Poul Anderson

H. G. Wells

Robert A. Heinlein

Cyril M. Kornbluth

John W. Campbell

Lester del Rey

Theodore Sturgeon

Jack Williamson

Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger

Volume IIA

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame

Rocket Jockey

Young Danny Cross couldn't understand the telegram from the Security Commission ordering him home from college. He wondered whether it had to do with the reported "death" of one of America's leading atomic scientists in a rocket explosion over White Sands. He was surprised to find that it was only another thorough security check and a change of security card - the vital "open sesame" to anyone living in the Alamogordo, New Mexico, of 1981. But Danny noticed a change in the atmosphere at the proving grounds and in the communities where its scientists and technicians lived. As more and more atomic specialists disappeared in "rocket explosions" miles above Earth - explosions that failed to scatter debris under the sites of the accidents - the former camaraderie was replaced by an air of suspicion and foreboding. The disappearance of Danny's cousin, "Jet", an ace rocket pilot, put the worried teen-ager onto a line of reasoning concerning the continuing "explosions" too close to the truth to be ignored: that a highly skilled scientific group had planned, constructed and was operating a space station that circled the Earth IN SECRET! He suspected that even his mother and father planned to desert Earth's laboratories for an extra-terrestrial life. The questions of "where did they go?" and "how did they get there?" as answered here make this a story of mounting suspense and tangled intrigue that few science fiction yarns can match.

Rockets to Nowhere

Fredric Brown

John Gregory Betancourt

Algis Budrys

Robert Silverberg

Richard A. Lupoff

Randall Garrett

Marion Zimmer Bradley

Ben Bova

Samuel R. Delany

Reginald Bretnor

Hours of great reading await, with tales from some of the 20th century's most renowned science fiction authors, Here are 25 science fiction stories (plus a bonus short-short): UNKNOWN THINGS, by Reginald Bretnor CAPTIVES OF THE FLAME, by Samuel R. Delany EXPEDITER, by Mack Reynolds ONE-SHOT, by James Blish SHIPWRECK IN THE SKY, by Eando Binder ZEN, by Jerome Bixby LANCELOT BIGGS COOKS A PIRATE, by Nelson Bond SENTIMENT, INC., by Poul Anderson THE ISSAHAR ARTIFACTS, by J. F. Bone THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP, by Ben Bova YEAR OF THE BIG THAW, by Marion Zimmer Bradley EARTHMEN BEARING GIFTS, by Fredric Brown HAPPY ENDING, by Fredric Brown and Mack Reynolds LIGHTER THAN YOU THINK, by Nelson Bond RIYA’S FOUNDLING, by Algis Budrys ACCIDENTAL DEATH, by Peter Baily AND ALL THE EARTH A GRAVE, by C. C. MacApp DEAD RINGER, by Lester del Rey THE CRYSTAL CRYPT, by Philip K. Dick THE JUPITER WEAPON, by Charles L. Fontenay THE MAN WHO HATED MARS, by Randall Garrett NAVY DAY, by Harry Harrison THE JUDAS VALLEY, by Robert Silverberg & Randall Garrett NATIVE SON, by T. D. Hamm JUBILEE, by Richard A. Lupoff FINAL CALL, by John Gregory Betancourt And don't forget to check out all the other volumes in the "Megapack" series! Search on "Megapack" in the ebook store to see the complete list...covering more science fiction volumes, plus adventure stories, military, fantasy, ghost stories, westerns, and much more!

25 Classic Science Fiction Stories

The Science Fiction MEGAPACK ®

Poor Henry was an unhappy husband whose wife had a habit of using bad clichès. Alféar was a genii who was, quite like most humans, a creature of habit. Their murder compact was absolutely perfect, with—No Strings Attached

No Strings Attached

Eighteen men and two women in the closed world of a space ship for five months can only spell tension and trouble—but in this case, the atmosphere was literally poisoned. Five months out from Earth, we were half-way to Saturn and three-quarters of the way to murder. At least, I was. I was sick of the feuding, the worries and the pettiness of the other nineteen aboard. My stomach heaved at the bad food, the eternal smell of people, and the constant sound of nagging and complaints. For ten lead pennies, I'd have gotten out into space and tried walking back to Earth. Sometimes I thought about doing it without the pennies.

