Posts Tagged ‘George Alec Effinger’

Library Additions: Complete Run of Pulphouse Short Story Paperbacks

Thursday, December 14th, 2023

When Pulphouse first unveiled the short story paperback, I remember thinking “That’s stupid.” For all they bragged about “buying a single story for $1.95,” you could buy an entire issue of Asimov’s (with 5-10 times as much content) for $2.50. And, indeed, they were not swift sellers. Though a few of these (the Wolfe, the Lansdales, etc.) became slightly collectable over the years. (And a few of the companion Short Story hardbacks even more so.)

But I bough these from that same collector culling his collection for $1 each.

Almost all of these are paperback originals thus (though some of these have previously shown up as the title stories in collections, like Bloch’s Yours Truly, Jack the Rapper or Zelazny’s The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth), though exceptions (like Blaylock’s Paper Dragons) are noted. Some of the early ones (“Loser’s Night,” “Xolotl”) are the first publication anywhere, but most of the stories have appeared somewhere previously. Unlike most Library Addition entries, these will be listed by series order rather than alphabetical by author.

All of these are Fine copies unless otherwise noted.

  • “Author, J.Q.” Issue Zero. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #0, a binding dummy for the entire run of the series, with bank pages. Would never have bought this on it’s own, but since I was buying the entire thing I got this too. This one has a tiny bit of edgewear on rear spine join.
  • Anderson, Poul. Loser’s Night. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #1.

  • Brunner, John. A Case of Painters Ear. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #2.
  • Sheckley, Robert. Xolotl. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #3.

  • Boston, Bruce. All the Clocks are Melting. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #4.
  • Antieau, Kim. Blossoms. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #5.

  • Friesner, Esther M. Ecce Hominid. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #6.
  • Duchamp, L. Timmel. A Case of Mistaken Activity. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #7.

  • Bryant, Edward. The Cutter. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #8.
  • Wilhelm, Kate The Girl Who Fell Into the Sky. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #9.

  • Bloch, Robert. Yours Truly, Jack The Ripper. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #10. Not to be confused with the short story collection of the same name.
  • Lansdale, Joe R. The Steel Valentine. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #11. Isajanko, The World Lansdalean C01.a.i. Supplements another copy and a Short Story Hardback version.

  • Bishop, Michael. The Quickening. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #12.
  • Zelazny, Roger. The Doors of His Face, The Lamps of His Mouth. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #13. Not to be confused with the short story collection of the same name. I needed this for my Zelazny collection.

  • Haldeman, Joe. More Than The Sum of His Parts. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #14.
  • Clemence, Bruce No Way Street. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #15. Guy had this, and a story in Synergy 3, and that was it…

  • Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn. The Spider Glass. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #16.
  • de Lint, Charles. Uncle Dobbin’s Parrot Fair. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #17. One of the harder titles to find.

  • Williams, Walter Jon. Dinosaurs. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #18.
  • Charnes, Suzy McKee. Listening to Brahms. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #19.

  • Robinson, Kim Stanley. Black Air. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #20.
  • Etchison, Dennis. The Dark Country. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #21. Not to be confused with the short story collection of the same name.

  • Aldiss, Brian W. Journey to the Goat Star. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #22. Tiny bit of rubbing along spine.
  • Brin, David. Piecework. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #23.

  • Caraker, Mary. I Remember, I Remember. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #24.
  • Schow, David J. Sedalia. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #25.

  • Stableford, Brian. Slumming in Voodooland. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #26.
  • Yolan, Jane. The Sword and the Stone. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #27.

  • Fowler, Karen Joy. The War of the Roses. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #28.
  • Morlan, A.R. The Cat With The Tulip Face. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #29.

  • Shiner, Lewis. Twilight Time. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #30.
  • Wagner, Karl Edward. Where the Summer Ends. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #31.

  • Lee, Tanith. Into Gold. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #32.Tiny rub on spine.
  • Willis, Connie. Daisy, in the Sun. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #33. Tiny rub on spine.

  • Bell, M. Shayne. Inuit. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #34.
  • Wilson, F. Paul. The Shade of Lo Man Gong. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #35.

  • Wilson, F. Paul. Buckets. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #36.
  • Martin, George R. R. The Pear-Shaped Man. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #37.

  • Butler, Octavia. The Evening and the Morning and the Night. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #38. Holy moley, the prices on this online are crazy. The prices for the signed hardback I can at least sort of understand, since Butler died young, but the prices for unsigned copies like this are still crazy. I had no idea.
  • Dozois, Gardner. The Peacemaker. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #39. Supplements a copy of the Short Story Hardback edition.

  • Wolfe, Gene. The Hero as Werewolf. Pulphouse, 1991. Issue #40. This is one I did actually need, and I still need the hardback version. Also, this is the last one from 1991. Pulphouse put out 40 of these in 1991. This is called “channel stuffing.” I wasn’t dealing books at the time, but I’m pretty sure SF/F/H dealers were not thrilled at this tsunami of small press books of dubious sales-worthiness.
  • Oates, Joyce Carol. The Bingo Master. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #41.

  • Effinger, George. Schrodinger’s Kitten. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #42. Supplements the hardback version.
  • Bear, Greg. Sisters. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #43.

  • Holder, Nancy. The Ghosts of Tivoli. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #44.
  • Brin, David. Dr. Pak’s Preschoool. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #45. Supplements a copy of the Cheap Street edition (which precedes).

  • Lansdale, Joe R. Tight Little Stitches in a Dead Man’s Back. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #46. Isajanko, The World Lansdalean C03.a.i. Supplements a copy of the Short Story hardback version.
  • Somtow, S. P. Fiddling for Waterbuffaloes. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #47.

  • Murphy, Pat. Rachel in Love. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #48.
  • Card, Orson Scott. Unaccompanied Sonata. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #49.

  • Le Guin, Ursula K. Nine Lives. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #50.
  • Bloch, Robert. The Skull of the Marquis de Sade. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #51.

  • de Lint, Charles. Merlin Dreams in the Mondream Wood. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #52.
  • Kress, Nancy. The Price of Oranges. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #53.

  • Busby, F.M. If This Is Winnetka, You Must be Judy. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #54.
  • Cadigan, Pat. My Brother’s Keeper. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #55.

  • Bryant, Edward. The Thermals of August. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #56.
  • Blaylock, James P. Paper Dragons. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #57. A few small rubs along spine. Supplements a copy of the Axolotl Press hardback (which precedes).

  • Resnick, Mike. Kirinyaga. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #58. Kelleghan, Mike Resnick: An Annotated Bibliography and Guide to His Work A39.
  • Sloca, Sue Ellen. Candles on the Pond. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #59. As far as I can tell, this is her only publication anywhere.

