Barton Paul Levenson (born May 9, 1960) is an

American writer American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry ...

of science fiction, fantasy and the

macabre In works of art, the adjective macabre ( or ; ) means "having the quality of having a grim or ghastly atmosphere". The macabre works to emphasize the details and symbols of death. The term also refers to works particularly gruesome in natu ...

.''Art & Prose'', October 2007, p. 40. No. 61 Showcase Writer, Interview with B.P. Levenson He is author of eight novels and over 80 short stories, articles, reviews and other publications.

Background

Levenson was born in

Chapel Hill, North Carolina Chapel Hill is a town in Orange, Durham and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Its population was 61,960 in the 2020 census, making Chapel Hill the 17th-largest municipality in the state. Chapel Hill, Durham, and the state ca ...

. He started writing in 1974. He is a 1983 graduate of the

University of Pittsburgh The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a public state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university is composed of 17 undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges at its urban Pittsburgh campus, home to the universit ...

He became a

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

in 1984. His first work of fiction was a short story, "Twenty Peasants", published in ''

Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine ''Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine'' was a quarterly fantasy magazine founded and initially edited by American writer Marion Zimmer Bradley. Fifty issues appeared from summer 1988 through December 2000. It was published by MZB Enterprises ...

'' in 1991. Levenson is a two-time winner of the "Confluence Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story Contest" for "Virtual Bridges" and "Reality Forbidden". He is a long-standing member of one of Pittsburgh's oldest science-fiction and fantasy writer's workshops,

Carnegie-Mellon University Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of its predecessors was established in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools; it became the Carnegie Institute of Technology ...

-based Pittsburgh Worldwrights, which includes

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

science fiction writer

Kenneth Chiacchia Kenneth Chiacchia (born December 29, 1961 in Hackensack, NJ) is an American writer in the fantasy and science fiction genre. Biography Chiacchia was born in Hackensack, NJ. He earned a PhD in biochemistry, at the Harvard University Graduate ...

among its members. He is a former member of the

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, doing business as Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, commonly known as SFWA ( or ) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. While ...

. Levenson's first separate novel in paperback format, ''I Will'', was released in June 2010. " One of Levenson's characters, Khuminay, returned in "Khuminay and the Servant" in ''Cosmic Crime Stories'' and "Khuminay and the Axe-Wielding Psycho", which appeared in ''Electric Spec''. This followed his novel ''Year of the Human''.

Style

Reviewers consider Levenson's writing complex. It is often in the first-person and it sometimes takes on other genders or

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

. Levenson's works often contain Christian

parables A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, w ...

, cat-like aliens and complex scientific concepts. Levenson's focus on science fiction started when he was eight years old, when his parents took him to the film '' 2001: A Space Odyssey'' He described his writing process in a 2010 interview with author Sonya Clark, stating that he starts writing with either a broad plot outline in mind, or even one daydreamed scene. Often, the process will fail and the result is an incomplete work. His work is inspired by authors ranging from

C.S. Lewis CS, C-S, C.S., Cs, cs, or cs. may refer to: Job titles * Chief Secretary (Hong Kong) * Chief superintendent, a rank in the British and several other police forces * Company secretary, a senior position in a private sector company or public se ...

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wide ...

. In "The Closet" ''Chiaroscuro'', 2003, humankind's unwillingness to accept the consequences of their own choices is examined. Several of his stories are based in

, often in different eras. For example; in "The Boogie-Woogie, Time-Traveling, Cyborg Blues", Pittsburgh in the 1930s is the back-drop.

Controversy

One of Levenson's most cited essays, "The Ideology of Robert A. Heinlein" has been reprinted in several languages (See Essays below). Levenson argues that Heinlein was making a case for the value of fascism. Levenson has been writing about climate issues for many years often o
Researchgate
where he has a questionable reputation. His colloquies can often be found on: Real Climate Levenson's first peer-reviewed scientific article as sole author was published in 2011: "Planet Temperatures with Surface Cooling Parameterized" in ''

Advances in Space Research ''Advances in Space Research'' is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that is published 24 times per year by Elsevier. It was established in 1981 and is the official journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). The editor-in-chief is Pas ...

'' 47, 2044–2048, a COSPAR Publication of Elsevier, cited below. Levenson's Japan-themed story: "Temple Cat", cited below, is reprinted in the charity anthology: "Healing Waves" from Sky Warrior Book Publishing and edited by Phyllis Irene Radford, who is donating all proceeds from the sales to disaster relief in Japan.

