Van Ikin
Van Ikin (born 25 November 1951) is an academic and science fiction writer and editor. A Professor in English at the University of Western Australia, he retired from teaching in 2015 and is now a Senior Honorary Research Fellow.[1] He has acted as supervisor for several Australian writers completing their post-graduate degrees and doctorates — including science fiction and fantasy writers Terry Dowling, Stephen Dedman, and Dave Luckett — and received the University's Excellence in Teaching Award for Postgraduate Research Supervision in 2000.
Ikin is probably best known for his editorship of the long-running critical journal Science Fiction - A Review of Speculative Fiction. He has reviewed science fiction and fantasy for The Sydney Morning Herald since 1984.
Critical works
- Strange Constellations: A History of Australian Science Fiction (with Russell Blackford & Sean McMullen) Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998.
- Warriors of the Tao: The Best of Science Fiction, A Review of Speculative Fiction (with Damien Broderick) (Borgo Press, 2011).
- Xeno Fiction: More Best of Science Fiction, A Review of Speculative Literature —with Damien Broderick (Wildside/Borgo, 2013)
- Fantastika at the Edge of Reality: Yet More Best of Science Fiction, A Review of Speculative Literature —with Damien Broderick (Wildside, 2014)
- Other Spacetimes: Interviews with Speculative Fiction Writers —with Damien Broderick (Wildside, forthcoming 2015)
Magazines edited
- Enigma (University of Sydney SF Association, 1972–79)
- Science Fiction: A Review of Speculative Literature (Issues 1-46, 1977–2009)
Anthologies edited
- Australian Science Fiction (University of Queensland Press, 1981; reprint, Academy Editions, US, 1984).
- Glass Reptile Breakout (Centre for Studies in Aust Literature, University of WA, 1990)
- Mortal Fire: Best Australian SF (with Terry Dowling) (Hodder/Coronet, 1993).
Awards
- Australian Science Fiction Foundation, Chandler Award for his contribution to Australian science fiction (1992).[2]
References
- Paul Collins (ed). The MUP Encyclopedia of Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy Melbourne, Vic: Melbourne University Press, 1998, p. 94.