Friend, mentor, celebrated author - Michael Coney was all these things. When he first approached a number of West Coast speculative writers with the intent of forming the publicity group, The Lonely Cry, none of us fully realised where things would lead. Michael produced the first of our modest publicity sheets, and after the better part of two decades, and many newsletters and science fiction conventions, The Lonely Cry is flourishing. Michael withdrew from active participation a few years ago. Though his name no longer appeared under the howling wolf logo, and he rarely attended conventions, he continued to encourage us all.
Michael published many novels and short stories over the years. His work was shortlisted for the Nebula and Aurora Awards, and his novel Brontomek won the British Science Fiction Award in 1977.
His extraordinary imagination pervaded his fiction. Pallahaxi Tide and The Celestial Steam Locomotive were arguably among his most popular novels, but there were so many to choose from. Consider the haunting Winter's Children, set in a world of apocalyptic snowscapes and tenacious tribes, or one of his favourites, the Song of Earth novel Cat Karina, where genetically complex characters were compelled by a surreal, manipulated future. Then there was Michael's initial foray into "Arthurian science fiction," Fang, the Gnome, with its quirky protagonists and strong conceptual links to the Song of Earth series. His short fiction was legion, and no one who read it could forget the charm and whimsy of his Nebula nominated novelette "Tea and Hamsters."
Michael's work was punctuated by a sharp wit that we all grew to appreciate, particularly when it found its way into the lively readers' skits (mostly drawn from his work) that he persuaded us to perform at science fiction conventions. Pointy red hats, feathered paraphernalia, cardboard swords, buckets, cloaks, irascible old women and cantankerous gnomes - our performances ran the gamut of costume and character.
Michael's website now provides access to free downloads of selected unpublished novels and short fiction - a generous legacy for his readership. Titles include I remember Pallahaxi, Foul Play at Duffy's Marina, and Flower of Goronwy (novels), and five short stories.
It is a privilege to have known Michael. His friendship, wit and talent will be greatly missed. - Mary E. Choo
*For Mary Choo, Eileen Kernaghan, Clélie Rich, Rhea Rose, Dave Duncan, Matt Hughes, Nancy Bennett, Teresa Plowright.
Novels by Michael Coney: Mirror Image, Syzygy, Friends Come in Boxes, The Hero of Downways, Winter's Children, Monitor Found in Orbit, The Jaws that Bite, the Claws that Catch, Pallahaxi Tide, Charisma, Brontomek, The Ultimate Jungle, Neptune's Cauldron, Cat Karina, The Celestial Steam Locomotive, Gods of the Greataway, Fang, the Gnome, King of the Scepter'd Isle, A Tomcat Called Sabrina, No Place for a Sealion
*An earlier version of this tribute appeared in The Lonely Cry #20, October 2005.
Science fiction critic John Clute's obituary of Michael Coney can be found here.