Most Popular Books by David Gerrold

A gay man adopts a troubled boy who insists he''s a Martian in this charming and heartwarming autobiographical novel. When science fiction author David Gerrold decides he wants to adopt a son, he thinks he''s prepared for fatherhood. But eight-year-old Dennis turns out to be more than he expected—a lot more. Abandoned as a baby in a seedy motel by his addict parents, Dennis suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome. Since then, he''s been shuffled between eight different foster homes in less than eight years—and was severely abused in at least two of them. Prone to violent emotional outbursts, Dennis was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, put on Ritalin, and then Disipramine. His case history identified him as "hard to plac""—a euphemism for "unadoptable." But for David Gerrold it was love at first sight . . .

WHERE THE ADVENTURE BEGAN... CAPTAIN''S LOG, STARDATE 41254.7: The U.S.S. Enterprise™ is en route to Cygnus IV -- the edge of the known galaxy. There, we will rendezvous with the ship''s new first officer and the other command personnel and proceed with out mission: discover the truth about Farpoint Station, a starbase facility built by the inhabitants of Cygnus IV, a starbase of unparalleled size and complexity...and infinite mystery. And the success or failure of this, our first mission together, may well determine the course of human exploration across the galaxy for centuries to come...

This classic work of science fiction is widely considered to be the ultimate time-travel novel. When Daniel Eakins inherits a time machine, he soon realizes that he has enormous power to shape the course of history. He can foil terrorists, prevent assassinations, or just make some fast money at the racetrack. And if he doesn''t like the results of the change, he can simply go back in time and talk himself out of making it! But Dan soon finds that there are limits to his powers and forces beyond his control.

Winner of the Lord Ruthven Award for Best Vampire Novel of the Year: The first horror novel from the author of Star Trek''s "The Trouble with Tribbles" script. Includes the bonus short story "Jacob in Manhattan." With a writing legacy that includes Star Trek, Land of the Lost, and the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning novella The Martian Child, David Gerrold knows what it''s like to be an author. Writing about vampires should be easy for him, right? But real vampires are far more sinister in real life than they are in fiction. Jacob is the story of an author''s encounters with the undead creature who gives him success, forbidden knowledge, and ultimately, a choice. Jacob is a cunning survivor. Orphaned in Seattle in the mid-nineteenth century, he could have been someone''s convenient meal. Instead, he becomes the "daykeeper" for a man he knows only as Monsieur. Then he discovers the hidden community of nightsiders—men who live in secrecy and darkness—the true apex predators. To be a nightsider is to experience heightened senses, bursts of super-strength, and frequent hallucinogenic episodes. Nightsiders also need to lie dormant to recover from their excesses. The daykeeper must be a protector against the daylight. But Jacob wanted more than that; he craved the promise of immortality. And so a century later, Jacob tells his story, this time to an ambitious young writer. It''s a different kind of interview. Is it a seduction? Or is he just playing with his food? And who will write the final chapter? Praise for The Man Who Folded Himself "Most impressive." — The Times Literary Supplement "Wildly imaginative and mindbending." — Publishers Weekly

An in-depth writing guide from the author of one of the most popular episodes of Star Trek Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author David Gerrold delights and challenges readers with his detailed instruction for creating compelling tales of fantasy and science fiction. The creator of the famous Star Trek episode, "The Trouble With Tribbles" and many groundbreaking science fiction novels including The Man Who Folded Himself and When Harlie was One, Gerrold will inspire you with his passion for the craft. With expert insight and humor, Gerrold shares eye-opening writing tips based on his decades of experience. Inside, discover his techniques for creating fantasy worlds and alien races, developing your hero, writing good sex scenes, keeping imaginary elements believable, and so much more. This ebook edition of Worlds of Wonder is the perfect resource for sci-fi and fantasy writers seeking encouragement and "tricks of the trade" from one of the greats.

H.A.R.L.I.E. (Human Analog Replication, Lethetic Intelligence Engine) is an artificially intelligent machine. David Auberson, the psychologist responsible for guiding HARLIE from childhood into adulthood, struggles to understand his erratic behavior. When humans begin vocalizing their wishes that HARILIE be shut down, he has to prove his existence and value to his warm-blooded counterparts. Throughout HARILIE''s fight to stay alive, Auberson discovers the machine has vast knowledge and understanding of life, love, and logic, posing the philosophical question whether or not HARLIE is human, and for that matter, what it means to be human. Nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards for Best Novel of the Year, the themes of love and discovery in When HARLIE was One are even more important today than when first published.

