Author Archives: Keith West

Of Martians and Attics and Fred Pohl

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Today, November 26, is the birthday of Frederik Pohl  (1919-2013).  Pohl was many things in science fiction. Futurian. Writer. Editor. Collaborator (with other writers, not out countires enemies), Agent.

Keeping with the theme from yesterday, Pohl, like Anderson, was once one of the biggest names in science fiction. While not as  prolific as Anderson (who AFAIK, was never an editor or agent), Pohl had a consistent work ethic and wrote pretty much up unitl his death.

Anderson wrote in the hard sciences, while Pohl tended to write more in the social sciences and satire. He could do rigor when he wanted to, though.

I did manage to read one of his stories today. “The Martian in the Attic” originally appeared in the July 1960 issue of IF, and it has onlhy been reprinted twice in english. First in the collection Turn Left at Thursday and in The Best of Frederik Pohl, which is where I read it. Continue reading →

Poul Anderson and the Vagaries of Publishing

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Today, November 25, is the 99th birthday of Poul Anderson (1926-2001). Anderson was once a major name in both science fiction and fantasy. Today, he is out of print and rapidly fading into obscurity.

He’s one of my favorites. I’ve not read anywhere near all of his works. There are a number I’ve not read.

I’ve not had time to read anything of his for this post. I try to do that for birthday posts, but I’m wrapping up a rough semester.

So I want to ramble or rant or ruminate, not sure which it will be, on something that’s been on my mind off and on for the last few months.

And that’s publishing and how one author is remembered and others are forgotten. This is not soemthing that is limited to the literature of the fantastic. Continue reading →

I Have not Forgotten the Blog

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This update is way overdue.

I have not forgotten the blog. This semester has gotten off to a really rocky start. The department chair has been out on medical leave. Multiple surgies among other things. He’s recovinering and will be back by the end of the month.

Needless to say, everyohne has been helping to pick up the slack. Either the time, the energy, or both have simply been missing.

Things should start slowing down a little and I’ll be back soon.

A Lovecraft Birthday Post Plus a Couple of Others

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Today is August 20, the birthday of H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937). It’s also my mother-in-law’s birthday, but that’s just a coincidence, I’m sure. Nothing nefarious about that at all.

I’ve spent a lot of time in a car over the last few years, and I’ve listened to a number of audio books. One of those was the complete works of Lovecraft. It was quite a good listening experience. This particular audio book was produced by the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society. The production values are top notch. I’m partly through his collaborations, also produced byt he HPLHS. I took a break to listen to the March Upcountry series by  David Weber and Jonh Ringo (highly recommended.)

There are two other birthdays of note  today, as well. Continue reading →

The End of Summer

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Summer is over, at least for me. Forget about the autumnal equinox and the one hundred degree days that we’re still having.

Classes start tomorrow. Summer is over.

The second summer session ended a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been recovering ever since.

But this fall doesn’t look too terrible. I’ve actually got a day when I don’t have classes. And I don’t have any that get out after 6:15. That means I won’t be getting in around ten after a late lab. (I have a drive of at least 1.25 hours, one way.)

So I should be able to get back to writiing and blogging on  a regular basis.

That’s the plan.

Yes, I’m Still Here

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Just a quck note to say I’m still here and this blog hasn’t gone dormant.

Well, not completely.

I’ve been teaching summer school. right now I’m teaching an online physics coulrse and putting it together as I go. It’s been taking up most of my time. I have two weeks of class left, then I get a quick break before the fall semester starts. The rest of the time I’ve been working on writiing fiction. I’ll post a writing update after the first of August.

I’ll also post a report on Howard Days. It was a good one this year.

That’s all for now. I just wanted to let you know that I’m still around. Just dealing with responsibilities and adulting and other “fun” things.

John Bullard Reviews Will Oliver’s New REH biography

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Note From Keith: John sent me this review a month ago. I apologize to him for taking so long to get it up. I was busy with school and family things. Since he wrote this review, there have been some other reviews that make the same or similar points. Know that John isn’t cribbing from other reviews. 

I assume if you’re a Howard-fan, you know about this new biography that Dr. Willard Oliver has just produced. (Robert E. Howard: The Life and Times of a Texas Author} I just finished my read of it and will give my thoughts on the book, if you’re interested. In full disclosure, I have become good friends with “Will” through our love of Robert E. Howard and Howard Days activities, and also gave some very minor help to Will in his researches for the book, and will do my best to not let any bias show up in my review. Continue reading →

Manly Wade Wellman, A Birthday Tribute

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Today (May 21) is the birthday of Manly Wade Wellman (1903-1986). Wellman is best remembered for his stories of John the Balladeer.

Wellman’s work reflects the beliefs and people of the Appalachian Mountains. He found rich inspiration in their folklore and legends, of which the John the Balladeer stories are only part of that body of work. Wellman truly found his authorial voice with these stories.

Wellman also wrote some stories that featured Ntive American characters. They are a small portion of his output. I like the Appalachian stories better than the ones that focus on Native American folklore.

Most of Wellman’s output was short stories and novellettes. He didn’t write many novels. Five of those featured John the Balladeeer.

What Wellman stories are among your favorites?

RIP, George Barr, (1937-2025)

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Locus magazine is reporting that art Geroge Barr passed away on April 19. He hadn’t been active as an artist for a number of years. Barr’s work graced a number of paperback covers in the 1960s and 1970s.  Much of his work was for DAW or Ace.  That’s the cover of The Year’s Best Fantasy Stories: 2 there on the left.

Barr had a easily recognizable style. I remember when it was pretty common to see his artwork both on covers and on the interiors of various publications, such at the late 80s/early 90s incarnation of Weird Tales. 

There hasn’t been a collection of his work for nearly fifty years, which is a shame.

Jack Williamson, Master of Science Fiction

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I’m writing this on April 29. It’s the birthday of Jack Williamson (1908-2006). Williamson was one of the first sceince fiction writers I read in middle school when I was transitioning from the kid’s section in the library to the adult section. I found a copy of The Best of Jack Williamson at the flea market in Wichita Falls for a quarter. The cover had been ripped off.

I didn’t realize at the time that it was a stolen book. Bookstores stripped the covers off books when they took them off they sent the covers back to the publisher for credit and supposedly pulped the books. As far as I know, this is still the practice. Some unscrupulous boosellers would then sell the stripped copies, which the publishers consider to be theft.

But I digress. I was blown Continue reading →