Off the Main Sequence

Off the Main Sequence
Author: Tom Easton
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2006-10-01
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 080951205X

Tom Easton has served as the monthly book review columnist for Analog Science Fiction for almost three decades, having contributed during that span many hundreds of columns and over a million words of penetrating criticism on the best literature that science fiction has to offer. His reviews have been celebrated for their wit, humor, readability, knowledge, and incisiveness. His love of literature, particularly fantastic literature, is everywhere evident in his essays. Easton has ever been willing to cover small presses, obscure authors, and unusual publications, being the only major critic in the field to do so on a regular basis. He seems to delight in finding the rare gem among the backwaters of the publishing field. "A reviewer's job," he says, "is not to judge books for the ages, but to tell readers enough about a book to give them some idea of whether they would enjoy it." And this he does admirably, whether he's discussing the works of the great writers in the field, or touching upon the least amongst them. This companion volume to "Periodic Stars" (Borgo/Wildside) collects another 250 of Easton's best reviews from the last fifteen years of "The Reference Library." No one does it better, and no other guide provides such lengthy or discerning commentary on the best SF works of recent times. Complete with Introduction and detailed Index.

Resnick at Large

Resnick at Large
Author: Mike Resnick
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 286
Release: 2003-08-01
Genre: Literary Collections
ISBN: 1592241603

These 61 essays and articles include Mike Resnick's work for galaxyonline.com, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, book introductions, and much, much more! Features an introduction by Robert J. Sawyer

...Always a Fan

...Always a Fan
Author: Mike Resnick
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 464
Release: 2015-03-02
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1434448142

Mike Resnick's second collection of essays, anecdotes, speeches, and convention reports (not to mention lists and obituaries), written for science fiction fan magazines, includes topics as diverse as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Teddy Roosevelt, My Most Memorable Collecting Experience, Where Do You Get Those Crazy (Novel) Ideas?, Bathrooms I Have Known, and much more.

Dimension of Miracles

Dimension of Miracles
Author: Robert Sheckley
Publisher: Open Road Media
Total Pages: 157
Release: 2014-04-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1480496901

A hapless Earthling must find his way home through a universe of absurdities in this science fiction romp from a Hugo and Nebula Award–nominated master. New York civil servant Thomas Carmody has never been particularly lucky. Imagine his surprise when he discovers he’s won the grand prize in an Intergalactic Lottery he had no idea he’d entered. Whisked far away to Galactic Central to claim his award, he has two immediate, equally troubling revelations. Not only does his Prize—a talkative device that changes shape—serve no practical purpose whatsoever, but now he’s expected to find his own way back to Earth. Of course, Carmody has no idea where, when, or even which universe he’s been stranded in. Ignoring the worthless advice and opinions of his increasingly annoying Prize, he embarks on a bizarre odyssey that takes him from alternate Earth to alternate Earth, bringing him into close contact with all manner of strangeness—and even with a bored God Almighty Himself. But Carmody’s sweepstakes “windfall” comes with yet another unexpected drawback. Suddenly, an unrelenting predator is on his tail, determined to eliminate the “glitch” wandering lost through numerous dimensions where he does not belong. A full decade before Douglas Adams devised TheHitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Robert Sheckley created his Dimension of Miracles, launching one luckless protagonist on a hilarious journey across an alien universe of intelligent dinosaurs and mothering sentient towns. Fans of Kurt Vonnegut, Roger Zelazny, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, and Harry Harrison’s Bill the Galactic Hero will delight in Sheckley’s biting and brilliant Alice in Wonderland–like outer space adventure.

Science Fiction Authors

Science Fiction Authors
Author: Maura Heaphy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 350
Release: 2008-11-30
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1598845063

For students, scholars, readers' advisors, and curious SF readers and fans, this guide provides an easy-to-use launch pad for researching and learning more about science fiction writers and their work. Emphasizing the best popular and contemporary authors, this book covers 100 SF writers, providing for each: • a brief biographical sketch, including a quote from theauthor, awards, etc. • a list of the author's major works (including editions and other writings) • research sources-biographies, criticism, research guides, and web sites • In addition, you'll find read-alike lists for selected authors. For anyone wanting to find information on popular SF authors, this should be the first stop.

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twentieth Annual Collection

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twentieth Annual Collection
Author: Gardner Dozois
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Total Pages: 692
Release: 2007-04-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 142990383X

Widely regarded as the one essential book for every science fiction fan, The Year's Best Science Fiction (Winner of the 2002 Locus Award for Best Anthology) continues to uphold its standard of excellence with more than two dozen stories representing the previous year's best SF writing. This year's volume includes Ian R. MacLeod, Nancy Kress, Greg Egan, Maureen F. McHugh, Robert Reed, Paul McAuley, Michael Swanwick, Robert Silverberg, Charles Stross, John Kessel, Gregory Benford and many other talented authors of SF, as well as thorough summations of the year and a recommended reading list.

Anatomy of Wonder

Anatomy of Wonder
Author: Neil Barron
Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
Total Pages: 1026
Release: 2004-12-30
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN:

This classic work is an essential tool for collection development, research, reference, and readers' advisory work."--BOOK JACKET.

Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction Literature

Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction Literature
Author: Brian M. Stableford
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2004
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9780810849389

This reference tracks the development of speculative fiction influenced by the advancement of science and the idea of progress from the eighteenth century to the present day. The major authors and publications of the genre and significant subgenres are covered. Additionally there are entries on fields of science and technology which have been particularly prolific in provoking such speculation. The list of acronyms and abbreviations, the chronology covering the literature from the 1700s through the present, the introductory essay, and the dictionary entries provide science fiction novices and enthusiasts as well as serious writers and critics with a wonderful foundation for understanding the realm of science fiction literature. The extensive bibliography that includes books, journals, fanzines, and websites demonstrates that science fiction literature commands a massive following.

Encyclopedia of Science Fiction

Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
Author: Don D'Ammassa
Publisher: Infobase Learning
Total Pages: 2098
Release: 2015-04-22
Genre: Science fiction, American
ISBN: 1438140622

Presents articles on the science fiction genre of literature, including authors, themes, significant works, and awards.

The Mammoth Book of Best New SF 16

The Mammoth Book of Best New SF 16
Author: Gardner Dozois
Publisher: Robinson
Total Pages: 1153
Release: 2011-08-04
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1780332645

Michael Swanwick, Geoff Ryman, Allen Steele, Nancy Kress, Robert Reed, Michael Cassott, Charles Stross are just some of the high-profile names that feature in this volume of what is now regarded as essential reading for every science-fiction fan. This year's edition includes not just the biggest names in science-fiction writing but also many of its other brightest young talents too, as well as even more stories than ever before. All this, and the usual thorough summations of the year, plus a list of recommended reading, more than upholds an established tradition of value and excellence.