Letting His Readers Decide

“I don't think anyone wants a reader to be completely lost - certainly not to the point of giving up - but there's something to be said for a book that isn't instantly disposable, that rewards a second reading.” – John M. Ford

Born in East Chicago on this date in 1957, Ford was a science fiction and fantasy writer, game designer, and poet who contributed to numerous online discussions, often improvising poems to fit the discussion.  He also was noted for the many “celebratory” parodies he did of other authors and writing styles.  

After studying at the University of Indiana - where he was enrolled when his first short stories were published - Ford spent much of his adult writing life in Minneapolis where he was a major supporter of the Minneapolis Public Library.  The Library established the John M. Ford Book Endowment in his memory following his death in 2006.   

                           Ford often wrote variations on the theme of growing up, learning about one's world and one's place in it, and taking responsibility for it to help make the world a better place.  Among his many highly creative books were two “Star Trek” parodies -The Final Reflection and How Much For Just The Planet?  

He was a firm believer in letting the reader determine the best path to follow in interpreting a book, saying, “The ideal, it seems to me, is just to show things happening and allow the reader to decide what they mean.”

                                               

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