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Ray Bradbury became the apostle to the Gentiles, so to speak; science fiction's ambassador to the outside world. People who didn't read science fiction, and who were taken aback by its unfamiliar conventions and its rather specialized vocabulary, found they could read and understand Bradbury.
"Ray Bradbury," TV Guide, January 12, 1980 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 198
on Arthur C. Clarke
We have a treaty that we put together in a taxi barreling down Park Avenue about fifteen years ago. This "Asimov-Clarke Treaty of Park Avenue" states that I must insist at all times that Arthur C. Clarke is the best sciwnce fiction writer in the world (accepting second place for myself)while Arthur must equally insist tht Isaac Asimov is the best science fiction writer in the world (accepting second place for himself).
I don't think either of us means it, since humility is a word neiuther of us has ever heard of, but we are honorable men who stick to the bargain.
"Arthur C. Clarke," Material for Childhood's End, recording, Caedmon, 1979 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 200
John Campbell
The great writers of the Golden Age in Astounding were more Campbell than themselves. I admit, freely and frequently, that this was so in my case. Other writers are perhaps more reluctant to do so.
"Big, Big, Big," unpublished Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 100
Campbell might be outwritten by many others, in and out of science fiction, in terms of characterization, plot and dialogue, but no one ever outdid him in visualing the grandeur of the universe.
"Big, Big, Big," unpublished Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 176
The luckiest thing that ever happened to me was meeting Campbell at the very beginning of his editorial career, for if ever there was a patron saint of "new voices" it was he.
"The Campbell Touch," New Voices II: The Campbell Award Nominees, ed. George R. R. Martin, 1980 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 176
The late, great science fiction editor John Campbell was fascinated by all sorts of fallacious devices that purported to do something in defiance of the well-understood laws of nature.
"The Radiation That Wasn't," Magazine of F & SF, March 1988. Out of the Everywhere, pg. 127
on Harlan Ellison
I had, very early in the game [of getting I, Robot to the screen] urged him to be diplomatic, but Harlan is a seething volcano who thinks "diplomatic" refers to someone who has earned a college degree.
"Hollywood and I," IASFM, May, 1979 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 296
on E. E. "Doc" Smith
Although E. E. Smith was a wonderful human being, beloved by all who knew him (including myself), the sad truth is he was an indifferent writer, who developed only moderately with the years.
"The Second Nova," The Best of Stanley G. Weinbaum, 1974 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 192
on Stanley Weinbaum
The super-jungle of the dayside of Venus as pictured in "Parasite Planet" is, in my opinion, the most perfect example of an alien ecology ever constructed.
"The Second Nova," The Best of Stanley G. Weinbaum, 1974 Asimov on Science Fiction, pg. 194
All quotes maintain their original copyright and are presented here for research, reference and review.
Thanks to Doubleday for permission to use selected quotes.
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