Laser Books

Template:Short description Laser Books was a line of 58 paperback (SF) novels published from 1975 to 1977 by Canadian romance powerhouse Harlequin Books. Laser published three titles per month, available by subscription as well as in stores. The books were limited to 50,000-60,000 words. They were numbered as a series, though each was a standalone novel. All the covers were painted by Hugo Award winning artist Kelly Freas.

Editorial problems

Tim Powers, whose first book was published by Laser, has said that Epitaph in Rust was "mangled" by the editors at Laser Books. An unedited version was later issued by a different publisher. Piers Anthony had problems with their publication of his novel But What Of Earth?. This novel was also issued later, through Tor Books.

Harlequin edited the Laser books to conform to the standards then imposed on the Harlequin Romances. This included prohibition of blasphemous and scatological words and explicit sexual scenes, but not of sexual situations and implied sex. There was also a tendency to edit to correct grammar and exclude slang in exposition but not in dialogue.

When Harlequin closed the Laser line, all rights were reverted to the authors. Several works including Jerry Pournelle's Exile to Glory had been accepted and the acceptance payment made, but the book was not yet published. Those were also returned to the authors without any attempt to reclaim the advances paid. The Laser line was important to many beginning writers and greatly expanded the market for 50,000 to 60,000 word books. Many Laser books were later published by Pocket, Ace Books, and Tor. Some remain in print.

Titles

0. Seeds of Change by Thomas F. Monteleone, 1975, Template:ISBN

This book was not numbered, and was not part of the actual series. It was a "Laser Books Limited Collector's Edition", not available for sale, given away at selected bookstores to launch the series and then given away with subscriptions to Laser Books or with mail-in orders. This novel was also given away at science fiction conventions in 1975, starting many science fiction fans collecting them.

1. Renegades of Time by Raymond F. Jones, 1975, Template:ISBN

2. Herds by Stephen Goldin, 1975, Template:ISBN

3. Crash Landing on Iduna by Arthur Tofte, 1975, Template:ISBN

4. Gates of the Universe by Robert Coulson with Gene DeWeese, 1975, Template:ISBN

5. Walls Within Walls by Arthur Tofte, 1975, Template:ISBN

6. Serving in Time by Gordon Eklund, 1975, Template:ISBN

7. Seeklight by K. W. Jeter, 1975, Template:ISBN

8. Caravan by Stephen Goldin, 1975, Template:ISBN

9. Invasion by Aaron Wolfe (pseudonym of Dean R. Koontz), 1975, Template:ISBN

10. Falling Toward Forever by Gordon Eklund, 1975, Template:ISBN

11. Unto the Last Generation by Juanita Coulson, 1975, Template:ISBN

12. The King of Eolim by Raymond F. Jones, 1975, Template:ISBN

13. Blake's Progress by Ray Nelson, 1975, Template:ISBN

14. Birthright by Kathleen Sky, 1975, Template:ISBN

15. The Star Web by George Zebrowski, 1975, Template:ISBN

16. Kane's Odyssey by Jeff Clinton, 1976, Template:ISBN

17. The Black Roads by J. L. Hensley, 1976, Template:ISBN

18. Legacy by J. F. Bone, 1976, Template:ISBN

19. The Unknown Shore by Donald Malcolm, 1976, Template:ISBN

20. Space Trap by Juanita Coulson, 1976, Template:ISBN

21. A Law for the Stars by John Morressy, 1976, Template:ISBN

22. Keeper by Joan Hunter Holly, 1976, Template:ISBN

23. Birth of Fire by Jerry Pournelle, 1976, Template:ISBN

24. Ruler of the World by J. T. McIntosh, 1976, Template:ISBN

25. Scavenger Hunt by Stephen Goldin, 1976, Template:ISBN

26. To Renew the Ages by Robert Coulson, 1976, Template:ISBN

27. The Horde by Joseph Green, 1976, Template:ISBN

28. The Skies Discrowned by Timothy Powers, 1976, Template:ISBN

29. The Iron Rain by Donald Malcolm, 1976, Template:ISBN

30. The Seeker by David Bischoff with Christopher Lampton, 1976, Template:ISBN

31. Galactic Invaders by James R. Berry, 1976, Template:ISBN

32. Then Beggars Could Ride by Ray Nelson, 1976, Template:ISBN

33. The Dreamfields by K. W. Jeter, 1976, Template:ISBN

34. Seas of Ernathe by Jeffrey Carver, 1976, Template:ISBN

35. I, Aleppo by Jerry Sohl, 1976, Template:ISBN

36. Jeremy Case by Gene DeWeese, 1976, Template:ISBN

37. The Meddlers by J. F. Bone, 1976, Template:ISBN

38. Ice Prison by Kathleen Sky, 1976, Template:ISBN

39. Brandyjack by Augustine Funnell, 1976, Template:ISBN

40. Master of the Stars by Robert Hoskins, 1976, Template:ISBN

41. Future Sanctuary by Lee Harding, 1976, Template:ISBN

42. Cross of Empire by Christopher Lampton, 1976, Template:ISBN

43. Spawn by Donald Glut, 1976, Template:ISBN

44. But What Of Earth? by Piers Anthony and Robert Coulson, 1976, Template:ISBN

45. Finish Line by Stephen Goldin, 1976, Template:ISBN

46. Dance of the Apocalypse by Gordon Eklund, 1976, Template:ISBN

47. Epitaph in Rust by Timothy Powers, 1976, Template:ISBN

48. Rebels of Merka by Augustine Funnell, 1976, Template:ISBN

49. Tiger in the Stars by Zach Hughes, 1976, Template:ISBN

50. West of Honor by Jerry Pournelle, 1976, Template:ISBN

51. Mindwipe! by Steve Hahn, 1976, Template:ISBN

52. The Extraterritorial by John Morressy, 1977, Template:ISBN

53. The Ecolog by Ray Nelson, 1977, Template:ISBN

54. The River and the Dream by Raymond F. Jones, 1977, Template:ISBN

55. Shepherd by Joan Hunter Holly, 1977, Template:ISBN

56. Gift of the Manti by J. F. Bone and Roy Meyers, 1977, Template:ISBN

57. Shadow on the Stars by Robert B. Marcus Jr., 1977, Template:ISBN

References

THE BETTING ID ONLINE==External links==

• Template:Isfdb series

Laserbook