Ted White (author)

Last updated

Ted White
Ted-White-2007.jpg
Ted White, 2007
BornTheodore Edwin White
(1938-02-04) February 4, 1938 (age 86)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Pen name(with Dave van Arnam) Ron Archer
(with Terry Carr) Norman Edwards
OccupationAuthor, editor
Notable works Invasion from 2500
Notable awards Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer, 1968
Spouse
Sylvia Dees
(divorced)

Theodore Edwin White (born February 4, 1938) is an American science fiction writer, editor and fan, as well as a music critic. He writes and edits as Ted White. In addition to books and stories written under his own name, he has also co-authored novels with Dave van Arnam as Ron Archer, and with Terry Carr as Norman Edwards. He won a Hugo Award in 1968.

Contents

Author, editor, critic and DJ

Fandom origins

Since the time he was a teenager, White has been a prolific contributor to science fiction fanzines, and in 1968 he won the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer. His skill as an essayist is evident in "The Bet", a memoir of a tense day in 1960 when a dispute over a record owned by music critic Linda Solomon prompted fellow science fiction writer Harlan Ellison to bet his entire record collection against a single record in White's collection, and then renege on the deal. [1]

Despite his considerable professional credits, White maintains that his achievements in fandom mean more to him than anything else he has done. In 1953, he edited and published Zip, the first of many fanzines he published over the following decades. [2] In 1956–57, he co-edited Stellar with Larry Stark, followed by Void when he joined the founding editors, Gregory Benford and James Benford (1960), Minac, Egoboo and others. In addition to helping others publish their own fanzines, he was a regular columnist in Yandro and Richard E. Geis' Psychotic/SF Review. He also has been active in numerous fan events, such as organizing the 1967 World Science Fiction Convention in New York as co-chairman. As of 2018, he was still active on several of the fandom- and fanzine-oriented electronic mailing lists.

Radio

From 1977 into 1979, as Dr. Progresso, he did the Friday afternoon Dr. Progresso radio show on WGTB-FM (90.1).

Music critic

In 1959, at the age of 21, White moved from Falls Church, Virginia, to New York City with his first wife, Sylvia Dees White. That year, he began writing music criticism for Metronome and a column for Tom Wilson's Jazz Guide (later 33 Guide). As a music critic, he expanded into jazz writing and journalism for Rogue , along with LP liner notes, concert reviews and interviews. He was the only person to record an interview with Eric Dolphy (who died in 1964)[ citation needed ]. Moving online, White became the music editor of the Collecting Channel website in 1999, and he maintains his own website of music commentary under his Dr. Progresso pseudonym.

Science fiction author

"Phoenix", a 1963 collaboration with Marion Zimmer Bradley, was White's first professionally published story, which he later expanded into the novel Phoenix Prime, beginning the Qanar series of books. His first novel, Invasion from 2500 (1964), was written in collaboration with Terry Carr under the pseudonym Norman Edwards. Between 1964 and 1978 he wrote two science fiction series and 11 standalone novels, including one Captain America novel. Two of the novels were written in collaboration with Dave van Arnam, one with David Bischoff and one, using White's Doc Phoenix character, with Marv Wolfman.

White was a 1966 Nebula nominee for his short story, "The Peacock King," written with Larry McCombs. He was also instrumental in kick-starting the professional careers of other writers, notably Lee Hoffman.

Editor

White held the position of assistant editor at The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction from 1963 to 1968. From October 1968 until October 1978, he edited Amazing Stories and Fantastic , upgrading the quality of the fiction while showcasing a variety of talented illustrators. He also edited two 1973 anthologies, The Best from Amazing Stories and The Best from Fantastic.

His reputation as an editor impressed the publishers of Heavy Metal magazine, who hired him [3] [4] to introduce non-fiction and prose fiction into the magazine, [5] which featured mainly graphic stories until White's arrival in 1979. White lasted at the helm of Heavy Metal until August 1980. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

In 1985, he was an associate editor of the magazine Stardate .

Musician

White also plays keyboards and saxophone. He performed with the Washington, D.C., area improvisational group Conduit. [11]

Bibliography

Novels

Android Tanner series
  1. Android Avenger, Ace Double M-123 (with John Brunner's Altar of Asconel), 1965, 113p.
  2. The Spawn of the Death Machine, Paperback Library, July 1968, 175p.
Qanar series
  1. Phoenix Prime, Lancer Books, 1966. [12]
  2. The Sorceress of Qar, Lancer Books, 1966. [13]
  3. Star Wolf!, Lancer Books, 1971. (Part I originally appeared in the April 1971 issue of Fantastic , under the title Wolf Quest.) [14]

Short fiction

Anthologies (edited)
Stories [15]
TitleYearFirst publishedReprinted/collectedNotes
The Philistine2015White, Ted (October 2015). "The Philistine". Analog Science Fiction and Fact. 135 (10): 52–58.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fanzine</span> Magazine published by fans

A fanzine is a non-professional and non-official publication produced by enthusiasts of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest. The term was coined in an October 1940 science fiction fanzine by Russ Chauvenet and first popularized within science fiction fandom, and from there the term was adopted by other communities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elric of Melniboné</span> Fictional character

Elric of Melniboné is a fictional character created by English writer Michael Moorcock and the protagonist of a series of sword and sorcery stories taking place on an alternative Earth. The proper name and title of the character is Elric VIII, 428th Emperor of Melniboné. Later stories by Moorcock marked Elric as a facet of the Eternal Champion.

