Ace Science Fiction Specials are three series of

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

and

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

books published by

Ace Books Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by A. A. Wyn, Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mystery fiction, mysteries and western (genre), westerns, and soon branched out int ...

between 1968 and 1990.

Terry Carr Terry Gene Carr (February 19, 1937 – April 7, 1987) was an American science fiction fan, author, editor, and writing instructor. Background and discovery of fandom Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon. He attended the City College of S ...

edited the first and third series, taking the "TV special" concept and adapting it to paperback marketing. The first series was one of the most influential in the history of science fiction publishing; four of the six novels nominated for 1970

Nebula Awards The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), a nonprofit association of pro ...

were from the series. The date given is the year of publication by Ace; some are first editions and some are reprints. Also given is the Ace serial number. The serial number given is that of the first printing in the Ace Special series (except for the reissue of

Rite of Passage A rite of passage is a ceremony or ritual of the passage which occurs when an individual leaves one group to enter another. It involves a significant change of social status, status in society. In cultural anthropology the term is the Anglicisa ...

). Books with a previous first edition are noted as "reissue" below. The order listed for series one is the original order of publication; the price is given. Ace reissued many of these books outside of the Ace Special line with different covers and prices, and sometimes different paginations. Award winners are noted; several were nominated for awards.

Series 1

* Clifford D. Simak - '' Why Call Them Back from Heaven?'' (1968, reissue from 1967, H-42, 60c) *

James H. Schmitz James Henry Schmitz (October 15, 1911 – April 18, 1981) was a German-American science fiction writer. Early life Schmitz was born in Hamburg, Germany to American parents and was educated at a ''Realgymnasium'' in Hamburg, and grew up sp ...

- ''

The Witches of Karres ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

'' (1968, reissue from 1966, A-13, 75c) * R. A. Lafferty - '' Past Master'' (1968, H-54, 60c) *

Gertrude Friedberg Gertrude (née Tonkonogy) Friedberg (17 March 1908 – September 17, 1989) was an American playwright and writer. Life and career Gertrude Tonkonogy was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1908 as one of 11 children. to George Tonkonogy, Sr. and Sadie ...

- ''The Revolving Boy'' (1968, reissue from 1966, H-58, 60c) * Wilson Tucker - ''The Lincoln Hunters'' (1968, reissue from 1958, H-62, 60c) *

Alexei Panshin Alexei Panshin (August 14, 1940 – August 21, 2022) was an American writer and science fiction critic. He wrote several critical works and several novels, including the 1968 Nebula Award–winning novel ''Rite of Passage (Panshin), Rite of Pas ...

- ''

'' (1968, A-16, 75c)

Nebula Award The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), a nonprofit association of pr ...

winner *

Joanna Russ Joanna Russ (February 22, 1937 – April 29, 2011) was an American writer, academic and feminist. She is the author of a number of works of science fiction, fantasy and feminist literary criticism such as '' How to Suppress Women's Writing'', as ...

- ''Picnic on Paradise'' (1968, H-72, 60c) *

Bob Shaw Robert Shaw (31 December 1931 – 11 February 1996) was a science fiction writer and fan from Northern Ireland, noted for his originality and wit. He won the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer in 1979 and 1980. His short story " Light of Other Da ...

- ''The Two-Timers'' (1968, H-79, 60c) *

D. G. Compton David Guy Compton (19 August 1930 – 10 November 2023) was a British author who wrote science fiction under the name D. G. Compton. He used the name Guy Compton for his earlier crime novels and the pseudonym Frances Lynch for his Gothic novels. ...

- ''

Synthajoy ''Synthajoy'' is a science fiction novel by D. G. Compton originally published in 1968 as an Ace Science Fiction Special in the United States and in hardcover by Hodder & Stoughton in Great Britain. An Italian translation appeared in 1972. Gre ...

'' (1968, reissue from UK same year, H-86, 60c) *

Piers Anthony Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob (born August 6, 1934) is an American author in the science fiction and fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is best known for his long-running novel series set in the fictional realm of Xan ...

and Robert E. Margroff - ''The Ring'' (1968, A-19, 75c) *

James Blish James Benjamin “Jimmy” Blish () was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He is best known for his ''Cities in Flight'' novels and his series of ''Star Trek'' novelizations written with his wife, J. A. Lawrence. His novel ''A Case ...

and Norman L. Knight - ''A Torrent of Faces'' (1968, reissue from 1967, A-29, 75c) *

- '' The Demon Breed'' (1968, H-105, 60c) *

Roger Zelazny Roger Joseph Zelazny (May 13, 1937 – June 14, 1995) was an American fantasy and science fiction writer known for his short stories and novels, best known for '' The Chronicles of Amber''. He won the Nebula Award three times (out of 14 nominatio ...

