James Gunn and the role of Science Fiction

Analog Science Fiction, Analog Sci Fi, Analog Science Fiction Science Fact, Analog Magazine

I grew up reading Analog Science Fiction magazine. In fairness, it is more accurately Analog Science Fiction and Fact, but I always did better with the fiction part than I did the fact part.

Later in life, while earning my MA in Creative Writing, I had the chance to study under James Gunn at the University of Kansas. Gunn has published a number of science fiction novels over the last ~50 years, but he is probably better known in the sci fi community as a historian of science fiction and has published a number of books to that end.

I took three or four classes from him, and I spent some time chatting with him in his office, which was as you would imagine it: Stacked high with paperbacks on every flat surface, he was staring into the small screen of his antiquated computer. He eventually chaired my thesis committee.

As luck would have it, he came to our wedding. For a wedding gift — in typical Gunn fashion — he handed me a couple of his most recent paperbacks. 

He is the author of the guest editorial in Analog this month and has written an interesting article on the role of science fiction with some focus on Star Trek and Star Wars. Check it out.

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James Gunn and the role of Science Fiction
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James Gunn and the role of Science Fiction
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While earning my MA in Creative Writing, I had he chanced to study under James Gunn -- the accomplished Science Fiction writer and historian -- at the University of Kansas. See what he says about the role of Science Fiction.
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Tiffany Writing
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