The Best of Farmerphile

The Best of Farmerphile

Farmerphile: The Magazine of Philip José Farmer was a quarterly fanzine that ran fifteen issues from July 2005 to January 2009. Michael Croteau served as Publisher for all fifteen issues; Christopher Paul Carey and Paul Spiteri coedited the first ten issues, while Spiteri and I coedited the last five. Thanks to the generosity of Philip José Farmer and his “Magic Filing Cabinet,” Farmerphile published—for the first time anywhere—short stories (mostly not science fiction), excerpts, articles, speeches, and letters written by Farmer. It even serialized the novel Up from the Bottomless Pit (not included in this collection, but forthcoming from Meteor House).

Farmerphile also contained articles and appreciations from Farmer’s fans and from his fellow science fiction authors, from critiques of his work to stories of personal encounters, and everything between.

I'm contributing four pieces to the Best of:

• The Farmerian Holmes
• Excessively Diverted, Or, Coming to Pemberley House
• Only a Coincidence: Phileas Fogg, Philip José Farmer, and the Wold Newton Family
• Gribardsun through the Ages (cowritten with Dennis E. Power)

The Best of Farmerphile is available in two editions: a Trade Paperback and a Hardcover Limited Edition. The hardcover is not “officially” a signed limited edition, but when the book debuts at PulpFest/FarmerCon XII in late July 2017, we will get as many contributors on hand as possible to sign it before we ship the books to those preordered (shipping will occur immediately after PulpFest/FarmerCon XII).

Preorder - Trade Paperback edition
Preorder - Limited Edition Hardcover

Official Philip José Farmer Home Page - Updated July 10

Check out Mike Croteau's latest update at the Official Philip José Farmer Home Page, including news on Bette Farmer's passing, the Farmerphile awards at FarmerCon IV, and forthcoming books.

2009 Farmerphile Award for Best Artist

In the long overdue department, I'm happy to spread the news far and wide that my pal Keith Howell won the 2009 Farmerphile Award for Best Artwork at FarmerCon IV, held on June 6-7 in Peoria.

Keith won for his wraparound cover for Farmerphile no. 15 (Jan. 2009), "Philip José Farmer on the Riverworld."

I voted for Keith... however, as wonderful as the Riverworld cover is, I had to vote for his visualization of the Doc Wildman [Savage] Coat of Arms, based on Phil's description of the Coat of Arms in Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life. The Coat of Arms piece came in second in the voting, and will grace the cover of the Limited Edition Chapbook of The Evil in Pemberley House.

C'mon Doc fans... ain't it sweet?

Farmerphile no. 15 now available

From publisher Mike Croteau:

Three and a half years and fifteen issues in, we suffered our first major printing problem with the final issue of Farmerphile; the good news is, it's our second straight 60 page issue and it is full of material about Phil's most popular series...Riverworld!

We start the issue with an excerpt from the soon to be completed Western novel, Cougar by the Tail by Philip José Farmer and Tracy Knight. This is followed by an interview with Tracy about his process of working with the material Phil started. Next we have "The Time Distorter" by Paul Spiteri. A shorter version of this story appeared in the Farmercon 90 Convention Program but this expanded version goes beyond Phil gaining access to a time machine before he sets off on his first journey. This story features a full page illustration by Charles Berlin. Buddha Contemplates His Novel shows what a treat it is when we get to print one of Phil's speeches. Contrary to the humorous title Phil does tackle an interesting philosophical question about the omnipotence of God. Win Scott Eckert's Creative Mythography column is one of his most ambitious. He searches Phil's family tree for proof that Phil himself is in a fact a member of the Wold Newton Family! First time contributor David Lars Chamberlain takes on the Bibliophile duty this issue with a look at The Unreasoning Mask. Inspired to read this book by comments made by Gary K. Wolfe, David did a very thorough job of studying one of Phil's deeper novels.

In terms of Riverworld, we have yet another wonderful cover by Keith Howell; this is in fact our first wrap-around cover. We decided to mine the two shared-world anthologies, TALES OF RIVERWORLD and QUEST TO RIVERWORLD for writers to contribute to this issue and easily got three (our first three choices, in fact) to pen articles for us. On the River with Philip José Farmer by author and superfan Robert Weinberg tells, not just about his stories, but also the behind-the-scenes story of the genesis of these two anthologies. Ed Gorman's article, My Time on the River is also a history lesson, one that goes back way before any Riverworld stories saw print. Allen Steele gives us a detailed account of his contribution, from invitation to inspiration to the writing of his story in Writing "Graceland." Together, all three articles combine to shine more light on this topic than we dared hope for.

Also on the Riverworld theme we have The River not Taken by Dennis E. Power. This article clarifies and puts into context a long letter by Phil to Fred Pohl (included) outlining a Riverworld storyline that Phil abandoned. Next we have Tom Mix Resurected by Danny Adams. This article illustrates the lengths that Phil went to while researching a historical figure to include in one his stories. The article includes letters to Daryl Ponicsan (author of the novel, TOM MIX DIED FOR YOUR SINS) and to Phil's good friend Robert Bloch. The highlight of the Riverworld material however is the Unpolished Pearl, Riverworld Dawn by Philip José Farmer. This is an outline (and some notes) for a "sidestream" Riverworld novel Phil wanted to write. He did eventually use part of the idea, but not as originally planned.

The issue finishes up with two more Unpolished Pearls. The first, Myadzian Journal is the oldest material published in Farmerphile and will most likely be considered by many to be the most exciting. It is four handwritten pages of notes (along with a typed transcription) from the late 1930s where Phil first described Kickaha and the World of Tiers. However this Kickaha is very different from the human trickster character we all know and love. And last but not least is a page of typed notes titled Time has its Mirages. This is brainstorm of ideas, the last line of which is "Buddha writes his novel

Copies can be ordered direct from Philip José Farmer's website.

A "picaha" post for my pal Dennis

The covers to the two volumes of Philip José Farmer's World of Tiers series (6 novels in all), featuring the Trickster hero Kickaha, for my pal Dennis Power with my thanks for his article "The Conundrums of Kickaha" in Farmerphile no. 7. The article was an immense help with an essay I've recently written.

The Year in Review

Everyone,

Just a note of thanks to everyone who is kindly following along here. 2008 was a good year for fans of Philip Jose Farmer, Wold-Newton, pulps, etc., with more to come in 2009 and 2010...

2008:
Philip Jose Farmer's VENUS ON THE HALF-SHELL AND OTHERS, including Phil's Holmes-Tarzan crossover, THE ADVENTURE OF THE PEERLESS PEER:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WoldNewtonUniverse/message/40

4 new issues of FARMERPHILE: THE MAGAZINE OF PHILIP JOSE FARMER:
http://www.pjfarmer.com/farmerphile.htm#iss11
http://www.pjfarmer.com/farmerphile.htm#iss12
http://www.pjfarmer.com/farmerphile.htm#iss13
http://www.pjfarmer.com/farmerphile.htm#iss14

The Wold Newton Universe website updated:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WoldNewtonUniverse/message/45

TALES OF THE SHADOWMWEN Vol. 4: LORDS OF TERROR and Vol. 5: THE VAMPIRES OF PARIS released in Jan. and Nov. respectively (featuring Wold-Newtony crossover pulp/adventure/mystery/horror/sf) stories:
http://www.blackcoatpress.com/talesshadowmen04.htm
http://www.blackcoatpress.com/talesshadowmen05.htm

Henry Covert's "The Many Worlds of Wold Newton" essays in ASTONISHING ADVENTURES magazine issues 4 and 5:
http://issuu.com/astonishing/docs/astonishing_adventures_magazine_4_issuu
http://issuu.com/astonishing/docs/astonishing_adventures_magazine_5


Announcement of the completion of 2 new Philip Jose Farmer novels, both of which take place in Phil's Wold Newton Universe:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WoldNewtonUniverse/message/47
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WoldNewtonUniverse/message/49

...And the sale of one of those novels, THE EVIL IN PEMBERLEY HOUSE, to Subterranean Press (with fingers crossed that the other novel, THE SONG OF KWASIN completed by Christopher Paul Carey, will sell soon!)
http://woldnewton.blogspot.com/2008/12/subterranean-press-acquires-new-wold.html
http://pemberleyhouse.blogspot.com/

The release of Moonstone Books' THE AVENGER CHRONICLES; some of the stories have Wold-Newtonian crossover references, particularly Matthew Baugh's , and mine, which has a heavy Farmerian influence.
http://woldnewton.blogspot.com/2008/10/avenger-chronicles-now-available.html


2009:
FARMERPHILE no. 15 (coming in January, http://www.pjfarmer.com/farmerphile.htm )

THE OTHER IN THE MIRROR by Philip Jose Farmer (Subterranean Press, early 2009)

Other short story anthologies in which I'll have stories; there will definitely be crossovers and one, if it gets approved, will have a heavy Wold-Newtonian background. These have not been announced yet, so I can't say anything further now. Stay tuned.

2010:
CROSSOVERS: A SECRET CHRONOLOGY OF THE WORLD (MonkeyBrain Books)

THE EVIL IN PEMBERLEY HOUSE (Subterranean Press; 2010 release date is conjecture, stay tuned)


Thanks to everyone here... And if you're not already "following" my blogs and would like to stay even current, please sign up using the "FOLLOW THIS BLOG" links:
http://www.winscotteckert.com
http://pemberleyhouse.blogspot.com/

You can also friend me at MySpace and/or Facebook:
http://www.myspace.com/woldnewton
http://www.facebook.com/people/Win-Scott-Eckert/649308473

Happy Holidays, and all the best,

-Win

Con update

So I did the Myths for the Modern Age/Wold Newton presentation today as a "tight focus" 25 minute presentation. (Tight focus is 2 25 minute presentations on the hour, with a 10 minute break, followed by the next round.)