- '' Isle of the Dead'' (1969, 37465, 60c) *

John Brunner John Brunner may refer to: * Sir John Brunner, 1st Baronet (1842–1919), British industrialist and Liberal Member of Parliament * John L. Brunner (1929–1980), Pennsylvania politician * Sir John Brunner, 2nd Baronet (1865–1929), British Libe ...

- ''

The Jagged Orbit ''The Jagged Orbit'' is a science fiction novel by British writer John Brunner. It is similar to his earlier novel ''Stand on Zanzibar'' in its narrative style and dystopic outlook. It has exactly 100 titled chapters, which vary from several pag ...

'' (1969, 38120, 95c) *

Ursula K. Le Guin Ursula Kroeber Le Guin ( ; Kroeber; October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author. She is best known for her works of speculative fiction, including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the ''Earthsea'' fantas ...

- ''

The Left Hand of Darkness ''The Left Hand of Darkness'' is a science fiction novel by the American writer Ursula K. Le Guin. Published in 1969, it became immensely popular, and established Le Guin's status as a major author of science fiction. The novel is set in the f ...

'' (1969, 47800, 95c)

Hugo Award The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and chosen by its members. The award is administered by th ...

and

winner; first edition of this title * Philip K. Dick - '' The Preserving Machine'' (1969, 67800, 95c) collection *

Avram Davidson Avram Davidson (April 23, 1923 – May 8, 1993) was an American writer of fantasy fiction, science fiction, and crime fiction, as well as the author of many stories that do not fit into a genre niche. He won a Hugo Award and three World Fantasy ...

- ''The Island Under the Earth'' (1969, 37425, 75c) * John T. Sladek - ''Mechasm'' (1969, reissue from 1968, originally ''The Reproductive System'', 71435, 75c) *

- ''The Silent Multitude'' (1969, 76385, reissue from 1967, 75c) *

- ''The Palace of Eternity'' (1969, 65050, 75c) *

Keith Roberts Keith John Kingston Roberts (20 September 1935 – 5 October 2000) was an English science fiction author. He began publishing with two stories in the September 1964 issue of ''Science Fantasy'' magazine, "Anita" (the first of a series of stor ...

- ''Pavane'' (1969, reissue from 1968, 65430, 95c) *

Michael Moorcock Michael John Moorcock (born 18 December 1939) is an English writer, particularly of science fiction and fantasy, who has published a number of well-received literary novels as well as comic thrillers, graphic novels and non-fiction. He has wo ...

- ''

The Black Corridor ''The Black Corridor'' is a science fiction novel by Michael Moorcock. It was published in 1969, first by Ace Books in the US, as part of their Ace Science Fiction Specials series, and later by Mayflower Books in the UK. It is essentially a ...

'' (1969, reissue from UK earlier in 1969, 06530, 75c) *

- ''

'' (1969, reissue from 1968, A-16, with "Nebula Award: Best SF Novel of the Year" on cover, 72781, 75c) * R. A. Lafferty - '' Fourth Mansions'' (1969, 24590, 75c) *

- ''The Steel Crocodile'' (1970, 78575, 75c) *

- ''

And Chaos Died ''And Chaos Died'' (1970) is a science fiction novel by American writer Joanna Russ, perhaps the genre's best-known feminist author. Its setting is a dystopian projection of modern society, in which Earth's population has continued to grow, with ...

'' (1970, 02268, 75c) *

- '' The Phoenix and the Mirror'' (1970, reissue from 1969, 66100, 75c) *

Ron Goulart Ronald Joseph Goulart (; January 13, 1933 – January 14, 2022) was an American popular culture historian and mystery, fantasy and science fiction author. He worked on novels and novelizations (and other works) being published under various ps ...

- ''After Things Fell Apart'' (1970, 00950, 75c) * Wilson Tucker - '' The Year of the Quiet Sun'' (1970, 94200, 75c) (Retroactive Campbell Award in 1976) * R. A. Lafferty - ''Nine Hundred Grandmothers'' (1970, 58050, 95c) collection *

- ''

A Wizard of Earthsea ''A Wizard of Earthsea'' is a fantasy novel written by American author Ursula K. Le Guin and first published by the small press Parnassus in 1968. It is regarded as a classic of children's literature and of fantasy, within which it is widely in ...