  • Wu, William F. Shaunessy Fong. Pulphouse, 1992. Issue #60. Has some slight rubbing along front near spine. Last in the Short Story Paperbacks series.

  • Reference: Jack Chalker and Mark Owings, The Science-Fantasy Publishers: A Critical and Bibliographic History, 2002, page 719 (numbers 1 through 10), page 721 (numbers 11-20), pages 722 (numbers 21-30). This is what Chalker had to say about the Short Story paperback line:

    In January, 1991, Pulphouse continued its expansion with the Short Story Paperbacks and the selected Short Story Hardbacks, although we’re still only half- convinced that these are in any sense legitimate books. What they were, though, was what seemed to be a quick way to make money, and if people bought them, fine. They brought the whole operation as of the start of 1991 at a whopping 80+ titles a year. It should be noted that the paperbacks series was supposed to be originals and reprints, but became, after the initial ones, primarily reprints, a move that, while understandable, seemed to us to take away the one good reason why most people might buy them.

    Money held by SF/F/H collectors is a finite commodity, and Pulphouse in the early 1990s seemed to treat it as a limitless resource. If you’re publishing books by Lansdale, Zelazny, Wagner, De Lint, etc., that’s a license to print a little money. But Antieau, Clemence, Caraker? Not so much. Why they thought collectors were going to shell out money for such items is a mystery.

    The entire set bought for $61.

    Library Additions: Two Signed, Slipcased Anthologies

    Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

    Here are two different signed, limited edition anthologies from different publishers that, spine-out, look a whole lot like each other because they were printed using the same printing and binding technology. Chalker/Ownings called it the “Newcomer-Dikty process,” which turned out to be an early example of what became “Print On Demand” publishing, though both books below are true first editions with defined print runs.

  • Cahill, James, editor. Lamps on the Brow. James Cahill Publishing, 1998. First edition hardback, #70 of 274 numbered copies signed by all the contributors, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, in a Fine slipcase, as issued. Low print-run anthology of original stories (all save the last one by A. E. van Vogt), featuring Gene Wolfe, Mike Resnick, Andre Norton, Bruce Bethke, etc., plus an introduction by Ben Bova. I also have Ten Tales, a similar Cahill anthology. Cahill was active in the 1990s, publishing books by Joe R. Lansdale, Tim Powers, etc. I also think he did some mystery limited editions. Bought off eBay for $58, slightly more than half the original publication price of $100.

  • Rusch, Kristine Kathryn, editor. Pulphouse Winter 1990: Issue Six. Pulphouse Publishing, 1990. First edition hardback, #196 of 250 numbered copies signed by all the contributors, a Fine- copy with a tiny crease at head, sans dust jacket, in a Fine slipcase, as issued. Back in the dim mists of the late 1980s, I thought the black trade edition of Pulphouse: The Hardback Magazine, with it’s faux leather, embossed covers and deckled edges, was fairly attractive. Many of the Author’s Choice Monthly volumes were also worthwhile. Then Pulphouse wildly overproduced a huge variety of material nobody wanted, almost single-handedly depressing the market for small press books in the early 1990s. This volume has work (and signatures) from Avram Davidson, George Alec Effinger, Bradley Denton, Charles De Lint, Susan Palwick, etc. “Shrunk,” the Effinger story, is actually one George brought to the second Turkey City Writer’s Workshop I ever threw, which he said he had just missed selling to Playboy. According to him, Alice Turner had said “Well, I looked at it, and looked at it, and I finally decided it just wasn’t right for us.” Said George: “Do you realize what she said? ‘You just missed $5000 by that much.’ Tell me what’s wrong with it! I’ll walk to New York on my knees and fix it!” I already have all 12 issues of the trade edition of the hardback magazine run, and pick up the signed editions when I find them cheap, and I now have four. Chalker/Owings (2002), page 715. Bought off eBay for $25, more than half off the original offering price of $60.
  • Library Additions: Six First Editions, Five Signed

    Monday, January 11th, 2021

    Still more books from the Bob Pylant purchase:

  • Blaylock, James P. The Magic Spectacles. Morrigan Publications, 1991. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with a full page inscription to SF writer Scott Cupp and his wife Sandy: “For Scott & Sandi,/This loony children’s book, starring/my sons at what now seems to/me to be an impossibly young/age. Here’s to Italian food &/trips to California. Cheers,/Jim.” Replaces an unsigned copy.

  • Davidson, Avram, editor. The Best From Fantasy and Science Fiction Fourteenth Series. Doubleday, 1965. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Near Fine- dust jacket with a 1/16″ chip at head, slight edgewear a heel, and some darkening/dust soiling to white rear cover. Currey, page 131.
  • Effinger, George Alec. The Exile Kiss. Doubleday Foundation, 1991. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with a wrinkle at heel in a Fine- dist jacket with just a trace of darkening to the very tops of the white flaps. Inscribed by Effinger: “To Ed —/With supreme best wishes/(Which I haven’t bestowed even/on Willie or Fred) —/At Armadillocon 13 —/George.” I strongly suspect this book was inscribed to Ed Graham, who was the chair of Armadillocon 12. (His wife, Casey Hamilton, chaired Armadillocon 13, and together they chaired Armadillocon 16.) Willie Siros and Fred Duarte were other Armadillocon chairs. Replaces an unsigned trade first in my library, and supplements a copy of the signed/limited state.

  • Ellison, Harlan. Partners in Wonder. Walker, 1971. First edition hardback, a Near Fine+ copy with a light, dime-sized black smudge along rear spine-join, in a Near Fine- dust jacket with two quarter-sized light charcoal colored stains on the spine panel, and slight edgewear at head and heel. Inscribed by Ellison: “For Mila,/Merry Christmas/1977/Harlan Ellison.” Collection of collaborative stories. Supplements a nicer copy signed by Robert Silverberg (but not Ellison). Fingerprints on the Sky, page 56. Currey, page 178.

  • Moorcock, Michael. Legends From The End of Time. Harper & Row, 1976. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with bumping at head and heel in a Near Fine+ dust jacket with slight wear at head and heel, slight age darkening to white rear panel, and slight dust soiling to same. Inscribed by Moorcock: “To Bob,/With all good wishes/from Michael M.” Tanelorn Archives, page 24, a. Precedes the W. H. Allen edition (which I also have).

  • Morrow, James. The Continent of Lies. Holt, Reinhardt and Winston, 1984. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, inscribed by Morrow: “For Scott/This book of/dreams & desires…/best wishes,/James Morrow.” Pretty sure this is another former Scott Cupp copy. Edited to add: Scott has now confirmed that it was his.

