Comments on: What My Clients Thought

By: John Boland

John Boland — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 05:20:25 +0000

Let’s see. The Riverworld stories, Tales of Known Space, Retief, Skylark, the Star Kings . . . how long would I have to go on? The Star Pit. Driftglass. Never mind Worlds of Tomorrow. And who was publishing those Phil Dick stories?
It’s not nostalgia that makes me wish If, Galaxy and WoT, with Fred Pohl at the helm, were still around. Magazine sf was never consistently better.

By: Robert Jennings

Robert Jennings — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:32:19 +0000

On the subject at hand, your working as and agent and your decision to stop being an agent; what YEAR(s) are under discussion here? You obviously know, but the rest of us do not. I can guess that some or perhaps most of this took place in the early 1950s, but putting some year dates on these comments would be extremely helpful in putting everything into an accurate historical perspective.

By: Tim Bartik

Tim Bartik — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:48:36 +0000

I disagree with the advice given by many of these comments. I think that Mr. Pohl is well-advised to correct the historical record in some detail. In the long-run, this will be the most effective strategy to ensure that future historians and biographers get the facts right. Obviously Mr. Pohl’s fans and friends do not need this detailed historical discussion. But history does.

By: Simon

Simon — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:31:42 +0000

I grew up around SF, it’s buried somewhere so deep in my subconscious that there’s no hope of prying it out… So, when I say that for most of my adult life I’ve said Fred Pohl was the greatest writer I’ve ever read, that means something to me. Day Million, or The Tunnel Under The World are worth far (vastly? infinitely?) more than the hack-job bio. Ok, you’re most Thelonious Monk than Miles Davis – someone only the hipcats have even heard of. But that just makes the hipcats love your work more… There’s nothing better than an obscure master.

Good luck Fred, but you don’t need to flog the horse.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 06:33:12 +0000

This is a bandwagon I’m happy to jump on. I’ve read your novels, I’ve read many of the stories you’ve edited, I’ve read Gateways (with an “S”!) and the accolades by other authors printed therein. Anyone who knows anything knows how you’ve transformed science fiction over the years while also earning the respect and admiration of your peers.

On top of all that, you’ve made readers like myself — people you’ve never met and probably never will meet — very, very happy.

The bull that M.R.’s slinging can’t bury the truth.

By: Dave Creek

Dave Creek — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:31:57 +0000

Fred, let me add my voice to your legion of admirers — from THE SPACE MERCHANTS to GATEWAY and beyond, your work has been a major influence on me both as a reader and writer.

I can’t express my admiration for your career and your integrity — put this Mark Rich fellow out of your mind. Those who know you, either personally or through your writing, know who you really are.