''Galaxy novels'', sometimes titled ''Galaxy Science Fiction Novels'', were a series of mostly reprint American

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 ...

novels published between 1950 and 1961. The series was started by

H.L. Gold Horace Leonard Gold (April 26, 1914 – February 21, 1996) was an American science fiction writer and editor. Born in Canada, Gold moved to the United States at the age of two. He was most noted for bringing an innovative and fresh approach to ...

, the editor of ''

Galaxy Science Fiction ''Galaxy Science Fiction'' was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published in Boston from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by a French-Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break into the American market. World Editi ...

'', in 1950 as a companion to the main ''Galaxy'' magazine. There was one (often abridged) novel per issue, which appeared in

digest size Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately , but can also be and , similar to the size of a DVD case. These sizes have evolved from the printin ...

format, which made the books in the series look like digest magazines. In 1959, after 35 issues, the series was sold to Beacon Books, which changed the format to mass-market (small size)

paperback A paperback (softcover, softback) book is one with a thick paper or paperboard cover, and often held together with adhesive, glue rather than stitch (textile arts), stitches or Staple (fastener), staples. In contrast, hardcover (hardback) book ...

and introduced its own numbering scheme, continuing the series for another 11 issues. They also had the contents of some books revised to add mild sexual content and changed their titles accordingly.

Publication details

The official publisher of ''Galaxy novels'' was ''World Editions, Inc.'' for issues 1 through 7 and '' Galaxy Publishing Corp.'' for issues 8 through 46. Both were based in New York City. Issues 1 through 23, 32, 33, and then 35 through 46 were published as ''Galaxy Science Fiction Novel'' while issues 24 through 31 and 34 were published as ''Galaxy Novel''.

Fred Pohl Frederik George Pohl Jr. (; November 26, 1919 – September 2, 2013) was an American science-fiction writer, editor, and fan, with a career spanning nearly 75 years—from his first published work, the 1937 poem "Elegy to a Dead Satelli ...

, who was editor of Galaxy Publishing Co. from 1960-1969, stated in 1967 that the book series showed a loss of $30,000 () between 1950 and 1958.

List of issues

# 1950

Eric Frank Russell Eric Frank Russell (January 6, 1905 – February 28, 1978) was a British writer best known for his science fiction novels and short stories. Much of his work was first published in the United States, in John W. Campbell's '' Astounding Science ...

. ''

Sinister Barrier ''Sinister Barrier'' is an English language science fiction novel by British writer Eric Frank Russell. The novel originally appeared in the magazine ''Unknown'' in 1939, the first novel to appear in its pages. It was first published in book fo ...

'' (1943) # 1950

Jack Williamson John Stewart Williamson (April 29, 1908 – November 10, 2006), who wrote as Jack Williamson, was an American list of science fiction authors, science fiction writer, often called the "Dean of Science Fiction". He is also credited with one of t ...

. '' The Legion of Space'' (1947) # 1951

Arthur C. Clarke Sir Arthur Charles Clarke (16 December 191719 March 2008) was an English science-fiction writer, science writer, futurist, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 film '' 2001: A Spac ...

. ''

Prelude to Space ''Prelude to Space'' is a science fiction novel written by British author Arthur C. Clarke, Arthur C. Clarke in 1947. It appeared for the first time in 1951 as a paperback from World Editions Inc, as number three in its series of Galaxy nove ...

'' (1951) # 1951

S. Fowler Wright Sydney Fowler Wright (6 January 1874 – 25 February 1965) was a British editor, poet, science fiction author, writer of screenplays, mystery fiction and works in other genres, as well as being an accountant and a conservative political activis ...

. ''The Amphibians'' (1925) # 1951

. ''The World Below'' (1949) # 1951

Raymond F. Jones Raymond Fisher Jones (15 November 1915 – 24 January 1994) was an American science fiction author. He is best known for his 1952 novel ''This Island Earth'', which was adapted into the eponymous 1955 film. Personal life Jones w ...

. ''The Alien'' (1951) # 1951

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 ...

. ''Empire'' (1951) # 1952

Olaf Stapledon William Olaf Stapledon (10 May 1886 – 6 September 1950) – known as Olaf Stapledon – was a British philosopher and author of science fiction.Andy Sawyer, " illiamOlaf Stapledon (1886-1950)", in Bould, Mark, et al, eds. ''Fifty Key Figures ...

. ''

Odd John ''Odd John: A Story Between Jest and Earnest'' is a 1935 science fiction novel by the British author Olaf Stapledon. The novel explores the theme of the ''Übermensch'' (superman) in the character of John Wainwright, whose supernormal human me ...

