John Carnell
Encyclopedia
Edward John Carnell known to his friends as either Ted or John, was a British science fiction editor known for editing New Worlds
in 1946 then from 1949 to 1963. He also edited Science Fantasy
from the 1950s. After the magazines were sold to another publisher he left to launch the New Writings in Science Fiction
anthology
series, editing 21 issues until his death, after which the series was continued by Kenneth Bulmer
for a further 9 issues.
Taken together his publications played a role in starting the careers of Damien Broderick
, Brian W. Aldiss, James White
, J. G. Ballard
, and his successor at New Worlds, Michael Moorcock
. Despite that list, Carnell tended to prefer adventure and Hard SF to New Wave
experimentation. However, he was not seen as an opponent of the New Wave in the way John W. Campbell
tended to be, and he even published a number of more experimental works by such authors as J. G. Ballard
and Brian Aldiss
. On personality he was deemed hardworking and scrupulous.
New Worlds (magazine)
New Worlds was a British science fiction magazine which was first published professionally in 1946. For 25 years it was widely considered the leading science fiction magazine in Britain, publishing 201 issues up to 1971...
in 1946 then from 1949 to 1963. He also edited Science Fantasy
Science Fantasy (magazine)
Science Fantasy, which also appeared under the titles Impulse and SF Impulse, was a British fantasy and science fiction magazine, launched in 1950 by Nova Publications as a companion to Nova's New Worlds. Walter Gillings was editor for the first two issues, and was then replaced by John Carnell,...
from the 1950s. After the magazines were sold to another publisher he left to launch the New Writings in Science Fiction
New Writings in SF
New Writings in SF was a series of thirty British science fiction anthologies published from 1964 to 1977 under the successive editorships of John Carnell from 1964 to 1972 and Kenneth Bulmer from 1973 to 1977. There were in addition four special volumes compiling material from the regular volumes...
anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
series, editing 21 issues until his death, after which the series was continued by Kenneth Bulmer
Kenneth Bulmer
Henry Kenneth Bulmer was a British author, primarily of science fiction.-Life:Born in London, he married Pamela Buckmaster on 7 March 1953. They had one son and two daughters, and were divorced in 1981...
for a further 9 issues.
Taken together his publications played a role in starting the careers of Damien Broderick
Damien Broderick
Damien Francis Broderick is an Australian science fiction and popular science writer. His science fiction novel The Judas Mandala is sometimes credited with the first appearance of the term "virtual reality," and his 1997 popular science book The Spike was the first to investigate the...
, Brian W. Aldiss, 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...
, J. G. Ballard
J. G. Ballard
James Graham Ballard was an English novelist, short story writer, and prominent member of the New Wave movement in science fiction...
, and his successor at New Worlds, Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock
Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
. Despite that list, Carnell tended to prefer adventure and Hard SF to New Wave
New Wave (science fiction)
New Wave is a term applied to science fiction produced in the 1960s and 1970s and characterized by a high degree of experimentation, both in form and in content, a "literary" or artistic sensibility, and a focus on "soft" as opposed to hard science. The term "New Wave" is borrowed from the French...
experimentation. However, he was not seen as an opponent of the New Wave in the way John W. Campbell
John W. Campbell
John Wood Campbell, Jr. was an influential figure in American science fiction. As editor of Astounding Science Fiction , from late 1937 until his death, he is generally credited with shaping the so-called Golden Age of Science Fiction.Isaac Asimov called Campbell "the most powerful force in...
tended to be, and he even published a number of more experimental works by such authors as J. G. Ballard
J. G. Ballard
James Graham Ballard was an English novelist, short story writer, and prominent member of the New Wave movement in science fiction...
and Brian Aldiss
Brian Aldiss
Brian Wilson Aldiss, OBE is an English author of both general fiction and science fiction. His byline reads either Brian W. Aldiss or simply Brian Aldiss. Greatly influenced by science fiction pioneer H. G. Wells, Aldiss is a vice-president of the international H. G. Wells Society...
. On personality he was deemed hardworking and scrupulous.
Anthologies
- Jinn and Jitters (1946)
- No Place Like Earth (1952)
- Gateway to Tomorrow (1954)
- The Best From New Worlds Science Fiction (1955)
- Gateway to the Stars (1955)
- Lambda 1 & Other Stories (1964)
- New Writings in SFNew Writings in SFNew Writings in SF was a series of thirty British science fiction anthologies published from 1964 to 1977 under the successive editorships of John Carnell from 1964 to 1972 and Kenneth Bulmer from 1973 to 1977. There were in addition four special volumes compiling material from the regular volumes...
Anthology series - edited from 1964 to 1972 - Weird Shadows From Beyond (1965)