I have a Sci Fi literary question.

[perks]

okay,
I'm reading the Callahan Chronicles by Spider Robinson.
In the foreward, Spider mentions the reasons books are written. A favorite anecdote of his is "... about a man who bet a friend that it was literally impossible to write a book so bad that no one could be found to publish it..."

Spider goes on to tell us how this man "...proceeded to write the worst, most hackneyed novel of which he was capable.." He did end up selling it though, and about two dozen sequels.

However, he didn't tell us the name of that author, for legal reasons.

My question is this... Does anyone know who that author is? Please tell me,cause it's bugging the hell out of me.

thanks,
perks
who has written a thread that is not of a sexual nature and somebody better answer it or she's never doing it again.

 

[Nathon_88]

So many.......

Gor Series.
Some of Heinlein's work.....actually called HIMSELF a hack at one point....
Piers Anthony.......

 

[perks]

So many.......

Gor Series.
Some of Heinlein's work.....actually called HIMSELF a hack at one point....
Piers Anthony.......

hmmmmmm. For some reason I figured he was referring to a specific author. Do you think one of the one's you mentioned could be the one?
Have you read Spider?

 

[Nathon_88]

hmmmmmm. For some reason I figured he was referring to a specific author. Do you think one of the one's you mentioned could be the one?
Have you read Spider?

Sorry, I have not.......It could be John Gorman (I think that's the author of the Gor series.....not 100%)

 

[perks]

thanks Nathon...

I'll have to check him out.

 

[tortoise]

I remember reading that anectdote, but I'm not sure of the answer. For some reason, though, Robert E. Howard (the author of the Conan books) came to mind immediately. I'm not sure if I actually heard that the anecdote was about him, or if I'm just conjecturing. Sorry I can't be of more help.

John Norman (the Gor author) was a fine nomination as well.

 

[IrishWolfhound]

thanks Nathon...

I'll have to check him out.

Heinlein, although great in his later years, did do some really hack work in the 50's to eat & keep a roof.

Perky, you ever need an expert on sucky writing, I'm your man. I've written some of the worst stuff on record.

 

[perks]

you guys are being very helpful...

thankyou very much.

I am falling in love with this Book. It's perfect for me.

 

[IrishWolfhound]

Robinson is a very good writer. Enjoy, and try some of his other stuff.

 

[perks]

like?

 

[pipercatt]

I love the Callahan Series, but never really got into his other stuff as much.

And yes, he was talking about Heinlein..but I got here to late to say it first. *sheepish*

 

[Nathon_88]

I love the Callahan Series, but never really got into his other stuff as much.

And yes, he was talking about Heinlein..but I got here to late to say it first. *sheepish*

It's all right, Piper.....at least someone agreed with me.

 

[pipercatt]

It's all right, Piper.....at least someone agreed with me.

Well, I meant to say that I didn't get here first to say it...silly me.

There's a Callahan's bar forum over on Delphi, I never went in thre, but I hear it's a hopping place.

Anyone else here love puns as much as I do??

 

[perks]

awesome... thankyou very much...

how did you hear about it? from the Spider book? or somewhere else?

 

[Nathon_88]

Well, I meant to say that I didn't get here first to say it...silly me.

There's a Callahan's bar forum over on Delphi, I never went in thre, but I hear it's a hopping place.

Anyone else here love puns as much as I do??

There was a contest, trying to find the world's worst and best puns. One man, determined to win, sent 5 the day the contest opened, and 5 the day the contest closed.

When the results were posted, do you know which one won?

No pun in ten did.

 

[paphian]

There was a contest, trying to find the world's worst and best puns. One man, determined to win, sent 5 the day the contest opened, and 5 the day the contest closed.

When the results were posted, do you know which one won?

No pun in ten did.

Aiiieeee!

(That's high praise, BTW)

 

[pipercatt]

*Turning green*

Thanks, Nathon, I needed that...

Perky, I don't remember where I heard it, I think an old artist friend of mine. I used to hang out at Delphi a lot a few years ago. I believe they also have a Tuesday night chat, reminiscent of the book.

 

[perks]

I've got to find something like that... WHat a blast.

 

[perks]

<smile> I am enjoying this so much...

maybe Dilly could use the chronicles as his next book club thing.

But it would be a reread for him, so maybe not...

anyway. Thankyou all for your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions.