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Barton Paul Levenson

American writer (born 1960) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barton Paul Levenson (born May 9, 1960) is an American writer of science fiction, fantasy and the macabre.[1] He is author of eight novels and over 80 short stories, articles, reviews and other publications.

Born (1960-05-09) May 9, 1960 (age 66)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Pittsburgh
OccupationWriter
PennameBPL
Quick facts Born, Education ...
Barton Paul Levenson
Born (1960-05-09) May 9, 1960 (age 66)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Pittsburgh
OccupationWriter
Writing career
Pen nameBPL
GenresFantasy, science fiction
Websitewww.bartonlevenson.com
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Background

Levenson was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He started writing in 1974.[1] He is a 1983 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.[1] He became a Christian in 1984.[2] His first work of fiction was a short story, "Twenty Peasants", published in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine in 1991.[3] Levenson is a two-time winner of the "Confluence Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story Contest" for "Virtual Bridges" and "Reality Forbidden".[4] He is a long-standing member of one of Pittsburgh's oldest science-fiction and fantasy writer's workshops, Carnegie-Mellon University-based Pittsburgh Worldwrights,[5] which includes Pittsburgh science fiction writer Kenneth Chiacchia among its members. He is a former member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.[6]

Levenson's first separate novel in paperback format, I Will, was released in June 2010.[7] One of Levenson's characters, Khuminay, returned in "Khuminay and the Servant" in Cosmic Crime Stories and "Khuminay and the Axe-Wielding Psycho", which appeared in Electric Spec. This followed his novel Year of the Human.

Levenson's Japan-themed story: "Temple Cat", cited below, is reprinted in the charity anthology: "Healing Waves" from Sky Warrior Book Publishing and edited by Phyllis Irene Radford, who donated all proceeds from the sales to disaster relief in Japan.[8]

Style

Reviewers consider Levenson's writing complex.[9][10]

Levenson's focus on science fiction started when he was eight years old, when his parents took him to the film 2001: A Space Odyssey[11] He described his writing process in a 2010 interview with author Sonya Clark, stating that he starts writing with either a broad plot outline in mind, or even one daydreamed scene. Often, the process will fail and the result is an incomplete work.[11]

Controversy

One of Levenson's most cited essays, "The Ideology of Robert A. Heinlein"[12] has been reprinted in several languages (See Essays below). Levenson argues that Heinlein was making a case for the value of fascism. Levenson has been writing about climate issues for many years. His colloquies can often be found on: "Real Climate" *"RealClimate: From blog to Science". Levenson, B.P. 2024. RealClimate[13] Levenson's first peer-reviewed scientific article as sole author was published in 2011: "Planet Temperatures with Surface Cooling Parameterized" in Advances in Space Research 47, 2044–2048, a COSPAR Publication of Elsevier[14] Levenson's Japan-themed story: "Temple Cat", cited below, is reprinted in the charity anthology: "Healing Waves" from Sky Warrior Book Publishing and edited by Phyllis Irene Radford, who is donating all proceeds from the sales to disaster relief in Japan.[15]

Bibliography

Novels

  • Another Century. RoseDog Books, 2022.[16]
  • Recovering Gretel. Kindle Direct Publishing, 2020[17]
  • Dark Gods of Alter Telluria. Barking Rain Press, 2016[18]
  • The Celibate Succubus. Barking Rain Press, 2013[19]
  • Year of the Human. Solstice Publishing, February 2012[20]
  • Max and Me. Lyrical Press, June 2010.[21]
  • I Will. Virtual Tales, June 2010.[22]
  • Ella the Vampire. Lyrical Press, December 2008[23] (See discussion of the basis of the novel).[24]

Novellas

  • "Parole". Lyrical Press: March 2009[21]