Bibliography

Novels

*''Another Century''. RoseDog Books, 2022. *''Recovering Gretel''. Kindle Direct Publishing, 2020 *''Dark Gods of Alter Telluria''. Barking Rain Press, 2016 *''The Celibate Succubus''. Barking Rain Press, 2013 *''Year of the Human''. Solstice Publishing, February 2012 *''Max and Me''. Lyrical Press, June 2010."Lyrical Press", cited above. *''I Will''. Virtual Tales, June 2010. *''Ella the Vampire''. Lyrical Press, December 2008 (See discussion of the basis of the novel).

Novellas

*"Parole". Lyrical Press: March 2009

Short fiction

*"Chetwood's Unfortunate Connexion". In the 2022 anthology, ''Mermaidens'', Ed. Matthew F. Amati, et. al. *"Communication". In the 2022 anthology, ''Touching the Face of the Cosmos--On the Intersection of Space Travel and Religion. #2.'', Ed.

Paul Levinson Paul Levinson (born March 25, 1947) is an American author, singer-songwriter, and professor of communications and media studies at Fordham University in New York City. His novels, short fiction, and non-fiction works have been translated into ...

and Michael Waltemathe. *"Elf Magic". In the 2021 anthology, ''Things With Feathers: Stories of Hope'', by Third Flatiron Anthologies. *" Alarmists". Every Day Fiction, October 4, 2021 *"Chetwood's Unfortunate Connexion". Tell-Tale Press, September 2019. *"Kim and the Mantas" ''Abyss & Apex'', September 19, 2017 *"Pen Pals" ''Expanded Horizons'', Issue 56 August 2017 *"Buttons" ''

Space and Time Space and Time or Time and Space, or ''variation'', may refer to: * ''Space and time'' or ''time and space'' or ''spacetime'', any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single interwoven continuum * Philosophy of space and time Sp ...

'', #129, Summer 2017 *"Triangle" ''Perihelion SF'', June 2016 *"Stealing a Starship" ''Electric Spec'', 2015 *"Aquilonia, My Zelky" ''Perihelion SF'', 2015 *"Khuminay and the Axe-Wielding Psycho" ''Electric Spec'', 2014 *"Changing the Past", ''Daily SF'', August 27, 2014 *"Investigation of Murder" Stone Thread Publishing, Anthology – ''The Least He Could Do'', 2013, *"In the Machine" Stone Thread Publishing, Anthology – ''Things You Can Create'', 2013 *"Henry Fairfield" ''Cosmos Online'', Luna Media Pty Ltd, 2013 *"The Commoner and the Queen". ''Anotherrealm'', 2013 *"Lifting" ''Cosmos Online'', Luna Media Pty Ltd, 2012 *"Arlena's House" ''Interstellar Fiction'', 2012 *"The Beautiful Young Man" ''Vampires 2'', 2012 *"The Wall" Anotherrealm, 2012 *"Sheep Lie!" Ray Gun Revival 2011http://www.raygunrevival.com/ *"Ballad" Ray Gun Revival 2011 *"Sophie and the Supernova". in the anthology ''Cheer Up, Universe!'' (paperback) Whortleberry Press 2011 *"Gauntlet" ''Andromeda Spaceways In-flight Magazine'' (Australia) 2011 *"Brianna the Pie Girl" in the anthology: ''WTF?!'', Pink Narcissus Press, 2011 *"Khuminay and the Servant" in ''Cosmic Crime Stories'', published by Karen L. Newman July 2011. *"An Exercise in Logic" in the anthology ''Infinite Space, Infinite God II'' (paperback) 2011 *"Khuminay and the Shapeshifter" in the anthology ''Space Cops'', compiled by David Reilly June 2009. *"The Boogie-Woogie, Time-Traveling, Cyborg Blues" ''Electric Spec'' February 2009 *"Colonizing Mars" ''M-Brane'' 2008 *"The Primitives" ''Wrong World'' (Audio) 2008 *"Second Visit" ''Whispering Spirits'' Issue Number 19 – November 20, 2008 *"Raid" ''Atomjack'' Issue Number 11 – August 2008 *"Wisdom". ''Anathema'' On-Line Anthology, January 2008 *"Wifey". ''Written Word'', Holiday Edition 2007 *"The Fate of the Crystal Eye". In the anthology ''Forbidden Speculation'' (2007) *"Side Trip". ''Science Fiction Trails'', No. 2, 2007 *"Katie Belle". ''Whispering Spirits'', October 2007 *"Dedication Day". ''Art & Prose'', October 2007 *"The Rescue". ''Beyond Centauri'', Issue 18, 2007 *"Problem in Logic". ''Staffs & Starships'', Issue 1, 2007 *"The Extraordinary Circumstances On Board H.M.S. Steadfast". ''Cicada'', January–February 2007. *"The Curse". In the anthology ''Shadow Regions''(2006) *"Rain and Revenge". ''RAGE Machine'' Issue #2, March 2006 *"The Intruder". In the anthology, ''Travel Guide to the Haunted Mid-Atlantic Region''(2006) *"Pet Cat". In the anthology ''Animal Magnetism'' (2005) *"All the Horrible Dragons". ''The Sword Review'', December 2005. *"Undead". ''Insidious Reflections'', July 2005. *"The Problem of Pain". ''The Sword Review'', July 2005
Forum
*"The Horror in the Monkey-Squeezing Room". ScienceFictionFantasyHorror.com, June 2005. *"Temple Cat". ''Cricket'', Vol. 32 Issue 10, p20-26, June 2005. *"The Closet". ''Chiaroscuro'', March 2003, see also podcast Read by British actor Alasdair Stuart Pluggd TV . *"Writer's Block". ''Dark Seasons'', January 2003. *"Along with Captain Gooding". ''Future Orbits'', Vander Neut Publications LLC June 2002. *"Scrunched Up". ''Future Orbits'', Vander Neut Publications LLC February 2002. *"Sometimes We Lie". ''Eternity On-Line'', March 2000
Reprinted in the anthology Leaps of Faith 2003, (Writer's Cafe Press.)
*"The Physics of Space Beer Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Clones"
Maelstrom, April 1999.
*"Reality Forbidden"
Confluence Program Book 1998 (First Prize Winner).
*"Virtual Bridges"
Confluence Program Book 1997 (First Prize Winner).
*"Twenty Peasants". ''Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine'', August 1991.

