INTRODUCTION
Hello! If you're looking for Gary Westfahl's Biographical Encyclopedia of Science Fiction Film, don't worry, it's still here,
as indicated below. But this expanded site also includes some samples of my other published and unpublished works as well
as other features. I remain very busy with my day job and other projects, but as of February, 2007 I will be providing the site
with weekly updates—so, if you've found your way here, please come back again soon!
What's New
New Encyclopedia Entry: Kirstie Alley
New Encyclopedia Entry: Ross Martin
New Encyclopedia Entry: Robert Longo
New Encyclopedia Entry: Anne Francis
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Science Fiction Film
Each entry begins with the subject's name, given name and years of birth/death, and
brief identification. It includes complete lists of all films and television programs
that are relevant in some way to the topic of science fiction film.
Introduction |
All Entries
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Hugo Gernsback and the Century of Science Fiction
This
is my newest book, published in 2007 by McFarland Publishers. Here are links to
some information about the book, and my radio interview about the book,
originally broadcast January 6, 2008, on WICN's Inquiry program.
Information |
Inquiry Interview (MP3 file)
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Science Fiction Quotations
One recent project is my Hugo-nominated collection of
2928 quotations from science fiction and fantasy. Here are some information
about the book and, with permission from Yale University Press, one sample
chapter containing 28 quotations about "The Future";
a list of ten unverified quotations I could not include in the book;
and downloadable files of my KSPC radio interview with the late John Murphy about the book.
Information |
The Future |
Unverified Quotations |
Radio Interview
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Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy
This is another big project, my three-volume encyclopedia of science fiction and fantasy themes
and classic works. Here is some information about the book and, with permission from Greenwood Press,
one of the thematic entries I contributed, on "Heroes."
Information |
Heroes
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Frank McConnell
My next book will be a collection of Eaton Conference essays by my late friend and colleague, Frank
McConnell, to be published sometime this year by McFarland Publishers. Here
are a brief biography of McConnell, a list of links to writings by McConnell,
and the Table of Contents of the book, which will include a Foreword by Neil
Gaiman and tributes from other friends and colleagues, including Gregory
Benford and Harold Bloom.
McConnell Biography |
McConnell Links |
McConnell Table of Contents
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Eaton Volumes
Though I am no longer involved in any Eaton Collection activities, I long served as
one coordinator of the annual Eaton Conferences and co-edited several Eaton
volumes. Here are a history of the Eaton Conferences and volumes, my
unpublished paper from the 1999 Eaton Conference, and a brief satirical piece
on the Eaton Collection as it was in bygone days.
Information |
Technocracy and Plutocracy |
Inside the Eaton Collection
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Articles
Here are two examples of
my articles for scholarly journals, "Superladies in Waiting" and "Who Governs
Science Fiction?" I also offer "Arguing with Idiots," the first
scholarly essay on science fiction that I ever wrote, way back in 1987; though
I never attempted to publish it, one may discern herein the origins of my
occasionally combative approach to science fiction criticism.
Superladies in Waiting |
Who Governs Science Fiction? |
Arguing with Idiots
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Interzone Columns
From 1998 to 2003, I
wrote a bimonthly column for the British science fiction magazine Interzone.
Here are two favorites, "The Sky Is Appalling" and "A Modem
Utopia"—which happen to include the names of my children in their
subtitles—and a third column. "Big Dumb Opticals," written as a sort of
companion piece to my Biographical Encyclopedia of Science Fiction Film.
The Sky Is Appalling |
A Modem Utopia |
Big Dumb Opticals
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Reviews
I have reviewed dozens of books and films, in print and online. To represent this
work, here are a review of Isaac Asimov's Nemesis, a column reviewing
four 1991 novels, a review of the anthology Full Spectrum 4, a
retrospective review of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and a tribute to
the television series St. Elsewhere.
Full Spectrum 4 |
Nemesis |
2001: A Space Odyssey
St. Elsewhere |
Writings of Passage
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Reference Material
I have written numerous entries for reference books as
"work for hire," and hence cannot post them, but here are seven
entries which were never purchased or published: six entries rejected by the
editors of The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, and a seventh entry,
"Series Fiction," written for a forthcoming reference book, which I
withdrew from consideration upon realizing that it did not match the editor's
guidelines.
Batman |
Captain Marvel |
Field of Dreams |
The Incredible Hulk
Mario Brothers |
Ronald McDonald |
Series Fiction
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Miscellany
I do have interests other
than science fiction and fantasy, though I generally do not write about them.
But here are some rants on soccer, marching bands, and "illegal immigration," some
musings about animated movies, a review of a self-improvement book written for
a class on supervision, and, on a more personal note, the toast I delivered at
my daughter's 2007 wedding reception.
Soccer |
Marching Bands |
America's Second Marshall Plan |
What Is an Animated Movie?
A Review of The Little Book of Coaching |
My Wedding Toast
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Biography and Links
No, I'm not quite ready to write my autobiography, but you can find some more information about
me by consulting my work website and the Westfahl entry in my own film encyclopedia,
along with a complete list of links to my other publications now available online.
Westfahl at Work |
Westfahl Entry |
Westfahl Links
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