SCIENCE NUMBER 33 $1.75 FICTION REVIEW

Interview CHARLES SHEFFIELD

A WRITER'S NATURAL ENEMY EDITORS BY GEORGE R. R. MARTIN

NOISE LEVEL By John Brunner

YOU GOT NO FRIENDS IN THIS WORLD BY ORSON SCOTT CARD

Darrell Schweitzer

Elton T. Elliott

NEWS CARTOONS SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW ISSN “ Formerly THE ALIEN CRITIC

P.O. BOX 11408 NOVEMBER 1979 -- VOL. 8 NO. 5 PORTLAND, OR 97211 WHOLE NUMBER 33 PHONE: (503) 282-0381 RICHARD E. GEIS., editor & publisher PAULETTE, SPECIAL ASSISTANT COVER BY STEPHEN FABIAN PUBLISHED QUARTERLY FEB., MAY, AUG., NOV.

ALIEN THOUGHTS by the editor...... 4 REVIEWS— SINGLE COPY --- $1.75 WAR OF THE WORLDS (RECORD) ...... 19 INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES SHEFFIELD. .10 ONCE UPON A TIME (RECORD) ...... 19 CONDUCTED BY KARL T. PFLOCK SCREAMS OF A WINTER NIGHT (MOVIE) .20 THE OUTCASTS OF HEAVEN BELT (BOOK) BEYOND ATLANTIS (MOVIE) ...... 20 INSIDE —OUTSIDE (BOOK) ...... QUEST OF THE THREE WORLDS (BOOK) .. HE HEARS.... HALLOWEEN (MOVIE) ...... 20 THE BROOD (MOVIE) ...... 20 THE WORLD IS ROUND (BOOK) ...... RECORD REVIEWS THE INTELLIGENCE AGENTS (BOOK) .... BY STEVEN E. MCDONALD ...... 19 SUPERMAN (MOVIE) ...... 20 CIRCLE OF IRON (MOVIE) ...... 20 ANALOG YEARBOOK (BOOK) ...... THE MUPPET MOVIE (MOVIE) ...... 21 ALIEN WORLDS (BOOK) ...... BEASTS OF GOR (BOOK), ...... AND THEN I SAW.... DRACULA (MOVIE) ...... 21 MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEWS PHANTASM (MOVIE) ...... 21 SPACE PIRATES QoOK)...... BY THE EDITOR ...... 20 THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (MOVIE) .... 21 MACROLIFE (BOOK) ...... PROPHESY (MOVIE) ...... 21 THE CAVE OF TIME (BOOK) ...... MOONRAKER (MOVIE) ...... 22 THE TIME TRIP (BOOK) ...... A WRITER'S NATURAL ENEMY: EDITORS JANISSARIES (BOOK), ...... BY GEORGE R.R. MARTIN ...... 28 UP FROM THE DEPTHS (MOVIE) ...... 72. THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME (MOVI^22 ELECTRIC FOREST (BOOK) ...... STARCRASH (MOVIE)...... 22 SUB-ZERO (BOOK) ...... SABERS, LASERS AND STARSHIPS BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25lH CENTURY... 22 A PLANET CALLED TREASON (BOOK) ... AN INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF SUSPERIA (MOVIE) ...... 22 THE MERMAN'S CHILDREN (BOOK) .... THE WEB BETWEEN THE WORLDS (BOOK) . SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY AMERICATHON (MOVIE) ...... 22 WARGAMING, PART II TIME AFTER TIME (MOVIE) ...... 22 THE ROAD OF AZRAEL (BOOK) ...... BY MIKE GILBERT ...... 32 THE VHJ.AIN (MOVIE) ...... 23 hammer's slammers (book)...... THE DRAGON LORD (BOOK) ...... oh god! (movie)...... 23 PRETENDER (BOOK) ...... THE MONSTER THAT ATE SHEBOYGAN! THE VIVISECTOR THE WAR OF THE WORLDS (RECORD) .... A COLlTfl (gate)...... 33 INVASION OF THE AIR EATERS (GAME). 33 SURVIVAL SHIP (RECORD) ...... BY DARRELL SCHWEITZER ...... 36 THE BOOK OF MERLYN (RECORD) ...... HOLY WAR (GAME) ...... 33 COSMIC ENCOUNTER (GAME) ...... 33 THE LAND OF OZ (RECORD) ...... YOU GOT NO FRIENDS IN THIS WORLD JESUS ON MARS (BOOK) ...... THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES (RECORD)... THE SWORD OF SHANNARA (RECORD) .... A REVIEW OF SHORT FICTION NEW DIMENSIONS (BOOK) ...... 36 BY ORSON SCOTT CARD...... 39 FUTURE DAY (BOOK) ...... THE SCIENCE FICTION STORIES OF RIP OFF COMIX TO (SMALL PRESS) .... WALTER M. MILLER (BOOK) ...... 38 SMALL PRESS NOTES [See page 43 for complete list of BY THE EDITOR ...... AO short fiction reviews.] FANTASY #3 (SMALL PRESS) ...... 44 QUANTUM JUMP (SMALL PRESS) ...... 44 OTHER VOICES EMPIRE SF (SMALL PRESS) ...... 44 BOOK REVIEWS BY AN UNKNOWN, NEAL THRUST #13 (SMALL PRESS) ...... 44 Copyright (c) 1979 by Richard E. WILGUS, WILLIAM GLASS, RONALD R. FRITZ LEIBER: A BIBLIOGRAPHY Geis. One-time rights only have LAMBERT, TOM STAICAR, MICHAEL (small press)...... 44 been acquired from signed or cred­ MAIDA, WILLIAM GIBSON, ROBERT FANTARAMA #10-11 (SMALL PRESS) ...44 ited contributors, and all other FRAZIER, LEE WEINSTEIN, MARK TNFF, vol #45 small press 44 COFTA, TERRENCE M. GREEN ...... 46 .39, ( ).. rights are hereby assigned to the NEW WORLDS (SMALL PRESS) ...... 45 contributors. A WEALTH OF FABLE (SMALL PRESS) ...45 NOISE LEVEL THE FIFTH BOOK OF VIRGIL FINLAY THE ALIEN CRITIC A COLUMN BY JOHN BRUNNER ...... 54 (small press)...... 45 SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW THE AMERICAN MONOMYTH (BOOK) ...... 46 Available in microform from: THE ULTIMATE ENEMY (BOOK) ...... 47 OXFORD MICROFORM PUBLICATIONS, LTD AND THEN I READ.... CASTLE ROOGNA (BOOK) ...... 47 BY THE EDITOR ...... 55 Wheatsheaf Yard, Blue Boar Street ALICIA II (BOOK) ...... 48 Oxford OXI 4EY, United Kingdom DESTINATION:VOID (BOOK) ...... 48 THE HUMAN HOTLINE THE EMPIRE OF TIME (BOOK) ...... 48 SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW is published PUBLISHING AND WRITING NEWS JOURNEY (BOOK) ...... 49 at 1525 NE Ainsworth, Portland, OR BY ELTON T. ELLIOTT ...... 58 SKINNERBALL (BOOK) ...... 49 97211. DRACULA IN LOVE (BOOK) ...... 49 NO ADVERTISING WILL BE ACCEPTED AND THEN I HEARD.... SELECTED SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY STORIES BY JACK LONDON Second Class Postage Paid RECORD REVIEWS BY THE EDITOR ..... 61 (book)...... 50 at Portland, OR 97208 LETTERS------IRWIN M. PROHLO..... MIKE GIRSDANSKY..... IAN WATSON...... uJELLz 40 BACK ANb MICHAEL CONNER...... FRED FOWLER...... ■ROCCO TO STAY THE HEU- CHARLES PLATT...... OUT OF ToToL-OG^Y I AN& ROBERT BLOCH...... that for GEORGE WARREN...... JOHN T. SAPIENZA, JR, FREDERIK POHL...... MIKE GLICKSOFN...... SIMON GREEN...... 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MAKE ALL CHEQUES, CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS PAYABLE TO SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW SAVE A HASSLE AND EXTRA EXPENSE IF YOU MOVE WE NEED YOUR FORMER ZIPCODE AND YOUR NEW COMPLETE ADDRESS. I imagine that my personal ALIEN THOUGHTS journal will also suffer erosion, and maybe become a victim of the times as a separate entity. If Science fiction, sometimes com­ that journal sinks to under 200 bined with fantasy and horror and the subbers from the present stable occult, has become a recognized mon­ 500, I anticipate merging it (again) ey-maker, especially in the film in­ into SFR as a long column as was dustry. The space programs of the "Reports From Alternate Earth 666" USA and Russia have suffused the bas­ in SFR #25. ic elements of science fiction All this is speculation, of throughout the USA and the industrial­ course. I love it. I'm a hopeless ized world for a generation. Space predictor and viewer-of-trends. It's isn't strange anymore. Space tech­ a way of testing my view of reality nology isn't weird; it's prosaic, against the real thing. And I'm accepted. more and more willing to put my So science fiction is accepted money where my mouth is. as 'legitimate' entertainment and At present I'm hunkering down enterprise. With that solid base in for the long haul; cutting risk and cultural and social acclimatization, cutting expenses. I may go back to s-f will continue for generations at newsprint for SFR if the savings are its present acceptance level. But significant and necessary. it will rise and fall with the gener­ Well, enough of this fun; I've al economy. got to turn my fingers to REG and There will probably be cycles the behind-schedule segment of the within cycles—sword and sorcery may /sex-drenched serial, SPLTTING. flourish in the movies before long... BY THE EDITOR and hard s-f may languish... But the genre as a whole is part of the pub­ lishing-entertainment territory now, # LETTER FROM IRWIN M. PROHLO 7-31-79 I had been expecting a and will not fade away. POB 92893 call from Hank Stine, editor of GAL­ Milwaukee, WI 53202 AXY, asking me to get another book April 30, 1979 review column into the mail to him. (Yes, yes, with the collaboration The future of SFR is linked, ob­ 'TO YOUR READERS ON THE STATE OF and intrusion of Alter-Ego!), so viously to my future. And I expect SF SALES/READERS: when he called yesterday I expected to survive with SFR through at least 'The market had best realize that request...which didn't come. another four years, as a quarterly. where the money (fans) are --in We talked—err, he talked—about The worst-case scenario is a the 10-23 year-old range mostly. other things. I did glean that per­ terrible world-wide depression The ones who were turned on by STAR haps GALAXY is not yet on its prom­ brought on by the energy cost crunch WARS, B.S. GALACTICA, STAR TREK, etc ised bi-monthly schedule. and a subsequent deflation as the and are buying the $1.75 and $1.95 One thing I've noticed about the debt structure collapses. S-f cheap-shot mags that rehash old mov­ editors of GALAXY—they are all in publishing and movie-making would ie stills and blurb the new movies. my experience (Jim Baen, J.J. Pierce, collapse correspondingly. I could Hank Stine) talkers! It is difficult sink to a few hundred subscribers, 'Yes, Ellison and others want to get words in edgewise. (It was and return to publishing SFR on the the respectability of being known easiest with J.J.) trusty Gestetner mimeo. But that as writers of "speculative fiction", The fault may lie more with me would permit greater focus on what not science fiction, (the old buga­ than them, however, since I am not a little s-f was produced, and an boo about BEM's and space opera)* powerful in-person personality and appreciation of the best of s-f and others kow-tow toward the at­ refuse to get into power-struggles from the current boom. Buying and tentions of Academia, while others during conversations. Perhaps (prob­ selling and trading of used s-f attempt to politicalize, socialize ably) the high-pressure atmosphere of would be a big thing. or categorize SF. New York or big-mag editing in gener­ Life do go on. , 'True, SF has gained in "res- al requires a strong verbal personal­ The best-case outlook is for pectibility" in the past couple ity. Mayhap the quiet introvert is SFR to manage to attract enough new years -- and some fine writing is doomed to obscurity in the big-time subscribers to offset those who must being cranked out, reprinted or re­ of s-f editing. give it up for various reasons. hashed -- but the few respected I've said many times my personal­ As the economy declines I'll be names and the vocat minority can­ ity is in my fingertips...on the cutting down on the amount of mat­ not keep the trend going — it's typewritten page. And I'm not inter­ erial I buy and putting in more of the buying public who will deter­ ested in editing a major science fic­ my own writings. Probably more of mine that. tion prozine. Too much hassle, too my own science fiction. For in­ much drudge reading. stance, I'm thinking very serious­ 'Before I go further about buy­ ly of continuing the ONE INMDRTAL ing habits, I'd like to address the These entries tend to drift. Now MAN saga in SFR in novelet seg­ older readers who may recall the I'm tempted to discuss SFR's future. ments, instead of novel lengths. first SF they picked up on -- be Yes, it has a future. Because serializing a novel in a it AMAZING STORIES of the 30s, 40s, To those who know my cynical, pes­ quarterly involves maybe a year, 50s or 60s; ASTOUNDING of the 30s 6 simistic outlook, that may seem a and readers get pissed at the long 40s; STARTLING STORIES, THRILLING contrary statement. If the nation waits. Complete-in-themselves WONDER, PLANET or even WEIRD TALES, and probably the world is doomed to novelet adventures are more appro­ when Ed Hamilton wrote his space depression and stagnation for umpteen priate. years, wither SFR? In fact, wither * Harlan, I seen your letters in science fiction? 4 PLANET'S Visigraph! fantasies. Maybe it was Buck Rog­ 'So dust off those old space­ ((Now, if !_ had such a hit ers, Flash Gordon or Edgar Rice Bur­ operas, boys, and plug in the Xeno, saga going, I, too, would seek the roughs, in the comics, Big Little Frogeyes -- old Sarge may thud highest return on my work. That's Books, or such. But it was that through the door any day now.' the nature of the beast... and the "sense of wonder" -- the thrill of nature of The Market. Only ideal­ other worlds (thanks RAP), adven­ ists and fools (same thing, I guess) ture that held us -- not ponderous ((Intellectually, I agree with you, expect otherwise. The reader wants tomes about sociological themes, Irwin---- juvenile sf with lotsa sense as much as possible for his money, or long-winded arguments about of wonder is a sure-fire formula; and the writer-editor-publisher "quality of life" or the future SF, you get all those new readers, gen­ want to give as little as possible or New Wave, etc. eration after generation. .. and you for as much as possible. They 'Someone has to tap that mark­ keep all those older readers who meet at the grey area of the "buy" et -- ignoring the sneers and jeers never tire of it. decision.)) of the "elite corps". So-called ((But... I'm of that ever-in- hackneyed plots are not that when creasing group who eventually tire you're 12, 14 or 22, reading it for or have tired of the juvenile in pleasure or the first time. Where sf, and want not serious, "mature" did Asimov begin? -- AMAZING STOR­ sf full of character and message, # The GALAXY situation is IES... Bradbury -- PLANET ... Poul but action, suspense, sense of won­ still bothering a lot of people Anderson -- space opera in PLANET. der AND some sex and realism in (with good cause). I have a letter Young writers writing for young background and foreground and char­ from JIM SANDERSON which arrived readers. acterization. What of us?)) too late for last issue. 'We need a few young magazines... July 2, 1979 ASIMOV'S SF ADVENTURE may be the 'After waiting three months answer. Perhaps AMAZING will re­ for the issue of GALAXY numbered vive, or FANTASTIC. # LETTER FROM MIKE GIRSDANSKY Vol.39, No.9, I wrote to S. John 77 Carpenter Avenue, #5J 'What do you give your kids to Loscocco (president of Elm, the Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 company that has taken over GALAXY) read? Or someone just getting in­ 15 May 1979 to it? A few books available here and I received a reply today. and there. '"Vol.39, No.9 was mailed ap­ 'I wonder if anyone has comment­ proximately two weeks ago and you 'Now, back to buying habits. ed on the rather odd handling (I should have it by now. Vol.39, I want to take on the publishers -- don't mean hanky-panky) with regard No.10 will be mailed to subscrib­ paperback, on the subject of re­ to Farmer's last volume(s) in the ers on July 9 and issues after that prints. How can they justify 1.95 Riverboat series. In THE DARK DE­ should be received within a couple reprints that have seen seventeen SIGN he explains that what was orig­ of weeks of newsstand appearance or perhaps dozens of editions? Ec­ inally to be the last book proved (before or after I'm not sure). onomics? Bullshit. They made it so long that it was infeasible to All subscriptions have been lengthen­ ten times over and could make it print it as one volume. ed to accomodate the new bi-monthly ten times again if they'd put out 'This raises two questions: publishing schedule."' dollar editions of Heinlein, ERB, (1) Oh yeah? Shirer's book on Okay, thanks, Jim, for going to Van Vogt, etc. Why stand a Hein­ the Third Reich was unusually thick, lein juvenile or an ERB against the the horse's mouth. I'm rather am­ as was Toler's bio of Hitler. (May­ biguous in my feelings about GALAXY. glut of all the other books? They be there's something about Germanic get lost in the crunch. If they On the one hand I'm happy to be do­ themes which leads to literary ele­ ing a column for it and happy to be were cheap enough for the 10, 12 phantiasis; and (2) If there was or 18 year-old to pick up quick, paid in advertising for SFR for each some structural logistic reason why column. Some of the success of SFR they'd sell more. When they lower­ the final volume couldn't come out ed the bus fares more people rode, is due to the years and years (how as one, why not bring out the new- quickly they go!) of ads in GALAXY. filling half-empty buses. And when two simultaneously, or at least the entrance fee to the fairs was But I've seen the magazine go close together? Not, as I've heard through a long decline of quality lowered, families came. Sure, drek rumored, wait until next October. slips in -- but the public would and reliability ever since H.L. Gold I, for one, am doomed to spend a left the editor's chair. I suspect soon zero in on the publisher and number of months chewing away at stop buying. There were/are some most of the problem has been the the inside of my cheek in impatience fault of the ownership which I think Laurel Leaf pbs that are "classics" waiting for the final (?) wrap-up.' and Scholastic puts out SF within milked the magazine to support other, the reach of pre-teens and teen failing, activities of the corporat­ readers. Put some PLANET covers on ion, and who refused to allow the them (!) * ((Phil Farmer obviously changed his editors enough money to do their job writing style as he wrote the RIV­ at a high level. 'I haunt the second-hand shops ERBOAT saga; he became self-indul­ But at the same time the subse­ and SF is the fastest-moving item, gent, wordy, and mercenary. When quent editors haven't struck out in especially at 50$ or 75$ or $1.00. you've got a hit on your hands any exciting, bold directions in for­ More people are reading as an alter­ you string it out, milk it, and mat or fiction choice; it's been a nate form of entertainment as oppos­ dance on the line between too ob­ middle-of-the-road science fiction ed to the expense of going out or viously ripping off the readers magazine, of a slightly higher qual­ watching formula TV. And buying and not ripping them off enough. ity with some editors, less so with second-hand. The editors and publishers are others. more often than not the prime * Howls of outraged feminists — movers in those decisions, with which the writer usually eagerly visions of the 50s when I began read­ # At the moment AMAZING and FAN­ ing SF, when teachers would snatch agrees, big bucks dancing in his mind. TASTIC are the most interesting pro­ (and destroy?) SF mags (no— read 'em mags because of their radical visual at home, or in the can.) 5 and content changes and experiments. Steve Fahnestalk, long-time SFR white poor quality artwork. It's 8-12-79 Several thoughtful fans reader and Washington state fan has the content of the stories. have sent me the story that appeared been made fanzine/small press re- In an effort to counter the- in the Washington Post and other pap­ viewer/conuientator for AMAZING. same-old-shit fiction, AMAZING and ers concerning Alice Sheldon's deter­ FANTASTIC are using a lot of illus­ mination not to get a license from trations, a lot of non-fiction feat­ the Fairfax County government for the ures ... privilege of writing science fiction. I've heard various and When Ted White tried, briefly, Seems the county, in its zeal to sundry reports and rumors to the to open up the magazines with some fleece its citizenry of every penny effect that pocketbook sales are challenging, disturbing, 'offens­ possible, has, since 1970, included down about 10-15%, and that pub­ ive' stories, all hell broke loose. writing-for-profit as a category in lishers are worried, starting to cut A few fans and perhaps the publish­ ifs "specialized occupation license" back.... er cried out in agony. He stopped. group. I told Richard Witter in a let­ Now he's editing HEAVY METAL, The license costs nothing. It is ter recently that publishers (includ­ and probably happy as a clam, able simply a "flag" to let the county ing me!) are no longer competing for to give adult, exciting, bold mater­ insist on 31< tax for every $100. the public's beer money. [Does a ial to people who are used to it earned by writing. But if the gross $2.25 pocketbook equal a six-pack from movies and real life! profit is $3,226 or less a year the of beer?] What, am I advocating a display license-holder owes nothing. I said we are now, going into of sex and violence? Alice Sheldon will go to jail hard times and a lowering standard Damn right! A mixture of bold before she'll apply for the license, of living, and publishers are going ideas that when appropriate use sex she says. She risks a fine of as to be in competition for food and and/or violence [realism!] to tell much as $300., or a jail term up to rent money, maybe even cigaret $$! the story. The STORY! 30 days, ot both. The bookreading public is becom­ This is an R-rated world, in She fears that the licensing of ing much more selective and careful. real life and in entertainment, and writers could be used to inhibit or And the boom is ended. printed s-f and fantasy have to censor or deny writers their First Looking at the sf magazines— compete in this world—or die off Amendment rights. GALAXY, ASIMOV'S, AMAZING, FANTASTIC, to a small enclave, a 1930s size Alice Sheldon is better known UNEARTH, GALILEO, even ANALOG and readership. as James Tiptree, Jr. F^SF—I see essentially Juvenile The next two or three years will packages. Still. After all these see a lot of sf magazines bite the Alice is right. This seems at years. And as I read the fiction I dust, a lot of hardcover and soft- first as merely a revenue-raising see taboos, censorship, a lack of cover editors of sf and fantasy out device with no strings attached to guts, a lack of boldness. Most of of jobs. They'll blame the recession the content of the writing involved. the editors are still afraid of Mom and the times...but mostly they But it is a thin entering wedge. A seeing a nasty word in Junior's maga­ won't blame themselves for not giv­ time would come when the county or zine and Complaining to the Drug ing the public what it will pay for. state or federal government might Store or the Supermarket or *Cringe* People are willing to read if say: "No one may write for profit the Distributor! they think it's worth it. In this unless they have a license." That would be to insure that all Most sf and fantasy in the world of easy visual entertainment, writing income would be subject to magazines and in the pocketbooks is the reading experience has to be a tax. Sounds reasonable, to make bland, boring, derivative and the- exciting, tensioned, basic, and .sure no tax cheating goes on? same-old-shit. realistic. [And it should be ac­ But then would come the strings; And this same-old-shit is in dir­ companied by good like-kind artwork certain subjects or words or themes ect competitiion with TV and theater and the print size should be easy-to- or beliefs would not be allowed to sf and fantasy that is so easy to read. ] Failing that...there'll be be used in the writings of all licens take—no effort involved!—and us­ far fewer reviews in SFR in the years ually a visual delight with all kinds ahead--for lack of books and maga­ ed writers "in the public interest." of special effects. The kids love zines . And-no unlicensed writers would be it. The kids would rather see STAR allowed to be published...or would WARS for the fifth time than spend be fined and/or jailed for illegal $1.50 for a dumb, blah sf magazine. activities. Perhaps more subtle devices And when you get to the main audi­ Gould or would be used: certain ence for science fiction—the col­ writers would not have their licenses lege-age people—you have the same renewed for various nit-picky and situation, only they would rather phony reasons...or would have their see an R-rated good movie, an ALIEN, licenses delayed for months (a neato for instance, or buy a hot rock rec- discouragement to someone who could- ord, or a HEAVY METAL issue, than a £?n't earn a living during that period) dumb sf magazine full of the-same- because of delays in processing.... old-shit they read when they were And Congress could pass a law fifteen. that made it illegal for any publish- Sf magazine are asking people td !er to use the work of an unlicensed do some work—read!—when all this writer. "Federal Writer License easy visual and aural s-f and fant­ jNumber must appear on title page of asy—all this other mindblowing manuscript." stuff is available. All this color I'm sure many, many writers and movement and sound! would welcome such a system; it Sit alone and read? For what? would cut out competition since those Tf What do they get out of it? Dull, with licenses would probably be able unexciting, predictable shit. to inpose "craft tests and quotas" No wonder sf magazines are in to make sure [like doctors and law­ trouble. It isn't the size of the yers and plumbers and etc.] that they zines, the price, the black-and- 6 would be assured a good income. They would eagerly embrace gov­ ernment control of writers in ex­ change for a lock on a guaranteed wage, etc. Souls and freedom are sold surprisingly cheaply more often than not. A free press requires free writ­ ers. Any attempt to control writers must be resisted. "Innocent" writer licensing laws are a tiny step in the direction of political control of writers. One step leads to another, and the temptations are always too much for "well-meaning" people to resist; in their minds the ends al­ ways justify the means, and they always clothe their ends as Good, and always justify their means as necessary.

'And we have Realized Something. ((I have an alien here, in my head, Namely, that Moreton Pinkney -- who insists that the center of the # LETTER FROM IAN WATSON which you may perhaps not be able to universe is somewhere over near the Bay House, Banbury Road, find on any map -- is actually the Coal Sack. But I think we are all Moreton Pinkney (near Daventry) exact center of the universe. This the center of the universe----solip- Northamptonshire NN11 6SQ realization isn't limited to us. sisrrwise.) ) England The man who is into bull semen point­ 13th August 1979 ed out in the pub the other night (at about midnight -- there's no po­ 'After nine years in Oxford, lice force in the village, so the three in Tokyo and two in Africa, pub merely locks the drinkers in at # LETTER FROM MICHAEL CONNER we have moved into this little vil­ closing time instead of tossing 106 Adela Ct. lage Moreton Pinkney a few miles them out) that Moreton Pinkney is Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 from the George Washington-associa­ the center of absolute motion, the August 8, 1979 ted village of Sulgrave. Wiped out still point around which everything by the Black Death, rebuilt over the else turns; and another fellow was 'I found issue #32 fascinating, hill to become notorious as the bemoaning the fact that he couldn't with Mr. Offutt on one hand enthus­ "village of pigs and paupers" when escape from the place. ing about pre-gunpowder worlds, fol­ great savage pigs roamed the mud lowed by Mr. Card, who hates to be lanes and the paupers drowned their 'But, Lord, we have seen more dirty, telling us that only techno­ sorrows in the five pubs there once going past our window and overhead logy can give us clean air and toi­ were here, it is looking rather more than we ever did in the heart of lets (and typewriters). Such pro­ prosperous and perky nowadays, inhab­ Oxford: Horses, vintage cars, Silv­ nouncements always amaze me with ited by farmers, horse people, an erstone racers, jet planes, geese, their delivery of solid assurances, antique dealer, someone who is into helicopters, Vietnamese bicyclists. as if the speaker has been down bull semen -- a sticky business, a The bay window where I'm writing our current path ahead of the rest Swiss precision steel cooking uten­ this -- distracted by geese, jets, of us! sil salesman, an Archdeacon, a USAF Vietnamese, hikers, Archdeacons, etc. jet pilot, the president of the -- faces the Scottish baronial-tow­ 'Face it ... we can't expect Bronte Society who has converted ered lodge gate and gatehouse of anyone living today to offer more the smithy on the village green in­ the Manor, owned by somebody in Pan­ than a best guess as to how to pro­ to his 19th century library, sundry ama's electricity supply. Windmill ceed politically, socially, and ec­ old ladies with white hair, the Ni­ bird-scarers turn lazily on the onomically when we're actually grop­ gerian staff of an enigmatic mil­ walled allotments rising on the oth­ ing forward alone, without a plan, lionaire who wants his own landing er side. Tomorrow we put up a sign­ attempting to organize ourselves strip. board at the end of the village: by trial-and-error. The past can The Exact Center of the Universe. only help us partially to cope with 'Silverstone Racing Circuit is a six-billion planetary population quite near, and occasional bursts 'Did I say it's a horsey place (and the structures which have a- of traffic zip through the serpen­ too? Girls tittup past on their risen to help maintain it, however tine village, interspersed with show-jumping steeds, the Hunt meets spottily); yet technology is noth­ herds of sheep -- off, said our outside our window in the winter ing but inexperienced. Sheer bulk daughter Jessica (who you can tell (keep the cats indoors that day), of information is not equivalent to has been living in a town for a and the wallpaper of this room where knowledge. I think I would definite­ while), to be milked. A juggernaut I've shelved my SF books is all car­ ly keep the past in mind as new so­ lorry gasps to a halt behind a donk­ toons (by Thelwell) who specialises lutions are offered up by the tech­ ey cart, aged ramblers in stout in fat pompous girls on fat pompous nocracy, however. boots and anoraks consult their ponies, which are thus visible gal­ maps for the church where Cromwell's loping, snorting and water-jumping 'I'm sure that Card's interview men wiped out the local royalists across my books from GATEWAY to will stir negative response, with with a fusillade, leaving bullets SHADRACH IN THE FURNACE, a curious such statements as, "just so I can in the wall, and a cycling party of spectacle. get rich, invest it wisely, and not Vietnamese or Malaysians zips down need acceptance by then...." He's the hill. They certainly looked 'More news from the exact cen­ just stating what many other people like Vietnamese -- not Japanese or ter of the universe another time...' believe without admitting it to Chinese, certainly. 7 themselves, and, what's probably worse, more than likely he'll suc­ its job. They refused to believe her country had used distortion, ceed. I say, go for it, Orson the reactor temperature that was be­ false emphasis, suppression of facts Scott Card.' As someone who started ing shown by the instruments, and and outright lies when it reported writing SF at about the same time would not let the cooling system anything that she said or did. Journ­ as he, I've felt what I'm sure must flood the reactor core with water. alists have not changed since then. be the usual professional jealousy There was nothing wrong with the We still do not get the truth from toward his rapid rise to prominence. safety equipment, and it did not them. What I've read of him was through fail; it was the incompetence of the jaundiced eye. But Card is ap­ the operators that caused a rela­ ((How true. Smears abound, too, and parently quite popular with readers, tively small difficulty to grow in­ go uncorrected and mostly unre­ and competent enough in the craft to a major accident. marked; witness the current enthus­ to avoid embarrassment. He ought iastic smear of Hamilton Jordon, to be proud of himself -- and quite President -Carter's White House ((Sure, but in the real world you deservedly so. Five years of just Chief of Staff in re cocaine use cannot separate the technology from writing, successfully or not, is and sexual hanky-panky and crude be­ its operators...and "human error" is one hell of a lot of work. havior in general. a constant that must be factored in­ ((Wide reading of news and opin­ to the total equation of help/harm.)) 'I found Card's views on the ion magazines and journals is re­ collapse of the West striking on quired for a fairly true view of another account. I've always be­ things-as-they-is-and-why.)) lieved that, when the Federal System 'Whether or not government cen­ finally disintegrates into a loose, sorship ever comes into being in nostalgia-based confederation of in­ this country, we already have some­ thing just as dangerous in the long 'Now for Poul Anderson's let­ dependent regions, an isolationist ter: Why is it that so many modern "greater Utah", hostile to both East run: The indirect suppression of unpopular and unfashionable ideas, writers believe that they must put and West and functioning as a clos­ uninteresting matter in their stor­ ed-border buffer zone between the beliefs and opinions by the men who control the publishing business. ies merely because it is a part of two, might wind up as the strongest actual life? Sexual intercourse is (economically, militarily, and more 'One of the latest issues of the greatest bodily pleasure that than likely, spiritually) political THE NATIONAL REVIEW has an article there is, but it is not a very in­ entity in North America. on this: The author points out teresting thing to read about. I 'Perhaps it's fortunate for Card that modern journalists have become will say nothing here about the mo­ that he lives in the capital of so arrogant that they don't even ral rightness or wrongness of descr­ this state-to-be -- though, I don't make a pretense of being objective; ibing it in a story. But I will think it will arrive so quickly as they consider themselves to be demi­ say that if authors want people to he imagines. Our public "reality" gods who have rights and preroga­ read their books, they would do well will take an appropriate amount of tives denied to the common writer. to keep the sexual episodes to a time to die.' They are self-appointed Guardians minimum. Otherwise, they will cause of the Constitution and The People's most readers to yawn and skip over ((As a citizen of Ecotopia (Northern Right to Know. When any court de­ large parts of their books.' California, Oregon, Washington) I cision in favor if the individual rights of the citizen threatens the welcome the formation of the Great­ ((ANY aspect of life, even murder, er Utah Federation (Mormonia?) and powers that journalists have arro­ gated to themselves, they write ed­ can be uninteresting and even bor­ hope our two independent countries ing, if disengaged from character, can live side by side in peace---- itorials warning that the death of America's free press is imminent. personality, and other story dynam­ and form an alliance against SoCal ics. If sexual intercourse in fic­ and the remnant of what used to be 'The free press! As if the tion is "meaningless" it is because the U.S.A.)) press in this country were really the author failed; it doesn't mean free. The newspapers in this count­ that all sex in all stories is a ry are controlled by advertisers drag and should be skipped.)) and by the handful of men who own the large publishing companies. They are free only in the sense # LETTER FROM FRED FOWLER that they can publish whatever their 200 Laura Lane, #B6 owners want them to publish. But Rocky Hill, CT 06067 their owners will not publish any­ August 25, 1979 thing that attacks their view of the world, or threatens their pow­ 'As of October 16, 1979, my mail­ er. Try to find a single article ing address will be 1442-C, North or even a single letter in any news­ Cliff Valley Way, N.E., Atlanta, GA, paper that attacks the modern instit­ 30319. My old address was given in the heading. ution of advertising. Newspapers will not publish anything that does 'Your worry about the suscepti­ ft LETTER FROM CHARLES PLATT this, because they dare not anger 70 Ledbury Road, London, H 11 bility of complex technology to their advertisers. August 4, 1979 failure is quite reasonable, but if you had read some of the later news 'Nor do modern journalists give us the truth in what they write. 'In response to your comments on Three Mile Island that has ap­ in the current SFR about libel: peared in SCIENCE, you would know They say "the people's right to that most of the equipment failure know" but they mean "the people's 'I cannot agree with you that in that accident was caused by the right to know what we want them to fear of lost income or of a damaged technicians who were on duty. In­ know, what we think they ought to reputation would prompt someone to vestigators have learned that the know". Over thirty years ago Dor­ bring a libel action against your emergency cooling system did not do othy Sayers told how the press of magazine. If you print a trivial its job properly because the reac­ insult about novelist John X, is any tor operators would not let it do 8 editor going to be less interested in X's subsequent work? Is any read­ er going to avoid X's books? Of course not. A short, negative Geis review would damage X's career more than anything said about him person­ ally, and even that damage would be negligible. Careers in the arts are not ruined by a little mild scandal and name-calling; if anything, they are advanced by it. 'The real reason authors have recently threatened to sue you is that the larger SF readership, and higher remuneration, have inflated the vanity of some authors in the field. Kilgore Trout now sees him­ self as K. Trout, Ph.D., the in­ sightful commentator on the techno­ logical future of humankind, and you'd better start treating him with commensurate respect, because he can now afford a court case to prove to everyone (including himself) how # CARD FROM ROBERT A BLOCH after editing around six Fiction important he has become. This is 2111 Sunset Crest Drive House pulps! When he became a reg­ the gist of it: legal action, not Los Angeles, CA 90046 ular at BLUE BOOK he quit to free­ to defend a writer's livelihood, August 4, 1979 lance and, with this as a cash base, but to protect his over-inflated plugged away until he had broken ev­ self-esteem. I don't think anyone 'Thanks again for an exception­ eryone of the biggest slick maga­ has a right to such protection, and ally fine issue.' SFR is up to your zines -- POST, COLLIER'S, MC CALL'S, I despise those who need it. usual high standards — and that's MC LEAN'S (of Toronto). In the late very high indeed; I can tell, be­ 40s he went west to write TV scripts 'Your magazine thrives on open cause when I read it my nose bleeds. for Hal Roach TV mill, churning out debate, and you conduct it fairly. a mighty volume of "Cisco Kid" You have always allowed the right of 'But there's a horrifying edict scripts and creating such series printed reply, and you have never on page 10 which I hope you'll recon­ as "Sheena of the Jungle”, "Benven­ allowed statements you knew to be sider. What's all this about "no uto Cellini", and "Francois Villion" false. Under these circumstances more cheap shots"? In these times (the latter series, an old BLUE BOOK it is pompous and cowardly for the of dreadful inflation, those damned standby, was an early TV vehicle John Xs in your readership to avoid shots were just about the only for Errol Flynn). confrontation in print and threaten cheap things we had left. Does this legal recourse instead. It also really mean I can no longer abuse, 'Blacklisted in TV in the 50s, damages freedom of the press, be­ villify, excoriate, slander, libel he went back to editing for a string cause they know you don't have or otherwise accurately describe of men's magazines, but had return­ the resources to fight a law suit, Wilson Tucker in your pages? ed to his first love -- the writing of SF -- in his last years, selling and so they feel able to bully you. 'Say it isn't so -- because if The piece of mine that you recently several SF shorts to no less a mark­ it is, what will become of your own et than PLAYBOY. In conversations chose not to publish, partly because dialogues with Alter?' of possible libel, will appear else­ with me he looked back with affec­ where, so I_ don't feel censored. tion on his days with PLANET, when But it is sad to see that SFR is ((Well... okay, let's make Bob Tucker he bought many now-classic stories now censored, because of vindictive official target for cheap shots and by the likes of Leigh Brackett and threats from a tiny clique of nou­ scurrilous attacks. He won't mind. Fredric Brown.' veau-riche narcissists. I would He's used to it by now. Aren't you, Bob? Bob? BOB??)) name them, but I'm not allowed to ( (I never know how to respond to under the new regime, right? news of this type. We have another headstone in the sf cemetary. It's ((Right, you statist running-doy depressing. But thanks for the news tool of the fascist monsters of and the background.)) the impoverished classes.)) # LETTER FROM GEORGE WARREN 853 N. Hill Pasadena, CA 91104 'It all makes me wonder why NEW July 31, 1979 WORLDS has received no writs. True, PAR, our circulation is small and we are 'I got a call from Larry Shaw WMAH THE WO located inconveniently far from the saying Scott Peacock (Editor in the 3 yEARf OFAN 3RP GftAOt West Coast of America, but we've early 40s of PLANET STORIES and oth­ SF WAITED OP COVMC certainly published worse personal er Fiction House titles) had died attacks than you have (with every July 7 in Los Angeles of cardiac ar­ justification, I hasten to add). rest following lung surgery. He was And I expect we'll continue to do 64. so. Personally, I regard legal 'In his pulp days when his health threats more as provocation to go was better, Scotty averaged over 1.3 further, than as a warning to back million words sold annually -- while down. We'll see what happens when writing part time on his free time our next issue comes out, probably ALIEN THOUGHTS CONT. P. 15 in October.' 9 AN INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES SHEFFIELD

