Bud Webster
Encyclopedia
Clarence Howard "Bud" Webster (born July 27, 1952) is a science fiction
and fantasy
writer who is also known for his essays on both the history of science fiction and sf/fantasy anthologies
as well. He is perhaps best known for the Bubba Pritchert series, which have won two Analytical Laboratory readers' awards from Analog Science Fiction and Fact
magazine. Webster is also known for his survey of Groff Conklin's
contribution to science fiction in 41 Above the Rest: An Index and Checklist for the Anthologies of Groff Conklin.
Webster is a contributing editor and columnist for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Bulletin and has published a collection of those columns titled Anthopology 101: Reflections, Inspections and Dissections of SF Anthologies through Merry Blacksmith Press. His Bulletin column, "Anthopology 101", examines the history of science fiction and fantasy through classic anthologies and anthologists, frequently pairing books by different editors but also presenting two or more books by the same anthologist. The column has included multi-installment pieces on Frederik Pohl
, Robert Silverberg
, Harry Harrison
and more recently, Terry Carr
. In addition, he has co-written three Bulletin articles with Dr. Jerry Pournelle
. He is also a frequent contributor to the "Curiosity" page of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
. He was the poetry editor and columnist for Helix SF
, an online speculative fiction quarterly. After Helix SF ceased publication, he took his column, "Past Masters", to Jim Baen's Universe, and when that closed, to Eric Flint
's Grantville Gazette. The "Past Masters" columns are retrospective appraisals of so-called "classic" science fiction and fantasy authors, and include extensive bibliographies. Some of the authors covered in the "Past Masters" series include Zenna Henderson
, Fredric Brown
, Edgar Pangborn
, and Murray Leinster
. A few of his stories are available at Fictionwise
.com.
Webster is currently poetry editor at Black Gate
, a print fantasy magazine, for which he also writes a column about little-known authors titled "Who?!" The first of these columns appeared in Black Gate 15 and discussed author Tom Reamy
.
Webster is also a collector
of science fiction books, and is the author of The Joy of Booking: Webster's Guide to Buying and Selling Used SF and Fantasy Books.
Webster was born in Roanoke, Virginia, to Clarence H. Webster and Edna Urquhart Webster. He attended Crystal Spring Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Junior High and Patrick Henry High Schools, graduating from Hermitage High School in Richmond, Virginia in 1970. He studied music at Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in composition. Raised a Baptist, he subsequently devolved into an Antagonostic. He currently resides in Richmond, Virginia, with his long-time companion, Mary Horton.
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...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
writer who is also known for his essays on both the history of science fiction and sf/fantasy 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...
as well. He is perhaps best known for the Bubba Pritchert series, which have won two Analytical Laboratory readers' awards from Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine. As of 2011, it is the longest running continuously published magazine of that genre...
magazine. Webster is also known for his survey of Groff Conklin's
Groff Conklin
Edward Groff Conklin was a leading science fiction anthologist. He edited 40 anthologies of science fiction, one of mystery stories , wrote books on home improvement and was a freelance writer on scientific subjects as well as a published poet...
contribution to science fiction in 41 Above the Rest: An Index and Checklist for the Anthologies of Groff Conklin.
Webster is a contributing editor and columnist for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, or SFWA is a nonprofit association of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. It was founded in 1965 by Damon Knight under the name Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc. and it retains the acronym SFWA after a very brief use of the SFFWA...
Bulletin and has published a collection of those columns titled Anthopology 101: Reflections, Inspections and Dissections of SF Anthologies through Merry Blacksmith Press. His Bulletin column, "Anthopology 101", examines the history of science fiction and fantasy through classic anthologies and anthologists, frequently pairing books by different editors but also presenting two or more books by the same anthologist. The column has included multi-installment pieces on Frederik Pohl
Frederik Pohl
Frederik George Pohl, Jr. is an American science fiction writer, editor and fan, with a career spanning over seventy years — from his first published work, "Elegy to a Dead Planet: Luna" , to his most recent novel, All the Lives He Led .He won the National Book Award in 1980 for his novel Jem...
, Robert Silverberg
Robert Silverberg
Robert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
, Harry Harrison
Harry Harrison
Harry Harrison is an American science fiction author best known for his character the Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! , the basis for the film Soylent Green...
and more recently, Terry Carr
Terry Carr
Terry Gene Carr was a U.S. science fiction author, editor, and teacher.Terry Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon...
