''Space Mail'' is an anthology of

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imagination, imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, Paral ...

short works edited by

Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov ( ; 1920 – April 6, 1992) was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and ...

Martin H. Greenberg Martin Harry Greenberg (March 1, 1941 – June 25, 2011) was an American academic and anthologist in many genres, including mysteries and horror, but especially in speculative fiction. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned ...

, and Joseph Olander. It contains a series of short stories written in the form of

letters Letter, letters, or literature may refer to: Characters typeface * Letter (alphabet), a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet. * Letterform, the graphic form of a letter of the alphabe ...

diary A diary is a written or audiovisual record with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. Diaries have traditionally been handwritten but are now also often digital. A personal ...

entries, or

memoranda A memorandum ( : memoranda; abbr: memo; from the Latin ''memorandum'', "(that) which is to be remembered") is a written message that is typically used in a professional setting. Commonly abbreviated "memo," these messages are usually brief and ...

. The book is broken into three sections, each of which contains stories written in the type of documentation after which the section is named.

Mail

* "I Never Ask No Favors" by Cyril M. Kornbluth, first published in ''

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' (usually referred to as ''F&SF'') is a U.S. fantasy fiction magazine, fantasy and science fiction magazine first published in 1949 by Mystery House, a subsidiary of Lawrence E. Spivak, Lawrence Spiva ...

'' (1954) * "Letter to Ellen" by

Chandler Davis Horace Chandler Davis (August 12, 1926 – September 24, 2022) was an American-Canadian mathematician, writer, educator, and political activist: "an internationally esteemed mathematician, a minor science fiction writer of note, and among the mos ...

, first published in ''

Astounding Science Fiction ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William C ...

'' (1947) * "One Rejection Too Many" by Patricia Nurse, first published in ''

Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine ''Asimov's Science Fiction'' is an American science fiction magazine which publishes science fiction and fantasy named after science fiction author Isaac Asimov. It is currently published by Penny Publications. From January 2017, the publication ...

'' (1978) * "Space Opera" by

Ray Russell Ray Russell (September 4, 1924 – March 15, 1999) was an American editor and writer of short stories, novels, and screenplays. Russell is best known for his horror fiction, although he also wrote mystery and science fiction stories. His most ...

first published in ''

Playboy ''Playboy'' is an American men's lifestyle and entertainment magazine, formerly in print and currently online. It was founded in Chicago in 1953, by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. K ...

'' (1961) * "The Invasion of the Terrible Titans" by Sambrot William * "

That Only a Mother "That Only a Mother" is a science fiction short story by American writer Judith Merril, originally published in June 1948 in ''Astounding Science Fiction''. Plot summary The story is set five years in the future in 1953. World War III has been go ...

" by

Judith Merril Judith Josephine Grossman (January 21, 1923 – September 12, 1997), who took the pen-name Judith Merril around 1945, was an American and then Canadian science fiction writer, editor and political activist, and one of the first women to be wid ...

, first published in ''Astounding Science Fiction'' (1948) * "Itch On the Bull Run" by

Sharon Webb Sharon Lynn Webb (born in Tampa, Florida on February 29, 1936; died in Blairsville, Georgia on April 29, 2010) was a science fiction writer and nurse. Biography Born on Tampa, Florida on February 29, 1936, Sharon Lynn Webb began her career as a p ...

, first published in ''Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine'' (1979) * "

Letter to a Phoenix "Letter to a Phoenix" is a science fiction short story by American writer Fredric Brown, about immortality. It was first published in ''Astounding Science Fiction'' in August 1949. Plot summary A 180,000-year-old man writes a letter to humanity ...

" by

Fredric Brown Fredric Brown (October 29, 1906 – March 11, 1972) was an American science fiction, fantasy, and mystery writer.D. J. McReynolds, "The Short Fiction of Fredric Brown" in Frank N. Magill, (ed.) ''Survey of Science Fiction Literature'', Vol. 4 ...

, first published in ''Astounding Science Fiction'' (1949) * "Who's Cribbing?" by

Jack Lewis (screenwriter) Lieutenant Colonel Jack Lewis or C. Jack Lewis USMC retired (November 13, 1924 – May 24, 2009), was a former Marine, screenwriter, author of 12 books and an estimated 6,000 magazine articles and short stories, He was the co-founder and edit ...

