Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea. Blog, Internet resources, online reading groups, articles and interviews, Illuminatus! info.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Robert Anton Wilson the "science fiction writer"

Robert Anton Wilson wrote that he and Robert Shea never thought of ILLUMINATUS! as science fiction. Yet, it's interesting to note that every one of his novels were published as part of some publisher or another's science fiction line, and produced by editors in the science fiction world.

ILLUMINATUS! was published as part of Dell's science fiction line and edited by science fiction editors such as David Harris. Jim Frenkel, a well-known science fiction editor, worked to keep the books in print. (More about that soon.)

The three books in the SCHROEDINGER'S CAT trilogy were published as science fiction by Pocket Books. The editor was David Hartwell, a well-known science fiction editor. I am re-reading the cat trilogy now, and I do notice that Wilson referred to it as a "science fiction comedy" and refers to himself as a science fiction writer. MASKS OF THE ILLUMINATI also was published as Pocket science fiction. It's been years since I read it, but at the time, it did not strike me as a science fiction novel.

Even the "historical Illuminatus" books were put out by science fiction publishers. Frenkel was the editor of THE WIDOW'S SON, and the copyeditor was Teresa Nielsen Hayden, a prominent science fiction copyeditor (and a well-known science fiction fan.)

Whatever one thinks of the science fiction genre in general, it is undeniable that science fiction provided RAW with a literary home. It's interesting to compare his career with that of his friend Philip K. Dick, who for many years could only get his novels published because science fiction publishers were willing to publish them.

Can anyone tell me how Wilson reacted, in his later years, when the "science fiction writer" label was put upon him?

33 comments:

michael said...

This appears to me as a heady topic. First off, there's those bits in Illuminatus! and other places about labeling being akin to killing in some psycholinguistical-metaphysical sense. RAW told me he thought only SCT was SF. There were other interviews and times when he was happily SF. He also remarked that his non-fic found its way into some SF sections in bookstores. When once he noted he had been in "New Age" then noted he'd been found in "Philosophy" he thought it a definite upgrade from being shelved next to Wittgenstein and not Von Daniken...I think PKD's injection of phenomenological sociological themes sort of inadvertently caught RAW up on PKD's coat-tails, and dragged into SF. But then RAW LOVED SF, esp Stapledon. (RAW credits Stapledon for coining "mystical agnostic," a term RAW later applied to himself.) And he was definitely infl by Heinlein. (see Wagner's Insider's Guide!)RAW has tried to claim that SCT was the "first cyberpunk novel." SF has been commonly referred to as the "golden ghetto" by some publishers (sorry to get too didactic here), illustrating the ambivalence some Intellectuals felt toward this "genre." (see Cosmic Trigger 2, 159-160: RAW sez SF and "fantasy" as "merchandising labels." He adds "I would call my books 'gonzo ontology' and 'postmodernist slapstick.'") At a very young age RAW gave a talk and asserted that Finnegans Wake and science fiction were the only "modern" literature! (<---the young provocateur RAW) But all-in-all, I see RAW as more of a Surrealist, but that's only my weirdo opinion, as of this day, 16 Aug, '10.

Unknown said...

Such a great post. Thanks for sharing!
Affordable Essay Writing Reviews from UK

Unknown said...

Are you looking for an outstanding logo design for your brand? If yes, then look no further than Outright Logos.

Albert Thomas said...

Thanks for sharing such useful post keep it up :)
thesis writing service

Jason Akon said...

Agile Project Management Assignment Help
I was searching for any article for my school homework lastly got it from you. Much obliged.

James Andy said...

This is impressive and also great information.
Research Paper Writing
Publicity Organization Essay Writing Service

Eden Alaster said...

Process Costing Accounting Assignment Help
Thanks for sharing the info, keep up the good work going.... I really enjoyed exploring your site.

Kristina brown said...

yeah, it was such an excellent blog that You have updated.
Human resource assignment help

Unknown said...

I enjoyed this blog, it was really great full blog.
Jaipur Call Girls Service
Dehradun Escorts
Delhi Escorts Service
Gurgaon Escorts

Peter Kolesnikov said...

To live better in the entire world a country needs to think positively. You can have love quotes for her , or any body to impress which makes the life more comfortable.

Unknown said...

