As science fiction becomes as a major topic for literary study, one reason for its increasing stature is the influence of the J. Lloyd Eaton Conferences on Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, long held at the University of California, Riverside. For three decades, these regular gatherings attracted most of the world's leading experts on science fiction and fantasy, as well as distinguished scholars in other fields and famous science fiction writers, who presented papers on specific aspects of science fiction and fantasy. These papers were then assembled in published Eaton volumes now found in university libraries throughout the world.

This volume brings together twenty-two of the best papers from those conferences, most with provocative new afterwords by their authors, assembled in chronological order to provide a picture of how science fiction criticism has evolved since 1979 to the present day. The book's editors are two veteran science fiction writers-Gregory Benford and Howard V. Hendrix-and two noted critics -Gary Westfahl and Joseph D. Miller-who frequently attended and participated in Eaton Conferences. Its contributors include eight scholars who have won the Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Association's Pilgrim Award for lifetime contributions to science fiction and fantasy scholarship.

About the Author
Gary Westfahl retired from the University of California, Riverside, is an adjunct professor at the University of La Verne. He earned the Science Fiction Research Association's Pilgrim Award for his lifetime contributions to science fiction and fantasy scholarship and is the author, editor, or coeditor of more than 20 books about science fiction and fantasy.

Gregory Benford, professor emeritus of physics and astronomy at the University of California, Irvine, has published 32 novels, four volumes of nonfiction, and over 200 short stories and several hundred scientific papers in several fields.

Howard V. Hendrix, currently at California State University, Fresno, has taught at the college level for over thirty years. He has published six novels and two collections of stories; has authored, co-authored, or co-edited three works of nonfiction; and has written numerous articles, reviews, and editorials.

Joseph D. Miller, active for many years as a presenter at Eaton Conferences and contributor to Eaton volumes, is currently Professor and Chair of Pharmacology at the American University of the Caribbean in Cupecoy, St. Maarten.


Book Information
ISBN 9781476669281
Author Gary Westfahl,
Format Paperback
Page Count 271
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions(mm) 254mm * 178mm * 10mm