Short fiction

  • "Witches", Arcanist Online[25]
  • "Simulation Study", Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, Issue #12, November 2024[26]
  • "The Pretty Ones", Waystation, May 26, 2024[27]
  • "A Diagnosis at Dinner" Mystery Magazine, August 1, 2023[28]
  • "Chetwood's Unfortunate Connexion". In the 2022 anthology, Mermaidens, Ed. Matthew F. Amati, et al.[29]
  • "Elf Magic". In the 2021 anthology, Things With Feathers: Stories of Hope, by Third Flatiron Anthologies.[30]
  • " Alarmists". Every Day Fiction, October 4, 2021[31]
  • "Chetwood's Unfortunate Connexion". Tell-Tale Press, September 2019.[32]
  • "Kim and the Mantas" Abyss & Apex, September 19, 2017[33]
  • "Pen Pals" Expanded Horizons, Issue 56 August 2017[34]
  • "Buttons" Space and Time, #129, Summer 2017[35]
  • "Triangle" Perihelion SF, June 2016[36]
  • "Stealing a Starship" Electric Spec, 2015[37]
  • "Aquilonia, My Zelky" Perihelion SF, 2015[38]
  • "Khuminay and the Axe-Wielding Psycho" Electric Spec, 2014[39]
  • "Changing the Past", Daily SF, August 27, 2014[40]
  • "Investigation of Murder" Stone Thread Publishing, Anthology – The Least He Could Do, 2013,[41]
  • "In the Machine" Stone Thread Publishing, Anthology – Things You Can Create, 2013[42]
  • "Henry Fairfield" Cosmos Online, Luna Media Pty Ltd, 2013[43]
  • "The Commoner and the Queen". Anotherrealm, 2013[44]
  • "Lifting" Cosmos Online, Luna Media Pty Ltd, 2012[45]
  • "Arlena's House" Interstellar Fiction, 2012[46]
  • "The Beautiful Young Man" Vampires 2, 2012[47]
  • "The Wall" Anotherrealm, 2012[48]
  • "Sheep Lie!" Ray Gun Revival 2011[49]
  • "Ballad" Ray Gun Revival 2011[49]
  • "Sophie and the Supernova". in the anthology Cheer Up, Universe! (paperback) Whortleberry Press 2011[50]
  • "Gauntlet" Andromeda Spaceways In-flight Magazine (Australia) 2011[51]
  • "Brianna the Pie Girl" in the anthology: WTF?!, Pink Narcissus Press, 2011[52]
  • "Khuminay and the Servant" in Cosmic Crime Stories, published by Karen L. Newman July 2011.[53]
  • "An Exercise in Logic" in the anthology Infinite Space, Infinite God II (paperback) 2011[54]
  • "Khuminay and the Shapeshifter" in the anthology Space Cops, compiled by David Reilly June 2009.[55]
  • "The Boogie-Woogie, Time-Traveling, Cyborg Blues" Electric Spec February 2009[56]
  • "Colonizing Mars" M-Brane 2008[57]
  • "The Primitives" Wrong World (Audio) 2008[58]
  • "Second Visit" Whispering Spirits Issue Number 19 – November 20, 2008[59]
  • "Raid" Atomjack Issue Number 11 – August 2008[60]
  • "Wisdom". Anathema On-Line Anthology, January 2008[61]
  • "Wifey". Written Word, Holiday Edition 2007[62]
  • "The Fate of the Crystal Eye". In the anthology Forbidden Speculation (2007)[63]
  • "Side Trip". Science Fiction Trails, No. 2, 2007
  • "Katie Belle". Whispering Spirits, October 2007
  • "Dedication Day". Art & Prose, October 2007
  • "The Rescue". Beyond Centauri, Issue 18, 2007[64]
  • "Problem in Logic". Staffs & Starships, Issue 1, 2007[65]
  • "The Extraordinary Circumstances On Board H.M.S. Steadfast". Cicada, January–February 2007.
  • "The Curse". In the anthology Shadow Regions[66] (2006)
  • "Rain and Revenge". RAGE Machine Issue #2,[67] March 2006
  • "The Intruder". In the anthology, Travel Guide to the Haunted Mid-Atlantic Region[68] (2006)
  • "Pet Cat". In the anthology Animal Magnetism[69] (2005)
  • "All the Horrible Dragons". The Sword Review, December 2005.
  • "Undead". Insidious Reflections, July 2005.
  • "The Problem of Pain". The Sword Review, July 2005. Forum
  • "The Horror in the Monkey-Squeezing Room". ScienceFictionFantasyHorror.com, June 2005.
  • "Temple Cat". Cricket, Vol. 32 Issue 10, p20-26, June 2005.[70]
  • "The Closet". Chiaroscuro, March 2003, see also podcast Read by British actor Alasdair Stuart Pluggd TV.
  • "Writer's Block". Dark Seasons, January 2003.
  • "Along with Captain Gooding". Future Orbits, Vander Neut Publications LLC June 2002.
  • "Scrunched Up". Future Orbits, Vander Neut Publications LLC February 2002.
  • "Sometimes We Lie". Eternity On-Line, March 2000. Reprinted in the anthology Leaps of Faith 2003, (Writer's Cafe Press.)
  • "The Physics of Space Beer Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Clones". Maelstrom, April 1999.
  • "Reality Forbidden". Confluence Program Book 1998 (First Prize Winner).
  • "Virtual Bridges". Confluence Program Book 1997 (First Prize Winner).
  • "Twenty Peasants". Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine,[71] August 1991.