Charles Sheffield burst upon the So I first came to this country in I remember reading "Now You See It" SF scene in early 1977. His first 1962 to use computers. In '63 I be­ in ASF, which was part of the Found­ story appeared in GALAXY and since came involved in the space program, ation Trilogy -- but not realizing then, his work, both fiction and which was really getting off the because I wasn't tuned into authors, non-fiction, has been published in ground back then, and this led me that it was part of a series. And virtually every magazine in the away from nuclear physics into nu­ I found it completely incomprehens­ field and in several original anth­ merical analysis for satellite geo­ ible. I assumed that the clues as ologies. He also writes a regular desy. I got involved with NASA to what and where the Second Founda­ -- and often controversial -- column about '63, and then more with Lunar tion was were imbedded in the story. for THRUST. His first novel, SHUT Orbiter in '65 and '66. I've stay­ So I went through it ten times, try­ OF PROTEUS, (Ace, 1978) excited great ed around the space program ever ing to figure out why I couldn't interest, both within and outside since. I was involved with the understand the ending! And I did the SF world -- eliciting a rave re­ British Interplanetary Society long not know it was Asimov probably 'til view from PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY. His before that, back in Cambridge. oh, five or ten years later -- be­ second novel, THE WEB BETWEEN THE The big problem now for the cause I wasn't reading for the part­ WORLDS, was published by Ace in Aug­ space program is data analysis. icular author but for the story. ust 1979, and his first story col­ There are huge volumes of data com­ And I suspect that's still true of lection (also from Ace) is slated ing back from space -- but the hard people who read between the ages of for November. He was nominated for thing is manipulating them. The twelve and twenty. the John W. Campbell award for best things I do are designed to process new writer in the field, presented them efficiently and extract inform­ SFR: So you were in your teens at Seacon, '79. ation from them. That's what I do when you began to read SF? This interview was conducted in now, for Earth Satellite Corpora­ tion. I deal with anything that in­ SHEFFIELD: I'll give you a two- Dr. Sheffield's snow-bound Bethesda, part answer. I began to read it Maryland, home on 24 February 1979. volves a tough theoretical problem -- particularly in image processing. when I was in my teens, and I kept I'm a vice-president and stockhold­ on in a somewhat desultory and ran­ er -- my official title is Vice- dom fashion until around the middle President and Special Projects Group sixties, when I stopped reading it Director, but that's too long for completely. I didn't stop reading SFR: Why don't we begin with you because I was aware of the fact that telling us a bit about Charles any human, so it's just easier to say I'm a vice-president. anything was changing. I just Sheffield, your background, your found that I didn't seem to have academic training, your original in­ the interest in the field. terest in SF, and so on. SFR: You've told us about your scientific and technical background, SHEFFIELD: I was bom in England, but when did you first take an int­ raised in Yorkshire -- the East Rid­ erest in SF? Whom did you first ing of Yorkshire --a town called read? How did it relate to your Hull. I went to St. Johns College, scientific interests --or did it? Cambridge, as a State Scholar and a College Scholar, and I got a First SHEFFIELD: Well, I began to read Class Honors degree in mathematics it in the early fifties. I didn't --in Britain that includes applied begin to read a particular author. mathematics, which in this country It's my inpression that people who would probably only be taught as begin to read when they are young physics courses -- mechanics, elec­ are not author-specific. They tend tromagnetism, elasticity, aerodynam­ to prefer certain magazines, and ics, quantum theory, etc. (So, in much later begin to look at who's a sense, if you're a mathematician writing -- unless they really are in England, you're likely to be fond of a series character, and then much more of an applied mathemat­ they identify first with the char­ ician than you would be here. And acter and look for the guy who writ­ my tastes have always run that way, es the series. so I became a theoretical physicist. For example, Ron Hubbard writ­ But I didn't really do anything dif­ ing as Rene Lafayette or some such ferent; my interests continued to name, was writing the Doc Methuse­ be in mathematical applications.) lah stories. And I remember those As I went further into the nu­ and I remember looking for them. clear physics area, it became ap­ But, in general, I was not very aw­ parent to me that the problems I was are of authors. trying to solve -- large-scale sys­ tems of integral equations -- could SFR: What magazines were you read­ not be done analytically. It also ing? became clear that the computer re­ sources were far greater in this SHEFFIELD: I was reading AMAZING, country than they were in England. FANTASTIC, ASTOUNDING SF, GALAXY. Conducted By Kar! T. Pffock I strongly suspect, looking I don't know if I mentioned back and looking at the correlation this to you, but last year I wrote I can make with what was going on what I regarded as a science fiction in science fiction, that I had en­ story, and it was bought by ALFRED countered and been turned off by HITCHCOCK'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE (pub­ the New Wave. I didn't know any­ lished in June, 1979). And another thing about the New Wave until three story which I consider SF will be years ago. I just got less inter­ used by Terry Carr in his best fan­ ested. tasy of the year volume. I don't I remained off science fic­ draw the genre destinctions perhaps tion until '73, when I was on my as tightly as some people do. I way to Iran. I was in London, and just consider them stories. I was staying at someone's house, and I came across a copy of RING­ SFR: Could you tell us how you go WORLD. ' I read it. And I said, "Hey, about your writing -- your habits you know, someone's actually writing and the like? good stuffl I thought that had stop­ ped, that nobody was writing good SHEFFIELD: Certainly. My habit is stuff any more." So that's why Lar­ to plot it, and then do nothing for ry Niven, in a sense, bears the a while. Then I write it in first "blame" for me beginning to write draft, and again do nothing. And, science fiction. Because after that, finally, I write it up decently. I began to read it again. And I be­ The actual typing is a chore, and therefore, I put it off. came aware of the fact that not ev­ ing, fitting the ideas into a story, erything was RINGWORLD. I found that's a drag. Where do you stand? some awful stuff in print, and I SFR: You have been rather prolific. You have turned out more stories in thought, "God! This can get pub­ SHEFFIELD: Well, the material I the past cotpie of years than many lished. Surely I could write bet­ write is really mind games, and of the full-time writers. To what ter than this. Even if I can't, I that's the enjoyable piece. Nobody do you attribute this? You're very don't see how I could write worse I know actually likes typing; I don't busy in your "real" work. Why is stuff than this." like typing. And I don't really it that you write, and write so like the writing out. But I like much? SFR: seems to me that once upon the conceptual process. And it's a time, we were talking about how not really any different from the conceptual process in ordinary sci­ we had got started writing and you SHEFFIELD: It's very simple. I told me you had taken a crack at entific work. It's the same, except write because I enjoy it. And if that because you have less constr­ detective or mystery stories and you enjoy something, you tend to that they were lousy. Were those aints, it can be more fun. You can do it a lot. It's if you don't en­ take liberties with reality that you your first attempts at fiction, or joy it, if you think it's torture did you do other things before that, are obliged not to take in real sci­ or hard work, that you develop ence. But given that extra degree or were you writing these "in para­ blocks and can't write. If you llel" with SF, or did you make a of freedom, you do the same sort of really find it fun, then you write mind games and conceptual juggling. transition? for pleasure. If I didn't find it When you've done that, the rest is fun, then since I don't have any not very interesting -- for me. SHEFFIELD: I didn't really make a economic incentive to write, since transition. The first thing I tri­ Which suggests I'll never be a sty­ I don't need it to pay the rent, I'd list. ed to "write out" was a detective stop. Like a shot. story idea. It was, as you say, I've already accepted that. lousy. Before that, I had only writ­ On the other hand, if I write I don't think I'm blind to style, ten inside my head. too much technical material during but I'm not interested in style. the day at work (and I write a lot There's a difference. To me, a of it), I cannot get the interest SFR: Was this before you read RING­ story that is stylistically super­ WORLD? established to write at night. I ior but intellectually devoid of don't know why. It suggests that content is not worth reading. A SHEFFIELD: No, it was after RING­ there is a limit to the amount I story which has a lot of ideas but WORLD. The stimulus to write had can write per day, no matter what is badly written may be worth read­ it is, fact or fiction. So I get come from SF. The fact that I tried ing, but not as nice as it could be. to do something that looked like a very cramped on writing time, and that's why I always have a bunch The ideal story is one with great detective story was more or less an ideas expressed in a beautiful way. accident, or actually a parallel, of stories that are plotted but not yet written. You find one of those in a good year because my detective stories invar­ In other words, fancy work doesn't iably turn upon a scientific point. I don't consider that I write get very many brownie points from For instance, one that was much, but apparently some other me as a reader. I like to read rath­ later published involved the four- people write less. Because I very er directly written stories because color problem for map coloring. often have something I want to write I like to look at the inside of the Conversely, when I write science fie but can't get written; I usually author's head. And the inside of tion, there is often an element of feel I'm not writing as much as I his head is displayed by his think­ detective story, a mystery, in it. ought to. ing processes, and may be obscured I like to read both sorts, there­ by too much literary game-playing. fore, when I write, it often turns SFR: There are some writers "who out that both are in there. But I hate writing but enjoy having writ­ don't think I tried to write detec­ ten". There are those who say they SFR: Whom do you like to read, tive stories and then switched. I delight in playing around with the both inside SF and outside? And really regard what I write as influ­ ideas, but when it comes to the do­ which writers have influenced you enced by both sides. ll in your work? SHEFFIELD: Well, outside the field it all night long -- enthralled by SFR: Could you fill us in a bit -- first. The best writers, as writ­ it. So there are exceptions. SCME tell us how you found out about ers, are not in the SF field. For OF YOUR BLOOD -- I don't know where this extraordinary business, and so instance, I consider Kipling to be it fits; it's just a superior work on? unequaled as a short story writer. of fiction. It's even atypical As you know from reading that let­ Sturgeon. SHEFFIELD: Well, the first time I ter to Arthur Clarke, my theory is realized that Clarke and I had writ­ that hard SF writers in particular SFR: Is there any particular auth­ ten books with a very similar tech­ have a tremendous admiration for or, in or out of the field, who nological invention in them was when Kipling. And Clarke wrote back that has significantly influenced your Steve Brown, who runs the Moonstone his admiration for Kipling (as a work? I detect a strong "Niven- Book Cellar in Washington, said to writer) is unbounded --my view ex­ esque" feel -- especially in SIGHT me that Arthur Clarke had written actly. So Kipling is a very strong OF PROTEUS. Others have suggested this book with an Orbital Tower in influence. But I don't imitate him; Cordwainer Smith. it that sounded like my Beanstalk. I wouldn't know how to. I don't Steve had read "Skystalk", a story know how he did what he did, in SHEFFIELD: I think your feeling of mine which I had brought to the terms of structure and so on, but may have a bogus basis. The hero writers' club, "The Vicious Circle", he's a very dangerous person to try of SIGHT OF PROTEUS has the "same" in Washington. to imitate. As is Harlan Ellison, name as one of Niven's heros, though I said, "That's wild! I did by the way. There are many people it's a cheating form: Behrooz -- not know anybody else had written a who try to imitate Ellison and fall which is a common Persian name -- story on that". I had just sent the disastrously. Wolf. Abbreviated "Beh Wolf, and you've got, perhaps, Beowulf Shaef­ manuscript for THE WEB BETWEEN THE WORLDS off to Ace. Steve had a set Another influence, not relat­ fer. But the whole point of the Niv­ ed in any way to science fiction, en "influence" is that I like to of uncorrected galleys of Clarke's but someone who is just a superior read him -- and anybody you like to FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE, and I looked wordsmith and storyteller, is P.G. at this one evening at the writers' Wodehouse. Wodehouse is not easily imitatable either, although I have tried to imitate him. FfjSF will publish the result sometime this HE?! LIE’S I SOLID STATE year. s imul -AT"ions don T tilt r Within the field, I'm rather predictable. I like the hard SF writers. Of the past, such as Mur­ ray Leinster and Eric Frank Russell, and, of course, the still-living group of that generation: Heinlein and --a bit younger -- Clarke and Asimov, and -- younger yet -- Ander­ son. And then there's the new gen­ eration, which began for me with Niven and includes such people as Joe Haldeman, John Varley and Joan Vinge and -- although he's in a sone- what different group and has two different styles of writing -- Greg Benford. I think he is someone who has all the qualifications to be a read you will read, and consciously group. It was obvious that there hard science fiction writer, but who or unconsciously, you will pick up was a lot of overlap. So I sent a has decided that most of the satis­ influences. But I made no conscious copy of THE WEB BETWEEN THE WORLDS faction comes from blending that effort to emulate Niven, or anyone. to Clarke, saying I had just looked with literary forms -- and that's a at THE FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE and From a background point of very difficult thing to do. He's was startled by it, and if he skim­ view, you would expect many assoc­ still experimenting. med through my manuscript, I thought iations with Clarke, and I find he'd see why. Of course, he might disagree that I have them. Clarke is Brit­ with me. I think that he has more ish but has been for a number of He wrote back, and said he potential than anybody else I know years expatriate British -- as I am, was fascinated but wasn't particul­ for that blending, because he has I sippose -- and was science-educat­ arly surprised because, as he knew more of the science side and more ed, as I was -- he went to King's and I knew, the idea of the Bean­ of the interest in the writing side. College, London, and took First stalk (as J call it), the Orbital Class Honors in math and physics. Tower (as he and Pearson call it), Those are the people I like And he was chairman of the British or the Skyhook (as Isaac's et al. reading or some of them. And, ob­ Interplanetary Society, and I'm called it), had been around fora viously, by looking at the people president of the American Astronaut- long time. And it was curious that I've left out, I'm not much turned ical Society ... And, as you know, no one had used it as a central idea on by either inaccurate science or we have just written two books with in a story. fantasy, though there are exceptions a series of strange coincidences to the last. Then there are works Clarke wrote to his English between them beyond just the centr­ I can't classify. You remember SOME and American publishers and also to al device of the plot -- including OF YOUR BLOOD? Theodore Sturgeon? the SFWA BULLETIN pointing out that the naming of the characters, the there were these strange coincidenc­ naming of subsidiary devices, and es. And I wrote to the BULLETIN SFR: Yes. even some of the ways in which we and SFR, saying that there were ad­ avoid being specific on issues. SHEFFIELD: I remember being given ditional coincidences, pointing out that in New York City and reading 12 some further peculiarities of the Beanstalk, and so on. outward force, from centrifugal ac­ would develop in a thin cable would be intolerably large, unless you And then I sent Clarke my art­ celerations, and the parts below were to do a successive set of boot­ icle that I wrote for DESTINIES, geosynchronous height "feel" a net downward force, because there grav­ strap operations. So I didn't go "How to Build a Beanstalk". And for that. But I should really go you just saw his letter that came to ity force exceeds centrifugal forc­ es. The two most just balance so back and redo the calculations and me yesterday, saying that he was see if they still come out that way. giving a paper to the International the whole assembly can hang there Astronautical Federation in Munich in equilibrium. Before it can carry in September, on Skyhooks or Orbit­ weights up and down, and serve as al Towers or Beanstalks -- and he the load cable for a space-going ele­ SFR: I gather from our discussions proposed to "plagiarize extensively" vator, you need to tether it at the over a period of many moons, that -- (his phrasiology) -- "with acknow­ bottom end and put a ballast weight you weren't aware of the existence ledgments". out at the far end. The assembly of science fiction fandom until aft­ rotates with the Earth, like a very er you had become a writer, that So the whole thing has been in long flagpole, except that all the your introduction to fandom was just the air. And the technical simil­ forces on it are tensions, not com­ a couple of years ago at Disclave. arity is explainable. But less ex­ pressions . What are your impressions of this plainable, to me, is the fact that hardcore of science fiction "fana­ our central characters are both To build one, you need very tics”? builders of the world's longest strong and light material, and you bridge. And he explicitly, and for need to do the construction from no real reason introduces the nine­ space. You could never build one teenth century English engineer Is- by starting at the bottom and build­ ambard Kingdom Brunel into his sto­ ing upwards because the material ry. My chief engineer, Regulo, the would buckle -- you have to keep it old man in the story, is very much in tension all the way. My guess is modeled on Brunel -- I had him in that we will build one within the mind when I was writing. But there next century, unless we have a war is no way anyone could have known or do something else that makes all that, because it is nowhere in the forecasts ridiculous. book --it was only in my head. The whole point is that, once It looks as if it is just a you have this thing in existence, curious confluence of ideas and you don't need reaction mass to get background which has led to books to orbit. You climb the cable, or with similar ideas being written by send cargo or people back down the the two of us. cable, and you use electrical energy with a linear synchronous motor to SFR: Aren't there some other odd drive the materials up and down. coincidences? There's no reaction mass involved, and you're not polluting the Earth's SHEFFIELD: Yeah. There is the cur­ atmosphere with burning chemicals iosity of names. The hero of Clarke's or with nuclear propellants or with book is called Morgan; the hero of anything else. You don't even need mine is called Merlin. We both use "extra" energy because equal masses a gadget called a Spider. We both going up and coming down energetical­ use doped elements as construction ly balance. The lift potential is materials. huge, compared to any system of rock­ But just the same, the books ets you can think of. are still very different. As he So it's a nice idea, but said, "Yours is too melodramatic building it involves practical prob- for my taste", and "has too many id­ ■ lems. Clarke and I disagree about eas" -- which he also said is a rare how we'd like to build it. I fly fault these days. His book is much mine in from L-4, and swoop down to cooler, more understated and philo­ a tether point -- and that is a sophical in tone. somewhat spectacular technique. He builds his by construction upwards They're very different -- yet and downwards simultaneously from they do have this set of curious geosynchronous height, which I don't similarities. As I said in a letter like because it inplies that there to him, one of the reasons I didn't are real stable points in the grav­ enjoy his book even more than I did itational field independent of dis­ SHEFFIELD: You're quite right. My was because every few pages I kept tance from the Earth. That's not first story was published in April, having to stop and say, "Now, he true; they're a function of distance. 1977. And my first exposure to did it that way, and I did it this Which means as you build the cable, real fandom was in May of '77 when way". Or, "We both did it this unless you've already tethered it I went to Disclave. way". by some method, the thing "drifts" When I began to write, I join­ up at 36,000 kilometers. SFR: So just what is a Beanstalk ed Science Fiction Writers of Amer­ -- or an Orbital Tower -- or a Sky­ Clarke solved that problem by ica, and I noticed that one of the hook? Take your pick. first flying down a thin cable; he officers was Tom Monteleone, who is bootstraps it. And that's a legit­ in the Washington area. I wrote him SHEFFIELD: It's a long cable -- imate way of doing it. But my cal­ a letter, and said, "I'm interested very long -- that extends upward culations on the bootstrap operation in writing, but I don't know any­ from the Earth's equator for about suggested that the stresses that thing about it. Is there any group 150,000 kilometers. The parts above that gets together periodically in geosynchronous height "feel” a net 13 the Washington area, where I could come along and talk about how you way to approach the writing process, that too proves nothing. Writers do it and where you sell the stuff? in terms of selling. are individuals, and saying, "This And he introduced me to Dave Bisch­ is the right way to write it” is The third one is an analytical off and the rest of "The Vicious ridiculous. There's no royal road discussion of a concept that seems Circle", and most of them were long­ to science fiction writing any more to be unique to science fiction -- time fans. And that's how I first than there is to geometry. There that the field is a ghetto. I have learned that fandom existed. In are as many ways as there are not given that one to Doug, so he fact, one of the first things they people. But I wrote about what I doesn't yet know what he's getting. asked me was, "Have you published?" thought worked for me. But what he'll get is, first, a And I said, "Yes". And they said, discussion of the ghetto that sep­ "Fanzine or prozine?" I didn't know SFR: Okay, how do you write? arates the fan writer from the pro­ what they were talking about. I'm fessional science fiction writer, not sure I do even now, because I've which I attempt to dispose of and SHEFFIELD: In ordinary life, we been struggling to define profes­ are like an oyster. We sit there prove that it's an illusion. Second, sional...... and idea particles float past us. the ghetto that separates the sci­ There's a constant stream of them. I clearly am not a science ence fiction writer from the main­ And, depending on how many you fiction professional; I'm an ama­ stream writer, which I attempt to catch, you can either write lots of teur, in all senses of the word. prove is also an illusion. And science fiction or little of it. I'm an amateur because I like it -- third, the ghetto that separates which is what amateur means -- and the science fiction writer from the The efficient oyster in the because I get only a very small scientist, which I attempt to prove science fiction business is one to fraction of my livelihood from writ­ is not illusion. It's real. Al­ whom all the strange particles that ing. though people have successfully made come past represent nuclei for pearls the transition from practicing sci­ for ideas, for stories. And I find So in most fields, I would be entist to science fiction writer, I have many more of those than I considered an amateur. In science no one has ever made a name for can ever write. So the problem is fiction, for some reason, I'm defin­ himself in science fiction and then to sort out the good ones from the ed as a professional because I'm gone on, on the strength of his sci­ indifferent, bizarre, poor ones, and paid for what I write. But to me, ence fiction ideas, to make the then find time to do something with a professional in a field is some­ transition to acceptability in sci­ them. one who earns his living doing it. entific circles. And if I take that definition, about The biggest constraint on me 90% of the people who write science It's a one-way membrane. is the simple one of time. I write, fiction disappear. You can pass from science to science I don't know, 10,000 words a month, fiction, and you don't suffer any but not more than that, because I SFR: You seem now to have jumped problems. But you cannot gain ac­ don't have the time to do it -- the into fandom. You're writing a reg­ ceptability trying to pass from sci­ thinking time or the typing time, ular column for Doug Fratz' THRUST, ence fiction to science. both of which are constraints. and in the course of doing so, you So what I do is, I come across have stirred up a bit of a contro­ So that is roughly what I do an idea I think is nice, and then versy with Harlan Ellison, who is, in THRUST. I can suggest ideas, or the transition to a story idea is quote, not a science fiction writ­ perspectives, that are still embry­ very quick. In other words, the er; I don't write that stuff, un­ onic in me. I do it for fun. The idea almost comes with a story at­ quote. What prompts you to do this, whole Harlan Ellison thing was fun. tached. So I find the conceptual in addition to writing your SF? I don't know if he thought it was, but I know it was for me. And, as I side of writing rather easy. Writ­ said earlier, if I didn't think writ­ ing it out is another matter. SHEFFIELD: I could say they're an outlet for the Mr. Hyde in me. They ing was fun, I wouldn't do it. The Of course, the stories may be are that, but if you read the columns THRUST columns are interesting and rotten, but that's for the judgment in THRUST, you'll also find that fairly logical, but they're still of the editor and the reader. It's they're peculiar, in my opinion, for usually, a little tongue-in-cheek. not my problem. If I've got what a fan magazine. Because each one For instance, I don't believe that I think is a nice idea, and I write is an attempt at an analytical pro­ anybody who wants to write has to it, and I like it, then whether or cess applied to some phase of sci­ do it the way I say to do it in not it sells is a different ques­ ence fiction. I'm appalled at what THRUST. If somebody tries to do it tion. passes for logic in SF discussions. the way I say, and fails miserably, There are ideas all over the place. I think any science fiction The first column (after the writer will find more ideas around Ellison open letter you mentioned) than he or she can ever write. offered my definition of the easiest The trick is, to combine the idea way to become a published science with a story that holds up as a fiction author. That roused lots story --a process that I'm just be­ of controversy. I could say it ginning to learn. I'm still in a works, but the only way I can show learning mode as a writer, and I'm it works would be to say, "I do it strongly idea-oriented, which makes like this and get published". But it harder to write well. that's meaningless, a single ins­ tance that proves nothing. However SFR: I recall listening to a dis­ it was an attempt at an analytical cussion between you and Jack Halde­ procedure applied to writers and man at Disclave '78. You were talk­ writing. ing about the matter of rewriting, The next one was a discussion polishing, etc. Jack was arguing of what I felt to be the main dif­ in favor of such, and you were say­ ference between "hard" science fic­ ing that you do little rewriting tion and other science fiction. It and polishing. You said that when included a discussion of the right 14 you've gotten a story in "satisfac­ tory shape" you ship if off, wait # LETTER FROM JOHN T. SAPIENZA,JR. for reader response, and take that 2440 Virginia Avenue, N.W into consideration when you sit Apartment #D-203 down to work on future stories. Washington D.C. 20037 Jack seemed a bit stunned, and said 6 August 1979 he thought the approach "unique". 'On your formula to return rights SHEFFIELD: I think my position not to authors/artists whose material you at all unique. What I said was, copyright in SFR, I wonder whether "Write it until you think it's reas­ you have given away too much by onable and send it out". If you do your new language? You really don't anything else, you assume that you want one-time use rights, since you are smarter than the world of edit­ also want the right to reprint old ors and the world of readers -- issues when they go out of print. that you really have an infallible, This may require further thinking. perfect method of evaluating your own stories. I certainly know I 'I have an interest in this prob­ don't have that now, and I very much lem, myself, although I don't have suspect I never will. a solution to it since I don't know much about copyright law, and I In other words, the thing that have had articles reprinted from is going to make me inprove at writ­ an attempt to protect the fragile fanzines in DIFFERENT WORLDS, a role­ ing is not rewriting ten times, ego of the writer. playing gaming magazine published by it's incorporating into my story The Chaosium. They have a policy the meat of the comments made by ed­ CONTINUED NEXT ISSUE similar to yours about returning itors, reviewers, and readers about rights to authors, but haven't found my last story. I don't consider any magic language for this, either.' that useful criticism can be total­ ly internally derived; outside re­ view is absolutely essential. ALIEN THOUGHTS CONT. FROM P. 9 ((I used to reprint the mimeographed One of Heinlein's laws is editions of THE ALIEN CRITIC, but "Don't rewrite except to editorial since turning to offset have made request". It's as valid now as when 8-25-79 The United States Copy­ the initial printing' large enough he first said it. I quoted in THRUST right Office has apparently decid­ to avoid the necessity of a reprint the example of Fitzgerald, who trans­ ed to change its rules a bit. You edition. Too, my basemant is get­ lated the RUBAIYAT of Omar Khayyam may remember that I sent in a copy­ ting too crowded with back issue at least four times. In the opinion right form (with the $10 deposit) boxes. More I don’t need!)) of people who are specialists in with two copies of CANNED NEAT, and such things, the first one is gener­ I attempted to use the form to copy­ ally considered to be the best. right the text in my name and the And the point I made in THRUST was, three interior illustrations and if you write it ten times, and you cover art in the name of Bruce Conk­ send it out and it sells, how do you lin, the artist. 9-5-79 WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! know that it wasn't better on the I got a call from one of the SFR won the Hugo! fourth iteration, or the third iter­ Copyright examiners and she said "Down Geis, down! A man of ation, or the seventh iteration? they were having enormous problems your advancing years should be more with the new forms: people could­ sedate, more mature, more ho-hum You have to rely on someone n't understand the "enployer for else's judgment to tell you when a about this." hire" terminology, tried to do Alter! how did you get in here? story should be changed. There's things with the form not intended, "I have little teeny tiny ten­ a Kipling anecdote here. (I don't etc. They were, she said, re­ drils wormed into—" consider that what applies to Kip­ thinking the whole structure of the *Shudder* ling must apply to me; I tell this new forms and the phrasing. She "—every comer of your brain. only because it's interesting about said I would have to make two ap- I know everything that goes on in Kipling.) Once, when Kipling had lications of Copyright to cover the your life, Geis. All the incredibly finished a story, he went to his text of CANNED MEAT and the art­ father and said, "I've finished". venal, self-serving, malicious work. She said she'd send approp­ thoughts... All the sloppy mistak­ And his father said, "Did you finish riate forms and a letter. es, all the erotic—" or did it finish?" And Kipling said, Time passed. And passed. That's enough! Now I suppose "It finished." Now that's all right Then, a few days ago, lol the for Kipling who was a genius; it's you'll want to share the glory and approved Certificate of Copyright congratulations for my having won not all right for me. I never know I had sent in was mailed to me; the Best Fanzine Hugo, hah? whether I'm finished or not. The dated, numbered and with embossed editors will tell me if it's utter "Look, idiot, all the subscrib­ seal. ers and the bookstore buyers...all rubbish and should be burned or Bruce has copyright of his the contributors...everyone knows whether it's great and should be CANNED MEAT art in his own name. published. I'm the spark, the added sauce, So, with this precedent, maybe the flare of talent that makes SFR some of you other small press pub­ So I don't believe in numer­ (and your writing) so nuch liked. lishers can also copyright an art­ ous rewrites. I believe that, if OF COURSE I share the glory and you have limited time to write -- ist's work in a book in his name, praise! Without me, Geis, you'd be and I have very limited writing on the same form as the book's just another also-ran fanzine edit­ time -- the only way you get any­ text. Might save some money. or. And without me to zing approp­ The registration number for thing written is by writing it as riate words and phrases into your best you can and then sending it CANNED MEAT is TX 302-353, if you chocolate pudding frontal lobes need to send along a reference #. out. Excessive polishing is a way you'd be a dull-as-dishwater writer of avoiding rejection slips; it's 15 of reviews, editorials, cornnentary turning good for evil, I would like to thank you for this award on behalf of a man whom I have always admired, although not very much. However, I must say that I enjoy the hell out of his maga­ THE ALTtR zine ." EQO, A^C. 'Silverberg, next on the platform, NOW <-ET got someone to take physical posses­ NE IN. sion of the award and promise to de­ liver it to you in Oregon; I hope it has made its way to you by now.' ((Yes, thank you for the accept­ ance in my stead, and for the kind words. We're really in trouble, though, if there is ever a Hugo for Best Reviewer and 1 happen to win.))

Now on to the meat and potatoes. and fiction. You'd be nothing news. And John Andrews called to without me, Geis!" let me know he had The Precious 1979 Results of the Hugo Awards, the Christ! Talk about me being Phallic Symbol, and quick as Paulet­ John W. Campbell Award, and the Gan­ egotistic! Alter— te’s Torino could get us there, I dalf Awards. "And I'm sick and tired of all was knocking on his door. I thank these Hugo nominations being made him very much for the transporting Best Novel: 1064 yotes Winner: DREAMSNAKE by Vonda McIntyre. in your name! I call for equal of the Award. I did not ask how he "pay" for equal work or talent! explained it to the airport guards 2nd: THE WHITE DRAGON by Anne Mc­ Fair play for Alter-Egos! I lust when its metal shaft set off the Caffrey. 3rd: THE FADED SUN: KESRITH by C. for recognition where it counts! I metal detectors....)) want my name on a Hugo! I want my J. Cherryh. 'I enclose a "Hugo loser's" name on the masthead! I want my (Note: UP THE WALLS OF THE WORLD by certificate which states that you James Tiptree, Jr. was withdrawn by tendrils to stroke the lush flesh were also nominated for best fan of—" the author after the ballot forms writer (these certificates were a had been sent out.) STOP RIGHT THERE, alien! There little idea of Pete Weston's). are limits! Now, back into the hind­ Best Novella: 1012 votes brain where you belong! Back! 'Best wishes, Winner: "The Persistence of Vision" Down! Begone! Abra-cadabra hutsut David Pringle ralston on the rillerah.... (How by John Varley. (in his capacity as Hugo Administra­ 2nd: "Fireship" by Joan D. Vinge. does the rest of that exorcism go?) tor for Seacon, *79)' 3rd: "The Watched" by Christopher "With a brawla brawla sewit, Priest. Geis. Don't bother. I'll withdraw. (Yes, thank you again. The cer­ But I'll be back! We've got that tificate is handsome, impressive, reviewing job for GALAXY, remember? and an Award in itself. The letter Best Novelette: 976 votes Winner: "Hunter's Moon" by Poul Anyway, all your caterwalling and from Fred Pohl below gives a more carrying on makes my tendrils ache. complete recounting of the Hugo’s Anderson. See you, Clyde." hands-changing at the award banquet. 2nd: "Mikal's Songbird" by Orson I had asked a prominent British fan Scott Card. Is he gone? .... Yes! Now I to accept for me if I won, but he 3rd: "The Man Who Had No Idea" can get on with the business of re­ was apparently not there, forgot, by Thomas M. Disch. porting and commenting on the Hugo or something. I told the Seacon winners as listed below. Committee he was the one to accept, Best Short Story: 978 votes but first a letter from David but maybe they forgot, too, or mis­ Winner: "Cassandra" by C.J. Cherryh. Pringle, Hugo Administrator for placed the information... Whatever, 2nd: "Count the Clock That Tells Seacon '79. all's well. )) the Time" by Harlan Ellison. 3rd: "View From a Height" by Joan D. Vinge. 30th August 1979 LETTER FROM FREDERIK POHL 29 August 1979 'Dear Dick, As you've probably heard 'As you probably know by now, you by now from other sources, you won won the Best Fanzine Hugo at Seacon one Hugo and lost the other (full the other day. You may not know that results and runners up on the en­ I accepted the award for you. Char­ closed sheet). Congratulations and lie Brown, presenting, tried to get commiserations. Bob Shaw to accept it, then Bob Silv­ Fred Pohl accepted your Hugo for erberg, then called for volunteers, best fanzine and then passed it on all with no luck, then he drafted me. to a guy from Portlan d who promised 'Since I had no set speech prepared, to deliver it safely to you. He is I said what first came into my mind. John C. Andrews of 901 SW King Av., Someone taped it, and I copied it Where does Geis get off #401, Portland, OR 97205. I hope he down, and here it is: calling his Alter dialogues gets it to you soon. He seemed trust­ "Geis recently reviewed a novel worthy enough.' of mine by saying the last chapt­ space wasters just (Yes, Elton Elliott called with er made him want to throw up. Re- because they have a the news, and then Alexis Gilliland high muzzle velocity? called, back from the con, with the 16 Best Dramatic Presentation: 1079 v. Winner: SUPERMAN. 2nd: HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. 3rd: WATERSHIP DOWN.

Best Professional Editor: 1052 votes Winner: Ben Bova 2nd: Edward L. Ferman. 3rd: George Scithers.

Best Professional Artist: 989 votes Winner: Vincent Di Fate. 2nd: Michael Whelan. 3rd: Boris Vallejo.

