The Fiction Factory

the long version

Collaborations of Art and Magic. Authors develop certain styles, certain niches in their writings. When two or more authors collaborate on a story, frequently their joint creation exceeds what would have been accomplished by the individuals. In this collaborative collection of jack Dann's short fiction, all the stories were written with one or more co-authors, including Susan Casper, Gardner Dozois, Gregory Frost, Jack C. Haldeman II, Barry N. Malzberg. Michael Swanwick, Janeen Webb, and George Zebrowski. Included with each story are introductions by each of the co-authors, relating the inspirations and creative processes in the genesis of the story. The 18 stories include the Nebula-nominated "High Steel," with Jack C. Haldeman, set in a future where people are drafted to work for corporations. The story revolves around a l.akota medicine man draftee, about his struggle to keep his traditions and how his ancient knowledge is applied in outer spaa;. "The Gods of Mars." with Gardner Dozois and Michael Swanwick, also nominated for the Nebula award, is the story of the first manned landing on Mars, and its "storybook" ending, complete with canals-or not. Other stories are about time machines and revenge, first dates with Jesus, dinosaurs falling out of the sky, a vampire in a concentration camp, a famous painting that eats critics, a door-to-door computer salesman in Faerie, clowns that knock their audiences dead, performers Buddy, Janis. and Elvis touring together in an afterlife, and a most undignified Jack the Ripper. "Jack Dann's stones arc vivid, passionate, and eloquent." -Robert Silverberg