SLOW FALL TO DAWN

First publication, October 1981, Bantam Books

Also published by Headline Books in Great Britain, 1988

If you could create a group of ‘ethical assassins,’ what would they look like -- that’s the genesis for the book.  Cover Art by “Bantam Books” according to the cover page.  Monochromatic and rather simple, but I like it!

Dedicated to Denise Parsley Leigh

DANCE OF THE HAG

First publication, March 1983, Bantam Books

Yes, it’s a sequel...

I've yet to figure out what the cover is supposed to represent (a woman dancing in a lava lamp?), but gee, it's pretty even if it's not literally a scene in the book... The cover art is by John Rush

DANCE OF THE HAG was dedicated to John Massarella, my English teacher from high school. John gave me vast amounts of encouragement and insight, and unfortunately died before he was able to see the dedication.

A QUIET OF STONE

First publication, February 1984, Bantam Books

Yes, it was a trilogy...

The cover painting is a gorgeous painting by Jim Burns, and if still one of the best covers I’ve ever had, in my opinion.

The book was dedicated to “The Family” -- my parents Walter and Betty Leigh, my sisters Sharon & Pam, and my grandmother Eva (who we all called Gigi.

THE BONES OF GOD

First publication, November 1986, Avon Books

A 'serious' book made to look silly by an ersatz Obi Wan Kenobi on the cover (blame the art department, not the artist, whomever s/he is -- the cover art is uncredited). I love this title, and still love the book. I've always wanted to write a book grinding my own particular axe that it's the disciples, not the prophet, who determine the course of the eventual religion, molding the prophet's teaching to their own agendas.

I was glad that John Douglas was willing to take a chance on the book, but I wish it would have been pushed more, or even given a half-decent cover.  Also published by Headline Books, Great Britain, 1988.

THE BONES OF GOD was dedicated (again) to Denise Parsley Leigh.

THE CRYSTAL MEMORY

First publication, September 1987, Avon Books

THE CRYSTAL MEMORY was the first book I wrote without an outline of any sort, letting it grow as it wanted.  For the record, this was also the first book I wrote on computer, using my brand new Macintosh SE (with no hard drive at all, just two 800K floppy disk drives.)

I also had one of the best covers I've ever had (from A. C. Farley) on the SF Book Club edition. Amazingly, he even got the tiniest details right... On the other hand, the mass market edition (pictured to the right) has a generic Rambo-ette adorning the cover. Nicely done, but not any scene in the book. The cover art for the Avon edition is uncredited.

THE CRYSTAL MEMORY was dedicated to Hania Wojtowicz, one of my (and Denise's) best friends.

CHANGELING

First publication, August 1989, Ace Books

Byron Preiss had done a series of six short novels called ROBOT CITY based on Isaac Asimov's robot books. The series had been popular, and so they decided to do another six -- and Byron Preiss wanted me to do the first one. So I did. I had fun putting together an intelligent wolf-like society

THE SECRET OF THE LONA

First publication, September 1988, Ace Books

DR. BONES was for a proposed series of novels on a character developed by the artist Steranko and put together by Byron Preiss Visual Publications. I wrote the first one; others would write the succeeding books in the series, though I don't know if or how many others were done.

Beyond the basics of the character “Dr. Bones”, everything in the book was mine. Lots of Tucker-isms. I rather enjoyed writing it, and overall I think I did a decent job creating a story from a vague concept. But still... the concept wasn't mine, which I have to admit tinges any satisfaction I felt. Nor did the series take off.

THE ABRAXAS MARVEL CIRCUS

First publication, May 1990, Roc Books

What do a rock musician, a woman who claims to be from an alternate reality, a flower-selling hermaphrodite, a funeral director, a crazy prophet, a carnival owner turned evangelist, a dead mathematician, a sorcerer, and a talking lizard have to do with one another? Well, the answer's here. This was a very different book for me: a romp, an 'urban fantasy,' and some demons exorcised from my old rock 'n roll days. You'll just have to guess which parts were autobiographical.

Also published by Heyne SF, Germany 1993. I'll bet the puns didn't translate well...

THE ABRAXAS MARVEL CIRCUS was dedicated to Donna Qualley, one of my longest standing friends, and someone whose correspondence with me has meant much.

ALIEN TONGUE

First publication, August 1991, Bantam Books

Even though ALIEN TONGUE is essentially about first contact with an alien race, it's also about the 'alien-ness' of the relationship between two people, and at the core, about language and how it shapes our perceptions. In fact, the Avia, my aliens, come directly from the question "What would a race be like if they had no word in their language for the concept of telling a deliberate untruth?"

I love this cover by Jensen, and the original, which I saw at a worldcon art show, was even more striking.

Dedicated to Mary Mertens Fitzsimmons. Mary's is one of the most incredible human beings I've ever had the pleasure to know.

#10 on the Locus Best Seller List: August, 1991

THE “DINOSAUR WORLD SERIES

First publications by Avon Books: May 1992 (Dinosaur World), February 1993 (Dinosaur Planet), November 1993 (Dinosaur Samurai, w/ John J. Miller), June 1994 (Dinosaur Warriors), March 1995 (Dinosaur Empire, w/ John J. Miller), and October 1995 (Dinosaur Conquest)

The six book series is based on the world in Ray Bradbury's short story "A Sound Of Thunder" (one of the classics of the field, if you're not familiar with it -- and it's reprinted in DINOSAUR PLANET). These books are all prominently labeled "RAY BRADBURY PRESENTS..." and I as often find them in bookstores under "Bradbury" as under "Leigh." Not that I'm complaining, mind you, since I'm sure they sell better there... I took on the project because 1) I was between books, 2) I've always loved Ray Bradbury's writing, and 3) I needed the money. I did get to meet Ray Bradbury in the course of writing these, and it was an extraordinary pleasure to talk with him -- it was the best part of the project. He seemed to be exactly what you'd think he would be, reading his books: a gentle, kind, and talented man. John J. Miller very kindly assisted me by co-writing two of the books so deadlines could be met.

DINOSAUR WORLD was also published by Interno Giallo of Italy in 1992, and J'ai Lu of France in 1992.

The cover art is by Wayne Barlow.

DINOSAUR WORLD was dedicated to Megen; DINOSAUR PLANET was dedicated to Devon. DINOSAUR WARRIOR was dedicated to my nephews CHRISTOPHER & KYLE; DINOSAUR CONQUEST was dedicated to my niece and nephews Mary, John & Andrew.

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