David Hartwell, 1941-2016

[Greg Cox]

I'm sad to report that that David Hartwell, the legendary SF editor who launched the STAR TREK book line at Pocket Books decades ago, passed away today at the age of 74.

For those who don't know or remember, David kicked off Pocket's STAR TREK program way back in 1979 with the novelization of the first movie, followed not long thereafter by THE ENTROPY EFFECT by Vonda McIntyre. He was the very first editor of the line and presided over such early classics as THE FINAL REFLECTION and YESTERDAY'S SON.

On a personal level, David was one of my early teachers and mentors and was largely responsible for me choosing to pursue a career in SF publishing. Beyond STAR TREK, he was one of the most influential SF and fantasy editors and anthologists of modern times. He will be missed.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Can't click "Like" for that. He was a visionary. 2016 is claiming way too many creative people all at once.

Vale David.

 

[garamet]

Only met him once, just before he left Pocket. Found him charming and extremely bright, and wish I'd had the opportunity to work with him. Didn't learn about his penchant for weird neckties until much later. A gifted and colorful man gone too soon!

 

[Greg Cox]

For the record:

http://www.tor.com/2016/01/20/tor-books-editor-david-g-hartwell-1941-2016/

 

[Christopher]

Sad news. I think I met him briefly once, probably on my one visit to the Tor offices a few years ago. But he had a major influence on my life nonetheless; I wouldn't have the career and the friends I have today if not for the Star Trek novel line he started.

 

[trampledamage]

Very sad news. Rest In Peace Mr. Hartwell. We all owe him a lot.

 

[Greg Cox]

Startrek.com has posted a nice tribute:

http://www.startrek.com/article/remembering-trek-book-editor-david-g-hartwell-1941-2016

 

[Csalem]

I clicked "Like", not because of the sad news, but for starting the Trek Book line. We all wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him.

RIP

 

[JD]

I hadn't heard of Mr. Hartwell until today, but it sounds like this is a big loss for the SFF community. RIP.

 

[Greg Cox]

I hadn't heard of Mr. Hartwell until today, but it sounds like this is a big loss for the SFF community. RIP.

Editors, as opposed to authors, tend to be anonymous.We seldom know who edited our favorite books, but, no exaggeration, David was a giant in the field. His connection to STAR TREK was just one chapter of a long and distinguished career. A mutual friend posted the other day that it's like a mountain range has suddenly disappeared; for writers and editors of a couple of generations, David has always been there and been a force to be reckoned with.

Getting personal again, I'd known David since 1984. Along with such other Trek luminaries as Norman Spinrad and Vonda McIntyre, he was one of my early writing instructors. It was David who convinced me to move from Seattle to NYC to pursue a career in SF publishing (I believe the phrase "wasting your life" may have been employed), and who helped me land my first job as an editorial assistant way back in 1987. David was no longer involved with Star Trek at that point, but we worked together at Arbor House, William Morrow, and Tor for many, many years.

Among his other accomplishments, David was a teacher and mentor who liked nothing better than to discover bright young people and encourage them onward. I'm hardly the only person who is remembering a life-changing teacher this week.

 

[Defcon]

Marco Palmieri has posted an article about David Hartwell over at tor.com:

http://www.tor.com/2016/01/22/the-road-back-my-journey-with-david-hartwell/

 

[Steve Roby]

Never met him, but I've been reading about him, and reading books he was in some way responsible for, for many years. He started the Trek books line. He edited Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun and Robert Anton Wilson's Schroedinger's Cat trilogy. Looks like he edited some Philip K Dick, too, and his Pocket line also published Michael Moorcock, M. John Harrison, and many others -- and that was just one relatively short stint at one publisher.

Marco's piece on Hartwell is probably the best thing I've read about David Hartwell so far.

 

[Greg Cox]

In-between and overlapping with his stints at Pocket and Tor, David was also the main science fiction editor at Arbor House/William Morrow, where he published the likes of James Morrow, Philip K. Dick, and others.

 

[Greg Cox]

The New York Times has finally weighed in on David's passing, and mentions his Star Trek work:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/04/b...e-fiction-dies-at-74.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

 

[Enterprise1701]

May David Hartwell rest in peace.

 

[DEWLine]

I'd occasionally seen him on panels at CAN-CON here in Ottawa over the decades, and friends of mine elsewhere had closer ties to him. The loss is being felt.