📖 Overview
Hans Stefan Santesson (1914-1975) was an American editor, writer, and reviewer who made notable contributions to science fiction and fantasy publishing in the mid-20th century. Born in Paris, he later established himself in the United States where he spent most of his professional career.
Santesson served as editor for several significant genre publications, including Fantastic Universe magazine from 1956 to 1960 and the U.S. edition of New Worlds Science Fiction in 1960. He also managed the U.S. version of The Saint Mystery Magazine from 1959 to 1967, demonstrating his versatility across different genres.
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Santesson compiled and edited numerous influential anthologies, including The Fantastic Universe Omnibus, Rulers of Men, and The Mighty Barbarians. His work helped showcase both established and emerging writers in the science fiction and fantasy genres.
Beyond his editorial work, Santesson maintained an interest in unexplained phenomena, serving as president and chairman of the board for the Society for the Study of the Unexplained. His anthology Flying Saucers in Fact and Fiction (1968) reflected this interest in mysterious occurrences.
👀 Reviews
Limited reader reviews exist online for Hans Stefan Santesson's work as an editor and author.
Readers who commented appreciate:
- His selection of authors for anthologies like "The Mighty Barbarians"
- The mix of established and new writers in "Flying Saucers in Fact and Fiction"
- His editorial work at Fantastic Universe magazine bringing fresh voices to sci-fi
Common criticisms mention:
- Dated anthology introductions that don't age well
- Uneven quality between stories in collections
- Limited availability of his works today
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- "The Mighty Barbarians" - 3.5/5 (12 ratings)
- "Flying Saucers in Fact and Fiction" - 3.0/5 (8 ratings)
Amazon: Most anthologies are out of print with few or no reviews
No detailed reader reviews or discussion forums focus specifically on Santesson's work, making it difficult to gauge broader reader reception.
📚 Books by Hans Stefan Santesson
The Mighty Barbarians (1969)
An anthology of sword and sorcery tales featuring stories from various authors, focusing on heroic warriors and supernatural adventures.
The Mighty Swordsmen (1970) A collection of fantasy stories centered around skilled swordsmen and their exploits, compiled from multiple authors in the genre.
Flying Saucers in Fact and Fiction (1968) An anthology examining UFO phenomena through both non-fiction accounts and fictional stories from different authors.
The Fantastic Universe Omnibus (1960) A compilation of science fiction stories previously published in Fantastic Universe magazine during Santesson's editorial tenure.
Rulers of Men (1965) An anthology exploring themes of power and leadership through science fiction and fantasy stories from various authors.
The Mighty Swordsmen (1970) A collection of fantasy stories centered around skilled swordsmen and their exploits, compiled from multiple authors in the genre.
Flying Saucers in Fact and Fiction (1968) An anthology examining UFO phenomena through both non-fiction accounts and fictional stories from different authors.
The Fantastic Universe Omnibus (1960) A compilation of science fiction stories previously published in Fantastic Universe magazine during Santesson's editorial tenure.
Rulers of Men (1965) An anthology exploring themes of power and leadership through science fiction and fantasy stories from various authors.
👥 Similar authors
John W. Campbell
As editor of Astounding Science Fiction, he shaped mid-century science fiction publishing and cultivated many prominent authors. His editorial vision focused on scientific plausibility and sophisticated storytelling approaches that align with Santesson's work.
Anthony Boucher His work as editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction established high literary standards in genre fiction publishing. His cross-genre expertise in mystery and speculative fiction mirrors Santesson's editorial range.
Donald A. Wollheim He founded DAW Books and served as editor at Ace Books, where he published both science fiction and supernatural content. His anthology series showcased emerging talent in ways similar to Santesson's compilations.
August Derleth As founder of Arkham House Publishers, he preserved and promoted supernatural fiction while working across multiple genres. His interest in unexplained phenomena and anthology curation parallels Santesson's editorial focus.
Leslie Charteris Creator of The Saint series, he worked in both mystery and speculative genres with international publishing reach. His connection to The Saint Mystery Magazine links directly to Santesson's editorial career.
Anthony Boucher His work as editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction established high literary standards in genre fiction publishing. His cross-genre expertise in mystery and speculative fiction mirrors Santesson's editorial range.
Donald A. Wollheim He founded DAW Books and served as editor at Ace Books, where he published both science fiction and supernatural content. His anthology series showcased emerging talent in ways similar to Santesson's compilations.
August Derleth As founder of Arkham House Publishers, he preserved and promoted supernatural fiction while working across multiple genres. His interest in unexplained phenomena and anthology curation parallels Santesson's editorial focus.
Leslie Charteris Creator of The Saint series, he worked in both mystery and speculative genres with international publishing reach. His connection to The Saint Mystery Magazine links directly to Santesson's editorial career.