  • Library Additions: Eight Books, Five Signed

    Monday, July 30th, 2018

    All of these books were bought at Half Price Books, and the majority of them came from the Karen Meshcke/Fred Duarte collection(s).

  • Baker, Kage. Black Projects, White Knights. Golden Gryphon, 2002. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with just a trace of edgewear at head, heel and points. Inscribed by Baker: “For Fred/Kage Baker.” Short story collection. Baker died at age 57 of an aggressive form of cancer in 2010. Supplements an unsigned copy. Bought for $5.

  • Bear, Greg. W3: Women in Deep Time. iBooks, 2002. First edition paperback original, a Fine copy. Bought for $3.49.
  • Effinger, George Alec. Maureen Birnbaum, Barbarian Swordsperson. SWAN Press, 1993. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy. Inscribed by Effinger: “To Fred & Karen,/Con Mucho Loved!/George Alec Effinger (Yer Pal)”. Signed by introduction author Mike Resnick. Inscribed by artist Peggy Ransom: “To Fred & Meschke,/Come see us often!/And we’ll Frankie & Johnny again,/best,/Peggy Ransom.” Effinger was co-Guest of Honor at Armadillocon 4 in 1982, and a frequent Armadillocon attendee. George died in 2002 at age 55. Replaces a signed copy in my library. Bought for $4.99.

  • Oliver, Chad. Unearthly Neighbors. Crown SF Classics, 1984. First hardback edition (reprinting a Ballantine paperback from 1960), a Near Fine copy with red remainder mark at head in a Fine- dust jacket with a few touches of wear. Inscribed by Oliver: “10/7/88/To Meschke/All best/Chad Oliver.” Chad was the dean of Austin science fiction writers and the former chairman of UT’s Department of anthropology. The date indicates he signed this during Armadillocon 10, where Duarte and Meschke were co-chairs. Chad died in 1993. Supplements a Fine/Fine unsigned copy. Bought for $4.99.

  • Sladek, John. Bugs. Macmillian (UK), 1989. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy in a Fine-dust jacket with some wear at heel. Signed by Sladek. Bought for $5.

  • Stableford, Brian. Swan Songs. Big Engine, 2003 (but see below). First hardback edition, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Omnibus edition containing six Hooded Swan novels (Halcyon Drift, Rhapsody in Black, Promised Land, The Paradise Game, The Fenris Device, and Swan Song), the last two of which were previously published only as paperback originals. ISFDB says that SFBC produced this edition, which I can believe, given the trim size and the fact Big Engine (a short-lived UK small press SF publisher) only did trade paperbacks. The mystery is that the book seems much higher quality than the usual SFBC fair, with tight bindings and bright page blocks. Maybe they subcontracted with a different printer for this one.

  • Young, Jim. Armed Memory. Tor, 1995. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Inscribed by Young: “For Karen Meschke/ & Family/Jim Young/L.A./April 24, 2009.” Young died in 2012. Supplements an unsigned copy. Bought for $9.99.

  • Zahn, Timothy. Cascade Point. Bluejay Books, 1986. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Bought for $8.48.
  • Other signed books I bought there will be available in the next Lame Excuse Books catalog.

    Library Additions: Three Signed Firsts

    Monday, July 9th, 2018

    Three signed first edition hardbacks picked up from two different sources. The Effinger and the Lovegrove were picked up from a Lame Excuse Books customer for trade credit, and the Zelazny was from eBay.

  • Effinger, George Alec. Relatives. Harper & Row, 1973. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Near Fine- dust jacket with one 1/4″ closed tear on bottom front and very slight dust soiling to rear. Inscribed by Effinger: “For Dan Monte—/This is pretty scarce title. I/think the Center for Disease Control/developed a vaccine against this novel/shortly after publication. Well, it/was only my second book and I/was still learning—/George Alec Effinger.” I knew George (he came to the second Turkey City Writer’s Workshop I ever threw) and he signed most of his books for me, but I don’t think I picked this one up before he died. This and the Lovegrove were exchanged for credit.

  • Lovegrove, James. Provender Gleed. Gollancz, 2005. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Signed and dated by Lovegrove. I should really read some of the Lovegrove I already have…

  • Zelazny, Roger, editor. The Williamson Effect. Tor, 1996. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with slight bumping at head and heel and a few pinprick spots of foxing to FFE (maybe something with acidic paper was laid in there) in a Fine dust jacket. Tribute anthology for Jack Williamson, published after Zelazny’s death. Signed by Williamson and contributors Ben Bova, Mike Resnick and David Weber. Won off eBay for $24.07. Replaces an unsigned copy.

  • Library Addition: 4 Signed George Alex Effinger Planet of the Apes PBOs

    Tuesday, July 26th, 2016

    I knew George Alec Effinger and had collected most (but not all) of the books before his untimely death in 2002. His four Planet of the Ape books (based on the short-lived live-action CBS TV show) were among the ones I lacked. (Media tie-in works are something I only pick up when they’re incredibly cheap, or when I’ve already picked up everything else.) These four are all from the estate of Fred Duarte.

  • Effinger, George Alec. Planet of the Apes 1: Man the Fugitive. Award 1974. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine- copy with light reading creases, wear, and slight rubbing (and the usual age-darkening to pages). Inscribed to Fred by Effinger.
  • Effinger, George Alec. Planet of the Apes 2: Escape To Tomorrow. Award, 1975. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine copy with light wear (and the usual age-darkening to pages). Inscribed to Fred by Effinger.
  • Effinger, George Alec. Planet of the Apes 3: Journey Into Terror. Award, 1975. First edition paperback original, a Fine- copy with very slight rubbing (with usual age-darkening to pages). Inscribed to Fred by Effinger.
  • Effinger, George Alec. Planet of the Apes 4: Lord of the Apes. Award 1976.First edition paperback original, a Near Fine copy with light reading creases and wear (and the usual age-darkening to pages). Inscribed to Fred by Effinger.
  • Planet of the Apes 1 2

    Planet of the Apes 3 4

    IMG_0684

    Library Addition: Signed First of George Alec Effinger’s Death in Florence

    Tuesday, July 19th, 2016

    I had just about all of George’s non-media tie-in books, most inscribed to me at various conventions over the years, but for some reason this slipped through my grasp until now:

    Effinger, George Alec. Death in Florence. Doubleday, 1978. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Inscribed: “To Stuart,/George Alec Effinger”. Bought for $35 off the Internet.

    Death in Florence

    And as for George’s media tie-in books, well, watch this space…

    Lame Excuse BooksJune/July 2012 Catalog

    Sunday, July 15th, 2012

    It’s time once again for “Lawrence throws up the latest book lists on the blog without any formatting.” All the books listed below are for sale. The main Lame Excuse Books page can be found here.

