by Hank Davis
Ross Louis Rocklin (1913-1988) who wrote most often under the semi-pseudonym of Ross Rocklynne was a prolific contributor to the science fiction magazines from the 1930s, where he was mainstay of Astounding during its “Golden Age,” into the 1950s, when he frequently appeared in the newer, but equally prestigious magazine, Galaxy—stopped writing for a decade, then made a return to sf, even having a story, “Ching Witch,” in Harlan Ellison’s landmark anthology, Again, Dangerous Visions. And yet, his name is unknown to readers nowadays, possibly because he wrote short fiction rather than novels. (Two novels which he did write appeared complete in one issue of the pulp, Startling Stories, and may actually be novellas, and, in any case, never achieved book publication.) Or it might just be the fickleness of the reading public. Mothers, don’t let your chillun grow up to be science fiction writers.
Bio information about Mr. Rocklin is also sparse, though I did find he was born in Ohio, and was a professional guest at the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. Also, he was a founder of the National Fantasy Fan Federation (the N3F), but we all make mistakes. . . .
Nearly all of Rocklynne’s work must be in public domain by now, and maybe the Internet will rescue his reputation and expose the sf audience to some of his stories, which were often very good, such as “The Men and the Mirror,” “Time Wants a Skeleton” (which took the cover of the issue of Astounding in which it appeared), “The Last Outpost,” and many more.
Christopher Ruocchio is the author of The Sun Eater, a space opera fantasy series from DAW Books, as well as the Assistant Editor at Baen Books, where he has co-edited two anthologies. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where a penchant for self-destructive decision-making caused him to pursue a bachelor’s in English Rhetoric with a minor in Classics. An avid student of history, philosophy, and religion, Christopher has been writing since he was eight years old and sold his first book —Empire of Silence— at twenty-two.
Christopher lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he spends most of his time hunched over a keyboard writing. He may be found on both Facebook and Twitter at @TheRuocchio.
Clifford D. Simak (1904-1988) published his first SF story, “The World of the Red Sun” in 1931, and went on to become one of Astounding’s star writers during John W. Campbell’s Golden Age of Science Fiction in the 1940s, notably in the series of stories which he eventually combined into his classic novel, City. Other standout novels include Time and Again, Ring Around the Sun, Time is the Simplest Thing, and the Hugo-winning Way Station. Altogether, Simak won the International Fantasy Award (for City), three Hugo Awards, a Nebula Award, and was the third recipient of the Grand Master Award of the Science Fiction Writers of America for lifetime achievement. He also received the Bram Stoker Award for lifetime achievement from the Horror Writers Association. He was noted for stories written with a warm, pastoral feeling, though he could also turn out a chilling horror story, such as “Good Night, Mr. James,” which was made into an episode of the original Outer Limits. His day job was newspaperman, joining the staff of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune in 1939, becoming its news editor in 1949, retiring in 1976. He once wrote that “My favorite recreation is fishing (the lazy way, lying in a boat and letting them come to me).”
Theodore Sturgeon (1918-1985) was one of the great writers of science fiction’s “golden age” in the 1940s, and by the 1950s was renowned for his three-dimensional characters and highly individual style. His early works were elegantly constructed, fast-paced stories told by a wisecracking narrator, but he soon developed a fluent prose poetry of style. Another notable prose poet, Ray Bradbury, admitted the strong influence Sturgeon’s writing had on his own work in the introduction he wrote for Without Sorcery, Sturgeon’s first story collection. His now-classic novel, More Than Human, won the International Fantasy Award, the first of several awards (though there should have been many more). The distinguished editor and reviewer Groff Conklin once wrote, “You don’t read [Sturgeon’s] stories. They happen to you.” (Nailed it, Mr. Conklin!) Two Star Trek episodes were scripted by him, and one of them, “Amok Time,” was a high point of that program. He wrote over 400 short stories, all of which have now been collected in thirteen volumes published by North Atlantic Books. (Many thanks to the late Paul Williams and Noel Sturgeon for bringing this miracle to pass.) He was also the author of many unforgettable horror stories, such as “It!,” “The Professor’s Teddy Bear,” “Farewell to Eden,” and, of course, “Bianca’s Hands.” Not to mention the dreamlike story included here, except that it’s too far ahead of nearly all sf to be following. Lead on, Mr. Sturgeon . . .
Manly Wade Wellman (1903-1986) was a writer’s writer, selling stories to the pulps (Weird Tales, Unknown, Startling, Astounding among others), to the “slick” magazines, and to the prestigious Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, He wrote numerous books, both fiction and nonfiction. One of the former is his time travel classic, Twice in Time. In the latter category are Rebel Boast, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, and Giant in Grey, an acclaimed biography of his namesake, Confederate General Wade Hampton. He also wrote mysteries, westerns, historical novels, and, late in his life, still more fantasy, including new stories and novels of his two most popular characters, both named John.
One, John Thunstone, is an occult investigator and champion against supernatural evil, aided by his sword cane, whose silver blade was forged by Saint Dunstan, the patron Saint of Silversmiths.
The other, identified in the stories only as “John,” though sometimes referred to as “Silver John,” is another valiant champion against supernatural threats, and is probably Wellman’s most enduring creation. He wanders the Appalachian hills with his silver-stringed guitar, defending the folk there against danger from both the “natural” world and the realm beyond it.
Wellman received the World Fantasy Award for his story collection Worse Things Waiting, and later received the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement. Karl Edward Wagner called him the Dean of fantasy writers.