Laurie Winslow Sargent

Tag: john hayden howard

  • A 1968 Letter from Damon Knight to Hayden Howard

    I’m holding a letter typed 56 years ago, signed by Damon Knight (1922-2002.) It was sent from The Anchorage, in Milford PA, to author John Hayden Howard.

    Image of Damon Knight’s home called The Anchorage. It burned down in 1979, according to the Times Herald-Record.

    Damon Knight was a science fiction author who wrote over seventy stories and twenty novels. He edited the Orbit anthology series (see Knight in the Oregon Encyclopedia). Knight also founded the SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association) and was later inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.

    He and his sci-fi writing wife Kate Wilhelm co-founded the Milford Science Fiction Writer’s Conference, and hosted workshops in their big aging Victorian home, The Anchorage.

    One of his Knight’s stories, written in 1950, became an episode of The Twilight Zone. In “To Serve Man,” men find an alien cookbook with a recipe titled by the same name. They think it’s about how to feed humans. Spoiler Alert: it becomes apparent that they are the meal. I’ve seen that episode, which makes it even more fun having his signature in front of me.

    Knight also wrote for the Captain Video television show. (Incidentally, Hayden Howard was later asked by his agent Scott Meredith to audition to write for Captain Video. However, that would have involved a move to New York, so he didn’t go for that. He loved living in Santa Barbara!)

    Back to Damon Knight’s letter:

    At first glance, Knight’s letter to Hayden Howard looks like a simple a rejection letter. Those always sting for writers. Wrote Knight:

    I return this one with regrets. I grok some of it, but am not sure what the story as a whole is intended to mean.”

    Grok?  I see now that means grasped. Yay, a new fun word to use. You grok that?

    But then Knight followed that comment up with thoughtful questions about Howard’s plot and characters in the story he was rejecting, The Brave Candidates.

    I have an original copy of that. It’s interesting, yet agree that it’s not one of his best (unlike the other 17 stories I chose for the Reawakened Worlds anthologies). The Brave Candidates is a political story set on a planet where aliens (Earthmen) intrude.

    Howard had better success throughout his writing career with publishing other politically themed stories, so remember authors: no writers bat a thousand! In 1971, Hayden Howard’s political story To Grab Power was published by Isaac Asimov in one of his anthologies. It’s now being included in Reawakened Worlds Book 2, coming soon. So that one hit it out of the ballpark.

    On serialized stories vs. stand-alones:

    Knight mentioned that the story felt incomplete, “. . . as if it were one of those segments of novels Fred Pohl keeps printing.”

    Ironically, before Knight wrote this letter in August of ’68, Hayden Howard’s works had actually been serialized by Pohl, in Galaxy Science Fiction magazine. One novelette in that series was nominated for Hugo and Nebula awards. The resulting novel, The Eskimo Invasion (1967, Ballantine) was also nominated, for best novel.

    Back to Fred Pohl: Frederick Pohl–in the same writing groups as Knight–was the 12th recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award, awarded by SFWA. Pohl also was later inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. So I suspect what Knight was saying (referring to Pohl’s segments of novels) was that he (Knight) was seeking standalone stories instead.

    A redeeming final comment from Knight:

    In Damon Knight’s letter to John, he revealed openness to more of Howard’s work:

    If I have missed the point, please forgive–and send me some more.”

    That makes this letter– in my opinion, one Holy Grail of a rejection! Any writer should feel fortunate to get such an intriguing and affirming rejection–as well as honest advice–from a future Hall-of-Famer.

    Fast-forwarding to the future, you can now download some stories by both Knight and Howard for free here, to read online or via Kindle, at Project Gutenberg.

    READ MORE ARTICLES ABOUT VINTAGE SCIENCE FICTION & HAYDEN HOWARD by Laurie Winslow Sargent

  • The Tragedy of Henry Diddoh: a 1950s Frankenstein-ish story in Reawakened Worlds

    The Tragedy of Henry Diddoh: a 1950s Frankenstein-ish story in Reawakened Worlds

    In John Hayden Howard‘s vintage sci-fi anthology Reawakened Worlds, Vol One–now re-titled GREMMIE’S REEF, Henry and Hank share a strange and untenable bond.

    This novelette by John Hayden Howard, written in 1951, kicks off this collection of stories with a bang. Or I should say, with a headset.

