Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Benchwarmer by Mike Resnick ISBN 13: 9781612423142. "This book will be remembered as one of the major collections of the decade."—Robert J. Sawyer "Standouts include. Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn’s beautifully sad “Benchwarmer,” which takes us into the world of imaginary friends, and introduces us to one friend who simply can’t let go of the boy who created him."—io9 "That’s [Soulmates] the second story that will be considered by me for next year’s Hugos; this one in the Novelette category."—SFRevu "In a classic example of cognitive estrangement, we learn the absurdity of our own cultural norms as seen by those on the outside. effectively played to humorous effect." (on :"Report from the Field")—SFSignal Multiple award-winning authors, Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn, get to the heart of the matter in Soulmates, which showcases all the words they have penned together over their years as collaborators (with a bonus solo piece by each). Whether a robot, alien, some kind of supernatural being or human, rising above our prejudices and ignorance allows us to make emotional connections that can have a profound effect on our lives. Each of these stories examine a facet of the simple, yet incredibly complex, concept of companionship. They will make you laugh; will make you cry. but most importantly they will make you look at the very basic notion of soul-mates in a different light. "synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title. According to Locus, Mike Resnick has won more awards for short fiction than any other science fiction author. This include 5 Hugos from a record 37 nominations. He is the author of 75 novels, 275 short stories, 3 screen plays and his work has been translated into 27 languages (as of December 2016). Lezli Robyn is an Australian writer (now living in the US) who was a finalist for the Campbell award for best new writer. She was also a finalist for the Aurealis award for best SF short story (Australia) as well as the 2010 Ignotus award for best foreign short story (Spain). "Soulmates," the short story (included in this collection) won the Cataln Best Foreign Translation award in 2011. This book will be remembered as one of the major collections of the decade. --Robert J. Sawyer. In this eclectic collection of reprints, all originally published between 1999 and 2011, veteran Resnick teams up with relative newcomer Robyn to deliver a handful of entertaining tales. Tone, style, and theme range all over the place: "The Close Shave" and "Making the Cut," both set at a barbershop that specializes in after-hours service to the supernatural crowd, aim for a light, harmless sort of humor and feature a henpecked vampire, a pacifist medusa with bad-tempered snakes for hair, and a world-weary Wandering Jew, among others. "Shame" and "Soulmates" are much more thought-provoking, philosophical works, exploring free will, friendship, euthanasia, and taking responsibility for one's mistakes. In "Benchwarmer", the authors look at imaginary friends who have been forgotten by their creators, and "Report from the Field" examines humanity's quirks through an alien lens; these are well-worn themes, but the skillful execution prevents them from feeling stale. The same can be said for "Anne-Droid of Green Gables," which revisits L.M. Montgomery's classic. The only solo Resnick story in the bunch is "Hunting the Snark," in which a safari on an alien planet goes horribly awry. This is a satisfying sampler of solid stories from a team that rarely disappoints. --Publishers Weekly. Standouts include. Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn s beautifully sad Benchwarmer, which takes us into the world of imaginary friends, and introduces us to one friend who simply can t let go of the boy who created him. --io9. Book Review: Benchwarmer by Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn. Benchwarmer by Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn is the story of where our imaginary friends, or “playmates,” as they’re called, go when we no longer need them. We first meet Mr. Paloobi, a teddy bear-like creature who befriends a young boy whose parents are rarely around. Mr. Paloobi teaches the boy to play chess, and together, the two have a wonderful time. But eventually, as all children do, the boy outgrows Mr. Paloobi, and he is pulled back to the “here and somewhere,” also known as the limbo where he will stay until he’s given a new charge. Although