Michael Walsh (publisher)
Encyclopedia
Michael Jarrett Walsh owns and operates Old Earth Books
, a small press
science fiction
publisher. He primarily publishes re-prints, though occasionally he issues original books from established authors. His first publication was a short story collection Rude Astronauts, by Allen Steele
, published in 1993. He is active in science fiction fandom
.
in 1968, and was chair of ConStellation
, the 1983 Worldcon
in Baltimore. He chaired the World Fantasy Convention
twice, in 1995 in Baltimore, and in 2003 in Washington DC; Balticon
15 in 1981; Disclave
s in 1985, 1989, and 1992 (co-chair); and Capclave in 2005. He was Fan Guest of Honor at Unicon
, 1983; Balticon
29 (1995); Lunacon
, 1997; Context, 1999; ConQuesT 33 (2002). In 2006 he was made a Fellow of NESFA. He attends Baltimore Science Fiction Society
meetings, and is a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association
(WSFA).
In addition to being the chair of Disclave
and Capclave, he also held these elected offices in Washington Science Fiction Association
:
President 1986-1988 - Vice President 1983-1984, 1985-1986 - Trustee 1997-2000
He is a part-time publisher, working full time since 1988 as a sales manager for Johns Hopkins University Press
. He has worked in the book industry in some capacity for most of his life. He has developed his publishing for a niche market that traditional publishers do not serve.
In 2009, he received a World Fantasy Award
for publishing a Howard Waldrop
short story collection, the Special Award - Non-Professional, having been nominated twice before.-
Old Earth Books
Old Earth Books is a specialty publisher which specializes in out-of-print and niche books, primarily in the science fiction genre. The name comes from the Cordwainer Smith Lords of the Instrumentality series. It is located in Baltimore, MD...
, a small press
Small press
Small press is a term often used to describe publishers with annual sales below a certain level. Commonly, in the United States, this is set at $50 million, after returns and discounts...
science fiction
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...
publisher. He primarily publishes re-prints, though occasionally he issues original books from established authors. His first publication was a short story collection Rude Astronauts, by Allen Steele
Allen Steele
Allen Mulherin Steele, Jr. is an American science fiction author.Steele began publishing short stories in 1988. His early novels formed a future history beginning with Orbital Decay and continuing through Labyrinth of Night...
, published in 1993. He is active in science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
.
Biography
Walsh has been active in fandom since the 1960s. He attended his first science fiction conventionScience fiction convention
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as movies and...
in 1968, and was chair of ConStellation
41st World Science Fiction Convention
The 41st World Science Fiction Convention , also known as ConStellation, was held September 1-5, 1983, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.The chairman was Michael J. Walsh....
, the 1983 Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
in Baltimore. He chaired the World Fantasy Convention
World Fantasy Convention
The World Fantasy Convention is an annual convention of professionals, collectors, and others interested in the field of fantasy. It places emphasis on literature and art, while de-emphasizing dramatic presentation, gaming, masquerade, and the like. The World Fantasy Awards are presented at the...
twice, in 1995 in Baltimore, and in 2003 in Washington DC; Balticon
Balticon
Balticon is the Maryland Regional science fiction convention, sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society . It has been held annually since 1966...
15 in 1981; Disclave
Disclave
Disclave was a science fiction convention run by the Washington Science Fiction Association in or near Washington D.C. in the springtime of nearly every year from 1950 through 1997. By many counts it was the third-oldest science fiction convention....
s in 1985, 1989, and 1992 (co-chair); and Capclave in 2005. He was Fan Guest of Honor at Unicon
Unicon (Maryland science fiction convention)
Unicon was an annual science fiction convention held in Maryland and at least once in Washington, D.C. from 1974 through 1989.Unicon was born in the early 1970s on the second floor of the Stamp Student Union building at the University of Maryland, College Park. Unicon stood for University...
, 1983; Balticon
Balticon
Balticon is the Maryland Regional science fiction convention, sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society . It has been held annually since 1966...
29 (1995); Lunacon
Lunacon
Lunacon is an annual science fiction/fantasy convention organized by The Lunarians. First held in May 1957, it is the oldest science fiction convention in New York state, and is generally held on the third weekend of March....
, 1997; Context, 1999; ConQuesT 33 (2002). In 2006 he was made a Fellow of NESFA. He attends 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....
meetings, and is 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...
(WSFA).
In addition to being the chair of Disclave
Disclave
Disclave was a science fiction convention run by the Washington Science Fiction Association in or near Washington D.C. in the springtime of nearly every year from 1950 through 1997. By many counts it was the third-oldest science fiction convention....
and Capclave, he also held these elected offices in 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...
:
President 1986-1988 - Vice President 1983-1984, 1985-1986 - Trustee 1997-2000
He is a part-time publisher, working full time since 1988 as a sales manager for Johns Hopkins University Press
Johns Hopkins University Press
The Johns Hopkins University Press is the publishing division of the Johns Hopkins University. It was founded in 1878 and holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously running university press in the United States. The Press publishes books, journals, and electronic databases...
. He has worked in the book industry in some capacity for most of his life. He has developed his publishing for a niche market that traditional publishers do not serve.
In 2009, he received a World Fantasy Award
World Fantasy Award
The World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy...
for publishing a Howard Waldrop
Howard Waldrop
Howard Waldrop is a science fiction author who works primarily in short fiction.Waldrop's stories combine elements such as alternate history, American popular culture, the American South, old movies , classical mythology, and rock 'n' roll music. His style is sometimes obscure or elliptical...
short story collection, the Special Award - Non-Professional, having been nominated twice before.-
External links
- http://www.oldearthbooks.com/