. In addition, he has co-written three Bulletin articles with Dr. Jerry Pournelle
Jerry Pournelle
Jerry Eugene Pournelle is an American science fiction writer, essayist and journalist who contributed for many years to the computer magazine Byte and has since 1998 been maintaining his own website/blog....
. He is also a frequent contributor to the "Curiosity" page of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction is a digest-size American fantasy and science fiction magazine first published in 1949 by Mystery House and then by Fantasy House. Both were subsidiaries of Lawrence Spivak's Mercury Publications, which took over as publisher in 1958. Spilogale, Inc...
. He was the poetry editor and columnist for Helix SF
Helix SF
Helix SF was a quarterly American speculative fiction online magazine edited by William Sanders and Lawrence Watt-Evans. The poetry editor was Bud Webster....
, an online speculative fiction quarterly. After Helix SF ceased publication, he took his column, "Past Masters", to Jim Baen's Universe, and when that closed, to Eric Flint
Eric Flint
Eric Flint is an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works are alternate history science fiction, but he also writes humorous fantasy adventures.- Career :...
's Grantville Gazette. The "Past Masters" columns are retrospective appraisals of so-called "classic" science fiction and fantasy authors, and include extensive bibliographies. Some of the authors covered in the "Past Masters" series include Zenna Henderson
Zenna Henderson
Zenna Chlarson Henderson was an American science fiction and fantasy novella and short story author, and an elementary school teacher.-Biography:...
, Fredric Brown
Fredric Brown
Fredric Brown was an American science fiction and mystery writer. He was born in Cincinnati.He had two sons: James Ross Brown and Linn Lewis Brown ....
, Edgar Pangborn
Edgar Pangborn
Edgar Pangborn was an American mystery, historical, and science fiction author.-Life:Edgar Pangborn was born in New York City on February 25, 1909, to Harry Levi Pangborn, an attorney and dictionary editor, and Georgia Wood Pangborn, a noted writer of supernatural fiction...
, and 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...
. A few of his stories are available at Fictionwise
Fictionwise
Fictionwise, owned by Barnes & Noble, is one of the largest electronic book sellers in North America with an estimated 1.5 million ebook content units sold in 2008. Fictionwise sells ebooks in various formats...
.com.
Webster is currently poetry editor at Black Gate
Black Gate (magazine)
Black Gate is a glossy, quarterly fantasy magazine founded in 2000 and published by New Epoch Press. Using the slogan "Adventures in Fantasy Literature," Black Gate primarily features original short fiction up to novella length....
, a print fantasy magazine, for which he also writes a column about little-known authors titled "Who?!" The first of these columns appeared in Black Gate 15 and discussed author Tom Reamy
Tom Reamy
Tom Reamy was an American science fiction and fantasy author and a key figure in 1960s and 1970s science fiction fandom. He died prior to the publication of his first novel; his work is primarily dark fantasy....
.
Webster is also a collector
Book collecting
Book collecting is the collecting of books, including seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining whatever books are of interest to a given individual collector. The love of books is bibliophilia, and someone who loves to read, admire, and collect...
of science fiction books, and is the author of The Joy of Booking: Webster's Guide to Buying and Selling Used SF and Fantasy Books.
Webster was born in Roanoke, Virginia, to Clarence H. Webster and Edna Urquhart Webster. He attended Crystal Spring Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Junior High and Patrick Henry High Schools, graduating from Hermitage High School in Richmond, Virginia in 1970. He studied music at Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in composition. Raised a Baptist, he subsequently devolved into an Antagonostic. He currently resides in Richmond, Virginia, with his long-time companion, Mary Horton.
External links
- Book Think: Interview with Bud Webster about 41 Above the Rest: An Index and Checklist for the Anthologies of Groff Conklin
- Book Think: "A Bibliographer's Job Is Never Done" by Bud Webster
- SFWA Bulletin
- Original "Past Masters" columns from HELIX SF and JIM BAEN'S UNIVERSE now at Galactic Central
- E-Books Vs. Dead Tree Books in the SFWA Bulletin by Bud Webster and Jerry PournelleJerry PournelleJerry Eugene Pournelle is an American science fiction writer, essayist and journalist who contributed for many years to the computer magazine Byte and has since 1998 been maintaining his own website/blog....
- Anthopology 101: Reflections, Inspections and Dissections of SF Anthologies from Merry Blacksmith Press.
- FictionWise