Rick Shelley
Richard Michael Shelley, born in 1947 in Illinois and later relocating to eastern Tennessee, was a versatile writer known primarily for his contributions to the science fiction and fantasy genres. Initially pursuing a career in history, accounting, and bookselling, Shelley eventually transitioned to writing full-time after several years. He began his literary journey focusing on short stories, gaining recognition through publications in *Analog Science Fact/Science Fiction*, where he was discovered by editor Stanley Schmidt.
Shelley's early novels were primarily fantasies, but he later gained prominence in military science fiction after his works caught the attention of publishers seeking that particular niche. His notable series include the Varayan Memoir series, which follows a young man's adventures in alternate worlds, and the Thirteenth Spaceborne series, highlighting futuristic military scenarios. Additionally, he created the Seven Towers fantasy series set in a fantastical version of twelfth-century England.
While his military narratives are characterized by technical precision, they often prioritize action over character development. Despite the mixed receptions of his works, Shelley left a lasting impact on the genres he explored, with his final publications released posthumously following his death in 2001.
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Rick Shelley
Writer
- Born: 1947
- Birthplace: Illinois
- Died: 2001
Biography
Richard Michael Shelley was born in 1947 in Illinois, but later moved to eastern Tennessee. When he was young, he had ambitions to write but studied and later taught history. He was also an accountant and bookseller. He held other jobs before he was able to write full time.
Shelley concentrated on short stories during the first six years of his writing, most of them published in Analog Science Fact/Science Fiction, where he was one of the “discoveries” of editor Stanley Schmidt. His short stories in the 1980’s and 1990’s also appeared in Amazing and Aboriginal SF magazines and a number of anthologies. His main venue of publication, however, remained with Analog, where he sold more than a dozen stories. He freely credited Schmidt with helping to grow as a writer.
While Analog mainly published stories that were nuts- and-bolts science fiction, Shelley’s first five novels were fantasies. He turned to military science fiction after one of his stories that peripherally featured military motifs caught the eye of publishers who wanted more.
His best-known series is the Varayan Memoir series, starting with Son of the Hero, The Hero of Varay, and The Hero King. They chronicle the adventures of a young man who follows his parents through a portal into the first of several alternate worlds, landing eventually on one where he is a monarch. Shelley’s Thirteenth Spaceborne series followed, including Until Relieved, Side Show, and Jump Pay. At the same time, Shelley managed to write additional fantasy novels: The Wizard at Mecq and The Wizard at Home. These are part of the Seven Towers series, which is set in a fantastical twelfth century England where a wizard’s new powers have upset some gods.
The military novels, generally set in the distant future, are technically precise—sometimes to the detriment of plot or character. Some contain mostly a series of battles and lack character development. The Buchanan Campaign kicked off a new series of wars between a federation and independent planets as seen by a group of futuristic marines. It was followed by The Fires of Coventry and Return to Camerein.
Next came Shelley’s Dirigent Mercenary Corps series: Officer-Cadet, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel. These featured the progress, as can be gathered by the titles, of hero Lon Nolan up the military ladder of a futuristic mercenary unit.
Shelley started a new military SF series about a futuristic special operations squad with Deep Strike, followed by Sucker Punch and Side Show. These latter two were published posthumously. Shelley died in 2001.