By Rae Arnett and Jacy Terry
How often have you used the word “android” in your life? Did you know that the word was coined by Eastern New Mexico University’s very own Jack Williamson?
Williamson was one of the biggest names in science fiction and contributed to bringing the genre out of the darkness and into the light.
The 38th annual Jack Williamson Lectureship series will honor his legacy April 3-4.
Williamson himself started the tradition of having esteemed science-fiction writers visit ENMU while he was still teaching here.
Patrice Caldwell, who co-taught with Williamson, has since carried on that tradition by bringing in writers such as George R.R. Martin, the author of the Game of Thrones series, and Nalo Hopkinson, who is best know for Brown Girl in the Ring, Midnight Robber, Skin Folk, and The Salt Roads.
“Science fiction writers love coming to the lectureship because Jack Williamson was one of the greats,” said Stefan Kiesbye, assistant professor of English, “and they like that here at ENMU, science fiction is not treated like just a genre; it has an old home here.”
English Professor Carol Erwin stressed the value this lectureship can have for students because “there are opportunities to speak one-on-one with successful, well-published authors that you might not have if you went to a larger event.”
This year’s guest of honor is Darynda Jones, an author who lives in the Portales area. She currently publishes two series through St. Martin’s Press, The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She is also not new to success, having made The New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists, as well as being awarded the Golden Heart and RITA awards for her writing.
Her books are, as Kiesbye said, “urban romance with ties to the supernatural,” which makes her a great fit for this year’s theme: “The Wide World of Speculative Fiction.”
A new series in the lectureship, “You Don’t Know Jack,” will be comprised of readings of the late author’s work.
Kiesbye said it was “kind of a shame that someone so famous and so well written could be forgotten where he actually taught.”
Williamson, called the “Dean of Science” fiction, was a prolific writer, best known for works such as The Legion of Space series, and more than 75 books, collections, and short stories. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ENMU, and taught at the university from the 1960s to the 1990s. He was inducted in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1996.
This new series is meant to introduce Williamson’s writings to those who may have forgotten or never had the chance to read them.
There is a three-person committee that decides themes, as well as who attends the events as speakers. The committee is comprised of two ENMU staff members and Jack Williamson’s niece, Betty. Themes are based on the interests of the committee, attendees, and the authors.
The event is hosted by author Connie Willis, who has attended every year.
The centerpiece of the Williamson Lectureship is the Lectureship Luncheon in the Campus Union Zia Room. All events are free and open to the public except for the luncheon, which is $10 per person and payable at the door for those who reserved by the March 31 deadline.