Today, October 28, is the birthday of Joe Lansdale (b. 1951) and Walter Jon Williams. These birthday posts are usually reserved for people who are no longer with us. Relax. Both of these men are still with us and still writing.
I’m making an exception because I’ve met both Lansdale and Williams multiple times. Lansdale at science fiction conventions in Texas and Oklahoma. Williams in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
I enjoy the wriing of both, although I’ve not been the target audience for everything Joe has written. They are both open and friendly. They are always appproachable at their public appearances. The times I’ve seen both of them, whether on panels, in the dealer’s room, or sitting around talking in a hotel lobby or con suite, have always been enjoyable.
I wish them both a very Happy Birthday.
My first encounter with Lansdale writing was as a kid when wrote episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. I have since read Bubba-Ho-Tep, the Hap and Leonard books, and others by him.