Ace Science Fiction Specials are three series of

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

and

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

books published by

Ace Books Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...

between 1968 and 1990.

Terry Carr Terry Gene Carr (February 19, 1937 – April 7, 1987) was an American science fiction fan, author, editor, and writing instructor. Background and discovery of fandom Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon. He attended the City College of San ...

edited the first and third series, taking the "TV special" concept and adapting it to paperback marketing. The first series was one of the most influential in the history of science fiction publishing; four of the six novels nominated for 1970

Nebula Awards The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), a nonprofit association of profe ...

were from the series. The date given is the year of publication by Ace; some are first editions and some are reprints. Also given is the Ace serial number. The serial number given is that of the first printing in the Ace Special series (except for the reissue of

Rite of Passage A rite of passage is a ceremony or ritual of the passage which occurs when an individual leaves one group to enter another. It involves a significant change of status in society. In cultural anthropology the term is the Anglicisation of ''rite ...

). Books with a previous first edition are noted as "reissue" below. The order listed for series one is the original order of publication; the price is given. Ace reissued many of these books outside of the Ace Special line with different covers and prices, and sometimes different paginations. Award winners are noted; several were nominated for awards.

Series 1

Clifford D. Simak Clifford Donald Simak (; August 3, 1904 – April 25, 1988) was an American science fiction writer. He won three Hugo Awards and one Nebula Award. The Science Fiction Writers of America made him its third SFWA Grand Master, and the Horror Wr ...

- '' Why Call Them Back from Heaven?'' (1968,reissue from 1967,H-42, 60c) *

James H. Schmitz James Henry Schmitz (October 15, 1911 – April 18, 1981) was an American science fiction writer born in Hamburg, Germany of American parents. Life Schmitz was educated at a ''Realgymnasium'' in Hamburg, and grew up speaking both English ...

- ''

The Witches of Karres ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1968, reissue from 1966, A-13, 75c) *

R. A. Lafferty Raphael Aloysius "R. A." Lafferty (November 7, 1914March 18, 2002) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer known for his original use of language, metaphor, and narrative structure, Lafferty also wrote a set of four autobiographical n ...

- '' Past Master'' (1968, H-54, 60c) * Gertrude Friedberg - ''The Revolving Boy'' (1968, reissue from 1966, H-58, 60c) * Wilson Tucker - ''The Lincoln Hunters'' (1968, reissue from 1958, H-62, 60c) *

Alexei Panshin Alexei Panshin (August 14, 1940 – August 21, 2022) was an American writer and science fiction critic. He wrote several critical works and several novels, including the 1968 Nebula Award–winning novel ''Rite of Passage''Nicholls 1979, p. 447 ...

- ''

'' (1968, A-16, 75c)

Nebula Award The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), a nonprofit association of profe ...

winner *

Joanna Russ Joanna Russ (February 22, 1937 – April 29, 2011) was an American writer, academic and feminist. She is the author of a number of works of science fiction, fantasy and feminist literary criticism such as ''How to Suppress Women's Writing'', as w ...

- ''Picnic on Paradise'' (1968, H-72, 60c) *

Bob Shaw Robert Shaw (31 December 1931 – 11 February 1996) was a science fiction writer and fan from Northern Ireland, noted for his originality and wit. He won the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer in 1979 and 1980. His short story "Light of Other Days" ...

- ''The Two-Timers'' (1968, H-79, 60c) *

D. G. Compton David Guy Compton (born August 19, 1930) is a British author who writes science fiction under the name D. G. Compton. He used the name Guy Compton for his earlier crime novels and the pseudonym Frances Lynch for his Gothic novels. He has also writ ...

- ''

Synthajoy ''Synthajoy'' is a science fiction novel by D. G. Compton. originally published in 1968 as an Ace Science Fiction Special in the United States and in hardcover by Hodder & Stoughton in Great Britain. An Italian translation appeared in 1972. Gregg P ...

'' (1968, reissue from UK same year, H-86, 60c) *

Piers Anthony Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob (born 6 August 1934) is an American author in the science fiction and Fantasy (genre), fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is best known for his :Xanth books, long-running novel series set in ...

and Robert E. Margroff - ''The Ring'' (1968, A-19, 75c) *

James Blish James Benjamin Blish () was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He is best known for his ''Cities in Flight'' novels and his series of ''Star Trek'' novelizations written with his wife, J. A. Lawrence. His novel ''A Case of Conscienc ...

and Norman L. Knight - ''A Torrent of Faces'' (1968, reissue from 1967, A-29, 75c) *

- '' The Demon Breed'' (1968, H-105, 60c) *

Roger Zelazny Roger Joseph Zelazny (May 13, 1937 – June 14, 1995) was an American poet and writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels, best known for ''The Chronicles of Amber''. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nomin ...

