The Official Philip José Farmer Home Page

Mr. Farmer's name guarantees brilliant science fiction - Alfred Bester

Short Stories

The following list contains all of the stories that I have been able to collect any information on. I have listed the title, where the story first appeared and any subsequent printings. I have written a description of the story if I have read it. If you know of any short stories that I have not listed or see any mistakes please e-mail me with the information.

Philip José Farmer's comments appear in red.

Christmas Seal's Fight: First appeared in: Open Air Crusader, Christmas 1928
Phil's first published story! You can read the story by clicking on the link above which is a picture of two laminated newsletter clippings. The larger is the front page and the smaller inset is Phil's first published story. While other children sent in letters of thanks for the work being done, Phil did, what apparently, came naturally to him.

O'Brien and Obrenov: First appeared in: Adventure, March 1946
Also appeared in: Farmerage volume one, 1978
Also appeared in: The PHILCON 1989 program book.
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
The first story that Farmer ever sold. Not science fiction but I enjoyed the over the top story very much. American and Russian forces occupying a German town at the end of WWII argue over who has claim to a high ranking German they have caputured. The way they decide to settle their argument is hilarious but the final outcome is even better.

The Lovers: First appeared in: Startling Stories, August 1952
Also appeared as a Novel, THE LOVERS
Also appeared in: PRENTICE HALL ANTHOLOGY OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY, Prentice-Hall, 2001 trade paperback
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Farmer's first science fiction story which won him the Hugo Award for most promising new writer in 1952. The first scifi story to deal with sexual relations between humans and aliens. Considered ground breaking and instantly put Farmer on the map.

Sail On! Sail On!: First appeared in: Startling Stories, December 1952
Also appeared in: Startling Stories (British) 1952
Also appeared in: A CENTURY OF SCIENCE FICTION, Simon & Schuster, 1962 hardcover
Also appeared in: A CENTURY OF SCIENCE FICTION, Gollancz, 1963 British hardcover
Also appeared in: A CENTURY OF SCIENCE FICTION, Dell, 1963 paperback
Also appeared in: A CENTURY OF SCIENCE FICTION, Pan, 1966 British paperback
Also appeared in: BACKDROP OF STARS, 1968
Also appeared in: SF: AUTHORS' CHOICE, 1968
Also appeared in: SCIENCE FICTION YEARBOOK #4, 1970
Also appeared in: WORLDS OF MAYBE, 1970
Also appeared in: WORLDS OF MAYBE, 1974
Also appeared in: BACKDROP OF STARS, 1975
Also appeared in: DECADE: 1950s, 1976
Also appeared in: DECADE: 1950s, Pan, 1977 British paperback
Also appeared in: THE ROAD TO SCIENCE FICTION #3, 1979
Also appeared in: A TREASURY OF MODERN FANTASY, 1981
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1952-1964, 1984
Also appeared in: GREAT TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION, 1985
Also appeared in: THE GREAT SF STORIES 14 (1952), 1986
Also appeared in: MASTERS OF FANTASY, 1992
Also appeared in: TREASURES OF FANTASY, 1997
Also appeared in: TREASURES OF FANTASY, 1999
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006
Also appeared in: THE WORLDS OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1: Protean Dimensions, Meteor House, 2010 trade paperback
A very early tongue in check sample of alternate history. What if the church had encouraged scientific discoveries? What if electricity was invented before Columbus? What if Columbus was wrong?

The Biological Revolt: First appeared in: Science Fiction Plus, March 1953
They say that alot of the scifi from the 50s is actually cold war propaganda, just replace the evil aliens with the evil Russians. In this story I was able to see the allegory but Farmer did not just preach the virtues of the red, white and blue. You are the only person on Earth who knows how to give humans the tacticle advantage over an alien race that has landed on Mars. So far the aliens are friendly and knowing Earth's bloody past you are hesitant to give humans the ability to conquer the aliens, as well as the rest of the galaxy. However you also have a very contagious disease and have been in isolation for two years. Would you trade your secret for some female companionship?
rewritten without my permission; ruined: Tilted also changed

Mother: First appeared in: Thrilling Wonder Stories, April 1953
Also appeared in: ASSIGNMENT IN TOMORROW, 1954
Also appeared in: STRANGE RELATIONS, 1960
Also appeared in: MODERN MASTERPIECES OF SCIENCE FICTION, Hyerpion, 1965 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE MICROCOSMIC GOD, MacFadden, 1968 paperback
Also appeared in: STRANGE BED FELLOWS, 1972
Also appeared in: ALPHA 4, 1973
Also appeared in: BUG-EYED MONSTERS, 1974
Also appeared in: BUG-EYED MONSTERS, 1974
Also appeared in: INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY THROUGH SCIENCE FICTION, 1974
Also appeared in: STRANGE BED FELLOWS, Pocket Books, 1974 paperback
Also appeared in: THE MICROCOSMIC GOD, Manor, 1975 paperback
Also appeared in: IN DREAMS AWAKE, 1975
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1952-1964, 1984
Also appeared in: ISAAC ASIMOV'S MONSTERS, Signet, 1988 paperback
Also appeared in: ISAAC ASIMOV'S MONSTERS, Robinson, 1989 British paperback
Also appeared in: A CENTURY OF SCIENCE FICTION 1950-1959, 1996
Also appeared in: THE SCIENCE FICTION CENTURY, 1997
Also appeared in: THE SCIENCE FICTION CENTURY, Orb, 2006, trade paperback
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
One of the things Farmer does well, and often, is create aliens and go into great detail about their anatomy. But getting back to the story at hand, the only case in history where man is able to go back to the womb.

Moth and Rust: First appeared in: Startling Stories, June 1953
Also appeared as a Novel, A WOMAN A DAY
The sequel to The Lovers. An underground organization is smuggling females in from Ozagen to help overthrow the repressive combination of church and state known as the sturch.