Short fiction (unpublished)

  • "The Starship Pilot", scheduled for the anthology 'Warrior Wisewoman IV', Roby James Editor, 2012[72]

Poems

  • "Disobedient" Apex Magazine January 13, 2017[73]
  • "Do Red Dwarfs Have Habitable Planets?" Astropoetica Volume 7.1, Spring 2009[74]
  • "Off-Topic". Astropoetica Volume 4.2, Spring 2006

Essays

  • "The Ideology of Robert A. Heinlein". The New York Review of Science Fiction, June 1998. Reprinted in Gigamesh (Spain) 1999; reprinted in Ikarie (Czech Republic) 2003. "In a scorching analysis, Barton Paul Levenson has attempted to show that his [Robert A. Heinlein's] final point was a version of fascism (Levenson, 1998)." p. 59, X, Y, Z, T: Damien Broderick[75]

Book reviews

  • "A Soldier's Duty (Theirs Not to Reason Why) by Jean Johnson". The New York Review of Science Fiction, December 2020 . Literary Criticism by Barton Paul Levenson
  • "S. L. Viehl's Stardoc. The New York Review of Science Fiction, November 2002.
  • "Jeffrey Sackett's Candlemas Eve. The New York Review of Science Fiction, March 2001.
  • "James White's The Dream Millennium. The New York Review of Science Fiction, April 1999.

