Jack L. Chalker
Encyclopedia
Jack Laurence Chalker was an American science fiction author. Chalker was also a Baltimore City Schools history teacher in Maryland
for 12 years, retiring in 1978 to write full-time. He also was a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association
and was involved in the founding of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society
.
, Virginia
although he later claimed that was a mistake; he attended high school at the Baltimore City College
. He earned a BA degree in English from Towson University
, where he was a theater critic on the school newspaper The Towerlight
. In 2003 Towson University named him their Liberal Arts Alumni of the Year. He received a MLA
from Johns Hopkins University
. He intended to become a lawyer, but financial problems led to him teaching instead; he taught history and geography in Baltimore public schools from 1966 to 1978, most notably at Baltimore City College
, and the now defunct Southwest High School. He was also a lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution
, the National Institutes of Health
, and numerous colleges and universities, mostly on science fiction and technology.
He joined the Washington Science Fiction Association
in 1958, and in 1963 Chalker and two friends founded the Baltimore Science Fiction Society
. He attended every World Science Fiction Convention, bar one, from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine), producing ten issues another journal, Interjection, ran 1968–1987 in association with the Fantasy Amateur Press Association
. Also, he founded a publishing house, Mirage Press, Ltd., for releasing nonfiction and bibliographic works on science fiction and fantasy.
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He also had a great interest in ferryboats, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull, part of the Millersburg Ferry
, in midriver.
, James White
, some Philip José Farmer
, the early work of Raymond F. Jones
and Robert A. Heinlein
, Jack Vance
, and others too numerous to mention. From January 1965 to November 2004, he missed only one World Science Fiction Convention.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award
twice and for the Hugo Award
twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award
by the Southern Fandom Confederation
on April 9, 2005. In 1967 Chalker founded the Baltimore Science Fiction Society
and he was a 3-term treasurer of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
. Chalker was also the co-author (with Mark Owings) of The Science Fantasy Publishers (third edition in 1991, updated annually), published by Mirage Press, Ltd, a bibliographic guide to genre small press publishers which was a Hugo Award nominee in 1992. The Maryland young writers contest sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society was renamed "'The Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest" effective April 8, 2006.
He is perhaps best known for his Well World
series of novels, but he also wrote many other novels (most, but not all, part of series), and at least nine short stories. Many of his works involve some physical transformation
of the main characters. For instance, in the Well World novels, immigrants to the Well World are transformed from their original form to become a member of one of the thousands of sentient species that inhabit that artificial planet. Another example would be that the Wonderland Gambit series resembles traditional Buddhist jataka
-type reincarnation
stories set in an SF environment. Steven Chalker announced that Wonderland Gambit might be made into a movie, but supposedly its close resemblance to The Matrix
resulted in the project being shelved. At the time of his death, Chalker left behind one unfinished novel, Chameleon, and was planning to write Ripsaw following Chameleon.
, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure
and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he did not regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state
, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis
in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland
.
Some of his remains are interred in the family plot at Loudon Park Cemetery
, with the remainder distributed afterwards off a ferry near Hong Kong, the ferry between Hainan Island and the Chinese mainland, a ferry in Vietnam, a final ride on White's Ferry on Father's Day 2007, and on H. P. Lovecraft
's grave (on December 17, 2005).
Besides the short stories included in Dance Band on the Titanic, Chalker wrote at least one other short story:
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
for 12 years, retiring in 1978 to write full-time. He also was a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association
Washington Science Fiction Association
The Washington Science Fiction Association is the oldest science fiction club in the Washington, D.C. area. It is also one of the oldest science fiction clubs, founded in 1947 by seven fans who met at that year's Worldcon in Philadelphia, the fifth Worldcon held.Since 1960 it has met on the...
and was involved in the founding of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society
Baltimore Science Fiction Society
The Baltimore Science Fiction Society is a literary society focusing on science fiction, fantasy and related genres. A 501c3 literary society based in Baltimore, Maryland, the BSFS sponsors Balticon, the Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention....
.
Career and family life
He was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Some of his books said that he was born in NorfolkNorfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
although he later claimed that was a mistake; he attended high school at the Baltimore City College
Baltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
. He earned a BA degree in English from Towson University
Towson University
Towson University, often referred to as TU or simply Towson for short, is a public university located in Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland, U.S...
, where he was a theater critic on the school newspaper The Towerlight
The Towerlight
The Towerlight is the award-winning twice-weekly independent student newspaper at Towson University. It is run by Towson students, and frequently updates the campus on events and news...
