William Tenn (Philip Klass) 1920-2010 from The Pittsburg-Post Gazette.

During the "golden age" of American science fiction, the short stories of William Tenn were read as avidly as the works of Philip K. Dick, Robert Heinlein and Ray Bradbury. The first Tenn story appeared in 1946, the dawning of sci-fi's literary sophistication. More than 200 followed, as well as two novels, most appearing in Galaxy magazine, but Tenn was a pen name. The author's real name was Philip Klass, longtime English professor at Penn State University in State College who retired in 1989 after 23 years and moved to Mt. Lebanon. Mr. Klass died Sunday at his home of congestive heart failure following a long illness, said his widow, Fruma. He was 89. "He became a kind of father figure to the science-fiction community here," Mrs. Klass said. The couple moved here after his retirement because Mrs. Klass was employed by a Pittsburgh-area company. Mr. Klass was active in promoting writing and internship programs at Penn State, said university spokesman Jeff Reston. Mr. Klass was given the Lindback All-University Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1976. "He was hired on a one-year appointment and stayed for 23 years," said his widow. She said he was one of only three professors at Penn State without a college degree.

As a writer, "his forte was the carefully observed satirical short story," said Philip Smith, University of Pittsburgh English professor who has taught courses in science fiction for more than 30 years. "Klass was the last of the greats, those writers like Dick and Bradbury who were responsible for legitimating science fiction from the 1940s to the 1950s," Mr. Smith said. "As a kid, I found his short-story collections and thought they were the work of a really interesting writer. Klass, like Dick, used the science-fiction format to discuss contemporary social structures," he added. "Klass was interested in science fiction as social commentary, rather than science itself."

Mr. Klass' output as a writer slowed in the mid-1960s after he started his academic career, remembered David Hartwell, senior editor at Tor Books, a publisher of science-fiction titles. "Oh, he would threaten every year to come up with a story or a novel, but never did," said Mr. Hartwell. His entire writing career just stopped after he threw himself into his teaching." Before heading to State College, Mr. Klass was well-known and socially connected in the New York community of writers and editors. "That was the center of his life," Mr. Hartwell said, adding that the writer was known for his sense of humor and his love of argument. His generation of writers would start to argue at the drop of a hat and go on for hours." Mr. Klass was born in London and grew up in New York. He was a World War II veteran. He launched his writing career in 1946 with a story called "Alexander the Bait" that appeared in Astounding magazine, said Mrs. Klass. "That was one of the major science-fiction magazines of its day," she said, adding that Mr. Klass had been using a variety of pen names on his submissions and settled on William Tenn after his first story was accepted. Although he wrote the bulk of his stories in the 1950s, Mr. Klass was a favorite of genre fans in such collections as "Of All Possible Worlds," Mr. Hartwell said. He was also the editor of a popular anthology, "Children of Wonder." That book which was released in 1950, contained science-fiction stories about children. British novelist and critic Kingsley Amis was a supporter of American science fiction as it emerged after World War II. In his survey of the field, "New Maps of Hell," he cited Mr. Klass' work in the 1940s and '50s for its importance, said Mr. Hartwell. In 1968, Ballantine Books released seven titles by Mr. Klass -- two novels, "Of Men and Monsters" and "A Lamp for Medusa," along with five short-story collections. Starting in 2001, the New England Science Fiction Association began republishing his short stories, as well as Mr. Klass' nonfiction work, including memoirs in the book, "Dancing Naked." In 2006, a stage version of his short story, "Winthrop Was Stubborn," was performed at the Three Rivers Arts Festival. Mr. Klass is survived by his widow and a daughter, Adina.

(Franklin, Indiana, February 15^th, 2010)

Genre legend Jim Wynorski has just finished shooting a scene in Franklin which supposedly is set in Lapland.  Shay Baker and Erin Neufer were just driving across the frozen tundra, fearing that somehow they took a wrong turn on their way to Baltimore. Wynorski yells cut and the cast and crew scurry to find the nearest source of warmth. Matt Borges, Art Director muttered, "I miss Lake Monroe," the location where the crew shot for 2 weeks during Indian summer in September.

Monster Cruise really has a three year old story, beginning when B Movie Celebration organizer Bill Dever invited Jim Wynorski to attend Franklin’s B Movie Celebration. "When I arrived, I was immediately struck with the idea that somehow Mayberry was teleported to Indiana," says Wynorski. "Franklin was so beautiful that I knew one day I would make a movie here."

Fast forward three years later. Wynorski and Dever had developed a strong friendship and had worked together on FIRE FROM BELOW, a Syfy movie of the week. Wynorski was instrumental in bringing the movie to Indiana and wanted to do something else together. "Joe Gaudin, my producing partner and I really wanted to make a movie celebrating summer in Indiana," said Bill Dever. "I knew Jim was just aching to shoot something in Franklin so the time was right"

A script was hastily put together with long time collaborator Carl Salminen; locations were assembled in Franklin and Lake Monroe. Paul Wallace, Shay Baker, Kayla Gill and Erin Neufer, local actors from Indiana were cast in the leads. Veteran performers Gerry Pauwels from Bloomington, Vicky Richmond from Shelbyville, Jim Hardin and Bill Cothron from Louisville, and Stacey Dixon from Nashville brought depth and experience to this cast. Horror veteran Jim O’Rear and comedian Ervin Ross from Columbus fleshed out the cast.

So, on September 14^th 2010, an earnest group of Indiana filmmakers and one of Hollywood’s most experienced directors set out to weave a tale that celebrated summer in the Mid West. Monster Cruise tells the story of a boy, a boat, and a sea monster.

 "The film turned out far better that we hoped" says Wynorski. "I think movie goers are going to come away from Monster Cruise laughing, smiling, and wanting to visit Franklin, Indiana."

 It is anticipated that Monster Cruise will be released in September.

April 1, 1976 was the start of Baryon and it has evolved into what you see today. The first five bi-monthly issues were called WHAT THE POSTMAN BROUGHT and was my attempt to follow in the footsteps of Ned Brooks’s zine about the fannish mail he received. I listed the items I got in the mail and then encouraged other fans to send me their fanzines or news or whatever I could receive and post.

At the same time, I was doing book reviews for FUTURE RETROSPECTVE, a reviewzine being done by Cliff and Susan Biggers. I was also sending spec reviews to Richard Geis and others trying to gain more books to review and to build up my library and my status as a reviewer. Elsie Wollheim of DAW Books started sending review copies. Sharon Jarvis soon followed with Doubleday titles. As others started to follow, I decided to go with my own reviewzine. All I needed was a catchy title and Mike Glyer of FILE 770 suggested Baryon and the rest as they say is history.

So now I begin the 35^th year of putting this labor of love together. I call it that, cause Crom knows there has never been any money made. The joy is in the books read and the friends made over the years that have made it fun and worthwhile.

Thanks to Jim Brock and Harriet Klausner for all the reviews over the years. Thanks to Wayne Vansant, Ruth Thompson, Bob Hobbs, Jerry Collins, David Parsons and all the other folks who contributed artwork.

Thanks to all the publicists and authors who have made sure I had something to read.

Thanks especially to Peter Horwath for being there since the beginning for art, reviews, his website expertise, and just for being a friend. We go back to 1968 at Fort Lee, Virginia and the chance meeting that only the US Army can arrange.

Thanks to you, the reader, for allowing me to come into your life and hopefully help you find a good book or written something to give you something to think about.

Look for Baryon again in about 90 days.

Check out the blog at the Baryon Blogspot. Email us at the-baryon-review@bellsouth.net

As always, thank you for your support.

Barry