- '' Isle of the Dead'' (1969, 37465, 60c) * John Brunner - ''

The Jagged Orbit ''The Jagged Orbit'' is a science fiction novel by British writer John Brunner. It is similar to his earlier novel ''Stand on Zanzibar'' in its narrative style and dystopic outlook. It has exactly 100 titled chapters, which vary from several pag ...

'' (1969, 38120, 95c) *

Ursula K. Le Guin Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (; October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author best known for her works of speculative fiction, including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the '' Earthsea'' fantasy series. She was ...

- ''

The Left Hand of Darkness ''The Left Hand of Darkness'' is a science fiction novel by U.S. writer Ursula K. Le Guin. Published in 1969, it became immensely popular, and established Le Guin's status as a major author of science fiction. The novel is set in the fictiona ...

'' (1969, 47800, 95c)

Hugo Award The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention and chosen by its members. The Hugo is widely considered the premier a ...

and

winner; first edition of this title * Philip K. Dick - ''

The Preserving Machine ''The Preserving Machine'' is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Philip K. Dick. It was first published by Ace Books in 1969 with cover art by Leo and Diane Dillon as part of their Ace Science Fiction Specials series. ...

'' (1969, 67800, 95c) collection *

Avram Davidson Abraham, ; ar, , , name=, group= (originally Abram) is the common Hebrew patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, he is the founding father of the special relationship between the Jews ...

- ''The Island Under the Earth'' (1969, 37425, 75c) * John T. Sladek - ''Mechasm'' (1969, reissue from 1968, originally ''The Reproductive System'', 71435, 75c) *

- ''The Silent Multitude'' (1969, 76385, reissue from 1967, 75c) *

- ''The Palace of Eternity'' (1969, 65050, 75c) *

Keith Roberts Keith John Kingston Roberts (20 September 1935 – 5 October 2000) was an English science fiction author. He began publishing with two stories in the September 1964 issue of ''Science Fantasy'' magazine, "Anita" (the first of a series of stor ...

- ''Pavane'' (1969, reissue from 1968, 65430, 95c) *

Michael Moorcock Michael John Moorcock (born 18 December 1939) is an English writer, best-known for science fiction and fantasy, who has published a number of well-received literary novels as well as comic thrillers, graphic novels and non-fiction. He has work ...

- ''

The Black Corridor ''The Black Corridor'' is a science fiction novel by Michael Moorcock. It was published in 1969, first by Ace Books in the US, as part of their Ace Science Fiction Specials series, and later by Mayflower Books in the UK. It is essentially a ...

'' (1969, reissue from UK earlier in 1969, 06530, 75c) *

- ''

'' (1969, reissue from 1968, A-16, with "Nebula Award: Best SF Novel of the Year" on cover, 72781, 75c) *

- ''

Fourth Mansions ''Fourth Mansions'' is a science fiction novel by American author R. A. Lafferty, first published as an Ace Science Fiction Special in 1969. A UK hardcover was issued by Dennis Dobson in 1972, with a Star Books paperback following in 1977. A Fr ...

'' (1969, 24590, 75c) *

- ''The Steel Crocodile'' (1970, 78575, 75c) *

- '' And Chaos Died'' (1970, 02268, 75c) *

- '' The Phoenix and the Mirror'' (1970, reissue from 1969, 66100, 75c) *

Ron Goulart Ronald Joseph Goulart (; January 13, 1933 – January 14, 2022) was an American popular culture historian and mystery, fantasy, and science fiction author. He published novelizations and other work under various pseudonyms: Kenneth Robeson, Con ...

- ''After Things Fell Apart'' (1970, 00950, 75c) * Wilson Tucker - '' The Year of the Quiet Sun'' (1970, 94200, 75c) (Retroactive Campbell Award in 1976) *

- ''Nine Hundred Grandmothers'' (1970, 58050, 95c) collection *

- ''

A Wizard of Earthsea ''A Wizard of Earthsea'' is a fantasy novel written by American author Ursula K. Le Guin and first published by the small press Parnassus in 1968. It is regarded as a classic of children's literature and of fantasy, within which it is widely in ...