Charles thought the Moon would be a new beginning. Now, he knows he''ll be lucky just to stay alive. Having escaped both an Earth on the verge of global collapse and their squabbling parents in a "divorce" at Geosynchronous Station, a newly independent Charles "Chigger" Dingillian and his two brothers find themselves alone on the Moon with very few prospects. Worse, they are being hunted by ruthless interplanetary corporations who would stop at nothing to come in possession of a memory bar the boys smuggled on board. Totally unsure of who they can trust—if anyone—the three boys must find a way to make it on their own in unfamiliar territory. Only one thing is certain: The Moon is not a safe place to be.

The legendary science fiction writer''s controversial, groundbreaking novel—one gay man''s raw and wild ride through the 1960s and ''70s. From an adolescent being bullied to the muddy wetlands of Vietnam to an Arizona desert commune, a man known only as Chase traces his quest for identity, meaning, and love in prose both beautiful and brutal. Thirteen fourteen fifteen o''clockis a coming-of-age and then coming-to-terms novel of a life lived looking for answers from gurus and whores, dopers and soldiers, men and women. Returning from Vietnam missing a leg and saddled with fear, rage, and grief, Chase takes to his Harley never able to outrun the trauma that resurfaces every time he is threatened because of his sexuality. Yet, though scarred and battered—inside and out—he constantly seeks those fleeting moments of connection with another soul, an awareness of a universe where he is not alone in his hurt and hunger. A searingly powerful story of survival, thirteen fourteen fifteen o''clock is what happens when life stares you down, daring you to blink first, and you meet its gaze—with eyes wide open. Praise for The Man Who Folded Himself "Most impressive." — The Times Literary Supplement "Wildly imaginative and mindbending." — Publishers Weekly

In The World of Star Trek, David Gerrold opens up dialogue on the people, places, and events that made Star Trek one of the most popular series ever. Gerrold discusses what was successful and what wasn''t, offering personal interviews with the series'' legendary stars and dissecting the trends that developed throughout the seasons. The complete inside story of what happened behind the scenes of the Star Trek universe, from scriptwriters'' memos to special effects and more, The World of Star Trek is the companion all Trekkies need for the most all-encompassing breakdown and analysis of Star Trek.

Executive Officer Korie had faced and defeated seemingly invincible Morthan battleships, elusive bio-computer imps, and dreaded Morthan assassins. It would be on the starship Norway, however, that he would meet his greatest challenge-a challenge that could change the outcome of a war and the destiny of humankind. The latest installment of the Star Wolf series, this third galactic struggle concludes the popular trilogy with a rescue mission that is far from routine. Never before published, Blood and Fire is the long-awaited conclusion to the Star Wolf series.

This funny and insightful science fiction classic introduces Shoogar, the greatest wizard ever known in his village. His spells can strike terror in the hearts of even his most powerful enemies. But the enemy he faces now is like none he has ever seen before. The stranger has come from nowhere and is ignorant of even the most basic principles of magic. But the stranger has an incredibly powerful magic of his own. There is no room in Shoogar''s world for an intruder whose powers match his own, let alone one whose powers might exceed his. So before the blue sun can cross the face of the red sun once more, Shoogar will show this stranger just who is boss.

No longer able to return to his home on Earth, Charles Dingillian and his two brothers must choose a new planet to call home. But which one? Charles has come into possession of a prototype HARLIE unit so revolutionary and state-of-the-art that corporations will stop at nothing—including murder—to control it. Earth is in a state of social and economic meltdown. The battle for domination between rival corporations has gone interplanetary. Charles has been at war before: only, that was a personal civil war waged between him and his parents. In an effort to end the strife once and for all, thirteen-year-old Charles took the drastic step of "divorcing" his parents. He and his brothers are now free to do what they choose. Freedom for Charles and his brothers means passage on a starship to a colony Outbeyond. There, they will use HARLIE to help build a better world. But freedom also means exile. From his home. From his friends. From everything he has ever known. And even his chance for a new life on a remote planet is put in jeopardy when a critical malfunction with the HARLIE unit seemingly threatens the integrity of the voyage. However, a faction of passengers on board the Brightliner Cascade may pose an even greater risk. A risk not even an intelligence as powerful as a HARLIE unit can avert.

