised could have, and perhaps it did." it head and shoulders above most Still to come is the final panel THE WILD SHORE has many other Arthurian Matter was the un¬ of this triptych, THE LAST RAINBOW. strengths. Robinson's America is canny perfection of its character¬ Until then, as Arthur and Guene¬ ization. The story was told from much more than a fictional creat¬ vere bade each other: "Rest you ion, but a living and breathing the first person perspective of gentle; sleep you sound." Arthur himself and brought the le¬ world. His people are so believ¬ *********************************** gends down to earth without ever able that I was completely caught losing the magic that has made the up in their emotions, laughing tales of King Arthur and his knights with them, fearing for them, near¬ perhaps the most popular story-cyc¬ ly shedding tears when one of them le of all time. At the end of died. His plot is both logical FIRELORD, the King received his and interesting. It mostly con¬ deathwound at the battle of Badon cerns San Onofrio's dealing with against his son Modred. In his San Diego, a much larger settlement new novel, BELOVED EXILE, Godwin with considerably different views continues the story from Guenevere's on rebuilding and how these dif¬ perspective and tells what became ferences affect a group of teenag¬ of her after Arthur's death. ers dissatisfied with how their primitive lifestyles compare to It begins with Bedivere bring¬ America's previous greatness. ing the Queen the imperial sword and the news of her husband's This is that rare type of death, then chronicles her subse¬ science fiction novel that I did quent attempts to hold together the not want to end, but wished it country that she and Arthur had would continue for the rest of its welded into one nation under the characters' lives. I hope that Red Dragon banner of the Pendrag- Robinson resists the temptation on. There is a fascinating excur¬ to write a sequel, since it seems impossible that anything could ev¬ sion into the customs and beliefs TFE WILD SHORE of the Iclingas, the English tribes By Kim Stanley Robinson er equal this book. who first brought the notion of Ace SF Special, 371 pp, $2.95 *********************************** parliament into Britain; Arthur's knights, the combrogi, are present REVIEWED BY ROBERT SABELLA again -- older, though not always I approached this novel with A GUIDE TO THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE wiser; Coel, the monk who trans¬ high expectations for several Gompiled by Raymond L. Velasco cribed Arthur's life in FORELORD, reasons. Kim Stanley Robinson is Del Rey, 215 pp., $2.95, illus. returns; and there is an entirely an excellent science fiction writ¬ new rich cast of characters rang¬ er with such recent credits as REVIEWED BY JOHN DIPRETE ing from the Iclingas thegn Gunnar "Venice Drowned," "To Leave A Would you believe that Lucas' Eanboldson to Raidda, known as Mark" and the award-winning "Black trio of STAR WARS films spawned Rat, who becomes Guenevere's con¬ Air." The original Ace Science over a thousand new words, names fidant during her exile. Fiction Special Series edited by and expressions -- enough to fill But, as in FIRELORD, what sets Terry Carr was probably the best a 215-page book?? Well, 'tis so. BELOVED EXILE apart is the sheer long-running series of science Scour Raymond L. Velasco's A GUIDE reality of its major protagonist. fiction novels ever. Finally, TO THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE and. leam Such is Godwin's skill with char¬ there have been many rumors that about creatures, such as the dinko acterization, that it's inpossible Carr waited for Robinson's manu¬ and dianoga; characters, such as not to believe that this is who script to begin the series although Admiral Ackbar and Big Bunji; de¬ Guenevere was and why she was. he already had other novels wait¬ vices, such as a flexclamp and gi- Her reactions to the glories and ing for publication. mer stick; droids, such as an agri¬ the betrayals, the joys and the robot and astromech; events, such losses, are in tum moving, ag¬ Although high expectations as the Clone Wars and the Third gravating, resigned, but always have ruined nearly as many novels Battle of Vontor; colloquialisms, as shoddy plotting, Robinson did real. There are no shining knights Such as choobies and jizz-wailer; in this book, nor glorious quests. not disappoint me. In fact, THE institutions, such as the Sith and There are only the deeds of men and WILD SHORE is the best science the Alpha team; technological ab¬ women that time and the bards have fiction novel I have read in many stractions, such as the Force and shaped into legend. Or as Guene¬ years. Typical of Robinson, its hypno-imprinting; vessels, such as vere herself says at the end of premise is simple: a small group the B-wing fighter and gravsled; weaponry, such as an activation FIRELORD: "We didn't win it all, 32 stud and lightsaber; and places, CREV£L LYE: A CAUSTIC YARN hero does grow on one, a peculiar such as the Cloud City and Akrit- By Piers Anthony logic underlies the silliness of Del Rey/Ballantine, 309 pp., $3.50 Xanth, and Anthony is a storytel¬ ler. ("Yam" is precisely the A brave new lexicon of ideas REVIEVCD BY PAUL MCGUIRE right word for this book.) At a (in parts semi-familiar to science Xanth is a place of enchant¬ time when much, if not most, hero¬ fiction readers) comprises this ment of whatever size is most con¬ ic fantasy seems to be the same self-contained, illustrated dic¬ venient. Everything in it either novel being published under dif¬ tionary-universe. Indeed: virtu¬ is or has magic. Most sentences ferent titles and by-lines, Xanth ally every dialogue-segment in in this book either is or has a at the very least is something dif¬ each film must have featured a pun, (many of which were sent to ferent inside, and a quite pleas¬ flashy gimmick-team; the six hours Mr. Anthony by readers who are ac¬ ant read. of snappy voice patter almost had knowledged by him in an Afterword to be digested, as if they were a *********************************** foreign tongue. which functions as sort of a club newsletter). No need to look be¬ If you wish to know Skywalk- yond the title for an example of er's galaxy inside-out, follow puns, and inside they really pun THE GLAMOUR this cosmic yellow brick road. amuck. They also figure into the By Christopher Priest 1984, 303 pp., L8.50 *********************************** nature of Xanth; a shoe tree is a tree which grows shoes for examp¬ Jonathan Cape Ltd, London le, and there are several dozen REVIEWED BY MARK COFTA more examples counting trees alone. Christopher Priest's novels Main characters from other sail across the ocean with little books in the series (this is the fanfare, too often to sit neglect¬ eighth) are presented or referred ed on library shelves, falling be¬ to in the opening chapter when a tween the marketing categories of little girl encounters the ghost of SF and "mainstream." His works an ancient warrior. Nearly all are a treat, though, and the strange INCARNATE of the novel is the first-person world of THE GLAMOUR is one of his By Ramsey Campbell narrative flashback telling the best. TOR, 1984, 499 pp., $3.95 story of the ghost's life. He was a barbarian who set off to be an '"There is a hierarchy of vis¬ REVIEWED BY STUART NAPIER adventurer. After capturing a ual interest,"' Sue tells her lov¬ pooka (here it is a half-alive er, Richard. "'In any group of If you can't stop dreaming do and half-ghost horse covered with people there is someone who is no¬ your dreams become reality?: and chains), they become friends and ticed last.'" Or not at all, in if they do, do you have the power companions. There are a few lit¬ THE GLAMOUR. Richard, Sue and her to shape and mold them or are you tle adventures and then he arrives possessive former boyfriend Niall forever caught in the dreadful un¬ at Castle Roogna and the dying share the ability to become invis¬ dertow of someone else's nightmare? king gives .him a mission. Two ible that they call "the glamour." In this hierarchy, the lowest have These questions are explored magicians are contesting to succeed become the highest: the glamour¬ by Ramsey Canpbell in his latest the king, so the barbarian is sent ous, invisible except (usually) to novel INCARNATE, a conplex and am¬ on a quest to bring back an unnamed each other, roam the vrorld, living bitious horror tale set in modem object which will decide the issue on what they take. London, England. The story picks one way if he succeeds, the other up eleven years after a group ex¬ if not. The good magician gives Richard, a film photographer, periment in prophetic dreaming from him spells which will conteract narrowly survived a car-bomb ex¬ which none of the original partic¬ the spells set against him by the plosion. While convalescing months ipants emerged unchanged. Camp¬ bad magician, but the spells are later. Sue comes to him, explaining bell's writing style is crisp and mixed up so that when he uses one that she was his lover. He suffers clean with a sure sense of dia¬ it is with no idea which one he is from partial amnesia and remembers logue -- sentence by sentence -- using, but he uses them anyway. nothing of the weeks before the ac¬ yet somehow the novel still seems The object he is to fetch is cident. Sue tries to reawaken his to take too long coming to grips a half demon woman who does not love for her and his awareness of with the central issues. It's not want to go with him. In fact, his glamour. The story unfolds really padding: Each line builds she kills him a few times. (The through several points of view and effectively on the preceding one. barbarian's magic talent is regen¬ includes Niall's mysterious, mis¬ Nonetheless, you are better than eration.) The latter half of the chievous interference in their af¬ half way through this 499-page book deals with his attempts to get fair and Richard and Sue's coming book before what's going on begins her to the castle, her attempts to to terms with their powers. to be more than slightly clear -- escape, monsters encountered and Priest has a gift for making and further still before the main fought or fooled, a delightful the reader question his perceptions character, Molly Wolfe, has even section where they exchange bodies just as his characters question the vaguest idea why her life has plus several spells, curses and their own. THE GLAMOUR, like THE turned into a shambles lately. all the usual -- leading up to the AFFIRMATION, A DREAM OF WESSEX (in Campbell is a top-flight writ¬ cruel lie which dooms him. U.S., AN INFINITE SUM4ER), and IN¬ er of horror fiction; this time VERTED WORLD, offers convincing al¬ out, however, he gets bogged down It may take one a while to warm terations of our world. This nov¬ in unnecessary details with an in¬ up to this novel. At times the el, layered with different levels teresting plot that if developed wrriting can be relentlessly cute, of perception, gives us complex, more tightly (say under 200 pages) and it takes the plot a long time believable characters and an uncer¬ would have had more impact. As it to get started. On the other hand, tain reality populated by shadowy is, the novel tends to drag and there is a fair amount of genuine invisibles. Priest tantalizes the its conclusion was more a relief wit in addition to the endless reader by keeping truth elusive than a revelation. puns, the bumbling lout who is the and events richly textured. 33 More explanation would reveal matters better left to the imagin¬ cide between giving the tapestry out. There are lots of centuries ation and a full reading of this and its power to the Queen and left! engrossing new novel. Priest's thereby rescuing Jack and letting Hawke's writing style is vivid answers may not conpletely satisfy, Tarkesh's kingdom be taken over by and colorful with a nice touch for but in THE GLAMOUR, the fun is in evil, or letting Jack die and sav¬ humor that sometimes unintentional¬ getting to them. ing the kingdom. ly lapses into satire. It's just Marilyn Singer's first novel personally bothersome to me that is a complex, fast-paced tale, but the residents of the past never it has enough underlying resonances get out of a desperate situation TIE MAKING OF DUNE to lift it beyond a simple action -- our heroes drop their swords in By Ed Naha story. Her otherworld has a wrel- favor of their trusty laser weap¬ Berkeley, 299pp., $5.95, illus. come Middle Eastern flavor and her ons. But, men who have just been characters are, for the most part, surgically dissected by a laser REVIEVED BY ALMA JO WILLIAMS well-rounded. There is perhaps a sword rarely ask questions; right? Here is another foray into the little too much reliance on coin¬ When you are tired of strug¬ world of movie making. The photos cidence in parts of the plot, but gling with that Phillip K. Dick are excellent black and white -- the novel on a whole is strong the only color is on the glossy enough not to be damaged by that. book you've been meaning to finish front and back covers. Unless you Recommended to anyone who enjoys reading for some time or have seen are interested in spceial effects Joyce Ballou Gregorian's work or all the BATTLESTAR GA1ACTICA re¬ (hundreds of condoms, split longi¬ Robin McKinley's Damar books. runs twice and still crave more ACTION, these are the books to tudinally and covered with latex -- *********************************** gelatin mixtures were used for the turn to. worm tendons in the worm-riding *********************************** scenes) don't waste your money. THE IVANHOE GAMBIT Wl) *********************************** THE TIMEKEEPER CONSPIRACY (#2) TIE PIMPRENELL PLOT (»3) ON TFE DOWN HILL SIDE By Simon Hawke The Harlan Ellison Record Collection Ace SF, 1984, $2.75 By Ellis Weiner, National Lampoon REVIEVED BY ALMA JO WILLIAMS style, Pocket Books, 221 pp., $2.95 REVIEVED BY STUART NAPIER Harlan Ellison reads ON THE If you are ready to put your DOWN HILL SIDE. Those who are al¬ REVIEWED BY ALMA JO WILLIAMS mind on cruise control and go with ready members of The Harlan Elli¬ Plots within laughs within the flow of a rousing SF adventure son Record Collection can skip on puns! Meet Pall Agamemnides, Lady series this may be just what you to the next article. Fbr those of Jazzica, Flip Rotha and Baron Hard- need. you who are not, you are wasting chargin, Emperor Shaddup, the Freed- time NOT joining!! Ellison's read¬ menmen, etc. etc., on Doon, the THE TIME WARS TRILOGY is pres¬ ings are excellent --in fact, I Dessert Planet, where no entrees ently available in three separate enjoy them more than the recordings are to be found, where the wild paperbacks. Each book stands alone of his "one man shows given at var¬ pretzels roam and make beer. Learn fairly well despite the full flav¬ ious locations throughout the how Pall receives the name. Mauve'- or of the series not being gained length and breadth of the land." Bib, ews Princess Serutan's chapter unless you read them consecutively. Many of you are too young to remem¬ headings, laugh your way through The possibility of a single book ber the Golden Days of Radio and the Glossary of unfamiliar Imperi- collecting all three (each runs the gifted albeit faceless perform¬ um and Arruckus terms and find out approximately 200 pages) probably ers who either acted or read for how Pall discovers that he is the depends on reader response to the our education and entertainment. long-awaited Kumkwat Haagendasz. books now in print but it seems a (God, how I miss it!) Harlan is a Good for a 45-minute giggle. natural to me. throwback to those thrilling days *********************************** The premise of the series is of yesteryear, and his vocal nuanc¬ that time travel has been perfected es can evoke whatever experiences and citizens of the far future and scenes of your psyche to create fight their wars in the past: join¬ your own private world for story HORSEMASTER ing ranks with the existing armies illustration far better than any¬ By Marilyn Singer in a selected "present" so as to thing MTV could ever film. Atheneum, Jan 1985, 179 pp., $13.95 not disturb the time lines. There The cover by Don Ivan Punchatz REVIEVED BY CHARLES DE LINT are Referees to oversee all this is striking black background fram¬ and a Temporal Corps to go back Through the magic of an antique ing the rainbow unicorn head and and straighten out things whenever neck in skeletal and anatomical tapestry, Jessica Walken and her a "time split" appears likely. friend, Jack Manning, are transport¬ perfection; the Dust Jacket program ed to another world where Jessica The series follows the adven¬ notes are by Gil Lamont; the music finds herself caught up between tures of Lucas Priest and Finn De¬ is gentle, genteel, wistful; it warring factions made up of the laney, temporal agents, as they was composed by Elise Morris who rightful King Tarkesh and his un¬ struggle to maintain the delicate sings the song "Lizette" at the faithful wife Talliya who wishes equilibrium needed to preserve the end. to have her son Smerdis crowned time lines while constantly fend¬ What! You never heard of it? King in her husband's place. All ing off the disruptive efforts of Well, send $5.00 to the Harlan El¬ Jessica wants to do is rescue Jack the "Mongoose," a maverick temporal lison Record Collection, 8530 Wil- who has been captured by the Queen's agent and master of disguise who shire Blvd., Suite 309, Beverly forces and then return to her own has his own plans for the past. Hills, CA 90211, and get a real wrorld, but she is forced into a far As the titles imply, these three treat!! more pivotal role. Because of the books use as their settings the ma-lat, or magic, in Jessica, she 12th through the 17th centuries is the protector of the horse de¬ and it wouldn't surprise me if picted in the tapestry -- Gabdon, Hawke just keeps cranking them the Horse God's son. She must de¬ 34 NIGHT VISIONS I Here's hoping it'll be around for Edited by Alan Ryan a long time. Dark Harvest, Oct 1984, 296 pp. Trade Ed. $18. ISBN 0-913165-05-0 ************************************ Lim. Ed. $45. ISBN 0-913165-04-0 THE VULCAN ACADEMY MURDERS REVIEWED BY CHARLES EE LINT By Jean Lorrah I like the idea behind Dark Pocket, 1984, 280 pp., $3.50 OUT OF THE CRADLE: EXPLORING THE Harvest's new series NIGHT VISIONS FRONTIERS BEYOND EARTH REVIEWED BY STUART NAPIER By William K. Hartmann, Ron Miller, and if the first book is any in¬ § Pamela Lee dication as to how the series is Another Star Trek novel, #20, Workman, 1984, 190 pp., $11.95 going to go, they've got a winner to sate the appetites of Trekies on their hands. The concept is everywhere! Jean Lorrah, a first¬ REVIEWED BY ANDREW M. ANDREWS simple. Each year they plan to time Trek novelist, joins the ranks This slick, colorful photo release a volume of horror fiction of Vonda McIntyre, Greg Bear and book upholds the excitement and to coincide with the World Fantasy others who have regularly breathed promise of space exploration like Convention. Three writers will new life into this long-dead TV no other, keeping alive the dream provide 30,000 words each and the series. In this well-crafted mys¬ that the LS people and others have book will be available as a signed/ tery, Kirk and McCoy have accompan¬ for colonizing space -- if we can limited/boxed edition, as well as ied Spock to the Vulcan Academy make it there without frying our in a regular trade edition. NIGHT Hospital to seek experimental treat¬ planet in thermonuclear hell. VISIONS I was edited by Alan Ry^n ment for a wounded Enterprise crew and the writers this time out are member. When mysterious deaths OUT OF THE CRADLE brings to me, Charles L. Grant, Steve Resnic Tern threaten the life of Spock's moth¬ as a reader, the same childhood and Tanith Lee. er Amanda, also a patient there, glee I had anxiously thumbing the Kirk is forced to think the un¬ Charles Grant was an excellent pages of a book I remember publish¬ thinkable. Murder on Vulcan. ed in 1958 by Doubleday called EX¬ choice to lead off this sort of PLORING THE PLANETS, except where collection. He's a master of the Lorrah's fast-paced prose EXPLORING laid on the color and short story and the seven pieces blends well with previous Trek nov¬ strange alienness of our solar sys¬ that appear here rank among his els and should be a popular addi¬ tem, OUT OF THE CRADLE presents it best work. His stories have a tion to the series. with special effects -- the authors quiet sense of horror that sneaks and illustrators have shown they up on you, before they grab you by the throat. Mood and his very do believe in what they do. A MDRTAL GLAMOUR well-drawn characters are what give By Chelsea Quinn Yarbro CRADLE remains only so far his work such strength. away from being a textbook, but Bantam, 308 pp., $3.50 Steve Resnic Tern's seven stor¬ doesn't get ridiculously like a REVIEWED BY PAUL MCGUIRE comic book either -- we're treated ies weren't always as effective for to the history of space exploration me. He appears to be one of those A recent best seller from Italy, coupled with the most spectacular, writers who "when he's good, he's THE NAME OF THE ROSE, presented unanimated, we're looking at real very, very good, but when he's bad murder in a monastery. A MORTAL space shots taken above our planet, he's awful." I found a couple of GLAMOUR has corruption in a convent on the moon, an array that would real clunkers here, but these were The tale is set in 1387, when the and does dazzle your mind and more than offset by the sheer eerie Catholic Church was violently div¬ heart. There is art, there is a beauty of something like "Dark ided between two popes, law was special kind of beauty in the whim¬ Rider." hardly a concept, and three plagues had killed over a third of Europe's sy of the photo of an astronaut Tanith Lee can be an acquired population. It is the milieu of high above the earth in a manned taste for some. Of the four long Moorcock's THE WAR HOUND AND THE maneuvering unit, to the illustrat¬ stories presented here, only "Si¬ WORLD'S PAIN, Janes Clavell's THE ed construction of space colonies, mon's Wife" is what one might ex¬ LAST VALLEY and MacAvoy's DAMIANO to the artistry depicting the play¬ pect to find in a traditional hor¬ trilogy -- apocalypse everywhere. fulness of the first child bom in ror collection. But Ryan has done space, to the exploration of Jupi¬ an admirable job in choosing Lee's Ms. Yarbro's world view is as ter and its moons, Saturn and its other three contributions. Uiey stark as the gray landscape of moons, Uranus ... and beyond. surprise and stretch boundaries. Bergman's SEVENTH SEAL, but where There is a haunting beauty to the The long "The Hunting of Death: his knight and players seemed weary photospread on pages 88-89, a cap¬ The Unicom" is a tour de force of of fear, pain and death, emotions tivating rendition of visitors to mystery and allusion. still rage hot within Ms. Yarbro's the Tranquility Monument, while the earthy characters. The ongoing war The book, trade as well as lim¬ hold-foil clad bottom stage of the between good and evil is perceived ited edition, is a sturdily and Apollo craft sits in repose, re¬ by them not metaphorically, but as beautifully made volume. Dustjack- flected in their faceplates. Flow¬ real combat, actually present, al¬ et and interior illustrations are ers growing profusely in the lunar ways -- and it appears as if Satan by Gregory Manchess who turned in colony, strange beauty even unto is kicking God's brains out. With a very striking cover and calli¬ the death of the explorer on Mars, cause, it seems that the whole graphy for the various titles used pictured on page 126. It makes earth has been given up to rabid in the book. Unfortunately, his you wonder: and voracious death. The philoso¬ interior illustrations aren't al¬ phical question why does an omni¬ What is taking us so long to ways as effective, although one or potent and oimiscient God of good get there? two of them are real gems. allow such evil to flourish is im¬ If you want your child to know This is a series definitely mediate, personal, and has horrify¬ about space -- or if you're looking worth our support. Volume II will ing implications. for the one strong testament to be edited by Charles Grant, with Priests uttering memorized space exploration -- read this book stories by Karl Wagner, David Mor¬ phrases sternly to the nuns, and and rejoice. We're getting there. rell and Joseph Payne Brennan. their Mother Superior punishing *********************************** 35 their flesh offers no appeasement Bradley brings us the story of to innocent women filled with con¬ one Leslie Barnes, a psychologist fusion, melancholy and fear. Fan¬ afflicted with the ability to lo¬ aticism was expected and total o- cate missing people. The ability bedience demanded of those women, frightens and confuses her; the many of whom were forced to endure fact that the National Enquirer has the back-breaking work and bleak run stories on her ability makes confinement against their wills. professional life difficult for her. Ritual and penance proved inade¬ Having run to San Francisco to es¬ quate, and the priest knew it but cape