Out July 25, 2023, for vintage science fiction fans: Reawakened Worlds: Vintage Dystopian and Sci-Fi Stories, VOL 1, by John Hayden Howard.

At last! After a year of my sneezing through oodles of John Hayden Howard’s original 1950s-1960s dusty musty manuscripts, choosing the best, digitizing, and editing, the first book in this vintage science fiction collection is now available. Hurray! WildBlue Press has done a fabulous job making Vol. One shine, with Vol. Two scheduled for 2024.

I enjoyed writing the Foreword, describing how I knew Hayden (my stepfather) and ended up with his manuscripts. I also wrote the Afterword, telling of his life after the 1960s.

Those who already know me as an author of inspirational and historical books and articles may be saying, “Whaaaat? Science fiction?” It’s certainly a departure from my usual fare. I’ll soon be back working in my other genres. Then again, this editing project has been great fun–so who knows?

Straightforward, fast-paced, and fun.” —ROBERT SCHERRER, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University and Sci-fi Writer, published in ANALOG Science Fiction and Fact

Vol. One of Reawakened Worlds: Vintage Dystopian and Sci-Fi includes these stories:

Part One: WHAT IF

The Tragedy of Henry Diddoh

In a university town in a secret laboratory, a Frankenstein-esque experiment enables a professor to be in two places at the same time. Disastrous consequences ensue. Written in St. Augustine, Florida in 1951.

Ten Rounds for the All-Time Champ
A 1950s boxer goes ten rounds against a stranger with an even stranger audience, in hopes of remaining the champ. (Written in St. Augustine, Florida in 1951-52.)

We Specialists:
In a large city in the future, everyone takes comfort in their designated roles. That doesn’t end well when the victim can’t find the right person to call for help. (Written in Santa Barbara, CA in 1967.)

Part Two: STRANGE ENCOUNTERS ON EARTH

Gremmie’s Reef
A young teen surfing off the coast of Santa Barbara, California makes an unusual discovery. (Written in 1964. Previously published in IF, Worlds of Science Fiction, October 1964.)

The Butcher
Students working an archaeological dig in the Southwest discover something unearthly. (Written in St. Augustine, Florida in 1951.)

Arctic Invasion
In the Canadian Arctic, a group of indigenous people suspiciously appear to have been taken over by an alien presence. Dr. West, who has been researching them, tries to escape while snow-blinded. Bear attack included. (Written in 1966 in Santa Barbara, California. Previously in Galaxy Science Fiction (under another title) June 1966; Galaxy Magazine (UK) Jan/Feb 1967; Italian translation in 1967. Nominated for a Hugo.

Part 3: INTERPLANETARY TALES

Haranu
On Mars, an Earth-man’s innocent dog nearly gets his master killed. The man finds a more peaceful solution with the help of a Martian, but the dog now must choose between two masters. (Written in Miami, Florida in 1950.)

Mutiny in the Orbit of Uranus
A spaceship crew attempts a takeover, culminating in a massive anti-gravity battle. (Written in Santa Barbara, California, in the mid-1950’s-60s.)

Note: the only other collections from Hayden Howard currently in print include stories within Public Domain. None of the stories in Reawakened Worlds have been seen for over half a century, so his old fans are in for a brand new treat.

Learn more about the Reawakened Worlds and John Hayden Howard at WildBlue Press. Book will be available in Kindle and in paperback and hardcover in various bookstores.