Welcome to the Feast of Laughter
Feast of Laughter is a celebration of the writing of R. A. Lafferty, the Oklahoma Leprechaun, the epitome of sui-generis, the spinner of tall tales, the creator of a modern literary mythos couched in Western, Irish, Native American, Catholic science Fiction.
"Other writers are influences. Lafferty is a revelation."
- Noah Wareness
The Feasts
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We are looking for
Original reviews and essays about Lafferty's writing
Interviews about Lafferty
Original stories, poems, and artwork inspired by R. A. Lafferty
Reprinted essays, stories, etc. Note: Feast of Laughter is scrupulous about Copyright. We must have explicit permission from the copyright holder to reprint anything.
More details on our submission page.
Feast of Laughter, Volume #5
The Feast continues! Volume 5 features one of the last stories R.A. Lafferty ever wrote, “The Hand of the Potter: An Idyll,” completed in 1984 and published here for the first time! It also includes reprint of the important Lafferty essay “Riddle Writers of the Isthmus” and the review he wrote for Virginia Kidd of _Astérix et Cléopâtre_ There is an abundance of new content, essays and appreciations, including a section on “How I Discovered Lafferty.” We have new essays from science fiction giants Michael Swanwick and Howard Waldrop and reprints from the legends Gene Wolfe, Michael Bishop. Also included is a long out of print interview with Lafferty by Paul Walker.
Download the free PDF
A note on the PDF text:
Because of copyright restrictions, the following pieces are only available in the print copy of the book:
“Introduction for Episodes of the Argo” by Gene Wolfe,
“The Programmed Utopia of R. A. Lafferty’s Past Master” by William H. Hardesty III
“The Hand of the Potter: An Idyll” by R.A. Lafferty
“Astérix et Cléopâtre” by R.A. Lafferty
“Riddle Writers of the Isthmus” by R.A. Lafferty
This is a good thing. The Ktistec Press is very strict about respecting the copyrights of the contributors to Feast of Laughter. This means we will never use your contribution in a manner not in accordance with your wishes. In other words, you can trust us to use your work fairly and correctly, so please contribute!
Buy it on Amazon
Feast of Laughter, Volume 5
Table of Contents
Dedication
Table of Contents
A Memory of Two Great Men by Michael Swanwick
Harlan Ellison (1934-2018) by Gregorio Montejo
Remembering Gene Wolfe By Glenn McDorman
“Goof Gloriously” Introduction by Kevin Cheek
I Think I Will Dismember the World with my Hands - New Essays
Some Notes on Culture and History in R.A. Lafferty’s “Selenium Ghosts of the Eighteen Seventies” by John Ellison
Cookies and Eyes Character and Plot Development Through Repeated Memes by Kevin Cheek
“There Will Be Vengeance! It Has Been Told.” - Apocalyptic Anger after “Ride a Tin Can” by Marc Aramini
Two by Darrell Middleton:
Quantum Cats? by Darrell Middleton
Sixty-One Years by Darrell Middleton
A Look Back On 100 or So Weekend Readings by Harold Bakker
“Well, What Was the Missing Element?”: Two “Worlds Without” by R.A. Lafferty by Donald G. Keller
Helical Passion and Saintly Sexpot - How I Discovered Lafferty: Short Essays
On Literary Addiction and Something More: First Encounters with Lafferty and Why His Work Means So Much to Us by Daniel Otto Jack Petersen
Lafferty Reading by John Ellison
Encountering Lafferty by Gord Wilson
My Introduction to Ray Lafferty: A Memoir by Henry C. Luthin
Bill Reynolds Encounters Lafferty by Bill Reynolds
How I Discovered Lafferty by Ron Ginzler
My Introduction to Lafferty (Thanks, Mom) by James Annon
My First Encounter with Lafferty by Clark Allen Dissmeyer
How I Discovered Lafferty by Kevin Cheek
How I Discovered Lafferty, or Thank you, Ross Pavlac, 1951-1997, RIP. by John Owen
Because “Tulsa:” How I Discovered Lafferty by Anthony Ryan Rhodes
Cliff Climbing; Or How I First Encountered R.A. Lafferty by Gregorio Montejo
Among the Tallest Tales by Rich Persaud
How I Got Here by Andrew Ferguson
R. A. by Howard Waldrop
Of Elegant Dogs and Returned Men (or) Either Awful Dead or Awful Old - Reprinted Essays
Introduction for Episodes of the Argo by Gene Wolfe (print only)
He Saw Another Mountain by Laurence M. Janifer
Introduction to Ringing Changes by Robert Whitaker Sirignano
The Programmed Utopia of R. A. Lafferty’s Past Master by William H. Hardesty III (print only)
An Appreciation of R. A. Lafferty by Henry C. Luthin
You Talk Like a Friendly Oracle, So Be One To Me - Conversations With and About Lafferty
An Interview with R. A. Lafferty by Paul Walker
Demiurges, Gnosticism, and Carnivalesque Violence: “Snuffles” by R.A. Lafferty - Live from LaffCon 3 by Glenn McDorman, Brandon Budda, and Gregorio Montejo
If They Can Kill You, I Can Kill You Worse - Reviews
Not to Mention Camels by R. A. Lafferty by Michael Bishop
The Flame Is Green by R. A. Lafferty by John J. Reilly
Green Tree, At Last by Paul Feeny
A Commentary by Heywood Reynolds on Fourth Mansions by R.A. Lafferty
Revenge of Strength Unused - Works Inspired by Lafferty
Five Corners, Oklahoma by Ron Ginzler
AND THEIR TONGUES WALK THROUGH THE EARTH by J. M. Shiloh
The Crow’s Word by Stephen Case
In A Green Dress, Surrounded By Exploding Clowns by Robert T. Jeschonek
Worm Reason. Fish Reason. by J Simon
Two Lafferty Covers by Youchan Ito
Liar on The Mountain - Lafferty’s Own Voice (print edition only)
The Hand of the Potter: An Idyll by R.A. Lafferty
Astérix et Cléopâtre by R.A. Lafferty
Riddle Writers of the Isthmus by R.A. Lafferty
And All Tall Monsters Stand
List of Contributors
The Ktistec Press
Feast of Laughter, Volume #4
The Feast continues! Volume 4 features the first all-new Lafferty story to be published in 14 years, "The Rod and the Ring," as well as a reprint of the very important Lafferty speech "The Day After the World Ended." There is an abundance of new content, essays and appreciations, as well as reprints from science fiction giants, including Gene Wolfe, Robert Silverberg, Gardner Dozois, and Howard Waldrop.