the notoriety of a murder case was afraid to deal with the nuns' her ability helped solve, Barnes doubts directly due to his own re¬ becomes involved in ever-deepening THE MIST By Stephen King pressed dread that there might be layers of psychic phenomena, pol¬ A radio drama adapted by M. Fulton, no answers. It was a time when tergeists, and practitioners of directed by Bill Raymond. ZBS Pro¬ people existed to serve faith, and various forms of magic. ductions, RR 1, Box 1201, Fort Ed¬ not only did faith fail to give any Along with Barnes is her sister, ward, NY 12828. Oct. 1984, 80 min¬ comfort to people, but it was often utes. Audiophile Collector's zealous enough to be utterly in¬ a would-be concert pianist. The human. conflict between the sisters and Series #1. the house they move into forms part Violence too is closer to the of the story; more of the story REVIEWED BY CHARLES DE LINT surface in Ms. Yarbro's work. The deals with Barnes attempting to While Stephen King's short nov¬ flagellists here are not deluded create a rational life while the el (which first appeared in Kirby and pitiable, but insane and are irrational goes on around her. McCauley's DARK FORCES, Viking, themselves yet another destructive 1980) is one of his few novels that The house the sisters inhabit scourge ravaging the world, partic¬ hasn't yet/or isn't about to become is that of a famous psychologist ularly the persons and property of a movie, it has been made into a interested in both music and the the church. The nuns must forget radio drama which is now available occult; the teacher selected for their terror and despair long en¬ from ZBS Productions. The story is Leslie's sister is the former pro¬ ough to fight a battle against hu¬ simple and owes a great deal to the tege1' of the woman who had died in man monsters. old B-Horror films: A mysterious the house. All of this leads up mist appears on the heels of a Yet their great conflict is to a thrilling (yes, thrilling) storm one morning and there are with a beautiful, sensual demon climax. The teacher seeks to re¬ things in it. We follow the pro¬ who comes to them in the night to gain the use of his ruined hand and ceedings (both in the book and this possess their bodies with a brutal eye through magical means while the radio play) from the viewpoint of lust to steal their souls. A MDR- spirit of the house's former owner a number of people caught in a su¬ TAL GLAMOUR is a well-researched seems bent on preventing such a permarket, trapped by the mist. novel of manners with powerful magical re-building. characterizations of men and women But simplistic though that sinking through hopeless depression Yet this is not a run-of-the- brief summary makes the story seem into madness, and of those who seek mill horror-type story, nor an to be, the strength of King's work to fight against the possession al¬ occult book dependent on monsters has always been his characteriza¬ though they feel inpotent against and demons, as much as it is a tions and director Bill Raymond any more evil unleashed in their story of willpower and love. The has done a commendable job at re¬ world which already seems to be occult/magical backbround is ex¬ taining much of it for this drama¬ daimed. This is a fascinating and tremely convincing; I wouldn't be tization. Bill Sadler is especial¬ realistic work of a superb author surprised if the bookstore and it's ly effective in his role of the of mature horror fiction. inhabitants around which some of main protagonist, David Drayton, the action revolves isn't based on *********************************** while the other actresses and ac¬ a place Ms. Bradley frequents and tors turn in fine jobs as well. people she knows and enjoys. The only drawback I really TIC INHERITOR THE INHERITOR is certainly not find in this sort of a production By Marion Zinmer Bradley a book for the born-again Christ¬ is the necessity of having charac¬ TOR, 1984, 414 pp., $3.50 ian; the use of magic is too posi¬ ters explain what's going on from tive and too convincing for that. time to time. (Along the lines of: REVIEWED BY STEVE MILLER It is not simply a book for the oc¬ "Look at the size of it! It must Lest there be a misunderstand¬ cult/horror fan, for surely the fan be at least four feet long, with a ing you should know that THE INHER¬ of horror can find something a bit wingspread of..." etc.) But I sup¬ ITOR isn't really SF and it isn’t more gruesome and horrible else¬ pose a narrator would have detract¬ really fantasy and it isn't' really where. Instead, THE INHERITOR ed from the imnediacy of the pro¬ a gothic horror and it isn't really should be read by people willing to duction. novel of the occult. What it is suspend disbelief for magic in any The adaptation is very faith¬ depends on the reader in part; gen¬ form, and people willing to invest ful to the original book, the sound erally, it is extremely well writ¬ a bit of energy in their reading. effects are extraordinarily good ten and riveting. The energy will come back; you'll be rewarded by rich characters and and Tim Clark's electronic score The science in the famous SF a pleasing, if somewhat understated is appropriate, if a touch overpow¬ story "Flowers For Algernon" was a ending. ering occasionally. Mention should soft science, even though it dealt be made here of the Kunstkopf bi¬ with biology and medicine. The *********************************** naural sound --a method of digital science in THE INHERITOR is even sound utilizing the Neumann KU 81 softer --it deals with psychology duirany-head. The end product comes and parapsychology -- yet it is up with a quality of audio that is still there: What would happen to superb and three-dimensional with a trained psychologist faced with headphones. Definitely worth a sudden personal poltergeist and psy¬ listen. chic phenomena? 36 LIGHT YEARS AND DARK warm and witty piece of non-fic¬ brief appearance, the novel is Ed. by Michael Bishop tion from one of science fiction's more concerned with the coming of Berkley, 1984, 498 pp., $8.95 best prose stylist. Tiptree -- one age of three other individuals: THE YEAR'S BEST SCIENCE FICTION., of the non-baby-boom authors -- Taen, a child taught enchantment FIRST ANNUAL COLLECTION recounts the difficulties of an un¬ by the fairy-like Vaere at Ansk¬ Ed. by Gardner Dozois scheduled heart attack in a devel¬ iere 's request; her brother Emien, Bluejay Bks, 1984, 575 pp., $9.95 oping nation. who turns from his sister and fam¬ ily to embrace the evil power of¬ THE YEAR'S BEST SCIENCE FICTION REVIEVCD BY SHJART NAPIER fered to him by the sorceress Tath- FIRST ANNUAL COLLECTION, contains agres; and Jaric, the frail des¬ Despite the conmercial success 25 stories and covers a whopping cendant of Ivain who must complete of several science fiction novels 575 pages containing a good sampl¬ Anskiere's geas, although he wants lately (Frank Herbert's apparently ing of recent works from establish¬ nothing to do with wizards of endless DUNE series; Isaac Asimov's ed writers and up-and-comers. FOUNDATION'S EDGE, the capstone of sorcery. a famous tetralogy), the short form James Tiptree, Jr. is repre¬ While told in a multi-view¬ remains the mainstay of the genre. sented with fiction this time: point style, STORMWARDEN's complex "The Dead Reef" is a chilling tale subplots never confuse. Instead Many feel science fiction's about the possibilities of environ¬ "golden era" was during the 1930s they weave together into a fast- mental "revenge" after years of hu¬ paced wonderfully-textured story, and 1940s, the heyday for "pulp" man abuse. "Cryptic" by newccmer with gritty down-to-earth details magazines featuring short stories Jack McDevitt is a suspenseful from rigging a ship to running a filled with a "sense of wonder." "Hard SF" story about the supres- trap line to the preparations for Not to fear, the short SF story is sion of certain information discov¬ battle and sorcery. Hie characters still a vibrant and influential ered by the SETI experiements come across as real people, the form. And it's not an easy length. (Search for Extra-Terrestrial In¬ world of Keithland has been pains¬ Characters and plot must be deftly telligence) where giant radio-tele¬ takingly thought out and there's blended into a lean prose that scopes were trained on the heavens even a touch of SF in the middle carries the reader along to its trying to sift through the endless conclusion with few, if any, lulls of this high fantasy that enhances radio waves that bombard Earth for rather than intrudes. To top it or pauses allowed. Anthologies, signs of an intelligent message. originals or previously published all off, Wurts has rendered the The problem, as the main character cover, frontispiece and mapwork are an excellent way to sample finds out, is that once discovered, what's going on in the field. herself and the cover alone is al¬ the message may not be what we want most worth the price of admission. The enphasis in LIGHT YEARS to hear. Recommended to those who like a AND DARK, edited by Michael Bishop, Perhaps the most disturbing solid adventure, but are tired of is science fiction from the "baby- and impressive was Leigh Kennedy's linear plots and cardboard char¬ boom" generation, or as Bishop says, "Her Furry Face," an evocative tale acters . "writers who came to prominence in of the blurred lines of distinction the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s ... who between man and higher level animal were bom no earlier than 1940." intelligence, and the poignant con¬ He only breaks this rule twice and sequences of misinterpreting the ONCE THERE WAS A GIANT both times it was worth it. similarities. By Keith Laumer TOR, 1984, $2.50 These are writers who grew up *********************************** with the threat of nuclear holo¬ REVIEWED BY STUART NAPIER caust ever present and started Actually two short novels, writing during the turbulent 1960s; with the "bonus" NO SHIP BOOTS IN the pessimistic, often bleak point FAIRYLAND, the longer at 107 pages of view found in those times is re¬ (GIANT, originally published in flected in many of the stories. 1968, is a mere 83) plus an essay Bishop has done a fine job of as¬ on Laumer's writing by Sandra Mie- sembling some of the more exciting sel. Despite no Retief stories work from writers of this genera¬ here, Laumer uses his considerable tion, including over 40 stories al¬ STORWARDEN style and wit to tell a couple of together. The stories range from By Janny Wurts good tales. The novels -- though the prophetic "Doing Lennon" by Ace, Dec 1984, 325 pp, $2.95 written sixteen years apart -- Gregory Benford which involves a read nicely as coup anion pieces REVIEWED BY CHARLES DE LINT conplex attempt to cheat at sus¬ concerned with moral values in an pended animation to the absurdist often immoral and chaotic universe. "Terrific Park" by George Alec Ef- In times past, two wizards -- finger about two star explorers Anskiere the Stormwarden and the Miesel's essay "The Long and who find what they assume is "hell" Firelord Ivain -- joined forces to the Short of It" places these two at the edge of the universe and it bind the Mharg-demons but before stories in the perspective of a they completed their task, Ivain is an exact duplicate of Rubber¬ corpus spanning twenty-five years maid, New Jersey. betrayed Anskiere and the latter and offers some interesting in¬ had to complete the binding alone. sight into how the author's repe¬ My personal favorite was the He laid a geas on Ivain then that tition of terminology and names in truly frightening alternate history not until Ivain completed a task dissimilar stories "imposes a ten¬ "Dinner Party" by Gardner Dozois. of Anskiere's choosing would the uous unity on his whole body of This story focuses on the period debt between them be considered work." Most fascinating of all imnediately following the Kent paid. And if Ivain should die, are Miesel's comparisons of themes State incident and was perviously then this geas would fall to his between Laumer and philip K. Dick: refused publication, perhaps due descendants until it was completed. "pop culture correlatives, meta¬ to the powerful statement it makes physical speculations, a flair for about the "insanity" of those times This is the background for Janny Wurts' second novel STORM- farce and a pervasive distrust of in particular and violence in gen¬ appearances." eral. Finally, James Tiptree, WARDON. Although Anskiere makes a Jr.'s "Painwise in Yucatan" is a 37 *********************************** SMALL PRESS NOTES

THE SPY WHO DRANK BLOOD for most; it concentrates on death, NEW LIBERTARIAN April, 1985 By Gordon Linzer dying, winter, cold, graves... Per¬ Edited by Samuel Edward Konkin III Space and Time $5.95 haps because he is now 66 and has 1515 West MacArthur Blvd., #19, 138 W. 70th Street,#4-B, had heart problems. Costa Mesa, CA 92626. $2.50 New York, NY 10023 Fine dust jacket illustra¬ An especially meaty issue this tions by Stephen Fabian. An intriguing use of a vampire: time, as Jeff Riggenbach and George keep him in a deep freeze until he H. Smith rock Libertarianism to its core, Maude, in a discussion of the is needed for a top-secret govern¬ so-called "Natural Rights" which are, ment spy or dirty-tricks covert op¬ if not God-given, are supposed to be eration . His name is now Blood, and he instinctual Recognitions (in the DNA SOUTH OF TT£ MOON #20 chain?) of "fairness". The state uses all of his vampiric powers Martin M. Horvat, Editor (shape-changing, enormous physical uses this philosophy to justify giv¬ American Private Press Association ing and taking money and power from strength, hypnosis) to eliminate 112 East Burnett Street a monster in the Florida everglades. and to people, while the libertar¬ Stayton, OR 97383 ians use the concept of Natural The monster is a man whose ex¬ This is the publication I asked periments in limb regeneration got Rights to justify and legitimize about last issue: a listing and de¬ struggle against the state to keep out of control and who new is huge, tailing of the major amateur press individual rights and power. insane, and unkillable by any kind associations in America. of gunfire---he regenerates organs And the wonder of it all is and tissue as fast as they are dam¬ this: it is theoretically possible, But--what if Natural Rights were aged. by joining seven or eight apas, to crock of shit? What if the concept The usual formula is followed, send your amateur publications to is wishful thinking? In that case but Blood is unique and interest¬ over 2000 people! No messing with there is no natural instinctive law ing as a character and as an agent. mailing permits, no huge ever- of the species to keep the state This small press softcover, changing mailing lists, no subscip- from doing anything it likes to its perfect-bound, offset,slick cover, tion bookkeeping—and you'd reach subjects, and no natural law to keep is worth the money. The cover art maybe 6000 people (assuming three anyone from doing anything he or she by Tony Patrick is stark and effec¬ people on the average might read can get away with. tive. each copy. And you'd get whole Horrors! Really? But isn't This could have been picked up reams of feedback and commentary... that what we see every day of the by a name paperback house, and with if what you wrote had comment-worthy week in the newspapers and on TV? an appropriate cover and blurbs hooks in it. In our private lives? A constant would have made money. The writing Here is an opportunity to make is certainly at a professional lev¬ a mark, have an impact... Yes, yes, el. I'm thinking about it. Very tempt¬ ing- By the way, Martin Horvat is a major collector/bibliographer of sf SIXTY SELECTED POEMS fanzines and is interested in major By Joseph Payne Brennan collections. Write if you have an The New Establishment Press interest in his work. You might 447 Roycroft Blvd. send two dollars to him for a copy Amherst, NY 14226 of SOUTH OF THE MOON. [That's my [Paperback $5., Hardcover $15. plus estimate of the worth of the maga- $1. postage and handling.] Brennan is a good poet, but this collection will be a downer RICHARD E. GEIS

INTERVIEW: *OB€W €.

SFR: I know you've written quite a few books on your own, but I'd 9QdO€fl)Q0 like to start with some questions about the WAR OF POWERS "series" which you co-authored with Victor was going to run only three vol¬ en spot, vrouldn't do either. That Milan. I enjoyed it hnmensely but umes. But the final six-volume is pretty thin. A bit more rewrit¬ I have to- challenge calling it a work, with a whole year elapsing ing, aided by my trusty word proc¬ series. It's really one novel before the second three volumes essor (this was the first book I running to six volumes, don't you appeared, is a unified whole. At did on the word processor -- and agree? what point did you know WAR was go¬ it convinced me totally on the VARDb'W: The original plan for ing to be as long? Was a lot of wonder and utility of computers), the book was for only one book, rewriting necessary to expand it and the 55,000 SUNDERED REALM turn¬ with the possibility of sequels if to the final form? ed into 70,000. And the second a publisher was interested. As to VaRW-iAN: In the beginning ... half, now carrying the original whether it is a series or not. I'll there was only THE CITY IN THE title of CITY IN THE GLACIER was have to hedge a little and say yes GLACIER. It was a single book likewise redone to about 70,000 and no. The concept of a series with a somewhat ambiguous ending words. With this in mind, I don't does not have to be unconnected leaving the way open for future believe it is too difficult to see stories using the same characters books. I was in New York to see where the seams are on reading the -- or at least I don't think so. Sharon Jarvis, then editor at Play¬ books. In the WAR OF POWERS each book boy Paperbacks. After only a few The obvious question was ask¬ stands alone pretty well but the minutes of talk it became obvious ed at this point. Sharon replied thread running through all six Sharon wanted to buy the book. that book 3, THE DESTINY STONE, books provides a bigger story. She spent the rest of lunch tel¬ need only be 70,000 words. This You might say you're actually get¬ ling me things she wanted added. got us halfway through the original ting seven stories for the price I told her this was going to be proposal to about book 1.5. Play¬ of six -- each individual title one very Ion book. Her reply: boy waited a while to see how plus the overall story. "I know. We're talking two books." sales were (quite good -- SUNDERED I like this idea on several By the time I left her office REAIM is in a third printing and levels. It gives a chance for later that afternoon, it had be¬ the other two are both in second more complex characters than usual¬ come three books. Back to Albuquer¬ printings) and then contracted for ly seen in heroic fantasy (there que, a complete rewriting of the the last half of the "trilogy." can actually be growth of the char¬ synopsis (now synopses) from be¬ Since the first three were publish¬ acters as they face adversity and ginning to end, lengthening, adding ed in consecutive months, Sharon conquer --or not -- and go on to ideas which suggested themselves wanted to do likewise with the the next volume) and allows inter¬ so that there'd be three 70,000- last three. The time delay between esting subplots to be dropped into word novels. A complete overhaul the first and last three had less the larger scheme. It also plays from stem to stem. to do with changing content as it "fairer" with the reader since the did in delays with getting the con¬ idea is to wrap up the story in a The contract came calling tract issued and the books written. set number of books -- the reader for three 110,000-word books. Pad¬ SFR: I'm always curious as to how won't make a career out of follow¬ ding what we'd come up with by two authors collaborate. Can you ing the hero and/or heroine through 40,000 words wasn't possible. An¬ give us an idea of how the mechan¬ increasingly futile volumes. E.C. other rewrite of the three synopses ics of your collaboration with Vic Dibb is a good writer, I've read and actual writing of the newly Milan actually worked? most all of his Dumarest books, titled volume 1, THE SUNDERED REALM but I've finally reached the point started. A 110,000-word book was VARlfWN: Some of this has been where I don't give a damn whether turned in. touched on in the previous question. he finds Earth or not. A good id¬ Another wrinkle occurred. We did the synopsis together and ea has been driven into the ground. Some faceless accounting gnome de¬ since I had the word processor, my Better to have a progression of cided that a high enough price tag coauthor did the first draft on a novels in mind and end it logical¬ couldn't be put on the book to sell typewriter. I did second draft on ly and before readers get fed up it and yet it'd require it to get the computer and "fine tuning!' and with pointless books which never back printing costs, etc. The ed¬ final manuscript. Corrections, solve the problem. ict came down from on high to Shar¬ additions and editorial changes I made easily enough on the computer. I am so taken by this way of on to simply cut the book in half We both more or less did the gal¬ putting together a series of books, and make two volumes from it. She leys. I've used it in THE CENOTAPH ROAD apologized over this (she knows and another set of four books sold things like this don't just happen SFR: It was reported in an Albu¬ to Avon titled THE JADE DEMONS. with a snip of the scissors, even querque fanzine, ALPHA CENTURA CQM- if the gnomes in their neatly-col- MJNICATQR, that you were dissatis¬ uraned world don't). SFR: When the first volume, THE fied with the process of collabor¬ SUNDERED REAIM (1980) hit the news¬ Two 55,000-word books, even ation. What kind of problems did stands it looked like WAR OF POWERS if the cut had come at a nice, ev- you and Vic run into? VARDtMflN: I am not dissatisfied with collaboration in general, just CONDUCTED BY NEAL WILGUS 40 in specific. Rather than look back, I'd would have cost for a single-time SFR: Turning now to your Cenotaph prefer to look ahead. Geo. W. use of Express Mail. The manu¬ Road series, which is also a multi- Proctor and I have sold a new her¬ script is received quickly, we volume novel -- I'm enjoying it, oic fantasy series to Ace titled know it, time delay is cut to a but it often has an uneven, jerky THE SWORDS OF RAEMLLYN, the first minimum and we get to use some pacing which makes me wonder if title, TO DEMONS BOUND to be pub¬ technology both of us find excit¬ there was some careless editorial lished next sunnier. This collabor¬ ing in both implication and applic¬ slashing at work. Were there some ation has a couple of possibly un¬ ation . passages cut out to fit the space requirements here and there? ique aspects to it. It's ray under¬ Another difficult portion of standing that when Poumelle and any multi-book collaboration is VARDdvWN: Actually, the opposite Niven collaborate they trade flop¬ keeping characters, traits, appear¬ is true. CENTAPH ROAD was origin¬ pies. Since they both live in LA ances, locations, etc. straight. ally written in 1977 and sat around that's easy enough. George lives With two people working virtually until 1980 when Sharon Jarvis bought in Dallas. If we depended on per¬ simultaneously on different parts it for Playboy Paperbacks (CR came sonally handing over floppy disks, of the series, things can get out out with the Ace inprint because the books could take forever. And of kilter unless the author doing of Berkley Publishing taking over forever might be quick if we de¬ the final draft has a phenomenal Playboy before the book was pub¬ pended on the US mail to deliver memory. George keeps all this in¬ lished) . The original writing was --it currently takes me about 5 formation on a data base on the not all that good, frankly. It days to get a first class letter computer. As new items are intro¬ was only the second or third book from Dallas, and this is if I'm duced into the books, they're put I'd ever completely written and lucky. into the data base. This keeps both writing and idea came early Rather than take such chances both of us up to date, shows pos¬ in my career. Sharon asked for when deadlines are tight, we are sible conflicts in what's been some logical changes and a gener¬ using modems to send the manuscript done and sometimes even suggests al tightening of the book. I was back and forth over the phone lines. new ideas. With the tight dead¬ happy to do it, but the same thy¬ The first book was transferred in lines we have on these books, both roid problems were developing here less than an hour for less than it use of modem and data base have al¬ that happened with WAR OF THE POW¬ ready proven worthwhile. ERS. Sharon asked that the single book be changed into an open-ended series. By this I mean a series like the Djmarest books or most others with every volume ending AH6HTAW/ AtoT MtKe |®MfT, with no overall resolution of the basic plot. This was fine with me, Uv/T it Dees /Murtoffsec but certain new characters had to be added. Another rewrite.