Let ’em Breathe Space!

Murray Leinster

Lester Dent

Jerome Bixby

Eando Binder

Zenith Brown

Hal Charles

Carolina Garcia-Aguilera

Dale Clark

This issue has been fun to put together. As a Maryland resident, I’ve always been partial to stories set in my home state, and Golden Age mystery author Zenith Brown is here this time with Murder in Maryland, a classic mystery originally published under her “David Frome” pseudonym. (She also wrote as Leslie Ford.) Add to that more mysteries by Hal Charles (another Solve-It-Yourself mystery challenge), Lester Dent (author of the famous Shadow pulp novels), Murray Leinster (whose name most science fiction readers should recognize), plus a great tale by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera (selected by Barb Goffman), and you have a terrific lineup. Alas, I wasn’t able to get to another Frank Lovell Nelson story, but his telepathic detective will be back next week. In the words of TV hucksters, But wait, there’s more! Remember, we also include great science fiction and fantasy in every issue, and here we have a bunch of classics by Lester del Rey (a rare fantasy from John W. Campbell’s Unknown first published in 1940), a devilish fantasy tale by Jerome Bixby, and a science fiction story by Robert Silverberg & Randall Garrett in collaboration. Plus I’m sneaking in one of my own Zelloque fantasies, written when I was reading the Richard Burton translation of The Thousand and One Nights. The influence shows. Our science fiction novel this issue is Get Off My World, by Eando Binder. —John Betancourt, Editor Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries “This Will Slay You,” by Dale Clark [novelet] “Playing by the Rules,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Pipeline Juggernaut,” by Lester Dent [short story] “Pink Ears,” by Murray Leinster [short story] “The Right Profile,” by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera [Barb Goffman Presents Mystery] Murder in Maryland, by Zenith Brown [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy “The Pipes of Pan,” by Lester del Rey [fantasy short story] “The Incomplete Theft,” by Robert Silverberg & Randall Garrett [science fiction short story] “The Last Guardian of Ru Ishtl,” by John Gregory Betancourt [fantasy short story] “The Battle of the Bells,” by Jerome Bixby [fantasy short story] Get Off My World, by Eando Binder [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #11

Malcolm Jameson

Frank Belknap Long

Amy Wolf

Elisabeth Sanxay Holding

Pat H. Broeske

M.A. Monnin

G.G. Pendarves

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #41. Lots of great reading this time—including a classic mystery novel by Elizabeth Sanxay Holding. Once you finish it, you can cruise through an original blackmail story by M.A. Monnin set in Germany (thanks to acquiring editor Michael Bracken), then Pat H. Broeske has a Hollywood tale of a missing classic Cadillac (thanks to acquiring editor Barb Goffman). Plus, of course, we have our Hal Charles solve-it-yourself tale. For science fiction and fantasy fans, we have a historical fantasy from Amy Wolf (courtesy of acquiring editor Cynthia Ward), plus classic science fiction from Lester del Rey and Malcolm Jameson, and two more fantasies from the legendary pulp magazine Weird Tales, by Frank Belknap Long and G.G. Pendarves. Here’s the lineup: Mystery / Suspense / Adventure: “A Bird In The Hand,” by M.A. Monnin [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Sweet Solution,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “The Fast And The Furriest,” by Pat H. Broeske [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Kill Joy, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Lazarus Chronicle,” by Amy Wolf [Cynthia Ware Presents short story] “A Code for Sam,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Devil’s Powder,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Werewolf of the Sahara,” by G. G. Pendarves [novella] “The Space-Eaters,” by Frank Belknap Long [novella]

Black Cat Weekly #41.

