Author: Richard Wolinsky, Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods!

Sunday, 11/16/2025
3:00 - 5:00
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center - 3rd Fl
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

Tachyon Publications and SF in SF celebrate the launch of Richard Wolinsky's Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopods! Interviews with Science Fiction Legends and the closing of the 30 Years of Tachyon Publications exhibit on the 3rd Floor of the Main Library in the Humanities Center. It'll be a special day of looking back at the history of the science fiction field and Tachyon's place in it over the last 30 years with Richard Wolinksy, publisher Jacob Weisman and moderator Cliff Winnig. 

Books will be for sale courtesy of Fly By Night Books, and all attendees are welcome to bring their own books from home for signatures.

Soma FM will be recording the evening’s talk for later broadcast – they are listener-supported, commercial-free radio broadcasting to the world! Catch up on previous SF in SF conversations and readings here: https://somafm.com/sfinsf/

Richard Wolinsky was born and raised in New York City and moved to the Bay Area in 1975. From 1977 to 1995 he co-hosted and produced the program “Probabilities” devoted to science fiction, mystery and mainstream fiction. From 1995 through 2001, he co-hosted and produced the interview show “Cover to Cover,” going solo in early 2002, when it was renamed “Bookwaves.” His book Space Ships! Ray Guns! Martian Octopodes! is the culmination of decades in the field, bringing together in one place his interviews with the writers of science fiction still attracting fans today. Included in the book are interviews with Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Philip K. Dick, Margaret Atwood, Fritz Leiber, Frank Herbert and many others.

Jacob Weisman is the World Fantasy Award-winning editor and publisher at Tachyon Publications, which he founded in 1995. He edits many of Tachyon’s titles, and is the series editor of Tachyon’s Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon and Shirley Jackson Award-winning novella line. He recently co-authored the book Egyptian Motherlode.

Author Readings & Lectures

Engage with your favorite writers and discover your next read.

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

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