. In 2003 Towson University named him their Liberal Arts Alumni of the Year. He received a MLA
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies is a graduate degree that aims to provide both depth and breadth of study in the liberal arts. It is by nature an interdisciplinary program, generally pulling together coursework from a number of the humanities and social sciences...
from Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
. He intended to become a lawyer, but financial problems led to him teaching instead; he taught history and geography in Baltimore public schools from 1966 to 1978, most notably at Baltimore City College
Baltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
, and the now defunct Southwest High School. He was also a lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
, and numerous colleges and universities, mostly on science fiction and technology.
He joined the Washington Science Fiction Association
Washington Science Fiction Association
The Washington Science Fiction Association is the oldest science fiction club in the Washington, D.C. area. It is also one of the oldest science fiction clubs, founded in 1947 by seven fans who met at that year's Worldcon in Philadelphia, the fifth Worldcon held.Since 1960 it has met on the...
in 1958, and in 1963 Chalker and two friends founded the Baltimore Science Fiction Society
Baltimore Science Fiction Society
The Baltimore Science Fiction Society is a literary society focusing on science fiction, fantasy and related genres. A 501c3 literary society based in Baltimore, Maryland, the BSFS sponsors Balticon, the Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention....
. He attended every World Science Fiction Convention, bar one, from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine), producing ten issues another journal, Interjection, ran 1968–1987 in association with the Fantasy Amateur Press Association
Fantasy Amateur Press Association
The Fantasy Amateur Press Association or FAPA is science fiction fandom's longest-established amateur press association . It was founded in 1937 by Donald A. Wollheim and John Michel. They were inspired to create FAPA by their memberships in some of the non-science fiction amateur press...
. Also, he founded a publishing house, Mirage Press, Ltd., for releasing nonfiction and bibliographic works on science fiction and fantasy.
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He also had a great interest in ferryboats, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull, part of the Millersburg Ferry
Millersburg Ferry
Joseph Kramer, son of David Kramer, was granted by the Act of March 21, 1866 P.L. 358, the right to operate the ferry at his own expense. Part of the act stipulated that Kramer build and maintain landings on both shores of the river....
, in midriver.
Chalker and science fiction
The writers he liked to read included Eric Frank RussellEric Frank Russell
Eric Frank Russell was a British author best known for his science fiction novels and short stories. Much of his work was first published in the United States, in John W. Campbell's Astounding Science Fiction and other pulp magazines. Russell also wrote horror fiction for Weird Tales, and...
, James White
James White (author)
James White was a Northern Irish author of science fiction novellas, short stories and novels. He was born in Belfast and returned there after spending his early years in Canada. After a few years in the clothing industry, he worked at Short Brothers Ltd. from 1965 until taking early retirement in...
, some Philip José Farmer
Philip José Farmer
Philip José Farmer was an American author, principally known for his award-winning science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories....
, the early work of Raymond F. Jones
Raymond F. Jones
Raymond Fisher Jones was an American science fiction author. He is best known for his 1952 novel, This Island Earth, which was adapted into the 1955 film This Island Earth.-Career:...
and Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction writer. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was one of the most influential and controversial authors of the genre. He set a standard for science and engineering plausibility and helped to raise the genre's standards of...
, Jack Vance
Jack Vance
John Holbrook Vance is an American mystery, fantasy and science fiction author. Most of his work has been published under the name Jack Vance. Vance has published 11 mysteries as John Holbrook Vance and 3 as Ellery Queen...
, and others too numerous to mention. From January 1965 to November 2004, he missed only one World Science Fiction Convention.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award
Campbell award (best novel)
The John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel for best science fiction novel was created in 1973 by writers and critics Harry Harrison and Brian W. Aldiss to honor Campbell's name...
twice and for the Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award
Phoenix Award (science fiction)
The Phoenix Award is a lifetime achievement award for a science fiction professional "who has done a great deal for Southern Fandom." The Phoenix is given annually by DeepSouthCon, a bidded convention held in different states of the former Confederacy....
by the Southern Fandom Confederation
Southern Fandom Confederation
The Southern Fandom Confederation is an association of science fiction fans who reside in or whom have other associations with the southern United States. This unincorporated not-for-profit organization is often associated with the DeepSouthCon, and indeed holds their annual business meeting there...
on April 9, 2005. In 1967 Chalker founded the Baltimore Science Fiction Society
Baltimore Science Fiction Society
The Baltimore Science Fiction Society is a literary society focusing on science fiction, fantasy and related genres. A 501c3 literary society based in Baltimore, Maryland, the BSFS sponsors Balticon, the Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention....
and he was a 3-term treasurer of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, or SFWA is a nonprofit association of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. It was founded in 1965 by Damon Knight under the name Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc. and it retains the acronym SFWA after a very brief use of the SFFWA...
