The one and only, amazing, science fiction and fantasy writer, game designer, and poet, John M. Ford (aka "Mike") with Dr. Victor Raymond. A very quick Tékumel update. John M. Ford won a prestigious award for a Christmas card. In addition to his novel writing, he also wrote for RPGs, including Traveller, GURPS, Star Trek, Paranoia, and Ghostbusters. Paranoia is a joyful HOOT. John M. Ford's take on Klingons (including linguistics) is excellent and sublime, and it's a shame it's not Star Trek canon. "Realistic" space combat in science fiction. Reading a John M. Ford novel is a very rewarding exercise in inference. Recommendations on where to start in his bibliography. A brief digression into Harlan Ellison. Sweet memories of Mike (and Darklands, too).
Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #289 - 3/30/2026
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SHOW NOTES
John M. Ford on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_M._Ford
The Disappearance of John M. Ford by Isaac Butler
https://slate.com/culture/2019/11/john-ford-science-fiction-fantasy-books.html
Bibliography: John M. Ford on the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?226
Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/