Another idea change. Make it a closed set of books similar to WAR OF POWERS. I proposed seven books with the first stage setting and the real story beginning in book 2 and carrying beyond. Shar¬ on didn't like the general idea I presented but did like specific parts, such as the skull of the sorceror Claybore. The book was rewritten again to put in this more generalized antagonist but the idea had come back to an open- ended series. The first three books were sold to Playboy. By the time Ace had purchased Playboy Paperbacks, I was coming around once more to the idea of a closed series, i.e. a series with a def¬ inite number of books which would complete the overall story. Beth Meacham, my new editor at Ace, agreed to this. Books 4, 5 and 6 were purchased with the last book definitively finishing the series. While I don't much care for volume 1 because of the many miscues, changes and rewrites, book 2, THE SORCERER'S SKULL, is pretty much what I intended. Book 3, WORLD OF MAZES, I had fun doing but still carried the idea of this being an open-ended series. Book 4, IRON TONGUE, due out in Febru¬ ary 1984, sets up the characters in such a fashion where they are to parents. That's part of the penalty for letting the government "do what's best." Every law passed takes away that much more freedom from each of us. As a society we have to decide where to draw the line, what role government is to play, what responsibility we are to have over our own lives. Going back to the analogy of the bureaucracy as an organism, another function of any organism, other than surviving, is to grow. I don't see enough people upset enough about govern¬ mental intrusion into their lives to stop this growth -- not yet. growing, changing, learning and through so you'd notice. This is In the future, I hope so. becoming much more rounded than quite flattering since the National As a science fictional ex¬ they were in the first three books. Libertarian Party gets a fair am¬ ercise, two friends and I sat ar¬ I've just finished book 5, FIRE AND ount of my money to support presi¬ ound at Bubonicon several years FOG, and more is revealed about dential candidates. ago thinking up alternatives to the antagonist and the hero is un¬ bureaucracy. We actually came up I can only view the growth dergoing severe personality chang¬ with one that might work. Whether of our governmental bureaucracy as es. In book 6, PILLAR OF NIGHT, it'd be better than what we have currently pernicious and eventually good triumphs over evil and set¬ terminal. Likening it to a dino¬ now is open to question (I sincere¬ tles the problems introduced in saur is doing the dinosaur a dis¬ ly doubt it) but the ability of earlier books, both in terms of service -- many of them had two the individual to make decisions plot and characters. brains, one to control the upper on the lowest and highest levels would be enhanced. We never got 3pR; I suppose all that explains body and another for the hindquart¬ the strange inconsistency between ers. I count that as two brains to preventing illicit use of the the ending of CENOTAPH ROAD and more than the bureaucracy has. system since we ran out of tequila before addressing this. the beginning of THE SORCEROR'S But like any other living organism, SKULL. At the end of ROAD, Martak, it fights tenaciously to protect One of these days I'm going Inyx and Krek are still on rela¬ itself. For this reason, among to tackle a novel with this system tively good terms with Claybore others, I don't see any realistic as background. But I have so many and together they attack the gras- way of getting to a more libertar¬ other ideas cooking this is only a shopper-things attacking a caravan. ian society. "backbumer" priority project right At the start of SKULL there is a now. Another problem facing us in falling out with Claybore first, arriving at a freer society is ab¬ Inyx is lost in the white mist and SFR: How about "brain liberation?" rogation of personal responsibility. Are you at all interested in schenes then Martak and Krek attack the Since World War II, the government for liberating people through vari¬ attacking grasshoppers. But could hasn't done more and more for us -- not that discrepancy have been ous methods of increasing intelli¬ thereby taking away personal lib¬ gence? worked out so the two dovetailed a erty -- because it forced it down little better? our throats. The majority of us YARDBWl: My problem with increas¬ ing intelligence schemes and so want the cradle to grave security forth is the original definition VARIBIAH: I'm sure it could have, promised. It's just now becoming of intelligence. I've met people but there always seems to be the obvious there are extreme prices who were incredible at solving prob¬ tradeoff between time and turning to pay for such swaddling. out a perfect work. Actually, this lems and screwed up their lives so jump might signify more of a dis¬ One of these is education. badly as to be a national disgrace. liking for the way CENOTAPH ROAD It's not the government's fault There's some sort of gestalt that turned out and an eagerness to Dick and Jane can't read -- it's must go into intelligence and simp¬ change direction for the remainder the childrens' parents. Simply ly lifting part of it doesn't nec¬ of the books. There's no excuse turning over children to a school essarily improve everything. Im¬ for not making a smoother transi¬ and saying, "Educate them" and nev¬ prove synaptic speed but be unable tion though. er again checking to see what's be¬ to come up with anything from it ing done --if anything at all is does nothing. To have bigger men¬ SFR: I almost nominated the sec¬ -- amounts to dereliction of paren¬ tal data bases to draw on does ond Cenotaph Road book, THE SORC¬ tal duty. The flight to private little good if it takes you a month ERER'S SKULL, for the Libertarian schools is a good sign; it shows to come to a simple conclusion. Futurist Society's Prometheus Aw¬ parents are beginning to realize And so on. One nice definition of ard for best libertarian novel -- the lowest coranon denominator, im¬ genius I came across, and don't and I still may. But I get the im¬ personal tax-financed approach is ask me where, said genius was the pression that while you get fed up not working. If a parent doesn't knack for being able to do what with government bureaucracy and like what a private school teaches, you wanted. Implied is that you like to take pokes at it, as we there are options open. Take the were happy doing it, too. all do, you seem to think we're child out or vote their dollars SFR: I know you have a background stuck with it and that!s that. and get a change in teachers or in science -- didn't you work for Don't you think we might kick the administration or the entire cur¬ Sandia National Laboratories at bureaucratic habit one of these riculum, for instance. Realistic¬ one time? Why did you decide to centuries (or dimensions)? ally, in schools supported by tax write a sword-n-sorcery fantasy dollars, these options are closed VMJBW: I'm somewhat surprised instead of hard-science science my own libertarian views come 42 fiction? VARD0VW: I have a BS in physics the fire warming my cold feet, and MS in materials engineering sucking at my gums and clucking my (via the nuclear engineering dept) tongue at the young'uns rediscover¬ and did work at Sandia for four ing the wheel and the old timers years. As to getting into S§S decrying it. The popularity of rather than hard science writing, fantasy will decline eventually and it just happened that way. I'd al¬ SF make a strong return. I've ways read both fantasy and SF, mix¬ thought for a couple years now ing the Asimov with the Robert How¬ this would happen next year. I'm ard and loving both. As I got into going to be right if I keep saying writing professionally, the markets that. for fantasy were more open. Being We're still struggling out rewarded for writing fantasy (i.e., of a depression (check out Kondrat- it sold!) tended to do more, and ieff cycles -- this depression just along the way editors began asking wasn't as bad as the Great Depres¬ for me to do fantasy. I enjoy it sion, but a recession doesn't last and seem to have the quirky way of 4-6 years) and when we do, SF will WORLD OF MAZES, for instance. Why thinking that puts together plots make a resurgence. When times are is it always women who mate with and characters readers can enjoy tough , people out of work and the these creatures? future bleak, who wants to say, VARDEMAN: So far in my work, it As to writing hard SF, one "I'm responsible, I did it?" Bet¬ has been a matter of exploring id¬ of these days I'll get around to ter to go supernatural, with fant¬ eas of interest to me. Coming up it. Doing this well is very dif¬ asy, the occult and blame the woes from Tor Books in 1985 will be a ficult though, and requires more on "the gods." On the other hand, set of three novels titled THE KEYS than just knowledge of things sci¬ when you're making a fortune at a TO PARADISE in which the heroine is entific. Massive expository lumps good job, the future is bright and half feline (once fully feline, explaining what's happening in the no one has a care except how to she has magically been altered to gears and gronmets department does take that extra week of vacation, become half human). The reason I not enthuse me a whole lot. The it hardly fits human nature to say chose half feline is that this in¬ same criteria for good writing "the gods did it." Better to be¬ terests me more than, say, half ought to be applied to hard SF -- lieve you personally had a hand in armadillo. not only is there a nifty hard SF your own prosperity and control Another more mercenary con¬ theme, there must be characters destiny. cern has been the readership of and a plot and every other item Fantasy has been popular be¬ most fantasy books. It is predom¬ that makes SF different from main¬ cause times were/are hard. SF inantly male. THE KEYS TO PARADISE stream. Fusing all this together will make a comeback fairly soon. books, KEY OF FLAME, THE SKELETON is not easily done. While the LORD'S KEY and KEY OF ICE AND STEEL ideas in RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA were Actually critics need some¬ will try to bridge the gap between exciting, the characters were shal¬ thing to squawk about, whether it this predominately male readership low to nonexistent and the plot is the least bit reasonable or not. and the women who might enjoy some¬ nothing more than a travelog. On No one listens to you if you're thing a bit different from stand¬ the other hand, the best book in agreeable (to mind comes the sing¬ ard fare. the past 10 years (or maybe even le voice decrying STAR WARS -- no¬ longer) which I'd classify as hard body wanted to listen to the SFK: Another "recurring theme" SF is Greg Benford's TIMESCAPE. throngs praising the movie, but I've been curious about in your That is not only hard SF, it's a one lone voice saying it was anti¬ work is the "underground city." book about how science is done, science got listened to. This is It was prominent in your early nov¬ complete with heartache and tri¬ a version of the squeaking wheel el THE SANDCATS OF RHYL, for in¬ umph and characters and one of my getting the publicity). A few stance, and was also a feature in favorite themes in SF, global cat¬ years back it was the hoohaw over your first Star Trek novel THE astrophe . Old Wave-New Wave. And how series KLINGON GAMBIT and again in THE books were driving everything else CITY IN THE GLACIER. What is it I believe I could do a book off the racks. And so on, ad in¬ that fascinated you about the equal to RAMA (it wouldn't sell as finitum. If technology moves "lost city" image? well, but then I don't have Clarke's quickly enough, the next furor track record with such classics as will be over accessing books on VARUtMAN: The idea of discovering CITY AND THE STARS and CHILDHOOD'S computer data bases rather than the remnants of a civilization END) but something as magnificent trooping out to a store and buying lost for centuries has always ex¬ as TIMESCAPE feels beyond my reach a book made from a dead tree. cited me. I still enjoy reading as an author. Maybe one day, but This will somehow be seen as the about Heinrich Schliemann digging not now. I'll keep thinking on it, work of the devil, polluting the up the layers of Troy and Cather- t^ing to improve, and perhaps it written word's precious bodyfluids, wood and Stephens hacking through will come out. I hope. all the same arguments. the jungles to find Copan and Ed¬ ward Thompson discovering Chichen SFK: There's ominous talk going I count it as a victory these Itza and Henri Mouhot blundering around that the flood of fantasy days if people read anything at all, across Angkor Wat. Maybe I just on the market today is polluting whether it be fantasy or SF or mys¬ don't like the idea of anything of science fiction's precious body teries or romances. grandeur being lost. Maybe it's fluids. As a fantasy writer, you SFK: There's a healthy amount of the excitement of finding what no probably don't buy that, right? non-pornographic sex in WAR OF one else has. It might even be VARDEMAN: You're right, I don't POWERS and the CENOTAPH ROAD books something more mystical; these cit¬ buy that -- but as a writer, as but I'm curious (not necessarily ies are not dead, they are merely opposed to a fantasy writer. Tas¬ yellow) about the instances of sex waiting. tes run in cycles, like everything with aliens -- with the Vicar of While I enjoy reading -- and else seems to in the universe. I Istu and the Zr'gsz in POWERS and writing -- about such things, I am getting old enough to sit around 43 have no desire to be an archaeolog- ist, to experience mildew and jung¬ terviews to ask what an author's literary influence (or at least le rot and typhoid and wet shoes FIRE AND FOG and bugs and all the discomforts favorite authors) are. What are PILLAR OF NIGHT going along with it. I love the yours? By Robert E. Vardeman image more than the reality. THE VaRDEMAN: The "literary influence" Ace, $2.75 ea., FIRE 215 pp. LOST CONTINENT and KING, OF THE part sounds much too academic for PILLAR, 200 pages. KHYBER RIFLES and TARZAN AND THE my liking. I'll tackle the "fav¬ JEWELS OF OPAR and SHE are great REVIEV£D BY NEAL WILGUS orite authors" part. fun to read because they tell me These are the concluding titles there are still things in the world Like just about everyone of Bob Vardeman's six-volume Ceno¬ to be discovered which are wonder- else in SF, Robert Heinlein has taph Road series -- the earlier ous and sad, thrilling and danger- to be on my list -- in my case, at volumes being CENOTAPH ROAD, THE the head of it. I grew up reading SORCERER'S SKULL, WORLD OF MAZES his juveniles and still go back SFri: You,' ve done two Star Trek and IRON TONGUE. Each volume is and reread them from time to time. novels so far -- how did you get semi-independent, but it does help An author contributes about 75% to into that line of work? to have read the whole thing from a book, the reader the remaining the beginning --if only to see V/WDEMAN: Several years back I 25%. Heinlein did his 75% so well, how Vardeman has improved with ex¬ heard that Bantam Books had lost every time I come back with my perience. The earlier titles were the license to buy ST books and changing 25%, I find new insights plagued with an unevenness and in¬ that Pocket Books had been granted in his books (the ones prior to consistency which is mostly over¬ it. I'd enjoyed the TV Star Trek 1960). After 1960, the only two come in these two volumes. (well, the first two years) and I care for are MOON IS A HARSH MIS¬ still think it is the best SF to TRESS and GLORY ROAD. The man is In FIRE AND FOG Lan Martak ever reach television. The stories a storyteller unlike anyone else again battles the evil Claybore to were good, they were populated with in the field. a draw, this time managing to de¬ human characters and interesting stroy Claybore's legs during a con¬ Arthur Clarke is another of aliens and the chemistry between frontation in an underground world my favorite writers for works such Kirk, Spock and McCoy welded every¬ of nasty gnomes. During the strug¬ as CHILDHOOD'S END and FOUNTAINS OF thing together. CITY ON THE EDGE gle Martak is magically bound to PARADISE. At his best, he gives OF FOREVER, THE CORBOMITE MANEUVER his arch enemy Kiska, Claybore's human characters in exotic settings and SPACE SEED are among my favor¬ pawn, and manages to drive away his with superb backgrounds. At his ites . All have interesting SF almost-faithful companions, Krek the worst, he does shallow characters ideas, good characters and byplay giant spider and Inyx, Martak's locked in little more than a trav¬ between the trio works well. lush and lusty lover. Vardeman has elog. For his best, Clarke will be learned well how to keep several The books I've seen (about remembered for a long, long time. cliff-hangers going at once, never 5 of them) lacked the qualities I may be the only person in mind that our heroes rarely ever that made the TV version so good. the known universe who didn't like stop to eat or sleep, though they When the chance came along to do the movie 2001. It had a trite do make love quite regularly. one of the novels, I took it. plot, substituted flashing lights What I tried to do in both the ST In PILLAR OF NIGHT you would for substance and carried out the novels was present the conflict of expect the final showdown between Hollywood special effects = good Kirk the soldier versus Kirk the Martak and Claybore, and of course, movie to an extreme. The noveliza- diplomat, toss in a good space op¬ it's there, but surprisingly most tion came out slightly better be¬ era story and still keep the byplay of the book (and the series) is cause of the parallel Clarke drew between the three characters. the buildup and the final solution between Moonwatcher and Starchild. takes only a few pages. Most of PILLAR is devoted to showing Mar¬ Of current writers. I'll SH\: At the end of M1TINY ON THE tak overcoming temptation, Claybore pick up anything I see by Greg Ben- ENTERPRISE Kirk tells Lorelei, the gradually disintegrating and Krek ford or Charles Harness. Harness pursuasive pacifist, "We'll meet and Inyx going their own way, only writes with subtle strokes, a again ... I'm sure of it." Will to be reconciled with Martak for flair for symnetry in plotting and she be back in another ST novel? the climax. In the process Martak truly different characters. becomes an immortal god, attacks I ought to mention Frederick the Pillar of Night and (more or VARDEMAN: While I have no plans Faust in passing, since I consider less) frees the Resident of the Pit for another ST novel right now, I him a writer to emulate. And I'll can't rule it out. The Lorelei All of the Cenotaph Road books even confess that I enjoy Lester are predictable and traffic heav¬ character interests me and if a Dent's Doc Savage books. These ily in stereotypical sword-n-sorc- plot comes up where she'd fit in, are my form of written junk food. if other elements click, if the ed¬ ery stuff, but what saves it all itor is willing, certainly I'd do And when I grow up, I want is that Vardeman's heroes are so another ST book. The ideas of pac¬ to be Robert Silverberg. He start¬ likable that you forgive the trans¬ ifism are not ones I hold in very ed with the thud and blunder space gressions and happily suspend your high regard, yet I'm not a saber opera plots and matured into one disbelief. So what, that you know rattler either. In the interplay of the best writers around, not from volume one that Claybore is between Kirk and Lorelei lies what just one of the best SF writers. incarnate evil who only wants to I'd hold as a truer picture of my His books entertain, they explore regain his scattered body-parts so own views -- but putting them down human values, they expand what can that he can regain total control on paper helps get both sides pre¬ be done literarily. If I ever of the infinite worlds on the Cen¬ sented in what I hope is an enter¬ write a book a tenth as good as otaph Road? So what, that you know taining fashion and which allows DYING INSIDE I'll count myself as even earlier that Martak is going me to play with the ideas. Lore¬ having arrived as an author. to win against impossibly inpossi¬ ble odds -- because with heroes like lei is a good vehicle for such SFR; Thank you, Mr. Vardeman. "what iffing." Martak, Krek and Inyx you'll be too busy munching popcorn to notice. SFR: It's customary in these in¬ NOT NECESSARILY REVIEWS Each author has a short state¬ I READ BOOKS AND THEN DON'T can have a wife, children, pets— REVIEW THEM, SOMETIMES, UNTIL but at the end of their day they ment about him/herself on a facing page. MONTHS LATER. A SAD, SORRY STATE MUST step into their cylinders and These portraits are in black OF AFFAIRS. be stoned for six days. Each "day" is almost clomplete- and white, all are revealing of SO THIS COLUMN IS THE RESIDUE character and some are eye-opening AND DETRITUS OF MY THOUGHTS ON THE ly separated from the other days and develops its own cultural, fash¬ BOOKS IN QUSTION. NOT NECESSARILY revelations. REVIEWS. ions, styles, slang... And only a very few federal security officers are ever allowed to live every day in sequence in order to pursue a few TIK-TOK exceptional criminals who are called By John Sladek THE UNION CLUB MYSTERIES Daybreakers. Victor Gollancz, $14.95 By Isaac Asimov Okay. Jeff Caird is a Daybreak- Distributed by David 6 Charles Co. Fawcett Crest, Feb. ’85, $2.95. er, is a member of an underground North Pomfret, VT 05053 organization devoted to overthrow These are clever, intriguing Tik-Tok is a sentient robot of the dictatorial government and puzzles--mysteries--very short sto¬ whose "asimov circuits" have gone the return of many freedoms. ries, written to a kind of formula: haywire, allowing him to behave a few old men talking in their upp¬ But Jeff has cunningly (or like a psycopathic human---he er-class club [where no woman has stupidly?) constructed within his kills people out of malicious gone before or after] until old, mind a different personality or hatred of humans. He calls us keen-minded Griswold awakens from personna to take over his body in 'meat'. his nap (was he really asleep?) and each of the days, to help prevent This novel is mockery of challenges his cronies with a brief slips and detection by the 'organ¬ mankind's delusions about ourselv¬ mystery which you, the reader, are ics' (cops). es, about our society, about our invited to solve---if you can. Things go wrong for Jeff, an machines. Tik-Tok, for all his As for me, these are fun, not organic himself in Tuesday World: homicidal proclivities, is more to be read too often because the a daybreaking psychotic is out to moral than most of the humans he shame and frustration in always fail¬ kill him and/or his wife, and may interacts with--and/or kills. ing to spot the relevant clue and know or discover Jeff is really The ending will not surprise make the appropriate