Inkubate is deeply saddened by the passing of our friend Ray Bradbury, the National Medal of Arts recipient, best known for such seminal works as Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles.  Some of Ray’s last public commentary about the status of the publishing industry focused on Inkubate and its goal of helping writers build their careers: 

Ray Bradbury heard about Inkubate through Dolph’s daughter, E.E. (Evie) King, also a writer and Bradbury’s protégé. Bradbury was delighted to learn that King’s short stories were discovered on Inkubate. King commented by phone today, “Ray knew that The Illustrated Man inspired me, recently, to connect several of my new shorts into a novel and I wish that he knew that I just received a serialization deal for this work. He would have been so excited for me.”

Recalling Ray’s career, King explained, “What was so special about Ray was that he regularly took an interest in talented, up-and-coming writers and was always so generous with his time. For example, for many years, Ray only wanted me to read him my stuff. Recently, though, he asked me to pick my favorite books of his and then he’d say, smiling, “Read me the Table of Contents!” and make his request. I loved reading to Ray and losing him is like losing my father all over again.”

Bradbury, of course, insisted that he was a science fantasy writer, not a science fiction writer. Commenting on his essays, King added, “Unlike his fiction, they were written in a thick, scholarly style and the depth and breadth of Ray’s knowledge came through. Science fantasy has many social implications and it was the analysis of society and social systems that captivated Ray the most.”

Inkubate is very humbled and proud to have received notice from this literary giant. His was a life well done. Our condolences go out to King and her family as well as Ray’s four daughters.