. Chalker was also the co-author (with Mark Owings) of The Science Fantasy Publishers (third edition in 1991, updated annually), published by Mirage Press, Ltd, a bibliographic guide to genre small press publishers which was a Hugo Award nominee in 1992. The Maryland young writers contest sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society was renamed "'The Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest" effective April 8, 2006.
He is perhaps best known for his Well World
Well World
The Well World is a fictional planet in Jack L. Chalker's "Well of Souls" and "Watchers at the Well" series of novels.The Well World was constructed by an ancient alien species known as the Markovians who predated the existence of the current Universe...
series of novels, but he also wrote many other novels (most, but not all, part of series), and at least nine short stories. Many of his works involve some physical transformation
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
of the main characters. For instance, in the Well World novels, immigrants to the Well World are transformed from their original form to become a member of one of the thousands of sentient species that inhabit that artificial planet. Another example would be that the Wonderland Gambit series resembles traditional Buddhist jataka
Jataka
The Jātakas refer to a voluminous body of literature native to India concerning the previous births of the Buddha....
-type reincarnation
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
stories set in an SF environment. Steven Chalker announced that Wonderland Gambit might be made into a movie, but supposedly its close resemblance to The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
resulted in the project being shelved. At the time of his death, Chalker left behind one unfinished novel, Chameleon, and was planning to write Ripsaw following Chameleon.
Illness and death
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane IsabelHurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel was the costliest and deadliest hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed near the Cape Verde Islands from a tropical wave on September 6 in the tropical Atlantic Ocean...
, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he did not regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state
Persistent vegetative state
A persistent vegetative state is a disorder of consciousness in which patients with severe brain damage are in a state of partial arousal rather than true awareness. It is a diagnosis of some uncertainty in that it deals with a syndrome. After four weeks in a vegetative state , the patient is...
, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis
Sepsis
Sepsis is a potentially deadly medical condition that is characterized by a whole-body inflammatory state and the presence of a known or suspected infection. The body may develop this inflammatory response by the immune system to microbes in the blood, urine, lungs, skin, or other tissues...
in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.
Some of his remains are interred in the family plot at Loudon Park Cemetery
Loudon Park Cemetery
Loudon Park Cemetery a subsidiary of Stewart Enterprises, Inc., the second largest operator of funeral homes and cemeteries in the United States, is a cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. It was incorporated in 1853 on the site of the "Loudon" estate, previously owned by a local merchant and politician...
, with the remainder distributed afterwards off a ferry near Hong Kong, the ferry between Hainan Island and the Chinese mainland, a ferry in Vietnam, a final ride on White's Ferry on Father's Day 2007, and on H. P. Lovecraft
H. P. Lovecraft
Howard Phillips Lovecraft --often credited as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction....
's grave (on December 17, 2005).
The Saga of the Well World series
- Midnight at the Well of SoulsMidnight at the Well of SoulsMidnight at the Well of Souls is the first book in the Well of Souls series by American author Jack L. Chalker, first published as a paperback in 1977.-Plot introduction:...
, Del Rey, 1977 (ISBN 0-7434-3522-2) - Exiles at the Well of SoulsExiles at the Well of SoulsExiles at the Well of Souls is the second book in the Well of Souls series by American author Jack L. Chalker, and the first in a duology with Quest for the Well of Souls.-Plot summary:...
, Del Rey, 1978 (ISBN 0-7434-3603-2) - Quest for the Well of SoulsQuest for the Well of SoulsQuest for the Well of Souls is the third book in the Well of Souls series by American author Jack L. Chalker, and completes the Wars of the Well World duology begun with Exiles at the Well of Souls...
, Del Rey, 1978 (ISBN 0-7434-7153-9) - The Return of Nathan BrazilThe Return of Nathan BrazilThe Return of Nathan Brazil is the fourth book in the Well of Souls series by American author Jack L. Chalker.-Plot introduction:The Dreel are a viral hive-mind species, intent on taking over the galaxy. When the humans who are still free discover the invasion and fight back, they are pushed to...
