JAMES H. SCHMITZ – THE GOOD OL’ STUFF
James H. Schmitz is often cited as writing “Space Opera.” But is that really so bad? Space Opera is usually, at its core, highly entertaining—and who doesn’t like a bit of popcorn now and again?
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Announcing the Debut of Amazing Stories’ Convention Wear Line of Shirts!
Conventions are very special events for Fans…an in-gathering of the clans, a chance to hobnob, to learn, to relax and to have a great time hanging out with “Your People”. And “Your people” won’t have […]
RETRO REVIEW –STAR SCIENCE FICTION #2 (1954)
Steve takes you back to 1954, when newspapers cost a nickel and a bus trip through town was a dime. Back then SF writers were real men and women, not like today’s namby-pamby… er, he finds a lot of old SF fun and involving to read. He hopes you will too.
“SPOOK”TOBER – 31 DAYS OF SCARY MOVIES!
In probably his longest column ever, Steve talks about the movies (and a TV show or two) that he watched every night this month in preparation for a spooky, isolated Halloween!
ROBERT J. SAWYER’s NEW BOOK – THE OPPENHEIMER ALTERNATIVE
Steve reviews Robert J. Sawyer’s terrific new book, The Oppenheimer Alternative, and loved it. Yes, really… he loved it.
BOND… THEMES BOND! (Part 2)
Steve finishes his list of, and rating of, 27 James Bond themes and theme songs, throwing in a bunch of related stuff about the films. Bet you can find at least one thing you didn’t already know!
HEINLEIN AND BUTLER, REVISITED
In this redo of his fifth column from 2013, Steve talks about visiting Butler, Missouri, the town where Robert A. Heinlein was born. Are they proud of him? Heck, yes!
Amazing Histories, August 1928: Space Opera Takes Off
Amazing Stories’ most collectible issue, featuring the birth of Space Opera and the origin of Anthony ‘Buck’ Rogers.
RETRO: OF MOSCON AND HEINLEIN AND VERNA
This week, Steve continues his romp into his past by talking about Robert A. Heinlein, E.E. “Doc” Smith’s daughter, Verna Smith Trestrail; and MosCon 1, back in 1979.
MOSCON MEMORIES (Misty watercolour ones…?)
MosCon was a Northwest Fannish Legend (perhaps in its own mind), and Steve takes you back to those “thrilling days of yesteryear,” as The Lone Ranger used to say.
LASER BOOKS: Science Fiction from Harlequin Books?!
Laser books was a flash-in-the-pan series of SF books put out by romance publisher Harlequin, and edited by the late Roger Elwood. Steve takes a quick look at the series, hoping to pique your interest. Steve also offers a book Giveaway!
MY PERSONAL TIME MACHINE: AMAZING STORIES’ FIRST YEAR (part 2)
Continuing his series on the first year of Amazing Stories, Steve sees what “scientifiction” was trying to become: US!
Introduction to SFF – 1 – The Mysterious Ms X
In the 1970s, we lived in Vienna for five wonderful years. I loved it, but all my experiences fall into one mental time frame, and I have trouble remembering what came first. So, I know […]
A Fan’s History, Part 1
I’m going to assume that you are a science fiction reader of some kind, since you’re here at Amazing Stories magazine’s website. Are you a science fiction fan? (I’m going to abbreviate it “SF” to […]
Crossroads: Is this a Kissing Book? SFF’s Relationship with Romance
Whenever I think of speculative fiction’s relationship to romance, I am always reminded of that scene in The Princess Bride where Fred Savage’s character interrupts his grandpa and – voice dripping with scorn – asks: […]
About Author
Chris Gerwel is a science fiction, fantasy, and horror writer. Raised in New Jersey, he spent ten years in Central & Eastern Europe in the market research industry, and today when he isn’t reading or writing speculative fiction, he works in the software industry. He lives in northern NJ, with a beautiful wife and a rambunctious puppy, and also writes the weekly blog The King of Elfland’s 2nd Cousin.
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