Attitudes: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1953
Also appeared in: BEST FROM FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION: 3, Doubleday, 1954 hardcover
Also appeared in: BEST FROM FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION: 3, Doubleday/SFBC, 1954 hardcover
Also appeared in: BEST FROM FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION: 3, Ace, 1960 paperback
Also appeared in: BEST FROM FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION: 3, Ace, 1968 paperback
Also appeared in: FATHER TO THE STARS, 1981
The first of the Father Carmody stories. Every now and then when I read one of Farmer's stories I think "Wait a minute, this is literature". When I say literature I mean the stuff I had to read in school and then discuss the theme and conflict and a bunch of other terms I don't recall. Look for this story to appear in your grand childrens text books now that The Lottery has been made into a tv movie.

Strange Compulsion: First appeared in: Science Fiction Plus, October 1953
Also appeared in: THE ALLEY GOD, 1960 as "The Captain's Daughter"
A space ship captian and his daughter are infected by an organism that propigates by making its carriers have intercourse. Raspold is mentioned early in the story placing it in the same time frame as the Carmody stories.

They Twinkled Like Jewels: First appeared in: Fantastic Universe, January 1954
Also appeared in: THE CELESTIAL BLUEPRINT, 1962
Also appeared in: THE CACHE, 1981
Aliens are taking over earth in a slow subtle manner. A strange story that I think I did not get the point of.

Daughter: First appeared in: Thrilling Wonder Stories, Winter 1954
Also appeared in: Thrilling Wonder Stories, April 1954 UK #103
Also appeared in: STRANGE RELATIONS, 1960
The sequel to Mother. Even in the womb, man strives to improve the world around him.

Queen of the Deep: First appeared in: Argosy, March 1954
Also appeared in: STRANGE RELATIONS, 1960 as "Son"
A man is trapped inside an intelligent, but lonely submarine, can he figure out it's secret and escape?

The God Business: First appeared in: Beyond Fantasy Fiction, March 1954
Also appeared in: THE ALLEY GOD, 1960
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1952-1964, 1984
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
This was the first of Farmer's stories that I read and thought "Literature". An interesting story where a man evolves into a god. Just incase you didn't get it, it is spelled out for you at the end of the story.

Rastignac the Devil: First appeared in: Fantastic Universe, May 1954
Also appeared in: THE CELESTIAL BLUEPRINT, 1962
Also appeared in: THE CACHE, 1981
In The Lovers, Hal Yarrow discovers that a the French had landed on Ozagen several hundred years previous. In Moth and Rust the French are long gone from Earth but their language plays a key part in the story. This is the story of one of the French exployers who left Earth in the 22nd century and currupted a planet.
rewritten without my permission; ruined

The Celestial Blueprint: First appeared in: Fantastic Universe, July 1954
Also appeared in: THE CELESTIAL BLUEPRINT, 1962
Wow, the lengths that a man of means will go to, to eliminate a rival. More double crosses than The Sting.

The Wounded: First appeared in: Fantastic Universe, October 1954
Also appeared in: Farmerage volume two, October 78
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
A rather curious way of looking at cupid.

Totem and Taboo: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, December 1954
Also appeared in: The New York Post, Sunday, April 17, 1955
Also appeared in: THE CELESTIAL BLUEPRINT, 1962
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Also appeared in: THE GRAND ADVENTURE, 1984
What's your totem could replace what's your sign. Take these pills and the physical embodiment of the animal you really are, will appear and absorb your hangovers as well as perform some other useful functions.

Father: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, July 1955
Also appeared in: STRANGE RELATIONS, 1960
Also appeared in: FATHER TO THE STARS, 1981
The second of the Father Carmody Stories. Space travelers make an emergency landing on an unknown planet and things begin to get strange. One of Farmer's stories with a religious theme but I need to reread it to tell you anymore.

The Night of Light: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, June 1957
Also appeared as a novel, NIGHT OF LIGHT (expanded), 1966
Also appeared in: FATHER TO THE STARS, 1981
The third and most important of the Father Carmody stories. Besides inspiring Jimi Hendrix with the phrase Purple Haze, this is the first time that John Carmody plays a big role, both as the lead character of the story and as the Father to the Stars. After he survives the Night of Light on the planet Dantes Joy, Carmody is chosen to be the deciding vote in the fate of the universe.

The Alley Man: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, June 1959
Also appeared in: THE ALLEY GOD, 1960
Also appeared in: Venture, Dec 1964
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1952-1964, 1984
Also appeared in: BAKER'S DOZEN: 13 SHORT SCIENCE FICTION NOVLES, 1985
Also appeared in: THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF SHORT SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS, 1986
Also appeared in: NEANDERTHALS, 1987
Also appeared in: THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF VINTAGE SCIENCE FICTION - SHORT NOVELS OF THE 1950S, 1990
Also appeared in: ISAAC ASIMOV PRESENTS THE GREAT SF STORIES 21 (1959), , 1990
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
A strange story. A throw back to the neadrethal who has the animal magnatism to overcome his homely features. More detail after I reread this.

Heel: First appeared in: Worlds of If, May 1960
Also appeared in: Farmerage volume two, October 78
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
What if the ancient Greek Gods were actually aliens just using the Greeks as extras in their movies and toying with them for their amusement.

Open to Me, My Sister: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, May 1960
Also appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, August 1960 UK edition
Also appeared in: STRANGE RELATIONS as "My Sister's Brother", 1960
Also appeared in: ONCE AND FUTURE TALES FROM THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION, Harris-Wolfe, 1968 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1952-1964, 1984
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Man goes to Mars and finds that he is not the only visitor. One of the stories where Farmer goes into detail about the anatomy of aliens. Farmer had some trouble getting this story published, It was supposed to be published in Satellite as The Strange Birth in 1959 but the magazine folded.

A Few Miles: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1960
Also appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, February 1961 UK edition
Also appeared in: DOWN IN THE BLACK GANG, 1971
Also appeared in: FATHER TO THE STARS, 1981
Murphy's Law squared. You ever have one of those days where the whole world is conspiring against you and everything that could go wrong, did, and then some. The final insult is when Brer John gets attacked by a rare bird and has an egg attached to his chest and he can't take it off until it hatches.

Prometheus: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 1961
Also appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, July 1961 UK edition
Also appeared in: SPECIAL WONDER, Random House, 1970 hardcover
Also appeared in: SPECIAL WONDER Volume 1, Beagle, 1971 paperback
Also appeared in: DOWN IN THE BLACK GANG, 1971
Also appeared in: OTHER WORLDS, OTHER GODS, 1971
Also appeared in: OTHER WORLDS, OTHER GODS, 1975
Also appeared in: OTHER WORLDS, OTHER GODS, 1976
Also appeared in: FATHER TO THE STARS, 1981
Conclusion to A Few Miles. Carmody has to live with the creatures whose rare egg he is carrying attached to his chest. He discovers that they are more intelligent than anyone new and must decide what wisdom to pass on to them and what wisdom they would be better off without.

Tongues of the Moon: First appeared in: Amazing Stories, September 1961
Also appeared as a novel: TONGUES OF THE MOON, 1964
Also appeared in: Most Thrilling Science Fiction Ever Told , #6 Fall 67
Also appeared in: Farmerphile No. 14, October 2008
You are on the moon and nuclear war breaks out on earth possibly killing everyone. Then people start shouting at you, let the fun begin!

Uproar in Acheron: First appeared in: The Saint Mystery Magazine, May 1962
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER (Berkley edition), 1982
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Con men travel the old west promising to raise the dead. They make a fortune when people pay them not to ressurect their dearly departed. Many believe that this story was stolen by Rod Sterling and appeared as an episode of The Twilight Zone called "Mr. Garrity and the Graves".

How Deep the Grooves: First appeared in: Amazing Stories, February 1963
Also appeared in: Great Science Fiction from Amazing #3, 1966
Also appeared in: PSY FI ONE, Random, 1977 trade paperback
Also appeared in: DOWN IN THE BLACK GANG, 1971
A scientist believes he has invented a machine that can read thoughts, but what it reads is actually much more shocking.

Some Fabulous Yonder: First appeared in: Fantastic Stories of Imagination , April 1963
Also appeared in: Strange Fantasy #8, 1969
The original un-edited version appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
At the beginning of the story Raspold receives a message that John Carmody has surrendered, so he needs to come in for a new asignment. After that the story runs forever and seems to have no point, I need to reread it.
rewritten without my permission, ruined

The Blasphemers: First appeared in: Galaxy, April 1964
Also appeared in: DOWN IN THE BLACK GANG, 1971
A story of religion, space exploration and discovering the last thing in the world you expect.

The King of the Beasts: First appeared in: Galaxy, June 1964
Also appeared in: AN ABC OF SCIENCE FICTION, Four Square, 1966 paperback
Also appeared in: THE NINTH GALAXY READER, 1967
Also appeared in: AN ABC OF SCIENCE FICTION, Avon, 1968 paperback
Also appeared in: ZOO 2000, 1973
Also appeared in: élan vital: Journal of Creative Adventure, Vol #1 1973
Also appeared in: SCIENCE FACT/FICTION, 1974
Also appeared in: Bananas, 1978
Also appeared in: BEYOND TIME AND SPACE, Globe Book, 1978 trade paperback
Also appeared in: MICROCOSMIC TALES, Taplinger, 1980 hardcover
Also appeared in: MAD SCIENTISTS, 1982
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1952-1964, 1984
Also appeared in: SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY STORY-A-MONTH 1989 CALENDAR, Pomegranate Calendars & Books, 1988
Also appeared in: MICROCOSMIC TALES, Daw, 1992 paperback
Also appeared in: THE OXFORD BOOK OF ANIMAL STORIES, Oxford University Press, 1994 UK hardcover
Also appeared in: THE OXFORD BOOK OF ANIMAL STORIES, Oxford University Press, 1999 UK trade paperback
Also appeared in: 100 ASTOUNDING LITTLE ALIEN STORIES, Barnes & Noble, 1996 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
This is Farmer's shortest story. Future scientists are able to recreate extinct animals, but will they recreate the most dangerous one of all?

Riverworld: First appeared in: Worlds of Tomorrow, January 1966
Also appeared in: DOWN IN THE BLACK GANG, 1971
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Complete riverworld short story number two (before To Your Scattered Bodies Go). This time Tom Mix is the main character.

The Blind Rowers: First appeared in: Knight, March 1967
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
A strange tale of a women's attempt to keep her legs closed. First she gets thrown off a yacht, while its at sea. Then she floats naked to an island full of monks who try to push her back into the sea. They blindfold themselves to row her to another island but can they all resist the temptation.

A Bowl Bigger than Earth: First appeared in: Worlds of If, September 1967
Also appeared in: DOWN IN THE BLACK GANG, 1971
Also appeared in: THE GRAND ADVENTURE, 1984
What if life after death was completly monotonous and everyone was exactly the same. How far would you go to make things interesting?

The Shadow of Space: First appeared in: Worlds of If, November 1967
Also appeared in: DOWN IN THE BLACK GANG, 1971
Also appeared in: ALPHA 3, 1972
Also appeared in: SCIENCE FICTION: CONTEMPORARY MYTHOLOGY, 1978 hardcover
Also appeared in: SCIENCE FICTION: CONTEMPORARY MYTHOLOGY, 1978 paperback
Also appeared in: THE ARBOR HOUSE TREASURY OF MODERN SCIENCE FICTION, Arbor House 1980 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE ARBOR HOUSE TREASURY OF MODERN SCIENCE FICTION, Arbor House/Priam Books 1980 trade paperback
Also appeared in: THE GRAND ADVENTURE, 1984
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1964-1973, 1984
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Also appeared in: GREAT SCIENCE FICTION OF THE 20TH CENTURY, Avenel, 1987 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Farmer tried to sell this as a possible Star Trek episode (before the show ever aired I think). He later decided that it would not have worked. Just what is waiting for us at the edge of the universe?