Best Fanzine: 848 votes Winner: SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW (Rich­ ard E. Geis). 2nd: MAYA (Rob Jackson). 3rd: NO AWARD

Best Fan Writer: 848 votes Winner: Bob Shaw. 2nd: Richard E. Geis. 3rd: NO AWARD REG CCM1ENT: I am very happy to is a dead letter. In fact, if this have won another Hugo, of course. keeps up there may soon be charges Best Fan Artist: 870 votes Science fiction and fandom been of a women's voting bloc. We'll see Winner: Bill Rotsler. very, very good to me. I want to what happens in the awards the next 2nd: Jim Barker. thank all those who nominated and few years. 3rd: Alexis Gilliland. voted for me— I'm happy Bill Rotsler won anoth­ "And Alter! Don't forget—" er Hugo as Best Fan Artist; he's been —and who have helped me and a long time earning these. SFR in many other ways. Science One of these years Steve Fabian fiction and fandom been very, very will win a justly deserved Hugo for good to me. Best Pro Artist, and Alexis Gilli­ JOHN W. CAMPBELL AWARD FOR BEST NEW "I've been good to you, too, land will get one for Best Fan Art­ WRITER 892 votes Geis, but you never thank me!" ist. I'll keep nominating them and Winner: Stephen R. Donaldson. I will ignore that strange voting for them. 2nd: James P. Hogan. voice. It doesn't exist. I want 3rd: Elizabeth A. Lynn. to thank— "Glory hog! Where would you be without my intercession with the GANDALF AWARD FOR GRAND MASTER OF Devil? You made a stupid deal with FANTASY 1059 votes him some years ago—your immortal # CARD FROM MIKE GLICKSOHN Winner: Ursula K. Le Guin. soul in exchange for ten Hugo Awards 2nd: Roger Zelazny. 141 High Park Avenue — and if it hadn't been for me Toronto, Ont., M6P 2S3, Canada 3rd: Ray Bradbury. stepping in and renegotiating the contract, you'd be serving endless 'Just a postcard to thank you time in The Pit right now!" for the steady stream of superior GANDALF AWARD FOR BEST BOOK-LENGTH *Sigh* Alter, I would have been WORK OF FANTASY 945 votes magazines you are kind enough to able to wriggle out of that contract keep sending my way with only an oc­ Winner: THE WHITE DRAGON by Anne by myself! All you did was sign me McCaffrey. casional slim XENIUM by way of res­ up for five more Hugos. Then I'm ponse . I did want you to know that 2nd: THE COURTS OF CHAOS by Roger in the sulphuric soup! Zelazny. I read through every issue and while "He was about to yank you! I I may skim over some of the reviews 3rd: SAINT CAMBER by Katherine had to act fast or see my Host's Kurtz. and interviews, I always read your body dead and his soul roasting on own comments and most of the let­ (Note: Michael Moorcock withdrew his the fire. Don't give me that shit ters. #26 is another fine issue, name and his novel, GLORIANA, from about—" the second installment of OIM being consideration for the Gandalf Awards This arguing is embarrassing! a highlight of the issue. And if after the ballot forms had been Now shut up and let me get on with your usual massive influence on the printed.) this! Hugo awards can be used to gain a "Yeah, yeah, any excuse to shut statue for Alexis Gilliland -- whose me up and put me off for a while work actually illuminates your maga­ longer. The time will come, Geis—" zine — I know a lot of people who'd Assistance in the counting of SHUT UP! cheer rather loudly. *Grumble, grumble, grouse, grump* the ballots for the Gandalf Awards 'One other thing: How did James was given by Mike Dickson, Kate Jeary, Now...oh, yes, the commentary. McQuade, a fan' I have never to my Simon Ounsly and Phil Stephensen- It strikes me that the novel knowledge met, draw such an accur­ Payne. Special thanks to Adrian sweep by women writers and the near­ ate picture of me on page 9? Can I Smith for hank-making the oak award­ dominance in the other fiction cat­ sue for defamation of character or plinths, and to Dave Langford for egories suggests that the charge of something? Once again, many thanks being generally invaluable...... male chauvinism in s-f and fandom for SFR; it's one hell of a fine David Pringle. 17 magazine.' ((Ha! Would that I did have massive down Conan, Lord of Miniadoc, who influence on the Hugo voting. Alas, might have been a near-contemporary the patterns are beyond control; the of King Arthur. At least that's voters are too individualistic, hon­ what Thomas Bullfinch suggests in est, opinionated, etc. to manipulate. THE AGE OF CHIVALRY (Mentor paper­ That's what makes the Hugoes the best back, Page 62, Chapter II,"The Myth­ award.)) ical History of. England"). Accord­ ing to Bulfinch, "The next event of note is the conquest and coloniza­ tion of Armorica by Maximus, a Ro­ # LETTER FROM SIMON GREEN man general, and Conan, Lord of Min­ July 8, 1979 iadoc, or Denbigh-land, in Wales." 'This Conan was probably a gen­ 'With regard to SFR #31, I'm If I wrote sf porn, eration or two before Arthur, which sorry to hear you've gone back to I don’t know how I would put him around A.D. 400 to quarterly, but glad to hear Alter 450 and five or six hundred years has made a come back. SFR without could face myself. earlier than the nest Hoskins sites Alter would be like an egg without in his letter. Maybe it isn't a salt. family tree -- maybe it's the im­ 'I'm also glad to hear you're mortal Conan...' getting into more writing. In case you didn't know it, you've got quite # LETTER FROM RICK NORWOOD ((If that’s true it raises the ques­ a following over here in Britain, Box 51576, Lafayette, LA, 70505 tion: where is Conan today? I'll ever since ONE IMMORTAL MAN first May 16, 1979 answer: he 's probably playing pro appeared in ANDROMEDA 2. Copies of football under an dssumed name.)) SFR containing the expanded version 'A while back Ted White was fus­ have been passing hands at quite sing about ACE leaving the magazine exorbitant rates, I understand. publication credits off a book. This time they have left out some­ 'Hopefully, now that SFR is go­ thing more important: an author's # CARD FROM JEFF FRANE ing back to quarterly, we'll be name. They list FOUR-DAY PLANET and POB 2293, Berkeley, CA, 94702 seeing more GEIS in future, as of LONE STAR PLANET as by H. Beam Pip­ 23 August 1979 late your presence has come danger­ er, but the latter story is a re­ ously close to being swamped under titling of A PLANET FOR TEXANS by 'I will probably continue to the sheer mass of reviews by Various Piper and J.J. McGuire. McGuire's dislike Schweitzer's reviews, but Others, news by Others Various, and name does not appear anywhere on at least ask him to get his facts letters by the barrel load. Dammit, the recent reprint. Poor McGuire! straight on the books he's read. Dick, it's your reviews and opinions Even THE SCIENCE FICTION AND HEROIC Kate Wilhelm's story "Moongate" that make SFR so fascinating, good FANTASY AUTHOR INDEX, which lists (ORBIT 20) takes place in Eastern though the others are.' McGuire under the H. Beam Piper Oregon, not "the deserts of the listing, forgets to credit him in southwestern U.S.", Which Schweit­ ((That's interesting, about ONE IM­ the co-author index. He also wrote zer says she describes so well.- CRISIS IN 2140 with Piper. Both MORTAL MAN. The issues it appeared 'Now, if he'd really read the are good stories. in----SFR #26-27-28---- are still avail­ story, he'd know that, wouldn't able for US$1.25 each, by mail, from 'There is a precedent for this, he?' here. I guess. When was the last time ((OIM is beginning to gather an you saw A SKYLARK OF SPACE with Lee underground following. As to its Hawkins Garby's name on it? It is overground attempts to find a front­ one of the ills of our age: If you # LETTER FROM GENE WOLFE line publisher.. . So far Berkley, aren't famous, you don't exist.' Box 69, Barrington, IL, 60010 Ace, Dell, Donning, and DAW have de­ August 18, 1979 clined my offer to let them make' me (and themselves) rich by .publishing ((Isn't it the truth? Of course 'I have not by any means finish­ it in the USA. Not much feedback: "famous" is relative. Just the ed your #32, but I wanted to write one editor said it was pornographic, other day I got mad at a guy in a you now to thank you for publishing and another said it was too visceral. supermarket and shouted, "I'll re­ Darrell Schweitzer's review of ORB­ port you to H. Beam Piper!" and he Next stop: Playboy Press.)) IT 20 and to congratulate you on said, "Who?")) getting that Vic Kostrikin piece on page 16. 'I haven't felt that way since UPDATE 9-11-79------I used to read WEIRD TALES. Wonder­ Hank Stine, editor of GAL­ ful.' AXY, called today to say he is # LETTER FROM NEAL WILGUS putting together his fourth is­ Box 25771 O'PyvOtKM sue (since taking over as edit­ Albuquerque, NM 87125 or) and, when I asked if he August 16, 1979 needed another column of my (and Alter's) book reviews, 'Anyone interested in working said, yes, it would be a good on that Masters thesis on the Conan idea to start writing it. linkage suggested in your response to Robert Hoskins' letter in SFR #32 (Page 31) would do well to track

18 ALIEN THOUGHTS CONT. P. 23 HE HEARS.... Reviews By Steven E. McDonald

Ferry's "In Every Dreamhome a Heart­ ache" had arrived: "I blew up your body ... but you blew my mind". WAR OF THE WORLDS Jeff Wayne, ne'er mind his leg­ Plastic, perfect and programmable: By Jeff Wayne, et al ion of talent, doesn't have the The perfect sex object of the sci­ CBS/Columbia Records double album ability to pull it off. From begin­ ence age, a modern Barbarella. ning to end, this entire expensive production, whose lyrics have lit­ Several albums later, ONCE UP­ tle to do with WAR OF THE WORLDS, ON A TIME, remarkable in the fact What they do to Herbert George that producer and artist have some­ -- well, it's criminal. has all the impact of a wet piece of toast. Lots of weary synthesiz­ how taken the Cinderella myth (fag- Several years ago, one Rick ers and nice voices and ... well, end turns into Princess) and fed it Wakeman, late of the macrobiotic even disco is preferable to this through the images of Metropolis rock band, yes, came up with the turkey. and several other dystopias, suc­ idea of doing a full-blown produc­ ceeding remarkably well. As it tion of Jules Verne's JOURNEY TO Strictly for fans of the LOG­ stands, only the final side is real­ TliE CENTER OF THE EARTH, writing AN'S RUN TV series. ly a let-down --a return to for rock band, orchestra and chorus. straight romanticism, complete with The result, recorded live, was quite lovey-dovey cliches (required, I spectacular, and was a well-deserv­ suppose by the Cinderella section ed success. Wakeman, encouraged by of the story). . The opening side is this, went on to do THE MYTHS AND entirely remarkable: Each track LEGENDS OF KING ARTHUR AND THE cuts directly into the next, with KNIGITS OF THE ROUND TABLE, which no slackening of pace, with several accentuated all his worst failings changes of tone; from out-and-out despair through horror (a surpris­ --it was as overblown as the title ONCE UPON A TIME ingly brilliant track called "Fast­ was long. It was also a success. By Donna Summer er and Faster to Nowhere" that is Casablanca double album Hence, WAR OF THE WORLDS. I'm chilling), through dream through to not against concepts per se, even rebuke. The second side is almost Cinderella meets Metropolis. concepts based around well-known entirely electronic, making use of classic books. A great deal of Once upon a time, there was el- several SF images in both music and classical music has been inspired ectrofuck, and Donna Summer was the lyrics. The third side is notable by great works of literature, or chief exponent: Seventeen minutes for two tracks: "Sweet Romance", well-known myths -- SCHEHERAZADE, of orchestrated groaning over a which may or may not be the heroine for example, or Tschaikowsky's ROM­ steady four-four thump, hiding under discussing her sex life with a com­ EO AND JULIET. And the abovenoted the title of "Love to Love You, Ba­ puter, and "Dance-Into My Life", rock production by Wakeman. by". A minor event in music: Un­ which unleashes all the electronics: Unfortunately, a grandiose con­ fortunate only in the fact that All of the backing vocals are elec­ cept requires the ability to write after six or seven plays it got bor­ tronic, computer-voices, and taken grandiose music to suit the theme ing, and* offbase in that it was mis­ in the correct mood, it comes out -- or, at least, the ability to fake sing only whips and chains: It as a chilling display of what most it ver)7 well. Ask John Williams sounded more like torture than or­ modem discos are about --in es­ about STAR WARS. gasm. It was a great hit. ' Bryan sence, a very subtle attack on the very format it uses. A pretty worthy attempt at mak­ ing something out of disco; given slightly more determination, it could have been something of a maj- or classic. Casablanca, for all their involvement with Kiss and the sickly pyrotechnics of same, have been behind some interesting produc­ tions: Amongst the more notable being the maniacal productions of George Clinton, and his various friends (who make up the singular Parliament-Funkadelic-Bootsy's Rub­ ber Band-Parlet-Brides of Funken- stein complexity which is beyond sane explanation: It's one band, you see, and nobody knows who's really in it and -- ) Unfortunate­ ly, the artist has gone after Diana Ross' territory; whether or not the production team (German, of course) involved will go on in this area, no one can predict; just hope. A * A A * * * A * * * A -it * 1t AA A A A * * * A it * ft * * A A * A * * * 19 AND THEN I SAW....

BY THE EDITOR

SCREAMS OF A WINTER NIGHT (pg) is a cheapo, clumsy attempt at fright. It involv­ es five couples staying a night in an old cabin in a "haunted" Louisiana erated and contrived as night comes forest. They tell each other terror and the killer goes about his bloody stories (which are shown) and suffer business. In the end he is himself the dumb scare jokes of their host. stabbed several times by one of the In the end the legendary spirit of girls (the survivor) and takes five the forest, resenting their intrus­ slugs from the doctor's big, heavy ion, kills them with wind, fire and caliber revolver...yet seems to Superman does all of the above flying objects in the cabin, and disappear after falling from a second fabulous feats on Earth in the cli­ a freeze-frame ending suggests the floor window. The good doctor had max of the film, to save luscious fleeing survivors are about to meet repeated that "This is not a man." Lois Lane. Margot Kidder, I think, an even more terrible fate. and so on. And apparently we are was too much woman to play the part. The acting, by unknowns, is to conclude this "creature" is an Gene Hackman as evil Lex Luthor pathetic to adequate. instrument of the devil. Well.... was fine if ridiculous. It's a dumb movie. Don't see The producers and director and script Glenn Ford is too big a name for it under any circumstances. writer tried to touch one too many the role of Pa Kent. He had to have bases. been used for Name Value. A fair horror film. Marlon Brando as Superman's real BEYOND ATLANTIS (pg) father on Krypton played it straight was made by the same and as well as he could, given the production company (Dimension Pic­ THE BROOD (r) lines and the situations. tures) as SCREAMS OF A WINTER NICUT. has a touch of class and Krypton is intriguing but a nice Both are criminally bad movies, innovation as well as good acting by Oliver Reed, Samantha Eggar and Art place to visit only; too white and though SCREAMS might be classed as sterile and "cold". a misdemeanor. BEYOND ATLANTIS is Hindle. I sensed and saw the movie could­ a felony. Reed is a psychiatrist treat­ ing Eggar with a new therapy—Psy- n't decide whether to be funny/camp/ The film takes every known lost comicbook, or a semi-serious s-f south-sea island tribe cliche, pearl coplasmics—and as a result she gives birth through the ultimate in film. The "love scenes" with Super­ diver cliche, ruthless fortune hunter man and Lois Lane were nice, though. cliche, beautiful white princess psychosomatics to a brood of small humanoid creatures who are driven Whatthehell, see it, but don't cliche, etc. etc. etc. and butches pay top dollar. them to the point of sickening un­ by her intense hatred and controlled intended humor. by her unconscious. The unknown tribe have goggle The movie has good pace, good CIRCLE OF IRON (r) eyes and are supposed to be some structure, a fine climactic series of scenes which may revolt some and A Zen-infused and structured kind of genetic mutations of Atlant­ martial arts film, starring David is's survivors. Nothing is ever ex­ intrigue others: a "birth" scene is shown, for instance. Carradine (with Christopher Lee in plained. The beautiful anthropolo­ a bit part). Beautifully filmed gist never asks questions and aside The film is rational and coher­ ent if you accept the basic premise. and expensive, it is set in a myth­ from one thirty-second bit of specu­ ical Asian pre-gunpowder land of lation by her in a conversation with There are no large insults to intel­ ligence. Well worth seeing. swords, personal combat and men who good-guy fortune-hunter Patrick seek the legendary Zen master who Wayne, the subject is never bothered can fight as no other man, and who with again. is guardian of the book of ultimate George Nader appears as the knowledge. tribe' s leader, a pure descendant SUPERMAN is preposterous, but it has An Aryan (who speaks a lot of of Atlantis, apparently. He is fath­ slang American) is one such seeker. er to a beautiful blonde who speaks saving graces. Christopher Reeves is incredibly handsome as Superman He meets Carradine (the Zen master) American and swims like a fish. who appears first as a blind man The underwater photography is in costume, and wonderfully jerky as Clark Kent. He is a Find. and then as a warlord) in various nice. The girl's body is nice. Every­ tests of his manhood, fighting thing else is dumbfoundingly bad. The film is uneven and not true to itself—if a typical (or even skills and dedication. exceptional) male Kryptonite could Actually, Christopher Lee plays stop and reverse time, exist in the the guardian, does no fighting, and molten innards of a planet, and is all too eager to palm off the HALLOWEEN (r) exert Ghod-knows-how-much power to guardian job to whomever he can. follows three high school reverse a gigantic earthquake, then The book of ultimate knowledge is a girls as an escaped psycho killer Zen-surprise, too. stalks them on Halloween. there was no reason for the planet Krypton (in a distant galaxy?) to I enjoyed this movie. It's Donald Pleasance walks through lovely to look at, exciting/interest­ his part as the killer's doctor/keep- explode and for all its inhabitants to die. ing in the martial arts sequences, er who is hunting the young man. and intriguing and instructive in A good deal of suspense is gen­ 20 its Zen aspects. A fine meld. THE MUPPET MOVIE (G) But, ah! the memorable scenes: best. In fact, Brolin did his best is a delight as far The shipwreck caused by Dracula's job of acting. But the movie played as I'm concerned. Kermit the frog fatal use of the crew during the voy­ fast and loose with the book (which is the mild-mannered non-hero, the age from Roumania to England...the was supposed to be true-documentary) focal point, but Miss Piggy is the downward creep on the face of a stone by adding events, warping and chang­ star. Gonzo, Rowlf, and Fozzy Bear wall to his beautiful victim's window ing others, ignoring yet others...and are a superb supporting trio. ...his peering upside down into her with a terrible job of editing became There are many, many cameo bits window...the confrontation scenes be­ incoherent, cliche-ridden (they by famous movie stars. tween von Helsing and Dracula...es­ could not resist the cheap-shot scare The movie follows Kermit as he pecially the climactic battle in the with a yowling black cat at the win­ is pursued by Charles Durning, the hold of a ship as Dracula and his dow!) and disappointing. It turned Col. Sanders of frog legs, who wants "bride" seek to escape England...the out to be another Satanist-residue- Kermit to do commercials for his encounter with von Helsing's vampire permeating- a- century-old- house , fast frog leg emporiums, and then, daughter in the coal mine, and her causing murders and terrifying mani­ having been refused, desires above final death at his hands.... festations. all R*E*V*E*N*G*E for hurt pride. Recommended. It could have been as good as The marvel is that this film THE EXORCIST, but the decision-mak­ makes the muppets human, and some­ ers aimed too low. The film is worth how we accept the fantasy as do all seeing, but not as a single feature the humans in the movie accept them PHANTASM (R) at $3.50 or more per seat. as human, but in odd animal carica­ delivers. The shocks and It would have been a better movie ture. frights and horrors come thick and if they had left in at least some of There is a great moral lesson fast. The tension never stops (ev­ what was obviously and clumsily cut. there about tolerance and acceptance en if at times the gore and shocks of people who are different. provoke laughter) and begad, there But that isn't underlined in the is a small kernel of science fiction movie. at the core of this sloppy-good There is so much chuckle humor, movie. PROPHESY (PG) . outrageous puns, japery, good-humor­ The hero is a 13-year-old boy is a well-made monster film ed satire.... But above all it is who, with his brother, investigate based on the presumption that a mer­ the muppets being themselves. the strange goings-on at the local cury compound used long-term by a Kermit 5 friends are journeying funeral parlor/mausoleum/cemetary. Maine limber company to inhibit to Hollywood to be rich and famous. There is a tall, incredibly strong, fungus growth on logs in their hold­ They, of course, finally make it. indestructible, very Old man in ing ponds will cause nervous dis­ The special effects are very charge of the place, there are orders and mutations in animals of good—you will halfway believe Ker­ human beasts three feet tall who the forest when they eat the fish mit is riding a bicycle. That's used to be ordinary dead people, which have ingested this compound. enough. there is a pretty, busty woman who Enter a liberal, environmental­ See it if you have any child in knifes men to death, there is a ist doctor and his cellist wife who you at all. It's a special fantasy Gateway to another planet....and are there to write an environmental world the muppets create, and it is there is a flying globe with project­ report for the Feds who are involved wonderful to enter it and enjoy it. ing knives flying through the corri­ in an indian-white controversy over dors of the mausoleum. What happens pollution and treaty rights. when it hits a human head is gore The monster in this film is a DRACULA (R) incarnate--and provokes incredulous giant, mutated bear or bears. Great is an exceptionally interest­ reflexive laughter (with apprecia­ killer slavering beast with ugly mis­ ing, absorbing movie. Frank Langela tion for the ingenuity and attempt shapen face. is a persuasive Dracula though at to please). The people all make Dumb Mis­ times he seemed too young and ordin­ This is low class....but it has takes and most of the monster cli­ ary. But then came scenes where he some good parts, some good aspects; ches are observed. showed 500-year old ruthlessness the 13-year-old is nervy, gutsy and The interest and critical factor and contempt for mortals. foul-mouthed; quite an accomplished in these monster films is the quali­ Laurence Olivier, when he arrived kid. He's real. ty and credibility of the ravening creature. Not too shabby in this on scene as von Helsing, a murdered/ There's a tricky ending that case, though its children seemed vampirized girl's father, energized doesn't make coherent sense, but it the picture with his intensity. finishes the movie with a good shock, phony and robot-like. (Donald Pleasance had a good so whatthehell. turn as a supporting actor--the fath­ The people who made this film, er of Dracula's chosen "bride" and with a bit of extra thought and care To TfiE OF the head of a loony house.) could have made a superior horror In this movie Dracula is given movie; they settled for good-enough- extraordinary mental and physical for-the-slobs. So it goes. powers besides an ability to shape­ change into a bat or a wolf in a fraction of a second. Dracula's castle is the ulti­ THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (r) mate in dark, dank, loathesome evil is another fl- in itself. movie horror effort by Samuel Z. Flaws: there were too many Arkoff; a ripoff by Arkoff. Not humorous bits--comedy relief?--that that James Brolin (bearded, long­ to me undermined the reality of the haired, menacing-eyed) and Margot Dracula stoiy. Dracula's servant Kidder (sexy and mature mother of who liked to eat roaches and other three) and Rod Steiger (older, gray­ bugs made the audience laugh too of­ haired, a priest) don't do their ten. The humor destroyed mood and plausibility. 21 The final hero-vs.-monster fight since all we see is his looming head What saved it, perhaps marginal­ was ridiculous. The monster would full of teeth in murky water, roiling ly, was Gil Gerard as Buck, who is have disemboweled the good doctor water, red dye in the water... in his late thirties, tough minded, in a trice, not held him up gently There is some salty language by suspicious, cynical and competent. to allow a fatal series of wounds a crusty, phoney boat captain, and a The September 27th episode/movie with a hand-held arrow. few brief topless scenes showing a is titled "Planet of the Slave Girls." Yet...the movie was well-paced, supposed famous model doing a photo ("Planet of the Slave Women" would held interest and the two hours pass­ session for a magazine at the resort have less sex appeal, I suppose.) ed very quickly. Both Robert Eox­ and in the water. Yeah, the monster And it has some third rank movie worth as the doctor, and Talia Shire munches her luscious breasts along and TV stars: Jack Palance, Roddy as his musician wife (pregnant, fear­ with the rest of her. They deserved McDowall, MacDonald Carey...and ful of Consequences because she ate better. Buster Crabbe! some local fish) were adequate. The The movie deserves oblivion. We shall see it it blasts off or film didn't call for much real act­ Don't bother with it, even if you can sputters on the pad. ing. get in free.

MOONRAKER (pg) THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COPE (pg) SUSPERIA (r) follows the 007 formula— came to is loud, bizarre, lots of gimmick technology, macho­ Portland and made me see it because grotesque, and at times surprising man heroics, a slight tongue in cheek it is science fiction. It is shit. as it tells the story of a young approach... Roger Moore as James It makes Jack Palance, Carol Lynley, American dancer caught up in murder Bond is suave and solid, if a bit Barry Morse, John Ireland and little and witchcraft in a dancing school stolid and, frankly, a bit too old. knowns Nicholas Campbell and Eddie in Germany. The close-ups show a man in his mid­ Benton stink. It's a pretty good "B" horror/ fifties. It is 10-year-old fodder, folks. occult film. But don't expect it Scads of minimally clothed girls, You'll cringe if you see it and feel to make much sense.. The R-rating and a suitably evil, determined sup­ science-fictionally raped. H.G. is for the violence. Gruesome. er-rich villain (did I detect a hint Wells is spinning tonight. Joan Bennett has a small part as of Howard Hughes?) with a suitably the head of the school and as a incompetent set of murderous hench­ STARCRASH (pg) witch. How the famous have fallen. men and an impressive set of lavish was the conpanion feature I weary of the continual kill- sets complete the cast. with SHAPE, and is a marvel of bad­ the-girls basis for all these horror Jaws is back to bite at Bond, ness. It is so incredibly bad that films (and most occult and murder and the formula destruction of the it makes SHAPE seem good in compari­ films-for-TV) . It smacks of an un­ main base of the evil one (this son. You'll be astounded at the conscious male hatred for women that time set in orbit) is front and cent­ incredibilities, the blunders, the disturbs me. er at the end. The laser battles in impossibilities. It is five-year-old space and in the space base are pret­ fodder. And it had to be deliberate. ty good. The loveable robot has more per­ But don't expect the plot or the sonality than any of the human char­ Af'ERICATHON pg characters' actions to make sense. acters, while somehow (he had to ( ) It's a James Bond movie. These have have done it for the money!) Christ- An engaging satire of a near­ deteriorated into ritual and self- opher Plummer was able to impart future America bankrupt and making- mockery. Or maybe not: what's the some dignity and quality to his do without oil. The opening sequenc­ difference between Pussy Galore and scenes and lines as Emperor. es of people living in cars, using Holly Goodhead? Had MOONRAKER been Marjoe Gortner walked through the L.A. freeways as walkways, jog­ made at the time of GOLDFINGER it his part and Janet Munro had only to gerways, bikeways, etc. are good. would have been an even bigger hit wear the skimpy costumes. There John Ritter plays a shallow, than was GOLDFINGER. MOONRAKER, now, were some "inside" s-f and old- Jerry Brown-type President of the is just another good movie raking in movie references (the robot says, United States. The Americathon is respectable profits. "Circuits, don't fail me now!). But his way of using TV to raise 200 In sum: I enjoyed it for what it overall this is the pits. Colorful, billions of dollars to pay off the is—mindless gosh-wow adventure with but a creature that should never Indian who threatens to forclose on a bit of sex. have been made, and once made, never the country. Then the Ayrabs buy released. the debt and try to sabotage the If these two films are the child­ gigantic fund-raising event. ren of STAR WARS, that great film Predictable after the stage is should be sterilized. set. Harvey Korman as the M.C. is guilty of third degree ham, and UP FROM THE DEPTHS (r) is a retarded, bast­ proves again he is lost without a ard son of JAWS. Set on a small Ha- strong comedy lead to play off of; waian island with a vacation resort. BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25lH CENTURY (TV) he's a natural second banana. It'll be on TV in a year. A primeval shark-type monster is dis­ NBC is giving its sci-fi entry as turbed by unusual tides and comes to good a build-up as it can, with two the surface and the shallows and movie-length shows in a row at the eats divers and swimmers. beginning of the season. Sam Bottoms is the only "name" The opener last week (Sept. 20) TIFE AFTER TIFE (PG) actor but he cruises through the role was flashy, derivative as hell of is a good, en­ of low-life con-man drifter with ease. STAR WARS and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, joyable sf film of small pretensions The others are strictly Amateur Night, and with the usual dumb authority and a big advertising budget. It and the feeble comedy relief by the figures, dumb action plot, lovely has plot holes and logic lapses and greedy, desperate hotel manager is women... some strong virtues. pathetic. The idea that H.G. Wells himself So is the monster fish pathetic, 22 invented a time machine and pursued Jack the Ripper through time to 1979 for new artists at Starblaze. Hank of the inevitability of death on an San Francisco is incredible, of mentioned that covers would be emotional as well as intellectual course, and so the story flaws, the bought for from $350 to $800. level. And seeing as how I seemed unlikely coincidences, etc. have to Manuscripts intended for GALAXY to be hanging on -- and not even be swallowed, too. should be sent to GALAXY'S New York feeling all that bad — I decided What makes the film an enjoyable offices [720 White Plains Road, to get on with the business of liv­ two hours are Malcolm McDowell as Scarsdale, NY 10583] where Hank will ing. Part of the business of living Wells, and especially Mary Steenburg- come periodically to pick them up. is writing to you, Dick, although en as the young woman he falls in He intends to move to the Norfolk, I know you are more cannibal than . love with here. She is a Diane Keat­ VA area. correspondent: I always picture you on type, but less jangled, more at Manuscripts for the Starblaze chewing through your mail, looking ease. I'll look for her in films. line of novels should be sent to The for juicy bits you can tear off and There is good humor as Wells Donning Company/Publishers, Inc., reprint in your magazine. Well, blunders and adjusts to our culture 253 West Bute Street, Norfolk, VA munch on this...... and technology. 23510. 'I dropped off the temporary em­ David Warner as the Ripper is ployment rolls in January of '78 very good, very vicious. and took a job with an all-male­ The time machine is beautiful homosexual firm, mfrs. § distr. of but unconvincing; still, what a con­ the infamous Locker Room (see en­ versation piece it would make in the closed) . How broad was my education! livingroom! # LETTER FROM PEARL August 28, 1979 No stranger to the gay scene, I was however uninformed in practical mat­ 'I stopped writing because I ters of gay life, i.e., how to bleach THE VILLAIN (pg) thought I was dying, my blood sugar and treat the crotch of blue jeans is a "real life" had escalated to 305 and according so that the wearer's cock is outlin­ western version of the Roadrunner to the medical books, I was in ser­ ed and spotlighted, where to buy a cartoons, with Kirk Douglas in the ious trouble. As you know, I don't beaded cover for the Crisco can one ever-frustrated-coyote's role as he take insulin, the oral drugs are keeps on one's nightstand for use as does his damnedest to kill the hero, only marginally effective and since an anal lubricant, etc. steal the silver and ravish the lus­ my caloric intake was about 800 cal­ cious Ann-Margret. He is assisted ories a day, it hardly seemed worth by his horse, who is smarter than he 'I also learned about Fist Fuck­ the trouble to shave my food intake. ers of America, a group of masochists is. What to do? The three stand-outs in this who love to have a whole hand shoved movie are the horse and Ann-Margret's 'I gave imagery a shot. That's up their assholes and their manually breasts. the treatment (?) where the patient dexterous counterparts who like to The film is absurd, frothy, too adopts a friendly animal -- imagin­ do the shoving. Concerned about in­ long...but still fun if you don't ary, of course -- to eat up his can­ fection, I asked, "But don't you expect too much. cer cells or whatever. I opted for have to make sure your hands are ab­ a bear to eat up my blood sugar and solutely clean?" "Whatever for?" for reinforcement, even bought a Ted­ was the answer and of course, I felt dy Bear to sleep with. He was ter­ like a fool. OH god! (g) ribly cute but he didn't do his job is a mild, vaguely 'Since all the magazines in our so I stuck him away in a cupboard reception area depicted nude males, pleasant, chuckle film full of nice and waited to die. cliches about God and how we should fully erect, fondling their members, leam to live in peace. John Den­ 'During this period, I lost a or two nude males, fully erect, ver is nice as the asst, supermarket couple of teeth due to gum infection fondling each other's members, it manager chosen by God to remind peo­ (caused by high blood sugar), lost was fun to watch the office machine ple that He exists. George Bums my libido (50% of diabetic females reps, sit down and start to leaf says his lines okay and manages not are "hypoerotic") and lost my friend through them but the cumulative ef­ to stumble or have a stroke. There Paul (killed in an auto accident at fect of looking at hundreds of naked is some satire and slashes at money- the age of 36). It was definitely men (I leafed through them too) was hungry phoney religious leaders. Slough of Despond time but I got on the down side. I felt like I'd This has been going around as a through it, gaining an acceptance rather never see another one and companion feature. It'll be on TV soon, maybe next year.

TOR. A THIS. ALIEN THOUGHTS CONT. FROM P. 18 S-oMEOKJ-e To Ef£-E AN)