, Del Rey, 1980 (ISBN 0-345-28367-8) - Twilight at the Well of SoulsTwilight at the Well of SoulsTwilight at the Well of Souls is the fifth novel in the Well of Souls series by American author Jack L. Chalker. It is a science fiction novel...
, Del Rey, 1980 (ISBN 0-345-28368-6) - The Sea is Full of Stars, December, 1999 (ISBN 0-345-39486-0)
- Ghost of the Well of Souls, 2000 (ISBN 0-345-39485-2)
The Watchers at the Well series
- Echoes of the Well of Souls, Del Rey, trade paperback, May, 1993 (ISBN 0-345-38686-8)
- Shadow of the Well of Souls, Del Rey Feb. 1994 (ISBN 0-345-36202-0)
- Gods of the Well of Souls, Del Rey, 1994 (ISBN 0-345-38850-X)
The Four Lords of the Diamond series
- Lilith: A Snake in the GrassLilith: A Snake in the GrassLilith: A Snake in the Grass is a 1981 science fiction novel by American writer Jack L. Chalker. It is the first book in his Four Lords of the Diamond series.-Plot summary:...
, Del Rey, 1981 (ISBN 0-345-29369-X) - Cerberus: A Wolf in the FoldCerberus: A Wolf in the FoldCerberus: A Wolf in the Fold is the second book in the Four Lords of the Diamond series by author Jack L. Chalker. First published as a paperback in 1982...
, Del Rey, 1982 (ISBN 0-345-31122-1) - Charon: A Dragon at the GateCharon: A Dragon at the GateCharon: A Dragon at the Gate is the third book in the Four Lords of the Diamond series by author Jack L. Chalker. First published as a paperback in 1982...
, Del Rey, 1982 (ISBN 0-345-29370-3) - Medusa: A Tiger by the TailMedusa: A Tiger by the TailMedusa: A Tiger by the Tail is the fourth book in the Four Lords of the Diamond series by author Jack L. Chalker. First published as a paperback in 1983...
, Del Rey, 1983 (ISBN 0-345-29372-X) - The Four Lords of the Diamond, The Science Fiction Book Club (omnibus edition), 1983
The Dancing Gods series
- The River of Dancing Gods, Del Rey, 1984 (ISBN 0-345-30892-1)
- Demons of the Dancing Gods, Del Rey, 1984 (ISBN 0-345-30893-X)
- Vengeance of the Dancing Gods, Del Rey, July, 1985 (ISBN 0-345-31549-9)
- Songs of the Dancing Gods, Del Rey, August, 1990 (ISBN 0-345-34799-4)
- Horrors of the Dancing Gods, 1994 (ISBN 0-345-37692-7)
- The Dancing Gods: Part One, Del Rey, November, 1995 (ISBN 0-345-40246-4). This is an omnibus volume containing The River of Dancing Gods and Demons of the Dancing Gods
- The Dancing Gods II, Del Rey, September, 1996 (ISBN 0-345-40771-7). This is an omnibus volume containing Vengeance of the Dancing Gods and Songs of the Dancing Gods
The Soul Rider series
- Spirits of Flux and Anchor, Tor Books, 1984 (ISBN 0-8125-3320-8)
- Empires of Flux and Anchor, Tor Books, 1984 (ISBN 0-8125-3329-1)
- Masters of Flux and Anchor, Tor Books, January, 1985 (ISBN 0-8125-3281-3)
- The Birth of Flux and Anchor, Tor Books, 1985 (ISBN 0-8125-2292-3)
- Children of Flux and Anchor, Tor Books, September, 1986 (ISBN 0-8125-2340-7)
The Rings of the Master series
- Lords of the Middle Dark Del Rey Books, May, 1986 (ISBN 0-345-32560-5)
- Pirates of the Thunder, Del Rey Books, March, 1987 (ISBN 0-345-32561-3)
- Warriors of the Storm, Del Rey Books, August, 1987 (ISBN 0-345-32562-1)
- Masks of the Martyrs, Del Rey, February, 1988 (ISBN 0-345-34309-3)
The G.O.D. Inc series
- The Labyrinth of Dreams. Tor Books, March, 1987 (ISBN 0-8125-3306-2)
- The Shadow Dancers, Tor Books, July, 1987 (ISBN 0-812-53308-9)
- The Maze in the Mirror, Tor Books, January, 1989 (ISBN 0-8125-2069-6)
The Changewinds series
- When the Changewinds Blow, Ace-Putnam's, September, 1987
- Riders of the Winds, Ace Books, May, 1988
- War of the Maelstrom, Ace-Putnam's, October, 1988 (ISBN 0-441-10268-9)
The Quintara Marathon series
- The Demons at Rainbow Bridge, Ace-Putnam's, hardcover, September, 1989 (ISBN 0-441-69992-8)
- The Run to Chaos Keep, Ace-Putnam's, May, 1991 (ISBN 0-441-69348-2)
- The Ninety Trillion Fausts (a.k.a. 90 Trillion Fausts), Ace-Putnam's, October 1991 (ISBN 0-441-58103-X)
The Wonderland Gambit series
- The Cybernetic Walrus, Del Rey, trade pb in November, 1995
- The March Hare Network, 1996
- The Hot-Wired Dodo, Del Rey, Feb. 1997
The Three Kings series
- Balshazzar's Serpent, Baen Books 1999
- Melchior's Fire, Baen Books, 2001.
