Conference noted::sf

662.0. "Full Spectrum" by FENNEL::BALS (Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici*) Mon Aug 01 1988 13:05

                                FULL SPECTRUM
                  edited by Lou Aronica and Shawna McCarthy
      ($4.95 480 pgs. Bantam/Spectra September 1988 ISBN: 0-553-27482-1)

Original stories by:	Thomas Disch, Andrew Weiner, Gregory Benford,
			Jack McDevitt, Jack Massa, Charles Oberndorf, 
			Elissa Malcohn, Robert Sampson, 
			Jeffrey J. Mariotte, Steven Bryan Bieler,
			Howard V. Hendrix, Walton Simons, Nancy Kress,
		   	Kevin J. Anderson and Doug Beason, Ronnie Seagren,
			Lisa Goldstein, Lewis Shiner, Pat Murphy, 
			Fred Bals, T.L. Parkinson, James Morrow,
			Aaron Schutz, Richard Grant, Michael Blumlein,
			and Norman Spinrad.

			<whew> :-)

Having a choice of sounding either disingenuous or obnoxious, I'll opt for
the latter and note right off that FULL SPECTRUM (FS) contains my first
professional fiction sale, a novelette titled "Once in a Lullaby." And that
plays not a little part in my reviewing (and publicizing) the anthology.

On the other hand, I would hope that I still would have brought FS to other 
people's attention even without a personal interest in it. You see, I have the 
opinion that the bulk of short sf fiction being published today isn't all that 
good. Sturgeon's Law notwithstanding and without getting too far off the point,
I think there are a number of reasons for that; the fact that 90% of the short 
fiction is being funneled through only four or five editors, audience demands,
and the weird reversal of the sf market in recent years -- where it has become
easier (not to mention more lucrative) to get a first novel published than a 
first short story -- among other things.

Anyway, the contents of FS are a welcome surprise, and a welcome change, to 
the majority of magazine fare out there, imho. In my opinion again, many
of its stories could -- would -- not have been published by the established
magazines because of their themes, subject matter, or length. 

Conceived as a companion to the late Terry Carr's UNIVERSE anthology 
(happily being revived under the editorship of Robert Silverberg and Karen 
Haber), FULL SPECTRUM was designed by editors Lou Aronica and Shawna
McCarthy to highlight stories "that would give us that feeling of falling
in love [with science fiction] all over again." The second volume of FS is 
scheduled to be issued early in 1989. It will then go on a bi-annual
schedule and alternate releases with UNIVERSE. If this first volume is any 
indication, FULL SPECTRUM should have a long, rewarding run. Ultimately, I 
think it may end up being considered the long-awaited successor to
Ellison's DANGEROUS VISIONS if the editors can keep the quality of its 
contents up to the level of this first volume.

As its name implies, FULL SPECTRUM covers the gamut of science fiction from 
hard science through contemporary fantasy, to stories which simply resist
classification. No matter what your tastes, you should find many things
within FS to your liking if you enjoy sampling the full spectrum of
science fiction. On the down side, if you enjoy only a narrow band-width of 
science fiction, you'll probably be as unhappy with FS as you would with any 
other non-theme anthology from a variety of writers. 

FULL SPECTRUM includes stories from 25 writers, five of them (including
mine) first sales. The book is anchored on either end by works from Thomas 
Disch and Norman Spinrad. Either could arguably be called the best in FULL 
SPECTRUM without detracting from any of the other stories. Disch's "Voices of 
the Kill" is one of the finest stories from Disch I've seen, which makes it 
very fine indeed. Spinrad's 25,000+-word novella, "Journal of the Plague 
Years," is, well, classic Norman Spinrad. It is very good and it is going to 
cause some controversy and raise some hackles. And if you like Norman Spinrad, 
it will be worth the price of admission to FULL SPECTRUM by itself.

Not as well known as either Disch or Spinrad is James Morrow. But his "Bible
Stories For Adults No. 17: The Deluge" should help to make him better known
real quickly. This story is absolutely crazed and absolutely brilliant. It's 
the sort of story which will force you right out of your chair and send you in 
search of Morrow's other works. Expect to hear more about him in the future.

I expect all three of the above stories to garner Nebula and Hugo nominations.
And speaking of which, this year's winner of *two* Nebulas, Pat Murphy,
has a very good, very spooky story in FS, "Dead Men on TV." It's a good
introduction to the author of "The Falling Woman," and "Rachel in Love,"
if you're not familiar with her work yet. If you are, I don't need to say
any more.

FS also contains stories by such notables as Gregory Benford, Lisa Goldstein,
Jack McDevitt, Lewis Shiner, Nancy Kress, and Richard Grant among others.
I have many favorites among all the stories in FULL SPECTRUM, expect
many to get award nominations, and won't be surprised at all to see some
winners. I suspect other readers will agree.

With an official September release date, FULL SPECTRUM should be on most
store shelves by August 15th. If you like "short" science fiction ranging from 
250 to 25,000 words, and enjoy reading the length and breadth of the genre, I 
think you'll have some fun with FULL SPECTRUM. Give it a try.

Btw, I'll be at Nolacon, having fun and trying to drum up some 
business. I'm always interested in comments about my writing, especially
the good comments. :-) Either way, I hope to meet some of you down there.

Fred

    Hey, Fred, good goin'!  Congratulations!  (We can all say we "knew"
    you when!
    
    I'll look for Full Spectrum, and maybe critique "a certain story"!
    
    Sherry

    Congratulations.  Will you tell us a little about your story?
    

    RE: 1 & .2
    
    Thanks to you both.
    
    RE: .2
    
    "Once in a Lullaby" is a contemporary fantasy concerning a private
    investigator who's hired to buy and deliver a pair of ruby slippers
    to Kansas. 
    
    Although I haven't seen the issue myself yet, a friend has told
    me that the story got a fairly good reaction from a LOCUS reviewer,
    although s/he takes me to task for undervaluing ruby slippers :-) (a
    pair recently sold at Sotheby's for $165,000, a fact I wish I had
    known about *before* I edited the final galleys).
    
    Fred

    I had the opportunity to read "Once in a Lullaby" before its appearance
    in Full Spectrum. Fred was very kind to all the other authors in
    FS, and I hope his assessment is accurate.
    
    However, he's too modest. "Lullaby" is a beautiful, tightly written
    story. I enjoyed it as much as anything else I can expect to read
    in FS, Fred's comments notwithstanding.
    
    Fred, how can I get your autograph on FS?
    
    I hope your electronic ears are burning.
    
    - Richard

    RE: All
    
    FULL SPECTRUM is out, hopefully in a book store near you. 
    
    RE: .4
    
    There is no truth to the rumor that I have an account on BMT, with
    an alias of "Mendes." :-) Thanks for the kind words, Richard.
    
    Throwing modesty to the winds, I'll note that I'll be more than
    happy to autograph copies. My location is TTB1-3/D5 (Ten Tara
    Blvd. off Spitbrook Rd. in Nashua, NH, near ZKO). DTN: 264-8622.
    If you're too far away, send me mail, or give me a call.
    
    Fred