    Hardbacks

    LP1247. Attanasio, A. A. Radix. William Morrow and Company, 1981. First edition hardback, an Ex-Library copy, some of the usual flaws (see Ex-Library Note), including stamps on all three edges, interior stamps and dj protector remnants inside front and rear covers, a slight bit of spine lean, and a slight bit of wear at heel; however, the dust jacket is in Near Fine shape, with moderate, slightly uneven (from a successful sticker removal that left no other signs) sunfading to spine, but otherwise complete and very attractive. Spine out, there is no sign this is an Ex-Library copy. The true first hardback edition of Attanasio’s first book (and a Nebula Finalist), and very uncommon thus (reportedly only 1000 hardbacks were done). This was my own personal copy until I recently obtained an non Ex-Lib copy. Fine/Fine copies go for north of $1000; of post-1980 SF from a major US publisher, probably only Ender’s Game goes for more. $200.

    LP1935. Baker, Kage. The Best of Kage Baker. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. 500 pages. Only have one. $37.

    LP1936. Baker, Kage. Black Projects, White Knights. Golden Gryphon Press, 2002. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Company stories. Back in stock. Only have one. $17.

    LP9. Barnes, John. The Man Who Pulled Down the Sky. Congdon & Weed, 1986. First edition hardback Fine/Fine-, with some slight rubbing to back cover and the usual age darkening of the pages. One of the more desirable titles in the Asimov Presents line. $12.

    LP1937. Barrett, Neal. Perpetuity Blues. Golden Gryphon, 2000. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Some fine, fun, weird stories in here: “Ginny Sweethips Flying Circus,” “Highbrow,” etc. If you haven’t read it, you need to, by the guy both Joe R. Lansdale and Howard Waldrop look up to. Recommended. $15.

    LP1938. Barrett, Neal. Prince of Christler-Coke. Golden Gryphon, 2004. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Original novel. $15.

    LP883. Baxter, Stephen. Flux. Harper Collins, 1993. First edition hardback, an Ex-Library copy in a library binding with reinforced gutters, library card (loosely attached) to FFE, stickers on FFE and copyright page, slight page yellowing, and slight wear on the corners of the dj and one 1/8″ closed tear on dj back; probably a VG/F- copy were it not for the Ex-Lib markings. There are no external stamps on the book itself, and no Ex-Lib marks at all on the dj. A Xeelee novel set among the inhabitants of a neutron star. A fairly nice space-filler copy of Baxter’s fourth novel, and a very nice copy of the dj. $49.

    LP1939. Bear, Elizabeth. ad eternum. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, one of 250 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Part of her New Amsterdam series. Also included in this edition is the 9,000 word chapbook Underground. $42.

    LP1588. Bear, Greg. The City at the End of Time. Gollancz, 2008 (true first, precedes the Del Rey edition by three weeks). First edition hardback, a Near Fine copy in a Near Fine dust jacket, with corners, head and heel all slightly bumped, otherwise new and unread. I was going to send this back, but at Worldcon Greg told me that these were all but impossible to find. Even the UK trade paperbacks are already into third printings. $35.

    LP1940. Bishop, Michael. The Door Gunner and Other Perilous Flights of Fancy. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, one of 250 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Only for customers on this list, and only while supplies last, you can have this LTD edition at the price of the trade edition. $45.

    LP386. Bishop, Michael. No Enemy But Time. Timescape, 1982. First edition hardback, an ex-library copy with all the usual flaws, otherwise G+/VG+, with spine leaned and rolled, wear to top and bottom boards, internal mends, leaves starting to loosen (and some mended), and some water rippling or spotting to a few interior pages. A well read copy, but a true first of his Nebula winner. Not too bad spine out, an adequate space filler or reading copy. Signed by Bishop. $5.

    LP1250. Bleiler, Richard, editor. Science Fiction Writers: Second Edition. Charles Scribner’s Son, 1999. Second printing of the second edition, hardback, a Fine- copy with some faint scratches and rubs to (mostly) the rear cover (not uncommon in a reference work this large), sans dj, as issued. Update by Bleiler the Younger of the first edition, which was edited by his father E. F. Bleiler. Looks like a very solid reference work with many very knowledgeable contributors (including Brian Stableford and David Langford, among many others). Larger than usual book, so $7 domestic shipping and considerably more than usual overseas. Originally published at $115. Your price: $15.

    LP1589. Blish, James. Black Easter. Doubleday, 1968. First edition hardback (code J21 on page 165), a Near Fine copy with a tiny bit of spine lean and a tiny bit of wear at heel and a tiny stain on page 165, in a Near Fine, off-white dust jacket with very slight age darkening of spine and tiny, faint spotting at inner flap edges, with corresponding very faint discoloration in a vertical line along front and rear free endpapers matching the dj flap edges (possibly from non-acid-free paper in the dj), but absolutely no chips or tears; a very attractive copy. The first part of the second volume of the After Such Knowledge thematic trilogy, and a very good book in it’ own right. A rich arms merchant conspires to loose all the demons of Hell on Earth for a single day. One of Blish’s best. Fantasy 100 Best List, Modern Fantasy 100 Best list. $65.

    LP1625. Bloch, Robert (Gahan Wilson). Skeleton in the Closet, and Other Stories (The Reader’s Bloch Volume 2). Subterranean Press, 2008. First edition hardback, one of only 750 copies, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dj, as issued, new and unread. More uncollected Bloch. Illustrated by Gahan Wilson. $33.

    LP1941. Bloch, Robert. Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper. Subterranean Press, 2011. First edition thus, one of 750 hardback copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Collects all Bloch’s Jack the Ripper-related material together in one place for the first time. Out of print from the publisher. Cover price, but I only have one. $40.

    LP1942. Brackett, Leigh. Shannach: The Last Farewell to Mars. Haffner Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwrap. Another hefty, bug-crushing collection of stories from Haffner Press. I’m reading some Leigh Brackett right now, and she had lots of swell Golden Age imagery and action. $37.

    LP1943. Buckell, Tobias. Crystal Rain. Tor, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with the tiniest bit of crimping at heel, otherwise apparently new and unread. His very novel, and quite a good one, depicting a world settled by people of Caribbean decent caught in the middle of a war between two different types of aliens, each pretending to be different types of Gods. Recommended. $15.

    LP1944. Campbell, John. A New Dawn: The Complete Don A. Stewart Stories. NESFA Press, 2003. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with a slight wrinkle top front, top of front inner flap, and a phantom crease on inner front flap, otherwise apparently new and unread. Includes “Who Goes There?” and “Twilight,” among many others. (No, not THAT Twilight. No Whiny Vampires of Annoying Sparklyness here.) $25.

