We begin yet another Science Fiction week, and this time we focus on Frederik Pohl. Pohl has done just about everything that it is possible in the field of science fiction. But, has he done everything that I am about to tell you? It is time for another round of True or False and this time we focus on sci-fi fan, poet, critic, literary agent, teacher, editor and, of course writer, Frederik George Pohl Jr.
Q1 – We start with a Frederik Pohl Truth?
True – Frederik Pohl was an American science fiction writer, editor and fan, with a career spanning more than seventy-five years. His first published work was in 1937 with a poem titled, Elegy to a Dead Satellite: Luna. His last full novel called, All the Lives He Lead, was published in 2011. He did not stop there however, and continued writing until 2013.
Q2 – Despite his amazing career Pohl was never inducted into Science Fiction Hall of Fame?
False – Come on now we are talking about one of the most amazing writers in history. He was inducted by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1998. He was put in its third round of inductees of two dead and two living writers. He was one of live ones. For the record Pohl has won or been nominated for just every writer’s award possible. His wins are too numerous to list here.
Q3 – Despite Pohl’s view of the future he never had much to do with modern technology?
False – The guy was amazing! Pohl won the Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer in 2010, for his blog, “The Way the Future Blogs“. He was true science fiction fanatic! If you are interest you can still read his blogs today.
Q4 – Pohl loved to Teach and to Lecture?
True – Apart from the field of science fiction, he is a noted lecturer and teacher in the area of future studies. He also collaborated with Isaac Asimov on the text, The Last Theorem in 2008, which Sir Arthur C. Clarke calls “perhaps the most important book either of its authors has produced.”
Q5 – Frederik Pohl was a member of the U.S. State Department?
False – However, he did travel to lecture on behalf of the State Department in places such as Singapore, New Zealand and most of the countries of both Eastern and Western Europe.
Q6 – Frederik Pohl is alive and well today?
False – No matter how much we wish it was true, Pohl passed quietly in a hospital September 2, 2013. Leaving us a legacy that could quite possibly never be matched. He was 93 and still working on the projects he so dearly loved. He was survived by his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Anne Hull, who is a past president of the Science Fiction Research Association and a noted scholar in the field in her own right.
This Week’s Podcast:
On week #3 of science fiction week we have not one, but two stories written by the great Frederik Pohl. Both are amazing and both won awards for the prolific writer. We will of course full out the show with lots of other fun stuff. You can listen to this podcast this Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.
The Calendar:
January 05 – The Seventh Victim – (RAS #271)
January 12 – To The Future – (RAS #272)
January 19 – Pohl Stories – (RAS #273)
January 26 – The Horror Express #14
February 02 – (RAS #274)
As promised we tunnel under the world to produce another science fiction week here at Ron’s Amazing Stories. On today’s program it is all about Frederik Pohl. We have two short stories by him titled, Tunnel Under the World and Pythias. We also have a reading of his very first published work, that he wrote in 1937. It is a poem called, Elegy to a Dead Planet: Luna. So, please click the link and be dazzled!
Did you hear the word? To The Future we go! 
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