Mr. Paloobi has had other charges since the boy who created him, they have not had the same kind of relationship that he shared with the first boy, and Mr. Paloobi often reminisces about their time together nearly seventy years earlier. Finally, he and the boy—who is now an old man with a fading memory—are reunited, and they’re able to pick up their relationship exactly where they left off. The authors do a fantastic job of showing that even as people grow older, they’re never really alone. Not only is this story wonderful because it addresses the common fears of loneliness that come with age, but also because it shows that true friendship, no matter the distance or time that separates the companions, can last a lifetime. Twilight Zone: 19 Original Stories on the 50th Anniversary. Twilight Zone: 19 Original Stories on the 50th Anniversary is a collection of short stories written by various authors and edited by Carol Serling, the widow of series creator Rod Serling. Each story was written with themes or styles similar to The Twilight Zone episodes, including narrated introductions and conclusions to each story. Authors who contributed a story include Twilight Zone veteran Earl Hamner, Alan Brennert and William F. Wu, and a previously unpublished story by Rod Serling. Reviewers [ who? ] listed some of the better stories as being Kelley Armstrong's "A Haunted House of Her Own", Alan Brennert's "Puowaina" and Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn's "Benchwarmer". Contents. Background. This anthology of short stories was published to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the television debut of The Twilight Zone . Since the death of her husband, The Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling, Carol Serling had been acting as a consultant for a series of fiction anthologies and for the 1983 theatrical film. She contributed to or edited books including Journeys to the Twilight Zone , Adventures in the Twilight Zone , Return to the Twilight Zone , More Stories from the Twilight Zone , and the non-fiction book Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone: The 50th Anniversary Tribute . Among the authors solicited to write stories for the 50th anniversary book were Alan Brennert and William F. Wu, who worked on the 1980s The Twilight Zone series; Earl Hamner, who wrote episodes for the original series; and Rod Serling's older brother, Robert J. Serling. [1] Peter S. Beagle and Harlan Ellison were advertised as contributors but their stories did not make it into the book. [1] Synopsis and format. The book begins with an introduction by the editor Carol Serling and ends with brief biographies of all the authors. Each of the 19 self-contained short stories includes an introduction and conclusion with the same tone and style as Rod Serling's narration at the beginning and end of each Twilight Zone episode. [1] Adam Balm on Ain't It Cool News categorized the short stories into following four basic types of The Twilight Zone episode formats: the social revenge fantasies ("The Art of Miniature", "Family Man", and "The Good Neighbor") use unlikable characters who eventually suffer an ironic twist to their predicament; stories about paranoid characters trying to convince others that something is wrong ("The Street that Forgot Time"); stories with a war theme ("Genesis", "Puowaina", "Ghost Writer", and "The Soldier He Needed to Be"); and stories centered around a hitch-hiker ("On the Road" and "Truth or Consequences"). [2] Title Author Synopsis Genesis David Hagberg During World War II, an American platoon is under attack by the Japanese in the Philippines. As they strive to overtake the enemy position, one member of the platoon periodically suffers delusions that show him events in alternate times and places. A Haunted House of Her Own Kelley Armstrong A woman purchases a country inn to market as a haunted house to tourists. Though she does not initially believe in ghosts, a series of odd events and her husband acting possessed makes her re-examine her beliefs. On the Road William F. Wu In 1970 two hitchhikers meet by chance and promise each other to pursue their desired career paths. In the present, they unexpectedly meet again in a cafe in Texas, fulfilling a promise to meet again when one of them needs the others' help. The Art of the Miniature Earl Hamner A man obsessed with bonsai takes revenge on his pool cleaner who he suspects is damaging his prized plants. Benchwarmer Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn An imaginary friend waits to play with his real-life friend. Truth or Consequences Carole Nelson Douglas While traveling to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, a retired librarian becomes paranoid about a hitchhiker who seems to keep ahead of her. Puowaina Alan Brennert A school girl in Hawaii foresees events, including her father's death and a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Torn Away Joe R. Lansdale A man separated from his shadow by a witch is detained by police. The man convinces the police chief to help him flee his shadow just before it attacks. Vampin' Down the Avenue Timothy Zahn An actor frustrated by the paparazzi starts taking drugs that make him invisible to cameras at night. When he forgets to take the antidote before dawn, he suffers a day that ruins his career. A Chance of a Ghost Lucia St. Clair Robson A woman buys a supposedly haunted walking stick on eBay. The woman and the cane become friends and they fight off a collector seeking to acquire the cane. The Street that Forgot Time Deborah Chester The adoption of a stray dog breaks a workaholic's routine and leads him to notice that everyone in his gated community is stuck in their own routines. He escapes after discovering that someone is controlling the residents through subliminal messages on their televisions and computers. The Wrong Room R. L. Stine A salesman checks into a hotel to attend a convention. After attending the wrong convention and being dismayed by the staff's ambivalence about not being able to leave the hotel or contact the outside world, the salesman believes he has died and is now in hell. Ghost Writer Robert J. Serling The President of the United States and his speechwriter discuss the tone and substance of an upcoming speech regarding the future of a divisive war. The Soldier He Needed to Be Jim DeFelice An American soldier in Afghanistan attributes his positive change in luck and combat effectiveness to a new iPod. He becomes so reliant on the good luck charm that their fates become intertwined. Ants Tad Williams An abusive husband kills his wife with an ax. After he cleans away the body, he uses ants which have infested their house to track down left over pieces he missed. Your Last Breath, Inc. John Miller A reporter refuses to accept the explanation of what a new business offers and struggles to uncover a rational explanation he can accept. Family Man Laura Lippman A manager uses family obligations as a shield against criticism for towing the corporate line and being disloyal to his staff. His world is turned upside down when he awakens to find no trace of his family ever having existed. The Good Neighbor Whitley Strieber A homeowner fights blockbusting by burning down the house of his new neighbor, but mistakenly kills some of the occupants. El Moe Rod Serling A corrupt drifter is mistaken for a legendary Mexican folk hero who battled the Federales and must decide whether to become the legend or sell out to the Federales. Publication and reception. The book was published by Tor Books as a hardcover and paperback in September 2009. To help with its promotion a 39 second video trailer was produced. [3] Compared to Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone: The 50th Anniversary Tribute , which was reviewed by writer Elizabeth Hand as "a piece of hagiography that does little to illuminate Serling's genius or the enduring appeal of his most famous creation", the anthology was called "a far superior homage to Serling". [4] In her Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction column Hand listed Hagberg's "Genesis" are the best story in the anthology though Lansdale's and Stine's are also good. [4] She called Rod Serling's and Strieber's stories "the only real misfires". [4] The review in Publishers Weekly listed Armstrong's "A Haunted House of Her Own", Brennert's "Puowaina", and Tad Williams's "Ants" as the best stories. The review also listed Wu's "On the Road", Douglas's "Truth or Consequences", and Serling's "Ghost Writer" as being "less satisfying" stories. The review concluded that the book is "largely inoffensive and faithful to the Twilight Zone format, this anthology is primarily of interest to hardcore fans". [5] Carl Hays from Booklist wrote a positive review, saying "superior craftsmanship ensures can't-miss entertainment for speculative-fiction fans and anyone nostalgic for the original Twilight Zone aura". [6] Impressed by the authors, the reviewer in the Library Journal wrote "with this slate of authors and