    LP655. Cherryh, C. J. Cyteen. Warner Books, 1988. First edition hardback, an Ex-Library copy, with all the usual flaws, otherwise G+/NF+ with spine lean, significant wear to bottom boards, long black marker line on heel, spine leaned and slightly concave. Well-worn, but an attractive dj for an Ex-Lib, and a true first of a Hugo winner. $5.

    LP1947. Dahlquist, Gordon. The Glass Book of the Dream Eaters. Bantam, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Got all sorts of huge buzz when it came out. “A sinister cabal seeks to rule the world through sex and dreams.” Well, who DOESN’T want to rule the world for sex? Though admittedly, John Holmes’ brief stint as Secretary General of the UN didn’t work out too well… $20.

    LP1948. Dick, Phillip K. The Complete Stories of Philip K. Dick Volume 2: Adjustment Team. Subterranean Press, 2011. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Out of print from the publisher. From Sex to Dick…nah, too easy. $40.

    LP1949. Duncan. Andy. The Pottawatomie Giant and Other Stories. PS Publishing, 2012. First edition hardback, Fine in decorated boards, sans dust jacket. as issued. Only have one. $35.

    LP841. Effinger, George Alec. Budayeen Nights. Golden Gryphon Press, 2003. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with a tiny bit of edgewear at head. Collection of all the stories set in the Arabic future of When Gravity Fails, including the Hugo and Nebula winning “Schrodinger’s Kitten.” Back in stock. $20.

    LP1950. Effinger, George Alec. A Thousand Deaths. Golden Gryphon Press, 2007. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. All George’s Sandour Courane stories, including the very funny (and very dark) novel The Wolves of Memory, which George considered the best of his pre-When Gravity Fails novels. $20.

    LP1836. Egan, Greg. Zendegi. Night Shade Press, 2010. First U.S. edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Egan’s latest novel, set in a post-theocracy Iran and a popular virtual reality game. “We’ll have it out before the UK edition,” they said. “You’ll be able to sell it,” they said. $15.

    LP1951. Farmer, Philip Jose (and Christopher Paul Carey). Gods of Opar: Tales of Lost Khokarsa. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, one of 250 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Omnibus of three Opar novels, the last of which, completed by Carey, has never before been published, and the other two of which have never before appeared in hardback. This limited edition, which contains additional supplemental material not in the trade edition, is sold out from the publisher. Despite that, and despite the fact that I only have one copy, I’m offering it at the cover price of $65. First one gets it. $65.

    LP487. Fuentes, Carlos. The Good Conscience. Ivan Oblensky, Inc., 1961. First edition hardback (“First Printing” stated), an Ex-Library copy will all the usual flaws, otherwise G+/NF- with wear to head and heel as well as a thin line staining at top and bottom boards (almost certainly from an old style library dust jacket protector), front hinge starting to crack and shallow chipping at dj head. His second novel. $15.

    LP1952. Gaiman, Neil. The Rhyme Maidens. Biting Dog Press, 2012. Folio Edition of the first edition broadsheet, one of 50 copies so issued, a Fine copy, with one broadsheet on each side of an oversized folio case with accompanying slipcase. This thing is huge, about 16 1/2″ high by 14 1/2″ wide. This is about the point where it stops being a book and starts being a fetish object. I’ve got a pictures of it here. I only have one for sale, and it’s out of print from the publisher. Offered at cover price. $450.

    LP1953. Gaiman, Neil. The Rhyme Maidens. Biting Dog Press, 2012. Trade edition of the broadsheet, just a single 15″ x 11″ page, with the poem, illustration and Gaiman’s signature on front, and the Biting Dog logo on back. a 16″ x 12″ frame fits it nicely. Only have one, but $5 off cover price. $75.

    LP1123. Gentle, Mary (S. M. Stirling). Under the Penitence. PS Publishing, 2004. First edition hardback, 1 of 300 numbered, limited hardback copies signed by Gentle and introduction author S. M. Stirling, Fine in Fine dj, new and unread. A novella set in the Visigothic Carthage of Ash: A Secret History. Maybe I’d find it easier to sell to people if I didn’t tell them it sucks. But God, it really DOES suck. Can’t lie just to sell books, and suck is suck. $30.

    LP1956. Kennedy, Leigh. Wind Angels. PS Publishing, 2011. First edition hardback, Fine in decorated boards, sans dust jacket, as issued. New short story collection, including one in collaboration with Howard Waldrop. $33.

    LP1693. Kress, Nancy. Nano Comes to Clifford Falls. Golden Gryphon, 2008. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Her latest short story collection. Introduction by Mike Resnick. $20.

    LP1957. Kurtz, Katherine. The Quest for Saint Chamber. Del Rey, 1986. First edition hardback, a Near Fine copy with previous owner’s stamp (a teddy bear catching a baseball) on FFE, in a Near Fine dust jacket with slight crimping and creasing at dust jacket heel, a 1 1/2″ wrinkle on rear cover near heel, and slight haze rubbing on rear dj cover, must noticeable along spine join. Inscribed by Kurtz: “To Beau—Katherine Kurtz.” I haven’t ever seen Kurtz at an SF convention, but she has more signed books online than I thought. Let’s sell this for…$49.

    LP1958. Kuttner, Henry. Thunder in the Void. Haffner Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwarp. The latest Haffner press Kuttner volume, including tales Kuttner published between 1937-1950, plus one never before published Kuttner story. mike resnick provides the introduction, so you can have him sign it at Worldcon where he’s Guest of Honor. Only have one. $37.

    Hey, I see that I also have one copy left each of Terror in the House and Detour to Otherness, the previous Haffner Kuttner collections. Pick up all three for $100.

    LP1959. Lansdale, Joe R. Act of Love. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback thus, with a new novelette, “A Bone Dead Sadness,” and interview with Lansdale not included in any previous edition, one of 200 signed, numbered slipcased copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and slipcase, new and unread. Only have one. $100 List. For you, $95.

    LP1960. Lansdale, Joe R. Act of Love. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback thus, with a new novelette, “A Bone Dead Sadness,” and interview with Lansdale not included in any previous edition, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Trade edition. Only have one. $37.

    LP1961. Lansdale, Joe R. A Fine Dark Line. Weidenfeld Nicolson, 2003. First British edition, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Solid historical mystery. Recommended. $10.

    LP1962. Lansdale, Joe R. High Cotton. Golden Gryphon, 2000. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Back in stock. Lots of great stories in here. Highly recommended. $20.

    LP1850. Leiber, Fritz. Strange Wonders. Subterranean Press, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Collection various work, some previously unpublished or uncollected. $8 off cover price. $32.

    LP1964. Lethem, Jonathan. Motherless Brooklyn. Doubleday, 1999. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy in a Fine- dust jacket with a tiny bit of wrinkling at head and heel. National Book Critics Circle Award winner. $25.

