Sci-Fi Killers - 14 Killer Science Fiction Short Stories by Philip K. Dick, Robert Silverberg, Harry Harrison, Fritz Leiber and more

Author Bio: Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick (1928–1982) published thirty-six science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned toward deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2007 the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.

Author Bio: Harry Harrison

Harry Harrison (1925-2012) was drafted into the Army after finishing school and served in World War II, where he learned both to shoot guns and repair analogue computers. Leaving the Army at the end of the war, Harrison teamed up with Wally Wood and produced professional comic book art. When the comic book boom came to an end, Harrison moved from drawing to writing. In 1957 his story, “The Stainless Steel Rat” was published in Astounding, and introduced a character which would stay with him (and readers) for the next forty-odd years. In 1975 Harrison had his first brush with Hollywood when his novel, Make Room! Make Room! was used for the basis of Soylent Green. His novels have also been successfully adapted for other media: radio plays and readings, a board game, at least one computer game, and, taking us full-circle, comic books, most notably 2000AD’s adaptations of the Stainless Steel Rat books.

In a career spanning sixty years, Harrison produced more than a hundred short stories, edited over thirty anthologies, and published more than sixty novels.

Author Bio: Henry Slesar

Henry Slesar — born Henry Schlosser — was an American author, playwright, and copywriter, who wrote under several pseudonyms including O.H. Leslie and Jay Street. He was famous for his use of irony and twist endings.

Slesar wrote hundreds of scripts for television series and soap operas, leading TV Guide to call him “the writer with the largest audience in America.”

While working as a copywriter, he published hundreds of short stories, including detective stories, science fiction, criminal stories, mysteries and thrillers which appeared in publications such as Playboy and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.

Alfred Hitchcock highly appreciated Slesar’s talent and hired him to write a number of the scenarios for the Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour television series.

He received the Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1960 for his first novel, The Gray Flannel Shroud (1958).

Slesar died in 2002, following complication from surgery.

Author Bio: Winston Marks

Author Bio: C. H. Thames