Laser Books
Encyclopedia
Laser Books was a line of 58 paperback science fiction
(SF) novels published from 1975 to 1977 by Canadian romance powerhouse Harlequin Books
. Laser published three titles per month, available by subscription as well as in stores. The books were limited to 50,000-60,000 words. They were numbered as a series, though each was a standalone novel. All the covers were painted by Hugo Award
winning
artist Kelly Freas.
, whose first book was published by Laser, has said that Epitaph in Rust was "mangled" by the editors at Laser Books. An unedited version was later issued by a different publisher. Piers Anthony
had problems with their publication of his novel But What Of Earth?. This novel was also issued later, through Tor Books
.
Harlequin edited the Laser books to conform to the standards then imposed on the Harlequin Romances. This included prohibition of blasphemous and scatological words and explicit sexual scenes, but not of sexual situations and implied sex. There was also a tendency to edit to correct grammar and exclude slang in exposition but not in dialogue.
When Harlequin closed the Laser line, all rights were reverted to the authors. Several works including Jerry Pournelle's Exile to Glory had been accepted and the acceptance payment made, but the book was not yet published. Those were also returned to the authors without any attempt to reclaim the advances paid. The Laser line was important to many beginning writers and greatly expanded the market for 50,000 to 60,000 word books. Many Laser books were later published by Pocket, Ace Books, and Tor. Some remain in print.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
(SF) novels published from 1975 to 1977 by Canadian romance powerhouse Harlequin Books
Harlequin Enterprises Ltd
Harlequin Enterprises Limited is a Toronto, Ontario-based company that is a publisher of series romance and women's fiction. Owned by the Torstar Corporation, the largest newspaper publisher in Canada, the company publishes approximately 120 new titles each month in 29 different languages in 107...
. Laser published three titles per month, available by subscription as well as in stores. The books were limited to 50,000-60,000 words. They were numbered as a series, though each was a standalone novel. All the covers were painted by 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...
winning
Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society 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 once officially...
artist Kelly Freas.
Editorial problems
Tim PowersTim Powers
Timothy Thomas "Tim" Powers is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Powers has won the World Fantasy Award twice for his critically acclaimed novels Last Call and Declare...
, whose first book was published by Laser, has said that Epitaph in Rust was "mangled" by the editors at Laser Books. An unedited version was later issued by a different publisher. Piers Anthony
Piers Anthony
Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob is an English American writer in the science fiction and fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is most famous for his long-running novel series set in the fictional realm of Xanth.Many of his books have appeared on the New York Times Best...
had problems with their publication of his novel But What Of Earth?. This novel was also issued later, through Tor Books
Tor Books
Tor 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...
.
Harlequin edited the Laser books to conform to the standards then imposed on the Harlequin Romances. This included prohibition of blasphemous and scatological words and explicit sexual scenes, but not of sexual situations and implied sex. There was also a tendency to edit to correct grammar and exclude slang in exposition but not in dialogue.
When Harlequin closed the Laser line, all rights were reverted to the authors. Several works including Jerry Pournelle's Exile to Glory had been accepted and the acceptance payment made, but the book was not yet published. Those were also returned to the authors without any attempt to reclaim the advances paid. The Laser line was important to many beginning writers and greatly expanded the market for 50,000 to 60,000 word books. Many Laser books were later published by Pocket, Ace Books, and Tor. Some remain in print.
Titles
- 0. Seeds of Change by Thomas F. MonteleoneThomas F. MonteleoneThomas F. Monteleone is an American science fiction author and horror fiction author. His first novel, Seeds of Change was the lead-off title in the critically unsuccessful Laser Books line of science fiction titles , but he went on to become a popular writer of supernatural thrillers...
, 1975, ISBN 0-88950-900-X - 1. Renegades of Time by Raymond F. JonesRaymond F. JonesRaymond 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:...
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72001-7 - 2. Herds by Stephen GoldinStephen GoldinStephen Charles Goldin is an American science fiction and fantasy author.-Biography:Goldin was born in in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72002-5 - 3. Crash Landing on Iduna by Arthur TofteArthur TofteArthur R Tofte was an American science fiction and fantasy author. He has an award named after him, which is given to the category of children's literature by the Council for Wisconsin Writers.-Novels:* Crash Landing on Iduna ...
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72003-3 - 4. Gates of the Universe by Robert CoulsonRobert CoulsonRobert Stratton "Buck" Coulson was an American science fiction writer, well-known fan, filk song writer, fanzine editor and bookseller from Indiana....
with Gene DeWeeseGene DeWeeseThomas Eugene DeWeese is an American writer of fiction, particularly science fiction but including Gothics, mysteries, romances, suspense, fantasy, and horror; as well as non-fiction books on technology and folk art...
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72004-1 - 5. Walls Within Walls by Arthur Tofte, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72005-X
- 6. Serving in Time by Gordon EklundGordon EklundGordon Eklund is a Nebula Award-winning, American science fiction author whose works include the "Lord Tedric" series and two of the earliest original novels based on the 1960s Star Trek TV series. He has written under the pen name Wendell Stewart, and in one instance under the name of the late E. E...
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72006-8 - 7. Seeklight by K. W. JeterK. W. JeterKevin Wayne Jeter is an American science fiction and horror author known for his literary writing style, dark themes, and paranoid, unsympathetic characters...
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72007-6 - 8. Caravan by Stephen Goldin, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72008-4
- 9. Invasion by Aaron Wolfe (pseudonym of Dean R. Koontz), 1975, ISBN 0-373-72009-2
- 10. Falling Toward Forever by Gordon Eklund, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72010-6
- 11. Unto the Last Generation by Juanita CoulsonJuanita CoulsonJuanita Coulson is an American science fiction and fantasy writer, active fan and fanzine editor. She is also widely known in filk music circles since the 1950s for her singing and songwriting; she has been nominated for several Pegasus Awards for her filking...
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72011-4 - 12. The King of Eolim by Raymond F. Jones, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72012-2
- 13. Blake's Progress by R. F. NelsonRay NelsonRadell Faraday "Ray" Nelson is an American science fiction author and cartoonist most famous for his 1963 short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning", which was later used by John Carpenter as the basis for his 1988 film They Live....
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72013-0 - 14. Birthright by Kathleen SkyKathleen SkyKathleen Sky is the pen name of Kathleen Mckinney Goldin, an American science fiction and fantasy author. From 1972 to 1982 she was married to fellow author and collaborator Stephen Goldin...
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72014-9 - 15. The Star Web by George ZebrowskiGeorge ZebrowskiGeorge Zebrowski is a science fiction author and editor who has written and edited a number of books. He lives with author Pamela Sargent, with whom he has co-written a number of novels, including Star Trek novels.Zebrowski won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 1999 for his novel Brute Orbits...
, 1975, ISBN 0-373-72015-7 - 16. Kane's Odyssey by Jeff Clinton, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72016-5
- 17. The Black Roads by J. L. HensleyJoe L. HensleyJoseph Louis "Joe L." Hensley was a lawyer, prosecuting attorney, member of the Indiana General Assembly, circuit court judge, science fiction fan, and writer of science fiction and mysteries...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72017-3 - 18. Legacy by J. F. Bone, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72018-1
- 19. The Unknown Shore by Donald MalcolmDonald MalcolmDonald Malcolm is a Scottish author of science fiction and fact who was active as a writer from the mid 1950s until the mid 1970s. Some of his nonfiction was written under the pen name Roy Malcolm....
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72019-X - 20. Space Trap by Juanita Coulson, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72020-3
- 21. A Law for the Stars by John MorressyJohn MorressyJohn Morressy was a science fiction and fantasy writer and a professor of English at Franklin Pierce College.-Del Whitby series:* Starbrat...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72021-1 - 22. Keeper by Joan Hunter HollyJ. Hunter HollyJoan Carol Holly was a science fiction author who wrote under the pseudonym J. Hunter Holly in the late 1950s until the mid-1970s...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72022-X - 23. Birth of FireBirth of FireBirth Of Fire is a 1976 science fiction novel written by Jerry Pournelle and first published by Laser Books, later published by Baen Books. It is related to the books Exiles to Glory and High Justice, and with those two, form a starting point for the CoDominium series.-Plot summary:The book starts...
by Jerry PournelleJerry PournelleJerry Eugene Pournelle is an American science fiction writer, essayist and journalist who contributed for many years to the computer magazine Byte and has since 1998 been maintaining his own website/blog....
