John J. Pierce
Encyclopedia
John Jeremy Pierce is an American
science fiction
editor
.
Pierce began editing the science fiction fanzine
Renaissance in the 1960s, and was an outspoken critic of the New Wave
. In 1977, he was named editor of Galaxy
at a time when the magazine was undergoing a decline following the editorship of Jim Baen
.
After leaving Galaxy, Pierce focused on his series of critical books, A Study in Imagination and Evolution, which form a critical examination of the history of science fiction from a conceptual framework, as opposed to strictly chronological. He also edited three single-author anthologies
for Del Rey Books
: The Best of Murray Leinster
, The Best of Cordwainer Smith
, and The Best of Raymond Z. Gallun
.
He has written critical essays and book introductions on Cordwainer Smith, and essays on Twin Peaks
and The X-Files
for the fanzines Wrapped in Plastic and Spectrum. As of 2006, he was planning a new version of his history of SF.
, the engineer, scientist (and science fiction writer) who coined the word "transistor."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
.
Pierce began editing the science fiction fanzine
Science fiction fanzine
A science fiction fanzine is an amateur or semi-professional magazine published by members of science fiction fandom, from the 1930s to the present day...
Renaissance in the 1960s, and was an outspoken critic of the New Wave
New Wave (science fiction)
New Wave is a term applied to science fiction produced in the 1960s and 1970s and characterized by a high degree of experimentation, both in form and in content, a "literary" or artistic sensibility, and a focus on "soft" as opposed to hard science. The term "New Wave" is borrowed from the French...
. In 1977, he was named editor of Galaxy
Galaxy Science Fiction
Galaxy Science Fiction was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by an Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break in to the American market. World Editions hired as editor H. L...
at a time when the magazine was undergoing a decline following the editorship of Jim Baen
Jim Baen
James Patrick "Jim" Baen was a noted U.S. science fiction publisher and editor. In 1983 he founded his own publishing house, Baen Books, specializing in the adventure, fantasy, military science fiction and space opera genres...
.
After leaving Galaxy, Pierce focused on his series of critical books, A Study in Imagination and Evolution, which form a critical examination of the history of science fiction from a conceptual framework, as opposed to strictly chronological. He also edited three single-author anthologies
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
for Del Rey Books
Del Rey Books
Del Rey Books is a branch of Ballantine Books, which is owned by Random House and, in turn since 1998, by Bertelsmann AG. It is a separate imprint established in 1977 under the editorship of author Lester del Rey and his wife Judy-Lynn del Rey. It specializes in science fiction and fantasy...
: The Best of Murray Leinster
Murray Leinster
Murray Leinster was a nom de plume of William Fitzgerald Jenkins, an award-winning American writer of science fiction and alternate history...
, The Best of Cordwainer Smith
Cordwainer Smith
Cordwainer Smith – pronounced CORDwainer – was the pseudonym used by American author Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger for his science fiction works. Linebarger was a noted East Asia scholar and expert in psychological warfare...
, and The Best of Raymond Z. Gallun
Raymond Z. Gallun
Raymond Zinke Gallun was an American science fiction writer.Gallun was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin...
.
He has written critical essays and book introductions on Cordwainer Smith, and essays on Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The series follows the investigation headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper , of the murder of a popular teenager and homecoming queen, Laura Palmer...
and The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
for the fanzines Wrapped in Plastic and Spectrum. As of 2006, he was planning a new version of his history of SF.
Family
Pierce is the son of John Robinson PierceJohn Robinson Pierce
John Robinson Pierce , was an American engineer and author. He worked extensively in the fields of radio communication, microwave technology, computer music, psychoacoustics, and science fiction. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he earned his Ph.D...
, the engineer, scientist (and science fiction writer) who coined the word "transistor."