    LP1277. Lovecraft, H. P. (edited by S. T. Joshi). Collected Essays Volume 3: Science. Hippocampus Press, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwrap. I haven’t seen a print run listed for this, but according to the publisher, the print run for the hardbacks for the first two volumes was only 250 copies (and I’ve sold all my copies of those). LAST COPY! $35.

    LP1346. Lovecraft, H. P. Collected Essays Volume 4: Travel. Hippocampus Press, 2006. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwrap. I know that there were only 250 copies of the hardback printed for some of the earlier volumes, and of the five copies I ordered, I only have one left. LAST COPY! $35.

    LP1414. Lovecraft, H. P. Collected Essays Volume 5: Philosophy, Autobiography & Miscellany. Hippocampus Press, 2007. First edition hardback, one of only 250 hardback copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwrap. The final volume of Lovecraft Essays. LAST COPY! $35.

    LP1965. (Lovecraft, H. P.) Joshi, S. T. (editor) (William Browning Spencer, Michael Shea, David J. Schow, Brain Stableford, Michael Marshall Smith, Ramsey Campbell, etc.) Black Wings: Tales of Lovecraftian Horror. PS Publishing, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Anthology of Lovecraftian horror featuring lots of very solid writers. Back in stock. Might want to pick one up before Black Wings II hits later this year. $37.

    LP1966. Martin, George R. R. Tuf Voyaging. Baen Books, 1986. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy with slight crimping at head and heel in a Near fine+ dust jacket with slight haze rubbing to rear, and slight edgewear to head and heel, including a semi-closed 1/16″ tear at head. All of martin’s Haviland Tuf stories in one volume, the story of a perfectly honest trader with an Earth Ecological Corps see ship, who somehow always seems to get the better of people. Recommended. You might have noticed that George is just a wee tiny bit popular now… $15.

    LP1415. Marusek, David. Getting to Know You. Subterranean Press, 2007. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwrap. First short story collection by this talented writer (and a nice guy to boot). Already out of print from the publisher. $22.

    LP1695. McAllister, Bruce.The Girl Who Loved Animals. Golden Gryphon, 2007. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Introduction by Barry Malzberg. By the well-respected author of Dream Baby. $18.

    LP1967. McCarthy, Cormac. The Road. Knopf, 2006. First edition hardback (First Edition stated, no additional printings listed), a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with just a tiny bit of haze rubbing along spine join, and a tiny bit of dj crimping at head. His Pulitzer prize-winning post-apocalyptic novel, made into a happy, feel-good movie! $49.

    LP1471. Moon, Elizabeth. Moon Flights. Night Shade Books, 2007. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. Short story collection by the Nebula and Robert A. Heinlein Award-winning author of The Speed of Dark. Signed by Moon. $17.

    LP1853. Niven, Larry. The Best of Larry Niven. Subterranean Press, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Huge Subterranean career retrospective collection. $35.

    LP1968. Powers, Tim. The Bible Repairman and Other Stories. Subterranean Press, 2012. First hardback edition, one of 500 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. let’s do this at $5 off cover price. $70.

    LP1969. Reed, Robert. Eater-of-Bone and other novellas. PS Publishing, 2002. First edition hardback, Fine in decorated boards, sans dust jacket, as issued. Includes his Hugo-winner “A Billion Eyes.” Only have one. $32.

    LP1970. Resnick, Mike. Blasphemy. Golden Gryphon, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. All of Resnick’s stories dealing with religion in one place. $20.

    LP1971. Rickert, M. Holiday. Golden Gryphon, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Short story collection. $20.

    LP1643. Roberson, Chris. The Voyage of White Shining Night. PS Publishing, 2006. First edition, one of 300 signed hardback copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Alternate universe tale of the Imperial Chinese Space Program by this prolific Austin writer. List: $45. Your price: $25.

    LP1972. Russell, Mary Doria. The Sparrow. Villard, 1996. First Edition hardback, with all first edition points present (First Edition stated, has a printing line reading “9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2” (yes, Villard starts their printing lines at 2–don’t ask me why); dj flap bears cover price: “U.S.A. $23.00/Canada $32.00” (there are book club editions which are otherwise identical to the first edition, but lack the price); photo credit on dj flap reads “Dina Ross,” corrected “Dina Rossi” on later editions; page 16, third full paragraph, first line, last word is “karstic”, later corrected to “karst”; and page 95, second paragraph reads “At 32 feet per second, you’d have,” later corrected to “At 32 feet per second per second, you’d have”), a Fine- copy with two tiny, light pinhead sides dots of discoloration at head, in a Fine- dj with a tiny bit of crimping at head and heel, but NO remainder mark. Perhaps the most important SF debut novel of the 1990s by this John W. Campbell award winner. $25.

    LP1066. Ryan, Alan (Charles L. Grant, Steve Rasnic Tem, Tanith Lee). Night Visions 1. Dark Harvest, 1984. First edition hardback, one of only 1500 trade copies, an Ex-Library copy with all the usual flaws, otherwise VG-/NF with spine lean, wear to bottom boards, inner front hinge just starting to crack at top, and crimping to dj head and heel. The first book in the Night Visions series, each of which features 30,000 words or so of original fiction from today’s best horror writers, and the third book produced by Dark Harvest. $10.

    LP1973. Sargent, Pamela. Thumprints. Golden Gryphon, 2004. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Signed by Sargent. $20.

    LP1287. Sawyer, Robert J. The Terminal Experiment. Easton Press, 2001. First edition hardback thus (“Collectors Edition”), a Fine leatherbound copy, new and unread, sans dj, as issued. Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel. This edition contains a new introduction by James Gunn, as well as original artwork. Easton Press “Collector’s Notes” laid in. Sawyer: Can’t move his books. It’s like they’re made of neutronium. $49.

    LP1974. Scalzi, John. 24 Frames Into the Future. NESFA Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Non-fiction essays on science fiction films. $25.

    LP1975. Scalzi, John. 24 Frames Into the Future. NESFA Press, 2012. First edition hardback, one of only 140 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket and slipcase, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwrap. Non-fiction essays on science fiction films. The limited is out of print from the publisher. 140 is a pretty small run for a Scalzi limited. Only have one. $150.

    LP1976. Shepard, Lucius. The Dragon Griaule. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. All Shepard’s Dragon Griaule stories in one volume. $42.

    LP1977. Silverberg, Robert. The Collected Stories of Robert Silverberg Volume Six: Multiples 1983-1987. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy, sans dust jacket, as issued. I still have copies of volumes (goes and checks) one copy of Three? Really? That’s it? The rest are gone baby gone… $32.

