20 Facts About Emil Petaja

Emil Theodore Petaja was an American science fiction and fantasy writer whose career spanned seven decades.

Emil Petaja was the author of 13 published novels, nearly 150 short stories, numerous poems, and a handful of books and articles on various subjects.

Emil Petaja's series brought him readers from around the world, while his particular mythological approach to science fiction has been discussed in scholarly publications and included in related anthologies.

Emil Petaja was the youngest of 10 children born to John and Hanna Petaja.

Emil Petaja started out as a fan and immersed himself in the genres by befriending other interested individuals, by collecting pulp and science fiction magazines, and by forming clubs and associations.

Notably, Emil Petaja is part of a unique group of individuals in the history of the genres who turned their fandom into literature.

Emil Petaja published under the name of Theodore Pine.

Emil Petaja had been a member of the Mystery Writers of America.

Emil Petaja traveled the state as a school photographer, and at times maintained studios in Sausalito and San Francisco, California.

Emil Petaja was the house photographer for local theater groups, and wrote articles for magazines such as Popular Photography.

In 1995, in recognition of a lifetime of significant achievement, Emil Petaja was named an "Author Emeritus" by the Science Fiction Writers of America.

Emil Petaja died of heart failure on August 17,2000, at his home in San Francisco.

Emil Petaja had suffered complications brought on from the treatment of a blood clot.

Between 1967 and 1970, Emil Petaja published three portfolios of Bok's art.

Emil Petaja authored a commemorative volume, And Flights of Angels: The Life and Legend of Hannes Bok.

Later, under the SISU imprint, Emil Petaja published an illustrated volume of Bok's poetry, Spinner of Silver and Thistle, as well as editing The Hannes Bok Memorial Showcase of Fantasy Art.

Emil Petaja was a lifelong film buff and collector of movie memorabilia.

Emil Petaja had a large library of film-related books, owned hundreds of 16mm films and videotapes, and enjoyed recounting stories about films and actors.

Emil Petaja based the book on his personal collection, which at the time of publication numbered more than eight hundred books.

Emil Petaja made two short dramatic films, Dread Return in 1949, and The Call in 1950.