deduction is seven different people. you. It may depress you. so humiliating.... There are other complications This is a delicious satiri¬ as a woman organic on a special case cal novel which will bring wry gets too close to his identity smiles and rueful nods. Oh...Tik-Tok is a 'sex- DAYWORLD shifts, and the revolutionary group equipped' humanoid robot, which By Philip Jose Farmer asks him to perform special tasks... more than one lady in the novel is Putnam's, 1985, $16.95 He becomes a rebel in two dif¬ ferent ways, his separate identities aware of and whom she uses. More Phil has here created a world have minds of their own... jaundiced notes on humanity. so overpopulated that in order to This is an exciting, intriguing keep up the standard of living and adventure, a science fiction adven¬ provide food and shelter for all the ture, and Phil manages to keep every¬ billions (at least in the United thing clear and coherent. States) the benign dictatorship which I felt a bit cheated at the end, FOOTFALL rules has used the "stoning" tech¬ since Jeff's escape from a govern¬ By Larry Niven fj Jerry Poumelle nology to stagger the living periods ment psychiatric hospital and from Del Rey, $17.95, June, 1985 allowed. certain permanent stoning, was sluff- This carefully crafted long nov¬ Stoning is a way of perfect and ed off in a single page, as if Phil el of an alien attack and invasion instantaneous suspended animation— was tired or had bumped up against a of Earth is best-seller material. the body becomes stone hard and can stringent word limit. It has the multiple-viewpoint struc¬ be kept that way in a cheap electro¬ ture, the slow-building dramatic magnetic field which has slowed the lure, the detailed, realistic plac¬ body's molecules to almost a full es and things and people (and ali¬ stop. TIC FACES OF SCIENCE FICTION ens!) all move toward the exciuciat- And so for six days out of seven Photographs by Patti Perret ingly gripping space battle and a person in this society is stoned-- Introduction by Gene Wolfe human-alien confrontation in the standing like a rock in a capsule, Bluejay Books, Oct. 1984, $11.95 last few chapters. These are really not eating, not breathing, not liv¬ great dramatic moments and events, ing. But on the seventh day he is Photographic portraits of 82 and Larry and Jerry are to be com¬ de-stoned automatically and emerges of the best-known science fiction plimented for some extraordinarily to live his life normally as if he writers today. [Harlan Ellison and powerful writing. It is gut tens¬ had been asleep for only a night. Robert Heinlein probably declined ing, emotional bedrock stuff. Im¬ But he shares the apartment with to be included, for different reas- possible to put down. dozens of others (now stoned). He RICHARD E. GEIS 45 But there were aspects of the rippling across Orbitville's incred¬ on the canvas of your mind with writing I didn't like--but under¬ ibly vast exterior, [Orbitville, a his marvelous wjrds. If anyone can stand: there was some Tuckerizing shell around a sun whose inner sur¬ describe abstruse concepts and im¬ (using fan/author names for charac¬ face is earth and water and air and possible mental interactions, it ters) and it seemed to me two of vegetation--perfect for mankind-- is he. the sf writers who form a key ad¬ equal in area to (is it five billion And these seven stories are all visory group to the President of Earths?) where virtually all of different in style and approach, the United States are Larry Niven mankind has migrated.] and with the all sparkle with various techniques; and Jerry Poumell is self-indulg¬ utterly convincing technological de¬ this book is a clinic on wrriting in ent disguise. And the assemblage tail Bob has created, and with the many ways. This man has all the of hard sf authors itself which often depressingly accurate charac¬ tools and uses them with incredible virtually saves mankind by its terization of everyone involved. skill. insights into alien psychology and This man has a great ear for dialog But. With the possible ex¬ social structure, and its knowledge and personality. ception of the last and longest sto¬ of catastrophe science and effects Altogether, despite this some¬ ry, "The Answerer of Dreams," these seems.. .unlikely and again, self- what confused review, a very good are not satisfying, not...very hu¬ indulgent . sf novel, and one I reconmend. man and involving. A.A. is into But wotthehell. The average I wish an editor and publisher higher mental states... into caution¬ reader won't have this special would ask or allow Bob to write a ary tales...into intriguing bits of knowledge of who is who and likely long, rich, powerful novel—about fiction that don't pay off. won't boggle at the sight of sf 150,000 words would be enough room This is a kind of Intellectual writers on intimate terms with ---which would allow him to dwell fiction, the kind you appreciate the president, outranking admirals, where he obviously would like to with your mind, not your guts. generals, advisors... take more time, and in which he And it seemed to me there were could build his favorite themes too many extraneous characters: I to a full, intricate climax. CONVERTS couldn't keep track of them all. This is a fine read, but is (I By Ian Watson The "survivlaist" plotline could think) only a short stop in the St. Martin's Press, $11.95, March, have been eliminated... Orbitsville saga. Though it is 1985. And the footfall—the impact certainly a startling one! (Maybe This, too, is a novel by an In¬ of the large asteroid in the Indian too mich of a quantum leap in scope ocean---and its consequences seemed ---the reader is somewhat over¬ tellectual writer, a man playing with to be coped with too easily. whelmed at the vastness of what is ideas, and the characters, by under¬ But these are mild reservations revealed in such a short space.) going an evolutionary/revolutionary compared to my overall enjoyment of DNA experimental treatment, are this near-future disaster/war with changed into creatures which embody, aliens novel. physically, what they've always in It is probably the finest novel their heart of hearts wanted to be. The result is a "man" who is a of alien invasion ever written. BEAST MARKS By A.A. Attanasio special kind of ambulatory tree, Published by Mark V. Ziesing a "man" who seen in all spectra from P.0. Box 806, every part of his body, a "woman" who has become an amazon, a "man" who is Willimantic, CT 06226 ORBITSVILLE DEPARTURE Signed Edition: $25.00 a kind of winged... I forgot exact¬ ly what he is. By Bob Shaw Trade Edition: $13.95 DAW #622, $2.95, April 1985 And there are others, equally Cover painting: Rick DeMarco weird and strange who inhabit the If you've read many of Bob's Interior art: Rich Schindler isolated estate where these experi¬ novels you'll soon come to know ments are conducted. he writes a sweet mixture pf in¬ There is no denying that A. A. Attanasio is a superb stylist, a But then an IQ-enhanced super tense human emotion/relationships chinp escapes and the outside world and science. And often the future master of the exact word and phrase, a man who can wring more threatens to become aware of what's science takes off in the latter going on. chapters in unexpected, surprising imagery and inpact from the lang¬ directions. uage than a thousand writers. He thinks in colorful, vivi'd, So you read of lusts, hates, CONTINUED ON PAGE 52 dissatisfactions, fractured (and metaphysical realms which he paints demolished)marriages, rivalries... And you read of... In this novel--the second in his Orbitsville series--the key element is a dying man's intense be¬ lief that mind does not die with the body. And mderlying and overlaying that is a macro-cosmic effort by incomprehensibly advanced aliens to save the universe from fatal entropy. On the human scale a kind of law- enforcement official transfers to an almost deserted Earth and by a series of unlucky chance his wife and child are mind-wiped by a vice-Mayor neck deep in corruption. Garry Dallen is devastated and finally stumbles on the identitiy of his family's "kill¬ er." All this melds together with the disturbing green bands of radiance OBSERVATION (Unknown Source): Authors are treated like mush¬ rooms by the publishing industry; they are fed a lot of shit and kept in the dark.

BY ELTON T. ELLIOTT

store. If the readers lose faith # Computers and word processors An obnoxious trend is develop¬ in a publisher and feel ripped off have been hailed as labor saving ing in SF publishing. It is the -- watch out. I will review both devices that would reshape the practice of splitting a novel into C.V. and T.F.E. only when the sec¬ marketplace, saving on labor and two parts without telling the con¬ ond parts are available. increasing productivity. Now comes sumer that they are buying the word that such devices might harm first half of a book. Twj recent the eyes and cause muscular strain. examples are: THE FINAL ENCYCLOP¬ # I notice that the Screen Some vision care centers are even EDIA by Gordon R. Dickson and Writers' Guild recently struck advertising glasses and special eye CHANUR’S VENTURE by C. J. Cherryh. the movie and TV industries for a exercises that help cope with the In the Dickson novel the jacket short period of time. There are problems caused by looking at video does call it the penultimate nov¬ those who want the SFWA to become screens for protracted periods of el of the Childe Cycle, but the a writers' union. I say no. Nev¬ time. What I find bemusing in all reader still has the right to ex¬ er. NEVER. of this is the fact that the "old pect a narrative which comes to high-tech" pros that are constant¬ N Have you wondered why the ly reminding us that there's no some conclusion. The Dickson book movies and TV are such uniformly leaves the readers hanging, just such thing as a free lunch, forgot dull art forms and why it is so to apply that dictum to anything after events had begun to get in¬ hard to break into both fields? teresting, and this after six-hund¬ other than government. Every I believe it is because of the ex¬ technological invention has side red pages of fascinating situations istence of a closed-shop union. that all pointed to a resolution effects, a few bad, most good. The goal of such an organization But, while I've seen entire letter that was never delivered. All that is to insulate those incompetents I've said about the Dickson novel coluims of SFWA publications fil¬ who have seniority from competition led with the praises of word pro¬ can be multiplied for CHANUR'S VEN¬ with bright, fresh young outsiders. TURE. The narrative ends just be¬ cessors, only one writer expressed Also in most places that are union¬ displeasure. fore wh3t promised to be a most ex¬ ized, the number of those employed citing climax. It leaves the read¬ decreases -- since there is only a I guess what all of this er with a most irritating feeling. certain amount of money that any Not unlike being teased. Blue proves -- again --is that Science company can spend on labor, only Fiction (and SF writers) is not eyes instead of blue balls. And a certain amount of employees can nowhere in the blurbs on the back useful as a predictive medium. be hired in any case. After all, as the old saying goes, or inside did it indicate that it's one thing to predict the auto¬ this was part one of a two-part Any union in SF would kill an novel. A bookseller friend of already moribund field. Its only mobile, another altogether to pre¬ mine mentioned that the informa¬ positive benefits would go to un¬ dict traffic jams. tion that CHANUR'S VENTURE was on¬ ion cronies and those borderline I intend to buy a word proces¬ ly the first part of a long novel hacks with seniority that are cur¬ sor as soon as possible. So do that will be concluded in CHANUR'S rently struggling and who cannot not take my comments as an indict¬ REVENGE, was printed in LOCUS. survive in the free market and who ment of word processors. Just a need a coercive organization and gentle caveat. Well, I'm sorry, but I believe a bunch of union strong-arm goons this is a most deceptive and ir¬ to help them. Besides all of the ritating practice. Large notices other arguments, a union would al¬ should be placed on the books that H No reviews this issue -- REG so violate many whose religious be¬ tells me there's not enough room. this is part one of a two-part ser¬ liefs (beliefs recognized by the More next issue. ies. Ads in LOCUS do not count, Supreme Court) do not permit union since the majority of potential membership. readers do not buy LOCUS. Publish¬ ers who consistently do this to In all practicality a writers' their readers are going to eventual¬ union would probably fail, in part ly find that they no longer are because many writers are opposed to going to sell as many copies of a it and because the publishers given book as they used to. Read¬ could probably break any nascent ers are going to wait until both union. parts are available in a used-book 47 THE UMSECTOR BY DARRELL SCHWEITZER

Small Press Magazines

Bob Price's CRYPT OF CIHJLHU ical story, but the story doesn't sleazy waterfronts. SHUDDER STOR¬ and attendant publications contin¬ come off as anything more than a IES #1 ($3.00) is a "weird menace" ues to be one of the most amazing crude, neo-Gemsbackian planetary magazine featuring stories by How¬ fan publications ever. CRYPT it¬ adventure of the sort Smith was ard, Jacobi and Cave, plus a Murray self appears eight times a year, as writing better in 1930. It isn't article, "Pandering to Perversion a neat, well designed digest, and even a parody. There are touches in the Pulps." there are a variety of companion of his earlier talent, a few strong And most recently, as I write, magazines, all neo-pulps: RISQUE images, but it is clear that at CRYPT OF CIHULHU #29 ($2.50) has STORIES, SHUDDER STORIES, TOO-FIST¬ the very end, his powers were fail¬ appeared, another all-fiction is¬ ED DETECTIVE, etc. CRYPT is theo¬ ing. And this is why the story de¬ sue. Nice Fabian cover. Lin Cart¬ retically a non-fiction magazine serves publication in a specialized er's "The Vault Beneath the Mosque," devoted to Lovecraft and his circle journal: it adds to our understand¬ yet another of his alleged excerpts As such, it is one of the major ing of the writer, even if it has from the NECRONQMICON, isn't a bad critical/scholarly journals in the little merit otherwise. little story, although it once field, but unlike say, LOVECRAFT again shows Lovecraft's wisdom in STUDIES, this one can also be ex¬ Other particularly noteworthy not attempting to write out the tremely funny. The covers are of¬ Cryptic Publications include CRYPT whole NECRONCMICQN. Needless to ten wonderful sight gags. The OF CTHULHU #21 ($2.50), also known say, there is nothing in this to "forbidden books" issue shows an as SATURNALIA AND OTHER POEMS by drive Arabs mad or even the usual ancient Egyptian wallpainting de¬ H.P. Lovecraft (previously uncol¬ jello-brained Cthulhu Mythos pro¬ picting a stylized Cthulhu. One lected poetiy, with scholarly ap¬ tagonist. The one story that real¬ of the early fiction issues, en¬ paratus) ; CRYPT #25 ($2.50), which ly doesn't work is "The Gods of titled TALES FRCM THE CRYPT OF contains previously unpublished Drinen" by Gary Myers. Myers' CTHULHU (#16) has a clever EC-style stories by Carl Jacobi, Smith and credential for being here is an cover by Steve Fabian. An earlier a sequel to "The Hounds of Tindal- Arkham House book, THE HOUSE OF issue featured a TV script, THE os" by Frank Belknap Long (with a THE WORM, which consisted of bad CTHULHUERS, which was what might Fabian cover pastiching the Arkham pastiches of Lovecraft's imitations have happened to THE HONEYMOONERS House/Hannes Bok dustjacket for of Lord Dunsany. I frankly don't if Jackie Gleason and his friend the HOUNDS collection); and the need more of the same. "The Wait¬ had belonged to a Cthulhu cult rath¬ previously mentioned companion mag¬ ing Dark" by Eddy C. Bertin almost er than the Racoon Lodge. The cov¬ azines. RISQUE STORIES #1 and 2 comes off, but as often happens in er was remarkably apt. One of the ($3.00 each) are neo-pulps in the stories of this type, the plot best humorous features recently mnner of SPICY ADVENTURES, et al, builds up to just presenting the was an account of the editor1s own with previously unpublished fiction premise. Then it stops. There grave robbing activities in Boston, and verse by Robert E. Howard, are so many horror stories I've at the site of "Pickman’s Model." Clark Ashton Smith, etc. plus seenTor which I would give the (He found those tunnels!) more recently written stories by authors this piece of advice: pulp veterans Hugh Cave, Carl Jac- But it is the fiction which con¬ write a sequel; assume everything obj. and so on. Much of this is, cerns us here. Since CRYPT is a in the original is taken for grant¬ strictly speaking, garbage, even as yecialist magazine, very little of ed; throw out the original. the fiction passes the "John Doe" the original "Spicy" pulps were, test. Who it is written by is what but it is an authentic pastiche and matters. But as long as there is for the nostalgic or perversely interest in these writers, such mat¬ curious, golden garbage. Number 2 erial should be published for spec¬ even contains an erotic Howard ! US£i> TD BE A ialists, in a magazine like CRYPT poem, "The Whoopansat of Humorous SARTREAN A'WFWSTJ OF CIHJLHU. Kookooyam." Who can resist a tit¬ Bur -PEAL- BAN77\5Y le like that? (Don't all answer at The most outstanding recent once.) Also, some good non-fiction TAYS S5 MUCH SETTER, f publication is UNTOLD TALES by about these pulps by Will Murray Clark Ashton Smith, which couits and a typical Bob Price touch: a as CRYPT #27 ($2.00) and presents comic strip about "Julie de Grand- 43 pages of previously unpublished in," a sexy female descendant of Smith fragments, synopses and two the original psychic sleuth -- complete stories. One of these, who destroys a vampire with a "The Dart of Rasasfa," is Smith's Cross-Your-Heart bra! TWO-FISTED very last tale, written weeks be¬ DETECTIVE STORIES ($4.50) is an fore his death. It isn't very entire issue of previously unpub¬ good, alas. Supposedly, all Smith’s lished Robert E. Howard fiction bitterness at the end of his life about iron-fisted, wooden-headed went into this (supposedly) satir¬ dicks battling the Yellow Peril on G. Arthur Rahman and Richard KAIIMH #6/7, the special hero¬ Tierney present another adventure ic fantasy issue, is over a year of the world's only Gnostic sword late, but is worth waiting for. and sorcery hero, Simon of Gitta It is easily the best issue of (the Simon Magus of the Bible), this extremely handsome magazine 0H=e*i ug- 1.5-Mi L- who battles Romans, druids and yet to appear. The production val¬ •O faYobJE U)fiO Nameless Things; awash in ichor ues are well above those of most “VU- T4Ke TITLE/ and prose like: "... dozens of American magazines: heavy slick black feline figures gushed out of paper, color cover. The fiction the tunnel, as nimble as bats." includes another one of Peter Tre¬ We are definitely in pulpdom, mayne's Irish folklore fantasies, folks. Actually, the idea behind effectively told in clean prose the series deserves better treat¬ and another of Brian Lumley's Tarra ment. Also this issue, IXiane Rim- Khash barbarian epics, which lapses mel (a Lovecraft Circle member) has into clean prose in an interesting a minor ghost story and most inter¬ way. The odd thing is that, even estingly, we get a complete, fin¬ though the stories are in the third known source of this issue is a ished draft of a Clark Ashton Smith person, the narrative voice does single British dealer, Fantasy story, "I Am Your Shadow," in which be, aye, as they say of yore, pur¬ Centre, 157 Holloway Road, London Smith caricatures his own alcohol¬ est pseudo-archaic hokum, at least N7 8LX, England. He sold copies ism, circa 1940. when the action centers on Tarra for five pounds a few months ago. Khash. But in this story, Tarra And all this is about half a He may still have some left. meets a magician who tells of his year's worth of Cryptic publica¬ adventures, and suddenly the writ¬ tions. Price most have incredible ing gets a lot better. Lumley re¬ stamina. He is the most creative veals a considerable talent for and energetic small press publish¬ the romantic/decadent Clark Ashton GHOSTS AND SCHOLARS is an M.R. er today. I just hope he hangs in Smith-type fantasy. Also in this James fanzine. It features a lot there long enough to win a World issue Ardath Mayhar and Jeoffrey of non-fiction, and also previous- Fantasy Award which he richly de¬ Goddin tell competent tales of wiz¬ ly>unpublished or at least uncol¬ serves. ardry (Goddin's is better; Mayhar lected fiction and non-fiction by tends toward Deep Purple), and a James himself. The other issue is new writer, Paul McGuire, manages of exceptional interest for a re¬ Another publication which de¬ a heroic fantasy set in New York's printing (from an Elton school pa¬ serves a World Fantasy Award is Central Park, verily a haunt of per) of "The Malice of Inanimate Paul Ganley's WEIRDBOOK, which eldritch horrors if there ever was Objects," now the third known story keeps plugging away with remarkable one. As a curiosity, Karl Edward not in THE COLLECTED GHOST STORIES regularity and is now in its (awe¬ Wagner presents the very first Kane OF M.R. JAMES. Like much of the some) seventeenth year of publica¬ story ever, which he wrote in high fiction in CRYPT OF CIHJLHU, it has tion. All this while WB has been school and which he swears will nore scholarly interest than real presenting professional quality, never appear anywhere else. (For merit, but there are some nice often superior weird fiction. The pretty obvious reasons.) I have touches. There are also two stor¬ 20th issue ($5.00) is no disappoint¬ two stories this issue. One of ies in the James tradition: "The ment. There's the usual (very ef¬ them, "Silkie Son," is my famous Scarecrow" by Roger Johnson is fective) Fabian cover, and a host (or rumored) Flying Dutchman Manu¬ (surprisingly, since this magazine of stories by big and medium names. script. I wrote it in 1973 when I pays in copies) of fully profes- I was particularly taken with Pet¬ was at Clarion, and sold it every sic*£l quality, a classical Brit- er Tremayne's "Aisling," which year or eighteen months thereafter isf\%iost story, fairly predictable makes effective use of its setting for eleven years (eight or nine but*making good use of local color. (a very remote comer of 19th Cen¬ times in all), and every book or "The Gathering of Dr. Oates" by tury Ireland) and has a pretty good magazine that bought it managed to Peter Davidson is more of an ama¬ prophetic-vision plot. There's al¬ fold before the story could be teur pastiche, lacking in such ba¬ so a short Ramsey Campbell piece I published. And now, here it is in sics of fictional technique as con¬ must confess I found confusing, an¬ print, in this admittedly obscure trolled viewpoint. There's also a other of