From the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author of The Martian Child: "This playful, intricate game of survival . . . is one of Gerrold''s best books." — Publishers Weekly The human race has been played for a fool. Though welcomed into the galactic community and given access to the combined knowledge of thousands of intelligent species, humans are largely regarded as an evolutionary mistake. Reptilian, insectoid, and other unclassifiable species are the dominant forms of intelligence. If it hadn''t been for that annoying comet, the dinosaurs would have continued their evolutionary journey to sentience. Instead the ridiculous mammalians survived. And they want to be treated as equals. Now the humans find out that the Galactic Encyclopedia has a user fee—and they are overdrawn! If the debt can''t be paid, humanity will be sold as slaves . . . or food. Asst. Liaison Officer Yake Singh Browne feels personally betrayed. He comes up with a strategy: If humanity can''t win playing by the rules of the game, he''ll just have to change the rules. Game on! "Taut and well-constructed, providing a convincing glimpse of alien biology and psychology . . . A good yarn." — Kirkus Reviews "Gerrold has written a fine but demanding science-fiction novel . . . Those with perseverance will enjoy the story''s campy humor and unexpected plot twists." — School Library Journal

They were once humanity''s last hope: a race of genetically engineered killing machines known as the Phaestor and their army of deadly Moktar Dragons. Now, the enemy long vanquished, the Phaestor themselves have become the enemy, seizing control of the galaxy and subjugating all lesser species—including humans—to feed their appetite for terror and blood. On a small, insignificant planet called Thoska-Roole, a ragtag alliance of humans, androids, and bioforms make a last desperate stand against Phaestor domination. Among their number are two bounty hunters, a mercenary starship captain, and a disgraced reptilian warrior. As the Phaestor begin a new reign of unprecedented terror, these rebels prepare to strike back against their vampire overlords and bring revolution to the stars. Under the Eye of God, the first installment of Trackers, is followed by its sequel, A Covenant of Justice, where the fight for the galaxy continues.

David Gerrold, the creator of "Tribbles," recalls how this popular episode of Star Trek was made, from conceptualizing the first draft to the final script, shooting on set, and explaining the techniques and disciplines of TV writing. Plus, receive 32 pages of photos, original illustrations by Tim Kirk, and much more!

Six hunters and two official guides are going on the trip of their lifetime. Their destination? Earth as it was a hundred million years ago, long before human dominion, when the great hot-blooded dinosaurs ruled supreme. Each of the time travelers has a different motive. Some are on the strange safari for pay. Others are taking a psychological and sexual holiday from civilization. There are women who wanted to show themselves the equal of men—and men out to test and prove their manhood. But whatever their drives and desires, their strengths and weaknesses, the ultimate horror awaits them.

A master of science fiction introduces a world where everything is large and the problems of survival even larger in this exciting new novel. Hella is a planet where everything is oversized—especially the ambitions of the colonists. The trees are mile-high, the dinosaur herds are huge, and the weather is extreme—so extreme, the colonists have to migrate twice a year to escape the blistering heat of summer and the atmosphere-freezing cold of winter. Kyle is a neuro-atypical young man, emotionally challenged, but with an implant that gives him real-time access to the colony''s computer network, making him a very misunderstood savant. When an overburdened starship arrives, he becomes the link between the established colonists and the refugees from a ravaged Earth. The Hella colony is barely self-sufficient. Can it stand the strain of a thousand new arrivals, bringing with them the same kinds of problems they thought they were fleeing? Despite the dangers to himself and his family, Kyle is in the middle of everything—in possession of the most dangerous secret of all. Will he be caught in a growing political conspiracy? Will his reawakened emotions overwhelm his rationality? Or will he be able to use his unique ability to prevent disaster?

With an introduction by Spider Robinson The Morthans were physically and mentally superior. Descended from humans, they were now, literally, “more-than" human … and considered the human race to be little better than animals. They would stop at nothing to conquer the remaining human-controlled worlds. Docked for repairs after a harrowing battle with a Morthan ship, Jonathan Korie and his crew discover they have a Morthan imp aboard— a Morthan weapon so quick they have no chance of catching it, so clever they have no hope of outsmarting it and so deadly they have no choice but to try.