9-15-79 Hank Stine just called. He has the job of editing the Starblaze trade paperback line of Donning. He will continue to edit GALAXY, which is not (at its present bi-monthly schedule) a full-time job. Frank Kelly Freas, the former editor of the Starblaze line (with his wife Polly), may do covers and interiors as circumstances permit. Thus there is an opportunity 23 while I still had a flutter of lib­ so many months. If I'm lucky, he '"He stood on the mountain look­ ido left, made elaborate plans to will let me have about 354. Or, ing into the dark night sky. He find someone who'd be content to pet there's the possibility of a hospit­ knew that the time had come to save to orgasm fully clothed. It's not al stay with water and vitamin pills Earth from certain destruction from an easy thing to find. I approach­ only. the crass muttering stupidity of ed a couple of people with the prop­ the inward trodden masses. He be­ osal and although they seemed in­ 'Now, I am getting depressed.' came Chet Twarog!"' trigued by the idea, nobody ever showed up. ((From current trends it appears 'Finally, I'd had enough of that if anyone gets out into space homosexuals, nude men, pornography, it will be the Russians, who are jack-off machines, Bulger under­ willing to make-do with not-quite- shorts, nipple piercers, ball # LETTER FROM CHET TWAROG perfect vehicles and systems and stretchers and rubber socks and left 2Lt, USAF don’t mind losing a few people, in to take a job with this very straight Galactic Citizen the process. advertising agency. I am quite con­ 1350 Macon St., #304 ((But I believe a viable, feas­ tent. The level of intelligence Aurora, CO 80010 ible, economically sound space future here is the highest I have encount­ 6 August 1979 won't come about until either a huge ered in all my years of working and breakthrough is made — anti-gravi­ it's a comfort to be with bright 'Now, to burn my keys on one ty, fusion power, etc. — or until people even though there's not a paragraph in SFR #32, page 4, sec­ a rich capitalist nation's super great deal of rowdy fun. But I can ond column, fifth whole paragraph corporations see clearly a way to always look back on those Friday af­ (not the one-liner) from the top. make billions out of the deal---- in­ ternoons at Locker Room when we Sickening (I think ALTER should itially by .letting the people (govt.) snorted from balloons filled with have taken care of that tidbit) to pay for the huge start-up costs and nitrous oxide while listening to the think that we have such mature known later by looting the resources of thump-thump of someone getting fuck­ greats writing such demeaning count­ the moon, asteroid belt, etc. ed against the Shipping Room door. er-technology junk! I mean, to save ((I say again it.is a race be­ It's possible that I've had enough you time to search the microfilch: tween the time-of-breakthrough and rowdy fun to last me like forever. "This may come, mind you, but only the increasing real costs of energy, after we so exhaust the mineral ever-more-difficult-to-get Earth re­ '*I'm looking for a'place in wealth of this planet that our mass sources, and the reluctance of ever- Santa Monica* production culture and society break poorer nations to finance (no matter 'The gay population in West down because of cost and lack of what the prodding or crisis) the space Hollywood has reached an alarming materials". program. We may have passed the time density ... I figure 88%. Santa when it is politically and/or econom­ Monica Blvd, is impassable. The 'Has Jerry Poumelle strangled ically possible to mount and sustain sidewalks are clogged with half­ you yet? NO! Well, here; strangle, such an incredibly costly effort. dressed fags parading their stuff strangle, aaagghhh! If we would put space manufacturing and indus­ (("100 billion dollars for oil and the streets jammed with cars shale! Not one cent for pie-in-the- cruising along, looking for a part­ trialization out there within fif­ sky programs!" would be the icularly nice tidbit. 3 male hust­ teen years, then we would not have to exhaust the Earth's mineral re­ current cry. lers on every corner, every one a ((You yearn for a new frontier. teen-ager and, judging from their sources; pollute the damn air and water and land; and begin to become You’ll probably get one---- growing unhealthy appearance, junkies to a vegetables in your back yard and boy. a mature civilization. There are enough asteroids and lunar material brewing gasohol for your two cylind­ 'To the north, I have Sunset out there (ha, thought I would say er putt-putt. ) ) Blvd, with 3 female prostitutes on "up". Wrong!) we could junk Earthly every corner and a number of desper­ dredges soon thereafter. Use solar ate looking men who can't tell the collectors to furnace blast that # LETTER FROM BUZZ DIXON difference between bad girls and material in smelters for several 7058 Hazeltine Avenue, #22 respectable ladies on their way to centuries of metals and products Van Nuys, CA 91405 the bank. Everyone gets proposi­ from space manufacturing. You must August, 1979 tioned including middle-aged women have read Harry G. Stine's THE THIRD shuffling along in hairnets and INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION? 'Your comments in regard to Hush Puppies. 'Then to the east, all around La Brea Ave., an authentic Mexican barrio is taking shape, complete with broken down cars and those skin­ ny dogs they import from Tijuana. I figure they'll be full strength around November, at which time, the gang wars should start. '*I'm looking for a place in Santa Monica* 'I don't dwell on my blood sug­ ar anymore. Although it was 338 when I saw the doctor last month, I'm waiting for symptoms before I get ready to go back to my former doctor and STARVATION. This trip, I know, will be a lot tougher than the 500 calories I maintained for localized power sources are intrigu­ PRISONER went off the air. The Jap­ ing, but I doubt they would be saf­ anese also put a little punch into er on the whole than the more cen­ their programs -- most Japanese TV tralized power we have now. There shows give their characters fail­ will always be someone, somewhere, ings and weaknesses as well as who can do it cheaper by cutting strengths, making them a hell of a corners. I'd think that lots of lot more interesting than 90% of all small, local power sources would be American TV.' harder to oversee for safety reas­ ons than a few large centralized operations. ((There are advantages to centraliza­ 'I gape in amazement at the pay­ tion and bigness, of course. Though ment schedule GALAXY is offering cost-cutting and cutting comers is­ to writers. Some people are going n’t restricted to the small operat­ ion. to get paid about $12.50 a month for the next two years. ((It's a matter of philosophy; I prefer decentralization to the 'Frankly, this situation is point of diminishing returns. This ridiculous -- and it's a sign of could get down to neighborhood power the morbund attitudes plaguing most stations----or even, with the advent SF writers. I urge everyone to read of super batteries---- solar-powered utopia. But we are certainly bet­ Ellison's SFWA resignation speech homes. It's a matter of how much ter off than we were when we were again and again until what he's dependence upon others you are com­ barbarians. If right and wrong trying to say finally sinks home. fortable with, I guess. I prefer to were really only relative, and mor­ be as self-reliant and as self- 'Shit, Geis, a magazine like ality meant no more than social cus­ sufficient as relative costs allow)) GALAXY that pays peanuts to begin toms, then this, could not be so. with and then pays late (if at all!) 'I can offer further evidence is strictly amateurville! I write from history that there are objec­ Saturday morning animation shows tive moral laws operative in our for a minimum of $1250 for a script world. In fact, history shows time fifteen minutes or less long (that and again that there are laws of comes out to about 22 pages) and if # LETTER FROM RONALD R. LAMBERT cause and effect governing the af­ I don't get paid within two weeks I 2350 Virginia, Troy, MI, 48084 fairs of men and nations, and these raise a big, nasty stink. If a pro­ August 11, 1979 laws are obviously moral in nature. ducer tried stiffing writers out here the way GALAXY stiffed its writ­ 'Getting back to the Gor novels 'One particular example that fas­ ers he would soon find himself perm­ again -- one last time -- perhaps cinates me concerns the sinking of anently out of business. Ellison it was a bit presumptuous of me to the Lusitania. Some people might is right, the bulk of science fic­ try to lay down a "fundamental first fault me for using this example, be­ tion writers in this country are rule of fiction". (I will wait a cause it is not universally agreed living in 1927 and Hugo Gemsback is moment for the hooting to die down.) that Wilson and Churchill deliberate­ still editor of AMAZING STORIES. It is difficult to formulate univer­ ly conspired to arrange for the sal laws that are really universal. sinking of the Lusitania to provide 'Your comments in regard to Even physicists have trouble doing an incident that would provoke the BOTTLESCAR: GALAXITIVE were most ap­ it. isolationist-minded American public propriate -- though at this stage of to support an American entry into 'I was merely trying to define the game it's like beating a dead the European tribal war called World what was wrong with the later Gor horse (maybe not -- Glen Larceny -- War I. But there is considerable novels. I maintain that the author who "created" ((sic.')) BS: GALL — circumstantial evidence to this ef­ lied about right and wrong when he is producing BUCK ROGERS for this fect, and it is just the kind of eulogized the Gorian practice of fall. He says he's learned his les­ "realistic" world politics politi­ kidnapping Earth women and enslav­ son and will not make each episode cians have always preached at us -- ing them (this is especially appar­ of BUCK a special effects test reel especially the likes of Nixon and ent throughout SLAVE GIRL OF GOR). but try to have some decent stories. Kissinger. We shall see. NBC is committed to 'The mealy-mouthed agnostic re­ 'This was obviously a grossly 12 shows -- if they pick it up for joinders, "How can I know what right immoral act, if indeed the sinking another 12 I may have a chance to and wrong is" or "Whose idea of of the Lusitania was arranged by sell a script to them). In partic­ right and wrong", do not move me. President Wilson and British Lord ular I agree with your opinion that I am not an agnostic. Civilization of the Admiralty, Churchill. I ask the show failed because it dare not has come a long way (I mean in a you to consider the effects. offend. BBC-TV's DR. WHO does not spiritual sense, not just technolo­ have excessive violence or sex, in gically) from the savagery of the 'First of all, bear in mind fact, the program is considered past. This could not reasonably be that U.S. entry into WWI was not children's viewing in England. DR. the product of evolving customs, necessary. Germany would have been WHO, unlike BORINGSHOW: GALACIAL, traditions, or relative social mores defeated anyway, because it was the gives people Unsettling Thoughts. of themselves, unless our concept British development and use of the Since they don't have a big effects of morality were approaching closer tank which broke the stalemate in or set budget, BBC much dazzle with and closer to some objective stand­ the trenches. But because U.S. intellectual ideas, not models. ard of right and wrong. Otherwise, troops were there to swell the ranks why would they work? Why should of the Allies, Germany was beaten 'They also did a mini-series they work well enough to bring us much more decisively than it would STAR MAIDENS, about a planet with a out of the Dark Ages and give us have been otherwise, so that the Al­ female-dominant society coming in the degree of civilization which we lies could presume to impose upon contact with Earth that's probably enjoy? We may not have attained Germany the humiliating and econom­ the most intelligent and witty TV ically ruinous terms of the Treaty science fiction program since THE 25 of Versailles. 'The Treaty of Versatile is change to conform to that iron real­ basic human truths, which tells us credited by most historians with ity. that brutality is the way to solve producing the political climate in ((Your only hope of "progress" in problems and women exist only to be Germany which made possible the rise morality is in the fading possibility raped or killed, may be harmful, of Adolph Hitler and his Nazis. The that humanity makes it out into space particularly in the hands of child­ consequences of that, in turn, were on a profit-making technology.)) ren who haven't had enough exper­ World War II, death camps, and geno­ ience to know better. cide. 'This brings us to Ronald Lam­ 'But it does not stop there. bert's letter and the GOR series. The Kaiser, seeing the U.S. entry I tend to side with Lambert. Dr. into WWI (April, 1917) was motivated # LETTER FROM DARRELL SCHWEITZER Wertham would doubtless claim that to pull out all the stops and give 113 Deepdale Rd, Strafford, PA John Norman's enthusiastic espousal aid to the communist radicals in 19087 of perversion causes kiddies to grow Russia so that the Bolshevik Revolu­ Sept. 16, 1979 up criminally insane (Did Richard tion (Nov. 1917) would take Russia Speck read GOR books?), but I can't out of the war. Had the U.S. not 'Some news: My first novel, help but feel that these books can entered the war, the Kaiser might THE WHITE ISLE, is going to be brok­ do no good and may even do evil. not have felt the need to lend sup­ en down into 2 novellas and run in This isn't a case of imagining what port to the communists (whom he had FANTASTIC, probably April and July Batman and Robin may do in the Bat- no particular love for), and the 1980. The structure of the book cave off hours. Norman is explicit. Kerenski Republic might not have lends itself to this. The two halv­ He's the Billy Graham of sadism and been overthrown. If not for the es really do stand up by themselves. bondage, a missionary out to convert sinking of the Lusitania, Russia Contrary to popular belief, FANTAST­ the straight world. might still be a free and open soc­ IC and AMAZING are still going con­ iety today. There would be no iron cerns, and should not be ignored en­ 'What about all those 14-year- curtain, no cold war. tirely. They aren't all reprint, old virgin boys who gobble up this and in fact, contain more new mater­ crap? Boys frequently go through 'Such lines of cause and effect ial than they did under any editor a stage just before puberty in which can be traced through all of his­ after Cele Goldsmith and before Ted they are contemptuous of girls, tory. Events do show such readily White. I also find the new editor thinking them only good for teasing discernible patterns. And the only a good person to deal with. He's and tormenting. Well, from his writ­ mechanism which could possibly bring quick and courteous. I'm also go­ ings, John Norman seems to have such patterns about is the operation ing to be interviewing for AMAZING never gotten beyond this stage. of laws that are moral in nature.' again. When a boy who doesn't know much 'By a curious coincidence I've about sex or love encounters GOR, he may be knocked right back. It ((I'll buy cause and effect, action been reading Dr. Wertham's THE SE­ certainly won't help him mature. and reaction, in human affairs, but DUCTION OF THE INNOCENT, which I My feeling is that a book should I’m damned if I can see any natural picked up for 35< as a curiosity. add something positive to the read­ laws that are moral in nature----un­ Most of it is complete bullshit. er's life. At the very least, if less you mean the morality implicit The good doctor would have us be­ it is simple-minded entertainment, in "To thine own self be true;" lieve comic books are the direct it adds nothing at all. The GOR and the morality of recognizing cause for juvenile crime, all sorts the instinctual basis for basic hum­ of sexual oddities (there's a chap­ books can add something negative. an behavior and trying to live and ter called "I Want To Be A Sex Man­ But apparently Norman doesn't feel any responsibility toward his aud­ advocate living within those some­ iac!"), reading deficiencies, and ience. what elastic limits. even lowered IQ. He also tells us ((Nobody wants to be murdered, that Batman and Robin are gay, that 'Suppose he were telling lies cheated, or enslaved. Contrariwise, Superman is a fascist, and so on. about other human truths? What if the human animal throughout his his­ But even in this book there is a tory seems to do little else than he said that Black people like pick­ kernel of validity. (Werthman's ing cotton and singing for Massa, kill, cheat and enslave, in one problem being when he got hooked on and if a white man rapes a black guise or another, under one pretext an idea, he had no concept of when woman, that's fine because secretly or another. to stop.) Anything which lies about she feels uplifted? What would you ((This dichotomy is at the heart and soul of the human predicament and the human struggle through life. ((It is expressed in religion, war, politics, every aspect of culture— including fiction. ((We are better off now than in HOW MANY our 'savage' past, but not because > T>EvEl-oP£> of moral law triumphing over immoral countries law. We are better off because sci­ ence and technology have made it possible for us to exploit the miner­ al wealth of this planet. This wealth has provided luxury and surpluses which allow us to indulge in "Good" works and charities and liberty and justice never before possible. ((When the surpluses shrink, when the wealth diminishes... then we'll be on the long road back to 'savag­ ery' because we will no longer be able to afford certain moral luxur­ ies. And "Right" and "Wrong" will say then? Or what about a book ((Fiction satisfies a need for which says Jews are greedy and heart­ diversion, fantasy, lying, illusion, less and gas chambers might not be escape. Fiction does not create a bad idea after all? What if it that need in man. IS tub 1^- were written well enough to convince ((Society has always proscribed vemtion 6f THE DEVIL. the ignorant? Would you find it (censored) certain kinds of fantasy conscionable to publish such a work (fiction, lies). As times change or to fail to condemn someone else and as society changes, so to do the for having done so? proscribed lies change. (But there will always be an underground market 'Another subject: I think you KN ou for it!) should drop the book listings and use that space for letters, your ((Congratulations on your novel own writing, reviews, articles, car­ sale. Your comments on the book toons or anything else. I don't lists are typical of many others, see why it's necessary or even use­ and as noted elsewhere, I yield.)) ful for this magazine to list every book being published. LOCUS does market data and data on books on SF, that already, and it's more the func­ writing and science. We also trade tion of a news magazine. Such a manuscripts for critical analysis list is only good for reference, and by other members. Perhaps most im­ only good for that when alphabetiz­ # LETTER FROM NOREASCON TWO portant, we encourage each other ed, as the LOCUS list is, so in SFR NEWS RELEASE #9 since most writers fail due to dis­ Box 46, MIT Branch Post Office I think it's a waste of space. Why couragement rather than lack of ta­ not put it up to a reader vote and Cambridge, MA 02139 lent . see how many want this feature con­ September 27, 1979 tinued? ' 'We hope to' produce the SF pros 'SPECIAL HUGO CATEGORY: The of the 80s and equal the Futurian WSFS Constitution (Article II, Sec­ Society in developing talent. We ((I can't believe you believe what tion 14) gives the committee the invite any future serious SF writer you've written! Fiction is inher­ right "under exceptional circumstan­ or artist to join us.' ently full of lies! The function ces" to include a Special Hugo Cate­ of fiation is to lie! The "happy gory on the ballot, administered in . ending" dictum in all corrmercial the same manner as the permanent cat­ formula fiction is a lie. The basic egories. The Noreascon Two Committee structure for 99% of published fic­ has decided to have such a category, tion is a lie. for "Best Non-Fiction Book" of 1979. ((Why, for Christ's sake, do you The committee was moved by the con­ think people read and watch and lis­ sideration that such books are grow­ ten to fiction? THEY WANT LIES! ing in number and quality, but are 9-23-79 policy change &680291-B And the better told, the more con­ ignored by the existing structure OR vincing, the better! From the of the awards. The time seems right Alright already! I give up! I range of fiction (lies!) available to present such awards in 1980, and won't continue any version of the in the marketplace people pick and the committee will be very interest­ Archives—the recording of books choose which they want to pay for, ed in the response of the convention and magazines received. A lot of ■which lies suit them, which they members (and fandom at large) to you have voted with pen and pencil need, which "entertain" them best. the category. Eligible are works and typer to the effect that you'd ((You are parroting the basic of criticism, history, bibliography, rather have more of anything else arguments of the censor, and like art and the like, provided that they than book lists. Especially, you'd the censor you assume that the hypo-' are book length and relate to SF or rather have more Geis. thetical 14-year-old boy is a clean, fantasy. The formal description of "Geis is in short supply. How unmarked mind, a tabula rasa, a vac­ the category will be included with about more Alter?" uum, who is totally unaware of the the nomination ballot. How about a shorter Alter" Hah? About ten tendrils shorter? nature of fiction and its uses and 'HUGO AWARD NOMINATIONS: The "Forget I intruded, Geis. You its function. Hugo Nominations ballots will be were saying?" ((But that 14-year-old has distributed with Progress Report #3, I was saying that the subscribers ‘ spent at least ten years watching scheduled for mailing December 1, want this magazine to be reviews- the lies of TV corrrnereials and pro­ 1979, and also with these News Re­ commentary-discussion primarily. graming, has spent eight years read­ leases in December.' ing the lies of newspapers, maga­ For new book lists they can go to zines, history books, school.... LOCUS which does a conplete and ad­ and spent twelve years listening to mirable job (among others) of record­ the lies of his parents and relatives ing and reporting on the s-f and fan­ and friends. # LETTER FROM DAVID CARTER tasy fields in all media. ((Any 14-year-old who can read 2840 P Street, #3 I still feel that lurking guilt well enough to understand the Gor Lincoln, NE 68503 inherent in all these books and books is wise and hip enough to not Sept. 1979 things which sit, nutely appealing be "seduced" by the obsessive psycho- for at least acknowledgement, on ev­ sexual Gor worldview unless he is 'I am a member of a mutual aid ery flat surface available (except predisposed, warped, wanting, in club for aspiring artists and SF my head). But I will have to bear need of that particular kind of fan­ writers. We are looking for new mem­ it. And try to review more of them. tasy. bers and would appreciate your help. So be it and so it goes. ((And, just as most people "buy" 'We are conducting a mail order the lie of the happy ending in fic­ writers workshop with few membership tion but don't expect it in real requirements and no dues. We trade life, so too with the content of ALIEN THOUGHTS CONT. ON P.33 their fiction reading/watching. 27 A WRITER'S NATURAL ENEMY: EDITORS

Editors are one of the three writer friends about all these ers are, and it's all because of most inportant things in the world, things, too, and the writer frequent­ editors. If it weren't for editors, judging from the conversations one ly gives a good imitation of a per­ writers would never drink. overhears in the SFWA suite at any son holding up his end of the con­ Watch the next time you're at large convention. For some reason, versation, and even feigns a cer­ a convention. The minute an editor fans always seem to have very weird tain amount of interest. And that's meets a writer, he will offer to ideas about what writers talk about how the fannish misconception aris­ buy him a drink on his expense ac­ when they get together. The more es that writers are as intelligent count. Sometimes he will even buy naive neofans often entertain the and aware and eclectic as fans. him a meal. It's a sinister ploy. belief that writers talk about writ­ Writers soon become dependent on ing -- about their own work, or the Nothing could be further from those editorial expense accounts, state of the art in science fiction, the truth. It is only when one pen­ and then the editor will back off or literature in general, or what etrates into the sanctum sanctorum and threaten to deny the writer their colleagues are doing, or fine of SFWA suites, and sees writers as those drinks and those meals, and points about style and plot and they really are when there are no the writer will do anything to get characterization. Actually, I've fans or readers around to impress, back in the editor's good graces. never heard any writers talk about that you conprehend our true natures. Anything. It's a disgusting spec­ any of these things -- except in Left to their own devices, writ­ tacle. the formal confines of a workshop, ers talk about only three things; or when cornered by a rabid neofan the three most important things in Also, this is one way editors at a convention. I've known many the world. keep down the population of writers. writers who would walk a mile to A fat, drunken writer is a supremely They talk about money, they talk avoid a conversation about writing. revolting creature, and seldom gets about sex and they talk about edi­ any sex, so there is no possibility tors. of the world filling up with little writers. Editors not only interfere with By GEORGE R. R. MAR TIN a writer's sex life, but they also like to deny him money. Oh, they give a writer a little bit of money every now and then, but that's only Money and sex are things that for the sake of appearances. They Naturally the more sophisticated most writers want and never get know better than to give the writer fans, the ones who have been around enough of. Editors are things that too much. A writer who gets a lot fandom long enough, who have known most writers don't want and get all of money soon begins to feel secure and loved a writer or two, and may­ too much of. I've often heard writ­ and happy, and may even begin to be even been lucky enough to be ers ask other writers why there raise a family, and editors don't permitted to buy a writer a drink -- have to be editors in the world. want that. You can test this your­ you know how selective writers are As it happens, I know the ans­ self, if you've written a story or about who they'll allow to buy wer. If there were no editors in drinks for them -- those fans know the world, writers would be very that writers never talk about writ­ happy. They would frolic and play, ing. But they have their own mis­ and publish every word they wrote, conception. Fans are a very eclec­ and they would have lots of money tic group, a little bit interested and lots of sex, since they would in anything. Wander around the be very famous and very charming, next con you go to and eavesdrop on having never experienced rejection. some of the conversations -- the Their egos would fill up the world, variety will amaze you. Fans talk their books would be everywhere, about music, all kinds of music, and they would mate furiously and from classical to country. They produce lots of little writers, who talk about politics, and world af­ would no doubt write lots of little fairs, and contemporary crises and books. This would never do. It controversies. They talk about would unbalance the ecology. So ed­ sports, not just the football-base­ itors were put into the world to ball-basketball trinity so beloved keep down the writer population, of mundanes, but also more esoteric you see. pastimes like hot-air ballooning and scuba diving and spelunking. Editors crush fledgling writers They talk about books. Every once in their nests with heavy rejection in a while they even talk about slips, and they clip the wings of science fiction books. They talk more experienced writers and tell about science, about black holes them in which direction to fly -- and nuclear fusion and the future of usually the wrong direction -- and warfare and the cybernetic revolu­ generally bruise their egos often tion. They talk about fandom, of enough so writers grow bitter and course, and they plot and politick disillusioned and turn to drink. and gossip, and it's all great fun. You all know what alcoholics writ- These same fans talk to their 28 two. It's always easy to find an than do writers, or plumbers, or editor who will buy you lunch when insurance salesmen. It's a part of you travel to New York. But try the job. calling one up and asking for a six- From time to time, I write re­ figure advance. Even a small six- views. Now, I read a lot of books. figure advance . . . I review only a few of them. The Editors are difficult. ones I review are the ones about which I think I have something in­ I actually can't be too hard on telligent to say. The rest -- well, editors. Sometimes I'm an editor some of them I like, and some of myself. Only in a very minor way, them I don't, and often as not I'm though -- I edit my NEW VOICES ser­ not sure why. If you pressed me ies of original anthologies for Jove. Two volumes are out, a third was about one, I might give you an an­ just delivered and will be forth­ swer, but as like as not it would coming some time in late 1979 or be foolish. early 1980. The NEW VOICES volumes That's the situation a good feature stories by the finalists for editor is in. A bad editor never the John W. Campbell Award, voted looks like a moron, since he or she annually by the fans for the best can just send back everything with The title was "With Morning Comes new writer in the field. I arrang­ form rejection slips, and thus pose Mistfall". ed it that way deliberately. Not as a font of wisdom. But a good being very experienced as an editor, editor often feels a compulsion to Of course, at the time I didn't I figured I could only prey on the say something when rejecting a man- know any of this was going to hap­ youngest and most naive writers. uscript by a professional writer. pen. All I knew was that this Hos­ I'm learning, though. Already I've Say enough somethings and sooner or kins fellow had .rejected the two rejected several stories, and I've later they'11 come back to haunt best stories I had ever written. forced some of my contributors to you. I decided to change tactics; I sent do rewrites, and I've sat on their him what I felt was one of my weak­ manuscripts for months at a time I remember back when I was first er stories, a piece called "Dark, and ignored their query letters. starting to sell stories regularly, Dark were the Tunnels". It almost I've even learned how to owe them there was an editor in the field worked. He wrote back and told me money and make endless excuses about named Robert Hoskins. He was the that if he were editing a monthly it. You ought to hear me apologize editor of Lancer Books, who have magazine, he would buy my story. and justify. I'll make a good ed­ since gone bankrupt, and of the IN­ As "a space filler". It so happen­ itor yet. FINITY series of original antholog­ ed that I knew that he was not edit­ ies, now defunct, and for a period ing a monthly magazine. He knew it Or at least a tolerable one. I kept sending him stories in an ef­ too, and he reminded me that INFIN­ I must admit that there is simply fort to break into INFINITY. I ITY was an anthology, and my story too much of the writer in me to did so for reasons that now escape was not good enough for that, since descend to the real depths of which me. I think it was because a young he had no space that wanted filling. editors are capable. I've edited writer I knew had sold something to three volumes of NEW VOICES, and I INFINITY, and I liked to think of (As a footnote, I might mention hope to edit more, but I'm proud to myself as a better writer than this that posterity confirmed my assess­ say that I've never bought any of other fellow, so I thought it would ment of "Dark, Dark Were the Tunnels". While "Mistfall" and "Loneliness" my contributors a drink. be easy to sell to Hoskins. There sold to ANALOG, it sold only to were lots of markets around that Believe it or not, I do have VERTEX, and has never been reprinted had much more pretige than INFINITY, some serious things to say about except in German. Does that count?) editors. and paid better too, but I wanted quick sales. That's the way writ­ By this time, Editor Hoskins was Not that all that went before ers think. Is it any wonder editors well on his way to ruining my health was frivolous. Some of it was can keep our ranks thin? and disposition. He hadn't sent me any money, and I was getting quite true. Writers do indeed talk Anyway, I sent Hoskins this precious little sex. I became det­ about only three things, the three story called "The Second Kind of I've named. And editors can indeed Loneliness", which I thought was ermined to sell to him. I sent him be a source of frustration and ang­ the best thing I had written up to another story. It came back with a uish in a writer's life. In most then. He sent it back, and said, form rejection slip. I sent him cases, that is not due to any active "Sorry -- I've been there before. yet another. It returned with a malice on the part of the editor. Many times". That story went on to short, polite note that said it was Often as not, the real villain of sell to ANALOG, and it became a "eloquent", but not a story. the piece is the publisher, but ed­ cover story, and has been antholo­ itors are the hatchet men, out there gized several times. But Hoskins Finally I sent him a novelette on the front line, and they are the didn't like it. I had written called "Night of the ones who are forced to deliver the So I sent him another story, Vampyres". That was my John Brunner bad news and bear the accompanying story; set in 1987, in a United karmic weight. quickly, and that one came back too. He liked it even less, called it a States on the verge of revolution, Editors also are the source of "travelog". So I had to sell that rife with racial and political hat­ most rejections, and writers hate one to ANALOG too, for something reds, plots and counterplots, pol­ rejections. Often, Mien rejecting like twice what Hoskins would have arizing as the Weimar Republic had manuscripts, editors say foolish paid me. It went on to become a in the Thirties and about to enter things. This is not, I think, be­ Hugo and Nebula finalist, and al­ a new Dark Age. I thought that was cause all editors are fools. Only most won both, and it's been re­ a very heavy story. some editors are fools, though all printed so many times since that I Hoskins returned it almost sad­ of them say foolish things, much have trouble keeping 14) with it. ly, with a long letter. He said more often and much more foolishly 29 it was a "sinplistic switch" on a "perfect formula Western" and lik­ es without bothering to inform the they do a lot. But at least they ened my hero to a drifter and my writer. get some recognition for it. We manipulative Nixonian president to know who the magazine editors are; Then there are the editors who they get nominated year after year a cattle rustler. "You have a fac­ suffer from Maxwell Perkins syndrome. ile way with words", he said in for the "Best Editor" Hugo. Fair Perkins was a genius. Alas, the enough, except that sometimes it summation. "As yet, you haven't editorial legions who march in his convinced me that your words will seems they all get nominated, good footsteps lack his mental firepower. and bad and indifferent. strike sparks with readers". He They carry only a firm determina­ mulled over the missing ingredient tion to "work on" every book they Then there are the anthology in my work, and finally suggested publish, whether it needs it or not editors. Frankly, they aren't as that I try writing Gothics. and to transform it into great lit­ inportant as the magazine editors. I never sold to INFINITY. erature. This is particularly dif­ They find some new talent of their ficult when they must edit the lat­ own, to be sure. But very little, I never wrote Gothics, either, est Gonad the Barbarian epic. compared to the magazine editors. disregarding what may have been per­ After all, they buy only a relative fectly good advice. Who knows, had In SF, we also have their op­ handful of stories, and they work I done otherwise today I might be posite numbers; the genre editors almost at leisure, piecing together Georgette Martin, beloved of Harle­ who have been working in the field one or two "issues" a year instead quin readers from coast to coast. for forty years, doing things their of six or twelve. For a while it way, and who are bound and determin­ looked as though anthologies were I do have a serious message ed that these new writers will do about editors, really I do. But going to displace magazines, but things that way too. There are that was an illusion. It was the before I get into that, I can't re­ nine-and-twenty ways of construct­ sist one last editorial joke. anthologies that vanished. Look ing tribal lays, but only Doc Smith's around you. Anthology editors get Roger Elwood. is right. These editors also ex­ some recognition. Terry Carr, one pect writers to be perfectly happy of the very best of them is a per­ Seriously now, editors are im­ with minuscule little advances. portant people. ennial Hugo contender. Robert Sil­ After all, they got the same size verberg has also been nominated, advance back in 1949, and they were They do say a lot of foolish and I'm sure Harlan Ellison will delighted with it. As for all the things. So do we all. They make make the ballot as soon as the money being paid by other publish­ some wonderful grand mistakes. So world gets its hands on THE LAST DAN­ ers, they don't know what they're do we all. There are many bad ed­ GEROUS VISIONS. The bad anthology itors, who seem to understand lit­ doing and it's going to bust soon editors never did get nominated, tle or nothing about the genre in and there was a boom in the early though, and that pleases me. which they purport to be working. 50s too, or didn't you know? Lastly, we have the book editors There are far more bad writers, but Yes, there are a lot of ways I'm not going to pursue that point. for editors to go wrong. They are the invisible people, I'11 talk about bad editors and and that's a dreadfully ironic sit­ leave it to the editors to discuss Fortunately, a surprising numb­ uation, because they are the most er of them go right. It never ceas­ bad writers. inportant editors of all. Once it es to amaze me. What is a good ed­ was the age of the magazine, but Editors can be bad for a variety itor like? A good editor offers of reasons. that age is past now. The dawn of you decent advances, and goes to bat the age of the anthology was just a The worst are those who don't with his publisher to make sure your false glow on the horizon. This is care; time-servers in huge publish­ book gets promoted, and returns the age of the paperback book. New ing conglomerates, more often than your phone calls, and answers your writers today serve an apprentice­ not they have little knowledge and letters. A good editor does work ship in short fiction, and move on less affection for SF. They would with his writers on their books. to novels. They go from the maga­ just as soon edit mysteries, or But only if the books need work. A zines and anthologies to books, and gardening books, or pom; it's all good editor tries to figure out they seldom go back. It is time we a job to them. They buy books and what the writer was trying to do, recognized the fact. publish them, or they reject books, and helps him or her do it better, rather than trying to change the but they do not get involved. It The editors at today's big pa­ book into something else entirely. can be said that this type of edi­ perback publishing houses -- Avon, A good editor doesn't insist, or tor has a virtue --he changes Bantam, Dell, Berkley, DAW, Del Rey, make changes without permission. nothing, does not seek to interfere, Pocket Books, and so on -- are Ultimately a writer lives or dies never distorts a writer's vision or the most influential people in SF by his words, and he must always gets between author and audience. today. It is they who can choose to have the last word if his work is to This admirable restraint, however, pay five- or six-figure advances, has its roots not in any kind of retain its integrity. or to pay nothing at all. They de­ respect for the writer and his work, There are a lot of good editors cide which titles get promotion, but rather in a kind of indifference in science fiction. and how mbeh. They build their towards creator and reader both. lines as carefully as magazine edi­ Fortunately, such editors are rare. I wish they could get more rec­ tors tend their periodicals. They ognition, and that's the point of can give a writer a huge advance, Much more common is the species this whole thing. and thereby hope for a masterpiece. of editor equipped with all too They can give security instead of much enthusiasm, and all too little The magazine editors have a ’ tough job, but an inportant one. freedom, with multiple book con­ knowledge. This type has a lot of tracts, and encourage regular pro­ heart, and no sense. The best of The magazines aren't as central as duction. They can also insure hack­ them are full of nonsensical sugges­ they used to be, but they are still the place the new talent comes from. work and slipshod craftsmanship by tions that distort everything the The magazine editors have to find keeping writers in indentured serv­ writer was trying to do, but they itude, paying them peanuts, and mak­ have the good grace of allowing the and develop that talent, fill out a ing them write and write and write. author to talk them out of it. magazine month after month, give it The worst of them insist. Or -- a distinctive, lively personality -- A single major paperback editor horror of horrors -- make the chang­ 30 buys more words of fiction in a shows up at a con, there are six Have you wondered why a rela­ QObMAtn; HAF?R<' B/-UE- people shoving microphones in his tively small publisher like Berk­ 'F’ENCilimq - euery" "69" direction, asking for an interview. ley publishes so much good science IN THIS FVcr|N

AN INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WARGAMING BY MIKE GILBERT

PART TWO

In June, I went to Origins -- the annual rotating U.S. board/min- iatures gaming convention; sound familiar? Well, there is more than just basic convention structure that ties wargaming to science fiction. There is an immense crossover of people between the two fields. For example, Fletcher Pratt wrote a set of naval rules which is still used today. But this is taking me away from that well-known convention clone -- the huckster complex. The wargame convention has a huckster room as good as any science fiction worldcon's. The main difference is the products available. Naturally at wargame conventions, games, rules and figures, plus miscellaneous brie looks like the worst 1920s style ing bat wings, caped figure carry­ a brae, are the stock in trade. pulp cover, and I never could under­ ing an axe and fire whip. And the And the hucksters' room is "where stand why they didn't try to pur­ snake demon curling up from a magic it's at". It's reminiscent of an chase reprint rights for one of the seal of Solomon is truly impressive. old-style SF con, where all the pros Emshwiller FfjSF covers for the novel. were out in public and accessible As to spaceships, all modern to the fans. You can meet game de­ And now a last word on game de­ models belong to one of two schools signers, publishers, artists -- ev­ sign and adaptability of stories. -- smooth and chunky. Smooth re­ en the layout and paste-up crew, if Game companies look for "role-play­ sults in the Enterprise, but chunky, you wish. And, naturally, there is ing" adventures such as Elric, Fafh- ahh ... In the beginning was the a tremendous amount of business go­ red and the Gray Mouser, Lord of the discovery. Now the top of the line ing on at these conventions. But Rings quests, etc.; SF role-playing spaceships are put out by VALIANT the real similarity between SF and games such as Starship Trooper and (c/o HERITAGE MODELS, INC., 9840 wargame cons is that feeling that Faukenburg's 42; tactical level Monroe Drive, Bldg. 106, Dallas TX the same people are always there, games either on planet or off and 75220). Their STARDATE: 3000 right down to the secret army of set against space battle or planet­ series is the finest available; eight-year-olds clutching their $20 ary invasion backgrounds; and tac­ fighters, battleships and everything and ready to buy. They leave me tical fantasy board games which in­ -- beautiful! totally in awe. So if you want to clude the whole range of battle sit­ SUPERIOR MODELS, INC. (Claymont, try something different, but not too uations from Robert Adams' Horse­ DE) produces a series of ships evolv­ different, in the way of conventions, clans books to Michael Moorcock's ed along lines beyond STAR WARS. and if you have any interest in find­ fantasies. The ships are interesting but the ing out what gaming is all about, paint job of their display models give the wargame convention a chance AND SO ... on to figure and game reviews (for further informa­ is silly (all white with day-glomark You'll find there are a lot of nuts ings) and detracts from the ships just like you in the world. tion, send SASE to the appropriate conpany). MINIATURE FIGURINES (Box themselves. SUPERIOR also produces Now for those of you who think P, Pine Plains, NY 12567) has re­ MAATAC, multi-functional armed and you have a game idea that will real­ leased the finest new range of SF armored tactical computer. These ly work, or a book that just natur­ soldiers available. Containing both are ground)war machines -- some with ally lends itself to gaming, here humanoid and alien types and com­ movable turrets. Some of these are are a few tips. Before you approach plete with all sorts of equipment, silly; I have my doubts that many any company, check out their prod­ this range is a real delight. war machines of the future will be ucts in game or hobby stores. Prod­ covered with extensions like the uction quality varies enormously as Tom Loback (DRAGON TOOTH FAN- . Death Star, but it's their design. does the type of games that any giv­ TASY, 150 West 26th Street, #502, These ground craft, representing en conpany produces. You'll find NY, NY 10001) has the largest line five "empires", come in six sizes excellent graphics and layouts com­ of "strange" figures available. from a massive war machine down to bined with artwork that even an in­ Many designers add figures to Tom's a man-sized attack computer. The experienced neo-fan wouldn't print. own line, making it the most indi­ scale is 1: 285. For example, Avalon Hill, which puts vidual series of figures available. out a number of good games, fell Gothmaug, Lord of Balrogs, is a fine down terribly when they packaged example --a huge, scaled with flow- Heinlein's STARSHIP TROOPER; the box 32 BOARD GAMES: MORE MINIATURES: the shuttle up to retrieve the Taking up once again the sub­ METAGAMING has released a series pieces, perhaps in cooperation with ject of Metagaming Microgames, Sim­ of 15 im fantasy creatures for use the Russians. ulations Publications Inc. has come with its "Fantasy Trip" series or 'Everybody has known the damn out with one new and different fun any wargame. The sets include elv­ stuff was out there since the early game -- THE MONSTER THAT ATE SHEY- es, heros/heroines, dragons, wiz­ sixties -- but not until now have BOYGAN! This game features any of ards, dungeon beasts, trolls and the Soviets decided to stick their a series of 1950s/60s B-movie mon­ other necessities of gaming. All necks out and say flatly that the sters (like Kong, Mothra, Fan Beast, these figures are well sculpted and thing was a UFO. Crazy Buck Rogers Godzilla, etc.) attacking the city. are a bargain. Stuff Department, eh?' The game features everything: po­ *A***********A***A*****AA**A****A*AA lice, firemen, fires; get out the popcorn and write your own movie ((I would think that alien spaceship scenario to wreak vengeance on the # CARD FROM GREG STAFFORD debris would be the first order of city of your choice. (I pretend THE CHAOSIUM business for any space program...and it's L.A.) POB 6302 would think that by now either we or Albany, CA 94706 the Russians would have made rendes- INVASION OF THE AIR EATERS and August 11, 1979 vous with that debris and examined HOLY WAR are two goodies produced by it to exhaustion. I cannot conceive METAGAMING (Box 15346, Austin, TX 'It is good to see that Fantasy of any govemmert admitting it still 78761). Both these games are quite and SF games are beginning to leak exists in orbit.)) playable and fun. INVASION features into the professional and upper an invasion of Earth in 1983 by a crust fanzines. I refer to Mike Gil­ stagnating alien culture. These bert's article "Sabers, Lasers and creatures set up air converters Starships" in SFR #32, which was a and seek to rid the Earth of "indig­ fair introduction to a complex genre. enous biological activity". It's a # LETTER FROM BARRY N. MALZBERG race against time to see if Earth 'I would like to point out that Box 61, Teaneck, NJ 07666 can unite and invent a superior he made one error there. STOMP! is 28 Sept. 1979 technology to defeat the invaders not by Metagaming, but is by CHAOS- before the air changes. IUM, POB 6302, Albany, CA, 94706 and 'Dear Dick: costs only $2.95.' HOLY WAR features the vast en­ 'I had an insight a couple of tity Amtik, some 400,000 km. in siza weeks ago which I think is import­ ant and which I'd like to share with' He has created a universe within ALIEN THOUGHTS CONT. FROM P. 27 himself. Unfortunately it has ev­ you and, should you see fit, your olved almost too quickly. The Holy readers. It has finally come to me Band live to protect Amtik and seek to understand why SFR in all its his divine intervention when the Sun incarnations is the best of the fan Throwers start hurling suns at Am­ # CARD FROM GEORGE WARREN magazines and why you are, indisput­ tik's sensor ducts seeking to dis­ 853 N. Hill, Pasadena, CA 91104 ably, the greatest fan magazine ed­ rupt his existence and thus gain July 10, 1979 itor in the long history of the access to the greater universe. If field. What you are able to do, Amtik is annoyed enough he may just 'Speaking of ALIEN, the current through some mystical and doubtless turn off the whole universe. A tru­ Natl. Enquirer has a fascinating unconscious process, is to bring ly unique game situation. piece about Soviet reports (corrob­ out the worst in every single one orated by American scientists) that of your contributors. an alien spacecraft blew up near 'I say this, Dick, without a One of the best role-playing Earth December 18, 1955 (two years shred of irony and hope that you games now out is COSMIC ENCOUNTER, before Sputnik) and ten pieces have take this as being a dead-level, a board game for four players. Each been drifting in orbit 1200 miles even solemn communication. Fred player takes a different alien per­ above Earth ever since, the largest sonality in an attempt to outwit and of them around 100' in diameter. Pohl points out in an essay in CLAR­ outbluff the other three. There are ION III ("Golden Ages Gone Away") now many more "plug-in" modules for 'Computers have traced orbits that the key to Horace Gold's edit­ this basic package, showing that of the surviving pieces back to a orial genius was his ability to get there is no end to the expansion pos­ single date and place. NASA, if it his writers, somehow, to do their sibilities of this game. had the dough, might try sending best work, work of which they had

