Stars Anthology, 2001-2003

Sub-Series

Identifier: BCA 0283/11/6

Scope and Contents

The bulk of material pertains to signed original copies by respective authors; signed license agreements concerning the printing of Janis Ian's lyrics; draft and working copy; reviews.

Dates

Creation: 2001-2003

Creator

From the Collection: Ian, Janis (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use in the Special Collections and Archives reading room.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications for which Hutchins Library assumes no responsibility.

Biographical / Historical

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Published in August 2003 by DAW Books, Stars: Original Stories Based on the Songs of Janis Ian is a unique anthology that blends speculative fiction with music-inspired storytelling. Edited by Janis Ian and Mike Resnick, the collection features 30 original stories by prominent science fiction and fantasy authors, including Nancy Kress, Mercedes Lackey, Jane Yolen, Harry Turtledove, Tanith Lee and Tad Williams.

Each story draws inspiration from Janis Ian’s songs, such as “Society’s Child,” “Stars,” and “Dance with Me,” exploring themes like social justice, LGBTQ+ identity, racial tolerance, aging, and political oppression. Janis Ian herself contributed a story to the anthology and wrote an introductory essay reflecting on her lifelong love of science fiction (“the jazz of prose”). The anthology was conceived after Janis Ian’s interactions with science fiction authors at Worldcon 2001, where she performed live and connected with writers who admired her lyrical storytelling. The book received critical acclaim, with Publishers Weekly describing it as “dazzling” and “highly original.” Several stories were recognized in Year’s Best SF 2004 (edited by Gardner Dozois), earning three “Best” selections and 17 honorable mentions.

Full Extent

From the Collection: 274 boxes_(general)

Full Extent

From the Collection: 277 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

From the Collection: Japanese

From the Collection: Dutch; Flemish

Additional Description

Related Materials

Copies of Stars: the anthology, can be accessed in Janis Ian's Library reference: Curio 823.087 S795 2003.

General

Three "best" [and] seventeen honorable mentions (including Janis' story!) in Year's Best SF 2004, ed. by Gardner Dozois.

"This dazzling, highly original anthology, ignited by the meeting of songwriter Ian and a host of SF writers affected by her music at the 2001 Worldcon, showcases 30 mostly superior stories, each based on one of her songs. Some contributors take Ian at her word that science fiction is 'the jazz of prose,' responding to many of society's sharpest wounds with bittersweet improvisatory descants, like Terry Bisson in 'Come Dance with Me,' David Gerrold in 'Riding Janis' and Orson Scott Card in 'Inventing Lovers on the Phone,' tales that probe the angst of adolescence…

The entire anthology seems to vibrate with the death throes of one world passing away, while far stranger ones struggle to be born. Their commonality, Ian tells us in her introduction, is that 'They have heart. They have life. They have truth.' No artist - nor any reader - could ask for more." - Publisher's Weekly