STAR CHANGES - The Science Fiction of Clark Ashton Smith
edited and with an introduction by Scott Connors & Ronald S. Hilger. Darkside Press (darksidepress@qwest.net), $45 ISBN 0-9740589-7-1 (April)

Star Changes

As most aficionados of weird fiction know, Clark Ashton Smith's
career really launched with contributions to Hugo Gernsback's Wonder
Stories. While he wrote in the SF genre only sparingly, Smith's
poetic vision resulted in stirring picturesque tales of
interplanetary travel. Among Smith's best work are such tales
as "The Vaults of Yoh-Vombis", "Dweller in the Gulf" and "The
Plutonian Drug". Sadly, not only are many of his SF tales
unavailable in hardcover, some have never been presented in the
author's preferred texts! Smith scholars Ron Hilger and Scott
Connors have assembled what is no doubt an essential Smith volume,
whenever possible working from Smith's own manuscripts to prepare
the texts in the form that the author himself would have preferred.
Due to contractual issues, we are unable to produce more than our
standard run of 500 copies. Copies are at $45.00 and will be
available this spring. As with our popular Fritz Leiber titles, we
expect this book to be out-of-print on publication. We strongly
advise placing orders now to avoid possible disappointment.

Please add $7.00 for PRIORITY SHIPPING. We expect STAR CHANGES to
ship in early April.


Contents:

Introduction: The Non-Human Equation by Scott Connors & Ron Hilger

The Monster of the Prophecy
The Letter from Mohaun Los
The Immortals of Mercury
The Plutonian Drug
The Eternal World
A Star Change
The Demon of the Flower
The Light from Beyond
The Vaults of Yoh-Vombis
The Dweller in the Gulf
Vulthuum
Phoenix


Cover art by Allen Koszowski

Introduction: The Non-Human Equation by Scott Connors & Ron Hilger

Don't be fooled by this- while I helped with the texts and some other aspects of the book, Scott did the intro himself with only a few minimal suggestions from me. Those interested should place their orders soon, as I understand it has already sold over half the edition!

-Ron

Why am I hearing crickets chirping?

Scott

I have a cricket plague at my house, too. Have you tried cane toads?

If you are referring to Chris Barker, I'll keep the crickets, thank you. No, I was referring to the absolute silence that the announcement of this Smith collection is meeting here. After all, it is the result of discussions held here a couple of years back regarding Smith's sf stories.
And yes, I owe you an email, Phillip. Some time soon, I promise!
Scott

Ok ..
well neat im excited, will not be buying a copy but new CAS collection - wow supper,

happy? :-)

B.

Well, I am excited about the book. These are the author's preferred texts for goodness's sake!

Jim

What Boyd said.

I hate to sound like a jerk, or, perhaps more accurately, like more of a jerk than usual ;-), but there are limits to the amount of enthusiasm I can muster for expensive, limited "collectors' editions" of anyone's work, including--or especially--CAS's. This is because I see a far greater need to disseminate CAS's work among the general public via high-quality, reasonably priced mass-market paperbound editions (easier said than done, I realize) than to keep it within the ghetto of collectors, fandom, and rip-off re-sellers. Just my two cents, so, please, save the flames....

In all, though, it sounds like a very high-quality effort, and, my previous reservations notwithstanding, I am glad to see it appear.

I am happy to see it, im not trying to be mean. I'm impressed with the effort it takes; however its price is 9 hours of work and I like eating and paying the rent.

These profitable publishers should hire me :-)

B.

I have reserved mine thanks to Ron - I already have the stories, and know them well.
However, the commentaries by Scott and the influence of Ron are themselves worth the price. It is an introduction that may crack someday through the dense wall of Academe, that will make a publisher willing to push Smith's work in paperback (barring the miraculous appearance of some angel with limitless wealth). Somebody should convert Bill Gates into a fan maybe.
Aside: Scott and Ron, I found the photo and will try first to email it.
Fond memories of your visit -
Dr. F

PS Scott - Just relaunched into your Lovecraft book - excellent work!

PSS: Boyd, I apologize for not having sent a contribution for a while, will do
ASAP

Our positions are not too dissimilar. Part of the reason why I agreed to do this book is to use it as a wedge to interest some mainstream (cough, cough) publishers in Smith's work. If it sells out on publication, as did RED WORLD OF POLARIS, I have a couple in mind--that and a major trade journal is going to give it a good notice. I also hope that this will spur another, more comprehensive edition that is currently being finalized, but which will be to CAS what the Joshi Arkhams were to Lovecraft.

Scott

Relax, Boyd, you're on my comp list.

Scott

Scott Connors Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Relax, Boyd, you're on my comp list.


Oh fine make me look and feel bad :-)

B.

Sorry for not chiming in earlier. I've tried in vain for months to remember my login AND my password, but now I've given up and created a new account. I bet nobody remembers me, but some of you know me from off-forum.

YAY! for STAR CHANGES! It went on my "Books to Buy" list as soon as I first picked up the rumour on Zothique Nights 1-2 years ago (?). And Scott, you should have seen the e-mail I sent to Gavin after John Pelan announced the book on that same mailing list some time ago. I'm afraid I was none too coherent, which Gavin can testify to.

This has already been a superb CAS year for me -- in January I found a copy of SELECTED POEMS for just $30. :)

Yrs
Martin

Scott Connors Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Our positions are not too dissimilar. Part of the
> reason why I agreed to do this book is to use it
> as a wedge to interest some mainstream (cough,
> cough) publishers in Smith's work. If it sells
> out on publication, as did RED WORLD OF POLARIS, I
> have a couple in mind--that and a major trade
> journal is going to give it a good notice. I also
> hope that this will spur another, more
> comprehensive edition that is currently being
> finalized, but which will be to CAS what the Joshi
> Arkhams were to Lovecraft.
>
> Scott


Oh, that would be so cool!!!

Sorry for my fanboyism; it's just that ther's been so much good news lately. :)

Yrs
Martin