Grant Allen

Seabury Quinn

Hal Charles 

Tom Milani

Phyllis Ann Karr 

Brian Cox 

Joe Gibson 

Hulbert Footner 

Hal Meredith

Bill Venable

Our 78th issue features another lineup sure to please. We have an original mystery by Tom Milani (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has selected a great mystery by Brian Cox. Our other two Acquiring Editors, Cynthia Ward and Darrell Schweitzer, are still on break, but we hope they will be back soon. I’ve balanced out the mystery side of this issue with a Sexton Blake story and a Hulbert Footner novel. For the fantasy side, we have three tales: a Frostflower & Thorn short story from Phyllis Ann Karr, a Jules de Grandin occult detective story from Seabury Quinn, and a ghostly tale by Grant Allen. On the third side, we have three science fiction stories—tales by Joe Bigson, Bill Venable, and Lester del Rey. Fun stuff. I hope you enjoy it. Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Night of the Laundry Cart,” by Tom Milani [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Valentine by the Numbers,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Frozen Fiske.” by Brian Cox [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The White Mouse,” by Hal Meredith [Sexton Blake novelet] Cap’n Sue, by Hulbert Footner [novel] Fantasy & Science Fiction: “A Night at Two Inns.” by Phyllis Ann Karr [Frostflower & Thorn short story] “Pallinghurst Barrow,” by Grant Allen [novelet] “The Man Who Cast No Shadow,” by Seabury Quinn [Jules de Grandin novelet] “I Like You, Too—” by Joe Gibson [short story] “If At First,” by Bill Venable [short story] “Moon-Blind,” by Lester del Rey [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #78

Cynthia Ward

Frank Kane

Laird Long

Hulbert Footner

Richard Wilson

Michael Allan Mallory

Allan Danzig

James H. Beard

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #23. Lots of good stuff this time—highlighted by a novel from Golden Age mystery author Rufus King, Duenna for a Murder. Plus a few novellas, and lots of great short stories, a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles, and great selections from Michael Bracken (Laird Long’s “Taken for a Ride”—which qualifies as both a mysery and a fantasy story) and Barb Goffman (Michael Allan Mallory’s “Random Harvest”). On the science fiction side, the Cynthia Ward Presents story is missing this week, but that’s only because we have a fantastic alternate-history story from Cynthia herself! Check out her “On Stony Ground.” Plus an epic disaster story from Allan Danzig, a fantasy from Unknown by Lester del Rey and James H. Beard, a space-based tale by Richard Wilson, and a miniature military SF story from Larry Tritten. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Soul Searching,” by Laird Long [short story] “A Fine Kettle of Fish,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Dead Wrong,” by Frank Kane [short story] “Taken for a Ride,” by Hulbert Footner [short novel] “Random Harvest,” by Michael Allan Mallory [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Duenna to a Murder, by Rufus King [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “On Stony Ground,” by Cynthia Ward [short story] “Corrigan’s Homunculi,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “Carillon of Skulls,” by Lester del Rey and James H. Beard [short story] “Abel Baker Camel,” by Richard Wilson [short story] “The Great Nebraska Sea,” by Allan Danzig [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #23

Fourth Annual Collection

Best Science Fiction of the Year

George R.R. Martin

Nalo Hopkinson

Day Keene

Steve Liskow

Larry Tritten

Cathy Wiley

This issue features a welcome return by acquiring editor Darrell Schweitzer. He contributes a rare interview with best-selling Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. It originally appeared in Science Fiction Review in 1976—and as Darrell says, “this is somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” Martin discusses such things as the market for fantasy fiction (not much of one...at least in 1976!) and the way he works on stories. Fascinating stuff. For this issue’s mysteries, we have an original story by Steve Liskow, who is one of the best short-story writers currently working in the field, courtesy of editor Michael Bracken. Barb Goffman has selected “The Maine Attraction” (a New England murder mystery) by Cathy Wiley. And there are classics by Day Keene and Mildred Davis. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself tale by Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe). For the fantastic tales, this issue features Nalo Hopkinson’s brilliant “Greedy Choke Puppy,” selected by Cynthia Ward. Simply terrific. Larry Tritten’s SF humor piece, “The Science Fiction Book of Lists” will earn more than a few chuckles. Plus there are classic SF tales by James E. Gunn and Lester del Rey. Plus a ghost story by Richard Wilson. And a story from Weird Tales by Day Keene (which also does double-duty as a mystery!) Here’s the complete lineup: Non-Fiction Speaking with George R.R. Martin, an interview by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] “The Science Fiction Book of Lists,” by Larry Tritten [non-fact article, humor] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure “The Bridesmaid’s Tale” by Steve Liskow. [short story] “A Robber’s Craft” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] The Suicide Hours, by Mildred Davis [novel] “The Maine Attraction” by Cathy Wiley [short story] “Dead Man’s Shoes,” by Day Keene [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy “The Science Fiction Book of Lists,” by Larry Tritten [non-fact article, humor] “Dead Man’s Shoes,” by Day Keene [short story] “Greedy Choke Puppy,” by Nalo Hopkinson [short story] “Stilled Patter,” by James E. Gunn [short story] “See Me Safely Home,” by Richard Wilson [short story] “Kindness,” by Lester del Rey [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #27