'' (1936) # 1952

William F. Temple William Frederick Temple (9 March 1914 – 15 July 1989) was a British science fiction writer, best known for authoring the novel-turned-film '' Four Sided Triangle''. Early life and career Temple was born in Woolwich in 1914.Mike Ashley, "Intr ...

. ''Four Sided Triangle'' (1949) # 1952

Jay Franklin John Franklin Carter a.k.a. Jay Franklin a.k.a. Diplomat a.k.a. Unofficial Observer (1897–1967) was an American journalist, columnist, biographer and novelist. He notably wrote the syndicated column, "We the People", under his pen name Jay ...

. ''Rat Race'' (1950) # 1952 Wilson Tucker. ''The City in the Sea'' (1951) # 1952

Sam Merwin, Jr. Samuel Kimball Merwin Jr. (April 28, 1910 - January 13, 1996) was an American mystery fiction writer, editor and science fiction author. His pseudonyms included Elizabeth Deare Bennett, Matt Lee, Jacques Jean Ferrat and Carter Sprague. Biog ...

''The House of Many Worlds'' (1951) # 1953

John Taine Eric Temple Bell (7 February 1883 – 21 December 1960) was a Scottish-born mathematician and science fiction writer who lived in the United States for most of his life. He published non-fiction using his given name and fiction as John Tai ...

. ''Seeds of Life'' (1953) # 1953

Isaac Asimov yi, יצחק אזימאװ , birth_date = , birth_place = Petrovichi, Russian SFSR , spouse = , relatives = , children = 2 , death_date = , death_place = Manhattan, New York City, U.S. , nationality = Russian (1920–1922)Soviet (192 ...

. ''

Pebble in the Sky ''Pebble in the Sky'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Isaac Asimov, published in 1950. This work is his first novel — parts of the ''Foundation'' series had appeared from 1942 onwards in magazines, but ''Foundation'' was not pu ...

'' (1950) # 1953 Leslie Mitchell. '' Three Go Back'' (1932) # 1953

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 ...

. ''The Warriors of Day'' (1953) # 1953

Lewis Padgett Lewis Padgett was the joint pseudonym of the science fiction authors and spouses Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore,Nicholls 1979, p. 445. taken from their mothers' maiden names. They also used the pseudonyms Lawrence O'Donnell and C. H. Liddell, as wel ...

. ''Well of the Worlds'' (1952 in ''

Startling Stories ''Startling Stories'' was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1955 by publisher Ned Pines' Standard Magazines. It was initially edited by Mort Weisinger, who was also the editor of ''Thrilling Wonder Stories'', S ...

'', March 1952) # 1953

Edmond Hamilton Edmond Moore Hamilton (October 21, 1904 – February 1, 1977) was an American writer of science fiction during the mid-twentieth century. Early life Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was raised there and in nearby New Castle, Pennsylvania. So ...

. ''City at World's End'' (1951) # 1953

. ''Jack of Eagles'' (1952) # 1954

Murray Leinster Murray Leinster (June 16, 1896 – June 8, 1975) was a pen name of William Fitzgerald Jenkins, an American writer of genre fiction, particularly of science fiction. He wrote and published more than 1,500 short stories and articles, 14 movie ...

. ''The Black Galaxy'' (1949) # 1954

. ''The Humanoids'' (1949, expansion of "With Folded Hands...", in ''

Astounding Science Fiction ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William C ...

'' July 1947) # 1954

''Killer To Come'' (1953) # 1954

David Reed David Reed may refer to: Entertainment * David Vern Reed (1924–1989), American comics writer * David E. Reed (1927–1990), ''Reader's Digest'' editor * David Reed (artist) (born 1946), American artist * David Jay Reed (born 1950), artist * Da ...

. ''Murder in Space'' # 1955

L. Sprague de Camp Lyon Sprague de Camp (; November 27, 1907 – November 6, 2000) was an American writer of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and works of non-fiction, including biog ...

. ''

Lest Darkness Fall ''Lest Darkness Fall'' is an alternate history science fiction novel written in 1939 by American author L. Sprague de Camp. Alternate history author Harry Turtledove has said it sparked his interest in the genre as well as his desire to study ...

'' (1939–1941) # 1955

. ''The Last Spaceship'' # 1956

. ''Chessboard Planet'' # 1956

Malcolm Jameson Malcolm Routh Jameson (December 21, 1891 – April 16, 1945), commonly known as Malcolm Jameson, was an American science fiction author. An officer in the US Navy, he was active in American pulp magazines during the Golden Age of Science Fic ...

. ''Tarnished Utopia'' (1956, originally in ''

'', March 1942) # 1957

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 ...

