Nolan on
Bradbury

William
F. Nolan; edited by S.T. Joshi

Hippocampus
Press, 2013

Nolan
on Bradbury
is a fascinating exploration into two stellar figures in speculative fiction,
their relationship over sixty years, and the intellectual cross-fertilization
that can occur when such minds meet and share.

More than a personal account and less
than an academic study (in all of the right ways), the book allows readers a kind
of continuous insight into a friendship and a working exchange. Following
introductory materials by Jason V. Brock, S. T. Joshi, and Ray Bradbury himself
(writing about Nolan), the book opens onto a series of chronologically arranged
articles and essays—including introductions and afterwords to a number of books—in
which Nolan speaks about Bradbury, beginning with their first encounters and
Nolan’s responses to them (1952) and concluding with Nolan’s “My Personal
Evaluation of Ray’s Finest Stories” (2013). Joshi comments in his introduction
that there is a certain level of necessary redundancy in the accounts, and he
is correct; key episodes in their friendship recur frequently, often using the
same sentences and vocabulary. But that is as it should be. The repetitions
remind readers that they are following a six-decade long series of conclusions
on Nolan’s part; the details of Bradbury’s career and influence may—and must—shift
as the essays progress, but at core, the essence of Bradbury remains the same.
Each repetition is placed into a different context and thereby gains depth and
resonance, linking the disparate essays into a unified whole.

The second major section, “Stories,”
presents Nolan’s fictions that he defines as either about Bradbury or
influenced by Bradbury’s style and approach. They range from serious stories,
such as “And Miles to Go Before I Sleep” and “To Serve the Ship,” to
exquisitely modulated parodies and satires, such as the perfectly titled “The
Dandelion Chronicles”—a loving tribute to Bradbury that encompasses most of his
recurring themes as well as his signature style. Each is distinctly Nolan; none could have been written without his
having first met Ray Bradbury.

“Tributes to Ray Bradbury” and “Afterword:
The Return of Ray B.” round off the volume by giving space to Nolan, Brock,
John C. Tibbetts, Joshi, and Greg Bear to speak personally and, as it were,
conclusively about Bradbury and his influence. Each offers more insight into a
complex, multi-faceted, tremendously influential genius. Each is much
appreciated.

The final part is a short but useful
bibliography of major works, collections, stories, and other writings by both
Nolan and Bradbury. It is an appropriate capstone to this involving study of
writing, writers, friends, and friendships.

I am overjoyed to announce that I was recently accepted into Blood Type: An Anthology of Vampire SF on the Cutting Edge. This is an anthology that I submitted to quite a while ago, with a story that I really grew to love. In fact, I could see it becoming a full length novel, and possibly a series some day.

All net proceeds from sales of this anthology will go to The Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The theme of this anthology is the perfect match for such an amazing organization.

Within this collection, I am honored to stand alongside such greats as William F. Nolan, Peter Giglio, Mike Resnik, Taylor Grant, and many more.

The scheduled release date is October 31st, 2013, however I will be sure to communicate any updates as they are available

Table of Contents:

1. The Undying by William F. Nolan**
2. Taxing Youth by Rebecca Brown
3. The Souls of Stars by Amelia Mangan
4. Evergreen by Peter Giglio
5. Reptile House by Stephen Graham Jones*
6. Accommodation by Michael R. Collings*
7. A Little Night Music by Mike Resnick*
8. Predators of Tomorrow by Michael Kamp
9. Mountains of Ice by Jilly Paddock
10. Occupation by James Ninness
11. Orientation Day by Peter Watts
12. The Pilot by Jason Duke
13. Unperished by S.R. Algernon
14. Eudora by James S. Dorr
15. A River of Blood, Carried into the Abyss by John Palisano
16. Better for Burning by H.E. Roulo
17. I Was There… by Tarl Hoch
18. Strays by Robert S. Wilson
19. Damned to Life by Essel Pratt
20. Happy Hour by GN Braun
21. Temporary Measures by Jay Wilburn
22. I, Vampire by David N. Smith & Violet Addison
23. Slave Arm by Laird Barron
24. Gods and Devils by Taylor Grant
25. 17 by Jonathan Templar
26. Chrysalis by Jason V. Brock
27. Data Suck by Benjamin Kane Ethridge
28. Sun Hungry by Tim Waggoner
29. Wet Heavens by Brian Fatah Steele

Here is The Qwillery’s list of novels, etc. being published in April 2014. If there is something that we’ve missed, please leave a comment below. Any genre mistakes are ours. Leave a comment below if you feel that the genre is wrong. Also note that this list is always under revision. Publication dates change. We try to keep this as accurate as possible. The most accurate lists usually can be found for each week in The View From Monday posts. Please note that we use the publisher’s publication date in the US.

D – Debut
e – eBook
h2mm – Hardcover to Mass Market Paperback
h2tp – Hardcover to Trade Paperback
ri – Reissue or Reprint
tp2mm – Trade to Mass Market Paperback

AH – Alternate History
Ap – Apocalyptic
DF – Dark Fantasy
Dys – Dystopia
F – Fantasy
FR – Fantasy Romance
FTR – Folk Tale Romance
Gh – Ghosts
Go – Gothic
GoR – Gothic Romance
H – Horror
LC – Literary Criticism
LF – Leterary Fiction
M – Mystery
P – Paranormal
PCM – Paranormal Cozy Mystery
PA – Post Apocalyptic
PHR – Paranormal Historical Romance
PNR – Paranormal Romance
SF – Science Fiction
SFR – Science Fiction Romance
SP – Steampunk
SPR – Steampunk Romance
Su – Supernatural
Sus – Suspense
Tech – Technological
Th – Thriller
TTR – Time Travel Romance
UF – Urban Fantasy
VG – Video Games