The Forrest J Ackerman Oeuvre

Although he is most remembered for his vast collection of science fiction memorabilia; his influential magazine, Famous Monsters of Filmland; and his frequent sci-fi convention appearances, Forrest J Ackerman (1916–2008) also left a sizeable body of work in print. An introductory biographical section traces Ackerman’s early enthusiasm for pulp magazines and film productions of a fantastic nature, his rise to prominence in “fandom,” his acquisition of memorabilia, his work as a literary agent, the founding of his landmark magazine in 1958, and his friendship with a number of performers and personnel from genre films. The extensive bibliography includes listings of books, published letters, articles, fiction, verse, speeches, screenplays, comics, discography, liner notes, and periodicals edited and published by Ackerman. A thorough filmography, a selected listing of nationally televised appearances, and rare photographs of Ackerman throughout his lifetime complete this definitive catalog of one of science fiction’s most interesting personalities.

Christopher M. O’Brien has been researching the pulp magazines and early science fiction fandom for more than a decade. His short stories and articles have appeared in Filmfax, Mad Scientist, The Lovecraft Annual and Mythos Collector.

Christopher M. O’Brien
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 242
Bibliographic Info: 38 photos, notes, filmography, bibliography, indexes
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4984-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-9230-5
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Foreword: My Daze with Forrest J Ackerman by Dennis Billows 1

Essay: “The Importance of Being Forry”   by Stephen King 7

Preface 11

Part I : Biography 15

Notes to Biography 65

Sources 69

Part II : Bibliography 75

Books 75

Contributions to Periodicals 78

Short Stories/Fiction 78; Nonfiction 83; Online Writings

155; Poetry/Verse 156; Reviews 157

Screenplays 159

Comics 159

Calendars 160

Trading Cards 160

Works Translated by Ackerman 160

Published Letters 160

Circularized Letters 165

Speeches 165

Discography 166

Albums 166; Liner Notes 166

Filmography 166

Film Roles 166; Documentary Appearances 168;

Documentaries About 170; TV/Talk Show Appearances 170

Material in Books by Others 171

Edited Works 174

Periodicals 174; Perry Rhodan Books 175

Lost or Unpublished Works 179

Fiction 179; Nonfiction 179

Foreign Translations 179

Fiction 179; Nonfiction 180; Books 180; Periodicals 180

Interviews 180

Works Published by Ackerman 183

Works About Ackerman 184

Books 184; Profiles/Tributes 184

Reviews of Ackerman Material 194

Fanzine/Tribute Publications 194

Biography Index to Pages 197

Bibliography Index to Entries 202

Honorable Mention, Rondo Hatton Award
“terrific photos…very good”—Little Shoppe of Horrors; “a loving look back at the work of Forrest J Ackerman”—Mad Scientist; “a labor of love to compile”—Communication Booknotes Quarterly.