33 never thought themselves capable ring up your computer and ask for clear power in general, contain a and I equate your talent, in its a copy, which your computer will couple of inaccuracies which I find own way, with Gold's. A's vanity, give while recording the transaction surprising from one holding himself B's greed, C's self-delusion, D's and taking whatever steps are nec­ out as a Libertarian. The paragraph obtuseness, E's simpering softhead­ essary to secure and record payment. I am referring to reads: edness, F's self-pity, G's vicious­ ness...there is something about writ­ 'This means that you have the '"You pay high utility rates ing to or for you which causes all content of every issue completely to build a "safe" nuclear of us to go right to the jugular of under your control, even after it's power plant ... and when it design...and there we are, our fund­ been published -- can easily make has an accident and will re­ amental selves, our own doppelgang­ changes at any point in the text at quire perhaps billions more ers, for all the world to see. Vast­ any time, and anyone who rings up to either repair it or shut ly entertaining at the least but for will get the latest version. It it down ... you will be bil­ the perceptive reader or the histor­ may not be necessary to publish led for it..." separate issues at all, just keep ian, more than that. You give us 'Utility power plants under con­ adding to the body of material as the truth. struction are not included in the the fit takes you. People could company's rate base, the total am­ 'Needless to say, it's happen­ ring up for the latest version at ount of assets on which the company ed to me in your pages and it may any time, and be charged each time is allowed to earn a given rate of well happen again (this letter may (you either make it a fixed charge, return (ie, charge customers). On­ show that it is happening right now) or link it to the amount of new mat­ ly after the plant is completed and but I don't know if you are your­ erial that particular person was placed in service is a return allow­ self aware of this great editorial getting). gift and I wanted to share these ed thereon. (This is the reason ut­ thoughts with you. 'Far from being a potential ilities are allowed to capitalize monopoly, computer publication of­ interest charges on construction -- 'I say again, this letter is fers an enormous potential for ind­ if they didn't, the interest would written without a shade of irony. ividual enterprise, which could on­ be expensed with no corresponding 'What I tell you three times is ly be censored by continuous monitor­ revenue.) ing of all phone lines and other true. I write you in all serious­ 'Secondly, as far as I have communications channels -- a vast ness and if you publish, maybe we heard there has not as yet been any undertaking. The government could can all think about it some more.' decision on who will ultimately bear suppress centralised advertising of the cleanup costs. I would agree publications, but "word of mouth" ((I think you paint with too broad could be pretty rapid and effective with the implied unfairness in your a brush; some of the letter-writers over a computer network (of private, statement if the stockholders had truly been allowed to earn a fair and an occasional columnist has gone home computers).' off the deep end in these pages, in return on their investment. Howev­ times past, and may again. But, as er, utility rates of return are held I explained some years ago, the reas­ at an artificially low rate, in ex­ ((Thanks for the fascinating alter­ change for which the rate is guar­ on this occurrs is because I sprinkle nate view; speed the day!)) a certain kind of brain dust on the anteed and the public assumes some pages which when inhaled by the un­ of the economic risk. Thus, the suspecting, goes straight to the id most reasonable solution appears to and bile in the mind, resulting in be a sharing of the costs, just as a maddened letter, a fulminous col­ the benefits are shared. umn... Of late I’m running low on WILL THIS 8E Fl 'The main problem with the nu­ this powder, but Alter assures me |8Sr 31® 3s* OR. clear debate is too much rhetoric his is brewing up a new batch. lower class cm.? and not enough facts. Hope this ((On the other hand, the wild letter trades a couple of the lat­ talent you describe is intriguing... ter for a bunch of the former. ' some kind of psi ability, do you think?)) THIS )t> AN ((I suspect, if the rate-payer is not billed directly for the costs of building and dismantling nuclear pow­ er plants, he will pay indirectly in oo 0 higher, taxes as the utilities write 0 off all those billions as tax deduc­ # LETTER FROM JONATHAN P.R. * SORRy, YOo'RE USING AN tions. There is NEVER any such PALFREY • IMPROPERLY SIZED PHONE thing as a free lunch for the guy 29A Priory Road, Kenilworth, ’ TOR EXPRESS CPU- ' 0 and girl on the bottom of the social/ Warwickshire CV8 ILL, economic power pole.)) England HWG UP AND Buy A 29th July 1979 NEkI PHONE) EVER S/N(E THE FOST 'I refer to your fears expres­ office annexed the sed about the Central Computer as a phone co. —r. - - potential Big Censor of publica­ # LETTER FROM GLENN T. WILSON tions (SFR #31, pp. 4-5). In my 722 Montclaire, Edwardsville, opinion this is not a job for a big # LETTER FROM BRENT A. BYRD, CPA IL, 62025 central computer. The central com­ POB 1009, Huntington Beach., Sept. 7, 1979 puter might well hold an index to CA 92647 publications, but if you are pub­ August 9, 1979 'I'd like to make a rather be­ lishing SFR by computer I don't see lated response to your comments why you shouldn't store it on your 'Your comments in SFR #32 re­ (Aug. '79 issue) on the Three Mile own home computer. Anyone who wants garding Three Mile Island, and nu- Island nuclear accident: (1) The a copy can tell his computer to 34 technicians operating the plant were dummies, (2) The instrumenta­ cut down the power load rather than tion should've been more foolproof, the power production. and (3) The basic Babcock and Wil­ son design was unwise, because while 'Other neighboring electric ut­ it got theoretically higher effic­ ilities found that helping New York iency by using higher temperatures City was like jumping into the wat­ and pressures, this made it more er to save a drowning man with lead liable to breakdown. boots who would desperately wrap his arms around the neck of any 'It's significant that the ac­ would-be rescuer. Selling extra el­ cident started on the "graveyard" ectricity to make up a 10% shortfall shift. I don't know this particu­ is one thing; trying to rescue a lar utility's staffing policies, city where all the power plants have but very frequently those assigned been dopily closed down is quite an­ to the night shift are the least other. The only sensible response senior and least competent. Also, is to design the power interconnec­ the top management and engineering tions so they shut off the rescue people are usually around on the power when the demand is impossibly day shift only. high. 'The instrumentation had ap­ 'Then again, why did it take the parently "cried wolf" on previous dopes at Con Ed a whole 24 hours to occasions so that the workers dis­ start up their power plants again? believed the reactor's high temper­ As far as I can make out, it takes ature readings at the crucial mom­ electricity to restart some of the ent. The instrumentation, at a crucial parts of the machinery -- cost of a few thousand dollars more, and they didn't have any electricity could have measured such crucial did they? variables as the level of water in 'Now, power shortages are oc­ the reactor. Some of the valves casionally inevitable if an equip­ BUT I gave it tons apparently stuck open, or had been OF URTE« EVERYDAY ' left the wrong way at the last main­ ment breakdown unluckily coincides tenance inspection. And the reac­ with a week of peak demand; deliber­ tor got flooded by so much water ate rotation blackouts may be nec­ that the technicians got panicky essary if no outside power can be ever invents one first ought to be about the prospect of a little mild­ bought. People will understand if able to make millions.' ly radioactive water escaping, and their neighborhood's power is knock­ ed out temporarily by tree limbs made the crucial mistake of cutting off coolant water entirely so that falling in bad weather. And a 5- ((Making complicated machinery idiot the core partially melted. minute system-wide blackout would proof will only give a false sense be excusable. But a 24-hour shut­ of security----because the idiot­ 'The public brouhaha reminds down? For crying out loud.' proofing machinery will itself be me somewhat of Asimov's FOUNDATION 'The moral is, I think, that complicated, and when it breaks AND EMPIRE where the Foundation's down. ... agents found that the declining Em­ any kind of machinery had better be designed to be as idiot-proof as ************************************ pire is increasingly shutting down possible, because at least a few of its power plants entirely, rather than risk catastrophic explosions the managers and technicians using by tampering with them. The Empire's it will be way below average in comp­ "tech-men" know how to run routine etence . This operations and maintenance and can 'The breeder reactor, incident­ Publication.... make "baling-wire-and-hairpin" ally, sounds ridiculously unsafe. quick fixes, but have no idea how It uses molten sodium to transfer the machinery really works. (Tak­ heat to water which produces steam ing the analogy a little further, to run the turbines. But any break the Japanese, not we alas, are now in the tubes at all will expose the in the Foundation's role of champ­ sodium to water, air or both, and ion adapters and miniaturizers). produce a simply marvelous big chem­ ical explosion with a splendid mess 'Actually, most of this Nation's of hot radioactive caustic soda and electric and other utilities still hydrogen. seem to be run by solid and compet­ ent engineers and accountants, but 'Come on, AEC. I know that us­ there are some glaring exceptions -- ing molten sodium allows higher the dopes at Three Mile Island, and temperatures and hence higher theor­ the even bigger idiots a few miles etical efficiencies. But is it is Available in further north in New York City's worth it? Surely there must be bet­ MICROFORM Consolidated Edison. ter and safer ways of converting the surplus U-238 into plutonium. 'As far as I can make out, Con For Complete Information 'One last thought on energy: WRITE : Ed's switching system is based on University the marvelous principle that if the If solar power ever becomes econom­ load exceeds the generating capa­ ically practical, what this country Microfilms city, you automatically shut down really needs is a solar-powered air­ International conditioner. It would work best the generating station. Now, this Depi. F.A Dept. F.A. is fine for protecting the machin­ exactly when it's most needed, and 300 North Zeeb Road 10 Bed lord Row wouldn't work when it wasn't. Who- Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 London. WC1 R 4EJ ery, But it really does seem that U.S.A. England the system would work better if they 35 THE VIVISECTOR EM §AKbE ' A Column By Darrell Schweitzer

JESUS ON MARS By Philip Jose' Farmer Pinnacle, 1979, 256 pp., $1.95

Whenever I tell anybody about this book they usually break up laughing, not because it is a bad novel, or a deliberately funny one, own' faith (he is a Jew) come when '(Where the "New Wave" went but because of the hilarious cir­ Jesus decides to return to Earth. wrong in the 60s) in search of cumstance of JESUS ON MARS, one of Along the way it is suggested, as new ways of telling stories, in the silliest-sounding titles of all the cover blurb tells us, that Jes­ emphasizing style over content, time and a book about exactly what us might be (1) the genuine article we departed from the primary it sounds like it's about, being (2) a spirit of some sort (3) a Mart­ goal of fiction... We played written for Roger Elwood. I may be ian (4) an energy creature from a with our readers' heads on all wrong, but I believe this was writ­ distant star. By allowing some sorts of levels, but turned ten for the short-lived Futorian doubt and a possible rational explan­ away from that substructure of series Elwood edited for Pinnacle ation r Farmer keeps the story within event and character and con­ right before he left the SF field. the realm of science fiction. It flict that in calmer times we Obviously Farmer, someone suggested, isn't straight religious fantasy. accept as indispensable.' Those that avoid such might still was having his little joke. So with some degree of puzzle­ want to read this. Yes, I suspect he is, and it's ment I must ask: Why is it that a very subtle, deadpan one, and the NEW DIMENSIONS 9 seems devoted to I think you will remember the result is a book of medium quality, repeating the mistakes of the past? basic situation and the enigmatic a lot better than DARE, which I re­ The above paragraph sums up all but figure of Christ, but none of the viewed last issue. It has the usu­ four of the stories. "Calibrations human characters. They never man­ al Farmer failing of being a rather and Exercises" by Gregory Benford age to quite come alive. One wish­ routine execution of a superior id­ is one of those stories about a ster­ es that Fanner would apply himself ea, but it certainly keeps you read­ ile, dull, dehumanizing society which and write the first class novel he ing. is in itself dehumanizing, sterile, is capable of, but he hasn't, so dull, etc. George Orwell made this An Earth expedition discovers JESUS CW MARS is fun, but no great sort of thing interesting with real a human civilization on Mars. When shakes. characters and an attempt (even if the astronauts break open a tin of tragically foredoomed to failure), rations they discover much to their but when there is only stasis and shock that the Martians are ortho­ the characters are emotionless from dox Jews and recoil at anything un- NEW DIMENSIONS start to finish, the reader is like­ kosher. It transpires that these Ed. Robert Silverberg ly to start yawning. Felix Gots- folks are descendants of a random Harper 6 Row, 1979, 212 pp., $10.95 chalk's "Square Pony Express" is the sampling of humanity picked up by purest example of style without con­ aliens in the First Century A.D. It's always dangerous to say tent (by which I suppose we mean among whom were the apostle Matthias this or that element is the essent­ without non-trivial content) I have and some followers, who proceeded to ial element of fiction. Somebody seen in a long time. It seems to convert everybody to pre-Pauline like Borges will always write a be an exercise in telling a frag­ Christianity. counter-exanple. But I think it is ment of a narrative in the most dif­ safe to say that unless you are Bor­ Oh, yes, it seems they have the fuse, roundabout manner possible. ges or a genius of similar calibre, messiah in residence among them. If Mark Twain's famous rule, "Use all stories, even short ones, must the right word, not its second All jokes and gags (a spaceship have human elements. There must be cousin", were applied, it would not called Barsoom and a character named some emotional content. There must merely collapse; it would evaporate. be character. Somewhere the story John Carter) aside, Farmer carries For exanple: this outrageous and intriguing situ­ must intersect with the realities ation through 256 pages with the of existence. Otherwise you have 'My hoods of my visual tab­ standard lecture tour the earthman/ a NEW WORLDS doodle or an ANALOG lets snapped open, and I could explorer always gets when he comes schematic diagram. (In the sense see the thin yellow bar of the upon the aliens/lost race, and, as of the sort we point out as "an ANA­ helio-band pop up over the iron- usual, our hero discovers dissent LOG story" when we don't like it, hard ridge of the pure horizon in what looks like a utopian society meaning ANALOG shouldn't have pub­ line, that infinitely receding and promptly gets drawn into it. lished it.) It would seem from his far off reference point of line­ But the plot isn't one of revolution column in GALILEO 14 that Robert arity. ' (P. 109) That can't happen because Jesus is Silverberg agrees: My feeling is, anyone who cares real and has superhuman powers. The to read prose like that can have it, climax and the crisis of the hero's 36 but I don't think it'll appeal to fiction readers very much. The iron­ way. The stories in NEW WORLDS are told who to try next if we like ic thing is that the next sentence are always very good, the problem author X. ("If you like Pangbom, is, "It was daybreak", rendering being there were only one or two try Theodore Sturgeon, James Schmitz the foregoing redundant, even where per issue. ORBIT at its worst nev­ and Walter Miller, Jr.") it isn't already within itself. I er went so far, there also minimum As an actual bibliographical or have nothing against freaky styles standards of readability were not biographical research tool (which^ as long as they work, i.e. describe maintained. (This has changed, but again, in fairness, it doesn't fry things and bring the mood across too late. See my review of Volume to be) the book falls far short of more clearly than regular prose, not 20 last issue.) If 75% of the con­ ANATOMY OF WONDER and the Tuck ENCY­ drastically less so, as this does. tents lack the essential humanity CLOPEDIA. It won't tell the exper­ I wonder if Gotschalk might not be to raise them from prose exercises ienced reader much he doesn't al­ trying to imitate David Bunch and into living fiction, the result is ready know. Thus I found myself failing abysmally. commercial suicide. Now you know testing my knowledge against the But no more of this. I don't why magazines like F(jSF, ANALOG and authors', looking for errors. And like to write killer reviews. I ASIMOV'S go chugging along steadily I found the statement that Pohl did try to pick books I'll like, and while anthologies rise and fall. not start collaborating with Kom- bad reviews result when I am disap­ The very best stories in the anthol­ bluth until 1952, which is correct pointed. The curious thing is that ogies may be better than the best in in the sense of bylines used, but there are two very good stories in the magazines, but it's the worst wrong because they'd been collabor­ this volume, which I ended up re­ that kills them. ating under pseudonyms since about commending for Nebulas, and two 1940. The date for "Nerves" is more that are first sales and are wrong. The one flat-out colossal at least promising starts for their blooper I found was the statement authors. that Daniel Keyes wrote not one word Ursula LeGuin's "The Pathways of SF other than "Flowers for Alger­ non". Obviously our authors did of Desire" starts out as a typical not bother to do the most elementary anthropologists - on- South- Sea- Is land­ research. A quick look in the in-space story, only with better M.I.T. index reveals 8 stories pub­ realised characters than most of lished between 1952 and 1963. Keyes the type, but then it comes to grips also wrote another science fiction with the unlikelihood of the situa­ novel, THE TOUCH, the existence of tion in a manner which will surprise which is mentioned on the jacket of- you. Michael Connor's "Last" is a FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON. playful bit of black humor about the last man in the world who wants I think the entry on Edmond to be last because he is fascinated Hamilton puts far too much emphasis with the role. (These are the two on Captain Future without mention­ I think are award quality.) Peter ing the revolutionary (so much so S. Alterman's "Binding Energy" is it couldn't be published for 20 told from the novel viewpoint of a years after it was written) "What's computer program (which is somewhat It Like Out There?" and I suspect different from the usual sentient our authors are wholly unfamiliar computer) and avoids most of the A READER'S GUIDE TO SCIENCE FICTION with his early work. Hamilton was cliches of machine intelligence By Baird Searles, Martin Last, Beth one of the last practitioners of stories until falling right into Nfeacham and Michael Franklin. the lost race fantasy. He didn't one at the end. I don't know why Introduction by Samuel R. Delany just write space opera. writers always assume sentient com­ Avon, 1979, 266 pp., $2.95 puters can transplant their minds As long as we're in the realm into human beings, a feat which is I suspect this book will be of of opinion, I would question some obviously far more formidable a great service to the novice reader of the entries on the list of "bas­ technical accomplishment than build­ who has no idea what has been writ­ ic" SF works: Delany's DHALGREN and ing a sentient machine. One does ten in the field or who the major Hodgson's THE NICUT LAND. Good God, not necessitate the other. authors are, but for the rest of us, if this is a book for new readers, better reference works are available. don't scare them off! Also, the Tony Sarowitz's "A Passionate The bulk of this volume consists of authors are the first people I know State of Mind" is more of a charac­ sunmaries of the writings of rough­ of to proclaim M. John Harrison's ter sketch than a story, although ly 200 authors done without any at­ THE CENTAURI DEVICE a major and sem­ there is a rudimentary story there. tempt to evaluate. We are told inal work. They may like it a lot, It's certainly the most intense what sort of material each one but let'"s not get carried away. piece in the book, the only one, as writes, irrespective of how good it Also I can't agree with the the title might imply, to bring is. Only in extreme cases like E.E. statement, that SF art has "never re­ across any real passion. It's about Smith, Homer Eon Flint and Otis Adel- covered" from the death of the pulps. scientific creativity and the kind bart Kline is there a hint that the ,Jn the 1940s, virtually all magazine of obsessive drive which leads to fiction being described might leave covers were Bug-eyed monster and breakthroughs. The writing is very something to be desired. (Well, nude maiden pictures. Thus, while good. Sure enough, Sarowitz has Raymond F. Jones is called conven­ there were good Bok and Finlay in­ gone on to produce better things tional and unchallenging.) This teriors, the only consistent markets since this one was sold. I think might give the inpression that the for good color work were ASTOUNDING he'll go far. authors think all SF is great, save and WEIRD TALES (which had pioneered that an essay at the end of the Only four good stories in an and abandoned the nudie cover a de- book shows otherwise. But still, eleven dollar book. Bad news. cade ahead of everybody else) while the book is not a guide to quality Worse, NEW DIMENSIONS is beginning later on things expanded tremendous­ at all (nor does it try to be, to to remind me of NEW WORLDS (both ly. Books like TOMORROW AND BEYOND be fair), only to similarity. We the old magazine and the paperback show SF art to be in fine health. quarterlies) and ORBIT in an ominous 37 I'll take Emshwiller, the Dillons, Scheonherr, Barr, Freas and Di Fate vulsion to accept this. The deck ly the stories hold up. Socially over Earle Bergey and day. is only minimally stacked by love they are dated. Of course, comtemp- interest. The portrait of a monas­ Overall, a good item to slip in orary writers do the same thing, tic comnunity coming to terms with but it may take twenty years for it with that first batch of books you the condition and trying to face to show. (Or less. Spinrad's BUG give to the prospective convert. the future constructively is partic­ JACK BARRON, allegedly about the ularly memorable. This story had late 1980s, already has a period­ all the indications of Miller's la­ piece feel to it.) I think femin­ ter success. THE SCIENCE FICTION STORIES OF ists may be outraged at some of the WALTER M. MILLER "The Darfsteller" won him his sexual attitudes in these stories, Intro, by David Samuelson first Hugo. This is a more complex but Miller was not addressing those Gregg Press, 1978, 373 pp., $15.00 story than it seems at first, about issues. He took the ideas for the an actor pushed out of the theater early 50s for granted and put them This book consists of facsimile by robot performers. It's about in the future. reprints of the two Miller collec­ the whole concept of art as some­ In "Dumb Waiter" we have a whol­ tions, A VIEW FROM THE STARS and thing integral to the artist's per­ ly incompetent woman who is dragged CONDITIONALLY HUMAN and inadequate sonality, not just something he about, beaten out of hysteria, and as it may be in some ways, it is does in front of audiences. Some at one point described by our hero long overdue. It is only inadequate of the circumstances are a bit con­ as a "good animal" fit only for in that it gives us but the tip of trived, and not all the characters nursing babies, but if you read the Miller iceberg. Since he quit are. as three-dimensional as one closely, you see the point is that writing over twenty years ago, his might want, but the story works. she is technologically incompetent, work has not been adequately promot­ Every time it seems about to fall having taken her environment for ed or reprinted. A CANTICLE FOR into a conventional groove, it turns granted without trying to understand LEIBOWITZ seems to be one of those fresh again. "Crucifixus Etiam", it. When it collapses, so does she. classics which will remain in print about an ignorant Peruvian laborer Her equally incompetent husband forever, but beyond that, not much on Mars who finds he cannot go home committed suicide rather than cope. of his work is available any more. and must sacrifice himself for fu­ However, in this and other stories, He published a total of 41 stories ture generations is simply superb. Miller doesn't seem to imagine that between 1951 and 1957, including one No melodrama, vivid characteriza­ the roles of women might change, novel, THE RELUCTANT TRAITOR, in AM­ tions even of the spear-carriers, even as much as they have changed AZING in 1953, which has never been no wasted wordage. between then and now. reprinted. According to an inter­ Some of the other stories begin In "Blood Bank" the setting is view with Chad Oliver, who knew Mil­ well, but trivialize themselves. ler, in the current SUMERMORN (#3, so far in the future that interstel­ "You Triflin' Skunk" has a powerful $1.00 a copy from Tom Geddie, 2406-A lar mankind is not sure where he situation, essentially that of Love­ Hollandale Circle, Arlington TX, came from and a new intelligent spec­ craft's "The Dunwich Horror" with 76010), this was sold to one of the ies has evolved on Earth but, still a boy who has been fathered by a specialty publishers in the 1950s, the only female characters are a Thing which is coming back for him who went broke before publishing it. secretary who sits behind a desk in and communicates via telepathy in So, while the Gregg Press volume is a front office and a lady spaceship the meantime. Unlike Lovecraft's an excellent beginning, there is pilot who is abrasive and aggressive^ version, Miller's character is sym­ enough material around for three smokes cigars and even wears denims pathetic. Unfortunately, before more books at least this size. (.'). Most of Miller's futures are the story gets very far the boy's not convincing. They feel like Reading these stories we get hillbilly mother shoots the alien 1950s suburbia. an idea of where Miller came from because it had slighted her virtue. artistically. Only one of them "Conditionally Human" is a very ("Crucifixus Etiam") is as good as "Anybody Else Like Me?" contains good story about the fight to win LEIBOWITZ, but the others show a a very sensitive picture of an in­ legal rights for artificial creat­ definite progression toward that telligent woman trapped in a suburb­ ures, but the setting is like the height. Miller did not begin in an housewife role and bored out of neighborhood I grew up in, without the highbrow magazines of the period, her mind. Her biggest problem is any significant differences except but in Howard Browne's AMAZING, which that she is telepathic, and the on­ those directly related to the story's meant bang-bang fiction of the hoar­ ly telepath in the neighborhood has premise (as if, contrary to John iest pulp tradition. This was the fascistic ideas about finding a race Campbell's rule, the future happen­ first thing he had to outgrow. Some of supermen. He's coming to rape ed One At A Time), and the female of the stories proceed through break­ her. This is suspenseful, powerful lead is a typical housewife. Obvi­ neck action at the expense of plot, stuff, but as soon as the enemy is ously the man who could write "Any­ character and idea, but gradually destroyed, the story ends, the bas­ body Else Like Me?” wasn't.a misogyn­ the portraits of the people become ic problems of the character still ist, but he did fail to think through more sensitive and the cliches re­ unresolved. All that Miller wrote a lot of the background details in cede. Humor begins to appear. One was good, but there wasn't enough. his stories. Despite this, his best surprisingly good, early effort is There is another, more pervas­ stories are still very good indeed, the 1951 FANTASTIC ADVENTURES nov­ ive problem, which makes these stor­ and collections of them are not on­ ella, "Dark Benediction", which is ies an instructive reader for con­ ly good reading for the most part, about a world ravaged by a loathe- temporary SF writers. Miller was but also of definite historical in­ some disease which turns the skin not very good at making the future terest. grey and gives the victim an urge seem real. He lacked Heinlein's ftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftft to infect others by touching them. feel for everyday detail. His best But it turns out that the "plague" stories are those with limited set­ is really a blessing, a symbiotic tings (the theater, the work camp PESSIMISM IS THE SOLIPSIST'S NATURAL organism which will raise man to a on Mars) or present day ones. STATE OF MIND—FROM AGE 50 ONWARD higher stage of evolution. The Otherwise he tended to project his hero's problem is to overcome the own time into the future. Literal- ---ALTER EGO prejudice of others and his own re­ 38 YOU GOT NO FRIENDS IN THIS WORLD A Review Of Short Fiction By Orson Scott Card

One of the problems and one of the nebulous idea of the circus, as "Enemy Mine" was the story my the delights of being a reader is if that were enough. As if saying friend had called a masterpiece. that a writer whose work has never circus should make my eyes well up She was right. nuch appealed to you will, some­ with tears and nostalgia tug at my It is a beautifully-told account times, up and write himself a story heart. of an accidental friendship between that you love. It's a delight be­ a human and an alien, soldiers who cause it means you can occasionally And, in the second story, about a girl on a strange planet who wants had tried to kill each other, now be pleasantly surprised, receiving stranded together on a hostile world a gift from someone you thought in­ to run away with the circus, again where they learn each other's lang­ capable of giving it. It's a prob­ I do not understand the mystique. uage and each other's way of thought. lem because it means that you can Worse, it becomes clear that every­ It is easy to say that they become never conpletely write off a writer one in Longyear's circus is a sweet­ friends; it is more accurate to say -- even if you have been bored wit­ heart. People are so sickeningly that this time Longyear does what less by everything else of his that nice that I not only don't believe he failed to do before: He shows us you have read, there's still a them, I want to strangle them. And the development of their friendship, chance that the next one will be when the plot is resolved by the step by painful step, so that I not good. incredible coincidence of having the judge in the crucial trial just only know but also feel the love and Barry Longyear has done that happen to be another sweetheart of trust they have for each other. I to me. He has been even more ubiq­ a former circus man -- let me kindly cared, very deeply, what happened. uitous in ISAAC ASIMOV'S SCIENCE say that it strained my patience. The surrounding details were rich FICTION MAGAZINE than I have been and convincing; I even felt that I in ANALOG in the past year or so I persevered and read "Priest had been given a quick and painless (actually, ANALOG readers are at of the Maraboo" (lAsfm July). Same course in an alien language. There last getting a respite from me). problems. All the circus people un­ were several electric moments: When But try as I would, I couldn't believably good, without exception. the human confronts his friend's hos­ bring myself to be anything but bor­ No individual character development tile parent; when the Drac child op­ ed by his work. I knew that his among them. Only a couple of merc­ ens its parent's tomb, to be sure work must appeal to somebody -- the enary soldiers were developed at all its hand had only three fingers. If letters in the Asimov magazine are -- and not enough to explain their I have any quarrel with Longyear's not staff-written -- but certainly change of heart at the end, not story at all, it is that the ending I was not one of those somebodies. without making me wonder why they felt a little rushed. hadn't had the change of heart right And then I got a letter from a at the beginning. And "Dreams" writer I admire, in which she men­ (LAsfin Aug) was a piece of fluff I only resent having had to tioned that the latest Barry Long­ written to explain an illustration, kiss so many frogs to find the year was a masterpiece. I was sur­ acconplishing nothing. prince. prised. But I decided to read with a more open mind. So when I started reading "En­ emy Mine" (LAsfin Sep) you can under­ THE HARD STUFF -- "IDEAS FIRST" She was right, but so was I. stand that try as I might, I was There are five Barry Longyear not predisposed to like it. I had There are a lot of definitions stories in this review period. Per­ already concluded that while Long­ of the term hard SF. Mine is that versely, I read them in the wrong year was competent at putting words the ideas are the writer's most order. Longyear has been building together reasonably coherently, he cherished objective, and characters up an audience for his series of had no sense of what made a good and plot exist only to explain the stories set on Momus, a world found­ story. That had been my opinion be­ ideas. The ideas can range from ed by a stranded circus and where fore, and all four stories I had philosophy to machinery, but in the circus is the center of their read so far vindicated that opinion. hard SF you end up knowing the idea lives. "The Starshow", in ASIMOV'S SF ADVENTURE MAGAZINE, (Fall, 1979), is really two stories, "The Last Show on Earth" and "Follow the Red Wagons". Both are prequels to the series, taking place before the circus ship City of Maraboo got stranded on Momus. And both suffer from the same disease -- the writer is taking far too much for granted. In the first, all reader involve­ ment, every incident in the story, depends on the idea that the circus is wonderful, beautiful, worth pre­ serving for its own sake. The troub­ le is, while a few of the characters say that, there is nothing in the story to show it. We see none of the life of the circus. We see only And then there's an exception. And Alan Ryan, in "You're Wel­ "Graveside Watch", by Edward H. Gan­ come, Said the Robot, and Turned to dy (OMNI Sep), depends on a single Watch the Snowflakes" (F5SF Aug), punch, an idea revealed at the end. has written another story of a hu­ But Gandy actually succeeds in creat­ man being who discovers that his ro­ ing a character, an eccentric con bots are only a mirror of himself. man who knows how to get what he A mild-mannered Frankenstein's mon­ wants, and when the effect of the ster. But Ryan creates a painful­ twist ending has worn off, the ly empty protagonist, who looks in character remains, and the story the mirror he has created to discov­ is better than the idea. It is pos­ er that he has no reflection. sible. And it just makes me feel Four other stories use old far better than you know any char­ more disappointed with the others -- acter. Some of the best of classic themes, all of them stories about for all of them were written by writ­ aliens in contact with earth. D.C. SF is like that. "Nightfall", "The ers of genuine talent, who could Nine Billion Names of God", "The and Lin Poyer, in "Silent Trade" have done more. The obvious answer (GALILEO Sep), retell the theme of Sentinel", "The Star" -- there isn't is that they didn't want to do more. a character in one of those stories. "To Serve Man" -- aliens devouring If that's true, then my frustration human beings with human cooperation, And Asimov can still pull it with the stories is a result of my in exchange for their solving our bias, not their failure: I believe off, as in the slight story "The problems. A rehash, but a fairly Backward Look" (lAsfin Sep). It's a a writer should want to do more. good one. In "Home is the Hunter" Black Widowers story, on the surf­ (ANALOG Aug), Stephen Tall puts ace. In fact, it is a cleverly aliens on earth in human disguise, handled science article, in which where they are seduced by the joys he discusses eclipses of the sun NEW SONG ON OLD THEMES of the flesh. They found, you see, and moon. The characters are mean­ the perfect human companion -- all ingless except to make the science Hey, here's an idea for you. to the frustration of their slight­ lecture palatable. And it works. A bunch of clones are raised to­ ly alcoholic superiors, who are I enjoyed the story. gether, see, and because they have monitoring them from out in space. More recently-spawned writers, the same genetic heritage, they A fun story. ’ however, usually fail to achieve lack individuality -- oh, you've John Morressy's "The Empath and Asimov's entertainment level. Per­ heard it? Wrong. You haven't. the Savages" (OMNI July) was not haps the reason Charles Sheffield's It's an old idea, but in "The Quin­ quite as successful. As in "Home "Skystalk" (DESTINIES, Aug-Sep) tessence of Galahad Sypher," Jos­ is the Hunter", he has aliens study­ frustrated me was because he was ob­ eph Kosiewska (LAsfin July) does new ing the earth to see whether humans • viously trying to make his charac­ things with it. He concentrates are worth keeping around, but this ters believable and interesting and on the upbringing of the five iden­ is another ideas-first story, with failed. The story concerns a ter­ tical children and their gradual the aliens not emerging as charac­ rorist attempt to hold the world for discovery that someone has been play­ ters and the humans who are brought ransom by threatening to blow up the ing God with their lives, and ends on board ship reduced to mere ster­ skystalk, a space elevator that, if his story when they break free. He eotypes. It was also a bit absurd severed, could cause millions of stops where most other writers would to have humanity redeemed by the deaths by striking the earth like have begun; he spends his time in good-guy nature of an astronaut, an erratic cracked whip. The heroes the areas that most would have skip­ the last sample, as if astronauts solve the problem. Period. Shef­ ped over. And he proves that one of were the best the earth has ever field's writing is clear and good, the best stories this year can re­ produced, a dubious proposition. but the story consists of setting sult when a good writer turns to a And yet the story does have a strong up the problem, thinking of a solu­ hackneyed theme. It isn't the idea ending, even if it is a bit too opt­ tion, and carrying it out. And that makes a fine story -- it's a imistic about the future of man. that's it. If you like that kind fine writer. of story, with no other value to it, As if to carry this theme to then this is a good one. Two more of the best stories absurdity, "The Angel of Death" by this quarter are also rehashes of Michael Shea (F(jSF Aug) , is also George Zebrowski's "The Word old themes. W.T. Quick's "Instruc­ about an alien who comes to earth Sweep" (FtjSF Aug) is an ideas-first tions Enclosed" (ANALOG Oct) is in human form to study mankind. story of a different kind. The writ­ just another story of a computer But Shea's tale is the best of the er comes up with a marvelous idea -- that achieves sentience. Except lot --a funny, ironic, and ultim­ in this case, "What if every word that Quick has done it better than ately powerful story of a well-mean­ you said turned into a solid object, I've ever seen it done before, per­ ing alien superman who is trying so that conversations ran the risk haps because the first sign of the to give the humans he comes in con­ of filling up the world?" -- and computer's intelligence is that it tact with exactly what they most writes a story about it. But once writes poetry. This is a dangerous want. This can be a pleasure, when you've said the idea, you've had idea -- almost every time an SF he runs into a sex-starved, beauti­ the whole story. There's nothing writer puts poetry into his work he ful woman; it is terrifying when he more. It's fun, but in the end it proves that he should only show his meets a Son-of-Sam-type murderer. feels pointless because the attempts poems to his friends. But Quick at characterization are so meaning­ wrote good poems, awkward because less. Dean R. Lambe"s "Damn Shame" the computer is experimenting, pow­ (ANALOG Sep) felt more successful erful because they are rich in ideas GIANT ANT STORIES only because it didn't try so hard and emotions, obviously the product to seem more than it was. Lambe of a heart as well as a mind. The Who would have believed it? tells the story through letters, final poem is a clincher that raises Two of the finest young writers in which let little character show this story above the level of most the field today have both, in the through, and because the story is that have used the theme. same month, come up with giant ant short and unpretentious, the idea stories. Ed Bryant's "giANTS" (AN­ achieved its effect. 40 ALOG Aug) is a delightful tour-de- force. It could have been written off an excellent adventure story, Mary H. Schaub's "The Court of on a bet -- "Hey, Ed, betcha can't but also that he is a vastly under­ the Timesifters" (GALILEO Sep) is write a giant ant story that doesn't rated writer. He seemed to be a violate the square-cube law" -- but ostensibly science fiction; I use shy man, the one time I met him, my own judgment to move it into the it is a witness of Bryant's caliber and this shows up in a rather subdu­ fantasy category because, though as a writer that he was incapable of ed writing style; but surely his the hero arrived in a spaceship, treating it as a joke. Instead, subtlety should not conceal his mas­ the world he is visiting is mediev­ while he wins the bet, he also terful writing! Perhaps those best- al and uses unexplained magic. Sci­ creates a strong character, and the equipped to appreciate his talent ence fiction or fantasy, the story climax of the plot is actually over­ are often those least likely to be is wonderful. The protagonist is shadowed by the character climax -- drawn to what appears to be a a historian who wants to drudge a little matter of a broken stained- straightforward adventure story. through the delicious past of a glass window. "Triggerman" by William Walling tradition-bound world; he falls in And George R.R. Martin, while (FEjSF Sep), tales place after a war with a companion he can't get rid his creatures aren't exactly ants, between humans and an incredibly of, who is bent on leading him into certainly has taken the ant farm to aggressive alien species; some excitement. The story is funny, its logical, terrifying climax in troublemakers want to shatter the exciting, pure pleasure -- except "Sandkings" (OMNI Aug). This story peace, and so the human protagonist for the last two paragraphs, which will certainly be on a ballot in finds himself in an almost impossi­ seemed as if the writer were trying the novelette category. Departing ble dilemma on board a ship carry­ to put a punchline on a story that from his frequent sentimentality ing some of the most inportant of deserves better. (which he handles very well), Mart­ the alien leaders. Walling creates I don't understand "The Fox and in moves to horror (which he handles a fascinating race of aliens, and the Hedgehog" by John Anthony West just as well). Simon Kress, the uses the story to explore their (ONhII Aug). The writing is affect­ protagonist, discovers that he can character -- but, more inportant, ed, jarring, absurd. The story be worshipped as God by a group of to explore the human character as doesn't end satisfyingly at all. I tiny alien creatures. And then pro­ well. Another of the best stories mention it only because, in spite ceeds to shape them in his own sad­ this quarter. of that, I enjoyed every minute of istic, selfish image. it and can't forget it. Which means that, while my ignorance is occasion­ FANTASIES ally impenetrable, my gut reactions MAN AT WAR can be reached in spite of me. The best thing in the fall is­ What does war do to soldiers? sue of ASIMDV'S SF ADVENTURE MAGA­ D.C. Poyer, in "Universal Soldier" ZINE is "The Things That Are Gods" IMMORTALITY AIN'T ALL IT'S CRACKED (GALILEO July), chillingly decides by John Brunner. It is also one of UP TO BE that the best soldiers wouldn't be the best stories this year. It is human at all -- they'd be androids, about a powerful traveler who grants Why are science fiction writers who felt nothing at all as they people's wishes, often to their hurt; so pessimistic about immortality? killed and killed and killed. this time, however, he grants two We seem to have decided that it's In contrast, Neal Barrett, Jr., conflicting wishes that almost de­ boring, destructive, or otherwise lets his soldiers go to war as hu­ stroy him. The fantasy world is in­ undesirable. I've written some sto­ mans, But in "Hero" (F()SF Sep), one teresting, the characters are well­ ries like that myself. But I sus­ of my favorite stories this quarter, drawn, but best of all is that John pect it's all sour grapes. Admit he has his protagonist fight in a Brunner's writing sings. war with a race of aliens who exact Bob Leman's "Change of Address" a terrible price from the soldiers (FfjSF Sep) is often funny, often who kill them. When the hero comes biting. A part of the mind of God, home to Earth, he finds that he has in pursuit of another, erring part, lost everything that might have made enters the mind of Willis Barley, that homecoming meaningful. a bookkeeper with dreadful taste An enlisted man and an officer and little imagination. His inhabit- discover that they can't survive or changes all that, often to his without each other in Raylyn Moore's consternation, and leads him to sam­ "Standoff (FfjSF Aug); the army, ple all the forbidden pleasures. you see, designed rations that any fool, and only a fool, could use. Another modem fantasy, "The I was a little bothered by the fact Rocks That Moved", by John Keefauv- that the stalemate wasn't really a er (OMNI July), felt a little point­ stalemate -- the enlisted man would less by the end -- but I forgave eventually have won, if he had want­ that because it was so much fun a- ed to. long the way. Old Kirby Neson not­ iced that some rocks out on the The perfect soldier, of course, desert were moving, all by themselv­ is one of Fred Saberhagen's Berserk­ es -- even reproducing. They were ers. I hadn't read any of the Ber­ getting ready, you see, to take ven­ serker series, despite good inten­ geance on the humans who had dared tions; Saberhagen's "Some Events to bring foreigners into their ter­ in the Templar Radiant" (DESTINIES ritory. Aug-Sep) was my first exposure. In this story of a scientist playing with fire by trying to put together a damaged Berserker in such a way that it remains harmless, Saberhag- en proves not only that he can pull it -- if you really had a chance far into his cheek as George Lucas er, however seminal he might have to put off death, or the death of did in the original movie, some­ been to the field of science fic­ people you love, you'd do it, would­ thing the other novelizers neglect­ tion. And Russ didn't even choose n't you? In a minute. But we keep ed to do. to imitate his most interesting on writing about how terrible immort­ work -- she succeeded only in be­ ality is. Maybe as a warning of "Kinsman" by Ben Bova (OMNI Sep) ing pedestrian. what to watch out for if we ever is a fun story, the kind of thing Fantasy and Science Fiction, be­ achieve it. Michael Bishop's essay- that makes you wish you were an cause its priority is on writing disguised-as-a-story, "A Few Last astronaut. In a delightful, banter­ quality rather than reading ease, Words for the Late Immortals" (ANA­ ing style, incurably optimistic, occasionally publishes "noble fail­ LOG July), explores the pain that Ben was able to make me feel almost ures", stories that don't really only an immortal can feel --of los­ nostalgic in his evocation of the work but are still worth reading. ing something you thought to keep awe at seeing the stars from space Certainly.Richard Cowper's "Out forever. And David Bunch, in "Mien for the first time. "In Adam's Fall" There Where the Big Ships Go" (Aug) the Metal Eaters Came" (GALAXY 39:10) by Jayge Carr (ANALOG Oct), is a is in that category. The story is brilliantly creates a terrifying good story, if a little sketchy, well done, introducing well-develop­ metaphor for our own deaths. Men about how humans play God to another ed characters into an interstellar have remade themselves in metal, so race, and how cruelty "for your own good" can be a contagious disease. game of Go that demands total ded­ they can live forever. But old age ication and, the players discover, comes to them the way it figurative­ something more. But the story calls ly comes to us as a million metal­ up my memories of Herman Hesse's eating fleas that devour us a bite Nfagister Ludi, and I was frustrated at a time. because Cowper did not come near fulfilling, the promise of the work. As the seed of a much longer novel, QUICK STABS it is excellent. Equally frustrat­ ing was Donnel Stem's "Reunion" Only because I'm running out of (FtjSF Sep). As a nostalgic trip room will I treat the remaining back into boyhood it was wonderful; stories with cavalier brevity. it was the science fiction elements Certainly Connie Willis's "Hom­ that didn't quite come off, that ing Pigeon" (GALILEO July) is one left me feeling that the story was of the most beautiful stories I've a little silly after all. read. The idea sounds tacky -- Some stories are weakened by harnessing the psychic energy of a being part of a series or a piece wife waiting for her husband to come of a larger work. Frederick Pohl's home -- but Willis is an extremely "Mars Masked", reviewed a couple of talented writer who turns the idea issues ago, was wonderful. "Cool into a poignant, involving tale. War" (IAs firn Aug) continues the ad­ Not quite as successful is "Jahratta ventures of Reverend H. Homswell Dki" by George Florance-Guthridge, Hake, and I suspect that if I read in the same issue of GALILEO. It both stories in order, as part of a deals with an Olympics of the fut­ novel, I would have liked them both ure, in which carefully regulated equally. But reading them separate­ cyborgs compete, each athlete part­ ly, "Cool War" felt like more of icipating in almost all the events. the same. And that problem also The final revelation of the story interfered with my enjoyment of was rather a let-down, but it was Spider Robinson's "Fivesight" (OMNI still an interesting story. July). It's one of the Callahan's Jesse Peel is coming out of the Saloon stories. I enjoy that ser­ closet -- he is really Oregon writ­ ies a lot. The trouble is that er Steve Perry, who is making the Robinson's characters are getting transition by collaborating with just a little too cocky, a little himself in "Solo", by Steve Perry too self-conscious. They seem to and Jesse Peel (LAsfin SEp). It is take it for granted that because a touching story of a young man ob­ Two stories, with very differ­ they're a bunch of real sweet guys sessed with vindicating himself in ent intentions, deliberately ape they can solve the problems of ev­ the eyes of his dead father -- and the style of dead authors. Mack eryone who comes in. Some day I vindicating his mother in the pro­ Reynolds, in "The Case of the Dis­ hope Robinson gives them their come­ cess. Though Steve has a tendency posable Jalopy" (ANALOG Oct), par­ uppance --a problem they can't to use too many exclamation points, odies Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe ser­ smooth over at all, one that tears which made me feel as if I had some­ ies, writing about the characters them up and makes them, some of how failed by not being that excit­ when they are senile and broke. But them, a little vicious, a little ed, he still made the young man's he uses a meat-ax, and goes on far human. Even so, "Fivesight" is a achievement in mastering an alien too long to end up as entertaining­ good story. musical instrument seem fulfilling. ly as he bagan. Joanna Russ, on I wish I could say the same This story goes a long way toward the other hand, seems to have taken for Edward Byers's "A Far and For­ herself very seriously in "The Ex­ making up for his "Star Warriors" eign Shore" (ANALOG Sep). A sequel traordinary Voyages of Amelie Bert­ (GALAXY 39:10), a blatant, self- to his praiseworthy "Pathway", this rand" (FfjSF Sep), a conscious imita­ conscious STAR WARS rip-off that story really is more of the same, tion of Jules Verne. She succeeded commits two unforgivable sins -- with perfunctory villains who are being utterly derivative, and yet very well in imitating him -- but perfunctorily disposed of. The being better than the official STAR left me puzzled as to why she both­ idea behind this story was good WARS novels. Perhaps it only works ered. Verne was hardly a good writ- enough to deserve better -- I hope because Steve puts his tongue as 42 there's a major rethinking and re­ writing before this series turns STORIES REVIEWED THIS ISSUE: into the inevitable novel. DESTINIES Following a reader's recommendation, * (Aug-Sep) Fred Saberhagen, "Some I am listing the stories by the is­ Events in the Templar Radiant"; sue of the magazine they appeared HUMDR Charles Sheffield, "Skystalk" in, for easy finding. I also put * an asterisk by the stories that I Humor, a stepchild in science thought were outstanding -- these fiction, is of course left for last. FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION are the ones that I am also recom­ I have enjoyed Gary Jennings's stor­ mending for the Nebula ballot. (Aug) Richard Cowper, "Out There ies about Crispin Mobey, and I can Where the Big Ships Go"; give "Ignis Fatuus" (FfjSF Sep) no L. Sprague de Camp, "A Sending of higher praise than to say it is a Serpents"; fitting end to it all. L. Sprague Raylyn Moore, "Standoff"; de Camp's "A Sending of Serpents" * Alan Ryan,"'You're Welcome' Said (FEjSF Aug) concludes that the best the Robot"; way to get back at Synanon is to * Michael Shea, "Angel of Death"; sic the Moonies on them. "C.O.D.", George Zebrowski, "The Word Sweep" by Jonathan Milos (LAsfm Aug), holds * (Sep) Neal Barrett, Jr., "Hero"; that the story of Noah's ark was Gary Jennings, "Ignis Fatuus"; basically true -- only the ark was Bob Leman, "Change of Address"; a spaceship, and it wasn't Noah who Joanna Russ, "The Extraordinary Voy­ got saved. ages of Amelie Bertrand”; Ian Stewart's "The Malodorous Donnell Stem, "Reunion"; Plutocrats" (ANALOG Sep) contains * William Walling, "Triggerman" the further adventures of Billy the Joat, a fix-it man with the brains of Einstein and the instincts of a GALAXY. street brawler. And the idea of go­ * (39:10) David Bunch, "When the Metal ing back in time to visit Shakes­ Eaters Came"; peare is finally done to a hilarious Jesse Peel, "Star Warriors" death in "The Merchant of Strat­ ford", by Frank Ramirez (lAsfm July) ANALOG after all Shakespeare was a busines­ sman first and foremost, and there's (July) Michael Bishop, "A Few Last GALILEO. a bundle to be made off time trav­ Words for the Late Immortals" (July) George Florance-Guthridge, elers . (Aug) Edward Bryant, "giANTS"; "Jahratta Dki"; Stephen Tall, "Home is the Hunter" D.C. Poyer, "Universal Soldier"; * Connie Willis, "Homing Pigeon" COMING UNGLUED (Sep) Edward A. Byers, "A Far and Foreign Shore"; gep) D.C. and Lin Poyer, "Silent Trade"; I saved one of the best for last Dean R. Lanibe, "Damn Shame"; * Mary Schaub, "Court of the Time­ Juleen Brantingham's "Where Are You, Ian Stewart, "The Malodorous Pluto­ Stephanie Tobin" (lAsfm Aug) is a crats" sifters" haunting story of a young woman who (Oct) Jayge Carr, "In Adam's Fall"; ISAAC ASIMOV'S SCIENCE FICTION begins to feel like a missing pers­ * W.T. Quick, "Instructions!Enclosed"; MAGAZINE on in her own life, only to discov­ Mack Reynolds, "The Case of the Dis­ * (July) Joseph Kosiewska, "The Quin­ er that she is absolutely right. posable Jalopy" tessence of Galahad Sypher"; She has come unglued from her own Barry B. Longyear, "Priest of the timeline, and the effect on her is Asimov's sf adventure magazine at once great pain and immense re­ Baraboo"; * (Fall) John Brunner, "The Things Frank Ramirez, "The Merchant of lief. That Are Gods"; Stratford" Barry Longyear, "The Starshow: The Last Show on Earth § Follow the * (Aug) Juleen Brantingham, "Where Red Wagons" Are You, Stephanie Tobin?"; Barry B. Longyear, "Dreams"; I am also coming unglued. You Jonathan Milos, "C.O.D."; see, Dick Geis has foolish notions Frederick Pohl, "The Cool War" that he has to save room in SFR for (Sep) Isaac Asimov, "The Backward something besides my column. But Look"; every issue my column grows. Well, * Barry B. Longyear, "Enemy Mine"; it's Dick's own fault for going Steve Perry § Jesse Peel, "Solo” quarterly, so I have to choose among many more stories for each column. OTMI And I could also make the column (July) John Keefauver, "The Rocks shorter and keep a clear conscience That Moved"; if only the writers in our beloved John Morressey, "The Empath and the field would stop writing so many Savages" good and almost-good stories. May­ be next time I'll make the word lim­ * (Aug) George R.R. Martin, "Sand- it and maybe Santa will come down kings"; the chimney, Dick, and give you a John Anthony West, "The Fox and the neat electric train. Hedgehog" (Sep) Ben Bova, "Kinsman"; Edward H. Gandy, "Graveside Watch" 43 ************************************ feature is a piece of fiction by an SMALL PRESS NOTES amateur which is then critiqued by Gene Wolf, A.D. Wallace and L. Kath­ BY THE EDITOR ryn Jackson. EMPIRE has been cut to 20 pages, and mailed sans envelopes. Cover is the contents page.

