William Contento

April 13, 1947

Cortland, New York, United States

William G. Contento is a noted bibliographer whose works chronicle publishing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror literature. His works include "Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections," the "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror" yearly series, and "The Supernatural Index: A Listing of Fantasy, Supernatural, Occult, Weird, and Horror Anthologies." He is also known as a contributor of articles to journals, including "Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction." Many of Contento’s bibliographic works are considered to be standard references. These include his first two published bibliographies, "Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections," and its supplement. "Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections," 1977-1983. The first volume is “a wonderful gift to all of us who collect anthologies, and who are devoted to the preservation of the history of the science fiction short story,” commented Alex Eisenstein in Extrapolation. Though Eisenstein did have certain minor reservations about the second volume, he concluded that indices such as these turn “your accumulation into a library.” Other critics also lauded the bibliography. Theodore O. Wohlsen in Library Journal argued that Contento’s bibliography provided a “quantum leap in coverage” compared to previous bibliographies. Linda Fortney in Reference Services Review called the bibliographies “an indispensable pair,” noting that “no other index in the field comes close to the depth and breadth of these.” Contento also wrote "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror: A Comprehensive Bibliography of Books and Short Fiction Published in the English Language," which were published annually, with each covering the previous year. Most critics found these bibliographies to be standard reference tools for libraries, scholars, and fans. Michael A. Morrison in "Extrapolation" argued that considering the explosion of science fiction (and related genres) material published since the 1960s, those interested in the field “desperately need current, accurate, usable tools” like Contento’s bibliographies. Gene Lafaille in "Wilson Library Bulletin" concluded that the bibliographies were “indispensable for researchers, book collectors, and science fiction fans.” "The Supernatural Index: A Listing of Fantasy, Supernatural, Occult, Weird, and Horror Anthologies" was compiled with scholar Michael Ashley, and indexes more than 21,000 stories by some 7,700 authors, covering works published since 1813. The work was described by M. R. Pukkila in Choice as an immense undertaking “elegantly achieved,” and one that “supersedes the standard indexes.” Richard Bleiler in Booklist found the entries in "The Supernatural Index" to be “gratifyingly thorough and helpful.” From 1964 to 1973 he was doing his military service in the United States Navy as data systems technician first class, where he received a National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. From 1973 to 1980 Contento worked as a customer service engineer in Control Data Corporation, Honolulu, Hawaii, El Centro, California, and Livermore, California, United States. In 1980 he started his work as a system support engineer in Cray Research, Inc., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States. Also has works published on CD-ROM: (with Stephen T. Miller) "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Weird Fiction Magazine Index (1890-1997)," Locus Press, 1998, second edition published as "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Weird Fiction Magazine Index (1890-2000)," 2001; (with Charles N. Brown) "The Locus Index to Science Fiction (1984-1997) Combined with Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections, Locus Press," 1998, second edition published as "The Locus Index to Science Fiction (1984-2000) Combined with Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections," 2001; and "Mystery Short Fiction Miscellany: An Index, Locus Press," 2001. Also editor of works published on CD-ROM: "Crime Fiction III: A Comprehensive Bibliography, 1749-1995," by Allen J. Hubin, Locus Press, 1999, revised edition, 2001; "Detective and Mystery Fiction: An International Bibliography of Secondary Sources," second edition, by Walter Albert, Locus Press, 1999; and "The Index to Adventure Magazine," by Richard Bleiler, Locus Press, 2000.

William Guy Contento Edit Profile

bibliographer editor engineer

Background

William G. Contento was born on April 13, 1947, in Cortland, New York, United States. He is the son of Leonard and Ruth Contento.

Career

William G. Contento is a noted bibliographer whose works chronicle publishing in science fiction, fantasy, and horror literature. His works include "Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections," the "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror" yearly series, and "The Supernatural Index: A Listing of Fantasy, Supernatural, Occult, Weird, and Horror Anthologies." He is also known as a contributor of articles to journals, including "Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction."

Many of Contento’s bibliographic works are considered to be standard references. These include his first two published bibliographies, "Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections," and its supplement. "Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections," 1977-1983. The first volume is “a wonderful gift to all of us who collect anthologies, and who are devoted to the preservation of the history of the science fiction short story,” commented Alex Eisenstein in Extrapolation. Though Eisenstein did have certain minor reservations about the second volume, he concluded that indices such as these turn “your accumulation into a library.” Other critics also lauded the bibliography. Theodore O. Wohlsen in Library Journal argued that Contento’s bibliography provided a “quantum leap in coverage” compared to previous bibliographies. Linda Fortney in Reference Services Review called the bibliographies “an indispensable pair,” noting that “no other index in the field comes close to the depth and breadth of these.”

Contento also wrote "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror: A Comprehensive Bibliography of Books and Short Fiction Published in the English Language," which were published annually, with each covering the previous year. Most critics found these bibliographies to be standard reference tools for libraries, scholars, and fans. Michael A. Morrison in "Extrapolation" argued that considering the explosion of science fiction (and related genres) material published since the 1960s, those interested in the field “desperately need current, accurate, usable tools” like Contento’s bibliographies. Gene Lafaille in "Wilson Library Bulletin" concluded that the bibliographies were “indispensable for researchers, book collectors, and science fiction fans.”

"The Supernatural Index: A Listing of Fantasy, Supernatural, Occult, Weird, and Horror Anthologies" was compiled with scholar Michael Ashley, and indexes more than 21,000 stories by some 7,700 authors, covering works published since 1813. The work was described by M. R. Pukkila in Choice as an immense undertaking “elegantly achieved,” and one that “supersedes the standard indexes.” Richard Bleiler in Booklist found the entries in "The Supernatural Index" to be “gratifyingly thorough and helpful.”

From 1964 to 1973 he was doing his military service in the United States Navy as data systems technician first class, where he received a National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. From 1973 to 1980 Contento worked as a customer service engineer in Control Data Corporation, Honolulu, Hawaii, El Centro, California, and Livermore, California, United States. In 1980 he started his work as a system support engineer in Cray Research, Inc., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States.

Also has works published on CD-ROM: (with Stephen T. Miller) "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Weird Fiction Magazine Index (1890-1997)," Locus Press, 1998, second edition published as "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Weird Fiction Magazine Index (1890-2000)," 2001; (with Charles N. Brown) "The Locus Index to Science Fiction (1984-1997) Combined with Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections, Locus Press," 1998, second edition published as "The Locus Index to Science Fiction (1984-2000) Combined with Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections," 2001; and "Mystery Short Fiction Miscellany: An Index, Locus Press," 2001.

Also editor of works published on CD-ROM: "Crime Fiction III: A Comprehensive Bibliography, 1749-1995," by Allen J. Hubin, Locus Press, 1999, revised edition, 2001; "Detective and Mystery Fiction: An International Bibliography of Secondary Sources," second edition, by Walter Albert, Locus Press, 1999; and "The Index to Adventure Magazine," by Richard Bleiler, Locus Press, 2000.

Achievements

With Charles N. Brown, William G. Contento won the Eaton Award for "Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror: 1988," and with Mike Ashley won a 1995 Stoker Award for "The Supernatural Index." His books, beginning with "Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections" (1978) and "Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections: 1977-1983" (1984), are essential tools of reference for researchers needing to locate short stories in collections and Anthologies.