Cara Mengobati Wasir Stadium 4 Cara Mengobati Wasir Stadium 4 Tanpa Operasi Cara Mengatasi Wasir Stadium 4 Cara Penyembuhan Wasir Stadium 4 Cara Mengobati Ambeien Stadium 4 Secara Alami Cara Pengobatan Wasir Stadium 4 Cara Pengobatan Ambeien Stadium 4 Cara Mengobati Wasir Stadium 3 Dan 4 Cara Mengobati Wasir Stadium 3 Cara Mengobati Wasir Stadium 3 Secara Alami Cara Mengobati Wasir Stadium 3 Dan 4 Cara Mengatasi Wasir Stadium 3 Cara Mengobati Ambeien Stadium 3 Tanpa Operasi Cara Menyembuhkan Wasir Stadium 3 Cara Mengatasi Ambeien Stadium 3 Cara Alami Mengobati Wasir Stadium 3 Cara Mengobati Ambeien Stadium 3 Secara Alami Obat wasir luar stadium 4 Obat tradisional ambeien stadium 4 Obat herbal untuk wasir stadium 4 Obat untuk ambeien stadium 4 Obat alami ambeien stadium 4 Cara pengobatan wasir stadium 4 Obat ampuh ambeien stadium 4 Obat untuk wasir stadium 4 Obat wasir stadium 4 Obat wasir stadium 4 tanpa operasi Obat tradisional wasir stadium 4 Obat herbal wasir stadium 4 Obat alami wasir stadium 4

Cute Russian said...


Russian Escorts in Delhi | Russian Escorts in Delhi | Russian Escorts in Delhi | Russian Escorts in Delhi | Russian Escorts in Delhi | Gurgaon Escorts

Aney Sharma said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Reshma Khan said...

Hello my sweet and lovely friends, I am Your Reshma Khan. I am providing both in-call and out-call Pune escorts services depending on needing my useful clients. I filled a very dreamy and eye-catching position for my useful and delightful clients.

Unknown said...

http://www.prinal.in
http://www.shikhagoel.in
http://www.kanica.in
http://www.piyushi.in
http://www.dimplechawla.in

Richa Mehta said...

Gurgaon Escorts ServiceI know that you don’t have sufficient time to absolute the legitimate process so that to make your deal good our team does all manufactures in short by which don’t disappointed and add a beautiful way. http://www.indbabes.in/

Aney Sharma said...

Free Porn Videos
Free Porn Videos
Free Porn Videos
Free Porn Videos

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dimple Chawla said...

Gurgaon Escorts independent offers you the sizzling Elite high profile independent call girls in gurgaon. for your personal entertainment and escort services in gurgaon.
http://dimplechawla.in

Unknown said...





Dear Zindagi First Day Collections
Dear Zindagi Box Office Collections
Dear Zindagi Collections

drana said...

Independent Escorts in Ludhiana Independent Escorts in Ludhiana escorts possess a well-maintained a shapely physique along with determine. Unique focus is kept by them on determine their appears and character plus they appear attractive and warm constantly. You'll wander off to them and overlook anything else. It's possible to possess an ideal night-stand together

Anonymous said...

Ahmedabad Escorts
Escorts in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad escorts service
Independent escorts in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad Escorts Agency

JangkrikMewah said...

99Ceme

Judi Ceme Online

Bandar Ceme Terpercaya

Poker Ceme

Domino Qiu Qiu

Agen Domino

Agen Domino 99

Anonymous said...

Ahmedabad Escorts
Independent Escorts in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad Escort
Escorts in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad Escorts Agency
Ahmedabad Escorts Services

Unknown said...

Hi,Guys I Am Amisha Call Girls In Dwarka,I Am Providing Escorts service For You In Delhi At All Place Out Calls And In Calls. http://www.Dwarkagirls.in

Unknown said...

I am Priya Arora employed as a high shape escort girl contribution you Independent Escorts service in Chandigarh. Chandigarh Escorts

Unknown said...

Absolutely agree, what ever thoughts one has on the science fiction genre in general, it is undeniable that science fiction provided RAW with a literary home....

Press Release Software - Digital Signage Software

Mahesh Gulati said...

Chandigarh Escort Service – Escorts in Chandigarh Call at: 08054818984 If you are looking sizzling female escorts in Chandigarh. We are Zarine Khan providing high profile female escorts in Chandigarh escort girls for your personal entertainment.

Joya said...

I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading. I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well! obat benjolan di payudara

MD JoJa said...

There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic
Microsoft Office 2016 Product Key generator

fanni said...

I am 22-yr lively 5'6INCHES big, Individual Companions which are slender lady using 32-28-34 cup hours formed popularity that's amazing. I love grows, dull severe eye, appealing breasts and my total shy mouth are that much skilled to entice each and every attention's anxiousness. I am desirable and incredibly wise lady using character that's particularly attractive, you may never discover in chandigarh escorts which are extra.

kingescorts said...

Therefore one and its escort of the Chandigarh that is greatest ponder her with this journey that's intriguing as well as you. The key reason why might it's suggested to become concerning the vacation an nowadays having you have to be requesting that. They are not visitors simply because they are therefore pleasant that within number of occasions of conversation you'll feel like you identify them precisely to begin with. Have gathered why these female escorts in Chandigarh below we would be the vacation friend that is greatest several factors that'll explain.