View source for Science Fiction Book Club (UK)

{{DISPLAYTITLE: Science Fiction Book Club}}The '''Science Fiction Book Club (SFBC)''' was a [[UK]] book club started by Sidgewick & Jackson in 1953, the same year as the American [[Science Fiction Book Club]] although [[Ted Carnell]]'s comment below implies the UK version was first. 

Conceived by [[Herbert Jackson]], the SFBC issued its first book in January 1953 and in one form or another carried on until the end of 1982. The first title was [[George R. Stewart]]'s ''Earth Abides'', and the last [[Anne McCaffrey]]'s ''The Worlds of Anne McCaffrey''. The club issued approximately 324 books in total.

[[Ted Carnell]] welcomed its creation in an editorial in ''[[New Worlds]]'' #20 (March 1953):

 In the book field 1953 heralds in an outstanding world event in Sidgwick & Jackson's SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB. This is an unprecedented step in the science-fiction field. As with the [[International Fantasy Award]] idea, Great Britain is one step ahead of the Americans again – to keep us there the Book Club needs the support of every enthusiast in the country. Naturally it will be to your ultimate advantage.

The selection panel included Carnell and [[Arthur C. Clarke]], and from around 1956 Jackson himself who also edited the club newsletter, ''Science Fiction News''.

[[Greg Pickersgill]]'s website (link below) includes detailed history of the UK SFBC including lists of published titles, cover scans, and copies of the newsletter.

'''Links'''

* [http://www.gostak.org.uk/sfbc/sfbcindex.htm The UK SFBC] at gostak.org.uk.

[[Category:UK]]