Spotlight on Dr. Lisa Yaszek

Catalyst for Rediscovery

I’ve often said that one of the best things about running a publishing house is the friends I make. From readers to booksellers to fellow authors and publishers, there are now several hundred folks I’ve had the pleasure of associating with these past two years.

One of my very favorites has been Dr. Lisa Yaszek, Regents Professor of Science Fiction Studies in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at Georgia Tech. Not only is she a revolutionary instructor, she is also a prolific author, producing such seminal works as Galactic Suburbia: Recovering Women’s Science Fiction and The Future is Female: 25 Classic Science Fiction Stories by Women, from Pulp Pioneers to Ursula K. Le Guin.

We first met during the height of the pandemic at a virtual event at Read-it-Again Books in Suwannee, Georgia.  It was instant kismet, fellow anthologizers of women’s science fiction, big fans of the same names. After that, our paths began crossing more and more frequently. She was a special guest on a women’s science fiction-themed episode of The Journey Show; we paneled a podcast on Judith Merril together. Late last year, I had the thrill of doing a live show with her in Atlanta on the doomsday predictions of science fiction.

It’s been a synergistic relationship in other ways. We were honored to have her contribute an introduction for the second volume of Journey Press’ Rediscovery: Science Fiction by Women; her protegé, Kathryn Heffner, also wrote an introduction for the volume. Happily, it is our understanding that, in part due to the success of Rediscovery’s first volume, her The Future is Female has been greenlit for a sequel, coming out in time for the winter holidays! A rising tide floats all boats indeed.

It is for all these reasons and more that our dedication page for Rediscovery: Science Fiction by Women (1953-1957) reads:

“To Dr. Lisa Yaszek, who is keeping the light of discovery alive!”

We hope to continue working closely with Lisa in the decades to come. Who knows what amazing new authors and stories we’ll rediscover together!