One of the delights of reviewing is following the development of a good idea through many decades. Take, for example, the progeny of Frederik Pohl’s Star Science Fiction anthologies.

The first Star anthology appeared in 1953. Five more volumes, as well as a collection of “short novels,” as they were called then (novellas now), followed, as well as a selection of the best stories, published as Star of Stars [Note 1]. The quality of Pohl’s anthologies is impressive; flipping through my copies reveals classic stories such as Arthur C. Clarke’s “The Nine Billion Names of God,” Jerome Bixby’s “It’s a Good Life,” and Fritz Leiber’s “Space-Time For Springers.” It’s a shame the series is out of print [Note 2].

In 1974, Judy-Lynn del Rey’s Stellar 1 appeared. Stellar 1 was followed by six sequels, as well as a novella anthology, Stellar Short Novels. The parallels with Pohl’s series are no coincidence. As del Rey explains in her introduction to her Stellar Short Novels, she very much had Pohl’s Star Science Fiction in mind when she created her series. Del Rey’s purpose was to prove there was still a market for straightforward adventure fiction [Note 3. While the result wasn’t quite as noteworthy as Pohl’s, it did foreshadow the manner in which the Del Rey imprint provided reliably entertaining material.

Lately we’ve had Patrick Nielsen Hayden’s Starlight series (1996—2001). The parallels with Star Science Fiction are weaker. There were only two subsequent volumes of Starlight anthologies. However, Nielsen Hayden namechecks Star in his introduction. Furthermore, the quality of the Starlight anthologies is as exemplary as Pohl’s. It is of such quality that one reviewer [Note 4] bizarrely recommended that one not buy the Starlight books themselves because the contents were so good that they would surely appear in various annual Best SF collections. This sort of advice is not how you get more installments, people.

I wouldn’t be surprised to discover Star Science Fiction had more progeny. In fact, I’d be delighted to find out that it did.

Notes

https://seattlein2025.org/2024/11/08/fantastic-fiction-star-stellar-starlight/

#FrederikPohl #JudyLynnDelRey #PatrickNielsenHayden #StarScienceFiction #Starlight #Stellar

Fantastic Fiction: Star Stellar Starlight: Frederik Pohl’s 1953 Star Science Fiction anthology was not just the first of a string of noteworthy anthologies. His series inspired other editors to assemble similar series. The latest such work was released close to half a century after Pohl’s first anthology was published. … (#FrederikPohl #JudyLynnDelRey #PatrickNielsenHayden #StarScienceFiction #Starlight #Stellar)

Full post: https://seattlein2025.org/2024/11/08/fantastic-fiction-star-stellar-starlight/

Now available! PBS’s American Masters Renegades short film series showcasing the lives of diverse, lesser-known historical figures with disabilities focuses on Judy-Lynn Del Rey. Portions of this episode were filmed this spring at Norwescon 46! Look for lots of shots of Norwescon, including bits of the Philip K. Dick Award ceremony, panels, costumers, and chats with chair SunnyJim Morgan and member Zamesta Cosplay!

Our thanks to American Masters for letting us be part of this project. Look for the episode on your local PBS station or stream it online!

https://www.norwescon.org/2024/10/01/american-masters-judy-lynn-del-rey/

#AmericanMasters #JudyLynnDelRey #PBS #Renegades

American Masters: Judy-Lynn Del Rey: Now available! PBS’s American Masters Renegades short film series showcasing the lives of diverse, lesser-known historical figures with disabilities focuses on Judy-Lynn Del Rey. Portions of this episode were filmed this spring at Norwescon 46! … (#PBS #AmericanMasters #Renegades #JudyLynnDelRey #NWC46)

Full post: https://www.norwescon.org/2024/10/01/american-masters-judy-lynn-del-rey/