YE OLDE POLICY RESTATEMENT THRUST #13 Small Press Notes is so titled be­ 11919 Barrel Cooper Court, Reston, cause this is not a review colunri. VA 22091. $1.50. I decide to note or mention or re­ Lots of controversial goodies in view or comment upon a given small this zine.’ Editor Doug Fratz has press item or issue on a strictly learned to pick and choose his col­ arbitrary basis and roughly on umnists for variety and points of whether or not I think it might be view. He handles the zine well, and of interest to the readers of SFR. has, this issue, gone to book paper I'll likely note exceptional work from newsprint, and has his usual of one kind or another. good-looking two-color cover. A I don't "owe" anybody a review pro-looking zine, packed with pro­ or note unless I promise one (and fessional and fan writers who will remeirber the promise). raise your eyebrows and make you These notes are short and to I am leery of young or inexper­ think. I always look forward to the point. Pithy, I like to think. ienced fan publishers trying to the latest John Shirley outrage, "Pissy" others like to think. plunge too fast, too far into the the latest Ted White mortal wound, Please don't write and complain deep waters of fanzines and books. the latest tempest in the letter to me that I was too general and non­ section.... specific in a given mention of your It is very easy to advertise, to publication, and should have men­ acquire a subscription list of two tioned your interview with God and or three hundred...and then discover FRITZ LEIBER: A BIBLIOGRAPHY Mao, plus the article on "Sf and the you don't have time for it all, or 1934 - 1979 COMPILED BY CHRIS Coming Alien Invasion." don't really like it all that much, MORGANi $3.00 or LI.50. That isn't productive. It only or that the cash flow doesn't keep Chris Morgan, 39 Hollybrow, Selly gets my stubborn bone to aching, up with expenses and you can't af­ Oak, Bermingham B29 4LX, England. and sometimes my claws unsheath, ford to make up the difference, and A handsome and worthwhile ef­ and.... you've spent the subscription moneys fort. Offset, booklet format, 40 Onward. and are-faced with maybe $1,000.00 pages, withlistings of all Fritz's in obligations.... sf and fantasy work in every media After a generation or so in this The complete Index is invalu­ NEVER LOOK BACK UNTIL YOU FEEL HOT fanzine publishing game, I'd prefer able. BREATH ON THE BACK OF YOUR NECK. it if beginning fanzine and book publishers sold their products on a one-issue-in-advance only basis. FANTASY #3—THE FANTASY ARTIST'S It reduces the risks for everyone. FANTARAMA #10-11 NETWORK MAGAZINE 11220 Bird Road, Richmond, B.C. POB 5157, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413. V6X 1N8 CANADA. $1.25. $1.50. Letter-size offset zine devoted A good display for better sf QUANTUM JUNP—ANSWER TO THE UFO MYS­ to sf, fantasy and comic art, with and fantasy artists of almost-or- TERY by Peter Simon. the emphasis on comic or graphic The Peters Press, POB 752, Houlton, just-beginning professional skills. art. Major article on science fic­ ME 04730. $2. (1979) Profiles and art tips, discussions tion comics, interviews with Will This booklet is written in a of the business side of an art Eisner, a Jack Vance section on his breezy, conversational style and career. Very valuable. I would works and a speech by him and a Q.§ boils down, long-windedly, to the suggest the publishers offer to A. section. assertion that the universe is a- sell pages to artists for display Most notable and valuable sec­ live--and God, the occult, the sup­ of their wares or competency, since tion is the Fan Central 16-page ernatural, psi phenomena, and UFO I would think many artists cannot information/listing of seemingly phenomena are false beliefs and any­ see display in the usual editorial every fanzine (comic and sf), every body who thinks otherwise is a vic­ selection process, given the quart­ convention, and the Lulu Review tim of 'mental limits.' erly schedule and limited pages. which reviews very honestly about No proof is offered. There's a 25 zines of various hues and in­ bit more to it than that, but I terests. don't think you want to hear about This 72-page zine is a must and a YE OLDE POLICY EXPLAINED FURTHER it. bargain. I'll probably only list a single issue price—the cost of the single issue of a given zine EMPIRE SCIENCE FICTION # 16 THE NATIONAL FANTASY FAN,VOL.39, #45 I'm mentioning---in the belief that P.O.Box 967, New Haven, CT 06504. Owen K. Laurion, 1609 Roma Av., NE if a reader orders the issue I've $1.50. Edited and published by Mark Albuquerque, NM 87106. $1.00 noted, he or she will then, if J. McGarry. New editor, new problems, some pleased, subscribe for a year Devoted to the art and craft of disorganization... That's standard or so. I don't like the idea of writing s-f, with interesting and for the TNFF, the main publication SFR readers subbing long term on info-laden contributions by John of The National Fantasy Fan Federa­ the basis of my few words here. Shirley, Pamela Sargent, Darrell tion. Pay for a single issue, and then if Schweitzer, others. Interesting The zine and the organization you want to buy a sub, fine. 44 is for first-entry into sf fandom, I'd say. It provides all kinds of sets are collector's items. Event­ THE FIFTH BOOK OF VIRGIL FINLAY addresses, orientation, services, ually there will be a hardcover Edited and published by Gerry de la opportunities. edition (as there was for ALL OUR Ree, 7 Cedarwood Lane, Saddle River, YESTERDAYS). But these mimeod NJ 07458. $15.75 volumes are so pure fannish, so There seems to be no end to the NEW WORLDS right, that in my mind the mimeo buyers' lusts for quality reproduc­ U.S. Distributor: Patchin Product­ edition is preferable. tions of Finlay's work. This volume ions, 56 Macdougal St., New York, We have here an introduction by is subtitled, "The WEIRD TALES Years" NY 10012. $2.00 Wilson (Bob) Tucker (and he wrote and contains work from 1935 ("Medusa" Charles Platt usually sends me the intro to ALL OUR YESTERDAY, too), his first sale to WT) to 1954. a copy of the latest NW, sure I'll and we have a fine fannish cover by These reproductions are on slick hate it. Ross Chamberlain, and above all we paper, in a letter-size quality hard­ And I do, for reasons he will have the fine anecdotal, story-tell­ cover book, with dj, and introduction not accept, I suppose. I love the ing history by Harry Warner. All by de la Ree, who is an expert on satirical, vicious, mocking con­ the fan projects, trends, personal­ Finlay's life and works. Virgil Fin­ tents. I even like the scattergun ities, conventions, feuds, rival­ lay died of cancer in January, 1971. disorgani zation. ries, scandals...all come alive What I HATE is the anti-reader here. contempt inplicit in the lack of a Believe me, the world of sf fan­ contents page, and the lack of page dom in the 1950s will amaze, absorb, numbers. Hell, I can't even find astound, appall.... THE ANTI-FUN, ANTI-PLEASURE, a price on the magazine, or an ad­ I was in it and a part of it. ANTI-LIFE TENETS OF THE PUR­ dress of the publisher! That's carry­ I still don't believe it. ITAN (sin-guilt-punishment) ing casualness and anti-discipline character/philosophy are a facade too far! BEHIND WHICH LURK THE UNADMIT­ This issue (unnumbered, of TED MONSTERS ENVY AND INFERIORITY course!) has an absolutely devastat­ TESSERACT has not moved. Only the former editor has moved. So all ing review of Samuel R. Delany's ---ALTER EGO TESSERACT mail should go to their EMPIRE and of his writing skills in new Chicago area address: general. The article was unsigned, Robert T. Garcia but it has the overstatement and Tesseract, Inc. knife-in-the-guts style of Charles 707 S. Harvey Platt. Oak Park, IL 60304 Charles, the editor, even honor­ ed me by quoting my feelings about Robert Garcia also edits and pub­ writing porno; I'm not sure if he lishes THE CHICAGO FANTASY NEWS­ approves or is aghast; LETTER, a bi-monthly 12-pager. 604.

GEIS ON ETHICS I always tried to write sex TEDDY HARVIA (SEE ILLO) IS A HOAX. scenes that would make me want to So confessed David Thayer, the jack off, and (if jacking off) would perpetrator of this heinous crime. make my pleasure more intense. I In his one-shot, ANAGRAM, Thayer think that is an honorable and ethi­ confessed further that he is also cal position, and I'd be writing sex "Miranda Thomson." novels today if there was a decent­ Shock waves rippled through paying market for them. fandom as this news broke over us —SFR #29 in sheets of incredulity. Fan edit­ Never mind him. He’s just I placed a purely arbitrary $2. ors by the score, fooled, victimized, a flashin1 Pan. price on this issue, if you'd like muttered dire threats. Richard a copy of NW. I hope Patchin Pro­ Geis, prominent fan editor, muttered ductions will honor it. of Thayer, "I'm not surprised. Any man or artist who is capable of as many pun cartoons as he is plainly CANNED MEA T A WEALTH OF FABLE Un 3 Volumes) capable of this sort of stunt!" By Harry Warner, Jr. The hoax is two years old, David A SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL- Fanhistorica Press, POB 1343, Radio Thayer revealed, and began because BY RICHARD E. GEIS City Station, New York, NY 10019. he wanted his fanzine, NEBU1DUSFAN, Life in a computer-run domed (Write for price) to appear to have more than one con­ city and the failing civiliza­ Years ago Harry Warner wrote a tributor. tion of which it is a part. best-selling (in fandom) history of "Guilty of an insecure ego," science fiction fandom during the growled the infamous Alter-Ego. "No Roi and Eelia, two young citi­ 1940s, titled ALL OUR YESTERDAYS. fan should have to lean on a phoney zens of the dome, two children He became the fan historian. entity for egoboo and a sick, sec­ of Great Mother Computer, meet And he promised a volume of fan his- ret sense of superiority." and experiment with forbidden tort covering the 50's. He complet­ We print Thayer's address below sex. ed the ms., had trouble with the pub­ to give outraged fans an opportunity to vent spleen. Covers and interior illustra­ lisher, yanked the ms., and now, tions by Bruce Conklin a few years later, we have a really David Thayer fine three-volume mimeographed edit­ 7209 DeVille Dr., $5. Fort Worth, TX 76118. ion of the work. Order from: There are a total of 100 comp­ Science Fiction Review limentary copies and 1000 retail TODAY IS THE TOMORROW WE WORRIED POB 11408 copies in this limited edition. ABOUT YESTERDAY—WITH GOOD CAUSE! Portland, OR 97211 As Joe Siclari, the publisher, rightfully says, these mimeographed 45 OTHER VOICES, OTHER VOICES, OTHER VOICES, OTHER

THE AMERICAN MONOMYTH pattern is even more apparent in By Robert Jewett and the character of Spock, who has ap­ John Shelton Lawrence parently purged all sexual feelings Anchor Press/Doubleday, 263 pp. from his personality: "Sex is an With illustrations autonomous force here, distinct Foreword by Isaac Asimov from Spock's personality and capab­ le of destroying his ability to reason. Since he cannot integrate Reviewed by someone who neglected it with his personality, it must be to put his name on the review and whom I can't recall. --REG rigidly suppressed until it over­ powers him in rutting season", (p. 14) A comnunity in a harmonious par­ The third pattern is redenption: adise is threatened by evil: normal a selfless crusading to rescue oth- institutions fail to contend with ers from evil. In STAR TREK such this threat: a selfless superhero evil often takes the form of a psy­ emerges to renounce tenptations (es­ chological or spiritual tyranny by pecially sexual) and carry out the undesirable beliefs as well as that redemptive task: aided by fate, his of an external menace. Such an id­ decisive victory restores the com­ ealistic crusade often results in munity to its paradisal condition: the violation of established law or the superhero then recedes into ob­ custom such as the .ENTERPRISE'S "non scurity. (p. xx) interference directive".

Sound familiar? It should, since authors Jewett and Lawrence ness: "the unexamined belief that Based on their extensive read­ have perceived it to be a basic scientific culture has transcended ing in STAR TREK fan literature, es­ theme running through much of Ameri­ mythical forms of thought" (p. 250). pecially the fan-written anthology can popular culture as manifested in STAR TREK's creators went to great STAR TREK LIVES!, Jewett and Lawrence movies, TV, comic books and other lengths to give the show an aura of conclude that STAR TREK arouses re­ forms of popular fiction and have scientific realism and verisimilitude ligious feelings (directed toward a given it the name which serves as (dubbed the "Believability Factor" secular object) among its more ard­ this book's title. The authors find by Gene Roddenberry) especially in ent devotees. They give numerous such trends highly disturbing and the scenes aboard the ENTERPRISE. colorful examples.from both fan lit­ view them as a threat to America's But to Jewett and Lawrence such at­ erature and behavior to support this. democratic ideals. tention to detail merely cloaks STAR "There is a reality in the STAR TREK fantasy that transcends petty prob­ Many educated persons hold that TREK's mythic content: "Instead of lems, and it thus provides a means popular culture as a whole is noth­ a rigorously self-critical scienti­ fic outlook, STAR TREK offers pseudo­ of salvation...a pop theology has ing more than a trivial harmless di­ emerged which elaborates and explains version, unworthy of serious exam­ empiricism: an empirical veneer of the assumptions and experience of ination. The authors call this at­ gadgetry and crew talk applied to a STAR TREK faith... strikingly sim­ titude the bubble-gum fallacy, which mythical superstructure". (p. 19) ilar to the growth of apochryphal "suggests that popular culture, while STAR TREK shows its mythic con­ literature in the Biblical tradi­ powerfully influential in benign tent through three patterns which tion". (pp. 20 § 30) areas of behavior, lacks the power run through almost every episode. to corrupt and destroy --an obvious The first pattern is the saga "which The authors have labelled such contradiction", (p. 4) In contrast features a protagonist journeying behavior the Werther effect: a "vol­ the authors feel that a close, sob­ to unknown and dangerous regions, untary behavior alteration produced er examination of popular culture undergoing trials to test his streng­ .by interaction with a powerful arti­ can cast a highly revealing light th and wit", (p. 12) In stories re­ fact of popular culture", (p.36) on the American character. flecting the American monomyth such "Werther" refers to the novel THE SORROWS OF THE YOUNG WERTHER by Jo­ What makes this book relevant a journey usually takes the form of hann Wolfgang Von Goethe which pro­ to the readers of this magazine lies a search for evil and its elimina­ duced the same popular reaction in in the fact that the first two chap­ tion or destruction when found. The the late 18th century which STAR ters are devoted to the STAR TREK TV saga pattern forms the unspoken pre­ TREK does today. Many young people series and the more devoted elements mise requiring Captain Kirk to need­ lessly and illogically expose him­ imitated the book's hero to the in STAR TREK fandom. The authors point, in some cases, of imitating contend that the show's more fanatic­ self to great personal danger in his fictional suicide. al devotees have turned the series many episodes. and its mystique into a secular re­ The second pattern is sexual re­ Among the precepts of the STAR ligion. Even though many STAR TREK nunciation in which the hero must TREK faith are a spirit of love and episodes show a surface hostility resist sexual tenptations for the fellowship with other fans, an in­ toward myth and superstition and a sake of his crusade against evil. nocent optimism in the ultimate tri­ bias in favor of rationalism (Spock's Thus Kirk must renounce his numer­ umph of the "American Way of Life" "logic"), Jewett and Lawrence con­ ous romantic involvements for the throughout the universe, and the be­ tend that the show evokes uncons­ sake of his mission. His real mar­ lief that STAR TREK is "a staggering­ cious mythical yearnings on the part riage is to the ENTERPRISE. Such a ly effective model for dealing with of the viewer. The authors label deep human questions" (according to this paradox the myth of mythless- 46 one fan writer). Overall there is a blurring of the boundary between THE ULTIMATE ENEMY done in years. Now we have CASTLE fantasy and reality. By Fred Saberhagen ROOGNA. And this third Xanth novel The popular adulation for Spock Ace Paperback, 242 pp., $1.95 is even more fun than its predeces­ sors. and Leonard Nimoy is well known. Reviewed by Neal Wilgus "Spock is perceived as a god, which This time the focus shifts from matches the requirements of the myth­ There's a certain irony in hav­ Bink (whose quests for his own uni­ ical pattern, namely that without a ing a Saberhagen book titled THE que magical Talent and for the superhuman agency of some sort, ULTIMATE ENEMY, for he seems unable source of Xanth's magic filled the there is no true redemption", (p.16) to invent real villains. He has first two books) to Dor, Bink's Such admiration often takes on a created a fascinating planet/world Magician-class son, bom offstage sexual nature on the part of female in THE VEILS OF AZLAROC, a unique during Bink's second quest. fans. "Many of the (fan-written) future history in EMPIRE OF THE EAST, Dor's Talent, an ability to stories featuring Spock remind one even a charming and sympathetic Drac­ converse with inanimate objects, is very much of the ancient mystery ula in THE HOLMES-DRACULA FILE and so flexible and pervasive that he religions in which union with the AN OLD FRIEND OF THE FAMILY -- but is being groomed to become King god provides the ecstatic high point nowhere have his "enemies" been whenever the current ruling Magic­ of the ritual... STAR TREK LIVES! re­ particularly convincing. ian steps down. Dor's problem is ports that a 'favorite theme is the that he is twelve years old, teased "no strings attached" meeting of his THE ULTIMATE ENEMY is a collec­ for being "the dope who talks to peculiarly urgent need.'" (p.33) tion of nine Berserker stories from the late 1960s and mid-70s and, of chairs". He daydreams of being a Captain Kirk is similarly re­ course, it's the Berserkers who are bully-proofed strong-thewed adult, vered: "If Spock has displaced God, supposed to be that "ultimate ene­ and is of an age when he is becoming it is Kirk who plays the role of a my". Alas, the killer machines rare­ all too self-conscious of the Talent Christ without passion and in this ly come through as more than paper of Millie, his nursemaid, a former role he, more than Spock, consistent­ tigers and in these stories they ghost made alive and whole by his ly appears as a superhuman redeem­ seem to be there mainly as threats father. (And whose Talent is sex er". (p. 27) to motivate the main characters (Sa­ appeal.) berhagen is short on "heros" too) Dor's restlessness is channel­ Gene Roddenberry is somewhat who are faced with problems that must appalled by such a response to this ed into a quest --a quest to find be solved. Significantly, the least a way to restore to life and whole­ creation: "I'm not a guru and I effective story in the collection is don't want to be... It frightens ness the zombie, Jonathan whom Mil­ the one in which the Berserker man­ lie loved during the eight centur­ me when I learn of 10,000 people ages to win for a change. reading a STAR TREK script as if it ies of her death. And loves still. were scripture. I certainly didn't None of these stories are strik­ The key to Jonathan's restora­ ingly original or moving, but all write scripture", (p. 229) tion lies eight hundred years in are enjoyable and interesting and All of the foregoing is only the past, so Dor finds himself spel­ if you've read the rest of the Ber­ led through a magic tapestry to the the briefest sanpling of the flavor serker saga you'll want to have this time of Castle Roogna's building, and insight of the book's first two title too, for completeness if noth­ chapters. The authors develop their his mind projected into the warrior ing else. Not Saberhagen at his body of one of the wave of barbar­ thesis with great depth and coher­ best but still mildly recommendable. ians then breaking, through from ence, all the while maintaining high ************************************ readability. In the remainder of Mundania into Xanth. In his new the book Jewett and Lawrence turn adult (yet twelve-year-old) stat­ ure, Dor is confronted by harpies their scrutiny to such topics as and goblins, caught up in the mag­ Charles Bronson movies, Buffalo BilL ical conflict between King Roogna LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, the and the Magician Murphy, companion­ movie JAWS, PLAYBOY Magazine, Walt ed by a giant spider, and confound­ Disney Productions and many other ed by the fully functioning Talent examples of American popular cul­ of the then-still-alive Millie. ture. The book never fails to be stimulating and penetrating. Anthony is clearly having fun. His wordplay shades from the cock­ Jewett and Lawrence conclude eared literal (shoes are plucked the acceptance of the American Mono­ from shoe-trees, milk gotten from myth leads to a passive "spectator" milkweeds) through the off-handedly society which looks for salvation excruciating (the castle ghosts are from and gives excessive power to rather shy and "easily spooked") to larger-than-life redeemers. The end the openly satirical (as in Dor's result is a betrayal of all the val­ rather harrowing battle with the un- ues and ideals of democracy. containable Gerrymander). Despite their conclusions, Jew­ ett and Lawrence are not in favor This is whimsical, rigorously- of censorship. Rather, they propose CASTLE ROOGNA consistent fantasy, like that encour­ a canpaign to educate the mass aud­ By Piers Anthony aged by John W. Campbell in the pag­ ience in the existence of the Amer­ Del Rey, 1979, 329 pp., $1.95 es of UNKNOWN WORLDS in the early ican Monomyth and the subtle tech­ Reviewed by William Glass 1940s (and best practiced there by niques used to inpress it on the L. Sprague de Camp, with and with­ viewer. Thus one might acquire the Piers Anthony's A SPELL FOR out the collaboration of Fletcher sophistication needed for resisting CHAMELEON and THE SOURCE OF MAGIC, Pratt). its assaults. his first two novels about the mag­ At the same time CASTLE ROOGNA ical land of Xanth, were the most In sum, THE AMERICAN MONOMYTH is also constantly (if entertaining­ entertaining and fun novels he'd is a unique look at American culture. ly) didactic, in something like ************************************ 47 Heinlein's SF juveniles of the 1950s. Dor is clearly the naive Heinlein lesser of two evils, where people "But don't you see?" asked Bick­ youth, his quest their usual one who are already dead can be killed el, always the organ of analysis. for conpetence and maturity -- even worse, where doctrines like elitism "We're all clones -- not clones of if it is complicated by tritons, can be insidious and very painful those supposed criminal elements dragons, ogres, zombies, tangle trees, to deal with. who were genetically best for this gorgons and the like; and even if the ************************************ mission. No, not that at all. The older, Heinlein competent man char­ secret is, we're all clones of -- acter is a very intelligent, highly each other. That's why we're all so magnified spider. DESTINATION: VOID much alike!" By Frank Herbert CASTLE ROOGNA, and all Anthony's From her place deep in the shad­ Revised Edition 1978 Xanth novels, are good fun reads. ow of the computer Mary Shelley Berkley Books, 276 pp., $1.95 He says this one is the last of a said: "The Clones of Frankenstein." trilogy, but I want more. So will Reviewed by Neal Wilgus ************************************ you. ************************************ "Where we made our first mis­ take", said Bickel as he spliced more Eng multiplier circuits into THE EMPIRE OF TIME ALICIA II the computer auxiliary he called By Crawford Kilian By Robert Thurston the Ox, "was way back before the Or­ Del Rey, 1978, $1.75 #27938 ganic Mental Cores went haywire and Berkley/Putnam 1978, 419 pp., $10.95 Reviewed by Tom Staicar ISBN: 399-12219-2 we had to put them out of their mis­ ery". Reviewed by Ronald R. Lambert This excellent novel is by yet From her cocoon couch at the big another Del Rei discovery, Crawford The time is many centuries board of Earthling's Com-Central, Kilian. This is his first SF novel hence, and the hero is a "retread" Prudence wondered if Bickel had fi­ and anyone can see reasons why he --a person who has had his "soul" nally hit on the unique combination appears to have a bright future ah­ transferred to a new young body. that would allow them to turn on ead of him. According to the bio­ This sort of thing is common --at the artificial intelligence that graphy page, he has written three least for those judged "satisfac­ alone could save their skins. Did non-SF books previously. This helps tory" for receiving the boon of po­ he know they were all asleep? She to explain his smooth, clean writ­ tential iiranortality. The problem, was stoned out of her gourd? ing style. and the cause for the social dilem­ "God works mysterious ways", On April 22, 2015, Doomsday will ma 'that energizes the whole story, Flattery said as he secretly strok­ happen to the Earth. This has been is that the new young bodies are ed the kill-ship trigger. "It's discovered by time probes sent into supplied by "rejects" -- those who almost eerie how close this DESTIN­ the future. Since any probe going flunk a special I.Q./Aptitude test ATION: VOID scenario resembles that into the cataclysm is destroyed, it administered universally. ancient fable called 2001. An ex- is not possible to find out why, how The hero --a satisfyingly her­ ploritory spaceship on the outer or where the doom begins. Jerry oic hero -- has a special problem: reaches of the solar system; a fan­ Pierce, the Trainable hero (agent His new body was sabotaged by its tastic computer developing 'rogue tested by the government and found previous possessor so that although consciousness'; the relentless ap­ to have time travel abilities) is he has the build of an Adonis, he proach of an expanded level of sent on deadly missions to uncover is totally impotent. In compensa­ awareness. And yet how different and prevent the mysterious doom a- tion he spends a period of his new the situations really are ... " head. life as a reckless adventurer in Timberlake blurted out, "But Those who are not Trainables deep space, earning a reputation the colonists -- those thousands of are the great unwashed and they re­ for being a hero that makes him a frozen colonists stored away in the sent it. Some become indentured pivotal figure in various intrigues deep freeze. We've got to solve servants or slaves sent by the bus­ involving the "reject" rebel under­ this damned artificial consciousness load to places in the past or future ground once he returns to Earth. problem so the colonists can go on to do work which will benefit the The rebels offer him the pros­ to their goal at Tau Ceti". government in its crash program to pect of an operation which might cure his impotence and enable him to have more than a merely Platonic relationship with the woman he loves (Alicia II). He does not like the idea of making the required deal with the rebels, but Alicia II, who loves him as much as he loves her, is herself a member of the rebel underground, and helps to persuade him. This is an exciting, action- packed story set against the back­ ground of a well-developed culture, with strikingly unique, well-drawn characters. It contains profound thoughts and perturbing questions too, for those of us who appreciate having their minds boggled by situa­ tions in which there is no clearcut good or evil side in a social con­ flict, where genocide might be the 48 force-feed technology and avert Doom­ ically that I've only seen in other LOVE rather than his earlier, less sday. women writers; Kate Wilhelm, for ex­ preachy books. In any case, SKIN­ ample . Pierce is not all that happy with NERBALL! !! drowns in the same kind his life as it is when he finds that: Besides the fine characteriza­ of endless conversation and inpos­ sible sex that plagues the later 1) he is starting to experience tion, JOURNEY'S other strong point brief but ominous "freezes" in which is excellent use of SF elements as Heinlein -- Joseph even going Hein­ lein one better in the incest de­ his aging body (in his 30s) is giv­ background rather than foreground. partment . ing up its time travel powers. If Things like tau (hyperspace) and the government leaders find out he cloning are in there, but Randall The actual story content, though will be killed, and 2) he has a doesn't try to hit you on the head sometimes spiritedly told, is neg­ bomb inserted surgically in his with them. ligible -- Dr. Adam Loons, a rich chest, set to be triggered by his My only complaints are minor. Tucson psychiatrist, is on the own mind when he hears someone, some­ Aerie's main export is, get this, a track of the mysterious Bavarian Il­ where say a trigger phrase to him. tree sap used for electrical wiring! luminati and hoping to combat them He doesn't know the phrase or who Come on! Secondly, although Aerie with a secret organization of his to avoid, of course. is an alien, unterraformed world, own, while in the background the Il­ Pierce is a sort of James Bond its climate is ideal for humans and luminati are apparently scouting him out in turn. Don Joseph is an hero with flashes of Roger Zelazny's its ecology is perfectly safe. AND "Home is the Hangman" and several its native sentient marsupials are anagram fan (Roosevelt/sole voter) and deviser of acronyms such as Van Vogt heroes thrown in. Kilian happy to act as servants to the Ken­ achieves a synthesis of influences nerins! Uh huh. Finally, the set­ T.H.E.M. (They Have Everything Made) rather than falling into a trap in tlers mesh together too well, even and the reader is never in doubt that he is in the hands of a clever which he picks 14) obvious SF cliches. for refugees. No group of homo sa­ He has blended wit, action and good piens can live together for 20 years literary intelligence. Unfortunate­ character motivation along with without serious conflict. Despite ly this cleverness doesn't do much sense of wonder and satire. All this these flaws, I found JOURNEY hard to to move the story along and in fact in his first novel. What a burden he put down, which says a lot for a the story mostly sits idle while Joseph indulges himself with trif­ will have when he sets out to write book of 400-plus pages. les. his next novel! AAAAAAA**********AAA*AAAAAAAAAAA**** ************************************ Apparently there will be a SKINNERBALL!!! II and maybe even III in which the weak story started in JOURNEY SKINNERBALL!!! this first volume will have a chance By Don Joseph By Marta Randall to come to life. Based on the evi­ Hardcover, 273 pp., $8.95 Pocket Books, $1.95 81207 dence so far, the chances are they Vantage Press, 2140 E. Third St. will be stillborn. This is unfor­ Reviewed by Michael Maida Tucson, AZ 85719 tunate since Joseph shows signs of Reviewed by Neal Wilgus being an interesting writer if he'll On the front flap, Charles N. put ILLUMINATUS! aside and strike Brown (mistakenly referred to as N. Since Samuel Konkin III has des­ out on his own. Brown) is quoted as saying that JOUR­ NEY is "the best original novel I've cribed me as an ally of Robert An­ Recommended for Illuminati buffs ton Wilson (NEW LIBERTARIAN WEEKLY read so far this year". I'm not and completists only. #101), I suppose it's wrongheaded sure I'd agree, but certainly would AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA*AAAAA*AAAAAAA*AAA of me to turn around and label this if "new discovery" was substituted for "original novel". book an imitation of Wilson and Shea's ILLUMINATUS! -- but I'm af­ JOURNEY is a portrait of the raid that's what I have to do. Kennerin family as they settle their DRACULA IN LOVE SKINNERBALL!!! is nothing ap­ planet, Aerie. Jason Kennerin, born By John Shirley into the wealthy upper class, has proaching the scale and depth of Zebra Books, 283 pp., 1979, $1.95 ILLUMINATUS! but it is certainly de­ been banished from his world for Reviewed by William Gibson marrying Mish, a commoner, and was rivative of the Wilson/Shea trilogy given the title to Aerie. On this and in fact parts of it are almost unintelligable without a knowledge Housewives who take John Shir­ pleasant world, uninhabited by hu­ ley's second novel home for the fang­ mans, the Kennerins start a family. of the Wilson/Shea work. And it should be noted right off the bat ed Travolta figure on the cover, The book begins with Jason bringing anticipating an evening's Gothic in a ship full of refugees from the that SKINNERBALL!!! adds next to nothing to our knowledge or under­ with mild S/M overtones, are in for planet NewHome. The novel encompas­ an ugly surprise. Funny, if your ses a span of 20 years as the refu­ standing of the Bavarian Illuminati and all the conspiracy paranoia as­ taste runs to 1'humour noir, but ug­ gees' settlement takes root and the ly. The book moves as though Terry Kennerin children grow up. sociated with it. Despite the long introspective section in which the Southern had stripped a vintage This is primarily a novel about term "skinnerball" is coined, noth­ Dennis Wheatley for drag racing, people and a very well written one. ing much comes of this rehash of re­ while its unevenness of tone sug­ Especially memorable is the charac­ hashed Illuminati theories. gests what might happen if John Wat­ ter of Hart, the youngest boy. Init­ ers (PINK FLAMINGOS) were hired by ially a precocious and sensitive What SKINNERBALL!!! doesn't Hammer Films but forced to work with child, he becomes withdrawn and para­ lift from the Wilson/Shea, it seems a young director who insisted on noid after the many strangers invade to be borrowing from Robert Hein­ drawing earnest parallels between his paradise. He becomes the "mad lein, although Heinlein is nowhere rape, fascism and vampirism. scientist" of the story. But Rand­ mentioned or quoted directly. Alas, if it is Heinlein that Don Joseph The plot is a patchwork Frank­ all puts us inside his skull and we enstein' s-neck of vanpires lashed see him as a victim rather than a is imitating, it's works like I WILL FEAR NO EVIL and TIME ENOUG1 FOR to recycled Theosophical software, a villain. She's got that way of pre­ California "rape epidemic" sutured senting women and children authent­ 49 into a computer conspiracy out of is not the case. Gregg Press pub­ ization, the Heaven system has re­ lished THE SCIENCE FICTION OF JACK cently degenerated to the very edge LONDON edited by Richard Gid Powers of collapse. One of the broken sys­ (hardcover, $15.00) in 1975 -- the tem's colony factions senselessly same year that Kennikat Press brought attacks the ship, killing five of out CURIOUS FRAGMENTS: JACK LONDON'S its seven member crew. Her ship TALES OF FANTASY FICTION edited by inportant to her home world, the Dale L. Walker (hardcover, estimat­ surviving captain, Betha Torgussen, ed $15.00), with a preface by Phil­ attenpts to secure a hydrogen refuel­ ip Jose Farmer. ing for a return trip amidst the in­ tricate scheming and intrigue of Even more unfortunate for Fic­ the different Belt powers, govern­ tioneers, Weiderman's introduction mental and corporate. She needs all refers to London's "Goliah" and her wits and wiles to maintain con­ "A Curious Fragment" as his most im­ trol of her ship, an unparalleled portant SF stories, yet neither are prize that all want, and she accepts included in the Fictioneer's edition, some unlikely allies in the form of while both are in the Gregg and Ken­ an emotionally-troubled couple who nikat collections. And to top it scavenge the system and a foppish all, four of the five stories in government negotiator for the sys­ the Fictioneer's collection are also tem's most well-to-do world, not in ,the 12-story Gregg collection yet desperate. Betha hijacks fuel and all of them are in the 15-story and tries to escape the system, but Kennikat collection, all three con­ the factional cold war over posses­ THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., Brazilian taining the powerful "The Red One", sion of the Ranger comes to a red- fascists stitched cheek-by-jowl with one of London's best stories. hot head; the ship and crew face Mansonoid cultists, and blood-craz­ So if you are a London fancier destruction. ed zombies twisted into the fabric your choice between the three col­ The initial section of THE OUT­ wherever space allows. The result­ lections will probably have to be CASTS OF HEAVEN BELT focuses the ing construction is smeared over based on price more than anything reader in on the story like a zoom with liberal dollops of ultraviol­ else. Fictioneer's SELECTED SF AND lens, and the immediate transition ence, much of it sexual, and car­ FANTASY STORIES is graced with some into a high tension plot situation eens along the twisting track of impressive story illustrations by is a smooth one. The subsequent Shirley's story-line at top speed, Philip Craig Russell and that goes introduction of characters and the spraying blood and shreds of decay­ some way toward making this volume increase in complexity of the hum­ ing flesh at every switchback curve. more attractive, since CURIOUS an, social and political climate When it falters, it seems to do so FRAGMENTS has no illustrations, of the book all move just as swiftly because the author has suddenly had while THE SF OF JACK LONDON, which and as coolly. The result is a co­ some intimation of just how deprav­ consists of photographic reprints of herent, tense, adeptly crafted sto­ ed, of just how much fun, this is the original book version texts, has ry that reads quickly, powerfully all starting to be. Then the earn­ illos only for the short novel THE and satisfyingly, My only qualm est young director rushes onto the SCARLET PLAGUE. But with the Gregg with Joan is in the richness of her set and calls for some seriousness. Press collection running better form. The story seems like a person I was disappointed by the mail­ than twice the stories at less than that needs just a bit more flesh on order Rosicrucian machinery dragged twice the price, and the Kennikat them to be in perfect fitness. What on at the end to suck Dracula into collection running three times the is most impressive to me is the some higher sphere, where at last stories and matching Gregg's price, counterpoint between the stark, real­ he will be able to purge his evil it's hard to maintain that the Fic­ istic science used,and the deep, on some kind of karmic hamster­ tioneers title is the best buy. real human characterizations. It is wheel. Shirley's Dracula is akin to no mean feat to be strong in both Competing collections aside, Lautremont's MALDOROR and Jarry's these areas within a single SF piece. Jack London's SF is surprisingly UBU, in that he appeals to the de­ Was it this two-edged focus, or the good and ought to be better known monic adolescent in all of us, and necessities of writing a magazine to today's SF readers. An inexpens­ I hated to see him so readily absorb­ serial, that prevented the author ive paperback edition of one of ed into the tidy wheels-within-wheels from seeing a need for a fuller back­ these titles is very much in order. of an occult bureaucracy. ground, a fuller body? This is hard With the flood of new and reprint to discern. However, a figure that ************************************ material growing ever larger, I'm is somewhat gaunt, yet full of vib­ surprised there isn't already one rant life, can be an electrifying on the stands. and compelling individual. THE OUT­ SELECTED SCIENCE FICTION ********************************* CASTS OF HEAVEN BELT is such a be­ AND FANTASY STORIES ing. By Jack London Fictioneer Books, Ltd., Lakemont, This is easily one of the finer GA, 30552 THE OUTCASTS OF HEAVEN BELT novels of '78, and certainly the maj­ Hardcover, 120 pp., $8.50 By Joan D. Vinge Signet Paperback, Dec. 1978, $1.75 or serial; this is identical to the Reviewed by Neal Wilgus ANALOG Feb.-April version. I believe Reviewed by Robert Frazier that ANALOG has a policy of publish­ In his introduction to this ing their strongest serial of the volume Dick Weiderman makes the in­ Attempting to establish trade, year first, thus giving it the long­ credible comment that this is "the the starship Ranger enters the Heav­ est exposure for award considerations. first anthology of Jack London's en Belt star system after a long One major character, Wadie Abdhiamal, fantasy and science fiction stories journey from its home world. No was previously developed in Vinge's ever compiled". Unfortunately, for longer man's most successful colon- novelette "Media Man", ANALOG, Oct­ Weiderman and Fictioneers Books, this 50 ober, '76, and she evidently intends to expand the textus of this future This is the third Smith book to Casher is offered a power cruiser if history; she is presently develop­ be brought out by Ballantine in the he will do one thing for the besot­ ing a sequel to "Media Man". Her past few years, following NORSTRILIA ted Administrator: Kill a little two ventures there so far have been and THE BEST OF COREWAINER SMITH. girl. The girl, it turns out, is superior work, and I look forward This marks its first publication a turtle girl with a life expectancy to more; and especially to her long, since the 1966 Ace edition, and it of 89,000 years. She has been im­ richly painted novel, THE SNOW QUEEN, has a new, informative introduction printed with the personality of a wo­ coming from Dell, probably in early by J.J. Pierce. The book itself man with fantastic hypnotic powers, '80. With barely a handful of stor­ consists of one long story and three and is the most powerful being on the ies in as many years, Joan D. Vinge short ones set at the most distant- planet. In the course of his adven­ has proven to be one of SF's most point of Smith's future (about 16,000 tures, Casher also meets a somewhat ample talents. This first novel of A.D.). The stories follow in seq­ insane Ge-Captain in a portion of a hers stands up well; a fair baromet­ uence the exploits of Casher O'Neill, mansion rigged up as a pianoform ship er. nephew of the deposed ruler of the and a man who lives in suspended ani­ ************************************ planet Mizzer. He wanders through mation 95% of the time, waking per­ space, seeking the means to overthrow iodically to make sure things are the tyrant, Colonel Wedder, and lib­ running smoothly. This is Smith at INSIDE -- OUTSIDE erate his people. his inventive best. By Philip Jose Fanner It is impossible to describe a "On the Sand Planet" (Part 3) is Berkley Paperback, 169 pp., $1.75 Smith story and do it any justice. probably the least satisfactory of Reviewed by Neal Wilgus They are too poetic, too full of biz­ the four. Casher returns to Mizzer arre concepts, and too embedded in with powers he has acquired from the This is a reissue of Philip Jose the greater body of work. There are turtle-girl, and by the fourth page Farmer's grizzly little tale of life the underpeople, animals shaped into has straightened things out with Col­ in a unique version of Hell, which human form, and endowed with human onel Wedder. The remainder of the was first published in 1964. Jack intelligence. There is space-two, story consists of Casher wandering Cull (jackal), a sexy lady and a through which people travel in piano­ about the planet searching for some character that's supposed to be Fy­ form ships in two dimensions. There sort of ultimate truth. The problem odor Dostoevsky but comes out more is the longevity drug, stroon, from with this type of story is that no like Mr. Natural, are caught up in a the planet Norstrilia, and there are matter what kind of ending the auth­ revolution that literally sweeps the Lords of the Instrumentality of or can come up with, it will be a Hell off its foundations. Man. letdown. The only successful examp­ le of this sort of thing I can think Fast paced and gripping despite "On the Gem Planet" (designated "Part 1" in the book) introduces us of is Hesse's SIDDHARTHA. In Smith's plenty of "theological" small talk case, it falls flat. between Cull and Fyodor, Farmer's to Casher O'Neill, and to Pontrop- short novel starts out as pure fan­ pidan, an airless, gem-encrusted "Three to a Given Star" (Part tasy but ends up science fiction if world where people live in great 4) only tangentially involves Cash­ you can buy the all-powerful pseudo­ domes. The plot involves a horse er. It is about three people who science that's revealed in the end. found in a deep air-containing can­ have been transformed into machines Jack Cull is convincing enough and yon , and tells how Casher, with the of destruction and have been sent Fyodor is an amusing cartoon, but help of a telepathic dog-woman, solv­ to a planet from which threatening the sexy lady is so nondescript as es the problem of what to do with telepathic messages have been picked to.be nonexistent. Too bad Farmer the horse, in exchange for a weapon up. Like the first story it is good didn't make her at least as real he can use back on Mizzer. It is but not excellent. good Smith, but not great Smith. as Cull -- if he had this would be Generally speaking, the quality an outstanding novel rather than "On the Storm Planet" (Part 2), of this collection is below that of just above average. in contrast, is a major piece. It the first two Smith books, but it Nevertheless, it's a good read. is of novella length, and is set on is definitely worth a read. ************************************ the tornado-torn world of Henriada. ************************************

