Neal Barrett, Jr., will be honored as Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America during its 2010 Nebula Awards Weekend in Coco Beach, Fla., May 13–16.
Barrett has published more than 50 novels and 70 shorter works since his first sales in 1959. His oeuvre includes The Hereafter Gang, Through Darkest America, Dawn's Uncertain Light and Prince of Christler-Coke as well as the short story collections Perpetuity Blues, Slightly Off Center and A Different Vintage.
"I have a great respect for many of the editors and publishers I've worked with," Barrett said. "And I'd like to say how much I admire the contributions of the small press, houses such as Subterranean Press and Golden Gryphon. I'm proud to say that a lot of what I feel is my best work is due to the editors of these presses."
He added: "Like many professional writers, I've written westerns, mystery-suspense, horror, noir, air war stories, the Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, novelizations such as Judge Dredd, Barb Wire and Dungeons & Dragons. One of my all-time favorite jobs is writing comic books--I think I've turned out over a thousand pages by now. That's what writers do, you know--they often do what needs to be done. And I've found that a real pro puts everything he or she has into whatever project comes along. You name it. I can't tell you how many names besides mine are out there over the work I've done for a series or special projects."
The Nebula Awards will be presented at a banquet on Saturday, May 15. Vonda N. McIntyre and Keith Stokes will be honored with the SFWA Service Award, and Joe Haldeman will be honored as the next Damon Knight Grand Master.