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expanded site also includes some samples of my other published and unpublished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 I will be providing the site with several monthly updates—so, if
you've found your way here, please come back again soon!
What's New
New Encyclopedia Entry: Ivan Tors
Revised Encyclopedia Entry: Sigourney Weaver
New Space Stations Entry: Building a Space Station
Revised Science Fiction Quotations Entry: Unverified Quotations
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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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Unknown Menaces to Civilization
I've placed these rants in their own section because, along with the film
encyclopedia, they are the only features of this site that regularly inspire reader
responses (usually negative, but hey, I'm used to that). Come learn about some
seemingly innocuous aspects of contemporary life that are really appalling problems!
Soccer |
Marching Bands
The Nutcracker Suite |
Girl Scout Cookies |
Meetings
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Eaton Volumes
Though no longer involved in any Eaton Collection activities, I long served as one coordinator
of the Eaton Conferences and co-edited several Eaton volumes, including the recently published
book of essays from the 1999 Eaton Conference. Here are some information about that book
and other Eaton-related materials.
New Eaton Volume |
Eaton Conference History
Technocracy and Plutocracy |
Inside the Eaton Collection |
Eaton Links
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Space Stations
After many delays, both of my books about space stations, the second edition of Islands
in the Sky and the accompanying bibliography The Other Side of the Sky,
are now available from Borgo Press/Wildside Press. Here are some information
about the books, an unpublished article about my space station research, and
sample entries from the three main sections of The Other Side
of the Sky—on one novel, one story, and one television episode.
Information |
The Endless Frontier
The Long Ellipse |
The Struggle in Space |
Building a Space Station
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Frank McConnell
I recently edited a
collection of Eaton Conference essays by my late friend and colleague, Frank
McConnell. Here are a brief biography of McConnell, a list of links to writings
by McConnell, and information about the book, which includes a Foreword by Neil
Gaiman and tributes from other friends and colleagues, including Gregory
Benford and Harold Bloom.
McConnell Biography |
McConnell Links |
McConnell Book Information
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Hugo Gernsback and the Century of Science Fiction
This
study of the editing and writing career of Hugo Gernsback was 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
This is probably my
best-known work, a Hugo Award-nominated compilation 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," along with a list of ten unverified
quotations I could not include 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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The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy
This is my biggest project, a
three-volume encyclopedia of science fiction and fantasy themes and classic
works. Here are some information about the book and, with permission from
Greenwood Press, one of the thematic entries I contributed to the book, on
"Heroes."
Information |
Heroes
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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 four
unpublished items—reviews of Isaac Asimov's Nemesis, four 1991 novels, and
The Norton Book of Science Fiction, along with a tribute to St. Elsewhere—and
two published reviews of the anthology Full Spectrum 4 and the film 2001:
A Space Odyssey.
Full Spectrum 4 |
The Norton Book of Science Fiction |
Nemesis
St. Elsewhere |
2001: A Space Odyssey |
Writings of Passage
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Reference Material
I cannot post numerous entries written for reference books as "work for
hire," but here are eleven items which were never purchased or published:
nine entries rejected by the editors of The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, one
rejected by the editors of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, and two
entries written for a forthcoming reference book but withdrawn from
consideration when I realized that they did not match the editor's guidelines.
Batman |
Captain Marvel |
Definitions of Science Fiction |
Field of Dreams
The Incredible Hulk |
Interactive Fantasy |
Mario Brothers |
Ronald McDonald
"SF" |
Series Fiction |
Superman |
Wonder Woman
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Miscellany
I do have interests other
than science fiction and fantasy, though I rarely write about them. But here
are essays on "illegal immigration" and animated movies; a review of
a self-improvement book; a memoir about my year on a basketball team; and
the toast I delivered at my daughter's 2007 wedding reception.
America's Second Marshall Plan |
What Is an Animated Movie?
A Review of The Little Book of Coaching |
My Life as a Court Jester
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, the Westfahl Wikipedia entry, 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 at Wikipedia
Westfahl Entry |
Westfahl Links
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