QUEST OF THE THREE WORLDS By Cordwainer Smith Del Rey/Ballantine Books, 1978 184 pp., $1.75 Reviewed by Lee Weinstein

Cordwainer Smith was the pseu­ donym for Dr. Paul M.A. Linebarger, a political scientist who was the godson of Sun Yat Sen, and who serv­ ed as advisor to President Kennedy. As a science fiction writer he was one of the true innovators. Between about 1950 and his death in 1966 he wrote some thirty stories includ­ ing a novel. Collectively, they constitute an imnense fragmented vis­ ion of an incredible future history. Many are told as legend and folk­ lore as though seen from the view­ point of an even more remote future. SI THE WORLD IS ROUND So what's wrong? Well, as ex­ Switzerland (continued from WHAT By Tony Rothman plorers the characters are idiots DOES WOMAN WANT?). Leary would Ballantine, 1978, 446 pp., incl. and clowns, and much of the behavior like us to believe this is all a Appendix, #27213. and motivations of the natives did new science he calls Neurologic, First Printing, July, 1978 not seem to make much more sense. but what it really is is Leary's Reviewed by Stephen Lewis While there's not much excuse for dramatic ego trips liberally mixed the former, I grant you that there's with his outrageous speculations There is a recent trend in the certainly nothing wrong with aliens about human history and destiny. world of science fiction publishing whose actions are quite incomprehen­ What makes it worth reading is the that you've probably noticed as sible, and ordinarily I'd be quite author's personality and his mes­ well. Science fiction novels, even pleased, but you see, on the other sage of hope for the future when those by first-time authors, are hand, it doesn't mean that they're the present is looking increasing­ getting longer and longer and long­ interesting, aliens or not. And the ly grim. er. May they sizzle in their own constant switching back and forth ************************************ bloated fat! between the scattered separated members of the crew of Number Two I have an internal compulsion fails to build any suspense at all; to finish any book I start, and I'm it just makes it hard work to remem­ ANALOG YEARBOOK firmly convinced that to say any­ ber what it was that was going on a Edited By Ben Bova thing at all about a book, a review­ couple of,chapters back. Ace, Jan., 1979 (Baronet, 1977) er has had at least to have read it. 299 pp., $1.95 Neither compulsion nor conviction , Lewis' Rule: When you can't re­ has done any good this time. I've call in Chapter Ten what happened Reviewed by Mark Cofta finished 13 chapters, that's 182 in Chapter Eight, it must have been pages and the size of a pretty good one hell of a forgettable experience. ANALOG YEARBOOK is the first of book in itself, and that's as far Doth Rothman have a future? I'd a proliferation of Analog Books pub­ as I'm going. say that he needs more skills as a lished by Ace Books and, so far, ed­ Why? Simple. I'm bored stupid. writer before tackling a project of ited by Ben Bova. This is the only this magnitude, but that's only my totally non-reprint Analog Book yet opinion. There wouldn't be a ten­ offered -- Sam Nicholson's CAPTAIN —TE dency for SF novels to get this EMPIRICAL, Orson Scott Card's CAPI­ Te thick if there weren't a market for TOL, Stephen Robinett's PROJECTIONS, y TepiUjU TV*< TV# TvM them. Bova's MAXWELL'S DEMONS and THE BEST r k -TiS* TVM TVM -r&l^ ************************************ OF ASTOUNDING, edited by Tony Lewis, are all collections originating from Analog and similar sources. The latter and ANALOG YEARBOOK first THE INTELLIGENCE AGENTS appeared last year as Baronet trade By Timothy Leary paperbacks. Peace Press, Inc., 3828 Willat Ave, ANALOG YEARBOOK is billed as a Culver City, CA, 90230. thirteenth issue, and is part of 1979, 214 pp., paper, $7.95 Analog's attempt to say "Look at me!" Reviewed by Neal Wilgus from the paperback tacks. This book is slanted toward the new reader of This is Timothy Leary's fourth Analog, and is a good collection of book to appear since his release Analog names -- Card, Robinett, and from prison several years ago, and Nicholson, as well as Kate Wilhelm, like the other three (WHAT DOES WO­ Robert Bloch, Spider Robinson, and, MAN WANT?, 1976, EXO-PSYCHOLOGY, with non-fiction, Greg Benford and 1977 and NEUROPOLITICS, 1978), this Barry Malzberg. title is a spirited defense of Leary's Wilhelm's "Julian" seems promis­ SMI LE scenario -- Space Migration, ing but ultimately fails due to in­ Intelligence Increase, Life Exten­ comprehensible cardboard characters. sion. These three "inevitable" de­ Julian searches for a woman who is velopments in mankind's near future, rejuvenated by water. He finds her. Leary never tires of repeating, are A disappointment. "Too Soon We Grow Rothman seems to have done a part of the destiny preprogrammed Old" by Spider Robinson, concerns more than adequate job with the math for us by our DNA instructions and a woman who made money instead of and physics end of things, and he foreseen aeons ago by the Starseed babies and later regrets it. Robin­ seems to have the credentials need­ overseers (possibly our future son's writing is always energetic ed to justify the existence of the selves) who planned it all out in and enjoyable -- this may be the planet Patra-Bannk. It's a huge, advance. book's best. Bloch's "Oh, Say Can probably hollow world, so huge that You See" is a triviality about the the inhabitants know it can't be Leary makes his SMI^LE almost real rulers of Earth. anything but flat, and it travels a religion, but so far he has estab­ around its sun in such a way that lished no church (a la Hubbard and "Guzman's Gardener", by Stephen the months-long days and nights are Scientology) and he is entertaining Robinett, is a fair entry. Paco, exactly the same as the planet's enough about it to make his books the Gardener, can speak to anyone summers and winters. Keeping track readable, if somewhat repetitious. in their own language, and he proves of time itself is a major chore be­ INTELLIGENCE AGENTS, which is con­ useful in films. Nicholson's "More cause of certain other irregularities cerned mainly with the 12 aspect Deadly Than the Male" is another in the orbit. I'm not sure that I of SMI2LE, is a McLuhanesque hodge­ Captain Schuster story. I like "the understood all the details, but I'm podge of lectures, articles and fic­ old Man"; Nicholson writes tight, confident that the scientific prin­ tional accounts of Leary's exile in sparkling stories, and Schuster is ciples involved are sound. 52 offbeat and fun. A wise choice for the longest piece in the book. the publishing industry exists as a story, "One Clay Foot", that causes Card's."Kingsmeat" is a chilling, major industry. But the irony of one to reflect on the simplicity of well-written little fable about a this is that all English speaking space battles such as those in STAR shepherd and his flock. writers are bound by the same cons­ WARS. John Clark extrapolates ad traints. The States and England -- absurdum in a fascinating story set Malzberg adds a fine article, New York and London -- that's been in Queensland; Alan Carr adds a poet­ "The Fifties", for the Reference it for everyone for ages. Even a ic tale; Lynette Godfrey, Darrell Library. Jeff Rovin contributes a Canadian must, like an Australian, Schweitzer and Rob Gerrand all en­ now-dated article on 1977's SF mov­ look to these countries as a mark­ tertain; Van Ikin writes a horrify­ ies. Malcolm Thaler writes an op­ et. Likewise New Zealand, the Re­ ingly fascinating and simple tale timistic piece on imnunity to can­ public of Ireland, and South Africa that can burn a hole through you; cer, and William Bainbridge and Niir- -- among other, smaller English C.C. .Clingan and myself (Terence ray Dalzeil contribute an article speaking countries -- are all tied Green) round out the volume. Since on their sociological study of twen­ to the major publishing industries any attempt at objectifying a res­ ty-seven SF authors. Benford's ed­ that exist in the Big Two countries. ponse to my own story would rightly itorial is on science and awe in SF. A bit of a burr in the pants for be suspect, suffice to say that it writers, right? could cause educational theorists The few illustrations were done everywhere to raise eyebrows slight­ by Analog regulars. Most are by The emergence of Void Publica­ Gaughan, but the best is by Janet tions, then, provides a breath of ly. Aulisio. fresh air for Australian writers The book is refreshing for many specifically, and for English speak­ I can't whole-heartedly recom­ reasons. We get to see new names, ing writers in all other countries mend ANALOG YEARBOOK. As a repre­ get to evaluate new potentials, get as well, for finally there exists a sentative issue it's okay, but at to see talents develop if we have major market for a specific type of $1.95 you're better off buying the followed from the first volume in magazine instead. This should have fiction somewhere else.' Collins can the series. The book has a differ­ handle the Australian SF and fantasy been better than the average issue; ent "feel" from an American one or instead, it is only fair, a pleasant writer, and can provide yet another a Bi'itish one -- and well it should! world-wide alternative which is but forgettable read. It is different. And it is refresh- slowly starting to draw submissions ingTecause we get to see someone ************************************ . from other countries as well. tackling the multinational publish­ ing houses that virtually strangle So what exactly has he been pub­ the field, and achieving a modest ALIEN WORLDS lishing? Well, ENVISAGED WORLDS success. Surely if we must spend Edited by Paul Collins contained 21 stories -- all by Aus­ our money, and spend library money Void Publications, Melbourne 1979 tralian writers, and gave Collins acquiring books, it makes sense to ISBN 0 909117 05 5 a chance to get his feet wet in his acquire and support this type of Hardcover, 252 pp., $A12.95 new venture; he learned much and alternative rather than the stock­ proceeded to his next anthology, holders of Harper 6 Row or Double­ Plus a Commentary on: OTHER WORLDS, which contained 16 day or William Collins. If this Void Publications stories -- 11 Australian authors, sounds like your kind of book, buy POB 66, St. Kilda, Victoria 3182 4 Americans, 1 Canadian; and now it. And if the best you can do, is Australia comes ALIEN WORLDS, containing 18 to ask your local library to get it, Reviewed by Terence M. Green writers: 14 Australians, 3 Ameri­ then do that. It is a book that is cans, 1 Canadian. All in all then, fun to read, and a venture that is Void Publications is a small Collins has published 55 stories worth supporting. press outfit that is slowly evolving in about a year and a half, provided # LETTER FROM TERRY GREEN into a major force in both world a major outlet for Australian writ­ 9 Parkhurst Blvd, Toronto, science fiction publishing and Aus­ ers, and a viable alternative world Ontario, Canada, M4G 2C4 tralian book publishing. Paul Col­ market for writers from everywhere, August 23, 1979 lins is the force behind most of raising Void Publications onto the the operation --a bookseller and international scene -- beyond the 'An Afterthought: writer himself, he seems aware of parochial, giving Australians an 'If anyone might wish to order the problems of both these functions edge most assuredly, but also allow­ the book after reading the review and is rapidly educating himself as ing them to compete with writers they can get copies from me cheaper both editor and publisher as well. from everywhere. and faster than ordering direct He has edited and published two pre­ What will one find if one delves from Collins in Australia. Price vious anthologies (ENVISAGED WORLDS into ALIEN WORLDS? One will find a in Australia is $A12.95, which is and OTHER WORLDS), and this, ALIEN sensible Introduction which deals more than $US12.95, and much faster WORLDS, marks his third and most with much of the preceding. shipping time. But I only have confident entry. about 20 copies left to sell here Then they will find fiction by in North America. When they're Australian book publishing be­ Wynne Whiteford, David Lake, Trudy ing the small industry that it is gone, as they will be soon, order Rose, Bruce Gillespie, David King, direct from Collins.' scarcely accommodates the writers of excerpts from A. Bertram Chandler's the country, and most must seek pub­ new novel MATILDA'S STEPCHILDREN ************************************ lication where the major book pub­ (which is being published in London NOTE FROM PAUL COLLINS 7-27-79 lishers operate (i.e. -- the USA and shortly; all Chandler's work has 'As a special offer to your Great Britain); in the specific field previously had to see publication readers, you can offer ALIEN WORLDS' in which Collins has chosen to oper­ outside his country of residence). ate -- that of science fiction, fan­ at Aust$8 -- it retsils here at Collins himself includes an offer­ $12.95. I'll pay postage.' tasy, or even surrealistic fiction -- ing, and then we have a story from this is doubly true. noted author Cherry Wilder; Kendall ((A$d equals US$9 at present ex­ Australian writers must get them­ Evans writes an apocalyptic little change rates. ALIEN WORLDS is a selves published in the States or tale; Jack Wodhams writes a dazzling bargain at this special price.)) England, simply because that's where 53 ******************** *** ** it *** ** moreover, solved my gum problem within a couple of weeks. It was NOISE LEVEL TCP toothpaste. I resolved to use it regularly. a, column Five months later it was with­ drawn from the market. For years and years I resisted the blandishments of the after-shave John tounnep people. I preferred to splash a bit of straight surgical spirit on, or use a styptic pencil, if I must. In the end, after being bought sund­ ry Christmas presents too expensive OF SHOES AND SHIPS AND SEALING WAX, to throw away, I yielded and per­ IF ANY ARE TO BE HAD formed another one-man consumer ev­ aluation. There must be something extreme­ And chose a rather nice range ly wrong with yours truly. No, I of toiletries, marketed by a not- don't mean I'm suffering from a very-pretentious firm called Goya loathsome disease. I just seem to thermostat more than once, but that under the general name Aqua Manda -- have a gift for preferring items seems to have been due to a bad because the fragrance was based on which everybody else dislikes. Con­ batch at the factory; the latest is mandarin orange peel, and I prefer vertible cars, for example. One by working fine. The solenoid on the light scents, like the citrous type. one the cars I dreamed of owning overdrive switch failed. A flying So I settled for Aqua Manda Pre- have been discontinued, not for stone carved a gash across the rad­ and after-shave. practical reasons like excessive iator when it got caught in the ny­ petrol/gas consumption but for ab­ lon fan blades. A faulty circuit Would you care to guess what hap­ surd and irrelevant reasons like in­ on the light inside the boot/trunk pened last time I asked for more at ternal company re-organisation. drained the battery one night, so I my local pharmacy? had it disconnected. Number three If they still built the Daimler That's right. The range of SF250 I'd own one today: A fiber­ fuse just blew, after seven years, and had to be replaced and some cor­ men's toiletries has been discontin­ glass body that can never rust, an ued; only the women's range remains, all-up kerb weight of one UK ton, rosion cleaned off the turn signal leads. and they add musk to that --or a 2 1/2-litre V8 engine as smooth something equally cloying... Re­ as a turbine, comfortable seating But I would get in that car to­ minds me: I once-had a tremendous­ for four adults with the top down morrow and cheerfully drive to Ath­ ly likable and talented girl-friend, and three with the top up ( I stress ens. Which I've done more than onca an Israeli dance-instructor, who af­ that -- I once drove mine more than It is the most reliable car I've ev­ fected heavy perfumes like musk and ten hours in a single day and I er owned, and while its top speed -- patchouli and what-have-you. I nev­ still wasn't aching at the end of from a 3-litre V8 with overdrive er plucked up the courage to tell the trip), a top speed of 125 m.p.h. (which latter, as we discovered her that the reason I didn't want combined with the best gearbox rat­ when the above-mentioned solenoid to go on seeing her was that every ios I ever encountered, excellent failed just as we were arriving in time I put my nose down towards her manners -- I learned mountain-driv­ France, makes a 15% difference to neck I felt as though I was about ing on the SP250 -- and a regular petrol/gas consumption) --is still to suffocate. Me, I like the scent 27 m.p.g. (Imperial gallons, of about 120 m.p.h., I imagine, even of well-washed warm skin better than course. Deduct 20% for US gallons.) though I've never exceeded 115 on any artificial additives. it according to the speedometer, Alas, Jaguar went shopping for The process continues. I de­ it routinely gives us 25 (UK) m.p.g. V8 engines, bought out Daimler, and cided to give up cigarettes and and once I achieved 27.3. Not in a promptly discontinued the SP250 be­ smoke occasional cigars, because I city, naturally, but touring. cause it was too much competition enjoy tobacco but smoking cigarettes for the E-type, which seated two You know what the management at was not only ruining my wind but al­ people, accepted a handbag and a British Leyland did when they were so wrecking my taste and smell, and toothbrush by way of luggage (we (as you might expect) selling every I love good food, good wine, and all once packed the trunk of our SP250 Stag they could produce and there like that. So I stopped myself in­ with all the bags needed for four was a long waiting list? haling -- cigar smoke is too strong people holidaying in Greece and had for me to do it without choking -- They cancelled it. room to spare. It was an ugly brute and my taste and smell miraculously of a car... but oh, how practical!) came back. (I am now a tolerably It isn't just cars, though. A and if you were lucky gave you 18 good intuitive cook. Hooray.) m.p.g. good few years ago it dawned on me that ever since I was a kid and com­ But cigars are expensive here. Agreed, it could do 145 m.p.g. pelled to accept what my parents I signed on with an outfit called But that's even more illegal than bought, I'd been using the same Cigar Club which specialises in 125. brand of toothpaste. I decided to what the wine-trade would call "bin­ Later comes along the Triumph carry out a sort of one-man consum­ ends" -- i.e. remainders. I sampled Stag. I have one. It's seven years er survey, because I had trouble as many cigars as I could afford, old. I've run it up to 61,500 miles, with bleeding gums. and concluded that I prefer the having bought it at about 8000. On­ I found a toothpaste whose taste long panatelia size, and above all I liked the Hofnar Wilde panatelias ly three times have I had to add I regarded as quite delicious (if -- called "wilde" because they are oil between services (levels check you can imagine an un-sweet butter­ left uncut at the lighted end, so at 3000 miles, full service at scotch, that's roughly it) and which, 6000). I won't claim it's flawless; you don't need to suck the flame up I had trouble with the radiator 54 through the tobacco. I bought a thousand of them at remainder prices, to be stored in AND THEN I READ.... a humidor and mailed to me monthly by hundreds. The supply recently Tedric was brought to this space­ ran out. time continuum from another (ulong, long ago in a far galaxy...") by the And, even though just about ev­ Scientists to save the universe from erybody I have offered one to over a mysterious evil invasion by Awful the time they lasted has said they Creatures. But first--the slavery­ were excellent, first-rate, out­ loving enpire and the selfish monster standing or delicious, I am inform­ corporations must go! ed that I have had the last, the The story moves fast and is writ­ absolutely last, of the stock ... ten in what I would call pulp-shallow for the importers who buy them from style. The amaze I experience is Holland have discontinued the line. that Gordon Eklund could tame and There is something terribly discipline himself to do this flat, wrong with John Brunner. Do you gutless writing. But, then, he's sippose I could turn this to account By The Editor had a lot of practice. by hiring myself out to stockbrok­ "Doc" Smith, of course, is dead. ing firms? I could choose an ideal Eklund has taken, or been assigned share, or range of shares, fervent­ BEASTS OF GOR by John Norman. to take,Smith's 1950s Tedric crea- ly convinced that this was the way DAW UJ1363, $1.95, 1978. ion and continue him in a series of to a fortune; then they could say, I couldn't get all the way novel-length adventures. These are "Brunner's picked so-and-so; this through the first Gor book many 13-year old fodder. means it's bound to go broke in next years ago, and I couldn't get through The book is. published in the to no time -- sell!" this one now, for different reasons. trade paperback format. * * * The first time I felt the book too slow and too concerned with de­ This column was intended to in­ tailing the social-cultural aspects clude another installment of "John of Gorean life and times. Brunner Versus the Meddling Moron", This book... The author betrays MACROLIFE by George Zebrowski because I just received the copy-ed­ an obsession, a compulsion, to dwell Harper § Row, $12.95. 1979. ited script of my forthcoming Bal­ repeatedly, endlessly, minutely, on They call it a novel, but it lantine novel, THE INFINITIVE OF GO the subject of women slaves; how to reads as a propaganda piece for ... but for the first time in my use them, handle them, discipline the concept of macrolife—mankind entire career I ceremonially burned them, dominate them, create them. living in space-traveling miniature the copy-editor's work in our dining Either Dr. John Lange (the real worlds. Free of planets. With a room fireplace, since it was cheap­ author) is writing highly subtle different social organization adapt­ er than sending out for more Liquid satire here, or he's simply lost ed for the macrolife lifestyle. Paper, and quicker, if I re-photo­ in a master/slave male sex/dominance The hero is macrolife. The copied my original version and sent fantasy trip to the extent of plot­ humans, in episodes structured to that back instead. ting this book to provide endless show how insufficient is dirt-liv­ I did, however, salvage a few opportunities for his macho super­ ing, are tools to act out the pages of peculiarly awful interfer­ hero Tarl Cabot to lord it over scenario. ence in order to demonstrate to the beautiful young women (almost all In the end macrolife spreads chief editor at Ballantine (who is, kidnapped from present-day U.S.A). through all the universe and lives I'm sure, a perfectly nice person There's much bondage and sex—and till the final contraction, the apart from his inability to choose the women love it, can't get enough, death of our universe—and then conpetent sub-editors for works by beg for it... macrolife (millions of mobile macro­ yours truly) that I was arguing from As I say, I got sick and tired worlds) take a chance and dive into sound evidence when I claimed that of that repetitive routine and threw the ultimate black hole in a calcula­ the copy-editor had done more harm the book across the room. ted chance at life in the Big Bang than good. It's a bad novel because of Dr. explosion that begins a new universe. Lange's obsessions; it's structured And there is a surprise even be­ Here is the peak and summit of to allow him to indulge his obsession yond that! her (I have the chief editor's auth­ his wish fantasy, his id dreams... What we have here is a Vision of ority for the form of that possess­ Too bad, because there are interest­ the Far, Far, Far Future of mankind. ive) achievement: ing bits and pieces between the dom- It's all idealistic wish, I suspect, My version: "Now and then there inance/bondage scenes. and optimistic as all hell. The was a student rising to sack some ultimate utopia. particular stick-in-the-mud." For all that I disagree with the macrolife future Zebrowski here es­ Her version: "Now and then a pouses, I have to admit he writes student would rise to sack ..." SPACE PIRATES—02 IN THE LORD TED­ well and somehow kept me interested. Anybody who cares to write to RIC SERIES by E.E. "Doc" Smith with There's a lot of Wonder in this book. Ballantine and advocate her dismis­ Gordon Eklund sal will greatly oblige Baronet, $4.95, 1979. JOHN BRUNNER. Written on the same Juvenile level as STAR WARS was filmed. The THE CAVE OF TIME by Edward Packard Good Guys are interstellar pirates Bantam 12790-X, $1.25, 1979. fighting to overthrow a rotten galac­ REALITY IS A CRUTCH FOR FANTASY An experimental' Juvenile that tic enpire. They have kidnapped begins with you entering a time­ — ALTER EGO the daughter of the richest, most- travel cave and requiring you to powerful man in the enpire... make plot choices every page or 55 so. The stories (optional) that result are bare-bones second-person JANISSARIES by Jeriy Poumelle building encounter murder, govern­ narrative, and involve jumping from Ace, $6.95 in trade paperback. 1979. ment lies and dirty tricks. page 6 to page 14 to page 114 to Profusely illustrated by Bermejo. Walker has a good plot but he page 56 to page 87 to page 34... . The euphemistic story of a small can't characterize worth beans and Then you can go back and follow group of modem day soldiers taken by is at the mercy of his near-amateur anothertime-line story to its opt­ aliens to perform a service on a far writing style, which makes you wince ional conclusion. planet. The soldiers divide, follow and cringe at times as you read. The time-frames involve many different warring states in a mediev­ past times and a future time. It's al setting. Add the coming of a long- like a maze. cycle heat of many years duration The book will amuse and occupy caused by a maverick third sun. a boy or girl under 14, perhaps, for There is a hero, villains, love, de­ A PLANET CAI I FT) TREASON an hour or so. There are two other tailed battles (which are the real By Orson Scott Card Choose Your Own Adventure books by stars of the book). St. Martin's,$10.00, 1979. Bantam: #2 is JOURNEY UNDER THE SEA This is Ace's attempt to sell 'I've endured having four arms, by R.A. Montgomery, and #3 is BY watered-down s-f to the masses. The an extra nose, and two hearts pump­ BALLOON TO THE SAHARA by D. Terman. well-done illustrations (every two or ing away before the surgeon took me (D. Terman? Determine? Gad!) three pages) and the TV-level swear under his knife to cut away the ex­ words ("horse-puckey") display the cess. But I could still pretend tactic—and the sales figures when that it was just adolescence, just known will prove the pudding. the bizarre jumbling of chemicals that could throw a normal Mueller THE TINE TRIP by Rob Swigart into regenerative patterns. The Houghton Mifflin, $4.95 trade paper­ pretense ended when I began develop­ back, $8.95 hardcover. 1979. ing a rather voluptuous pair of Clever, entertaining, ironic, ELECTRIC FOREST by Tanith Lee breasts.' satiric novel involving the occult, DAW UE1482, $1.75, 1979. Now, that's a hell of a narra­ time-travel and the ultimate Reality This is the first Lee novel I've tive hook! of it all. read and I'm inpressed and delight­ Three thousand years ago the A computer expert so loved his ed with her sensual style, her tal­ Republic dumped forty or fifty reb­ dead wife that he found a way to pur­ ents and her mastery of language and els onto a metal-poor planet they sue her back to Gilgamesh's time in narrative. There may not be one un­ called Treason. Each rebel took a pre-history where she is a temple necessary word in this novel, and territory on the main continent and harlot. Reincarnation exists, you yet it is so rich and detailed and set about making a nation that spec­ see, all up and down time. Buddha well-told that it arouses awe. ialized in his talent or skill. knows where you'll end up after you A rich, handsome man in a world The Republic left behind a device spend your orientation time in the of goodlooking men and women seeks for trading with each territory, and Holiday Inn at Deathwest (or East)! one of the very few genetic mistakes; as time passed the nations traded any­ This story almost makes sense an ugly crippled young woman who is thing they could for metal from the and is a devastating mockery of the sunk into apathy and pain, and by Republic. CIA, the funeral business, and relig­ advanced scientific skills transfers The Muellers developed from the ion, to name the most wrecked. His­ her consciousness into the androidal original geneticist and ended up grow­ torians will gulp, too. body of an exquisitely beautiful ing and selling extra organs and body woman, while her deformed original parts to the Republic. body is kept alive in a maintenance Lanik is a Mueller, but his gone- capsule. If her capsuled body dies wild body causes his exile and he is she dies. Only her consciousness is used as a spy by his father to dis­ in (or seems to be in) the android. cover how the Nkumai have suddenly The man Claudio has plans to use acquired tons of iron and are con­ this creature. Revenge...murder... quering neighbor states. But Magdala blooms and her intelli­ From there it's strange upon gence flowers until she rebels and strange, amaze upon amaze, intrigue ।comes face to face with the lovely upon intrigue until Lanik has acquir­ I real woman of whom she is a double. ed many of the skills of neighbor This is an intricate nothing-is- states—immortality, linkage with what-it-seems story that may seem to the earth gods, time control... cheat at the end. Not so, though it This story opens up and blows does tend to say to the reader: minds. But it does become progres­ "Good ride, wasn't it? Too bad we sively more incredible with each had to fool you all the way through." blow, and ends a victim of Too Much!

