Sword and sorcery (S&S) or heroic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent adventures. Elements of romance, magic, and the supernatural are also often present. Unlike works of high fantasy, the tales, though dramatic, focus on personal battles rather than world-endangering matters. Sword and sorcery commonly overlaps with heroic fantasy. The genre originated from the early-1930s works of Robert E. Howard. The term "sword and sorcery" was coined by Fritz Leiber in the May 1961 issue of the fantasy fanzine Amra, to describe Howard and the stories that were influenced by his works. In parallel with "sword and sorcery", the term "heroic fantasy" is used, although it is a more loosely defined genre.
Gordon Rupert Dickson was a Canadian-American science fiction writer. He was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2000.
Planetary romance is a subgenre of science fiction in which the bulk of the action consists of adventures on one or more exotic alien planets, characterized by distinctive physical and cultural backgrounds. Some planetary romances take place against the background of a future culture where travel between worlds by spaceship is commonplace; others, particularly the earliest examples of the genre, do not, and invoke flying carpets, astral projection, or other methods of getting between planets. In either case, it is the planetside adventures which are the focus of the story, not the mode of travel.
Earthman's Burden is a collection of science fiction stories by American writers Poul Anderson and Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Gnome Press in 1957. The stories involve a teddy bear-like alien race known as Hokas, and spoof a variety of fictional genres.
Danger—Human is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Doubleday in 1970. It was subsequently published by DAW Books, in 1973, as The Book of Gordon Dickson. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Astounding, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, If, Galaxy Science Fiction and Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Mutants is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Macmillan in 1970. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Astounding, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Galaxy Science Fiction and Fantasy and Science Fiction.
The Star Road is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Doubleday in 1973. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Amazing Stories, Astounding, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Galaxy Science Fiction, Worlds of Tomorrow and Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Gordon R. Dickson's SF Best is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Dell in 1978 and was edited by James R. Frenkel. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Satellite and If.
In Iron Years is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Doubleday in 1980. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, If, Galaxy Science Fiction and Astounding.
Hoka! is a collection of science fiction stories by American writers Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson, a sequel to Earthman's Burden. It was first published by Wallaby in 1983. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction and Analog Science Fiction and Fact.
Survival! is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1984. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Astounding, Fantasy and Science Fiction, If, Imagination, Fantastic, Infinity Science Fiction, Future and Venture
Dickson! is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by NESFA Press in 1984 and was issued in honor of Dickson's appearance as guest of honor at the 42nd World Science Fiction Convention. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines SFWA Bulletin, Astounding, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Science Fiction Stories. The book contains introduction to each story by Sandra Miesel.
Forward! is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1985, and was edited by Sandra Miesel. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Galaxy Science Fiction, Other Worlds, Fantasy and Science Fiction and Orbit.
Invaders! is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1985 and was edited by Sandra Miesel. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Astounding, Cosmos, Orbit, Planet Stories, If, Fantasy and Science Fiction and Space Stories.
The Last Dream is a collection of fantasy and science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1986. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Fantastic, Startling Stories and Worlds of Fantasy.
The Man the Worlds Rejected is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1986. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Planet Stories, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, If, Fantastic Universe and Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Mindspan is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1986. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, Venture, Startling Stories, Galaxy Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact and Worlds of Tomorrow.
The Stranger is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1987. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, Satellite, Imagination, Astounding, Saturn, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Fantastic, Science Fiction Stories, Future and If.
Beginnings is a collection of science fiction stories and poems by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1988. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Astounding, Future, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Fantastic, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Galaxy Science Fiction, Fantastic Universe and Worlds of Tomorrow. The poems first appeared in The Final Encyclopedia.
Guided Tour is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1988. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, Astounding, Planet Stories, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Future, Science Fiction Stories, If, Galaxy Science Fiction, Imagination, Fantastic Universe and Fantastic Story Magazine.
