John Jeremy Pierce (born 1941) is an 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 ...

editor Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, orga ...

, historian and critic.

Career

Pierce published the science fiction fanzine ''Renaissance'' from 1968 through 1974, and was an outspoken critic of the New Wave. In the 1970s he edited '' The Best of Murray Leinster'', '' The Best of Cordwainer Smith'' and '' The Best of Raymond Z. Gallun'' for Del Rey Books. In 1977–78, he was named editor of ''

Galaxy A galaxy is a system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, dark matter, bound together by gravity. The word is derived from the Greek ' (), literally 'milky', a reference to the Milky Way galaxy that contains the Solar System. ...

'' at a time when the magazine was in financial trouble, an experience he later recounted in '' Thirteen Months of Torment''. After leaving ''Galaxy'', Pierce focused on a four-volume (1987–1994) critical history of science fiction under the general title, "A Study in Imagination and Evolution", adopting a conceptual framework, as opposed to a strictly chronological approach, and using parallels with biological evolution and dialectics to characterize the evolution of the genre as a whole. As of 2012, he was working on a revised and updated version. He has written critical essays and book introductions on Cordwainer Smith, and essays on ''

Twin Peaks ''Twin Peaks'' is an American Mystery fiction, mystery serial drama television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on American Broadcasting Company, ABC on April 8, 1990, and originally ran for two seasons until its cance ...

'' and ''

The X-Files ''The X-Files'' is an American science fiction on television, science fiction drama (film and television), drama television series created by Chris Carter (screenwriter), Chris Carter. The series revolves around Federal Bureau of Investigation ...

'' for the fanzines ''

Wrapped in Plastic Wrap, WRAP or Wrapped may refer to: Storage and preservation * Gift wrap or wrap paper, used to enclose a present * Overwrap, a wrapping of items in a package or a wrapping over packages * Plastic wrap, a thin, clear, flexible plastic used to co ...

'' and ''Spectrum'' and has had other articles published in ''The New York Review of Science Fiction and Science Fiction Studies''. Besides works related to science fiction and popular culture, he is the author of a family history, ''The Children of Levi Peacock'' (2002).

Personal life

Pierce is the son of

John Robinson Pierce John Robinson Pierce (March 27, 1910 – April 2, 2002), was an American engineer and author. He did extensive work concerning radio communication, microwave technology, computer music, psychoacoustics, and science fiction. Additionally to his ...

, the engineer, scientist (and science fiction writer) who coined the word "transistor". He is married to Marcia (née Feinbaum), widow of Arata Suzuki, and lives in Ramsey, New Jersey. He works as an editor at two trade magazines, '' Private Label'' and '' Quick Frozen Foods International''.

References

External links

* * http://theseventyyearitch.blogspot.com/ (Personal Blog) {{DEFAULTSORT:Pierce, John J. 1941 births American science fiction writers American speculative fiction critics Living people Science fiction critics American science fiction editors American male novelists American male non-fiction writers