Alexei Panshin
Encyclopedia
Alexis Adams Panshin is an American
author and science fiction
(SF) critic. He has written several critical works and several novels, including the 1968 Nebula Award
-winning novel Rite of Passage and the 1990 Hugo Award
winning study of science fiction The World Beyond the Hill
(written with his wife, Cory Panshin
).
Panshin published a study of SF legend Robert A. Heinlein
, Heinlein In Dimension. He also co-wrote Earth Magic with wife Cory Panshin
. His general critical work SF in Dimension (1976) was also co-written with Cory Panshin, as was the lengthy theoretical-critical book, The World Beyond The Hill (1989). His works also include a short story collection, Farewell To Yesterday's Tomorrow.
Heinlein In Dimension first brought Panshin to wide public notice. Robert A. Heinlein objected strongly to it, and attempted to stop its publication. He wrote the prospective publisher and reserved his right to seek legal redress if appropriate. As a result sections were published in fanzine
s, winning a Hugo award for best fan activity, which in turn helped the book achieve professional publication. Opinions are divided on the propriety of Panshin's research techniques and of Heinlein's response. Spider Robinson
and Sam Moskowitz
have strongly criticized both. Panshin's own views on the matter, along with some views by others, can be found on his website The Abyss of Wonder.
A number of Alexei Panshin's books (including The World Beyond the Hill) are presently being republished by Phoenix Pick
, an imprint of Arc Manor Publishers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author and science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
(SF) critic. He has written several critical works and several novels, including the 1968 Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
-winning novel Rite of Passage and the 1990 Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
winning study of science fiction The World Beyond the Hill
The World Beyond the Hill
The World Beyond the Hill: Science Fiction and the Quest for Transcendence is a book about the history of science fiction, written by Alexei Panshin and Cory Panshin....
(written with his wife, Cory Panshin
Cory Panshin
Cory Panshin is an American science fiction critic and writer. She often writes in collaboration with her husband, Alexei Panshin. The Panshins won the Hugo award for Best Non-Fiction Book in 1990 for The World Beyond the Hill, a massive history of science fiction.-External links:* Cory Panshin's...
).
Other works
Panshin is also noted for the cult favorite Anthony Villiers series which consists of three books: Star Well, The Thurb Revolution, and Masque World. The fourth volume of the series, The Universal Pantograph, never appeared, reputedly because of conflicts between the writer and his publisher. Of the Villiers series, noted SF writer Samuel R. Delany writes in the foreword of Star Well:Panshin published a study of SF legend Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction writer. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was one of the most influential and controversial authors of the genre. He set a standard for science and engineering plausibility and helped to raise the genre's standards of...
, Heinlein In Dimension. He also co-wrote Earth Magic with wife Cory Panshin
Cory Panshin
Cory Panshin is an American science fiction critic and writer. She often writes in collaboration with her husband, Alexei Panshin. The Panshins won the Hugo award for Best Non-Fiction Book in 1990 for The World Beyond the Hill, a massive history of science fiction.-External links:* Cory Panshin's...
. His general critical work SF in Dimension (1976) was also co-written with Cory Panshin, as was the lengthy theoretical-critical book, The World Beyond The Hill (1989). His works also include a short story collection, Farewell To Yesterday's Tomorrow.
Heinlein In Dimension first brought Panshin to wide public notice. Robert A. Heinlein objected strongly to it, and attempted to stop its publication. He wrote the prospective publisher and reserved his right to seek legal redress if appropriate. As a result sections were published in fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
s, winning a Hugo award for best fan activity, which in turn helped the book achieve professional publication. Opinions are divided on the propriety of Panshin's research techniques and of Heinlein's response. Spider Robinson
Spider Robinson
Spider Robinson is an American-born Canadian Hugo and Nebula award winning science fiction author.- Biography :Born in the Bronx, New York City, Robinson attended Catholic high school, spending his junior year in a seminary, followed by two years in a Catholic college, and five years at the State...
and Sam Moskowitz
Sam Moskowitz
Sam Moskowitz was an early fan and organizer of interest in science fiction and, later, a writer, critic, and historian of the field.-Biography:...
have strongly criticized both. Panshin's own views on the matter, along with some views by others, can be found on his website The Abyss of Wonder.
A number of Alexei Panshin's books (including The World Beyond the Hill) are presently being republished by Phoenix Pick
Phoenix Pick
Phoenix Pick is the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Arc Manor Publishers based in Rockville, Maryland.Phoenix Pick publishes many classic and semi-classic works of science fiction and fantasy. These include Dark Universe and Simulacron-3 by Daniel F. Galouye, Lest Darkness Fall and Related...
, an imprint of Arc Manor Publishers.