Non-fiction and scientific

  • " A Comprehensive Semigray Climate Model." Levenson, B.P. 2024.Planetary and Space Science,J. Elsevier., 243, 105866.
  • " The maximum tolerable gravity for human colonies. ". Levenson, B.P. 2023.Journal of the British Interplanetary Society,J. Brit. Interplanet. Soc., 76, 87-93.
  • " Pressure doesn't make Venus hot: A computer exercise. ". Levenson, B.P. 2023. Physics Education, Phys. Ed. 58, 055019
  • " Probability or determinism: How rare is ETI? ". Levenson, B.P. 2022. Journal of the British Interplanetary Society,J. Brit. Interplanet. Soc., 75, 348-356.
  • " A demonstration that frictional heating of Earth is trivial ". Levenson, B.P. 2022. Physics Education,Phys. Ed. 57, 065025[76]
  • " Habitable Zones with an Earth Climate History Model ". Levenson, B.P. 2021. Planetary and Space Science, 206[77]
  • "A Catalog of Smaller Planets". Levenson, B.P. 2019. Earth, Moon, and Planets, 122, 83-93[78]
  • Theory of Habitable Planets self-publication, August 7, 2017[79]
  • "Why Hart Found Narrow Ecospheres--A Minor Science Mystery Solved". Levenson, B.P. 2015. Astrobiology, 15, 327-330
  • "Planet Temperatures with Surface Cooling Parameterized". Levenson, B.P. 2011. Advances in Space Research, 47, 2044–2048.[80]
  • "Analysis of the August 17, 1989 Total Lunar Eclipse". The Strolling Astronomer (J. Am. Lunar Planetary Soc.) 38, 61–64. Graham, Francis G. and B.P. Levenson 1995.
  • "An Examination of Jules Verne's Moon Gun, 'Columbiad'". Selenology 7, 19–21. Levenson, B.P. 1988.
  • "Social Design Considerations for a Lunar Colony". Selenology 6, 22–28. Levenson, B.P. 1987.
  • "Statistical Data on Orthoselection for Intelligence". Tripolitan (J. Tripoli Sci. Assn.) 15, 5–10. Levenson, B.P. 1983.

Awards

  • "StorySouth Million Writers Award" 2009 Notable Stories 2009 "The Boogie-Woogie, Time-Traveling, Cyborg Blues" by Barton Paul Levenson[81]

Reviews

  • A Succubi's Tale – "A Review of The Celibate Succubus by Barton Paul Levenson" Tera December 22, 2013[82]
  • Rise Reviews – "I Will by Barton Paul Levenson" Beatrice Underwood-Sweet January 1, 2011[83]
  • Toni V. Sweeney – "Max and Me by Barton Paul Levenson" Toni V. Sweeney August 19, 2010[84]
  • Bookwenches – "Max and Me" Bobby D. Whitney August 17, 2010[85]
  • Manic Readers – "Ella The Vampire" Stacey May 2, 2010[86]
  • Marginalia – "The Boogie-Woogie, Time-Traveling, Cyborg Blues" Boudica June 16, 2009[87]
  • E Book Guru – "Parole" Staff March 23, 2009[88]
  • You Gotta Read Reviews – "Parole" Stephanie March 12, 2009[89]
  • Emmatyville – "Parole" Emma Wayne Porter March 2, 2009[90]
  • Dark Diva Reviews – "Ella The Vampire" Jennifer Campbell February 23, 2009[91]
  • You Gotta Read Reviews – "Ella The Vampire" Tami February 22, 2009[92]
  • Literary Nymphs – "Parole" Scandalous Minx February 18, 2009[93]
  • Toasted Scimitar – "Raid" Staff August 12, 2008[94]
  • Blogtide Rising – "Problem in Logic" Deven D Atkinson January 4, 2008[95]
  • Horror World – "The Curse" Joe Kroeger January 2007[96]
  • Tangent Online – "All the Horrible Dragons" Paul Abbamondi October 14, 2006[97]
  • Oz Horror Scope (Australia) – "The Curse" Miranda Siemienowicz August 9, 2006[98]
  • Tangent Online – "The Curse" Janice Clark December 24, 2005[99]

Interviews

  • "The Celibate Succubus: Barton Paul Levenson" Book Signing at Rickert and Beagle Books, Dormont, Pennsylvania, November 16, 2013 "Barton Paul Levenson Book Signing" – YouTube
  • "Monday's Friend: Barton Paul Levenson" Imaginary Friends, Sara Jayne Townsend, July 8, 2013[100]
  • "Books and Tales Author Interview: Barton Paul Levenson" Books and Tales, Annette Gisby, May 30, 2012[19]
  • "Page Readers Talks with Barton Paul Levenson" BlogTalkRadio – Hosted by Page Readers, February 2010[101]
  • "Interview with B.P. Levenson" Art & Prose, October 2007, p. 40. #61 Showcase Writer

References

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