the perennial popularity of the show, all libraries should own a copy". [7] The Starlog reviewer, David McDonnell, lists the anthology's best stories as Lansdale's "Torn Away", Zahn's "Vampin' Down the Avenue", Resnick and Robyn's "Benchwarmer", and Armstrong's "A Haunted House of Her Own". McDonnell noted that Rod Serling's "El Moe" was least like a typical Twilight Zone story, and that Williams's "Ants" belonged to the Alfred Hitchcock Presents universe rather than The Twilight Zone . [1] On Ain't It Cool News, Adam Balm identified Wu's "On the Road" as "the best entry in the collection". Balm wrote that the anthology is "uneven, with too many stories disappointing and too many that are nostalgianautic remember-whens, mining territory long since tamed and settled by others" but ultimately worth the money spent. [2] Book Review: Benchwarmer by Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn. Benchwarmer by Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn is the story of where our imaginary friends, or “playmates,” as they’re called, go when we no longer need them. We first meet Mr. Paloobi, a teddy bear-like creature who befriends a young boy whose parents are rarely around. Mr. Paloobi teaches the boy to play chess, and together, the two have a wonderful time. But eventually, as all children do, the boy outgrows Mr. Paloobi, and he is pulled back to the “here and somewhere,” also known as the limbo where he will stay until he’s given a new charge. Although Mr. Paloobi has had other charges since the boy who created him, they have not had the same kind of relationship that he shared with the first boy, and Mr. Paloobi often reminisces about their time together nearly seventy years earlier. Finally, he and the boy—who is now an old man with a fading memory—are reunited, and they’re able to pick up their relationship exactly where they left off. The authors do a fantastic job of showing that even as people grow older, they’re never really alone. Not only is this story wonderful because it addresses the common fears of loneliness that come with age, but also because it shows that true friendship, no matter the distance or time that separates the companions, can last a lifetime. Magazine & Anthology Publications. “Idle Roomer” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, published in CLARKESWORLD YEAR THREE by WYRM PUBLISHING. Edited by Neil Clarke & Sean Wallace. Cover by Pascal Blanché. (United States, 2013) “Soulmates” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, published in WITH A LITTLE MORE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS by FATHEST STAR SCIENCE FICTION. Edited by Pat Roberts & Carol Resnick. Cover design by Ralph Roberts. (United States, 2012) “Making the Cut”, by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, published in the BLOOD LITE III: AFTERTASTE anthology by SIMON & SCHUSTER. Edited by Kevin J. Anderson. (United States, October 2012) “Soulmates” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared on ESCAPEPOD. Podcast read by Dave Thompson. (United States, August 2011) “Anne-droid of Green Gables” by Lezli Robyn, appeared in the REQUIRED READING REMIXED Vol 2 anthology by IDW (only in Walmart stores). Edited by Jeff Connor. Illustration and back cover art by Mike Dubisch. Front cover by Menton3. (United States, June 2011.) “Anne-droid of Green Gables” by Lezli Robyn, appeared in YEARS BEST AUSTRALIAN FANTASY & HORROR 2010 anthology by TICONDEROGA PRESS. Edited by Liz Grzyb & Talie Helene. Cover by Yaroslav Gerzhedovich. (Australia, April 2011) “The Tide” by Martin Livings, Carol Ryles, Lezli Robyn, Kaaron Warren, Patty Jansen, Alan Baxter, Devin Jeythurai, Felicity Dowker, Andrew J. Mckiernan, Gillian Pollack, and Chuck McKenzie. It was published in the DEAD RED HEART anthology by TICONDEROGA PRESS. Edited by Russell B. Farr. (Australia, March 2011) “The Close Shave” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in the BLOOD LITE 2: OVERBITE anthology by SIMON & SCHUSTER. Edited by Kevin J. Anderson. Cover design by Lisa Litwack. (United States, October 2010) “Anne-droid of Green Gables” by Lezli Robyn, appeared in the CLASSICS MUTILATED anthology by IDW. Edited by Jeff Connor. Illustrations by Mike Dubisch. Cover by Menton3. (United States, September 2010.) “Report From the Field” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in IS ANYBODY OUT THERE? anthology by DAW BOOKS. Edited by Nick Gevers & Marty Halpern. (United States, June 2010) “The Dawn Of Reason” by Lezli Robyn, appeared