The audience was predictably small:

• the writer who preceded me, Barb Nickless, who gave a very interesting presentation on cannibalism from a historical and anthropological perspective, and then discussed it in genre literature and films, etc.;
  
• my better half;
  
• a woman -- a female Wold Newton fan! -- who actually came to see the my presentation, and who apparently already had MYTHS and the first three volumes of Tales of the Shadowmen; she was very interested in Farmerphile and the two new PJF novels which have been discussed here previously (The Song of Kwasin and The Evil in Pemberley House); I wish I had been able to chat with her further, but she left as I was packing up, however I did have a chance to hand her a Farmerphile flyer;
  
• another woman who came for the cannibalism presentation and ended up being interested enough to stick around for mine; handed out a Farmerphile flyer;
  
• another woman who stayed for most of the presentation, and made a few good comments, but left about 5 minutes before it ended.

Given that so few female fans join the various online Wold Newton discussion groups and even fewer contribute essays and articles, I thought the makeup of today's audience was interesting.

Quick updates: Farmerphile #14 now available & MileHiCon 40 this weekend

Farmerphile no. 14 is back from the printer and available for order. As a not-so-gentle reminder, this issue features a sample excerpt from the novel The Evil in Pemberley House (featuring Doc Savage's (Wildman's) daughter, Patricia Wildman, as well as a magnificent illustration of the Doc Wildman coat of arms, based on Phil Farmer's research and description.

I will have several copies of issue 14 for sale on consignment through Who Else Books, at the dealer's room at MileHiCon 40 in Denver, where I'll be spending most of my weekend. Also available on consignment will be copies of Myths for the Modern Age: Philip José Farmer's Wold Newton Universe, Tarzan Alive, Tales of the Shadowmen vols. 1-4, and Lance Star--Sky Ranger, as well as two full sets of all 14 issues of Farmerphile (in addition to the extra copies of no. 14 mentioned above).

I know this blog post is probably not reaching many locals, but just in case... hope to see you there!

The Wold Newton gang in FARMERPHILE #14

Now that I've broken the news about the Doc Savage coat of arms in FARMERPHILE no. 14 , it really bears mentioning how many Wold-Newtoneers we have contributing to this issue, our longest issue yet!

Art Sippo makes his first contribution with "This Played in Peoria?"

Rick Lai is back with the very timely "The Doc Ravage Presidential Campaign."

Regular Dennis Power joins in with "Oh the Humanity."

Chris Carey , as always, puts his indelible stamp on the issue with all of his invaluable behind-the-scenes work.

And I've got a few Pemberley House things in there, including an interview about writing the book, a family tree, and a two-chapter excerpt.

Complete contents:

Issue No. 14 - October 2008
60 pages (5.5 x 8.5 inches)
$11 (includes shipping in the US and Canada)

Table of contents:

This Played in Peoria?
- by Art Sippo

A Whale of a Time
- by Leo Queequeg Tincrowdor

Tongues of the Moon
- by Philip José Farmer
--- illustrated by John Streleckis

The Voice of Farmer in My Vermiform Appendix
- by Rhys Hughes

Creative Mythography: Excessively Diverted, or, Coming to Pemberley House
- by Win Scott Eckert

Farmerphile Interviews Win Scott Eckert

Excerpt from The Evil in Pemberley House
- by Philip José Farmer & Win Scott Eckert
--- illustrated by Keith Howell

Say, What's the Big Idea?
- by Michael Carroll

The Doc Ravage Presidential Campaign
- by Rick Lai

Bibliophile
- by Paul Spiteri

Boris the Bear: Wold Newton and Philip José Farmer
- by Steve Mattsson

Oh the Humanity
- by Dennis E. Power

Unpolished Pearls from the Magic Filing Cabinet

Greartheart Silver
- by Philip José Farmer

Doc Wildman's Coat of Arms
- by Philip José Farmer
--- illustrated by Keith Howell

Cover art by Charles Berlin

We really hope you'll support our efforts and pick up this issue .

All the best,

Win

Doc Savage's Coat of Arms!

I'm very pleased to announce that, as I blogged about a short time ago, Doc Savage's (okay, Doc Wildman's :-) coat of arms will appear in issue 14 of Farmerphile! The illustration is based on Phil Farmer's description in Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life, with a few additions based on unpublished notes from the Magic Filing Cabinet in Phil's basement. I (and my lovely wife) were very pleased research the rules of heraldry in order to provide instructions to fantastic artist Keith Howell in executing what Phil described in DS:HAL, as well as choosing the small additions from Phil's unpublished notes.

This is a big deal for Doc fans, so please spread the word (forward the link to this post!) and consider picking up the issue; Keith's illustration is truly extraordinary.