'' (1970, reissue from 1968, 90075, 75c) *

- ''Chronocules'' (1970, 10480, 75c) *

- ''One Million Tomorrows'' (1970, 62938, 75c) *

- '' Why Call Them Back from Heaven?'' (1970, reissue from 1968, 88601, 75c) * John Brunner - ''The Traveler in Black'' (1971, 82210 75c) *

Suzette Haden Elgin Suzette Haden Elgin (born Patricia Anne Suzette Wilkins; November 18, 1936 – January 27, 2015) was an American researcher in experimental linguistics, construction and evolution of languages and poetry and science fiction writer. She founded t ...

- ''Furthest'' (1971, 25950, 75c) *

Bruce McAllister Bruce McAllister (born 1946) is an American author of fantasy, science fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. He is known primarily for his short fiction. Over the years his short stories have been published in the major fantasy and science fiction m ...

- ''Humanity Prime'' (1971, 34900, 95c) *

- '' The Warlord of the Air'' (1971, reissue from UK earlier in 1971, 87060, 75c) *

Gerard F. Conway Gerard Francis Conway Thomas, Roy. "Roy's Rostrum" ("Bullpen Bulletins") in '' Marvel Super-Heroes'' #43 and other Marvel Comics cover-dated May 1974. (born September 10, 1952) is an American comic book writer, comic book editor, screenwriter, t ...

- ''The Midnight Dancers'' (1971, 52975, 75c) *

Gordon Eklund Gordon Eklund (born July 24, 1945 in Seattle, Washington) is an American science fiction author whose works include the "Lord Tedric" series and two of the earliest original novels based on the 1960s '' Star Trek'' TV series. He has written under ...

- ''The Eclipse of Dawn'' (1971, 18630, 75c) Carr had purchased eight more books for the line, which Ace later published after the series was terminated. The Aldiss volume had been delayed due to issues over Canadian publishing rights, and eventually appeared with the Carr-commissioned Dillon cover.Walker, Paul, ''Speaking of Science Fiction'', Luna Publications, 1978, p.186 *

Brian W. Aldiss Brian Wilson Aldiss (; 18 August 1925 – 19 August 2017) was an English writer, artist, and anthology editor, best known for science fiction novels and short stories. His byline reads either Brian W. Aldiss or simply Brian Aldiss, except for ...

- ''

Barefoot in the Head Barefoot is the state of not wearing any footwear. There are health benefits and some risks associated with going barefoot. Shoes, while they offer protection, can limit the flexibility, strength, and mobility of the foot and can lead to h ...

'' *

- ''The Missionaries'' *

- '' A Trace of Dreams'' *

Fritz Leiber Fritz Reuter Leiber Jr. ( ; December 24, 1910 – September 5, 1992) was an American writer of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He was also a poet, actor in theater and films, playwright, and chess expert. With writers such as Robert ...

- '' You're All Alone'' *

Barry N. Malzberg Barry Nathaniel Malzberg (born July 24, 1939) is an American writer and editor, most often of science fiction and fantasy. Biography Malzberg originated from a Jewish family and graduated from Syracuse University in 1960. He worked as an investi ...

- '' The Falling Astronauts'' *

Tom Purdom Thomas Edward Purdom (born 1936) is an American writer best known for science fiction and nonfiction. His story "Fossil Games" was a nominee for the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 2000. He has also done music criticism since 1988. His works hav ...

- '' The Barons of Behavior'' *

- ''

Other Days, Other Eyes Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), ...

'' *

Theodore Sturgeon Theodore Sturgeon (; born Edward Hamilton Waldo, February 26, 1918 – May 8, 1985) was an American fiction author of primarily fantasy, science fiction and horror, as well as a critic. He wrote approximately 400 reviews and more than 120 sh ...

- '' The Worlds of Theodore Sturgeon''

Series 2

This series was not edited by Terry Carr. * Mary Staton - ''From the Legend of Biel'' (1975, 25460) * D. D. Chapman and Deloris Lehman Tarzan - ''Red Tide'' (1975, 71160) *

Marion Zimmer Bradley Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley (June 3, 1930 – September 25, 1999) was an American author of fantasy, historical fantasy, science fiction, and science fantasy novels, and is best known for the Arthurian fiction novel ''The Mists of Avalon'' an ...

- ''Endless Voyage'' (1975, 20660) *

Stanislaw Lem Stanislav and variants may refer to: People *Stanislav (given name), a Slavic given name with many spelling variations (Stanislaus, Stanislas, Stanisław, etc.) Places * Stanislav, a coastal village in Kherson, Ukraine * Stanislaus County, Cali ...

- ''The Invincible'' (1975, 37170) *

Felix C. Gotschalk Felix C. Gotschalk (September 7, 1929 – April 20, 2002) was an American psychologist and science fiction writer with a distinct, idiosyncratic style, his work marked by energetic exploration of social and sexual taboos. Fiction Gotschalk wa ...

