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Stanley Schmidt
32quotes
Stanley Schmidt
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Stanley Bernard Schmidt was a renowned American science fiction editor, writer, and educator.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on September 2, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois; passed away on June 28, 2019, at the age of 84.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Schmidt's nationality is American. Throughout his life, he worked as a science fiction editor, writer, educator, and science fiction magazine editor.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Chicago, Schmidt developed an interest in science fiction from an early age. He began writing at 14 and was heavily influenced by authors such as Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke. After serving in the United States Army, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in English.
Major Accomplishments
Schmidt's most notable achievement is his tenure as editor-in-chief of _Analog Science Fiction and Fact_ from 1973 to 2018. Under his leadership, the magazine won numerous awards, including 26 Hugo Awards for Best Professional Magazine. He also published over 1,000 short stories and articles in _Analog_ during his time as editor.
Notable Works or Actions
Schmidt was a prolific writer of science fiction short stories, publishing work under various pseudonyms throughout his career. Some notable works include "The Sledge" (1986), "The Last Winter" (1994), and "The Return of the Sledge" (2008). He also co-edited several anthologies with other authors.
Impact and Legacy
Schmidt's impact on science fiction is immeasurable. As a dedicated editor, he helped launch the careers of numerous notable writers, including Gregory Benford, David Brin, and Orson Scott Card. His tenure at _Analog_ established the magazine as one of the most respected publications in the genre.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Stanley Schmidt is widely quoted for his insightful commentary on science fiction writing, editing, and the publishing industry. His dedication to promoting emerging writers and fostering a community within the field has inspired generations of authors and editors.
Quotes by Stanley Schmidt
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This means I must pay close attention to the writing, but equally so to the scientific background – which sometimes means doing fairly involved calculations.
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There may be something to the suggestion about the pace of technological change intimidating writers, though – it’s been awfully hard to keep ahead of real developments.
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When something hasn’t been around much for a while, and one example of it turns up and catches people’s eyes, they go looking for more like it – until they get tired of it again.
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Ideally, I’d like every issue to include a diverse group of stories that meet the qualifications sketched above, but covering a wide range of specific matter and flavour.
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Its limitations are those of the physical universe: it won’t let you play with some really wild ideas that aren’t possible, but are fun to speculate about.
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It’s easy to imagine ways the future can be ugly and depressing. It’s harder, but more worthwhile, to imagine plausible ways we can make it better.
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It’s most presumptuous to believe we already know all the answers and will never get any more big surprises.
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Don’t mistake a good setup for a satisfying conclusion – many beginning writers end their stories when the real story is just ready to begin.
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Don't mistake a good setup for a satisfying conclusion - many beginning writers end their stories when the real story is just ready to begin.
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Resist the temptation to try to use dazzling style to conceal weakness of substance.
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