Brian Lumley's prehistor¬ magazine, limited to 750 copies. long, scholarly article on James's ic Tarra Khash adventures (which But the Curse goes on, I'm afraid. use and understanding of black mag- used to appear in FANTASTIC and now can be found in a Lumley col¬ Seriously, there is a problem lection Weirdbook Press had pub¬ with KADATH. Simply, editor Fran¬ lished, THE HOUSE OF CIHJLHU, $7.50), cesco Cova does not answer mail. one of my "Goddess" fantasies of He has not paid me for the story. the far future, further sword and He does not reply to inquiries. Argh. These magazines have sorcery by James William Hjort And I have learned from correspond¬ been piling up, nuch faster than I (whose style, alas, I find rough ing with some of the other contrib¬ can ever read them. And if I re¬ going), and two quite capable mod¬ utors, he has not sent out contrib¬ viewed them all, I'd take over half em-scene supernatural stories, one utors' copies, for all the maga¬ the magazine, which I do not think by the familiar John Alfred Taylor, zine apparently appeared in the Geis would allow. Therefore, I and another by a newcomer, John Fall of 1984. The main American shall list some recent, interest¬ Rizkalla. Poetry by Alan Ryan, distributor tells me he has not ing items: Joseph Payne Brennan and others. been able to get copies or make When odering, don't pass up the contact with Cova. This being the WHISPERS 21-22 is another thick, chance to also get issue #19, which case, I'm afraid I nust pronounce gorgeous production, with a wrap¬ contains an original Stephen King this lovely magazine brain-dead. around color cover and stories by story. I am not sure I would trust some¬ Alan Ryan (two of them), Tanith one like that to fill orders, so Leq^ Dennis Etchison, Richard Chris¬ until further notice, the only tian Matheson, Hugh B. Cave, Fritz Leiber, David Morrell, etc. All of have the rest of those copies. professional quality, of course, (The Bellepheron Network, Inc., • many quite excellent and destined 8555 Sunset Blvd, Suite D, Los An¬ geles, CA, 90069, $2.50 per issue.) LAST WAVE, Autumn 1984 (#4) for various Year's Best anthologies still tries valiantly to be an (Stuart Schiff, 70 Highland Avenue, American INTERZONE, but doesn't Binghamton, NY, 13905. This "doub¬ quite fit the bill. The stories le" issue $6.00. Two double issues are pro-quality, but not all that $10.95. In fact, Schiff has been FANTASY TALES, Winter 1984 different, more like ones that did publishing nothing but "double" (#13) has handsome color covers, not quite make it into AMAZING or issues for a couple years now.) the first color work to appear on ASIMOV'S. The main item this is¬ this magazine in years. Fabian sue is "The 19th Century Spaceship," did the front cover. Production a novella-length exercise in the • values are definitely up, and the folksy-fantastic by Richard Wilson, author line-up is inpressive: quite reminiscent of Avram Davidson FANTASY BOOK, March 1985, is stories by Robert Bloch, William F. or G.C. Edmondson. It's pleasant, really a professional magazine in Nolan, Charles Grant, Steve Rasnic but a bit too diffuse. There's all but (just barely) circulation. Tem. The Bloch is a reprint; the also one of David Bunch's oddiments You can even find it in some book rest are originals. (Stephen Jones* and stories by Ian Watson and Ron¬ stores. High production values, 130 Park View, Wembley, Middlesex, ald Anthony Cross. (POB #3206, color covers and a cover design HA9 6JU, England. 90p or $3.00 + Grand Central Station, NY, NY, (this time at least) that looks re¬ $1.00 postage. Three issues, L3.00 10163; $2.50, 4 issues/$10.00.) markably like THE DRAGON. Stories by Stephen Golden, Glen Rahman and or $11.00. Buy this from Fantasy Richard Tierney, Scott Edelman, Centre. With the pound down to Esther Friesner, and others. This about $1.06, it's two-thirds cheap¬ er if you pay the British price.) is a basic, workaday magazine of SOMETHING ELSE, Spring 1984 the fantasy field. It publishes (#3) just arrived from a British more fantasy than anybody else, dealer (Fantasy, Medway Ltd.). I and most of the new writers appear had not seen this magazine before, there eventually. (P.O.B. #60126, although I had been trying to get Pasadena, CA, 91106, $3.95 per copy, the first two issues, which ap¬ $12.00/4 issues.) parently featured material by Moor¬ cock, Aldiss, M. John Harrison, etc. A slick, NEW WORLDS-type avant-garde magazine. Short stor¬ ies by Brian Aldiss and several un¬ WEIRD TALES, Fall 1984. Yes, knowns. An excerpt from Michael that WEIRD TALES has made a fleet¬ Moorcock's still unpublished (be¬ ing and phantom appearance. After cause of the Timescape fiasco) THE the strange "controversy" over who CITY IN THE AUTUMN STARS. Charles was editor, it seems Gil Lamont is Platt interviews Captain Beefheart. fiction editor, Ted Newsom senior The magazine has a handsome cover, editor. Standard sized, on slick some good interior art, and some paper, but clumsily laid out, much very clumsy layout. If they'd of the magazine crudely blown up BORDERLAND (7305 Woodbine Aven¬ quit skipping spaces between para¬ from pulp size. (There are even ue, Suite 517, Markham, ditario, graphs and just indent, it would reprinted headings from the old L3R 3V7, Canada) is a new, all pro¬ not only be easier to read, but WT. In this format they don't quality magazine which features there'd be room for more text. fit.) There's an excellent novel¬ stories by mostly little-known wri¬ (The Print Centre, 11-15 Fennel St., et by Harlan Ellison, a rather bad ters (Galad Elfandsson being the Manchester, M4 3DU, England. interplanetary (obvious trunk sto¬ biggest name of the lot) plus an LI.50 or $2.50. No subscriptions.) ry) short by Stephen King, a short uncollected J. Sheridan Le Fanu story by R.A. Lafferty, a couple tale. This will be a major publi¬ more new items, and several re¬ cation (it pays 34 a word) if it prints. This is basically a state- truly gets underway. An alleged ment-of-existence issue, rather quarterly, there has been no second than a firm re-establishment of issue following the first, which CRYPT OF CTHULHU, Robert M. Price, the magazine. The main problem appeared last October. $3.00 Can¬ 35 Elmbrook Place, Bloomfield NJ, for WEIRD TALES now is reaching its adian, $2.50 U.S. 07003; 8 issues/$16.00. Prices of audience. I counted myself very back issues vary. fortunate that I was able to get a WEIRDBOOK, W. Paul Ganley, Box 149, single copy in a comic book store • Amherst Branch, Buffalo, NY, 14226. in February of 1985. Most profes¬ Single copies $5.75 postpaid, sub¬ sionals I know are unaware that INTERZONE looks more like NEW scriptions 7 issues/$22.50. this actually appeared. One of the WORLDS every day. Fortunately, it KADATH, Francesco Cova, Via Byron advertisers in the issue was under reads better. This is Britain's 14/7, 16145 Genova, Italy; $9.00 or the impression it had been cancel¬ premier SF publication. The tenth 5 pounds for the special double is¬ led. The smart money seems to be issue features Gene Wolfe, Rachel sue. Again, a good reason to buy that no more issues will make it Pollack, Scott Bradfield (an enor¬ British; order from the publisher out, although I am willing to wait mously promising INTERZONE discov¬ with caution (see review). and see. I'd say it's too uncer¬ ery) . Literary SF, extreme by (HOSTS AND SCHOLARS, Rosemary Par- tain to be worth subscribing to American standards, but the stories doe, 11B cote Lea Square, Southgate, but you should definitely write to remain coherent. (U.S. agent: 145 Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 2SA, England. the publisher and try to buy the East 18th Street, #5, Gosta Mesa, U.S. price: $3.00; subscriptions first issue. Rumor has it about CA, 92627. $13.00 for 4 issues.) (3 issues apparently) $8.00. 10,000 were printed, but only 3000 were distributed. Somebody must 50 NOISE LEVEL

A COLUMN BY JOHN BRUNNER

ON BEING THE ONLY PERSON IN STEP, hope was, a suspension of whitish British imitation of the French Git- AS IT WERE powder -- magnesia, I presume -- anes or Disque Bleu but in a king- in liquid paraffin. Those who size format. They came in a soft I suppose it started with tooth¬ forced it down my throat insisted pack, so I bought a leather flip- paste, really ... it was "tasteless." Well, that top case with brass trimmings to You see, when I was a kid I had was what it said on the label... carry them in. to put up with the brand my parents So as soon as I was able to They were thereupon withdrawn thought was Good For Me, even though buy toothpaste for myself I changed from sale. I distrusted it on principle. It to Gibbs' SR, which probably wasn't was Phillips' Milk of Magnesia Do you ever get the feeling any better in spite of the resound¬ that you're the only person in toothpaste, and the name alone was ing name of its exclusive ingredient enough to put me off, because I step? Around that time I started "sodium ricinoleate" but at least to! was brought up in the days when didn't remind me of those countless aperients were issued automatically nauseating spoonfuls of laxative I found precisely the shampoo to children once a week if not more mixture. Only much later did I I'd been unwittingly searching af¬ often. I didn't mind California figure out that the "ricinoleate" ter for years: Wella Herbal. I Syrup of Figs, but on noticing bit must have some connection with happen to have extremely fine hair that actually I quite liked it, castor oil. that refuses to lie down for at those who had charge of me started least 24 hours after I wash it. dosing me with Milk of Magnesia in¬ Years afterwards -- I think Moreover it gets terribly tangled stead, possibly on the grounds that about the time I started to smoke and dragging a comb through it is medicine doesn't do you any good cigarettes (a bad habit acquired in agonizing. The one hair-cream I unless it tastes repulsive. (That the RAF at a time when it was still tried -- Silvikrin, when I was in too was a widespread attitude at customary for the NCOs to tell re¬ my teens -- brought on a severe the time, and for all I know may cruits, "Fall out for a smoke!") -- case of dandruff, so I prefer not yet survive in benighted pockets I started having occasional attacks to use dressings on it. This of the contemporary world.) of gingivitis, and sometimes found shampoo not only got my scalp beau¬ blood on my toothbrush. It occur¬ And, believe me, it tasted re¬ tifully clean; it contained some¬ red to me to do a bit of comparison thing that lubricated the hair so volting. For those who have never shopping, so I started sampling run across it, I should perhaps ex¬ that I could brush it as soon as other makes of toothpaste at ran¬ it was dry. plain that it is, or I profoundly dom. Eventually I discovered one called TCP. Not only did it taste Terrific. But guess what? delicious --a bit like butter¬ That's right. I can't find it scotch, though less sweet -- it any more. cleared up my gingivitis in short order and left my teeth exeption- As I already mentioned, I went ally clean and white. I decided to over to cigars after I gave up cig¬ stick with this one. arettes. I signed up with a firm specializing in what the wine trade Five months later they with¬ would call "bin ends" -- Cigar drew it from the market. Club -- as a cheap way of trying (Speaking of TCP: It's the out a wide range of cigars until I brand-name of an antiseptic, a sol¬ found one I particularly liked. I ution of halogens in water. I've did: a Dutch brand named Agio seen a review in a consumer maga¬ Wilde. Among the reasons I liked zine that claimed it cannot possib¬ them was because one end was left ly have any beneficial effects. untrinmed, and they could be light¬ Well, that's as may be. But it ed just by holding them over the fixes insect bites and stings, sun¬ flame: no need to draw on them. burn, and sore throats in next to Connoisseurs claim that even the no time, and I wouldn't be without fumes from a wooden match or a bu¬ it.) tane lighter can spoil the flavor of the tobacco, so this struck me I mentioned cigarettes. I as an excellent idea. gave them up ten or more years ago in favor of cigars, because I can't A few months went by, and one inhale those. But in the days when day I put in my usual order ... I did use the things, I found a You guessed it. The British dis¬ splendid brand called Sorbonne, a tributors had given up importing 51 them. A firm called Hago Products But the problem goes all the N.N.R. CONTINUED FROM P. 46 used to make the neatest and simp¬ way up the scale to cars, and prob¬ lest toilet roll holder you could ably beyond. Well...I didn't finish the book. possibly imagine. It consisted of Marjorie and I happen to like I didn't care what happened to a metal bar painted white. One drophead cars. We only ever owned end was bent at 90% and attached these odd-shaped and oddly special¬ one hardtop, and that was a Jensen, ized former humans. to a triangular plate that ycu so it was rather special. But screwed to the wall. On the other when we decided to move to Somerset The scientific DNA magic didn't seem even remotely credible to me end, which was angled slightly up¬ in late 1973 we were running a Cit¬ in the first place, and the ideas ward, was a round ball of wood or roen convertible, a model of which plastic in some bright color, so only thirty or forty were ever im¬ Watson was exploring or getting to proportioned that the cardboard ported to Britain. The prospect didn't lure me. There is little narrative ten¬ tube inside the roll was a push- of living (as we thought of it sion in the novel, little conflict. fit over it and once in position then) in the middle of nowhere hung loose on the bar. No springs with a virtually unique type of The only thing going is mild curios¬ to weaken or break --no nothing to foreign car daunted us; it was ity. Not enough. go wrong at all. We had one at a getting old anyway, and spares were previous home but I left it behind hard enough to find in London. So when we moved. since they were no longer making When I ordered another ... my favorite Daimler SP250 (fiber¬ yes, indeedy: discontinued. glass body, hence no rust, and a giant capacity for luggage), I There seems to be no end to sold the Cit and bought a nearly this kind of problem. Take wine, new Triumph Stag. for example. The finest sweet white wine in the world, which I According to a copy of CLASSIC will back any day against all your AND SPORTS CAR which I just bought Chateau d'Yquem, is Hungarian To¬ because it had a picture of a Stag kay. I found a firm specializing on the cover, some people had a in Eastern European wines and for lot of trouble with the "Snag," al¬ a couple of years we were able to though on balance the reporter who offer the stuff at an affordable wrote it up for the magazine con¬ price to our dinner guests as an cluded that the faults were mainly accompaniment to the dessert. Then due to neglect of proper mainten¬ the Hungarians decided to sell the ance. I believe it. We still have monopoly for Britain to a firm in ours; it's twelve years old and Norwich -- the other side of the has 112,000 miles on the clock with country from here -- which special¬ the original engine. It's taken us izes in (wait for it!) nustard... to France, Germany, Belgium, Swed¬ It took me a year and a half to en, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, find it again, and then I could on¬ Yugoslavia, Greece, Czechoslovakia, Poland ... and it still bums less ly get the 3-puttonyos grade, when ELFQUEST, BOOK 4 I wanted the 4. than a litre of oil between ser¬ vices . By Wendy 6 Richard Pini (On the other hand, I have at Donning, $12.95, October, 1984. last found another source of La Oh, we've had problems with it, naturally. But of all the cars This is the final volume of this Clairette de Die, which some French full-color illustrated fantasy which friends of ours introduced us to we’ve ever owned, it's proved to be the most reliable and the great¬ has followed the adventures of the one sunny day in Provence under a Wolfriders, a band of tough little plum tree in full booom. They re¬ est fun to drive. If they still built Stags, I'd long ago have elves searching for other tribes and gard it as the only m^thode cham- enclaves of elves in a vicious world penois£ wine which is better than bought a new one. But they don't, you see. The people at British Ley- of savage, pre-civilized humans and champagne, and -- short of a truly especially by ruthless trolls. fine Paul Krug, which is far beyond land must have heard how much the Brunners liked them, so ... The questions are answered in our means -- I'd be inclined to this volume, and there are many sur¬ agree.) I wish I wasn't the only one in prises, many revelations. step! It's getting me down! The main interest and wonder is in the elves as caring, loving, striving, wholly "human" people. Here is a completely realized social structure, morality, culture, histo¬ ry, past, and probable future. Even the goddamned trolls are true to their disgusting nature, and honest in their ruthless dishonesty. The drawing is superb, the sto¬ CAM -SAY: ryline multi-leveled and many-strand¬ ed. The elves are incredibly all IT t£ ENO'-'SfH- distinct personalities. Simply fucking marvelous. And there are apparently plans for further adventures for the Wolf- riders. The Pinis have a life work here, and probably a fortune. Long may they continue, and may they be rich! 52 LETTERS

product. And sixth: Starblaze sentative from that publishing com¬ has done better than ever in the pany is going to be available to last couple years, albeit with less defend itself either. Same situa¬ title production. tion goes for what occurs when un¬ 'I hope that in future someone happy ex-employees begin talking does a bit of research before print¬ about the place they had to leave. ing groundless and irresponsible 'I guess the one thing Janrae statements from people who obvious¬ was right about in her letter is ly have a personal ax to grind. that I am a fan of the SF/F genre. Thanks for listening.' Prior to my employment with Donning. I was active in fandom. The one thing that I have always deplored, found actually embarrassing, is the lack of journalistic responsib¬ # LETTER FROM ROBERT S FRIEDMAN ility in the fan press. Publisher, THE DONNING COMPANY # LETTER FROM KAY REYNOLDS THE DONNING COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 5659 Virginia Beach Blvd 5659 Virginia Beach Blvd Norfolk, VA 23502 'April '85 will make 5 years Norfolk, VA 23502 Feb. 13, 1985 that I've worked with Donning Pub¬ March 14, 1985 lishing. Every year, usually 'I would dearly love to have around March and/or September, we someone at the magazines check the 'I read Janrae Frank's letter will get a rash of phone calls information in letters before they about The Donning Company/Publish¬ ers in SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #54. from fans and pros telling us that are printed, especially when they July '85 will make two years since they've heard Donning/Starblaze is state things that relate directly Janrae and family left Donning/ going out of business. We reas¬ to on-going business and/or image sure them and we keep on publish¬ in the market. I refer specifical¬ Starblaze. The Stines have been living in California ever since ing. During the time since the ly to Janrae Frank's letter print¬ then. There hasn't been a whole Stine's departure, the rumors have ed in the Spring, 1985 issue. lot of contact between them and been heavier and nastier and always There is not a single statement in contradiction to information re¬ that is true, with the possible ex¬ the Donning office. It does strike leased from this office. ception of her characterization of me as curious that Janrae continues to "know" as much as she does about me as "a well-meaning person." I 'However, belief in the gossip Donning's business, and that she often wonder how people who do not has prevailed recently culminating have any access to the company bal¬ continues to broadcast it with in the March '85 LOCUS "Publishing ance sheet can make categorical such evangelistic fervor. Notes" when they ran an article statements about lines making or 'I don't want to dissect her that said "The Donning company has losing money, about the reasons letter line by line. Suffice it to remaindered what it has published why editors are shifted, about say that the facts she presents except for the 'Elfquest' material phasing out lines and departments, aren't. I'm pretty sure that she and the Robert Asprin 'Myth' books. and about our publishing plans. believes them to be true, but it's Poor distribution and sales were given as the reasons. They should 'Janrae Frank has not had simply not the case. no longer be considered as a mar¬ such access, and knows next to no¬ 'Donning has some of the ket." thing about Donning or Starblaze. strangest publicity going. In the I do not choose to air my laundry last two years, we've never done 'I've addressed the statements in public about such matters, ex¬ better with the Starblaze line. made in this article in the news cept to correct the most grievous Yes, we have printed fewer titles, release mailed out this week and errors. First: the line of meta¬ but the sales on these titles have so, I won't repeat myself here. physical books, called Unilaw, had represented some of the best dis¬ The point I'd like to make is fourteen out of twenty-three pub¬ tribution we've ever known. Re¬ this -- the article appeared with¬ lished titles sell out printings turns are low. Cash flow is good. out backup from the Donning office. and reprintings, a better average But the gossip grinders continue Charlie Brown received this piece than industry standard. The line to circulate the rumor that Donning of information and he printed it is not cancelled, and will release is close to bankruptcy and will be without confirmation. If he had three or four more titles in 1985. going out of business. When it bothered to pick up the phone and Second: we never had a publicity comes to printing one thing or the call the Donning office -- at no department (we're far too small a other about us in the fan press, charge, he has our watts line — house for such luxuries), so how guess what story sees print? he could have found out what titles could we phase it out? Third: had been remaindered and why, what our printer didn't put us "on a 'Not every author that works titles had been cancelled and why, with a publishing company is going budget," a ridiculous concept in what plans Donning had for future any case. Fourth: We have cut to be happy with it. The science publications -- the whole nine down our title production, to be fiction community presents a heal¬ yards. But he didn't feel that sure, but we are still active in thy public forum for those people was necessary. Why? So many ru¬ the field, as anyone reading the to present and circulate their mors had been circulated, he felt point of view. It isn't always best-seller lists can see. Fifth: that what he had heard was valid. we didn't need to "save the book likely or possible that a repre- He accepted it as fact. Worse. divisions," as books are our only 53 Fans and professionals accepted it too. They had also been privy to There is no department to be phas¬ publican Party is not that suicidal gossip which was lots more inter¬ ed out. or liberal (same thing). esting than the real stuff. 