'' (1970, reissue from 1968, 90075, 75c) *

- ''Chronocules'' (1970, 10480, 75c) *

- ''One Million Tomorrows'' (1970, 62938, 75c) * Clifford D. Simak - '' Why Call Them Back from Heaven?'' (1970, reissue from 1968, 88601, 75c) *

- ''The Traveler in Black'' (1971, 82210 75c) *

Suzette Haden Elgin Suzette Haden Elgin (born Patricia Anne Suzette Wilkins; November 18, 1936 – January 27, 2015) was an American researcher in experimental linguistics, construction and evolution of languages and poetry and science fiction writer. She founded t ...

- ''Furthest'' (1971, 25950, 75c) *

Bruce McAllister Bruce McAllister (born 1946) is an American author of fantasy, science fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. He is known primarily for his short fiction. Over the years his short stories have been published in the major fantasy and science fictio ...

- ''Humanity Prime'' (1971, 34900, 95c) *

- '' The Warlord of the Air'' (1971, reissue from UK earlier in 1971, 87060, 75c) * Gerard F. Conway - ''The Midnight Dancers'' (1971, 52975, 75c) *

Gordon Eklund Gordon Eklund (born July 24, 1945, Seattle, Washington) is an American science fiction author whose works include the "Lord Tedric" series and two of the earliest original novels based on the 1960s ''Star Trek'' TV series. He has written under the ...

- ''The Eclipse of Dawn'' (1971, 18630, 75c) Carr had purchased eight more books for the line, which Ace later published after the series was terminated. The Aldiss volume had been delayed due to issues over Canadian publishing rights, and eventually appeared with the Carr-commissioned Dillon cover.Walker, Paul, ''Speaking of Science Fiction'', Luna Publications, 1978, p.186 *

Brian W. Aldiss Brian Wilson Aldiss (; 18 August 1925 – 19 August 2017) was an English writer, artist and anthology editor, best known for science fiction novels and short stories. His byline reads either Brian W. Aldiss or simply Brian Aldiss, except for oc ...

- '' Barefoot in the Head'' *

- ''The Missionaries'' *

- '' A Trace of Dreams'' *

Fritz Leiber Fritz Reuter Leiber Jr. ( ; December 24, 1910 – September 5, 1992) was an American writer of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Along with Robert E. Howard and Michael Moorcock, Leiber is one of the fathers of sword and sorcery. Life ...

- '' You're All Alone'' *

Barry N. Malzberg Barry Nathaniel Malzberg (July 24, 1939 – December 19, 2024) was an American writer and editor, most often of science fiction and fantasy. Life and career Early life and family Malzberg originated from a Jewish family and graduated from Syra ...

- '' The Falling Astronauts'' *

Tom Purdom Thomas Edward Purdom (April 19, 1936 – January 14, 2024) was an American writer best known for science fiction and nonfiction. His story "Fossil Games" was a nominee for the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 2000. He has also done music criticis ...

- '' The Barons of Behavior'' *

- '' Other Days, Other Eyes'' *

Theodore Sturgeon Theodore Sturgeon (; born Edward Hamilton Waldo, February 26, 1918 – May 8, 1985) was an American author of primarily fantasy fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and Horror fiction, horror, as well as a critic. He wrote approximately 400 ...

- '' The Worlds of Theodore Sturgeon''

Series 2

This series was not edited by Terry Carr. * Mary Staton - ''From the Legend of Biel'' (1975, 25460) *

D. D. Chapman D. or d. may refer to, usually as an abbreviation: * Don (honorific), a form of address in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and their former overseas empires, usually given to nobles or other individuals of high social rank. * Date of death, as an abbreviati ...

and Deloris Lehman Tarzan - ''Red Tide'' (1975, 71160) *

Marion Zimmer Bradley Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley (June 3, 1930 – September 25, 1999) was an American author of fantasy, historical fantasy, science fiction, and science fantasy novels and is best known for the Arthurian fiction novel '' The Mists of Avalon'' and ...

- ''Endless Voyage'' (1975, 20660) *

Stanislaw Lem Stanislav and variants may refer to: People *Stanislav (given name), a Slavic given name with many spelling variations (Stanislaus, Stanislas, Stanisław, etc.) Places * Stanislav, Kherson Oblast, a coastal village in Ukraine * Stanislaus County, ...

