In today’s guest column, space opera author Luke T. Barnett joins us to talk magic systems in science fiction and fantasy, illustrating the difference between hard and soft magic systems with examples from popular SF books and films.
“World of the Mad” by Poul Anderson
A sci-fi short story by Poul Anderson, originally published in Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy 1951.
“Langdon had found immortality on the planet Tanith. Naturally he wanted his wife to share it—if he could prevent her from going insane first….”
What’s the most terrifying time travel side effect?
Michael LaVoice joins us to discuss Simon Hawke’s unique spin on the time travel genre in his TimeWars series, and the many terrifying side effects of temporal disruption.
Wanted: Guest posts on SF books, topics and themes
Do you love reading sci-fi/fantasy books? Do you have a deep knowledge of the SF genre or history?
Goods news! The blog at mgherron.com is open to submissions from guest authors.
Four influential portal fantasy novels of the 20th century
Portal fantasy is escapism in the purest sense. I’m here to share four standout portal fiction novels from the 20th century. All excellent books you can follow down the rabbit hole.
“A Spaceship Named McGuire” by Randall Garrett
A sci-fi short story by Randall Garrett, originally published in Analog 1961.
“The basic trouble with McGuire was that, though ‘he’ was a robot spaceship, nevertheless ‘he’ had a definite weakness that a man might understand….”
“The Incredible Aliens” by William Bender
A sci-fi short story by William Bender, Jr, originally published in Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy 1954.
“Narant’s personal problem seemed of more importance than his mission as an interstellar investigator. But they combined when he met—”
“No-Risk Planet” by Milton Lesser
A sci-fi short story by Milton Lesser, originally published in Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy 1955.
“Sam had sold life insurance to every race in the galaxy. But on Halcyon he found a people who not only didn’t want it—but didn’t need it!”
“Mystery at Mesa Flat” by Ivar Jorgensen
A sci-fi short story by Ivar Jorgensen originally published in Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy 1956.
“A small desert town didn’t seem a likely place to encounter murder—especially one that had been planned on a world light years away!”
“From an Unseen Censor” by Rosel George Brown
A sci-fi short story by Rosel George Brown, originally published in Galaxy Magazine 1958.
“You can’t beat my Uncle Isadore—he’s dead but he’s quick—yet that is just what he was daring me to try and do!”