- ''Growing Up in Tier 3000'' (1975, 30420) * Walt Richmond and Leigh Richmond - ''Challenge the Hellmaker'' (1976, 10150) *

Thomas Burnett Swann Thomas Burnett Swann (October 12, 1928 - May 5, 1976) was an American poet, critic and fantasy author. His criticism includes works on the poetry of H.D. and Christina Rossetti. Poetry Swann's poetry consists largely of short, whimsical pieces ...

- ''Lady of the Bees'' (1976, 46850) *

- ''The Tournament of Thorns'' (1976, 81900) * William Barton - ''A Plague of All Cowards'' (1976, 66780) *

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (born September 15, 1942) is an American writer. She is known for her series of historical horror novels about the vampire Count Saint-Germain. Biography Yarbro was born in Berkeley, California. She attended Berkeley schoo ...

- ''Time of the Fourth Horseman'' (1976, 81189) *

- ''Orbitsville'' (1977, 63780)

Series 3

Terry Carr returned on a freelance basis to edit this series, all of them first novels. *

Kim Stanley Robinson Kim Stanley Robinson (born March 23, 1952) is an American writer of science fiction. He has published twenty-two novels and numerous short stories and is best known for his ''Mars'' trilogy. His work has been translated into 24 languages. Many ...

- ''The Wild Shore'' (1984, 88870) *

Carter Scholz Carter Scholz (né Robert Carter Scholz; born 1953) is an American speculative fiction author and composer of music. He lives in California. Biography Scholz grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey and graduated from Tenafly High School in 1971. He als ...

and Glenn Harcourt - ''Palimpsests'' (1984, 65065) *

Lucius Shepard Lucius Shepard (August 21, 1943 – March 18, 2014) was an American writer. Classified as a science fiction and fantasy writer, he often leaned into other genres, such as magical realism. Career Shepard was a native of Lynchburg, Virginia where ...

- '' Green Eyes'' (1984, 30274) *

Howard Waldrop Howard Waldrop (born September 15, 1946) is a science fiction author who works primarily in short fiction. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2021. Personal life Though born in Houston, Mississippi, Waldrop has spent ...

- ''

Them Bones "Them Bones" is a song by American rock band Alice in Chains. It is the opening track and the second single from their second album, ''Dirt'' (1992). "Them Bones" peaked at No. 24 on ''Billboards Mainstream Rock chart and at No. 30 on the A ...

'' (1984, 80557) *

William Gibson William Ford Gibson (born March 17, 1948) is an American-Canadian speculative fiction writer and essayist widely credited with pioneering the science fiction subgenre known as ''cyberpunk''. Beginning his writing career in the late 1970s, his ...

- ''

Neuromancer ''Neuromancer'' is a 1984 science fiction novel by American-Canadian writer William Gibson. Considered one of the earliest and best-known works in the cyberpunk genre, it is the only novel to win the Nebula Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and ...

'' (1984, 56956)

and

winner *

Michael Swanwick Michael Swanwick (born 18 November 1950) is an American fantasy and science fiction author who began publishing in the early 1980s. Writing career Swanwick's fiction writing began with short stories, starting in 1980 when he published "Ginungagap ...

- ''In the Drift'' (1985, 35869) *

Jack McDevitt Jack McDevitt (born April 14, 1935) is an American science fiction author whose novels frequently deal with attempts to make contact with alien races, and with archaeology or xenoarchaeology. Most of his books follow either superluminal pilot Pri ...

- ''The Hercules Text'' (1986, 37367) * Loren J. MacGregor - ''The Net'' (1987, 56941) *

Richard Kadrey Richard Kadrey (born August 27, 1957) is a San Francisco-based novelist, freelance writer, and photographer. Kadrey was born in New York City, New York. Fiction Kadrey has written fifteen novels, including ''The New York Times'' Best Seller ...

- ''Metrophage'' (1988, 52813) * Ted Reynolds - ''The Tides of God'' (1989, 80894) * Claudia O'Keefe - ''Black Snow Days'' (1990, 06689) *

Gregory Feeley Gregory Patrick Feeley is an American teacher, critic, essayist and author of speculative fiction, active in the field since 1972. He writes as Gregory Feeley, with some of his early works appearing under the name Greg Feeley. Biography Feeley res ...

- ''The Oxygen Barons'' (1990, 64571)

References

{{Reflist

External links

* Third serie

Lists of Ace Books books, SF Double Titles Science fiction book series