    LP1700. Silverberg, Robert. Other Spaces, Other Times. Nonstop Press, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in decorated boards, sans dj, as issued. Collection of autobiographical essays by one of the most central and prolific SF writers of the last 50 years. Contains an extensive chronological and alphabetical bibliography. Silverberg fans and serious students of the genre need this. Only have one. $25.

    LP1288. Smith, Clark Ashton (edited by Scott Connors and Ron Hilger). Star Changes: The Science Fiction of Clark Ashton Smith. Darkside Press, 2005. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwrap. $35.

    LP1887. Stephenson, Neal. Zodiac: The Eco Thriller. Subterranean Press, 2011. First hardback edition, one of 500 copies signed by Stephenson, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread, in slipcase. First hardback of Stephenson’s second novel, and the usual quality Subterranean Press production. $25 off the publisher’s price. $125.

    LP1978. Sterling, Bruce. Gothic High-Tech. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. His latest short story collection. $22.

    LP1979. Straub, Peter. The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. New novella of erotic obsession on the Amazon. $17.

    LP1980. Streiber, Whitley. The Hunger. Morrow, 1981. First edition hardback, a near Fine copy with former owner’s blindstamp on FFE, in a Near fine dust jacket with what look two tackhead-sized gray stains, which are actually thinning to the blind side of the dust jacket. Vampire novel and basis of the noted Tony Scott film with David Bowie that has Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon making the sign of the three-humped wildebeest. Back when Streiber was a good horror writer before he was probulated. $15.

    LP1981. Stross, Charles. Palimpsest. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, one of 1,000 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. His Hugo-winning, far-future novella. $32.

    LP1427. Utley, Steven. Where or When. PS Publishing, 2006. First edition hardback, one of 500 signed, numbered copies signed by Utley; also, although not so called for in this edition, this copy has been specially signed by introduction author Howard Waldrop (so the only difference between this and the slipcase edition is, well, the slipcase), a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. Linked time travel stories. $35.

    LP1983. Vance, Jack. Hard-Luck Diggings: The Early Jack Vance. Subterranean Press, 2010. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. Way out of print from the publisher, but I managed to lay my hands on a copy. $95.

    LP1984. Vance, Jack. Dream Castles: The Early Jack Vance Volume 2. Subterranean Press, 2012. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket. $42.

    LP199. Vollmann, William T. You Bright and Risen Angels. Andre Deutsch (UK), 1987. First edition hardback, Fine/Fine-, with barely visible crease to dj spine. True first edition of an important slipstream novel by a hot writer done in a very small print run of 2,500 copies. Gets compared to Pynchon a lot. $75.

    LP1985. Wagner, Karl Edward. Where the Summer Ends: The Best Horror Stories of Karl Edward Wagner Volume One, WITH Wagner, Karl Edward. A Walk on the Wild Side: The Best Horror Stories of Karl Edward Wagner Volume Two. Centipede Press, 2012, Each one of 500 first edition hardback copies, each Fine in a Fine dust jacket. First printings are sold out from the publisher. $70 for the set.

    LP1986. Watts, Peter. Behemoth: B-Max. Tor, 2004. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, with review slip laid in. By the author of Blindsight, so I’m sure it’s filled with light and joy. $49.

    LP921. Wellman, Manly Wade. Lonely Vigils. Carcosa House, 1981. First edition hardback, a Fine- copy in a Near Fine- dj with a trace of bumping to book head and heel, in a price-clipped dj with rubbing along the folds of the extremities and a 3/8″ closed tear and small associated crease to the top rear dj, in dj protector. Signed on the publisher’s bookplate by Wellman and illustrator George Evans. I am given to understand that Carcosa House remaindered copies of the signed edition, which explains the corner clip. All of Wellman’s occult detective stories featuring John Thundstone, Judge Pursuivant, and Professor Enderby. A reasonably attractive copy of a very rich and entertaining landmark short story collection. Recommended. $75.

    LP1190. Wells, H. G. (Edward Gorey). The War of the Worlds. Looking Glass Library, 1960. First edition thus, illustrated by Edward Gorey, an Ex-Library copy (see Ex-Library Note) with all the usual flaws, otherwise a VG copy in rubbed and spine-faded pictorial boards, with two dime-sized stains to head, sans dj, as issued. One of the greatest science fiction novels ever written, illustrated by one of the most famous illustrators of the 20th century. $5.

    LP1987. Wilson, Robert Charles. Julian Comstock. Tor, 2009. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Hugo nominee. $20.

    LP1918. Williamson, Jack. The Collected Stories of Jack Williamson Volume Eight: At the Human Limit. Haffner Press, 2011. First edition, hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread, still in publisher’s shrinkwrap. Last volume of the Collected Williamson. $35.

    LP1988. Willis, Connie. All About Emily. Subterranean Press, 2011. First edition hardback, one of 400 signed, numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dust jacket, new and unread. Only have one. $42.

    LP1447. Willis, Connie. D. A. Subterranean Press, 2007. First edition hardback, one of only 400 signed/numbered copies, a Fine copy in a Fine dj, new and unread. Only have one. $34.

    LP1989. Wolfe, Gene. The Wizard. Tor, 2004. First edition hardback, a Fine copy in a Fine- dust jacket with slight crimping at heel. Second and concluding book of the brilliant Wizard Knight sequence. Highly recommended. $15.

    LP1751. Zelazny, Roger. Bridge of Ashes. Gregg Press, 1979. First hardback edition, an Ex-library copy, with all the usual flaws, would otherwise be a Near Fine/Near Fine copy. Levack 2e. $20.

    Trade Paperbacks (including chapbooks)

    LP1991. Bester, Alfred, and Roger Zelazny. Psychoshop. Vintage, 1998. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine- copy with traces of wear along spine edge and a few other touches of wear. Collaborative novel, started by Bester and finished by Zelazny. $15.

    LP1992. (Dick, Philip K.) Williams, Paul. Only Apparently Real: The World of Philip K. Dick. Arbor House, 1986. First edition trade paperback original (a format that was pretty rare for Arbor House; I can’t recall another from their SF line), a Near Fine copy with former owner’s blindstamp on half-title page, otherwise nice and square. Book on Dick’s life by his close friend and literary executor. Includes lots of interview material. $20.

    LP1924. (Lovecraft, H. P.) Lockhart, Ross E. The Book of Cthulhu. Night Shade Boooks, 2011. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy, new and unread. Cthulhu Mythos anthology, a mixture of new stories and reprints, with stories by Gene Wolfe, Charles Stross, Kage Baker, Ramsey Campbell, Thomas Ligotti, Bruce Sterling, etc. At 500+ pages, it’s a lot of Cthulhu for your money. $14.