Hope Mirrlees

Nisi Shawl

Otis Adelbert Kline

John M. Floyd

W.C. Tuttle

John W. Campbell, Jr.

Michael Ehart

Saul Golubcow

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #38. This issue, we have some real gems—starting with our featured story, Hope Mirrlees’s Lud-in-the-Mist. It’s a true classic of fantasy, acclaimed by critics for generations. Plus we have a Hashknife Hartley historical adventure novel (okay, you can call it a Western!) from W.C. Tuttle. Our acquiring editors have been busy, too. Michael Bracken snagged an original private eye tale from Laird Long, Barb Goffman found a terrific John M. Floyd story, and Cynthia Ward picked up a great science fiction story by Nisi Shawl and Michael Ehart. And I’ve been busy picking out stories, too—just so you don’t think I’m resting on the magazine’s laurels. This issue has a classic-style detective yarn from new author Saul Golubcow (the first of of three stories we’ll be running in this series), plus classic science fiction from Lester del Rey, John W. Campbell Jr., and Otis Adelbert Kline. Here’s the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Toy Ploy” by Laird Long [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Robber’s Craft” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “The Cost of Living”by Saul Golubcow [novelet] “The Barlow Boys” by John M. Floyd [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Buckaroo of Blue Wells, by W. C. Tuttle [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “In Blood and Song” by Nisi Shawl and Michael Ehart [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Shadows of Empire” by Lester del Rey [short story] “The Immortality Seekers” by John W. Campbell, Jr. [novelet] “Meteor Men of Mars” by Harry Cord and Otis Adelbert Kline [short story] Lud-in-the-Mist, by Hope Mirrlees [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #38

Frederik Pohl

Mack Reynolds

Jay Franklin

Laurence Janifer

Here are 6 modern and classic science fiction novels we hope you will enjoy: Wolfbane, by Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth Slave Planet, by Laurence Janifer Preferred Risk, by Frederik Pohl and Lester del Rey The Rat Race, by Jay Franklin Champagne Caesar, by Jay Franklin Rememory, by John Gregory Betancourt If you like this ebook, don't forget to search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see more of the 300+ volumes in this series, covering adventure, historical fiction, mysteries, westerns, ghost stories, science fiction -- and much, much more!

6 Great Science Fiction Novels

The First Science Fiction Novel MEGAPACK®

As the battalions of Earth withdraw from Mars, in the fading days of an interplanetary empire, puzzles remain. The V’nothi had disappeared before the Pyramids were put up, leaving only pictures of themselves in the ruins of Mars, looking like big, good-natured Vikings, complete to brawn and winged helmets. Archaeologists were still swearing every time they looked at those pictures and wondered what men on horseback were doing on Mars, and why no bones had ever been found. But one person in the Battalion seems to know more than he should about the ancients of Mars...

Shadows of Empire

In the future Mars is inhabited. Cities are growing fast and crime is rampant. Bruce Gordon, an ex-cop, was shipped to Mars with no return ticket. Caring with himself nothing but a knife he has only one order, to police the Red Planet!