    Here’s the gist of the Diddoh story (the first of eight stories in the Gremmie’s Reef :

    Henry is a professor, leading an extremely predictable and somewhat boring life. He’s considering a few life-changing options. Suddenly a third, more macabre choice presents itself:

    Image with Kindle quote: Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, as the result of a long, off-the-record talk with Professor Renworth of the Physiology Department concerning an unusual experiment, Henry's choices increased to three. Henry Diddoh paid his fated visit to the lab where Renworth, a dabbler in neural electronics, was probing a handsome cadaver. The body's lifelike twitching made Henry's Adam's apple return distress signals.
    (Image links to Gremmie’s Reef)

    Henry opts to connect his brain to the body of that once-a-cadaver. The idea is to allow him to be in two places at the same time–to accomplish more. I think that could be useful– what if I could write a book at home while also being with my grandchildren in another state? What would you do if you could be in two places at the same time?

    At first, for Henry, it seems exciting:

    Kindle Quote: Henry and Hank grinned at each other like a pair of newly successful ventriloquists.
    (From the story The Tragedy of Henry Diddoh)

    But as the story progresses, Henry’s bizarre attempt to manipulate Hank’s brain becomes problematic. Hank desperately wants to be independent–to be his own person and have his own family. Yet the two men are inexorably tied together.

    Kindle Quote: The professor had underestimated him. He was a man now. And as Hank walked the streets, he worried about summer, when the experiment with him might end. Soon Hank found he did not have to sleep just because Henry dozed off. Yet he did learn that when he took a bus out of the city, he had to pull the stop cord at about 20 miles from Henry. If he traveled much farther, his sight blurred.
    (Image links to the Reawakened Worlds Vol 1 audio book.)

    As this vintage sci-fi story progresses, I find myself rooting for Hank, although he does commit a murder in self-defense. And being permanently tied to Henry is impossible, leading to a dramatic ending to the story.

    To truly immerse yourself in the story and enjoy Howard’s unique storytelling skills, you can find the full story, along with seven other stories, in the anthology in Gremmie’s Reef. But if you’ve already read “The Tragedy of Henry Diddoh,” in this book under its previous title (now the subtitle) Reawakened Worlds Vol 1, can you tell me what you liked about it in a comment below?

    As compiler and editor of this anthology series, I’ve gone over all the stories multiple times. Yet with each read I end up pondering a different aspect of this story. I’d love to hear your own thoughts.

    Laurie

    All stories in the Reawakened Worlds Series were written between 1950 and 1977, including some previously published stories. Copyright of the author’s stories belongs to the Estate of John Hayden Howard, managed by Laurie Winslow Sargent @LaurieSargent

  • Book Trailer for Reawakened Worlds, VOL 1

    Here’s a fun little teaser for Volume One of Reawakened Worlds: Vintage Dystopian and Sci-Fi:

    This Reawakened Worlds video is for the first collection of short stories and novelettes by John Hayden Howard. I enjoyed compiling his vintage works as his literary estate executor, and writing the Foreword and Afterword.

    The second set of stories, VOL 2, is in the works, with publisher deadlines this week. Aaaack! WildBlue Press, my publisher, created this trailer, which I appreciate. I hope you enjoy it!

    Book cover for Reawakened Worlds: Vintage Dystopian and Sci-Fi from a Master Storyteller, by author John Hayden Howard, editor Laurie Winslow Sargent.

    Reawakened Worlds: Vintage Dystopian and Sci-Fi VOL One is currently in eBook, Audible audiobook, paperback, and hardcover formats.

    Find this fun collection of 8 short stories and novelettes at many fine stores, including Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Hudson Booksellers and Target.

    The Kindle version is available internationally, in English, and can be read on any device (any type of computer, phone, tablet, or Kindle reader) via the Kindle App in Google Play or Apple. Read more about John Hayden Howard here.

  • Vintage Science Fiction: New classic sci-fi collection by John Hayden Howard, 1960s author

    Vintage Science Fiction: New classic sci-fi collection by John Hayden Howard, 1960s author

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

    Book cover: Reawakened Worlds: Vintage Dystopian and Sci-Fi from a Master Storyteller, by John Hayden Howard
    Reawakened Worlds: Vintage Dystopian and Sci-Fi from a Master Storyteller, 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.