. '' Destiny Times Three'' # 1957 Ron Hubbard. ''Fear'' # 1957

Fletcher Pratt Murray Fletcher Pratt (25 April 1897 – 10 June 1956) was an American writer of history, science fiction, and fantasy. He is best known for his works on naval history and the American Civil War and for fiction written with L. Sprague de Camp. ...

. ''

Double Jeopardy In jurisprudence, double jeopardy is a procedural defence (primarily in common law jurisdictions) that prevents an accused person from being tried again on the same (or similar) charges following an acquittal or conviction and in rare case ...

'' # 1957

C.L. Moore Catherine Lucille Moore (January 24, 1911 – April 4, 1987) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer, who first came to prominence in the 1930s writing as C. L. Moore. She was among the first women to write in the science fiction and ...

. ''

Shambleau "Shambleau" is a short story by American science fiction and fantasy writer C. L. Moore. Though it was her first professional sale, it is her most famous story. It first appeared in the November 1933 issue of ''Weird Tales'' and has been reprinte ...

'' # 1957 F.L. Wallace. ''Address: Centauri'' # 1958

Hal Clement Harry Clement Stubbs (May 30, 1922 – October 29, 2003), better known by the pen name Hal Clement, was an American science fiction writer and a leader of the hard science fiction subgenre. He also painted astronomically oriented artworks under ...

. ''

Mission of Gravity ''Mission of Gravity'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Hal Clement. The novel was serialized in '' Astounding Science Fiction'' magazine in April–July 1953. Its first hardcover book publication was in 1954, and it was first publis ...

'' # 1958

Manly Wade Wellman Manly Wade Wellman (May 21, 1903 – April 5, 1986) was an American writer. While his science fiction and fantasy stories appeared in such pulps as ''Astounding Stories'', ''Startling Stories'', ''Unknown'' and ''Strange Stories'', Wellman is ...

. ''Twice in Time'' # 1958 Frank Riley and

Mark Clifton Mark Clifton (1906–1963) was an American science fiction writer, the co-winner of the second Hugo Award for best novel. He began publishing in May 1952 with the widely anthologized story "What Have I Done?". Series About half of his work fa ...

. ''The Forever Machine'' # 1959 (236)

. ''

'' (1936, second time, see above) # 1959 (242)

. ''The Deviates'' # 1959 (256)

George O. Smith George Oliver Smith (April 9, 1911 – May 27, 1981) (also known by the pseudonym Wesley Long) was an American science fiction author. He is not to be confused with George H. Smith, another American science fiction author. Biography Smith was ...

. ''Troubled Star'' # 1959 (263)

Laurence Janifer Laurence M. Janifer (born Laurence M. Harris; March 17, 1933 – July 10, 2002) was an American science fiction author, with a career spanning over 50 years. Biography Janifer was born in Brooklyn, New York with the surname of ''Harris'', but ...

(as "Larry M. Harris") and

Randall Garrett Gordon Randall Phillip David GarrettGarrett, Randall
in ''

Poul Anderson Poul William Anderson (November 25, 1926 – July 31, 2001) was an American fantasy and science fiction author who was active from the 1940s until the 21st century. Anderson wrote also historical novels. His awards include seven Hugo Awards and ...

. ''Virgin Planet'' # 1960 (277)

Philip José Farmer Philip José Farmer (January 26, 1918 – February 25, 2009) was an American author known for his science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. Obituary. Farmer is best known for his sequences of novels, especially the ''World of Tiers ...

. ''

Flesh Flesh is any aggregation of soft tissues of an organism. Various multicellular organisms have soft tissues that may be called "flesh". In mammals, including humans, ''flesh'' encompasses muscle Skeletal muscles (commonly referred to as mu ...

'' (1960) # 1960 (284)

''The Sex War'' (1960, expansion of "The White Widows" in ''

'', October 1953) # 1960 (291)

. ''A Woman A Day'' (1960, expansion of "Moth and Rust" in June 1953 ''

'') # 1960 (298)

A. E. van Vogt Alfred Elton van Vogt ( ; April 26, 1912 – January 26, 2000) was a Canadian-born American science fiction author. His fragmented, bizarre narrative style influenced later science fiction writers, notably Philip K. Dick. He was one of the ...

, ''The Mating Cry'' (1960, revision of ''The House That Stood Still'', 1950) # 1961 (305)

Brian 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 ...

, ''The Male Response'' (1961) # 1961 (312)

Cyril Judd Cyril Judd was a joint pseudonym used by American writers Cyril M. Kornbluth and Judith Merril for their two novels:

. ''Sin in Space'' (1952, originally as ''Outpost Mars'')

References

Stephen T. Miller & William G. Contento. ''Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Weird Fiction: 1890-2001 A Checklist of Magazine Titles and Issues Indexed Magazine Index: 1890-2001''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Galaxy Novels Science fiction novel series