Police Your Planet

Robert Louis Stevenson

Emil Petaja

Stories about devils and demons were literary staples long before the modern horror field came into existence. Our earliest story in this volume, by Washington Irving, was published in 1824...and the fact that these tales span almost 200 years shows how enduring the theme remains. Here, then, are 25 great modern and classic tales of devils, demons, and the macabre. Enjoy! THE CONTRACT OF CARSON CARRUTHERS, by William P. McGivern BURNT TOAST, by Mack Reynolds CRIME CLEAN-UP IN CENTER CITY, by Robert Moore Williams THE CRACKS OF TIME, by Dorothy Quick THE DEVIL AND TOM WALKER, by Washington Irving HIDEAWAY, by Everil Worrell THE STRANGER FROM KURDISTAN, by E. Hoffmann Price HEREAFTER, INC., by Lester del Rey NIGHTMARE ON THE NOSE, by Evelyn E. Smith THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER, by Mark Twain AUT DIABOLUS AUT NIHIL: THE TRUE STORY OF A HALLUCINATION, by X.L. (Julian Osgood Field) CAN SUCH BEAUTY BE? by Jerome Bixby MARKHEIM, by Robert Louis Stevenson MONSIEUR BLUEBEARD, by Emil Petaja YOUNG GOODMAN BROWN, by Nathaniel Hawthorne ROOM WITHOUT WINDOWS, by Manly Banister THE BARGAIN OF RUPERT ORANGE, by Vincent O’Sullivan THE BOTTLE IMP, by Dwight V. Swain THE CASE OF MR. LUCRAFT, Walter Besant and James Rice WHO SUPS WITH THE DEVIL, by S.M. Tenneshaw THE SHOEMAKER AND THE DEVIL, by Anton Chekhov SPAWN OF HELL, by William P. McGivern YOUR SOUL COMES C.O.D., by Mack Reynolds ST. JOHN'S EVE, by Nikolai Gogol WOLFIE, by Theodore R. Cogwell If you enjoy this ebook, don't forget to search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see more of the 260+ volumes in this series, covering adventure, historical fiction, mysteries, westerns, ghost stories, science fiction -- and much, much more!

The Devils & Demons MEGAPACK ®: 25 Modern and Classic Tales

Dave stared around the office. He went to the window and stared upwards at the crazy patchwork of the sky. For all he knew, in such a sky there might be cracks. In fact, as he looked, he could make out a rift, and beyond that a . . . hole . . . a small patch where there was no color, and yet the sky there was not black. There were no stars there, though points of light were clustered around the edges, apparently retreating.

The Sky is Falling

There was nothing, especially on Earth, which could set him free—the truth least of all!

Dead Ringer

Philip K. Dick

Robert E. Howard

Robert Bloch

Jessica Amanda Salmonson

Here is a grab-bag collection of great fantasy stories -- modern and classic, adventure-filled and serious, funny and sad -- by authors whose work you may already know, or may be discovering for the first time. Included are: THE COPPERSMITH, by Lester del Rey DOGS QUESTING, by John Gregory Betancourt OF WITHERED APPLES, by Philip K. Dick YELLOW EYES, by Marylois Dunn SEA TIGER, by Henry S. Whitehead THE BLACK TOWER, by R. H. Barlow THE SHADOW FROM ABOVE, by R.H. Barlow THE FLAGON OF BEAUTY, by R.H. Barlow THE SACRED BIRD, by R.H. Barlow THE TOMB OF THE GOD, by R.H. Barlow GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE, by Mack Reynolds DREAMTIME IN ADJAPHON, by John Gregory Betancourt A LEGEND OF LANTH, by Robert W. Lowndes THE SIREN, by F. Anstey MORRIEN'S BITCH, by Janet Fox ALLIANCES, by Janet Fox GATHER ROUND THE FLOWING BOWLER, by Robert Bloch AFRAID OF HIS SHADOW, by Dorothy Donnell Calhoun THE DAUGHTER OF THOR, by Edmond Hamilton THE WALTZ, by Morris W. Gowen WHITE LADY, by Sophie Wenzel Ellis CARILLON OF SKULLS by Lester del Rey and James H. Beard THE LAST GUARDIAN OF RU ISHTL, by John Gregory Betancourt SKULLS IN THE STARS, by Robert E. Howard If you enjoy this ebook, don't forget to search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see more of the 260+ volumes in this series, covering adventure, historical fiction, mysteries, westerns, ghost stories, science fiction -- and much, much more!

The Fantasy MEGAPACK ®

Lester del Rey

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