Riders of the Purple Wage: First appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS, Doubleday, 1967 hardcover
Also appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS #1, Berkley, 1969 paperback
Also appeared in: THE HUGO WINNERS VOL 2, 1971
Also appeared in: THE HUGO WINNERS VOLUMES 1 & 2, SFBC, 1972 hardcover
Also appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS, Berkley, 1972 paperback
Also appeared in: MORE STORIES FROM THE HUGO WINNERS VOL II, Fawcett Crest, 1973 paperback
Also appeared in: THE HUGO WINNERS 1968 - 1970, Sphere, 1973 British paperback
A small extract of this story appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER as Sexual Implications of the Charge of the Light Brigade, 1973
Also appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS 1, 1974
Also appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS, 1975
Also appeared in: THE PURPLE BOOK, 1982
Also appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS, Berkley, 1983 trade paperback
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1964-1973, 1984
Also appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS, Gollancz, 1987 trade paperback
Also appeared in: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE WAGE, 1992
Also appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS 35TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, ibooks, 2002 paperback
Also appeared in: DANGEROUS VISIONS 35TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, ibooks, 2003 ebook
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Farmer won his second Hugo Award for this story of a future earth. The purple wage is what everyone receives just for being a citizen, if you also happen to work, even better. This story has several sub-stories and operates on several levels, if you have not read this, what are you waiting for?

Don't Wash the Carats: First appeared in: ORBIT 3, Putnam, 1968 hardcover
Also appeared in: ORBIT 3, Berkley, 1968 paperback
Also appeared in: ORBIT 3, Rapp & Whiting, 1968 UK hardcover
Also appeared in: ORBIT 3, Panther, 1971 British paperback
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Also appeared in: MODERN SCIENCE FICTION, 1974
Also appeared in: THE BEST FROM ORBIT, Berkley Putnam, 1975 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE BEST FROM ORBIT, Berkley, 1976 paperback
Also appeared in: MODERN SCIENCE FICTION, Gregg Press, 1976 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1964-1973, 1984
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Some of Farmer's short stories are a form of mental exercise. I imagine he started with the title and then wrote a funny story to fit it.

The Jungle Rot Kid on the Nod: First appeared in: Broadside, Vol 4 No 2, 1968
Also appeared in: New Worlds, April 1970
Also appeared in: NEW TOMORROWS, 1971
Also appeared in: NEW TOMORROWS, Belmont-Tower, 1973 paperback
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1964-1973, 1984
Also appeared in: ALIEN SEX, Dutton, 1990 hardcover
Also appeared in: ALIEN SEX, Dutton, 1990 trade paperback
Also appeared in: ALIEN SEX, Roc, 1992 paperback
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Also appeared in: VENUS ON THE HALF-SHELL AND OTHERS, Subterranean Press, 2008 hardcover
If William Burroughs instead of Edgar Rice Burroughs had written the Tarzan novels. Be glad that in this universe, Edgar wrote Tarzan.

Down in the Black Gang: First appeared in: Worlds of If, March 1969
Also appeared in: DOWN IN THE BLACK GANG, 1971
Also appeared in: WORLDS OF IF: A RETROSPECTIVE ANTHOLOGY, 1986
Picture the scene from the movie Animal House where they are sitting in a bath tub, stoned, discusing the fact that our universe could be a single atom in the finger nail of a giant or vice versa. This is a little more involved but you get the idea.

The Oögenesis of Bird City: First appeared in: Amazing Stories, September 1970
Also appeared in: AMERICAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH SCIENCE FICTION, 1974
Also appeared in: THE PURPLE BOOK, 1982
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1964-1973, 1984
Also appeared in: AMAZING STORIES: 60 YEARS OF THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION, 1985
Also appeared in: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE WAGE, 1992
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Prequel to Riders of the Purple Wage. Discusses the politics involved in setting up the new society.

The Voice of the Sonar in my Vermiform Appendix: First appeared in: QUARK/2, 1971
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Farmer's displeasure with doctors continues into the future.

Brass and Gold: First appeared in: QUARK/4, 1971
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Farmer lived in Beverly Hills for a while but decided to move back to Illinois. I believe he wrote this story to show his disgust with California lifestyle.

Only Who Can Make a Tree?: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, November 1971
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Another story that started with the title and then farmer created a humorous story to fit it. Actually it started as "The Beautiful Scientist and her Mad Daughter".

The Sliced-Crosswise Only-On-Tuesday World: First appeared in: NEW DIMENSIONS 1, Doubleday, 1971 hardcover
Also appeared in: NEW DIMENSIONS 1, Berkley, 1971 paperback
Also appeared in: THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION OF THE YEAR, 1972
Also appeared in: BEST SCIENCE FICTION STORIES OF THE YEAR (1971), 1972
Also appeared in: BEST SCIENCE FICTION STORIES OF THE YEAR, 1973
Also appeared in: SOCIAL PROBLEMS THROUGH SCIENCE FICTION, 1975
Also appeared in: THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION OF THE YEAR #1, 1976
Also appeared in: ALPHA 9, 1978
Also appeared in: APPROACHES TO SCIENCE FICTION, 1978
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF NEW DIMENSIONS, Pocket, 1979 paperback; Also appeared in: THE ARBOR HOUSE OF TREASURY OF SCIENCE FICTION MASTERPIECES, Arbor House, 1980 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE ARBOR HOUSE OF TREASURY OF SCIENCE FICTION MASTERPIECES, Arbor House/Priam Books, 1983 paperback
Also appeared in: THE GRAND ADVENTURE, 1984
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1964-1973, 1984
Also appeared in: THE SF COLLECTION, 1994
Also appeared in: SCIENCE FICTION, SCIENCE FACT, AND YOU, 1996; Also appeared in: DECADES OF SCIENCE FICTION, 1997; Also appeared in: DECADES OF SCIENCE FICTION, Instructors Edition, 1997
Currently appears in: Scifi.com Archive Page.
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
The first seeds of the idea that later became DAYWORLD.

Seventy Years of Decpop: First appeared in: Galaxy, July 1972
Also appeared in: Galaxy, July 1972 UK edition
Also appeared in: BEST SCIENCE FICTION FOR 1973, 1973
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Someone causes the majority of people on earth to become sterile. Those few who can have children become the privledged elite. This is the second story where Farmer talks about a society that operates an ecomomy of abundance (Riders of the Purple Wage being the other).

Skinburn: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1972
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER,1973
A classic story of unrequited love in the hitech age.

The Sumerian Oath: First appeared in: NOVA 2, Walker, 1972 hardcover
Also appeared in: NOVA 2, SFBC, 1972 hardcover
Also appeared in: NOVA 2, Dell, 1974 paperback
Also appeared in: NOVA 2, Sphere, 1975 British paperback
Also appeared in: NOVA 2, Hale, 1976 British hardcover
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
I get the feeling that Farmer was not happy with his doctor when he wrote this story about the secret oath that all doctors take.

Father's in the Basement: First appeared in: ORBIT 11, 1972
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Also appeared in: ORBIT 11, Berkley, 1973 paperback
Also appeared in: HAPPY ENDINGS, 1974
Also appeared in: 101 SCIENCE FICTION STORIES, Avenel, 1986 hardcover
First appeared in: THE GIANT BOOK OF SCIENCE FICTION STORIES, 1990
What lengths writers will go to just to make a deadline.

Toward the Beloved City: First appeared in: SIGNS AND WONDERS, 1972
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, 1973
Also appeared in: CHRONICALS OF A COMER,1974
Also appeared in: VISIONS OF TOMORROW, 1976
Also appeared in: LATTER-DAY SCIENCE FICTION 2,1974
What if the Book of Revelations were true. For some reason I seem to enjoy all of Farmer's religous stories.

Mother Earth Wants You: First appeared in: AND WALK NOW GENTLY THROUGH THE FIRE, Chilton, 1972 hardcover
Also appeared in: AND WALK NOW GENTLY THROUGH THE FIRE, Chilton/SFBC, 1972 hardcover
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
A story of future Earth where Mother Earth is awake and women are in charge.

Sketches Among the Ruins of My Mind: First appeared in: NOVA 3, 1973
Also appeared in: THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION OF THE YEAR #3, 1974
First appeared in: NOVA 3, 1975
First appeared in: THE OUTDATED MAN, 1975
Also appeared in: STRANGENESS, 1977
Also appeared in: STRANGENESS, 1978
Also appeared in: THE GRAND ADVENTURE, 1984
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1964-1973, 1984
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
This is one of my favorite stories. A space ship arrives in our solar system and time starts going backwards. People wake up thinking its Wednesday but it is really Sunday and they had no memory of the last four days. The next day is worse as the same thing happens and they lose four more days. This goes on and on as grown people start drooling like babies and are unable to take care of themselves. How do the world governments deal with the problem and what are the long term affects on society?

Monolog: First appeared in: DEMON KIND, 1973
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
A strange little horror story about the ultimate regression.

After King Kong Fell: First appeared in: OMEGA, Walker, 1973 hardcover
Also appeared in: OMEGA, Fawcett, 1974 paperback
Also appeared in: BEST SF: 1974, 1975
Also appeared in: NEBULA AWARD STORIES TEN, Berkley, 1975 paperback
Also appeared in: THE YEAR'S BEST SCIENCE FICTION No.8, Sphere, 1976 UK paperback
Also appeared in: NEBULA AWARD STORIES TEN, Corgi, 1977 British paperback
Also appeared in: THE RIVALS OF KING KONG, Corgi, 1978 British paperback
Also appeared in: THE GRAND ADVENTURE, 1984
Also appeared in: THE CLASSIC PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1964-1973, 1984
Also appeared in: THE MONSTER BOOK OF MONSTERS, 1988
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
What if King Kong were real? In the real world what a complicated mess he would have made.

Opening the Door: First appeared in: CHILDREN OF INFINITY, Franklin Watts, 1973 hardcover
Also appeared in: CHILDREN OF INFINITY, Franklin Watts/SFBC, 1973 hardcover
Also appeared in: CHILDREN OF INFINITY, Faber & Faber, 1974 hardcover
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
This is an odd little horror story written for kids. Clark has been injured in a car accident that killed his friends and he is now without limbs or tongue connected to machines that keep him alive and in contact with a parallel universe. But what is on the other side of the "gate", and is it keeping Clark out or is Clark keeping it out?

The Two-Edged Gift: First appeared in: CONTINUUM 1, Putnam, 1974 first hardcover printing
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 1, Berkley, 1975 first paperback printing
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 1, W.H. Allen, 1975 British hardcover
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 1, Star, 1977 first British paperback
Also appeared in: STATIONS OF THE NIGHTMARE, 1982
The Paul Eyre series is one of Farmer's stranger collections. In this story Paul shoots a UFO which is a living creature rather than a machine. Paul is "infected" by his encounter and while comatose has the power to heal and kill.

A Scarletin Study, by Jonathan Swift Somers III: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 1975
Also appeared in: SHERLOCK HOLMES THROUGH TIME AND SPACE, 1984
Also appeared in: SHERLOCK HOLMES THROUGH TIME AND SPACE, Severn House (UK), 1985, hardcover
Also appeared in: SCI-FI PRIVATE EYE, 1997
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
The second story in the Fictional Author series. Jonathan Swift Somers III is the favorite author of Simon Wagstaff (the main character from Venus on the Half-Shell). Ok, so we have here a story by a fictional author from a story by another fictional author. The best part is that the story is about a German Shepard with a 200 IQ and deductive abilities rivaled only by Sherlock Holmes himself. The story begins similarly to A Study In Scarlet where the great detective meets his side-kick and chronicler. Full of puns, in both German and English, this story showed great promise as the beginning of an interesting detective series.

The Problem of the Sore Bridge - Among Others, by Harry Manders: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, September 1975
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Also appeared in: SHERLOCK HOLMES THROUGH TIME AND SPACE, 1984
Also appeared in: SHERLOCK HOLMES THROUGH TIME AND SPACE, Severn House (UK), 1985, hardcover
Also appeared in: VENUS ON THE HALF-SHELL AND OTHERS, Subterranean Press, 2008 hardcover
Installment number three in the Fictional Author Series. Sherlock Holmes fans may recognize the title. In the begining of The Problem of Thor Bridge, Watson briefly mentions some details of three cases which Sherlock was not able to solve. Here another of Farmer's heroes, Raffles, the famous gentleman burgler, manages to solve all three mysteries in one neat little story.

Greatheart Silver: First appeared in: WEIRD HEROES VOL 1, Pyramid, 1975 paperback
Also appeared in: GREATHEART SILVER, Tor, 1982 paperback
First appeared in: WEIRD HEROES VOL 1, Ibooks, 2004 paperback reprint
The original idea for Weird Heroes was to recreate the pulp heroes of yesterday in a new serialized book. Farmer jumped at the chance and created a new character called Greatheart Silver. In this story, originally called "Showdown at Shootout" Farmer parodies every pulp hero you ever heard of, and bunch you probably haven't.

The Return of Greatheart Silver: First appeared in: WEIRD HEROES VOL 2, Pyramid, 1975 paperback
Also appeared in: GREATHEART SILVER, Tor, 1982 paperback
In this story Greatheart has been black balled by one of the wealtiest and most influencial men in the world. It's a great suprise when that same man hires Greatheart to rescue his kidnapped daughter. A fun action story.

The Startouched: First appeared in: CONTINUUM 2, Putnam, 1974 first hardcover printing
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 2, Berkley, 1975 first paperback printing
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 2, W.H. Allen, 1975 British hardcover
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 2, Star, 1977 first British paperback
Also appeared in: STATIONS OF THE NIGHTMARE, 1982
The organism inside Paul Eyre can heal those who are friendly to him and kill anything that is a threat. Paul wakes from his coma but can he be set free with his new powers.

The Evolution of Paul Eyre: First appeared in: CONTINUUM 3, Putnam, 1974 first hardcover printing
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 3, Berkley, 1975 first paperback printing
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 3, Star, 1977 first British paperback
Also appeared in: STATIONS OF THE NIGHTMARE, 1982
Paul begins to change and realizes his powers are much more than just being able to heal and kill. He also discovers that he is not alone.

Passing On: First appeared in: CONTINUUM 4,Putnam, 1975 first hardcover printing
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 4, Berkley, 1976 first paperback printing
Also appeared in: CONTINUUM 4, Star, 1977 first British paperback
Also appeared in: STATIONS OF THE NIGHTMARE, 1982
Paul now has control of his life. He uses his power to cure all the sick people who can come to him. Eventually he decides to move on and leave this world, but what does he leave behind?

Osiris on Crutches, by Leo Queequeg Tincrowder: First appeared in: NEW DIMENSIONS 6, Harper, 1976 hardcover
Also appeared in: NEW DIMENSIONS 6, Gollancz (UK), 1976, hardcover
Also appeared in: STATIONS OF THE NIGHTMARE, 1982
Also appeared in: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE WAGE, 1992
Also appeared in: VENUS ON THE HALF-SHELL AND OTHERS, Subterranean Press, 2008 hardcover
A character in The Two Edged Gift is a science fiction writer named Leo Queequeg Tincrowder. In the story he describes the myth of Osiris and the story he wrote about it.

The Volcano, by Paul Chapin: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, February 1976
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Also appeared in: VENUS ON THE HALF-SHELL AND OTHERS, Subterranean Press, 2008 hardcover
Story number four in the Fictional Author Series. Paul Chapin is a ficitonal author in the Nero Wolfe mystery novel THE LEAGUE OF FRIGHTENED MEN by Rex Stout. This story is a detective story about a volcano that suddenly appears in the Catskills.

The Doge Whose Barque Was Worse Than His Bight, by Jonathan Swift Somers III: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, November 1976
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
The second story about Ralph von Wau Wau the German Shepard with the 200 IQ. In this story Ralph meets his new side-kick, Cordwainer Bird and tackles his toughest adversary to date, another genetically enhanced animal.

Fundamental Issue: First appeared in: Amazing Science Fiction, December 1976
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
An age old ethical dilema. Technology exists that can turn garbage into energy. The whole world could benifit from this process but what if the people who will profit the most are the are the most corrupt. Do you decide to take the bad with the good?

The Henry Miller Dawn Patrol: First appeared in: Playboy, December 1977
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Another of Farmer's stories where he thinks up a title and then writes a story to fit it. This is not a science fiction story but a story that shows that you're never too old.
Patrol was sent first to Larry Flint of Hustler who rejected it, saying his readers wouldn't understand it, since he didn't understand it.

Greatheart Silver in the First Command: First appeared in: WEIRD HEROES VOL 6, Pyramid, 1977 paperback
Also appeared in: GREATHEART SILVER, Tor, 1982 paperback
My favorite Greatheart story, Murphy's Law gone beserk.

Savage Shadow by Maxwell Grant: First appeared in: WEIRD HEROES VOL 8, Pyramid, 1977 paperback
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Maxwell Grant, author of The Shadow series, writes a story about Kenneth Robeson, author of Doc Savage and The Avengers. In this story Kenneth is a down and out pulp writer who has one adventure that gives him the ideas for his two great series. See The Grant-Robeson Papers in the articles section of the web page for more background on this.

The Impotency of Bad Karma by Cordwainer Bird: First appeared in: Popular Culture, #1 1977
Also appeared in: CHRYSALIS 2, 1978 as The Last Rise of Nick Adams
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER (Berkley edition), 1982 as The Last Rise of Nick Adams
Also appeared in: VENUS ON THE HALF-SHELL AND OTHERS, Subterranean Press, 2008 hardcover
The only fictional author story that was not published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Besides being a character in The Doge Whose Barque Was Worse Than His Bight, Corwainer Bird is the name that Harlan Ellison lists in the credits, in place of his own, for tv and movie projects that don't live up to his standards. The story is about how fragile a writer's ego is, and just how important is a good review?

It's the Queen of Darkness, Pal, by Rod Keen: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, August 1978
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES as "Phantom of the Sewers", 1979
Also appeared in: VENUS ON THE HALF-SHELL AND OTHERS, Subterranean Press, 2008 hardcover
The final fictional author story, this one is by a character in a Richard Brautigan novel. A horror story about what might be waiting for you down in the sewers.

The Freshman: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, May 1979
Also appeared in: THE BOOK OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER (Berkley edition), 1982
Also appeared in: TALES OF THE CTHULHU MYTHOS, 1989
Also appeared in: TALES OF THE CTHULHU MYTHOS, 1998
A nightmare inspired this story about a 60 year man who finds himself in a strange college.

The Leaser of Two Evils: First appeared in: Playboy, July 1979
Also appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Farmer's second short sexual tale to be printed in Playboy. In this story an uptight man has an interesting split personality.

J.C. on the Dude Ranch: First appeared in: RIVERWORLD AND OTHER STORIES, 1979
Is it Armageddon or does it just look like it?

Spiders of the Purple Mage: First appeared in: TALES FROM THE VULGAR UNICORN, 1980
Also appeared in: SANCTUARY, Nelson Doubleday SFBC, 1982, hardcover1982
Also appeared in: THE PURPLE BOOK, 1982
Also appeared in: TALES FROM THE VULGAR UNICORN, Penguin, 1984 UK paperback
Also appeared in: TALES FROM THE VULGAR UNICORN, Ace, 1991 paperback
Also appeared in: THIEVES' WORLD: FIRST BLOOD, Tor, 2003 trade paperback
Also appeared in: THIEVES' WORLD: FIRST BLOOD, Tor, 2003 ebook
Once again Farmer starts with a title and writes a story to fit it. The title is an obvious play on words from Riders of the Purple Wage which itself was a play on words. The story itself is an adventure tale.

The Making of Revelation, Part 1: First appeared in: AFTER THE FALL, 1980
Also appeared in: AFTER THE FALL, 1980
Also appeared in: THE PURPLE BOOK, 1982
Also appeared in: DEVILS, 1987
Also appeared in: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE WAGE, 1992
Also appeared in: HOLLYWOOD GHOSTS, 1991
Also appeared in: THE MISTS FROM BEYOND, Roc, 1993 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE MISTS FROM BEYOND, 1995
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Imagine the logistics involved of making a film of the end of the earth. Well, with God as producer anything is possible.

The Long Wet Dream of Rip Van Winkle: First appeared in: Puritan 7, 1981
Also appeared in: THE PURPLE BOOK, 1982
Also appeared in: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE WAGE, 1992
What would you dream about if you slept for 100 years?

The Adventure of the Three Madmen: First appeared in: THE GRAND ADVENTURE, 1984
Also appeared in: THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, Xanadu, 1989 paperback
Also appeared in: THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, Citadel, 1991 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE MISADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, Citadel, 1991 trade paperback
Similar story to THE ADVENTURE OF THE PEERLESS PEER but Mowgli takes the place of Tarzan in this rewrite.

UFO vs IRS: First appeared in: THE PLANETS, Byron Preiss, 1985
Also appeared in: THE PLANETS, Byron Preiss, 1989
Also appeared in: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE WAGE, 1992
In this story the invading aliens really know how to take control of Earth.

St. Francis Kisses His Ass Goodbye: First appeared in: SEMIOTEXT(E), 1989
Also appeared in: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE WAGE, 1992
Yet another play on words. St. Francis is brought 700 years forward in time. What will he see in the brief time he is allowed before he is sent back.

One Down, One to Go: First appeared in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1990
Also appeared in: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE WAGE, 1992
Also appeared in: VISIONS OF WONDER, Tor, 1996, hardcover
Also appeared in: VISIONS OF WONDER, Tor, 1996, trade paperback
Also appeared in: THE BEST OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Another scifi story about the possibly bleak socio-economics of the future.

Evil, Be My Good: First appeared in: WORLD FANTASY CONVENTION PROGRAM, 1990
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE FRANKENSTEIN, 1991
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE FRANKENSTEIN, Headline, 1992 British hardcover
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE FRANKENSTEIN, Headline Feature, 1992 British paperback
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE FRANKENSTEIN, Ibooks, 2003 paperback
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
The original Frankenstein story told from a totally new perspective. I enjoyed this story much more than Nobody's Perfect (The Ultimate Dracula).

Nobody's Perfect: First appeared in: THE ULTIMATE DRACULA, 1991
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE DRACULA, SFBC, 1991 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE DRACULA, Headline, 1992 British hardcover
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE DRACULA, Book Club Associates, 1992 hardcover
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE DRACULA, Headline Feature, 1992 British paperback
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE DRACULA, Ibooks, 2003 paperback
Also appeared in: THE ULTIMATE DRACULA, Ibooks, 2003 ebook
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
I wonder what Dracula fans thought about this story? The premise is the kind of thing that Farmer would come up with but the story runs out of gas.

Wolf, Iron and Moth: First appeared in: THE ULTIMATE WEREWOLF, 1991
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Farmer puts forth some interesting theories about werewolfs. Not everyone can become a werwolf, you have to have the recesive gene, then you have to come into contact with certain people or items to be affected. And just what toll would the transformation have on the body of the human?

Crossing the Dark River: First appeared in: TALES OF RIVERWORLD, 1992
Farmer has one last bit of fun as he traces his family tree and has his ancestors meet and interact on the riverworld.

A Hole in Hell by Dane Helstrom: First appeared in: TALES OF RIVERWORLD, 1992
Also appeared in: VENUS ON THE HALF-SHELL AND OTHERS, Subterranean Press, 2008 hardcover
A very short story about Dante, for him life is no better in riverworld than earth.

Up the Bright River: First appeared in: QUEST TO RIVERWORLD, 1993
A continuation of Crossing the Dark River.

Coda: First appeared in: QUEST TO RIVERWORLD, 1993
Man's existence on the riverworld is a giant theological debate, for some more than others.

The Good of the Land: First appeared in: RG Magazine, October 2002
Also appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
The feeling that the health of the nation reflected the health of the leader used to be taken quite literally. This story was originally written in 1955 and was published for the first time in RG Magazine along side, A Feast Unexpected, an article by Roger Crombie about the 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Lovers held in Peoria August 10th, 2002.

The Face that Launched a Thousand Eggs: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 1, July 2005
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
This short story was written in 1953 and is based on an incident that happened to Phil while he was in college in 1941. It was not published until 2005 when the magazine Farmerphile was created expressly for this purpose: to publish this long lost gem and others. In this story Phil does a remarkable job of mixing the ancient Greeks of Homer with the "Greeks" of college fraternity life and telling a funny tale of "action."

The Unnaturals: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 2, October 2005
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
An updated, more adult, version of THE WIZARD OF OZ told from the point of view of the scarecrow. Somewhere between an alternate history/parallel universe story, not unlike "Sail On! Sail On!"

That Great Spanish Author, Ernesto: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 3, January 2006
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
In this very short funny story Phil uses the misunderstanding of a simple man to great effect. A gem of a story.

The Essence of the Poison: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 4, April 2006
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
Writen in 1941, this is perhaps the earliest of Phil's stories to be published. It is a grim story about anti-Semitism in pre-WWII America. Still in college when he wrote this story it makes a very strong statement.

The Doll Game: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 5, July 2006
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
This is the shortest of the short fiction by Phil to be printed in Farmerphile. Written in the mid 1950s this is another example of Phil trying to break into the mainstream. This story is mentioned and briefly described in Phil's autobiographical essay "Maps and Spasms."

The Terminalization of J.G. Ballard: First appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
This very funny story describing the aftermath of a car accident is a parody of J.G. Ballard's writing style.

Hunter's Moon: First appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Not science fiction, this is one of several stories written before Phil sold his first story. A phychological tale set in a small town involving a minor sex scandal.

The Rise Gotten: First appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
This story was originally written for an anthology to be edited by Robert Bloch which fell through. The darkest story in PEARLS, The Rise Gotten is only comparable to Phil's erotic-horror novel IMAGE OF THE BEAST.

Doc Savage and the Cult of the Blue God: First appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
Also appeared in: Subterranean #5, 2006
This is a screen treatment, written at director George Pal's request, to be the sequel to his movie, Doc Savage, The Man of Bronze. After the first movie bombed the planned sequel was never filmed.

The Princess of Terra: First appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
A funhouse-mirror type "book reveiw" about a science fiction writer on Mars named Erb of Anazrat who has written about Nazrat of Sepa and Noj Notrak. The review is about the latter, an ex-soldier who travels to Terra and has many adventures. The reviewer makes fun of many of Erb's scientific speculations, which of course are all true from our point of view. A very funny story/homage to ERB/poke at book reviewers all in one.

The Purple Distance: First appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
This was originally going to be the forward to a Fokker D-LXIX edition of THE LOVE SONG OF HIAWATHA. Surprisingly Phil finds many things about Longfellow's poem that are interest to Edgar Rice Burroughs fans.

A Rough Knight for the Queen: First appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
At nearly 27,000 words this long lost story, written in 1953, is the longest piece in PEARLS FROM PEORIA. It is vivid picture of some of Sir Richard Francis Burton's adventures as well as an overview of his career. Phil, a fan of Burton's, speculates in several places "what could have been" if lesser men had not gotten in Burton's way.

The Princess of Terra: First appeared in: PEARLS FROM PEORIA, Subterranean Press, 2006 hardcover
A funhouse-mirror type "book reveiw" about a science fiction writer on Mars named Erb of Anazrat who has written about Nazrat of Sepa and Noj Notrak. The review is about the latter, an ex-soldier who travels to Terra and has many adventures. The reviewer makes fun of many of Erb's scientific speculations, which of course are all true from our point of view. A very funny story/homage to ERB/poke at book reviewers all in one.

Keep Your Mouth Shut: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 6, October 2006
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
This early story, full of vivid descriptions of working in a steel mill, is based on Phil's personal knowledge of these conditions. We may pressume the circumstances of this dark story are in fact not based on Phil's personal experiences while working in the steel mill.

The Frames: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 7, January 2007
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
The first science fiction short story by Philip José Farmer to appear in Farmerphile. Set in the not too distant future where the news media is far more prevelant than when the story was written in 1970, Phil anticipates twenty-four hour news channels, news "simulations" and other manipulations of electronic media.

A Spy in the U.S. of Gonococcia: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 8, April 2007
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
A very funny story about a black Russian spy who finds nothing but trouble, and assorted venereal diseases, while in the United States.

The Rebels Unthawed: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 9, July 2007
Also appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
Only the second science fiction short story by Phil to appear in Farmerphile, this was actually first written as a Star Trek screen treatment. The familiar space ship and crew find a derelict space ship floating abandoned and discover twelve passengers frozen in suspended animation. Once revived it is discovered they were kidnapped by aliens from earth during the American Civil War. Culture shock ensues.

A Peoria Night: First appeared in: UP FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND OTHER STORIES, Subterranean Press, 2007 hardcover
Also appeared in: Farmerphile No. 10, October 2007
This humorous story was written in early 1983 for submission to the Nelson Algren Award contest. It follows two hard luck brothers through the back streets of Peoria in search of...female companionship.

The First Robot: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 11, January 2008
A short interesting story about the dawn of "progress."

Duo Miaule: First appeared in: Farmerphile No. 11, January 2008
While Phil has written stories that fit in many different genres, this is his first and only sci-fi-supernatural-fantasy-private-eye-mystery.

Newly Born, Newly Dead: First appeared in: THE WORLDS OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1: Protean Dimensions, Meteor House, 2010 trade paperback
Written in the late 1960s and presumably unfinished, this story jumps follows Phil's thoughts, dreamlike, from Los Angeles to Ancient Greece.

My Summer Husband: First appeared in: THE WORLDS OF PHILIP JOSÉ FARMER 1: Protean Dimensions, Meteor House, 2010 trade paperback
A story told from the point of a woman married to a Bear-God and the problems this entails.

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