'I think it's time the SF com¬ 'The part of the Republican 'So what happened next? Chaos, munity, fans and pros, started to Party that is future-growth and pure and simple. Donning had not get better perspectives on what hope-oriented is not the Bob Dole yet received their issue of the they hear and read. The journals (the remnants of the old Nelson March LOCUS when the phone calls have an obligation to their public Rockefeller-Thomas Dewey clique) began. Authors called wanting to that shouldn't be taken so lightly. wing. They've lost control of the know when their books had been re¬ I think it's time SF grew up. Party at the grassroots level which is where Presidential nomina¬ maindered. Book stores wanted to 'Thank you for your time.' return product and cancel future tions are won --at least in the orders because they were afraid Republican Party. (In 1980 the Re¬ that the delicate structure of con¬ ((Apologies. I should have sent publican Party establishment wanted tinuing sales against returns had a copy of Janrae's letter to you Bush, the business interests wanted become unbalanced. Contracts that for comment and printed your re¬ Connelly, the grassroots activists were in negotiating stages had to sponses along with her letter. wanted Reagan -- guess who won.) be reassured. Fans called wanting In the future that will be my pol¬ The comers in the Party are not to know if books they had ordered icy. Dole, Baker or Bush, but Jack Kemp would be published. All because ((SFR's basic policy has al¬ and Newt Gingrich -- you read it the iumor mill got out of hand. ways been that this magazine is an here first. Donning is not the only company open forum with full opportunity 'A final observation about the (and what's a company -- a publish¬ to Reply at least once. A basic politics of SF fans (at least ing company -- other than a com¬ problem faced by the fan press in those that go to conventions). I posite of working individuals made exchanges like this is that it is attended a convention last fall up of authors, artists, editors and impossible to determine the full held the weekend after the '84 Gen¬ business men?) who have been hurt truth in any matter, since money eral Election, and was surprised to by this kind of thing. It's hap¬ is limited, access to figures im¬ see how many fans were depressed pened in the past and, unfortunate¬ possible, and perceptions of real¬ over Reagan's victory. Reagan and ly, it will probably happen in the ity different. other Republicans, especially Newt future. Rumors are one thing when ((It may well be that letters Gingrich, support spaceflight. it's just talk and something com¬ and stories regarding the internal Walter Mondale wanted to "keep the pletely different in print. In¬ workings of a publisher are best heavens free" of humanity, which is terestingly enough, when we talked left unpublished because of the why he voted against funding the with the people who called, assur¬ problems we see here and because space shuttle while a Senator in ing them that all was well and so the potential for damage to busi¬ 1974. I think the depression over forth, their first and continuing nesses and individuals is so great. Reagan's victory has to do with response was that we should haul It's a no-win situation.)) fears that the Religious "Ban the out our lawyers and sue. Sue, SUE! Books" crazies have taken over Rea¬ The tables were turned but the in¬ gan and the Republican Party. I dividuals were still just as blood¬ don't think so. While the crazies thirsty. That kind of attitude on¬ bother me, they don't represent ly perpetuates grist for the mill. the rank and file thinking of the We feel that Brown acted without grassroots activists I know. And malice and will get the story right after many close encounters with once he gets his facts straight. the 1985 Oregon Legislature I can 'I would like to take the time tell you that the social planners to clear one distortion regarding in the Liberal wing of the Demo¬ Frank's letter regarding bur form¬ cratic Party represent a far great¬ er marketing director, Richard F.X. er danger to our freedom than most O'Connor. Richard has a long his¬ of the crazies ever have. tory in publishing as author and business man. He worked for Don¬ 'I tell you, Dick, there's no¬ ning as sales manager and market¬ thing like testifying in front of ing director for quite some time. a bunch of puffed up, half wit During that time. Donning publish¬ legislators to scare one to death. ed his book, I-DENT-A-KID, a title Every time you turn around they're that should be familiar to many. legislating another one of our (It's in a mass market trade edi¬ # LETTER FROM ELTON T ELLIOTT freedoms away. We elect legisla¬ tion now.) In the fall of '84, 1899 Weissner Drive, NE tors in America, not babysitters, Richard left Donning to establish Salem, OR 97303 but they don't seem to understand his own consulting and small press Feb 9, 1985 that. ' publishing company. George Beahm, 'I read with amazement Alan who published KIRK'S WORKS, is .the Dean Foster's comment about Robert ((And the voters don't seem to editor for O'Connor House. This Dole and Elizabeth Dole being the remember from one election to anoth¬ was something Richard had wanted Republican Party ticket for Presi¬ er who has screwed them and who has to do, planned to do for a long dent in 1988. not. I'm getting increasingly sour time. He was not "released" from on the electorate...and the politic¬ his job like some errant employee. 'Dick, if there's somebody ians who apparently rule this coun¬ else out in SF who is more polit¬ 'As far as the "phasing out" of try. The more you observe, the ically active at the grassroots and longer you live, the more cynical the publicity department, Janrae party level in politics than I am should know better than that. Ev¬ you get. Reality is the enemy of I'd be surprised. So believe me idealism; after forty years of ob¬ er since I came to work at Donning when I say the Dole-Dole ticket the policy has been that each edi¬ serving the world, the coating of hasn't a liberals chance in Utah natural idealism on the youthful tor was responsible for the public¬ of being the '88 ticket. The Re- ity, advertisement and marketing psyche gets worn away till the plan of his or her own material. 54 cynic is exposed.)) # LETTER FROM ERIC LINDSAY You can change the name, you can adventure was okay but not substan¬ POB #42, Lyneham, ACT 2602 change the cover, you can change tial enough; and generally, the Australia the price, you can change the for¬ writing was competent but didn't March 1, 1985 mat, you can change anything you sing. Yes, I know there are many 'Your digression on angst fol¬ want -- but the day you stop edit¬ books out that aren't even comp¬ lowing the comments about Harlan ing SFR, you die. And not a plea¬ etent. But yours was a "diffi¬ Ellison's depression seemed spot sant death. You will suffer inde¬ cult" book in that it didn't auto¬ on. Youthful optimism is all very scribable pains in places that matically drop into a category. well, while you can still consider have never hurt before; you will This means it has to be judged by yourself youthful, and still have itch in places that no one can ev¬ more severe standards, I think. faith in the Protestant Work Ethic er scratch; the normal motions of My editor friend (sorry, I can't and all that groovy stuff. your vital organs will be agony to tell you who) also said that some you; your face will be covered editors might have been just a lit¬ 'I wonder why Elton Elliott with warts and boils; and you will tle wary of your name and reputa¬ restricted himself to US SF maga¬ have a constant erection except tion, but wouldn't be specific. I zines in his comments. He totally when you want one. That will last guess that's what I might find if missed VISIONS OF TOMORROW which for six months, or until you pray I was submitting a novel myself to was financed by collector Ron Gra¬ for death, whichever comes later. many different publishers. ham, and lasted slightly over a year, with a dozen issues publish¬ 'How can I make it more clear? 'Just thought you might like to ed. That was full-size, slick pa¬ It's not that we don't want you to know. You may remember I enjoyed per and some full color interior be happy. It's just that -- look, ONE IMMORTAL MAN quite a lot my¬ art. It had distribution problems your magazine may not be Slick, it self. Trouble is, some of your in the UK and here that eventually may not have Dignity, but it is porno writing habits subtly carried killed it, with a loss of $50,000. without question the class act of over to the SF genre, and I think Every now and then I look over my the only volunteer, unsubsidized editors are very wary of that. collection of them and wonder why critical community in the world. They need their self-respect; and such an attractive magazine had to Where would I publish my ideas, if one thing is considered even disappear.' Dick? More to the point, where in less appetizing than SF, it is hell would Darrel Schweitzer pub¬ pornography!' lish his? Have some compassion.'

((Well, when you put it that ((I appreciate the inside info; non- attributiin is about the only way an # LETTER FROM ORSON SCOTT CARD way... Perhaps, after a vacation 546 Lindley Rd at the end of 1986 I will decide author can get a true reading of ed¬ Greensboro, NC 27410 to continue SFR in one format or' itorial thinking. Feb. 13, 1985 another. Considering the alterna¬ ((I've heard from several form¬ tive. ...)) er editors who had a look at ONE 'Why do you want to quit doing IMMORTAL MAN several years ago; they SFR? Is it because you didn't get all remember it clearly! But could¬ a Hugo last year? Well, heck. I'll n't buy it then for various reasons. form a consortium to buy 5000 World- The novel has impact, obviously, and con memberships and we'll get you probably would sell well. But I as many Hugos as you want. Which ft LETTER FROM ORSON SCOTT CARD really think there are other, sec¬ ones do you want to have? Fan 546 Lindley Road ret reasons for its failure to find Writer? Semi-prozine? Novel? The Greensboro, NC 27410 a publisher or editor-with-guts. Campbell Award? Feb. 22, 1985 At that time WimLib and Blacks were 'Or is it that you're sick of 'Dear Dick, sacred untouchables and a novel doing labels? Send me your mail¬ 'A plea to your readers: I of a white man disguised as a black ing list, I'll get it on computer, will pay at least $10 for a good going around for a thousand years keep it updated for you, and send copy of SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #50. being king and secret ruler and you a set of labels with every is¬ Please contact me FIRST to make outwitting and killing dozens of sue. Printed, of course, in ZIP sure someone else hasn't already blacks, having sex with young black code order. sent one. The $10 is meant to in¬ girls... ah, no, it just couldn't be accepted. I understand that now. 'Or are. you tired of retyping clude the price of an envelope and postage, but the price is negoti¬ It was a novel even worse than Gor, letters and articles? Publish the philosophically. column specs and we'll send our able: Orson Scott Card ((Yeah, everyone who has read stuff preformatted and ready to 546 Lindley Road the novelet version in England liked reproduce. Greensboro, NC 27410 (919) 852-8716' the story, the hero, the action, the 'Or is it that you want res¬ sf content. But ANDROMEDA 2, in pect? We can get you an honorary which it appeared, never found an doctorate somewhere. Doctor of American publisher, primarily, I Laws, Doctor of Secular Humanity, think, because it contained "One Doctor of Systematic Paranoia, ft LETTER FROM A FRIEND Immortal Man." The kiss of death. your star on the Hollywood walk of ((And I truly sympathize with fame, anything you want. editors who are leery of me: what 'I mentioned ONE IMMORTAL MAN would their peer-group think? And 'Or is it that you want to to an editor who turned out to have of course they would never think of make more money? Raise the sub¬ rejected it at some point in the suggesting changes or editing-out of scription rate. Stop overpaying past. (S)he said that the race of 'offending' passages. writers. I'll give gift subscrip¬ the protagonist was irrelevant. ((Alas, in the small family of tions . The deciding factors were that the sf editors, I am a leper, tainted novel's sex content might have 'Or is it that you're tired forever by my pornographic past and caused some trouble with sales/ and want to rest? Well, I hate to n\y un-Liberal philosophy? No, no, distribution people; the action- break it to you, Dick, but we put I can't believe that. a curse on SFR a long time ago. 55 ((I'll just make my fortune out- side of the hardcore sf ghetto, where ry, but also part of a sequential Futurist Society but is scared off editors haven't heard of me or.don't fourth story-line. It may have by that $50 membership should take care. ' helped, as I suggested during pro¬ into account the fact that advisory duction, to put numbers on the cov¬ members receive free copies of many ((As it happens, I just re¬ ers. Or a box around all three. of the Prometheus Award nominees, ceived a phone call from rny agent In my area, stores never stocked sent by publishers who apparently telling me that Fawcett Gold Medal all three novels at the same time. find the award worthwhile. Since has accepted Elton Elliott's and the freebies include some expensive my partial novel, THE MASTER FILE. 'Quibbles. If I'd a nickel for hardcovers as well as trade and This is our third for that publish¬ every time I've heard that SF does pocketsize paperbacks it doesn't er. The novel is near-future com¬ not offer any black protagonists, take long to get more back in books puter-technology-misused to the I wouldn't worry about royalties. than you've paid to be an advisor. point of mastery of the world by Yet those to whom I complain about Is this bribery or unfair influence a very ruthless elite. The nature the performance of these books, in¬ for publishers who give freebies? of the computers involved is what variably hold that it's the fact Not likely, since none of the Prom¬ makes this novel a bit different.)) that the protagonist of all three etheus winners so far have been is a black man. Books about black among the free samples. If this men don't sell. Even tied to block¬ changes anyone's mind about becom¬ buster movies. I'd like to believe ing an advisory member they can otherwise, but it wouldn't be the write to: LFS, c/o Vistoria Varga, 121 McKinley Street, Rochester, NY, # LETTER FROM L, fCIL SMITH first time I've been accused of 111 East Drake, Suite 7032 14609. Ft. Collins, CO 80525 * 'Point is, LucasFilm commis¬ 'Hannah Shapero's "Red-Haired March 11, 1985 sioned 'em, I wrote 'em, Del Rey Heros, Brown-Haired Losers" is too ' I enjoyed seeing my conversa¬ printed 'em, bookstores stocked true and seems to hint at some very tions with Neal Wilgus printed in ’em. Where did the process break deep archetypes or prejudices. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #54. I hope down? The solution's left for the Shapero might carry the idea a bit they generate lots of interest. intelligent -- if somewhat hypo¬ further by comparing color-patterns What I want to comment on now is critical -- reader.' with those associated with figures Hannah Shapero's thought-provoking in the Tarot deck. My knowledge piece on blue hair and blond eyes of the Tarot is too meager to do ((Yeah. Even a book about a (or is it the other way around) -- more than suggest Eden Gray's A white man disguised as a black can't you can never tell in this busin¬ COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE TAROT, which get published, much less sell. ess) in SF. uses the popular Pamela Coleman ((So the prejudice is in the Smith designs, as a place to start. 'I'm a W.A.S.P. (White Anglo- readers--mostly young whites—who Gray puts a positive interpretation Saxon Polack) . In the "North Amer¬ subconsciously don't like the idea on almost every card, but it would ican Confederacy," populated with of identifying with a black. A be interesting to see if Shapero's talking coyotes, porpoises, goril¬ dirty little bit of reality hardly pattern matches the Tarot in any las, killer whales, chimpanzees anyone talks about.)) significant way. -- and assorted aliens -- the ipth- nicity of human characters seldom 'SFR coming to a forked road in seems significant. However, Shap- November, 1986? I'll believe it ero made me think back, and I real¬ when we get there. Every format ized, if she's right about SF in change I've seen you make so far general, my own works are untypic¬ was as good as or better than the al, featuring, as they do, an Amer¬ one before. Good to see RICHARD indian, a little old Mexican lady Hr E. GEIS back -- will that give more and a Jewish time-machine pilot -- 7VFU9-ST room for contributors' stuff in SFR?' dark eyes, dark hair, dark complex¬ ions all around. lift— ((Yes, a little bit: my "Alien 'While my Confederacy books Thoughts" column is shrinking, but have sold well (with the exception I hope, starting next issue, to ex¬ of THEIR MAJESTIES' BUCKETEERS, pand rny reading/reviewing pages. And featuring its entirely lamviin fu AJtVfTl expect to let myself go a bit more cast: blue eyes, brown hair, nine in these editorial responses to let¬ legs), three of my novels have HW ^ ters.)) been a disappointment, leading me mp&r to wonder, if Shapero's correct, fen ttw who's responsible -- authors, edi¬ tors, publishers, retailers, or faAt/0 the public — for whatever biases exist in SF. I'm speaking (actual¬ # LETTER FROM ALAN DEAN FOSTER ly, I'm word-processing) of the THRANX, INC., 4001 Pleasant Valley Dr., Prescott, AZ 86301 Calrissian series I did for Del # LETTER FROM NEAL WILGUS Rey and LucasFilm, which despite Box 25771 Feb. 6, 1985 their tie-in to three blockbuster Albuquerque, NM 87125 'As a fellow Furry Freak Bros, movies,.have yet to pay out. . v. March, 1985 fan, you might find the following 'It may be a matter of other anecdote interesting. When I was things getting in the way. Lando 'Here's an addendum to the "Fi¬ doing the novelization of the re¬ had about four lines in the third nal Interviewer's Note" at the end make of THE THING, I had occasion STAR WARS movie (though he did pi¬ of the L. Neil Smith interview in to chat with a higher-up at Univer¬ lot the Falcon into the heart of SFR #54. Anyone who might be in¬ sal Studios. She inquired what the Death Star). Del Rey never in¬ terested in becoming an advisory I'd like to make, film-wise. One dicated anywhere that there were (voting) member of the Libertarian project I mentioned was a live-act¬ three books, each with its own sto¬ 56 ion version of the Freaks. ■Turns out none other than Uni¬ viewing will be on a par with your say terribly important things to versal has owned the rights to the knee-jerk reaction. I give you the world of John Brunner's "Sheep strips for years. Know what they credit for being honest enough to Who Look Up", the same people who are doing with them? Not a damn say straight out that you didn't said World Wars I and II and all thing. This is a standard Holly¬ read the book. I recommend it if the others wouldn't come. Peace¬ wood practice, akin to working the you are able to face squarely ideas niks have always been wrong, so Commodities market. Companies buy that may give rise to doubts as to far.' and sell properties without any in¬ whether or not the human race will tention of making them into films. likely continue. Some persons are, ((Based on the likely wrong as¬ What they hope to do is resell them of course, constitutionally unable. sumption that about a generation to another production company at 'Next, if you will bear with me must pass before the people can be some future date for a profit. So -- consult Webster's New Collegiate conned into another major war, I ex¬ when you read that so-and-so has Dictionary, c. 1980, Mirriam Co., pect that along about 1995 or so bought a favorite book, don't ex¬ ISBN 0-87779-399-9, page 917. The this country will be into another pect it will be made into a film. word is "proposed." Meaning la: 'police action', and likely it will It's merely a valuable property. to set before the mind (as for dis¬ be in this hemisphere. Hollywood is buying and selling cussion, imitation or action). ((All-out nuclear war with the properties. Making films is a sec¬ (Note the alternate choices that are USSR is unlikely provided enough in¬ ondary business, a hobby.' allowed when you propose. To pro¬ ternal checks on absolute power exist pose does not mean you advocate. in each country. And there is, in ((A compay bought an option to All right. 