in ORIGINS, an anthology by HADLEY RILLE BOOKS to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s ORIGINS OF THE SPECIES. Edited by, and cover art by, Eric T. Reynolds. (United States, November 2009) “Shame” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in ANALOG: SCIENCE FICTION AND FACT. Edited by Stanley Schmidt. Cover design by Victoria Green. Cover image courtesy of NASA. (It was in the January/February 2010 double issue, but it came out before November 2009. United States.) “Soulmates” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in ASIMOV’S MAGAZINE. Edited by Sheila Williams. Cover by John Picacio. (United States, September 2009) “Benchwarmer” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in the TWILIGHT ZONE: 19 ORIGINAL STORIES ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY anthology by TOR. Edited by Carol Serling. (United States, September 2009) “Johnny So Long At The Fair” by Lezli Robyn, appeared in JIM BAEN’S UNIVERSE. Edited by Mike Resnick and Eric Flint. (United States, February 2009) “Idle Roomer” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in Issue #26 of CLARKESWORLD magazine. Edited by Neil Clarke. Podcast read by Cat Rambo. Cover by David Renn. (United States, November 2008) Foreign Language Publications. “Benchwarmer” (“L’Escalfabanqueta”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in CATARSI magazine. Translated into the romance language Catalan by Alfons Boldú and Carmen Acuña. Cover and illustration by Ion Ander Ramirez. (Spain, November 2013) “Soulmates” (“Spřízněné Duše”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robynová, appeared in PEVNOST magazine. Translated by Kateřina Niklová. Illustrated by Karel Zeman. (Czech Rebublic, 2012) “Anne-droid of Green Gables” (“Anndroidka ze Zeleného domu”) by Lezli Robynová, appeared in XB-1. Translated by Daniela Orlando. Illustrated by Karel Jerie. Cover by Patrick Reilly. (Czech Republic, May 2012) “Soulmates” (“Cpogнu Gymu”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in OBEKTI (Обекти) magazine, in two issues. Translated by ЦВеmана ДuмumроВa. Cover of first issue by Arraxxon. (Bulgaria, November 2010-January 2011) “Shame” (“ΑΙΣΧΟΣ”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in ENNEA (9) magazine, which is a supplement of ELEFTHEROTYPIA (Ελευθεροτυπία) newspaper. Translated by Π. Κούστας & χ. Καρακούδα. Illustrations by Σταύρος Ντίλιος. Cover by Ανδρέα Ζαφειράτου. (Greece, July 2010) “Benchwarmer” (“Il Pan Chinaro” [Italian] “ O Reserva ” [Portuguese]) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, sold to 40K BOOKS, to appear in English, Italian and Portuguese, in ebook format. Translated by Luigi Petruzzelli (Italian) and Flávia Côrtes (Portuguese). (Italy, July 2010) “Soulmates” (“Anime Gemelle”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in ROBOTS magazine. Translated by Francesco Lato. Illustration by Giacomo Pueroni. Cover by Marco Patrito. (Italy, July 2010) “Soulmates” (“Ànimes Bessones”), by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in CATARSI magazine. Translated into the romance language Catalan by Pep Burillo. Illustration by Gerard Tauste. Cover by Juanmi Aguilera (Juan Miguel Aguilera). (Spain, May 2010) “Soulmates” (“Spriaznené Duše”) Mike Resnick & Lezli Robynová, appeared in FANTÁZIA magazine. Translated by Michal Jedinák. Illustrated by Juraj Mandel. (Slovakia, May 2010) “Idle Roomer” (“L’inquilino Ozioso”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in PAGINE DAL FUTURO (Pages of the future), an anthology published by EDIZIONI DELLA VIGNA. Edited by Petruzzelli Luigi. Translated by Salvatore Proietti. Cover by Franco Brambilla. (Italy, December 2009) “Idle Roomer” (“Ο ΜΥΣΤΗΡΙΩΔΗΣ ΕΝΟΙΚΟΣ”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in ENNEA (9) magazine, which is a supplement of ELEFTHEROTYPIA (Ελευθεροτυπία) newspaper. Translated by Π. Κούστας & χ. Καρακούδα. Illustrations by Λευτέρης Κιουρτσόγλου. Cover by Jim Sam. (Greece, November 2009) “Soulmates” (“Родственные”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in ESLI (Если). Translated by Татьяна Мурина. Illustrated by Сергея Шехова. Cover by Игоръ Тарачков. (Russia, November 2009) “Soulmates” (“Bratnie Dusze”) by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in NOWA FANTASTYKA. Translated by Elżbieta Gepfert. Illustrated by Rafal Szlapa. Cover by Craig Shields. (Poland, November 2009) “Soulmates” by Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, appeared in SCIENCE FICTION WORLD. (China, July 2009)