    LP1993. Westerfeld, Scott. Evolution’s Darling. Four Walls Eight Windows, 1999. First edition trade paperback original (TPO), a Fine copy, apparently new and unread. Tale of a sentient ship seeking out a dead artist who may not be dead after all. Also has a healthy dusting of sex. Really hard to find now that he’s a big YA author. Can’t find another collectable first online at all. $75.

    LP1710. Westerfeld, Scott. Evolution’s Darling. Four Walls Eight Windows, 1999. First edition trade paperback original (TPO), a Fine- copy with a non-breaking phantom crease to top front corner, otherwise apparently new and unread. Slightly less perfect than the above. $49.

    LP1994. Wellman, Manly Wade. The Invading Asteroid. Stellar Publishing Corporation, 1932. First edition chapbook original, a VG copy with a tiny bit of “rounding” at head, i.e. a tiny bit of paper loss where it looks slightly nibbled, but it’s only about a 1/16 of an inch, but less browning than usual to paper stock. No. 15 in Hugo Gernsback’s Science Fiction Series, and Wellman’s first separate publication. $49.

    Mass Market Paperbacks

    LP1995. Anthony, Mark. Ravenloft: Tower of Doom. TSR, 1994. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with a hint of a non-breaking spine crease and wear at points, otherwise nice and square. Looks Quasimodorific. $9.

    LP1996. Bujold, Lois McMaster. Falling Free. Baen Books, 1988. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine+ copy with slight crease to top rear corner and touches of edgewear, otherwise nice and square and apparently unread. Nebula Award winner. Get your Nebula Award winner right here! $5.

    LP1997. Bujold, Lois McMaster. The Vor Game. Baen Books, 1990. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with just a trace of edgewear, otherwise nice and square and apparently unread. Miles Vorkosigan novel. Hugo Award winner. Get your Hugo Award winner right here! $10.

    LP1998. Bradley, Marion Zimmer (Laurell K. Hamilton, Mercedes Lackey, Nancy Jane Moore, etc.). Sword and Sorceress VII (Winterkill). First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with just a trace of edgewear, otherwise nice and square and apparently unread. Contains the Laurel K. Hamilton story “Winterkill,” written back before she went all werewolf-and-vampire gangbangy, $10.

    LP1999. Carringer, Gail. Soulless. Orbit, 2009. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine copy, new and unread. First book of the Parasol protectorate. Signed by Carringer. “Funny steampunk fantasy with werewolves and vampires? Not your typical reading material, is it Lawrence?” By and large no. But Gail’s a friend, and this is actually a solid, funny novel. Recommended. This series has gotten extremely popular, and firsts (much less signed firsts) are hard to find. $25.

    LP2000. DeLint, Charles, writing as Samuel M. Key. Angel of Darkness. Jove, 1990. First edition paperback original, a Near Fine copy with a slight crease halfway across bottom of back cover, edgewear, and one dog-eared page, otherwise nice and square. Pseudonymous horror novel. $10.

    LP2001. Dick, Philip K. Clans of the Alphane Moon. Caroll & Graf, 1993. Paperback reprint, a Fine- copy with a bit of edgewear. I read this earlier this year, and it’s one of Dick’s more insane books (and I mean that in a good way). I don’t know which is crazier, the entire society founded by ex-mental patients, or the CIA operative who’s job it is to operate the secret android accompanying his hated ex-wife. Recommended. $5.

    LP2002. Hamilton, Laurell K. Ravenloft: Death of a Darklord. TSR, 1995. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine copy, new and unread. Speaking of werewolf banging, this book has been reprinted a couple of times, but pristine firsts are pretty hard to find. $15.

    LP2003. Howard. Russ T. Spelljammer: The Cloakmaster Cycle: The Ultimate Helm. TSR, 1993. First edition paperback original, a Good+ only copy with a 3/4″ x 1/2″ out of rear cover, not affecting any text. Last and hardest to find book in this series. $5.

    LP2004. Hughart. Barry. Bridge of Birds. Del Rey, 1985 (stated; probably in the last few years). Paperback reprint, a Fine copy, new and unread. One of the great fantasy novels of the 20th century, very funny, and a book that just keeps selling and selling for me (when I’m not giving them away to friends. Highly recommended. $7.

    LP2005. Martin, George R. R., editor. Wild Cards Volume XI: Dealer’s Choice. Bantam, 1992. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with a trace of wear at tips, otherwise apparently new and unread. The latter Bantam Wild Card novels are hard to find, especially in collectable condition like this. $25.

    LP2006. Martin, George R. R., editor. Wild Cards New Cycle Book I: Card Sharks. Baen, 1993. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine copy, new and unread. First in the new Baen Wild Cards, which are also not particularly easy to find. $15.

    LP2007. Mayhar, Ardath. Battletech: The Sword and the Dagger. FASA Corporation, 1987. First edition paperback original, a VG+ copy with spine creasing, a long crease along top back corner, foxing to inside covers, and edgewear, but still square. The hardest to find of Mayhar’s work, and the hardest to find Battletech book. This is the first one I’ve chanced across in the last decade. $49.

    LP2008. Shea, Michael. Nifft the Lean. DAW, 1982. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Near Fine copy with faint repeating stamped number at head, small corner creases to bottom front and rear, and a few touches of edgewear. Brilliant, stylish dark fantasy, including the World Fantasy Award-winning “Pearls of the Vampire Queen” and the awesome “The Fishing of the Demon-Sea.” Highly recommended. $6.

    LP2009. Shea, Michael. The A’rak. Baen, 2000. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Fine- copy with a trace of edgewear, otherwise new and unread. A Nifft novel featuring a nasty giant spider god and its equally nasty brood. Man, this has really gotten hard to find as of late. $20.

    LP2010. Wagner, Karl Edward. Conan: The Road of Kings. Bantam, 1979. First edition paperback original (PBO), a Very Good+ copy with wear at head, remains of magic marker over price on spine, and general wear, though fold out cover is intact. Reportedly the best of the non-Howard Conan tales. $4.

    Siri Says the Darnedest Things (With a side of George Alec Effinger)

    Sunday, October 16th, 2011

    This piece on the things Apple’s new voice assistant Siri says in response to various questions is pretty funny, as the Apple programmers have gone out of their way to offer some clever, amusing answers to a surprisingly wide variety of queries.

    What the piece reminded me of was the snide, sentient, semi-malevolent electronic chess game in George Alec Effinger’s “My Old Man,” which (if you squint a little) could double as Siri’s Evil Twin. I provided the introduction to it in Live From Planet Earth, and I do think it’s a really swell (and underrated) story. (I still have one copy of Live From Planet Earth available through Lame Excuse Books, but you should be able to find it wherever better SF books are sold.)