<i>Heavy Metal</i> (magazine) American science fiction and fantasy comics magazine

Heavy Metal was an American science fiction and fantasy comics magazine, published between 1977 and 2023. The magazine was known primarily for its blend of dark fantasy/science fiction, erotica, and steampunk comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lin Carter</span> American fantasy writer, editor, poet and critic

Linwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor, poet and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin. He is best known for his work in the 1970s as editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series, which introduced readers to many overlooked classics of the fantasy genre.

Barry Nathaniel Malzberg is an American writer and editor, most often of science fiction and fantasy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archie Goodwin (comics)</span> American writer (1937–1998)

Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work. For Warren he was chief writer and editor of landmark horror anthology titles Creepy and Eerie between 1964 and 1967. At Marvel, he served as the company's editor-in-chief from 1976 to the end of 1977. In the 1980s, he edited the publisher's anthology magazine Epic Illustrated and its Epic Comics imprint. He is also known for his work on Star Wars in both comic books and newspaper strips. He is regularly cited as the "best-loved comic book editor, ever."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Hoffman</span> American novelist

Lee Hoffman, born Shirley Bell Hoffman, was an American science fiction fan, an editor of early folk music fanzines, and an author of science fiction, Western and romance novels.

<i>Witzend</i> Underground comic

witzend, published on an irregular schedule spanning decades, is an underground comic showcasing contributions by comic book professionals, leading illustrators and new artists. witzend was launched in 1966 by the writer-artist Wally Wood, who handed the reins to Bill Pearson from 1968 to 1985. The title was printed in lower-case.

The Alley Award was an American annual series of comic book fan awards, first presented in 1962 for comics published in 1961. Officially organized under the aegis of the Academy of Comic Book Arts and Sciences, the award shared close ties with the fanzine Alter Ego magazine. The Alley is the first known comic book fan award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Merwin Jr.</span> American novelist

Samuel Kimball Merwin Jr. 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.

Robert Edward Weinberg was an American author, editor, publisher, and collector of science fiction. His work spans several genres including non-fiction, science fiction, horror, and comic books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lou Stathis</span> American author, critic and editor (1952-1997)

Louis J. Stathis was an American author, critic and editor, mainly in the areas of fantasy and science fiction. During the last four years of his life he was an editor for DC Comics' Vertigo line, working on such titles as Preacher, Doom Patrol, Industrial Gothic, Peter Kuper's The System, and Dhampire.

Robert Marion Stewart, known as Bhob Stewart was an American writer, editor, cartoonist, filmmaker, and active fan who contributed to a variety of publications over a span of five decades. His articles and reviews appeared in TV Guide, Publishers Weekly, and other publications, along with online contributions to Allmovie, the Collecting Channel, and other sites. In 1980, he became the regular film columnist for Heavy Metal.

Lancer Books was a publisher of paperback books founded by Irwin Stein and Walter Zacharius that operated from 1961 through 1973. While it published stories of a number of genres, it was noted most for its science fiction and fantasy, particularly its series of Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian tales, the first publication of many in paperback format. It published the controversial novel Candy by Terry Southern and Mason Hoffenberg, and Ted Mark's ribald series The Man from O.R.G.Y. Lancer paperbacks had a distinctive appearance, many bearing mauve or green page edging.

The 25th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as NyCon 3 or Nycon 3, was held on 31 August–4 September 1967 at the Statler Hilton Hotel in New York City, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Workman</span> American comic book letterer

John Workman is an American editor, writer, artist, designer, colorist and letterer in the comic book industry. He is known for his frequent partnerships with writer/artist Walter Simonson and also for lettering the entire run of Grant Morrison/Rachel Pollack's Doom Patrol.

William Bryan Dubay, also known by the pseudonyms Will Richardson, and Dube, was an American comic-book editor, writer and artist best known as editor and writer for Warren Publishing, including that company's horror-comics magazines Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Steranko bibliography</span>

This is a list of works by Jim Steranko.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Steffan</span> American cartoonist and writer

Dan Steffan is an American cartoonist and writer who has contributed to both mainstream and underground publications for several decades.

References

  1. White, Ted. "The Bet" Mimosa 12, pp. 46–52
  2. White, Ted. "Twenty-Five Years? That's--" Science-Fiction Five-Yearly 6 (1976), p. 22
  3. "Ted White to Edit Heavy Metal". Locus. Vol. 12, no. 6 (no. 223). July–August 1979. p. 1.
  4. "Heavy Metal Fires Sean Kelly and Valerie Marchant, Hires Ted White". The Comics Journal . No. 50. October 1979. p. 16.
  5. Kemske, Floyd (November 1979). "End of Fiction at Heavy Metal". Science Fiction Times. Vol. 1, no. 5. pp. 1, 19.
  6. "Heavy Metal Axes Ted White". Locus . Vol. 13, no. 8 (no. 236). August 1980. pp. 1, 10.
  7. "Words from White". The Comics Journal. No. 58. September 1980. p. 39.
  8. "Len Mogel Takes Over Heavy Metal from Ted White". The Comics Journal. No. 59. October 1980. p. 17.
  9. "Ted White and Heavy Metal". The Comics Journal. No. 63. May 1981. pp. 40–46.
  10. White, Ted (January 2000). "My Year at Heavy Metal". Beyond the Grid. The Comics Journal. No. 219. pp. 107–117.
  11. "Conduit". Myspace . Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  12. White, Ted (1966). Phoenix Prime. Lancer Books.
  13. White, Ted (1966). The Sorceress of Qar. Lancer Books.
  14. White, Ted (1971). Star Wolf!. Lancer Books. p. 4. Part I originally appeared in the April 1971 issue of Fantastic , under the title Wolf Quest,
  15. Short stories unless otherwise noted.