2a: an expression in my opinion, an instinctual check on one of my early sex novels, BONGO language or signs of something that the extinction of mankind, a fail-safe BUM, and (I thought) did not pick can be believed, doubted or denied NO in the bedrock DNA which will stop up the option or purchase the movie or is either true or false. any ruling elite from an all-out nuke war. rights. But a couple years later 'I will grant you that the pri¬ I heard from a few people that they ((But that may be my residual mary meaning, given as #1 in Web¬ idealism speaking. In any case I on¬ had seen the credit line "from a ster's is: something offered for ly require about 25 years more of novel by Richard E. Geis" in the consideration Or acceptance. There¬ peace (or "peace"). After that I'll credits of a movie they'd seen. fore;, though my semantics may leave be living on borrowed time and it But they couldn't remember the something to be desired, and your would please me to die at 82 or so, title! And of course I never view is perfectly understandable with my life fully lived,in the Ulti¬ saw any money from that movie except for a "non-reading anti-re¬ mate Event. Heh-heh and cackle- rights sale, if it occurred. Maybe view" being a bit hard for me to cackle.)) one day I'll know if that sale was understand coming from a reasonable made, if a movie was made, what and reasoning person like yourself, the title was... Life is sometimes one could split hairs all day about full of mysteries.)) what I meant versus what someone else perceived. Take back the of¬ fending word. Substitute, per¬ haps, "mentioned, either seriously # LETTER FROM KIM 0 SMITH or in jest" (as I doubt that any 8881 Seaspray Drive # CARD FROM ROBERT BLOCH of us involved in this verbal in¬ 2111 Sunset CTest Dr. Huntington Beach, CA 92646 fighting are yet at the stage of Feb., 1985 Los Angeles, CA 90046 "psi" where we know beyond all Feb. 12, 1985 doubt the precise intent in Kahil's 'Just a couple of quibbles/ questions on a couple of things said by two of your correspondents 'Given the functions of id, ego •Two forms of prostitution have in SFR #54. Jess E. Stewart claims already been legalized — radio and superego how can even the orig¬ that Gen. Billy Mitchell "went to and television commercials.' inator of a statement clearly dis¬ see FDR in the late thirties." sect every atom of his own inten¬ Billy Mitchell died in 1935! FDR tion that lies behind a statement? had only been in office for a lit¬ ((I suppose anyone who does any¬ It is, however, and always has been thing for money is a "prostitute." tle over two years when Mitchell legitimate for a reviewer to spec¬ died. Could it be that "professional" is ulate to the best of his or her really a synonym for "prostitute?")) ability. In my case I didn't even 'My other bone to pick is with try to speculate, however, I merely Joel Rosenberg, who maligns the tried to pass along the impression word processing system that Algis given to me by what seemed and yet Budrys wrote about (and recommended) seems to be a very responsible non¬ in SFR #53. Rosenburg wrote "I'm fiction writer who was trying to not sure what Budrys' system cost, # LETTER FROM KARL EDD but I've seen decent word proces¬ Box 9007, Denver CO 80209 sing packages based on Kaypro com¬ Feb. 2, 1985 puters for less than $2,000.00, IN¬ 'IN ANSWER TO JOEL ROSENBERG'S CLUDING software; and the Kaypro is LETTER IN ISSUE #54: a good system, not a toy." Well, 'Dear Joel: the system that Budrys uses is the same that I use, and you can pur¬ ' I want to thank you for en¬ chase that system today for $660.00! lightening me as to a new method That includes a computer with 64K of book reviewing. Since you near¬ for $150.00, a double-density disk ly though cleverly not quite pass drive for $150.00, the software for judgment on a review of mine, with¬ $60.00 and a daisy-wheel letter- out having yourself read the book, quality printer with printer inter¬ perhaps the next time I review a face for $300.00. With this sys¬ controversial book I should review tem you can do anything that the it without having read it so my re¬ Kaypro system can do, for about 1/3 of the cost! And the Atari wants to share a joke -- the joke sonality dictate some actions which computers, far from being toys, being, in this case, other people's are non-rational and counter-produc¬ are powerful machines that are ful¬ short-sightedness and provinciality. tive. Another instance where emo¬ ly as capable as any other 8-bit But why bother? Why take the troub¬ tions are more important.. .and where machine, and certainly superior to le to select these letters and peace of mind and serenity are act¬ the best computer of 1977, the Ap¬ send them to SFR for publication? ually worth the difference in time/ ple II series. I don't believe altruism -- the un¬ work/money. I'm a great believer complicated desire to give other in happiness, and in my case that 'Let's face it, virtually any people a good laugh -- is the whole means not fighting my inner nature. computer that you could buy today story. Like any writer, I am sure "Be yourself" is the great magical will be obsolete in a year, if it Damon likes seeing his name in dictum. But first you have to see isn't already. The point isn't how print; but more than that, the yourself as you really are, and then up-to-date it is in its hardware naivety of these letters can only have the courage to do the things but rather how dollar-efficient it make him look sophisticated by com¬ required to really be yourself. I is for your needs. For a writer parison. The same is true of Da¬ am gradually moving in that direc¬ the Atari offers true word proces¬ mon's lit-crit, especially IN tion. There is, however, a lot sing for less money than a good SEARCH OF WONDER: he makes himself of cowardice in me, yet.)) electronic typewriter, and you've seem sophisticated by condemning got a decent computer system to others for writing naively, as if boot! Trashing Atari computers is this in itself is sufficient reas¬ a sure sign that the person doing on for ridicule. so knows little of the system, or IN, nr (M7=- of the history of personal comput¬ 'I have seen many letters like ers. When the new Ataris hit the these. All editors receive them. streets, able to outperform the Ap¬ I think they are sad, painful ef¬ /t 6O0MCT ple Macintosh for 1/3 the money, forts to communicate, from lonely then they'll be eating their people who want intellectual com¬ ime*- words!' panionship and recognition. These people see things in simple terms, and probably they lack a college ((To the non-user and the Comput¬ education -- which is why Damon er Ignorant, the ever-changing, here- finds them amusing. They are com¬ today, obsolete tomorrow array of pletely sincere, however, and they computers, printers, drives, thises mean no harm. In this sense, I see and thatses and the jungle of soft¬ much more to admire in them than in ware and 'languages' and etceteras Damon's cavalier use of their let¬ is beyond understanding, comprehen¬ ters as targets for his scorn. He sion and rationality. It's all has done this before (in the BEST presided over by a priesthood, and OF ORBIT anthology) and I think he computer religion is a total baffle¬ should stop. ment. I'll wait...wait...until I don't need one anymore! That's my 'I wish you well with your solution.)) personalzine, Dick. Enclosed some cash for a few issues. I wonder # LETTER FROM JOHN SHIRLEY if dealing with the postoffice ex¬ 267 Grove St, #2R plains why so many fanzine editors Jersey City, NJ 07302 advocate libertarianism; I remember Feb. 18, 1985 # LETTER FROM CHARLES PLATT my own frustrations with bulk mail. 9 Patchin Place, NY, NY 10011 Definitely more trouble than it ' I see the controversy as to Feb. 1, 1985 the primacy of hard core SF still sputters on in your letter column. 'Thanks for SFR. I have a com¬ Well, shit. This has been going ment about the Knight piece in SFR on in various guises since the 60s. #54. ((I suppose Damon's "Letters I Time to put an end to it. Time to 'I'm troubled by the assump¬ Never Answered" could be considered turn to The Final Authority...me. tions behind Damon Knight's "Let¬ a cheap-shot effort. I've done that The Wizard of Odd. You've come to ters I Never Answered." The title sort of thing myself occasionally, me for the answers. Well, you suggests that these letters weren't in the past. I may do it again. The should have. Anyway, the answer worth a reply, that Damon's time temptation is always there and it is: You people have been pursuing was too valuable to waste on such is a pleasant way to ego-boost. a red herring. Making it all too junk. This is the same kind of at- Such is life. It's a small sin and complicated. The truth is that tidue that leads editors to send in a way of positive effect: publish¬ THERE IS ONLY ONE SCIENCE FICTION rejection slips, when writing an ing foolish letters sometimes inhib¬ AND THAT IS HARD SCIENCE HARDCORE explanatory note would take very its and instructs others to be more STUFF. The other stuff, like Da¬ little extra time. It is a cava¬ aware of oneself when writing such. mon's and LeGuin's and oh, Kim Stan¬ lier, elitist attitude, and I do And we all want to encourage self- ley Robinson's, is fine stuff, is not like it. awareness, self-analysis and reduc¬ probably better prose and charac¬ tion of postal idiocy, don't we?)) terization and is very stimulating 'Nor do I like his assumption ((As for the various arcane but it's not science fiction at that he has the right to print the manifestations of bulk mailing and all. The only reason it falls in letters (assuming, of course, that me: I'm a rebel at heart and some¬ that category is for reasons of they are genuine). Presumably, times would rather spend more effort marketing expediency. It's kinda he feels he didn't need permission and time doing things simply and with weird, and hardcore SF is also to do so; a strange attitude from less anxiety than following bureau¬ kinda weird, so they lump 'em to¬ the man who framed the SFWA model cratic rules which actually save gether. SF and this other stuff contract. time and money. But it's my psyche both use Other Planets (but for 'I also question his motive. in charge, and its character and per- different reasons usually) and Superficially, it seems he just 58 that's another reason -- but it's all a confusion caused by market¬ the real core of the new racism # LETTER FROM RONALD R. LAMBERT ing methods and P.R. devices and will be anti-immigrant feeling. In 2350 Virginia the writers have played along with Europe it's getting frenzied. Troy, MI 48083 it because they needed to get their When I was last in Paris visiting Feb 10, 1985 stuff into print and calling it my boys (they're fine, already 'If your "super, intelligent Science Fiction was a way to do it. talking, French with a Parisian cockroach" can deliver us from ev¬ I don't know what the other stuff accent) I stepped out onto a street and unwittingly into a demonstra¬ il , then God by any other name is is, but it's not science fiction. still God. Evil is a part of the tion, the backers of the French The readers of this mag like sci¬ reality we inhabit. What we all ence fiction and they like the oth¬ Front Nationale filled an enormous really want is for the nature of er stuff too. There is a relation¬ avenue with their flag-waving and reality to be changed. The Entity ship between the two, but they are banners and chanting, every kind most likely to be capable of such of person, sometimes chanting Im¬ not the same -- a man and wife have a feat is the Creator of reality. a relationship, and are together in migrants Out, Immigrants Out, and The thought that such a Being does that they're "a couple," but they believe me the Front Nationale is exist, and that he is good, and seriously racist. are not the same. One is female intends to establish a universe and one male. Straining the ana¬ 'I don't have space to go into wherein love rules once His case logy, maybe hard SF is male. All it, but I really believe the anti- against evil has been proven to that rigid machinery. Shove your immigrant fever is growing there the satisfaction of everyone, is rigid machinery and your uptight and in the USA and all the signs attractive to many people. Be¬ political polemics into my soft, are visible. That's partly what cause this thought originates with squishy, liberal SF imagery, you my new novel's about. And I'm not the Bible, and because the Bible a hysterical liberal — when it possesses an authority which peop¬ comes to fighting crime, I think 'I tell you something, though, le can sense the same way they can the Saudis have the right idea. I think there's a New Movement sense that good.and evil exist, it Cut off their hands if they do it afoot in the Other Stuff (the stuff is possible for people to have too often. The guy has more than we write that we call SF that's faith in this God. You may ques¬ two convictions of violent crime not) that is changing its shape tion the perception by which peop¬ or demonstrates a chronically soc- and that will affect the outline le see the Bible as having author¬ iopathic personality, I say exe¬ of mainstream literature. This ity. You may presume it is mere cute him. Suspend constitutional New Movement is represented by wishful thinking, or self-decep¬ rights after their second time ... writers like Jack Dann (whose THE tion . I cannot prove you other¬ I don't think that's fascist, ex¬ MAN WHO MELTED is superfine, real¬ wise. But neither can you prove cept as kneejerk leftists use the that their perception is mistaken. ly kicks ass) and Wm. Gibson and word. But REAL Fascism is on its Picking out imperfections of ut¬ Lew Shiner; Cyberpunks someone cal¬ way, and if it comes down to it terance in the Bible does not prove led them (because of a New Wave I'll be in the street fighting be¬ that the writers of the Bible did flavor). Writers with a global side my black friends, and if perspective, heavy emphasis on pol¬ not truly encounter God and were that sounds corny, tough. Real not genuinely called by God to com¬ itical and social conflicts, coun¬ life terror makes a mockery of the terculture underpinnings. Their municate His word to mankind as cynicism that would call me corny influences are mostly non-SF writ¬ best they could. for that. Mark my words, pal. ers -- at least stylistically -- 'I am merely trying to describe Sincerely, and no kidding.' and they have a greater emphasis how there is room for Biblical on characterization and quality of faith. You may judge such faith prose. There is another aspect to ((Sure, I admit I'm racist on as foolish, or you may see wisdom them I'm finding hard to pin down one level, an emotional level, in it that defies conventional wis¬ but it has to do with attunement which I learned on my father's dom. Personally, I see wisdom in to hyper-contemporary cultural and uncle's knees when I was Very it. I recognize a spirit of auth¬ input. The imagery is mean, tough, Young in the '30s. But I know ority in the Bible despite its im¬ artfully lurid. better intellectually, and I don't perfections, and I have an aware¬ ness that good and evil exist as 'Listen, Geis, the reason fool myself much when the chips are aspects of reality that are more there's so much about NAZIS on TV down, on those matters. And I important and vastly more conse¬ is not because (paraphrasing you) still think in terms of conspiracies quential than matter and energy. the Zionists are helping to keep in re TV programing, some mega-fin¬ the story of the persecution of the ancial affairs, etc. "Conspiracies" 'Some people would say such Jews alive. It's because Americans is a loaded "bad" word. Say rather faith makes me a mystic. I can are sick fuckers and fascinated "Community of interests" and seman¬ only shrug my shoulders at that. with Nazism. It's "good copy." tics makes it all nice. In a sense, all Christians are mys¬ The public digs it so the TV hon¬ ((The anti-inmigrant feeling tics. But in the strictest logic¬ chos program it. Fact. Your im¬ is based in economics...competition al sense, any consideration of the plication that there's a kind of for jobs, scapegoating...1 ike that. nature of reality is an exercise Jewish conspiracy putting it on I We'll see a lot of it in America, in mysticism. Scientists with find chilling. I mean, you say too, in coming years as the unemploy¬ their test tubes and bubble chamb¬ you didn't mean that, but racism ment rate creeps up later this year ers, formulas and rigorous method- is often unmeant, an outburst, un¬ and in 1986 to over ten percent. ology, are another kind of mystic. conscious. But sometimes it's ov¬ Frustration and rage have to find Science works. But so do good and ert and lemme tell you, I'm con¬ targets.)) evil, just as reliably, just as vinced that we are about to exper¬ inevitably. ience a surge in racism and neo- Nazism. When Bemie Goetz shot 'Turning now from the cosmic the four black guys here, normally to the worldly (that is an inters liberal people would grin malic¬ esting phrase, linguistically — iously and say, "His only mistake did you know that "cosmos" was the was not shooting to kill." Reagan Greek word for "world?"), I see is pulling the teeth of the coun¬ that Forrest J. Ackerman, the "nev- try's antiracism legislation. But 59 er-Say-Die, Sci-Fi Guy," is offer¬ zine columns or book format. Fur¬ ((Sure, the existence of religion ing one hundred dollars to the per¬ thermore, with a 40 X 24 display says volumes about the structure and son who can come up with a word to the characters are larger and eas¬ needs of the hunan mi nd/psyche. We denote bad "sci-fi*" Okay, here is ier to read. Of course, the Atari as a species have whole troops of my entry in the contest. How about: will print out onto paper any for¬ instinctive needs which result in "sti-fi?" Ibis is derived from mat you want. The electric type¬ all the different aspects of culture "scientifiction," which I believe writer quality Atari 1027 printer and society. Some of us are aware was Hugo Gemsbach's term for the only costs about $270. (Why on of the internal forces and can par¬ genre. Sti-fi sounds like some¬ Earth spend $2,000 on a Diablo — tially understand them, even evade thing you might find while wading unless you own a printshop and need or override them. We can even use in pig slop. I don't know if any¬ to do a lot of high-speed type¬ these internal needs and pressures one has suggested this term before, setting?) to our advantage. Knowing Thyself but it seems appropriate. As a 'I have only had my Atari since involves, inevitably, knowing every¬ member of SFNA I know I'm supposed Christmas, but already I am writ¬ one. to uphold "SF" as the one and true ing my own programs — such as ((I have a lot of trouble with abbreviation for the genre, but to to assist me in composing music. the concrete existence of Good and be perfectly honest, I always I figured out a way (using BASIC Evil; I come to questions like, thought "SF" stood for "San Fran¬ commands) to modify the Atari sound "Is it Good to kill six men or cisco." (And I live in Michigan!) generator's pure tone output to women or children if you know 'I am amused at all this talk play with a pleasing vibrato effect it will save all of mankind from about word processors costing so that sounds like an electric organ, death? A hundred people to save mudl. My Atari 800XL cost $119 at and wrote a program that uses it to a thousand? Where is the line K-Mart. I feel sorry for people play four-part harmony. All my drawn? Where does Evil start?" who buy IBM PC Jr.s and the like. life I have been hindered in my Is a puzzlement. "Is it Good to They've been suckered into paying desire to compose music because I censor three magazines (or ideas) eight times as much money for a don't play the piano and could sel¬ to save the psychological well-be¬ product that is in actual fact in¬ dom find anyone to play my songs ing of millions of people? Who ferior. An Atari computer is not for me so that I could hear the decides? Can you censor and con¬ only more versatile than anything harmonies. Now the computer does trol minds to save minds? How else available for under $1,000, it for me. How can I describe the many? Under what conditions?" it is more reliable -- with the joy I felt when my Music Partwrit- The world is full of such ques¬ lowest breakdown rate in the indus¬ er program ran for the first time tions, and where are they answered? try. Owners of high-priced person¬ in my Atari, playing my song per¬ In the Bible? Pure Good and Pure al computers compulsively try to fectly? I don't care if anyone Evil are cop-outs, I think. “The disparage the Atari as a toy, meant else ever hears my music. I feel Devil made me do it" is rivaled for playing games. But the key¬ fulfilled. My music has come by “God told me to do it." And board is professional and game¬ alive, and I have heard it. both excuses or motives spring from playing capability means versatil¬ instinctual or personal psyche needs 'Of course. Atari offers a ity. You've got all that graphics or defenses.)) plug-in ROM-based "Music Composer" and sound capability that can be program, but it costs $50, and I used for serious applications. didn't have the money right after Plus Atari BASIC is just as good Christmas, and didn't want to wait. if not better than Apple BASIC, So I wrote my own version. especially in the way it handles U LETTER FROM PARKE GODWIN strings. In computer magazines 'Atari also offers a ROM cart¬ 201 West 16th St, #3D that list programs for the Apple ridge-based word processor program New York, NY 10011 and for the Atari, you will find "AtariwTiter," which leaves the 'Here indulging in a loc, that almost always, the version computer's RAM free for you to use. something I rarely do. You may for the Atari is substantially It is on as soon as you plug it in print this but I advise you simply shorter, while still able to per¬ and turn on the computer. Review¬ to read and heed. I read in the form all the same functions. ers in computer magazines rate latest SFR that you plan to start "Atariwriter" the highest among 'It is true that you can add an intimate journal "full of naked all the inexpensive word proces¬ on a lot of extras to the high- fear, lusts, hopes, worries, etc." sing programs. It costs about $50, priced PCs. But most of the same and charge a buck for it to those depending on where you buy it. add-ons are available for the At¬ interested. By all means keep the Probably the cheapest source is ari, and don't cost as much. You journal if it has therapeutic val¬ mail order — check the ads in com¬ can even get a 128K module for the ue, but I seriously urge you not tc puter magazines. If you buy things Atari that just plugs in and func¬ offer it for sale. mail order from out of state, then tions like a disk drive, only ten you don't have to pay sales taxes. 