Fredric Brown
(1906–1972) was the only writer to achieve equal prominence in the mystery and science fiction genres. His first foray into mystery, The Fabulous Clipjoint, won the Mystery
Writers of America’s Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Brown was also the acknowledged master of the short short story; the famous collection Nightmares and Geezenstacks demonstrates his consummate mastery of a form limited to no more than five hundred words. His short story “Arena” was the basis of a famed Star Trek episode; “Martians, Go Home!” was adapted for a 1992
film; “The Last Martian” was adapted for Serling’s Twilight Zone and starred Steve McQueen at the start of his career.
Brown’s work, more than forty years after his death, is increasingly prominent.
