Stephen Haffner, publisher of The Worlds of Jack Williamson: A Centennial Tribute (1908-2008) plans to have copies back from the printer in time for the book’s April 11 debut at the 2008 Williamson Lectureship, given at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. Speakers at this year’s Lectureship are Steven Gould, Christopher Stasheff, and Connie Willis. (Click to see photos of the 2007 Lectureship.)

Haffner announces that all copies paid-for in advance of publication will be shipped with a 12-page booklet by Jack Williamson, The Cat That Loved Shakespeare, originally written as his holiday contribution for his local writer’s group.

At the Lectureship regents at ENMU will receive a check from Haffner Press for proceeds earned from the sales of their 2007 memorial tribute to Jack Williamson, In Memory of Wonder’s Child. Copies are still available of the 112-page perfect bound chapbook, which includes tributes from some of the major SF writers with their thoughts on the passing of Jack Williamson.

Behind the cut is the text of the Haffner press release, with The Worlds of Jack Williamson table of contents. Thanks to Andrew Porter for the information.

The Worlds of Jack Williamson: A Centennial Tribute (1908-2008)

Planned for an April 11th debut at the 2008 Williamson Lectureship, The Worlds of Jack Williamson celebrates the 100th birthday of one of the Grand Masters of science fiction. While Jack Williamson passed away in 2006 at the age of 98, his incredible body of work continues to be enjoyed by legions of fans and admirers. Assembled in this centennial tribute are several unpublished stories: “The Moon Bird,” “The Forbidden Window,” “The Golden Glass,” and a film treatment from 1957, “The Planets are Calling.” Also included are several classics in the Williamson canon such as the original novella-length version of Darker Thank You Think; “Minus Sign,” an unreprinted “seetee” story of anti-matter and terraforming; and a tale with the first use of “psionics,” “The Man from Outside.” Contemporary stories include “The Hole in the World,” “Afterlife,” and “The Luck of the Legion,” the last Legion of Space adventure. Included are essays from academics and scholars who have studied Williamson’s works, as well as Dr. Williamson’s 1957 Master’s thesis, “A Study of the Sense of Prophecy in Modern Science Fiction.” Fellow Grand Masters of science fiction Frederik Pohl and James Gunn provide introductory remarks on reading, knowing, collaborating with, and admiring Jack Williamson.

Contents

FICTION

*New Unpublished Stories

. The Moon Bird (1929)

. The Forbidden Window (19??)

. The Golden Glass (1939)

. The Planets are Calling (1957)

. A Christmas Carol (2000)

 

Classic Stories

. Darker Than You Think (1940)

. Minus Sign (1942)

. The Man from Outside (1951)

 

Contemporary Stories

. The Humanoid Universe (1980)

. The Hole in the World (1997)

. Afterlife (2002)

. The Luck of the Legion (2002)

 

ESSAYS

Alan C. Elms, PhD

. Darker Than He Thought: The Psychoanalysis of Jack Williamson

 

Jack Williamson

. A Study of the Sense of Prophecy in Modern Science Fiction

. Tricentennial Century

 

Alfred D. Stewart, PhD

. Jack Williamson: The Comedy of Cosmic Evolution

 

Vicky Medley

. Queens of Space: Women in the work of Jack Williamson

 

Richard A. Hauptmann

. Collecting Jack Williamson: Master of Wonder

 

The Worlds of Jack Williamson is essentially one big giant birthday present from Haffner Press to the friends, family, and readers of Jack Williamson. Clocking in at 720 pages, and bound in archival-quality paper with Brillianta book cloth, this book is designed to withstand years (or centuries?) of readings.

 

Ordering information:

**THE WORLDS OF JACK WILLIAMSON: A CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE (1908-2008)

Edited by Stephen Haffner

Foreword by Frederik Pohl, Introduction by James Gunn

Dustjacket by Vincent Di Fate

720-page 6.25″ x 9.25″ Smythe-sewn Archival-quality Hardcover

ISBN-13: 978-1-893887-29-9

1000-copy trade edition: $40.00 (U.S.)

Release date: April 11, 2007

 

Be sure to check http://www.haffnerpress.com often for updates, changes, and special announcements.

 

For a limited time we are offering free shipping (Continental USA, only) via Media Mail

 

We can accept checks and money orders made payable and sent to:

 

HAFFNER PRESS

5005 Crooks Road  Suite 35

Royal Oak, Michigan 48073-1239

 

We are able to take credit card orders via Paypal at www.paypal.com. The remit-to e-mail is [email protected]

 

Please contact us anytime if you have any questions or need additional information.

 

All best,

 

Stephen Haffner

Big Poobah

HAFFNER PRESS

 

Note that Haffner Press’ e-mail is [email protected].