- Kaspar's Box, 2003
Stand-alone novels
- A Jungle of Stars, Ballantine, Del Rey, 1976 (ISBN 0-345-28960-9)
- The Web of the Chozen, Del Rey, 1978 (ISBN 0-345-27376-1)
- And the Devil Will Drag You UnderAnd the Devil Will Drag You UnderAnd the Devil Will Drag You Under, is a comic fantasy by Jack Chalker involving an alcoholic demon and two humans he suborns to collect the pieces of a mystic artifact that the demon requires to save Earth from an asteroid on a collision course, thereby permitting him to continue his bender...
, Del Rey, 1979 (ISBN 0-345-30504-3) - A War of Shadows, Ace: An Analog Book, 1979
- Dancers in the Afterglow, Del Rey, 1979, 1982 (ISBN 0-345-30493-4)
- The Devil's VoyageThe Devil's VoyageThe Devil's Voyage is a historical novel by science fiction writer Jack Chalker. It describes the final voyage of the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis, which was famously sunk during World War II in the Pacific by Japanese submarine action, with the loss of many of the initial survivors to...
, Doubleday, 1980 - The Identity Matrix, TimescapeTimescape BooksTimescape Books was a science fiction line from Pocket Books operating from 1981 to 1985. Pocket Books is an imprint of Simon and SchusterIt was named after the Gregory Benford novel Timescape, which was not published by the Timescape imprint. The imprint was founded by David G. Hartwell. It...
: Pocket Books, 1982 (ISBN 0-671-65547-7) - Downtiming the Night Side, Tor Books, May, 1985 (ISBN 0-8125-3288-0)
- The Messiah Choice, St. Martins - Blue Jay, May, 1985
- The Red Tape War (with Mike ResnickMike ResnickMichael Diamond Resnick , better known by his published name Mike Resnick, is an American science fiction author. He was executive editor of Jim Baen's Universe.-Biography:...
and George Alec EffingerGeorge Alec EffingerGeorge Alec Effinger was an American science fiction author, born in 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio.-Writing career:...
). Tor hardcover, April, 1991 - Priam's Lens, Del Rey 1997 (ISBN 0-345-40294-4)
- The Moreau Factor, Del Rey Feb., 2000
- Chameleon (partially completed at time of death)
Collection and anthology
- Dance Band on the Titanic, Del Rey Books, July, 1988 (short stories)
- Hotel Andromeda [edited by], Ace, 1994 (ISBN 0-441-00010-X)
Besides the short stories included in Dance Band on the Titanic, Chalker wrote at least one other short story:
- "And Now Falls the Cold, Cold Night". Alternate PresidentsAlternate PresidentsAlternate Presidents is a 1992 Tor science fiction anthology, edited by Mike Resnick. Each story is by a different author, and presents a scenario where an individual becomes President of the United States in a way that did not occur in real life.-Stories:...
, ed. Mike ResnickMike ResnickMichael Diamond Resnick , better known by his published name Mike Resnick, is an American science fiction author. He was executive editor of Jim Baen's Universe.-Biography:...
, TorTor BooksTor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
1992.
Omnibus collections of novels
- The Watchers at the Well, Science Fiction Book Club, 1994
- Changewinds, Baen, August, 1996
- The Four Lords of the Diamond (Book Club Edition - 1983)