HILL, Douglas (Arthur)

(1935-)

   Canadian-born writer and editor, in the UK from 1959. Most of his early books were nonfiction, The Supernatural (1965) with Pat Williams, and Magic and Superstition (1968) being of interest to a genreaudience. His involvement in sf and fantasy began through his editing of anthologies like Window on the Future (anth 1966) and Way of the Werewolf (anth 1966); he served as Associate Editor of NW in 1967-8. He began along sequence of novels for younger and older children (CHILDREN'S SF) with Coyote the Trickster (1975) with Gail Robinson. Several series ensued: the Last Legionary sequence of SPACE OPERAS - Galactic Warlord (1979), Deathwing over Veynaa (1980), Day of the Starwind (1980), Planetof the Warlord (1982) and Young Legionary: The Earlier Adventures of Keill Randor (1982), all but the last (a prequel) being assembled as The LastLegionary Quartet (omni 1985) - which builds effectively on an interplanetary revenge quest; the Huntsman sequence - The Huntsman (1982), Warriors of the Wasteland (1983) and Alien Citadel (1984) - set on anEarth enslaved by alien invaders; and the ColSec sequence - Exiles of ColSec (1984), The Caves of Klydor (1984) and ColSec Rebellion (1985) - whose young protagonists strive for freedom after being shipwrecked on an unknown planet. His only adult sf novels, The Fraxilly Fracas (1989) and its sequel, The Colloghi Conspiracy (1990), are also space opera - as is the ongoing Apotheosis Trilogy, comprising The Lightless Dome (1993) and The Leafless Forest (1994) - and share with his juveniles an engagingbriskness, though psychological depths tend to remain unplumbed.

   JC

   Other works: The Exploits of Hercules (1978); Have Your Own Extra-Terrestrial Adventure (1983 chap); the Talents series of fantasies, comprising Bladeof the Poisoner (1987) and Master of Fiends (1987); Penelope's Pendant (1990); World of the Stiks (1994).For younger children: Moon Monsters(1984 chap); How Jennifer (and Speckle) Saved the Earth (1986 chap); Goblin Party (1988 chap); Penelope's Pendant (1990); The Tale of Trellie the Troog (1991 chap).As Editor: The Devil his Due (anth 1967); Warlocks and Warriors (anth 1971); Tribune 40 (anth 1977), not sf or fantasy; The Shape of Sex to Come (anth 1978), sf stories about SEX; Alien Worlds (anth1981); Planetfall (anth 1986).