THE MERMAN'S CHILDREN by Poul Ander­ SUB_ZERO by Robert W. Walker son. Berkley/Putnam, $10.95, 1979. Belmont Tower 51395, $1.75, 1979. In the 13th Century the half- Man's tinkering and "improving" world of Faerie is dying off, as the the weather and ocean currents has Church and civilization crowd it out triggered—over thirty years—a with exorcisms that work and by new ice age. spreading into Faerie living space. The year is 2020 and the setting One race of Faerie are the mer- is a storm-bound skyscraper in Chi­ people who live in the continental cago. News people who work in the shelves and who are beautiful and 56 immortal except for accidental death and murder. But they have no souls. Regulo, the aged construction mogul, but it has the virtue of showing This very good, excellently his daughter Corrie, the evil genet­ plainly certain Grim Realities con­ written novel is about the tribe of ic genius Morel, the mysterious and cerning men and governments, human mer-people who are exorcized from intelligent squid Caliban, and the nature and human killing. their Danish coast homeland and in beautiful, drug-addicted woman, Sen- War and killing do solve some seeking a new home end up in the ta. social and political problems; that's Mediterranean, on the coast of Dal­ The book grabs and holds in its the bitter truth most Liberals and matia. later stages, as Rob seeks answers idealists would rather die than face. And the novel follows the half- concerning his own past and unravels They usually do if they are unfortu­ human, half-mer children of the the mysteries involved with Caliban, nate in their time and place of liv­ tribe's king as they seek to help Morel, and the tiny humans called ing. their sister who has been given to "Goblins." There's good-old-fash­ A bullet carries more truth and humans for her sake, being too small ioned life-and-death conflict and shatters more illusions than any pen and weak to survive a long sea trek. satisfactory resolution. in the world, contrary to that old It is a story of whole lives, A satisfying read, though it saying about the pen being might­ with sex, with death, love, greed... clanks with contrivance and some­ ier than the sword. Whole creatures and whole humans... times the engineering becomes bor­ and overall the reality of Magic, ing as Regulo and Rob discuss the used by the Church, used by Faerie, incredible space elevator. THE DRAGON LORD by David Drake used by local sorcerers or witch­ Berkley/Putnam, $10.95, 1979. doctors. But over the past genera­ 'A Sword Fantasy' might be the tions Magic has been losing its THE ROAD OF AZRAEL by Robert E. best description of this realistic effectiveness...... Howard. Grant, $20.00, 1979. fantasy of King Arthur's England— There are exploits against West Kingston, RI 02892. in which Arthur and Merlin are both real sea monsters, magic sea monst­ Another superb, quality hard­ mad, power-hungry, cunning monsters. ers, adventures in Greenland, fight­ cover edition of Howard stories. The novel centers around two ing pirates and low-life humans. This time illustrated very nicely men, Mael and Starkad—barbarian Depending on your religious with six paintings which catch the comrades, powerful, superior fight­ orientation, the novel may tell of color and savagery of Howard's ers, who are forced into Arthur's ongoing social/cultural/racial trag­ ancient lands and peoples and above army. edy... or the right and true triumph all his heroes. These two are whole people— of God. With Howard, vivid, authentic real and many-sided characters— The book is a marvel of skilled action and fighting—and killing— and yet heroic and virtuous...in writing, and it is marvelously effect­ is primary; and you always know their fashion. ive as an intertwined two-threaded who is right and who wrong. The Their world is the world of story. passions in his fiction are fierce fighting men—swords and axes and I am disturbed by this fantasy and pure. These elements may ex­ close combat—as well as trouble in a way: it is so real that one com­ plain his unending, continuing ap­ piled upon trouble. es to believe this history---that peal, and why readers and collectors Merlin needs a certain ancient God, in those olden days, was REAL, are willing to snap up these expen­ magic skull from Ireland. Mael is and He had powers and human life was sive, luxurious vehicles for his sent to get it by hook and by crook, filled with evidences of His exist­ stories. with Starkad held as ransom to insure ence. One almost wishes He had not The stories in this volume: his return. died with the extinction of Magic, "The Road of Azrael," "The Track of With the skull Merlin creates a and that that great rush of bliss Behemund," "The Way of the Swords," spell which brings into the Earth that then came with conversion and "Hawks Over Egypt," and "Gates of universe a dragon, small at first, Christening and certitude was still Empire." which grows, becomes progressively possible (and not now the result of unmanageable as a "super weapon" intense self-deception). and which in the end threatens to THE MERMAN'S CHILDREN is an HAMPER'S SLAM4ERS by David Drake destroy the world. excellent read, an excellent, de­ Ace 31593-3, $1.95, 1979. Mael and Starkad are i itimately tailed, real fantasy. Introduction by Jerry Pournelle. and violently involved in the final Seven-stories strung together struggle to kill the rampaging alien to pose as a novel, with interludes thing. Involved also, is Valeda, a lovely THE WEB BETWEEN THE WORLDS of "non-fiction" short essays on diaries Sheffield future weapons and the organiza­ faery goddess whose magic is critical Ace 87862-8, $4.95, 1979 tion of future wars. in saving mankind. This new novel begins with a We are introduced to a superior But its the uncompromising reali­ gripping hook—an escape, a secret, competent man, Colonel Alois Hammer, ty of the narrative—the blood, guts an exploding passenger jet over Ant­ and then nosed around in stories and dirt of life and death in this arctica. ... showing how his men live and die in ancient time—that gripped me and Then it slows to a walk as, twen­ a mercenary army situation. Only held me. That and the real people ty odd years later a young man with in the final "wrap-up" story is Drake created and sustained. mechanical hands becomes immersed Hammer front and center again. This is the best heroic fantasy in the biggest engineering job of As a novel this gathering of of the year. And it is obvious there the world, of all time: the construc­ fiction-on-a-theme is a sad excuse, will be further adventures with Ifael tion and emplacement of a balanced and Starkad. I can't wait. elevator shaft rooted in the Earth and extending out hundreds of miles VW. TERH/tfS' । PRETENDER by Piers Anthony and into space. oonsipek eafl K, f------Frances Hall. Robert Merlin also becomes in­ Borgo Press B-230, $4.95, 1979. tertwined in the lives of Darius POB 2845, San Bernardino, CA 92406. It's an adult juvenile—a kind

57 REVIEWS CONTINUED ON P.62 THE HUMAN HOTLINE S-F NEWS BY ELTON T. ELLIOTT

Remember the address for this column is: Elton T. Elliott, SFR, or early 1980. The plot involves -- # Frank Herbert is doing the 1899 Wiessner Dr. N.E., Salem, OR, get this -- Farrah Fawcett and Kirk screenplay for DUNE. The process of 97303. Douglas in a love quadrangle with a adapting written work to the screen, mad scientist and an amorous robot. Herbert likens to "translating into a foreign language". According to SPECIAL FEDIA SECTION £ # The $25 million STAR WARS seq­ Herbert, he has completed the story uel, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, is treatments; the screenplay will cut scheduled for May. According to an An extraordinary nuni>er of films the movie to three hours. He report­ interview with Gary Kurtz, published are in planning or under production. ed no director had yet been named in STARLOG, it will feature plenty The Christmas season promises to for the $40 million-movie. In ad­ of "space battles". have an SF tinge at the cinema. dition to DUNE, the Dino DiLaurentis # The Star Trek movie, titled STAR WARS has been banned in Que­ Corp, is producing two other SF/Fan- prosaically, STAR TREK THE MOTION bec, according to Zodiac News Service. tasy movies, CONAN, starring Arnold PICTURE, is set to open nationally The Quebec Film Board found the mat­ Schwarzenager, and FLASH GORDON. December 7. Robert Abel Assoc., the erial unsuitable for audiences. (If Herbert is working on DUNE IV, company that does the Levi commer­ anyone has more info, please drop me to be completed after the DUNE movie cials, were hired to do special ef­ a line.) fects (Magicam in charge of minia­ tures). When Abel's group develop­ ed problems, Douglas Trumball and OTHER FILMS: TV — John Dykstra completed the effects. # CLASH OF THE TITANS is a $15 Several mini-series are planned These delays bring the rumored tot­ million picture directed by Harry for fall: al cost to about $41 million, mak­ Harryhausen and starring Lawrence NBC will show THE MARTIAN CHRON­ ing STAR TREK the second most expen­ Olivier, Maggie Smith and Claire ICLES and BRAVE NEW WORLD. sive film of all time; the most ex­ Bloom. Five million will go for pensive was CLEOPATRA, at $44 mil­ advertising and promotion, with re­ PBS will air THE LATHE OF HEAV­ lion. lease set for summer of 1981. An­ EN. The footage was mostly shot in other Harryhausen project, SINBAD Dallas, TX, because of Oregon's in­ The plethora of spinoffs include temperate climate.' everything from beach towels to ON MARS, is set for late '81. Barbie (Kirk 5 Spock) dolls, but # EMI and Orion Studios are SALVAGE I will return with 13 nowhere will the presence of the filming Bram Stoker's THE JEWEL OF episodes in January. good ship Enterprise be as notice­ THE SEVEN STARS, a "gothic SF fan­ BATTLESTAR: GALACTICA will air able as at the bookstore. Pocket tasy". a telefilm sometime next season, Books have total control of the # ASSASSINS IN TIME is a film with Isaac Asimov, according to STAR­ Star Trek items, and have prepared LOG, writing the script. Calendars, Date Books, Costume Books, inspired by the works of Robert A. Iron-on Transfer Books, Blueprints Heinlein, Mack Reynolds and Poul And­ and a novelization by Gene Rodden­ erson's CORRIDORS OF TIME, accord­ berry. These spinoffs are not con­ ing to co-producer, Douglas Crepau. nected with the SF line under inde­ Dan O'Bannon, fresh from scripting # Ted White has been named edi­ pendent contractor, David G. Hart­ ALIEN, will direct. tor of HEAVY METAL. He will replace well. # Terry Brooks' THE SWORD OF SHAN- the fiction with more "graphic stor­ # Early in December, Disney will NARA, has been optioned for filming. ies" and non-fiction about comics, release a $20 million movie, THE # John Varley's AIR RAID will be SF and music. LOCUS reported that BLACK HOLE, reportedly carrying a produced by David Beagleman and dir­ Mr. White will earn more in one PG rating, the first Disney movie ected by Douglas Trumball. year with HEAVY METAL than he did in carrying a Non-G rating. a decade as editor of AMAZING and # Gerry Anderson, the man who FANTASTIC (Ultimate Publications). The film features Maximillian brought us SPACE 1999, is at work on Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert For­ a new space adventure, FIVE STAR # Ray Bradbury is at work on a ster, Joseph Bottoms, Yvette Mimieux FIVE. new novel. No word on whether it and Ernest Borgnine in a story of a is SF or fantasy. # CHILIHOOD'S END has been option­ mad scientist menacing a space probe # CORRECTICNS: The first two examining a black hole. ed for the umpteenth time in the last quarter-plus of a century, re­ volumes of George R.R. Martin's or­ # SATURN THREE, produced by ITC portedly an ABC TV-UNIVERSAL picture. iginal anthology series, NEW VOICES and shot at Shepperton Studios in IN SF, were published by Jove, not England, is scheduled for Christmas 58 Berkley. SFR #31: STARLOG is going Orson Scott Card in June (original­ # BERKLEY monthly, not bimonthly. ly titled MIKAL'S SONGBIRD). Philip Jose Farmer----- RIVERWORLD AND SFR #32: Mr. Rauth is interest­ # signet/nal OTHER STORIES ed in doing a biblio/biography of New American Library which in­ (The title story, written in the Raymond Palmer, not Richard Shaver. cludes Signet and DAW is moving to: fifties and never published, has # Hourglass Productions (See SFR NAL been expanded to three times its #32 for address) has brought out 1633 Broadway original length.) three more casette interviews with New York, NY 10019 Arthur Byron Cover------AN EASTWIND SF writers. Interviewed are Kath­ COMING Signet SF Editor Sheila Gilbert, leen Sky-Goldin, Stephen Goldin and Robert Thurston------ALICIA II wife of Mike Gilbert who does illus­ David Gerrold. Robert E. Howard ----- BLACK VULMEA'S trations for SFR, says they have ex­ REVENGE # John Jakes will be writer-in­ panded their SF line a "good deal", residence at DePauw University for with "no set limit", the size depend­ # DAW the fall semester this year. ing on incoming material. Jack Vance------THE FACE # For the growing legions of SF/ # BARONET (4th in the Demon Prince Series) Fantasy game enthusiasts, there is Lin Carter------JOURNEY TO THE Baronet will publish the first a store carrying an extensive selec­ UNDERGROUND WORLD two in a series of ten books in tion of board and role playing games. (A new series) March, THE GLASS TEAT and PAINGOD For info write: STUFF AND NONSENSE E.C. Tubb------IDUNA'S UNIVERSE AND OTHER DELUSIONS -- all 10 will 481 Ferry St., S.E. (Dumarest #21) be reprints of earlier Harlan Elli­ Salem, OR 97301 John Noiman------GHOST DANCE son titles. (Non-Gor) # Forrest J. Ackerman and Wenda- Publisher Norman Goldfind, in A.E. Van Vogt------THE MAN WITH A yne Ackerman have been working on an exclusive conversation, reported THOUSAND NAMES the WCET-PBS-Carl Sagen science pro­ that things are "going very well" at gram for COSMOS. Forry is also an # DELL BARONET and that he is "where I hop­ editorial consultant for GALAXY. ed to be at this stage" in terms of F. Paul Wilson--WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS # Maxim Jakubowski is now agent­ sales. Due to production lags in (A LaNague novel) ing in Europe. His address: the ANALOG Book Line, he feels "we Philip K. Dick------TIME OUT OF JOINT 95 Finchley Lane probably will not (continue the L. Sprague de Camp 8 Fletcher Pratt- London, England NW4 line) and Ace probably will". ------WALL OF SERPENTS (First time in softcover) BOOK NEWS Q # BERKLEY # DEL REY # BANTAM Two hardbacks scheduled for Oct­ ober release, MALAFRENA by Ursula K. All titles written by L. Frank Baum: In February, in addition to LeGuin and TRANSFIGURATION by Mich­ THE WIZARD OF OZ five SF titles, Bantam will publish ael Bishop, have been moved to Nov­ THE LAND OF OZ Janet E. Morris' historical, I, THE ember. OZMA OF OZ SUN, set in the Hittite Empire when DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD OF OZ Egypt was ruled by Ikhnaton, father- NQVEFfiER Q THE ROAD TO OZ in-law of Tutankhamen, and the Hit­ # ACE THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ tites by Shubbiluliuma. THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ Robert Asprin —t--- (Trade) TAM BU # DAW Jerry E. Poumelle (Ed.)-THE ENDLESS # DOUBLEDAY In an exclusive conversation, FRONTIER: VOL. 1 Lloyd Biggie Jr. ----- THE WHIRLIGIG Donald A. Wollheim, President § Pub­ Gordon R. Dickson------ON THE RUN OF TIME lisher of DAW Books, stated, "I have (Revised G up-dated version of Charles L. Grant (Ed.)— SHADOWS II no intentions of ever opening up a MANKIND ON THE RUN) hardcover line", due to hardcover Robert Sheckley ------THE STATUS inexperience and low profit margin. CIVILIZATION/NOTIONS UNLIMITED A. Bertram Chandler------THE RIM OF # POCKET SPACE/THE SHIP FROM OUTSIDE # DELL Walter Wangerin ----- THE BOOK OF THE Marion Ziimer Bradley------SEVEN FRCM DUN COW Dell placed in the top two pos­ THE STARS Robert Silverberg (Ed.)------THE BEST itions in the latest LOCUS SF Best­ OF NEW DIMENSIONS seller poll. Number one was DREAM­ # AVON Thomas N. Disch-ECHO ROUND HIS BONES SNAKE by Vonda N. McIntyre, follow­ Joe Haldeman------INFINITE DREAMS James E. Gunn------THE INMORTALS ed by John Varley's THE PERSISTENCE James Blish------'------BLACK EASTER Theodore Sturgeon-E PLURIBUS UNICORN OF VISION. They will publish OPUS 200 by Isaac Asimov in the summer # BANTAM # SIGNET of 1980. Robert Sheckley ------CROMPTON DIVIDED Barbera Paul ------BIBBLINGS The contents for BINARY STAR Robert Sheckley--THE WONDERFUL WORLD Robert A. Heinlein ------WALDO AND #4 are: "The Janus Equations" by OF ROBERT SHECKLEY MAGIC INC Steven G. Spruill and "Legacy" by Gordon Eklund ------DEVIL WORLD Walter Irwin G G.B. Love —THE BEST Joan D. Vinge. "Nightflyers" by (A Star Trek novel) OF TREK George R. R. Martin leads off BINARY # BARONET STAR #5. The other half has not DECEMBER Q been decided. Orson Scott Card------CAPITOL Barry N. Malzberg G Bill Prozini — # ACE # DIAL ------THE END OF SUMMER: Poul Anderson and Mildred Downey For October the title is ASI­ THE SF OF THE FIFTIES Broxon------THE DEMON OF SCATTERY MOV'S MARVELS OF SF. Upcoming titles Jules Verne------THE JULES VERNE (Trade Ed., illoed by Alicia include: THE SNOW QUEEN by Joan D. (Fully Illustrated)---- COMPANION Austin, Cover by Michael Whelan) Vinge in April and SONCMASTER by 59 Michael de Larrabeiti--THE BORRIBLES Charles Sheffield ------VECTORS Dr. Robert W. Prehoda ----- YOUR NEXT # POCKET (Short Story Collection) FIFTY YEARS Walt § Leigh Richmond------PHASE TWO (Trade, Non-SF, Intro by Poumelle) Michael Bishop------THE EYES OF FIRE (Expanded version of PHOENIX SHIP) Michael Kurland------PLURIBUS (Tentative title, a revision of Frank Herbert------THE GREEN BRAIN John Eric Holmes------MORDRED A FUNERAL FOR THE EYES OF FIRE) Robert E. Howard---THREE BLADED DOOM (The first of five sequels to Hilbert Schenck------WAVE RIDER (Five Stories from FfiSF) # AVON ARMAGEDDON 2419, the original Buck Rogers novel) Louise Lawrence ------STAR LORD Poul Anderson § Gordon R. Dickson -- Poul Anderson -- AGENT OF THE TERRAN (No connection to the comic book) ------EARIHMAN'S BURDEN EMPIRE Thomas M. Disch------THE PUPPIES OF John Christopher—NO BLADE OF GRASS (Updated, Revised) TERRA (Unabridged Edition of MANKIND # BANTAM Fred Saberhagen —THE DRACULA TAPES Ursula K. LeGuin--- THE LEFT HAND OF UNDER THE LEASH) Jerry E. Poumelle------HIGH JUSTICE Dennis Polumbo------CITY WARS DARKNESS Robert Weverka ------SPECTOR # AVON # SIGNET # BERKLEY No data available. Robert Adams------THE SAVAGE MOUNTAINS Jack Massa------MOONCROW (A Horseclans Novel) KevinO'Donnell Jr.------MAYFLIES # BANTAM Brian W. Aldiss ------GREYBEARD Glen Cook------A SHADOW OF ALL NIGHT L. Sprague de Camp § Fletcher Pratt Stephen King------THE STAND ------FALLING -- TALES FROM GAVIGAN'S BAR (A Signet lead title, all the (First of trilogy) Robert Silverberg------TOWER OF GLASS other King titles are being reissued) Robert E. Howard------SWORD WOMAN • # BARONET # DAW Alfred Bester------THE STARS MY Jack Vance------EMPYRIO DESTINATION: VOL. II # AMAZING & FANTASTIC Jessica Amanda Salmonson (Ed.) ------(Illustrated) ------AMAZONS! (Quarterlies — Schedule Unknown) Drey Prescott---A FORTUNE FOR KREGAN # BERKLEY David Truesdale was fired be­ (21st in the series) Jack C. Haldeman II--VECTOR ANALYSIS fore writing a column, as was Craig Richard L. Purtill ------THE GOLDEN Norman Spinrad ----- BUG JACK BARRON Anderson. GRYPHON FEATHER Piers Anthony------VISION OF TAROT COMMENT: I am boycotting them Donald A. Wollheim (Ed.)--WOLLHEIM'S (Sequel to GOD OF TAROT) until they change their policy of WORLD'S BEST SF: SERIES #3 Robert E. Howard------THE VULTURES not paying the author when they re­ # DELL OF WHAPTON print a story. John Silbersack § Virginia Schochet- Michael G. Coney------CHARISMA (Editors)------THE BERKLEY SHOWCASE: (Cover by Stanislaw Fernandez) NEW WRITINGS IN SF # DESTINIES Theodore Sturgeon------VENUS PLUS X (#4 - Aug; #5 - Oct) Piers Anthony------HASAN # DAW (Cover by Enrich, interior Tim Huntley------ONE ON KNEE The January, 1980, issue ,#6, illustrations by Fabian) John Brunner--THE AVENGERS OF CARRIG has been postponed to February; the cover wasn't ready on schedule. # DEL REY Lin Carter (Ed.)------THE YEAR'S BEST FANTASY STORIES: #5 Alan Dean Foster ------THE BLACK HOLE Edward Llewellyn ------THE BRIGHT # GALILEO E. Hoffman Price------THE DEVIL WIVES COMPANION (#14 - Sept) OF LI FONG (CORRECTION: Also the author of David Gerrold-THE WORLD OF STAR TREK THE DOUGLAS CONVOLUTION (DAW, Oct) The November issue should be Leonard Nimoy------I AM NOT SPOCK not Edward Wellen (SFR #32) out now. Of a 108,000 print run for (Non-Fiction) George 0. Smith------THE SECOND WAR the first newsstand issue, 40,000 Ray Bradbury ------FAHRENHEIT 451 OF THE WORLDS sold, a 37% sale rate, good for the Leigh Brackett------THE GINGER STAR first issue of a nationally distrib­ # DELL uted magazine. (Figures from a re­ ft DOLBLEDAY John Jakes------THE FORTUNES OF BRAK port in SF CHRONICLE). If the re­ ported 60,000+ subscriptions are Manly Wade Wellman----- THE OLD GODS Philip K. Dick------CLANS OF THE ALPHANE MOON correct, then the total sales top AWAKEN 100,000. Jim Morris--THE SHERIFF OF PURGATORY Theodore Sturgeon------BEYOND # GALAXY # POCKET # DEL REY (Extremely erratic -- Vol. #39, Nancy Springer------THE WHITE HART Jack L. Chalker------THE RETURN OF #8, #9, #10) Keith Laumer------A PLAGUE OF DEMONS NATHAN BRAZIL A.E. Van Vogt----- THE UNIVERSE MAKER L. Neal Smith------THE PROBABILITY I wrote my second column for James Young — THE FACE OF THE DEEP BROACH GALAXY a year ago; it still hasn't (First Novel) Anne McCaffrey --- ALCHEMY 8 ACADEME come out. I wrote a third column in Jack Vance------THE DYING EARTH Edson McCann------PREFERRED RISK May; I haven't been paid. I will do (McCann is pen-name for Frederik no more material for GALAXY until I # SIGNET Pohl and Lester del Rey) am reimbursed. James E. Gunn —THE ROAD TO SF: #3 Leigh Brackett---THE HOUNDS OFSKAITH # STARLOG/FUTURE LIFE (A Mentor Book) John Roy Flint----- A GUIDE TO BARSOOM Robert Heinlein--BEYOND THIS HORIZON # DOUBLEDAY (STARLOG -- Monthly) (FUTURE LIFE -- Eight Yearly) JANUARY Q Jacqueline Lichtenberg § Jean Lorrah The STARLOG SF YEARBOOK, edit­ # ACE (3rd in Sime Series) --FIRST CHANNEL Walter Tevis ---ONLY THE MOCKINGBIRD ed by David A. Truesdale, should be Gordon R. Dickson--MASTERS OF EVERON out now. (Trade) 60 BY THE EDITOR

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS By Jeff Wayne Columbia 35290 At first thought a musical ver­ sion of H.G. Wells' novel of an in­ vasion of Earth by Martians in 1897 seems ludicrous, but with Richard Burton's impressive, compelling narration, and with Jeff Wayne's inspired, vivid, chilling music, and with a cast of actors filling in scenes... The result is an Ex­ perience that at times sends chills down the spine. This two-record album comes with wrap-around and inside paintings of scenes from the book by Geoff Taylor and Michael Trim—both ex­ cellent, graphic, detailed action sequences. And there are more large Read by Christopher Plummer social commentary by L. Frank Baum paintings in a large-size booklet Caedon TC 1582 which contains the full text of the in the tale. But it is written with spoken parts of the ambum, as well The delight of this record is the simpicity and directness of as credits and short biographies the marvelous voice of Christopher small children's reading material, of Burton, Wayne, and the cast. Plummer; he whispers, whines, com­ and tends to make an adult fidget. I can't say enough about the mands, pleads, is enraged...in paintings by Geoff Taylor, nor about character, with subtle shifts in timbre, inflection, power. But a- THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES the strange, riveting music, and Read by Leonard Nimoy bove all he is an aural treat as the superb voice and delivery of Caedmon TC 1466 Burton. he portrays Merlyn in frustrating A superior production. encounters with a puzzled, slow The two stories presented in King Arthur who cannot quite en­ this album are "There Will Come Soft compass being in a...book? Rains" and "Usherll." There is philosophy in these Again, the superb,trained, drama­ excerpts, humor, a steadily unfold­ tic voice of an accomplished actor ing world of a metaphysical and im­ makes these stories come alive in SURVIVAL SHIP and JHE SHRINE OF aginary past/present/future. ways the author, Ray Bradbury could TEMPTATION More than any other record I've not. The producers at Caedmon must Read by the author, Judith Merril listened to in this series, this one always confront the choice: present Caedmon TC 1593 made me want to buy and read: THE the material the best way possible, A pleasant surprise is Judith BOOK OF MERLYN by T.H. White. or compromise the material with the Merril's smooth, graceful, profes­ And it made me want to listen voice of the author, since the auth­ sional reading. She obviously pre­ to anything recorded by Christopher or is rarely able to equal the pro­ pared well for this dramatic read­ Plummer. fessional. ing, and is blessed with a low, Both stories are about houses, velvety voice. and both have messages for today She is helped by her choice of THE LAND OF OZ enbedded in them, messages which stories; both contain little .dialog Read by Ray Bolger are more and more relevant: too and both sustain interest. Caedmon TC 1618 much stupid, rule-bound government, and the futility of stupid, rule­ "Survival Ship" depends on the You might think Ray Bolger bound technology. ultimate revelation of the sexual would butch this assignment, but This is an absorbing, thought­ make-up of an interstellar space­ he has a fine, flexible, expressive provoking, entertaining album. ship for its impact—which has voice perfectly suited for this lost inpact and become dated since children's story. He keeps each its first publication in 1950. character separate and recogniz­ "The Shrine of Temptation" is able, and his narration and pitch THE SWORD OF SHANNARA Read by the author Terry Brooks another matter—mysterious, in­ are infectuous and playful. Caedmon TC 1567 triguing, timeless...and a bit Hie story involves a little boy, frustrating as many of the ques­ an evil witch, her independent-minded Except for the minimal interest tions involving the Shrine and the creation, Jack Pumpkinhead, a magical in discovering what Terry Brooks humans on another planet who worship Powder of Life (which the boy has sounds like, there is little of it, and its origins and strange, taken from her and which he uses to value in this album. Brooks reads magic-like function, go unanswered. animate a wooden sawhorse and a fly­ with a droning tenor voice from two This is one of the best author­ ing Gump--made of old furniture and chapters in his book, a book I con­ reading Caedmon records. Judith palm leaves), a power struggle for sider shallow, dull and ponderously Merril makes you want to meet and the Emerald City which the Scarecrow long. talk with her; a superior woman. 61 ftftftftftftftAftftftftftft*ftft*****ft*ft*ft*AftftftftAft* REVIEWS CONTINUED FROM P.57 WRITERS ARE NOT ROBOTS OR don't TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD WRITE, of "realistic" (in certain ways) TELL ME HOW I CAN GET WHAT I DQ STAR WHORES sf novel for kids and adults of cer­ WRITE PUBLISHED. tain indiscriminate and uncritical What we have here is a lot of reading preferences. space and a desire to write some­ AN EROTIC It follows NK-2, an alien entity thing about me, nyself and Alter. SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL who uses native hosts for its nour­ There will be a certain amount BY ishment and locomotion, as it strug­ of wooden legging in this segment. gles with the body/mind of a young Ignore it if you don't know what RICHARD E. GEIS boy/man in ancient Babylonia. 'wooden leg' means. Oh, whatthe- NK-2 has crash landed on this hell, I'll tell you—it means backward planet and needs to get to the Game of saying to yourself or the hidden galactic agent. But an others, "Gee, I'd be glad to run enemy agent is in control and is the hundred yard dash, but I've hidden in one of the local religious got this wooden leg..." or "Hey, leaders. Thus the survival problem I'd like to make a speech at the of NK-2 and for his unknowing host, con, but I'm so self-conscious and young Enkidu. nervous I'd embarrass nyself and The Babylonian era is detailed you and everyone if I tried it." and interesting. The book is well Or... plotted and coherent. I rather en­ "I can't write anything ex­ joyed it for what it is, even cept sex novels because that's though I wish it had been more, and just the way I'm structured, man." wish so much of sf was not of this Otherwise known as copping out "young audience" ambiance. and just plain making excuses...or excusing failure: "I can't do ____ because my _____ isn't working right...." FUTURE DAY A little autobiography, profes­ By Gene Day sor! I started writing profession­ Flying Buttress, $4.95, 1979. ally in 1958. Sold the first short POB 83, University Station, story to ADAM in late 1958, and sold Syracuse, NY 13210 about 100 short stories in two years This is a 'graphic album' to ADAM, SIR KNIGHT, and a slew of which is a way of saying comic lesser known men's fiction mags of book in hardcover. that era. There are five short picture Then in 1960 or so (I've forgot­ stories in this book, all b/w, ten precise dates) I wrote LIKE all well done space action CRAZY, MAN and sold it instantly. ideas which will all be very fam­ Then I sold SEX KITTEN... And since iliar. Heavy on action/violence. sex novels were far better paying Gene Day has a stark, "mechani­ than short stories, I switched to Toi, Mata, and Senya are Sex cal" style. One aspect about this novels and haven't written a short Guild Companions, contracted book struck me: there is not one story since. to serve the men on an inter­ female in it. I assume this book Now, you got to remember (or be stellar mining ship. is aimed at the pre-teen boy to whom advised) that the sex fiction of girls are a drag. the late 50s and early 60s was TAME On the way Out, Mata is hor­ compared to now. No four letter ribly murdered. words, no detailed intercourse.... Toi and the Captain begin to RIP OFF COMIX #5 And the stories were stories in solve the murder mystery... Rip Off Press, $1.25, 1979. the strictest sense of the word, not POB 14158, San Francisco, CA 94114. just excuses for fuck and suck. But life and sex must go on, I'm afraid the Freak Brothers So I had a good grounding in with Toi and Senya caring for have become tamed...part of an es­ basic fiction writing, and I sold the needs of Mata's men as tablishment. . .no longer outrageous about a story a week. well as their own. in drugs and philosophy. They're Let's travel back in time.... And when the killer is dis­ just-another-strip now, folks. Cash­ When I was ten years old I dis­ covered, a death crisis for ing in. covered science fiction and read it the ship and all aboard must I never could see the attraction omniverously from then on. All I be faced. in Wonder Wart Hog's satire, and Mom could get my hands on. I read AS­ Squad reeks with knee-jerk liberal TOUNDING every month, STARTLING STO­ feminism... Time Twisted Tales is RIES, THRILLING WONDER STORIES, UN­ Available late December, 1979. obvious and unfunny... KNOWN WORLDS, WEIRD TALES....Oh, and $3.00 postpaid. I must be getting too old for AMAZING STORIES, FANTASTIC ADVENTUR­ this repetitive, dull, same old shit. ES.... I had a big, valuable col­ Limited Edition: 490 copies lection. .. I wanted to be a writer. I wrote First come, first served! S.O.S (SAME OLD SHIT) IS NOT TO letters to the letter columns... I published (in my early 20’s) BE SNEERED AT. THERE IS A BIG Send cash, check or money order a fanzine called PSYCHOTIC.... to: SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW MARKET FOR IT IN EVERY AREA OF So, when I moved out on my own, SOCIETY. P.O.Box 11408 — ALTER EGO Portland, OR 97211 62 went to Venice/Santa Monica in 1958, Shit, I could pad out the murder No. let it lie, let it stay in the and started to write...WHY THE FUCK mystery 50% and have a commercial sf shadow. Besides. We're out of room. DIDN'T I WRITE SCIENCE FICTION OR novel. Why am I mickey mousing with "Bah! Just when all those eyes FANTASY? I was well grounded, I it this way? Why, for that matter, were bugging out!" had the skills (I sold the first am I spending year after year, Ghod Good night, Alter! story I submitted to ADAM), yet I knows how many working hours every "Good night, Geis." started writing sex stories for the issue, putting out fanzines? SFR, men's mags. REG.... The rational writer----- the WHY? rational man—would not do this. I can't give you or me an answer. He would write (with my skills) in I don't know. The answer lies deep those areas where he could make in my psyche...lurks in my subcon­ the most money. scious. .. .has (no doubt) tinges of frustrated incest and homosexuality. I'm not cursing my fate (or Fat­ I SEE I'VE NEGLECTED TO MAKE ONE Ghod knows. es). I'm largely content. I am a thing perfectly clear. In my editor­ Something in me decided: sex is damned good fanzine editor and a ial elsewhere this issue I call for your fiction beat, so beat it. very reliable fanzine publisher. more realism, more excitement, more And that I did. 100 short sto­ And a readable fanzine writer. I wonder, in sf. R-rated in many ways. ries and about 90 novels, from 1958 win Hugoes. I'm proud of that. [I imagine part of my inner mot­ to now. I'm just ventilating...puzzling ive is a desire to see a few markets There have been melds----- sex aloud at some of the forces that move open up for my kind of sf. ] with sf, sex with the occult...but and shape me. But I exclude STAR WHORES. SW sex was the prime ingredient. Am I the master of my fate? Are is not an R novel. In movie rating And now I ask myself: why in you? I cannot make myself write parlance it would be XXX. I would hell can't you write a nice, conform­ "straight" science fiction. I cannot not ever expect it to be acceptable ing, safe, saleable space opera? Why write gothics. I cannot force a to a "family" sf' zine. Not even if do you insist on the strong sex ele­ murder mystery out of my fingers. I were editing a big commercial zine ment, or the (some say) excessive All I want to do is write "my" type with the title BOLD SCIENCE FICTION. violence as in ONE INMORTAL MAN? of fiction----- highly sexual, sometimes If you buy a copy of STAR WHORES Are you unconsciously deliberate­ with a high degree of violence, with you'll be buying a hard-core sex nov­ ly avoiding a writing career in sf? often anti-social, non-conformist el with some good sf background, a Are you writing stuff you know won't themes, characters... murder mystery, some detailed des­ be acceptable to the current crop of Am I insisting on writing this criptions of what I think will be editors? way to avoid possible success? Am I the sexual mores, standards and Yeah. I guess I am. into this fanzine scene so deeply to practices of the future—about 200 There's something perverse oper­ tie myself up to avoid....what? Is years from now. ating in me. Is dot you, Alter? it sheer stubbomess and ego? Am I ************************************ "Don't drag me into this swamp, saying to the world: you will take’ me Geis! I didn't warp this mind of on my terms and you will publish what yours! This is the way I found it I choose to write! I refuse to bow~~ when I arrived! I just work here." to your wishes and rules and stand­ No easy solutions. ards! So I have faced (with equanimity Or do I s inply fear failure if I RICHARD and a certain degree of smugness and do write conformist sf? Or have I satisfaction) that I am in certain only two small talents: sex novels E. ways a distinctly neurotic individ­ and fanzine editing, and unconscious­ ual. My life style is like a road ly know this and avoid the failures GEIS strewn with huge boulders; I have inherent in the more competitive, coped by weaving a well-worn path big-name publishing arena? between the neurotic manifestations/ Damned if I know. A PERSONAL JOURNAL boulders. Am I living a lie of avoidance I used to fight these boulders; and excuses—or living a life of # A jaundiced commentary on I'd kick them, struggle to move individualism, unique creativity current events. them, try to crack them, blow them and virtue—and someday those bast­ # A Libertarian viewpoint. up, pretend they didn't exist. But ards in New York will appreciate me! # Personal counter-culture it got tiring, unproductive, and emo­ We'll see. living notes. tionally very painful. I gradually In the meantime this has been an # Beginning in issue if 10: came to accept myself as a slightly old-fashioned Geis personal entry: SPLITTING, a present-day bent, twisted, warped person. I'm honest, self-serving, and thought­ erotic novel with an acidic not especially glad I'm neurotic, provoking. view of humanity. but I'm also well adjusted as a prac­ Don't you agree, Alter? ticing neurotic. Were I not as I am "Shit, Geis, you didn't get into $3. for five issues. I'd be a truck driver or something how your sexual life has an effect $6. for ten issues. with a different set of problems. on your professional life." That hasn't a place in— REG #1-2-3 are sold out. REG 13 No, I'm remarkably content as I is the current issue. am. Now, if I could only find a big­ "Sure it does. Remember how you and the little girl next door hid out RICHARD E. GEIS is published ap­ name publisher for ONE IMMORTAL MAN! proximately 4-6 weekly. Mailed I've sent OIM to Playboy Press. in the woodshed and—" 3rd class, sealed. I have a degree of hope. We'll see. Alter! But here I sit with some chapters "And how that Older Boy got you Send subscriptions to: of STAR WHORES completed—a novel under the blankets when you were five Richard E. Geis that's 50% sex and 50% murder myst­ years old and—" P.O. Box 11408 ery. I can't make a lot of money Alter! This is not the place Portland, OR 97211 selling it to the readers of SFR in for those memories. Now, I person­ a self-published edition. WHY AM I ally think that the time my mother... REG f Inearly ready for mailing "OING IT? 63 SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #17 In­ SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #28 Inter- BACK ISSUES terview with George R. R. Martin; view with C.J. Cherryh; "Beyond Interview with Robert Anton Wilson; Genocide" by Damon Knight; ONE IM­ THE ALIEN CRITIC "Philip K. Dick: A Parallax View" MORTAL MAN—Conclusion; SF News; SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW by Terrence M. Green; "Microcos­ SF film news 6 reviews. ■70 OTHER BACK ISSUES ARE mos" by R. Faraday Nelson. AVAILABLE SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #29 Inter- SCIENCE FICTION REVIEW #18 In- $1.25 per copy views with John Brunner, Michael terview with Lester del Rey; Inter­ Moorcock and Hank Stine; "Noise EACH ISSUE CONTAINS MANY REVIEWS. view with Alan Burt Akers; "Noise Level" by John Brunner; SF News, EACH ISSUE CONTAINS LETTERS FROM Level" by John Brunner; "A Short SF film reviews. 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