Short fiction (unpublished)

*"The Starship Pilot", scheduled for the anthology 'Warrior Wisewoman IV', Roby James Editor, 2012

Poems

*"Disobedient" ''

Apex Magazine ''Apex Magazine'', also previously known as ''Apex Digest'', is an American horror and science fiction magazine. This subscription webzine, ''Apex Magazine'', contains short fiction, reviews, and interviews. It has been nominated for several awa ...

'' January 13, 2017 *"Do Red Dwarfs Have Habitable Planets?" ''Astropoetica'' Volume 7.1, Spring 2009 *"Off-Topic". ''Astropoetica'' Volume 4.2, Spring 2006

Essays

*"The Ideology of Robert A. Heinlein". ''The New York Review of Science Fiction'', June 1998. Reprinted in ''Gigamesh'' (Spain) 1999; reprinted in ''Ikarie'' (Czech Republic) 2003. "In a scorching analysis, Barton Paul Levenson has attempted to show that his obert A. Heinlein'sfinal point was a version of fascism (Levenson, 1998)." p. 59, X, Y, Z, T: Damien Broderick

Book reviews

*"A Soldier's Duty (Theirs Not to Reason Why) by Jean Johnson". ''The New York Review of Science Fiction'', December 2020 . Literary Criticism by Barton Paul Levenson *"S. L. Viehl's ''Stardoc''. ''The New York Review of Science Fiction'', November 2002. *"Jeffrey Sackett's ''Candlemas Eve''. ''The New York Review of Science Fiction'', March 2001. *"James White's ''The Dream Millennium''. ''The New York Review of Science Fiction'', April 1999.

Non-fiction and scientific

*" Probability or determinism: How rare is ETI? ". Levenson, B.P. 2022. ''

Journal of the British Interplanetary Society The ''Journal of the British Interplanetary Society'' (''JBIS'') is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal that was established in 1934. The journal covers research on astronautics and space science and technology, including spacecraft design, ...

,J. Brit. Interplanet. Soc.'', 75, 348-356. *" A demonstration that frictional heating of Earth is trivial ". Levenson, B.P. 2022. ''

Physics Education Physics education refers to the methods currently used to teach physics. Physics Education Research refers to an area of pedagogical research that seeks to improve those methods. Historically, physics has been taught at the high school and colleg ...

,Phys. Ed. 57, 065025'' *" Habitable Zones with an Earth Climate History Model ". Levenson, B.P. 2021. ''

Planetary and Space Science ''Planetary and Space Science'' (P&SS), published 15 times per year, is a peer-reviewed scientific journal established in 1959. It publishes original research articles along with short communications (letters). The main topic is Solar System proc ...

'', 206 *"A Catalog of Smaller Planets". Levenson, B.P. 2019. '' Earth, Moon, and Planets'', 122, 83-93 *''Theory of Habitable Planets'' self-publication, August 7, 2017 *"Why Hart Found Narrow Ecospheres--A Minor Science Mystery Solved". Levenson, B.P. 2015. ''

Astrobiology Astrobiology, and the related field of exobiology, is an interdisciplinary scientific field that studies the origins, early evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Astrobiology is the multidisciplinary field that investig ...

'', 15, 327-330 *"Planet Temperatures with Surface Cooling Parameterized". Levenson, B.P. 2011. ''

'', 47, 2044–2048. *"Analysis of the August 17, 1989 Total Lunar Eclipse". ''The Strolling Astronomer'' (J. Am. Lunar Planetary Soc.) 38, 61–64. Graham, Francis G. and B.P. Levenson 1995. *"An Examination of Jules Verne's Moon Gun, 'Columbiad. ''Selenology 7'', 19–21. Levenson, B.P. 1988. *"Social Design Considerations for a Lunar Colony". ''Selenology 6'', 22–28. Levenson, B.P. 1987. *"Statistical Data on Orthoselection for Intelligence". ''Tripolitan'' (J. Tripoli Sci. Assn.) 15, 5–10. Levenson, B.P. 1983.

Awards

*"StorySouth Million Writers Award" 2009 Notable Stories 2009 "The Boogie-Woogie, Time-Traveling, Cyborg Blues" by Barton Paul Levenson

Reviews

*A Succubi's Tale – "A Review of The Celibate Succubus by Barton Paul Levenson" ''Tera'' December 22, 2013 *Rise Reviews – "I Will by Barton Paul Levenson" ''Beatrice Underwood-Sweet'' January 1, 2011 *Toni V. Sweeney – "Max and Me by Barton Paul Levinson" ''Toni V. Sweeney'' August 19, 2010 *Bookwenches – "Max and Me" ''Bobby D. Whitney'' August 17, 2010 *Manic Readers – "Ella The Vampire" ''Stacey'' May 2, 2010 *Marginalia – "The Boogie-Woogie, Time-Traveling, Cyborg Blues" ''Boudica'' June 16, 2009 *E Book Guru – "Parole" ''Staff'' March 23, 2009 *You Gotta Read Reviews – "Parole" ''Stephanie'' March 12, 2009 *Emmatyville – "Parole" ''Emma Wayne Porter'' March 2, 2009 *Dark Diva Reviews – "Ella The Vampire" ''Jennifer Campbell'' February 23, 2009 *You Gotta Read Reviews – "Ella The Vampire" ''Tami'' February 22, 2009 *Literary Nymphs – "Parole" ''Scandalous Minx'' February 18, 2009 *Toasted Scimitar – "Raid" ''Staff'' August 12, 2008 *Blogtide Rising – "Problem in Logic" ''Deven D Atkinson'' January 4, 2008 *Horror World – "The Curse" ''Joe Kroeger'' January 2007 *

Tangent Online ''Tangent Online'' is an online magazine launched in its online incarnation in 1997, though it began as a print magazine in 1993. ''Tangent Online'' is edited by Dave Truesdale, with web-hoster Eric James Stone. The magazine covers reviews of sci ...

– "All the Horrible Dragons" ''Paul Abbamondi'' October 14, 2006 *Oz Horror Scope (Australia) – "The Curse" ''Miranda Siemienowicz'' August 9, 2006 *Tangent Online – "The Curse" ''Janice Clark'' December 24, 2005

Interviews

*"The Celibate Succubus: Barton Paul Levenson" ''Book Signing at Rickert and Beagle Books, Dormont, Pennsylvania'', November 16, 2013 "Barton Paul Levenson Book Signing" – YouTube *"Monday's Friend: Barton Paul Levenson" ''Imaginary Friends'', Sara Jayne Townsend, July 8, 2013 *"Books and Tales Author Interview: Barton Paul Levenson" ''Books and Tales'', Annette Gisby, May 30, 2012 *"Page Readers Talks with Barton Paul Levenson" ''BlogTalkRadio – Hosted by Page Readers'', February 2010 *"Interview with B.P. Levenson" ''Art & Prose'', October 2007, p. 40. #61 Showcase Writer

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Levenson, Barton Paul Living people 1960 births 21st-century American male writers 21st-century American novelists 21st-century American short story writers American male novelists American male short story writers American science fiction writers Novelists from Pennsylvania People from Chapel Hill, North Carolina Writers from Pittsburgh