Neal Barrett, Jr.

Barrett's first sf story, "To Tell the Truth" was originally published in the August 1960 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction

Neal Barrett, Jr. (November 3, 1929 – January 12, 2014) was an American writer of fantasy, science fiction, mystery/suspense, and historical fiction.^[1] He also worked under the pseudonyms Victor Appleton, Chad Calhoun, Franklin W. Dixon (Stratemeyer Syndicate house names), Rebecca Drury, and J. D. Hardin.^[2]

Biography

Barrett was born in San Antonio, Texas, but grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma after his family relocated there in his infancy.^[3] His first published science fiction story was "To Tell the Truth" in the August, 1960 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. After that he contributed short work to science fiction magazines with some regularity, but he was better known for his novels. His reputation was made in the late 1980s with the publication of his novel Through Darkest America and its sequel, Dawn's Uncertain Light. Beginning in the 1990s and continuing into his later years, Barrett focused less on science fiction and more on crime thrillers, though he continued to work in both genres. He died in 2014 at the age of 84.^[4]

Awards and Honors

Barrett's story "Ginny Sweethips' Flying Circus" was nominated for both the 1988 Nebula Award for Best Novelette and the 1989 Hugo Award for Best Novelette. In 1997, he was the toastmaster at the 55th World Science Fiction Convention held in San Antonio.^[3] In 2010, he was named Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.^[5]

Selected Bibliography^[6]

Barrett's novella "To Plant a Seed" was the cover story on the December 1963 issue of Amazing Stories

Novels

• Kelwin. Lancer Books, 1970.
• The Gates of Time. Ace Books, 1970.
• The Leaves of Time. Lancer Books, 1971.
• Highwood. Ace Books, 1972.
• Stress Pattern. DAW Books, 1974.
• Aldair in Albion. DAW Books, 1976.
• Aldair, Master of Ships. DAW Books, 1977.
• Aldair, Across the Misty Sea. DAW Books, 1980.
• Aldair: The Legion of Beasts. DAW Books, 1982.
• The Karma Corps. DAW Books, 1984.
• Through Darkest America. Congdon & Weed, 1987.
• Dawn's Uncertain Light. New American Library, 1989.
• The Hereafter Gang. Mark V. Ziesing, 1991.
• Pink Vodka Blues. St. Martin's Press, 1992.
• Dead Dog Blues. St. Martin's Press, 1994.
• Judge Dredd. Boxtree, 1995.
• Skinny Annie Blues. Kensington Books, 1996.
• Bad Eye Blues. Kensington Books, 1997.
• Interstate Dreams. Mojo Press, 1999.
• Dungeons & Dragons: The Movie. Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
• The Prophecy Machine. Bantam Books, 2000.
• The Treachery of Kings. Bantam Books, 2001.
• PIGGS. Subterranean Press, 2001.
• Prince Of Christler-Coke. Golden Gryphon Press, 2004.

Collections

• Slightly Off Center. SWAN Press, 1992.
• The Day the Decorators Came. Subterranean Press, 2000.
• Perpetuity Blues and Other Stories. Golden Gryphon Press, 2000.
• A Different Vintage. Subterranean Press, 2001.
• Way Out There. Subterranean Press, 2004.
• Other Seasons: The Best of Neal Barrett, Jr.. Subterranean Press, 2012.
• A Pair of Aces Co-written with Joe R. Lansdale Amazon Kindle e-book 2014

References

Archival Sources

• The Neal Barrett, Jr. Papers are housed at the Wittliff Collections, Texas State University in San Marcos.

External links

• Neal Barrett, Jr. at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
• Neal Barrett, Jr. (1929-2014)