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72023-8 - 24. Ruler of the World by J. T. McIntoshJ. T. McIntoshJ. T. McIntosh was a pseudonym used by Scottish writer and journalist James Murdoch MacGregor.-Biography:Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, but living largely in Aberdeen, MacGregor used the McIntosh pseudonym as well as "H. J...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72024-6 - 25. Scavenger Hunt by Stephen Goldin, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72025-4
- 26. To Renew the Ages by Robert Coulson, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72026-2
- 27. The Horde by Joseph Green, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72027-0
- 28. The Skies Discrowned by Timothy PowersTim PowersTimothy Thomas "Tim" Powers is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Powers has won the World Fantasy Award twice for his critically acclaimed novels Last Call and Declare...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72028-9 - 29. The Iron Rain by Donald Malcolm, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72029-7
- 30. The Seeker by David BischoffDavid BischoffDavid F. Bischoff is an American science fiction and television writer.-General Background:Born in Washington D.C. and now living in Eugene, Oregon, Bischoff writes science fiction books, short stories, and scripts for television...
with Christopher Lampton, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72030-0 - 31. Galactic Invaders by James R. Berry, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72031-9
- 32. Then Beggars Could Ride by R. F. Nelson, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72032-7
- 33. The Dreamfields by K. W. Jeter, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72033-5
- 34. Seas of Ernathe by Jeffrey CarverJeffrey CarverJeffrey A. Carver is an American science fiction author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Brown University. He currently lives in Arlington, Massachusetts...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72034-3 - 35. I, Aleppo by Jerry SohlJerry SohlGerald Allan Sohl Sr. was an American scriptwriter for The Twilight Zone , Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Outer Limits, Star Trek and other shows...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72035-1 - 36. Jeremy Case by Gene DeWeese, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72036-X
- 37. The Meddlers by J. F. Bone, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72037-8
- 38. Ice Prison by Kathleen Sky, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72038-6
- 39. Brandyjack by Augustine Funnell, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72039-4
- 40. Master of the Stars by Robert Hoskins, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72040-8
- 41. Future Sanctuary by Lee HardingLee HardingLee Harding is an Australian pop singer. He is from Frankston, Victoria, where he worked at the local AMC cinema multiplex...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72041-6 - 42. Cross of Empire by Christopher Lampton, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72042-4
- 43. Spawn by Donald Glut, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72043-2
- 44. But What Of Earth? by Piers AnthonyPiers AnthonyPiers Anthony Dillingham Jacob is an English American writer in the science fiction and fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is most famous for his long-running novel series set in the fictional realm of Xanth.Many of his books have appeared on the New York Times Best...
and Robert Coulson, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72044-0 - 45. Finish Line by Stephen Goldin, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72045-9
- 46. Dance of the Apocalypse by Gordon Eklund, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72046-7
- 47. Epitaph in Rust by Timothy Powers, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72047-5
- 48. Rebels of Merka by Augustine Funnell, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72048-3
- 49. Tiger in the Stars by Zach HughesZach HughesZach Hughes is a pseudonym for American writer Hugh Zachary, who has written numerous science fiction novels. These novels appear to be set in a shared universe, one where Earth experiences a nuclear apocalypse shortly after launching a colonization fleet to settle new worlds among the...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72049-1 - 50. West of Honor by Jerry Pournelle, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72050-5
- 51. Mindwipe! by Steve HahnStephen RobinettStephen Allen Robinett was an American writer of science fiction and mystery novels and short stories.Robinett's first publication was part of the March 1969 edition of the magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact: the novelette Minitalent, which was published with his most-used pseudonym, Tak...
, 1976, ISBN 0-373-72051-3 - 52. The Extraterritorial by John Morressy, 1977, ISBN 0-373-72052-1
- 53. The Ecolog by R. Faraday NelsonRay NelsonRadell Faraday "Ray" Nelson is an American science fiction author and cartoonist most famous for his 1963 short story "Eight O'Clock in the Morning", which was later used by John Carpenter as the basis for his 1988 film They Live....
, 1977, ISBN 0-373-72053-X - 54. The River and the Dream by Raymond F. Jones, 1977, ISBN 0-373-72054-8
- 55. Shepherd by Joan Hunter Holly, 1977, ISBN 0-373-72055-6
- 56. Gift of the Manti by J. F. Bone and Roy MyersRoy MyersRoy Anthony Myers Francis is a former Costa Rican football player who played most of his career with Deportivo Saprissa....
, 1977, ISBN 0-373-72056-4 - 57. Shadow on the Stars by Robert B. Marcus Jr., 1977, ISBN 0-373-72057-2