- ''The Invincible'' (1975, 37170) * Felix C. Gotschalk - ''Growing Up in Tier 3000'' (1975, 30420) * Walt Richmond and Leigh Richmond - ''Challenge the Hellmaker'' (1976, 10150) *

Thomas Burnett Swann Thomas Burnett Swann (October 12, 1928 – May 5, 1976) was an American poet, critic and fantasy author. His criticism includes works on the poetry of H.D. and Christina Rossetti. Swann died of cancer and several of his novels were published po ...

- ''Lady of the Bees'' (1976, 46850) *

- ''The Tournament of Thorns'' (1976, 81900) * William Barton - ''A Plague of All Cowards'' (1976, 66780) *

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (born September 15, 1942) is an American writer. She is known for her series of historical horror novels about the vampire Count Saint-Germain. Biography Yarbro was born in Berkeley, California. She attended Berkeley sch ...

- ''Time of the Fourth Horseman'' (1976, 81189) *

- ''Orbitsville'' (1977, 63780)

Series 3

Terry Carr returned on a freelance basis to edit this series, all of them first novels. *

Kim Stanley Robinson Kim Stanley Robinson (born March 23, 1952) is an American science fiction writer best known for his ''Mars'' trilogy. Many of his novels and stories have ecological, cultural, and political themes and feature scientists as heroes. Robinson has ...

- ''The Wild Shore'' (1984, 88870) *

Carter Scholz Carter Scholz (born New York, 22 September 1953) is an American speculative fiction author and composer of music. He lives in California. Biography Scholz grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey and graduated from Tenafly High School in 1971. He also at ...

and Glenn Harcourt - ''Palimpsests'' (1984, 65065) *

Lucius Shepard Lucius Shepard (August 21, 1943 – March 18, 2014) was an American writer. Classified as a science fiction and fantasy writer, he often leaned into other genres, such as magical realism. Career Shepard was a native of Lynchburg, Virginia, wher ...

- '' Green Eyes'' (1984, 30274) *

Howard Waldrop Howard Waldrop (September 15, 1946 – January 14, 2024) was an American science fiction author who worked primarily in short fiction. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2021. Early life Born in Houston, Mississippi, ...

- ''

Them Bones "Them Bones" is a song by American rock band Alice in Chains. It was released as the second single from their second studio album, ''Dirt'' (1992). "Them Bones" peaked at No. 24 on ''Billboard''s Mainstream Rock chart and at No. 30 on the Mod ...

'' (1984, 80557) *

William Gibson William Ford Gibson (born March 17, 1948) is an American-Canadian speculative fiction writer and essayist widely credited with pioneering the science fiction subgenre known as cyberpunk. Beginning his writing career in the late 1970s, his ear ...

- ''

Neuromancer ''Neuromancer'' is a 1984 science fiction novel by American-Canadian author William Gibson. Set in a near-future dystopia, the narrative follows Case, a computer hacker enlisted into a crew by a powerful artificial intelligence and a traumatis ...

'' (1984, 56956)

and

winner *

Michael Swanwick Michael Swanwick (born November 18, 1950) is an American list of fantasy authors, fantasy and List of science-fiction authors, science fiction author who began publishing in the early 1980s. Writing career Swanwick's fiction writing began w ...

- ''In the Drift'' (1985, 35869) *

Jack McDevitt Jack McDevitt (born April 14, 1935) is an American science fiction author whose novels frequently deal with attempts to make contact with alien races, and with archaeology or xenoarchaeology. Most of his books follow either superluminal pilot ...

- ''The Hercules Text'' (1986, 37367) * Loren J. MacGregor - ''The Net'' (1987, 56941) *

Richard Kadrey Richard Kadrey (born August 27, 1957) is an American novelist, freelance writer, and photographer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Fiction Kadrey has written nineteen novels, including fifteen ''New York Times'' Best Sellers. Kadrey's othe ...

- ''Metrophage'' (1988, 52813) * Ted Reynolds - ''The Tides of God'' (1989, 80894) * Claudia O'Keefe - ''Black Snow Days'' (1990, 06689) *

Gregory Feeley Gregory Patrick Feeley is an American teacher, critic, essayist and author of speculative fiction, active in the field since 1972. He writes as Gregory Feeley, with some of his early works appearing under the name Greg Feeley. Biography Feeley re ...

- ''The Oxygen Barons'' (1990, 64571)

References

{{Reflist

External links

* Third serie

Lists of Ace Books books, SF Double Titles Science fiction book series