'Per se, that is. I've kept times faster. Add a $100 Votrax Usually, even with shipping charges such a journal for almost 15 years, voice synthesizer, and your Atari included, you wind up paying less. a cross between soul-baring and can talk to you! comK>nplace book. It is the story 'Anyway, if you want to con¬ of the last years in show business, 'The atari, since it is design¬ sider using word processor, there the trauma of divorce, the running ed to be used with ordinary, low- are far cheaper ways to go (and for up and down the country to escape resolution television receivers, my money better ways) than the meg¬ my own feelings, new love affairs, only displays 40 characters X 24 abuck route. Dr. Poumelle may not breakups, drunks, the disillusion¬ lines. -But Bit-3 sells an add-on give nuch attention to the cheaper ment with acting as a career, low module that enables the Atari to ways to word processing, but then tide in the soul, the orgasmic display 80 X 24, if you want that. he doesn't have to live on my K- rush of a first novel and the as¬ Personally, I don't see the need. Mart budget, either.' tonishment that, out of the dregs The final published format of my of one career, another emerged manuscripts will not be determined like Venus on the goddam clamshell. by rfiat fits on an 8 1/2 X 11" More love affairs, the growing con¬ sheet of paper, typed double-spac¬ fidence in my ability to write, my ed; it will appear in narrow maga¬ 60 fears that it wouldn't ever be good enough ... on and on. You get the for fear of destroying my fun. I of books and mags would've never idea. It's been an eventful, even enjoy observing myself and the world been printed over this half centu¬ dramatic fifteen years. and comnenting on both. I'm not ash¬ ry, because 90% of all fiction is amed of myself (very much) and feel 'The point is, while I have derivative, and the other 10% is mined this journal for dramatic at some level my self-analysis and what Sturgeon dotes upon. reporting and opinion-passing is truth, I would never repeat never helpful. Certairily it appears to be 'What we need is a new, splasly, think of publishing it in a raw interesting and entertaining to a few sometimes trashy pulp image now state. Because the blunt truth is, hundred people. So my needs feed and again, and someone either young Dick, nobody cares a dollar's worth their needs. If I bore some, they enough or in tune with the obvious how I feel until I've taken the raw tastes (i.e.:' what sells).' material and transmuted it into will no longer read me. It's inev¬ itable that some Geis-readers will the universality of readable fic¬ get tired of me. Okay. tion. Thus on the one hand you ((Yup. I agree. Only a few of ((As for saving my thoughts and will be pounding sand down a rat the young readers continue on and on experiences for use in fiction; where hole and on the other vitiating through the years of adulthood to read is it written that the same exper¬ material that should cook longer vast amounts of sf and/or fantasy. ience can't be used twice? God in your subconscious as grist for ((I sometimes wonder if the in¬ knows I've listened to friends tell fiction — which you do write. tellectual requirements for modem sf the same stories about what-happened- and fantasy aren't becoming too demand¬ 'The personal reasons for this to-them dozens of times. Some peo¬ ing. I remember the pulp magazines of journal of yours are all quite val¬ ple have a slot-machine mind: say a he '40s and late '30s, and wonder if id. The professional or fannish word—CARS—and they will react pre¬ I were 12-15 now, would I be interest¬ motives are foolish, wasteful. dictably by trotting out the same ed in the complicated, multi-leveled Keep it, cook it, use it. The clas¬ stories about CARS every time! I'm sic definition of a bore is the sf of today? Wouldn't I, now, stick always amazed that they don't stop with the surface simplicity of the guy who, when you ask him how he themselves out of sheer embarrass¬ feels, he tells you and tells you STAR WARS and Indiana Jones movies? ment and shame because they must ((There isn't a good, trashy sf and tells you. Well, we all do remember they have told me this same that in one way or another. But magazine being published, now. What incident many times. But, no, the a shame.)) professionals process it, transmite words roll out like a recording... to universality and bloody well It appalls me and bores me, but I get paid for it. Is so, yes? rarely say anything. It's all That is why, at social gatherings they've got.)) I spend much more time listening than talking, raising my antennae U LETTER FROM DARRELL SCHVE1T2ER to catch good ideas and conversa¬ 113 Deepdale Rd. tion that can be worked into good # LETTER FROM IRWIN M PR0FL0 Stafford, PA 19087 Route #3, Box 260B Jan 30, 1985 'No one gives a damn how you Menomonie, WI 54751 'Proofreading has never been feel or I feel until we work it January 16, 1985 one of SFR's strong points. There into something they recognize as seem to be a lot of commas missing their own feelings. Save it, use 'About the state of SF mags in my column this time ("including it. This is not in any way meant (all four? of them), my contention even especially, a crankly ((sic)) to put you down; hell, I read every is that the very people who would old Saxon grandmother"), but I issue of SFR, the gold and dross support SF mags are the same age hope readers will take it on faith alike. You are needed: a labor- group that supported the mags dur¬ that I know how to punctuate, as of-love editor. Oh, let it not be ing the '30s, *40s and '50s: the I have been seen doing it at long said thy love did go amiss... ' ten-, eleven-, twelve- or thirteen- year-olds sold on STAR WARS, STAR stretches in times past. TREK, computer/video game freaks 'There is one missing-word er¬ "THE FSA30N TMe DlFUMATiC who in the '20s, etc. would've read ror of consequence: page 50, Gemsback’s SCIENCE 6 INVENTION ONLY HIRES Weltis coluimt 1, paragraph 2, the second (that was hi-tech then) and the ls THAT yUE EXPBC.T mm sentence should read: "Now fan¬ other popular science mags before tasy is a strong category, and the 7° L-ie ABOUT OTHEK. TWINS5 and during the AMAZING/WONDER years. As- ujE-ul. market for serious historical fic¬ 'The current SF mags plod on tion is vanishingly small." Yes, utilizing the old, tired formats the market for "serious fiction" they have followed (to their de¬ is also small, but this would be mise) for ten-thirty years, vying a non-sequitur in context, since for "respectability," venerated I am discussing the relative mark¬ veracity and another Hugo or Nebu¬ etability of historical fiction and lous award. The trouble is that fantasy. Indeed, the market for there are too many old farts fin¬ serious historical fiction, as op¬ ancing/editing these dinosaurs, posed to the "women's hystericals" saying things like "Heinleinster (less kindly known as "bodice-rip¬ or Joe Fanft wrote that back in pers" or "rape-and-make-up books"), nineteen-ought-forty, so we can't is not very large; a few authors use it." Great, but have the mil¬ who have established themselves lions of potential readers read it? as brand names, like Gore Vidal or Is it still in print or accessible? Cecelia Holland, can still publish historical novels which are gen¬ 'If so and so wrote some twist uinely about something, and novels ((The reasons I publish REG or or other on a tale 10-20-50 years which are even set in unfamiliar THE NAKED ID are deep and powerful; ago, does that negate all deriva¬ periods, but there isn't a lot of I'm not sure I understand them all tive fiction from then on? If that going on anymore. So many or have identified them ail, and I'm that were the case, a hell of a lot historicals must be disguised as not sure I want to look too closely 61 fantasy in order to make them sell. The imaginary-setting, non- that things like ANALOG and AMAZING them a lot, Dick), or that it pub¬ supematural novel is now clearly exist, but they don’t read them. lished some of the very same auth¬ in the fantasy category, where it At PSFS we have a terrible time ev¬ ors they still are reading, like used to be on the borderland, able ery year gathering up copies of is¬ Ray Bradbury and Jack Vance. (Cur¬ to survive by pretending to be a sues of the prozines so the five rent fans also do not seem to read "fable" or a historical novel as panelists who are to discuss the copyright pages.) But, when some the need arose. Hugo nominees can actually read of these casual readers become cas¬ them. This is a large, prospering ual collectors, any pulp becomes a 'Now, the situation is so bad club and it's hard-pressed to turn rare and exotic item from the re¬ that historical novels only get re¬ up a single copy of a given issue mote past (whereas to you or me, printed if they can be associated of ANALOG. they are fairly commonplace), and with fantasy, as THE DRAGON OF THE it is expected to be expensive. ISHTAR GATE was when Donning did 'All of this has vast ramific¬ One problem I've had in selling ations, in everything from fan soc¬ pulps is that everyone assumes iology to the demographics of book they're all $20 apiece, even when 'And I'd like to write a publishing. It means that the "fan it's something like a copy of FAN¬ straight historical novel about guest of honor" at a convention is TASTIC STORY MAGAZINE for which I'm Stilicho someday. Maybe if it can not necessarily a famous fanzine be disguised as fantasy ... or I asking two bucks, or a beat-up copy writer, but someone known only to of a late STARTLING which I've pric¬ rip some early 5th century bod- the committee. And for old dino¬ ed at a dollar. saurs like you and me (and Buzz 'I can quite sympathize with and Forry) it means an endless ser¬ 'One-author collectors have both Foriy Ackerman and Buzz Dixon ies of shocks. The other day I driven prices up. Someone who in their complaints of how fandom mentioned to a friend of mine, a doesn't collect STARTLING STORIES, has changed and how current fans very bright lady who is also a but does collect Philip Jose' Far¬ have no sense of the past. talented artist and a frequent par¬ mer, will pay very high for the ticipant in convention art shows, "Lovers" issue, which is actually 'I think the crux of it is that I had acquired an Emshwiller no scarcer than any other 1952 is- that there are very few "fans" original. And she said, "Who?" left in fandom anymore. Certainly Now, to me Emshwiller is one of the Farmer item, not a pulp magazine, they are an extreme minority at a great names in science fiction art, and the other issues from that year large con. Most people discover but since he doesn't do covers for don't count. Some dealers now science fiction through paperback DAW or Del Rey this year, most con¬ charge twice or three times as much books. They are casual readers, temporary fans probably don't know for issues with Hubbard, Farmer, certainly not collectors, and they the name. Vance, or Dick in them. But those only know what is current in the of us who are a little more used to 'No reputation is permanent paperback field now. If they dis¬ pulps know how to shop around and anymore. Only recently there was cover conventions, or even local beat those prices. SF clubs, they still remain casual much befuddlement when the Willis readers, with no sense of community issue of WARHOON was nominated for 'I guess the only good point or of science fiction's past. a Hugo. That may have been the about the ignorance of the current Most of them don't know what a last, dying exertion of old-time fan generation is that old fanzine fanzine is. They might, perhaps, fandom. Most people didn't know items are often quite cheap at con¬ have seen LOCUS, but probably not, who this Willis was or what WARHOON ventions, because if, say, 500 and the older type, participation was. The same goes for profession¬ people attend, that means there fanzine (which SFR really is, for al writers. Even names of the might be two or three potential all it is a lot classier than the 1960s seem only known to a few col¬ customers for a run of INSIDEs or mimeoed ones) is completely alien lectors. How many current fans, a copy of HYPHEN. In East Coast to them. Should they be exposed under the age of 40, have ever fandom, pieces of the late Don Mil¬ to such a thing, they usually shrug heard of, say, Mark Clifton or Dan¬ ler's collection have been turning it off with disinterest. At the iel Galouye, let alone A. Hyatt up all over the place, and I've Philadelphia Science Fiction Soci¬ Verrill or David H. Keller? I’ve gotten some remarkable things at ety, I happened to discover (by encountered people who did not re¬ remarkable prices. buying old fanzines at a Midwest- gard themselves as novices in the con) that the club had once pub¬ field, who had never heard of John 'But if you go to sell, it's lished a fanzine, VARIANT, which Brunner or Brian Aldiss. Probably hard finding a customer. I'm look¬ had several issues, about 1948. they'd just never picked up any ing for a customer for a first ed¬ None of the active members had books by them and, having no sense ition (1954) of THE ENCHANTED DUP¬ any awareness of this. So, when I of STFnal history, did not know LICATOR, and of course, if I have showed copies around, it was de¬ them by reputation. to explain what it is first, I'm cided to revive the thing as NEW 'We've been overrun by the not going to sell it.' VARIANT. Two issues have been barbarians. Civilization has fal¬ published, containing some inter¬ len, and the long task of re-educa¬ ((Darrell, if we didn't make a esting material (such as a Marvin tion has barely begun. Kaye speech), but club participa¬ certain number of typos in your col¬ tion has been nil. We have no fan 'Those $20 ASTOUNDINGs Buzz umn you'd have less reason to write writers, no fan artists, no fan Dixon reports are part of the same Iocs. Can't have that! letterhacks. Despite lengthy phenomenon. Now, I've done a bit ((I know, I know, in a few more badgering, the editor (John Betan¬ of bookselling myself, and my ex¬ years another generation of Old Fans court) has not been able to get a perience is that most contemporary will be gone, another generation of single letter of comment from club fans aren't interested in the old Old Writers will be gone, and SF will members. It's completely useless. stuff at all. They'll snicker at- have only a few antiquarians standing He and I are the only ones who the likes of THRILLING WONDER STOR¬ in the portals of history guarding know what a fanzine is, or care. IES without any awareness of what the old lore and the old treasures. this was, or that it was once a Fandom will be a thing of ugly, ignor¬ 'As for prozines, well, most fannish focal-point (the letter ant youths unaware of their roots. convention fans I've talked to columns -- I've seen your name in Ah, the horror of it all. I weep.)) have, after a while, discovered 62 SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #53 Inter- SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #35 Inter¬ view with Algis Budrys; Essay by views with Fred Saberhagen and Don Avram Davidson; "The Glass Bushel1" SCIENC REVIEW #52 "In the WolLheim; "The Way It Is" by Barry by Bob Shaw; "We Can Remember It Wave's k vSfr “gory Benford; Malzberg; "Noise Level" by John For You Wholesale: The Phil Dick Interviews .. Oq 11 Schweitzer Brunner; "Caning Apart at the Problem: The Phil Dick Solution" and Julian May; ' '"all" by Themes" by Bob Shaw. by Barry Malzberg; "Advice To A Avram Davidson. Cov. Foster. Conmentary by Geis, Elj.. _, Benford. Writer On The Choice Of A First SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW 136 Inter¬ Word-Processor" by Algis Budrys. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #51 Inter¬ view with Roger Zelazny; A Profile view with David Kingsbury, "The De¬ of Philip K. Dick by Charles Platt; SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #54: Inter¬ cline of Fiction" by Charles Platt, "Outside the Whale" by Christopher view with L. Neil Smith;"Noise Lev¬ "Flashpoint: Middle" by Barry Malz¬ Priest; "Science Fiction and Polit¬ el" by John Brunner; "Red-Haired berg, "The Glass Bushell" by Bob ical Economy" by Mack Reynolds; In¬ Heroes, Brown-Haired Losers" by Shaw. Also: Damon Knight, John terview with Robert A. Heinlein; Hannah M.G. Shapero; Damon Knight, Brunner, Gregory Benford, Darrell "You Got No Friends in This World" Gene DeWeese, Richard Geis, others. Schweitzer, Gene DeWeese, Elton by Orson Scott Card. Elliott. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #49 featur¬ es Piers Anthony, Charles Platt, $1.75 PER COPY FROM #37 ONWARD John Brunner, Gene DeWeese, Orson Scott Card, Darrell Schweitzer.... SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #37 Inter¬ view with Robert Anton Wilson; "We're Coming Through the Window!" SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #48 "The by Barry N. Malzberg; "Inside the Treasure of the Secret Cordwainer" Whale" by Jack Williamson, Jerry By J.J. Pierce; "Raising Hackles" Poumelle, and Jack Chalker; "Uni¬ by Elton T. Elliott; "Once Over ties in Digression" by Orson Scott Lightly" by Gene DeWeese; "The Vivi Card. sector" by Darrell Schweitzer; let ters from Platt, Foster, Busby, SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #38 Inter¬ Bloch, Ellison... view with Jack Williamson; "The Engines of the Night" by Barry N. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #47 Inter¬ Malzberg; "A String of Days" by views with Janet Morris and Charles Gregory Benford; "The Alien Inva¬ Platt; "Philip K. Dick--A Cowardly sion" by Larry Niven; "Noise Level' Memoir" by Peter Nicholls; "Of by John Brunner; SF News by Elton Ground, and Ocean, and Sky" by Ian Elliott. Watson; "Once Over Lightly” by Gene DeWeese; "Alien Thoughts" by REG. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #39 Inter¬ view with Gene Wolfe; "The Engines BY ROBERT SABELLA of the Night"-Part TVo by Barry N. SCH '"tiqn REVIEW #46 Inter- Malzberg; "The Nuke Standard" by Will F. Jenkins died at the Ian Watson; "The Vivisector" by age of 79. As Murray Leinster, he vif adek; "How NOT To Wro.^ SO(r. ’on" by Rich¬ Darrell Schweitzer; SF News by wrote science fiction for 56 years Elton Elliott. including such classics as "Side¬ ard Wilson; r °(/f -v ways in Time," "First Contact" and Niven; "Standing . ' ,y Steve Gallagher; "The'. tor" the Hugo-winning "Exploration SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #40 Inter- by Darrell Schweitzer; "Racing Team." view with Robert Sheckley; 4-way Hackles" by Elton T. Elliott. The Nebula Awards for 1974 conversation: Arthur C. Clarke, were announced with Ursula K. Le Harlan Ellison, Fritz Leiber § SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #45 Inter¬ Guin winning two: THE DISPOSSESSED Mark Wells; "The Engines of the view with Keith Laumer; "Pulp!" by as Best Novel and its prequel "The Night"-Part Three by Barry N. Algis Budrys; Interview with Terry Day Before The Revolution" as Best Malzberg; Darrell Schweitzer; Carr; "Hie Vivisector" by Darrell Short Story. Other winners were SF News by Elton T. Elliott Schweitzer; "Raising Hackles" by Robert Silverberg's "Bom With The Elton T. Elliott. Dead" as Best Novella and Gregory Benford and Gordon Eklund's "If SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #41 Space SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #44 Inter¬ The Stars Are Gods" as Best Novel¬ Shuttle Report by Clifford R. Mc- view with Anne McCaffrey; "How ette. Robert A. Heinlein was award¬ Murray; "Chuck's Latest Bucket" by Things Work" by Norman Spinrad; ed the first Grandmaster award. David Gerrold; Interview with Mi¬ "Fantasy and the Believing Reader" chael Whelan; "The Bloodshot Eye" Important publications includ¬ by Orson Scott Card; "Raising Hack- by Gene DeWeese; "The Vivisector" ed TOE COMPUTER CONNECTION, Alfred lrs" by Elton T. Elliott. by Darrell Schweitzer; SF News by Bester's first novel since THE Elton T. Elliott. STARS MY DESTINATION in 1956; NOR- SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #43 Inter¬ STRILIA, the first uncut version of view with James White; "The Porno Cordwainer Smith's only science Novel Biz" by Anonymous; "How To SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #42 Inter¬ fiction novel; Harlan Ellison's Be A Science Fiction Critic" by view with Ian Watson; "One Writer anthology DEATOBIRD STORIES; and Orson Scott Card; "The Vivisector" and the Next War" by John Brunner; James Tiptree Jr.'s anthology WARM by Darrell Schweitzer; "Once Over "The Vivisector" by Darrell Schweit¬ WORLDS AND OTHERWISE, featuring Lightly" by Gene DeWeese; SF News zer; "The Human Hotline" by Elton the Hugo-winning novella "The Girl by Elton T. Elliott. T. Elliott. Who Was Plugged In." 63 THE ALIEN CRITIC #9 "Reading SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #23 Inter¬ BACK ISSUES Heinlein Subjectively" by Alexei views: A.E. van Vogt, and Jack and Cory Panshin; "Written to a Vance, and Piers Anthony; "The Pulp!" by Sam Merwin, Jr.; "Noise Silverberg That Was" by Robert Level" by John Brunner; "The Shav¬ Silverberg. THE ALIEN CRITIC er Papers" by Richard S. Shaver. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #24 Inter¬ SO OTHER BACK ISSUES ABE THE ALIEN CRITIC #10 Interview views: Bob Shaw, David G. Hartwell AVAILABLE with Stanislaw Lem; "A Nest of and Algis Budrys; "Ch Being a Bit $1.50 per copy Strange and Wonderful Birds" by of a Legend" by Algis Budrys. Sam Merwin, Jr.; Robert Bloch's EACH ISSUE CONTAINS MANY REVIEWS. Guest of Honor speech; The Hein¬ SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #25 Inter¬ EACH ISSUE CONTAINS LETTERS FROM lein Reaction. views with George Scithers, Poul WELL-KNOWN SF & FANTASY WRITERS, Anderson and Ursula K. Le Guin; EDITORS, PUBLISHERS AND FANS. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #14 Inter¬ "Flying Saucers and the Stymie view with Philip Jose Fanner; Factor" by Ray Palmer; CUE IFM3RTAL TIC FOLLOWING LISTINGS ARE OF "Thoughts on Logan's Run" by Will¬ MAN--Part One. FEATURED CONTRIBUTIONS iam F. Nolan; "The Gimlet Eye" by John Gustafson. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #26 Inter¬ views with Gordon R. Dickson and SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #15 Inter¬ Larry Niven; "Noise Level" by THE ALIEN CRITIC #5 Interview view with L. Sprague de Caup; John Brunner; "Fee-dom Road" by with Fritz Leiber; "The Literary "Spec-Fic and the Perry Rhodan Richard Henry Kluip; ONE DMDRTAL Dreamers" by James Blish; "Irvin Ghetto" by Donald C. Thompson; MAN--Part TVo.' Binkin Meets H.P. Lovecraft" by "Uffish Thots" by Ted White. Jack Chalker. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #27, Inter¬ SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #16 Inter¬ views with Ben Bova and Stephen THE ALIEN CRITIC #6 Interview view with Jerpr Poumelle; "The Fabian; "Should Writers be Serfs with R.A. Lafferty; "The Tren¬ True and Terrible History of Sci¬ ...or Slaves?"; SF News; SF Film chant Bludgeon" by Ted White; ence Fiction" by Barry Malzberg; News; The Ackerman Interview; ONE "Translations From the Editorial' "Noise Level" by John Brunner; IM40RTAL MAN--Part Three. by Maricn Z. Bradley. "The Literary Masochist" by Rich¬ ard Lupoff. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #28 Inter¬ view with C.J. Cherryh; "Beyond SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #17 Inter¬ Genocide" by Damon Knight; ONE IM¬ view with George R.R. Martin; In¬ MORTAL MAN--Conclusion; SF News; terview with Robert Anton Wilson; SF Film News 6 Reviews. "Philip K. Dick: A parallax View" by Terrence M. Green; "Microcos¬ mos" by R. Faraday Nelson. SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #29 Inter¬ views with John Brunner, Michael SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #18 Inter¬ Moorcock, and Hank Stine; "Noise VI view with Lester del Rey; Inter¬ Level" by John Brunner; SF News; -BACK ISSUES ORDER FORM- view with Alan Burt Akers; "Noise SF Film News 6 Reviews. $1.50 EACH Level" by John Brunner; "A Short One for the Boys in the Back Roan" SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #30 Inter¬ Dear REG: I enclose $ ■ by Barry Malzberg. views with Joan D. Vinge, Stephen Please send back issuefs) #5 #6 R. Donaldson, and Norman Spinrad; #9 #10 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 "The Awards Are Coming" by Orson SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #19 Inter¬ #19 #20 #21 #22 #23 #24 #25 Scott Card; SF News; SF Film News view with Philip K. Dick; Interview #26 #27 #28 #29 #30 #31 #32 6 Reviews. with Frank Kelly Freas; "The Note¬ #35 #36 [Circle #'s desired] books of Mack Sikes" by Larry Niven; SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #31 Inter¬ "Angel Fear" by Freff; "The Vivi- view with Andrew J. 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SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #22 Inter¬ view with John Varley;"S-F and State.Zip. S-E-X" by Sam Merwin, Jr.; "After¬ SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW thoughts on Logan's Run" by William P.0. Box 11408 F. Nolan; "An Evolution of Cons¬ BACK ISSUES LISTING CONTINUED ON Portland, OR 97211 ciousness" by Marion Zimner Bradley. PAGE 63