Hugh A. D. Spencer shakes up the establishment of science fiction in multiple ways with the release of his latest book, The Fabulist Play Cycle.
The story follows a group of aspiring—and later, varyingly successful—authors starting in the Great Depression, through the Golden Age of science fiction, and concluding in the 1980s. This satire on the entire genre fictionalizes the reality of the way pulp magazines and a few determined writers defined science fiction to this day, while telling a rousing comedic tale of frustrated dreams, jilted love, and occasional megalomania.
Originally produced as a series of radio plays by Shoestring Radio Theater out of San Francisco in 2004, this collection of scripts is now available in print for the first time. The book has been lauded by critics and fans of classic science fiction, with Amazing Stories magazine saying, “Virtually every line is written to amuse and amaze, yet it’s bang on accurate in its overall account of the actuality of the [period].” Paul Levinson, author of award-winning alternative history radio play It’s Real Life, calls it, “A delightfully cracked and deeply savvy romp through the history of science fiction, and perforce our world.”
With the rise in popularity of podcasts and audiobooks, The Fabulist Play Cycle is perfect for fans of audio dramas, science fiction, comedy, 20th century history, and more. The Fabulist Play Cycle is now available to order through bookstores everywhere in trade paperback (388 pages, ISBN 978-1-998795-05-5, $23.99 CAD) and ebook (ISBN 978-1-998795-06-2, $4.99) formats. The book also includes illustrations by artist Emily O’Brien and a foreword by Dr. Allan Weiss, author of Making the Rounds.
A launch party for the book is being held Thursday, January 18th at 6:30 p.m. at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy in the Lillian H. Smith branch of the Toronto Public Library, 239 College St. The event will feature discussion of the book, a dramatic reading of scenes by local actors, and refreshments. Bakka-Phoenix Books will be on hand to sell copies to be signed by the author. Attendance is free and no registration is required.
Spencer’s research into the origins of contemporary religious movements in science fiction fandom was funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council and is available online from McMaster University. He has had short fiction published in On Spec, various volumes of Tesseracts, and many more anthologies and magazines. He lives in Toronto with his family, including a semi-trained puppy.
The Fabulist Play Cycle is Brain Lag’s 48th released title. This is the publisher’s first release in 2024, with three others coming before April and more planned for later in the year. Brain Lag has previously published Spencer’s novels Extreme Dentistry (2014) and The Hard Side of the Moon (2021) and his collections Why I Hunt Flying Saucers and Other Fantasticals (2016) and The Progressive Apparatus and More Fantasticals (2021) and are working together on more forthcoming releases.
Media inquiries and requests to contact the author can be directed to publishing@brain-lag.com.
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