, first published in ''

Startling Stories ''Startling Stories'' was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1955 by publisher Ned Pines' Standard Magazines. It was initially edited by Mort Weisinger, who was also the editor of '' Thrilling Wonder Stories'', ...

'' (1953) * "

Computers Don't Argue "Computers Don't Argue" is a 1965 science fiction short story by American writer Gordon R. Dickson, about the dangers of relying too strongly upon computers. It was nominated for a Nebula Award in 1966. Dickson borrows the basic premise and gen ...

" by Gordon R. Dickson, first published in ''

Analog Science Fiction ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William C ...

'' (1965) * "Letters from Laura" by Mildred Clingerman, first published in ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' (1954) * " Dear Pen Pal" by A. E. van Vogt, first published in ''

The Arkham Sampler ''The Arkham Sampler'' was an American fantasy and horror fiction magazine first published in Winter 1948. The headquarters was in Sauk City, Wisconsin. The magazine, edited by August Derleth, was the first of two magazines published by Arkham Ho ...

'' (1949) * "Damn Shame" by Dean R. Lamb, first published in ''Analog Science Fiction'' (1979) * "The Trap" by

Howard Fast Howard Melvin Fast (November 11, 1914 – March 12, 2003) was an American novelist and television writer. Fast also wrote under the pen names E.V. Cunningham and Walter Ericson. Biography Early life Fast was born in New York City. His mother, ...

Diary

* "

Flowers For Algernon ''Flowers for Algernon'' is a short story by American author Daniel Keyes, later expanded by him into a novel and subsequently adapted for film and other media. The short story, written in 1958 and first published in the April 1959 issue of '' ...

" by

Daniel Keyes Daniel Keyes (August 9, 1927 – June 15, 2014) was an American writer who wrote the novel '' Flowers for Algernon''. Keyes was given the Author Emeritus honor by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2000. Biography Early li ...

, first published in ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' (1959) * "The Second Kind of Loneliness" by

George R. R. Martin George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948), also known as GRRM, is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels ''A Song ...

, first published in ''Analog Science Fiction'' (1972)

Memos

* "The Lonely" by Judith Merril, first published in

Worlds of Tomorrow ''Worlds of Tomorrow'' is an anthology of science fiction stories edited by American writer August Derleth. It was first published by Pellegrini & Cudahy in 1953. Many of the stories had originally appeared in the magazines '' Worlds Beyond'', ...

(1963) * "Secret Unattainable" by A. E. van Vogt, first published in ''Astounding Science Fiction'' (1942) * "After the Great Space War" by

Barry N. Malzberg Barry Nathaniel Malzberg (born July 24, 1939) is an American writer and editor, most often of science fiction and fantasy. Biography Malzberg originated from a Jewish family and graduated from Syracuse University in 1960. He worked as an investi ...

, first published in 1974 * "The Prisoner" by

Christopher Anvil Christopher Anvil (March 11, 1925 – November 30, 2009) is a pseudonym used by American author Harry Christopher Crosby. Biography and work Crosby was born in Norwich, Connecticut, the only child of Harry Clifton Crosby and Rose Glasbrenner. ...

, first published in ''Astounding Science Fiction'' (1956) * "Request For Proposal" by Anthony R. Lewis, first published in ''Analog Science Fiction'' (1972) * "

He Walked Around the Horses "He Walked Around the Horses" is a science fiction short story by American writer H. Beam Piper. It is initially based on the true story of diplomat Benjamin Bathurst, who mysteriously disappeared in 1809. It was first published in the April 194 ...

" by H. Beam Piper, first published in ''Astounding Science Fiction'' (1948) * "The Power" by

Murray Leinster Murray Leinster (June 16, 1896 – June 8, 1975) was a pen name of William Fitzgerald Jenkins, an American writer of genre fiction, particularly of science fiction. He wrote and published more than 1,500 short stories and articles, 14 movie ...

, first published in ''Astounding Science Fiction'' (1945)
at ''Internet Speculative Fiction Database''

References

{{reflist, colwidth=30em 1980 anthologies Science fiction anthologies Isaac Asimov anthologies Martin H. Greenberg anthologies

Contents

Mail

Diary

Memos

References