Download the free PDF
Note: Because of copyright restrictions, "Scribbling Giant: An Introduction to R. A. Lafferty and East of Laughter" by Gene Wolfe and "Varieties of Apocalypse in Science Fiction" by Andrew M. Greeley are only available in the print copy of the book. This is a good thing. The authors hold the copyright on these essays and are in agreements with their various publishers that we do not want to interfere with. These arrangements allow us to publish material that would otherwise remain unavailable.
The Ktistec press is very strict about respecting the copyrights of the contributors to Feast of Laughter. This means we will never use your contribution in a manner not in accordance with your wishes. In other words, you can trust us to use your work fairly and correctly, so please contribute!
Buy it on Amazon
Feast of Laughter, Volume 4
Table of Contents
At the Twenty-Fifth Hour – Introduction
Introduction - It Must Not End
The Shape of Things to Come – New Essays
Graced Narratives: Themes of Gift and Will in R.A. Lafferty by John Ellison
Lafferty and Milford by Andrew Ferguson
“There Are Three Ways to Open a Secret Door”: R.A. Lafferty’s Bricolage Aesthetic by Gregorio Montejo
On Thunder Mountain – Lightning Essays
R. A. Lafferty and the Praise of Power by Jonathan Braschler
An Incidence of Coincidence by Russell M. Burden
What is The Cranky Old Man From Tulsa Cranky About? by Andrew Childress
Baby Talk by Martin Heavisides
Ouch, My Foot! by Kevin Cheek
Forked Lightning: Two Micro-essays by Bill Rogers
Twitterview with Michael Swanwick by Stephen R. Case
On Happy Astrobe – Reports from LaffCon 1
Report from LaffCon1 by John Owen
R. A. Lafferty and the New Wave by Michael Swanwick
LaffCon Memory by Alan Reid
My Grave, and I in It – Reprinted Essays
New Dimensions: R.A. Lafferty Introductions by Robert Silverberg
Scribbling Giant: An Introduction to R. A. Lafferty and East of Laughter by Gene Wolfe
Introduction to “The Configuration of the North Shore” by Gardner Dozois
Arrive At Easterwine: Some Arrant Roadmapping by Sheryl Smith
Varieties of Apocalypse in Science Fiction by Andrew M. Greeley
Hooking the World on Lafferty By Kevin Cheek
Remembering Ray Lafferty by Joseph L. Green
HUMAN by Dan Knight
King-Maker – Reviews
R. A. Lafferty—Aurelia (1982) by David Langford
Does Anyone Else Have Something Further to Add? by Stephen R. Case
At the Naked Sailor – Interviews with Lafferty
Cranky Old Man From Tulsa An Interview With R.A. Lafferty by Darrell Schweitzer
Maybe They Needed Killing & The Importance Of Happiness An Interview with R. A. Lafferty by Robert Whitaker Sirignano
The Deformity of Things to Come – Works Inspired by Lafferty
Little Crocodile Who Wanted to Fly by Yakov Varganov
Three Mountain Works by Bill Rogers
The Carrion King by Logan Giannini
Eccentrexity by J Simon
I See Through All of Me, I See For Parsecs by Daniel Otto Jack Petersen
Driving East by Stephen R. Case
Beginning or End of the Universe by Martin Heavisides
A Little Song, A Little Dance, A Little Apocalypse Down Your Pants by Robert T. Jeschonek
Mary Margaret Road-Grader by Howard Waldrop
Nine Day King – The Master’s Own Work
Brief Thoughts on “The Rod and the Ring” by Lawrence Person
Thoughts about Lafferty’s “The Rod and the Ring” by Darrell Schweitzer
The Rod and the Ring by R. A. Lafferty
The Day After The World Ended by R. A. Lafferty
Feast of Laughter, Volume #3
At long last, Feast of Laughter Volume #3 is here!
Feast of Laughter 3 - Fall 2015
This issue has the best content and production yet, including an interview with Harlan Ellison, correspondence between Lafferty and Alan Dean Foster, and two Lafferty pieces:
"Tell it Funny Og" an essay on the power of storytelling
"Configuration of the North Shore"
Download the free PDF
Feast of Laughter #3 - Fall 2015
Buy it on Amazon
Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction to the Boomer Flats Gazette by Dan Knight
World Abounding - New Essays
Ray by Rick Norwood
One Cannot Give Too Many Instances by John Ellison
Eudaimonism in R.A. Lafferty’s Aurelia by Gregorio Montejo
Outside the Cathedral by Kevin Cheek
Copyright, Copyleft, Copyfuture by Rich Persaud
Lafferty and His Monsters - Part 1: The Early Works by Daniel Otto Jack Petersen
The Annals and Ace; or, The Textual History of an Historical Text by Andrew Ferguson
All But the Words - Translating Lafferty
From Russia with Laff: A Very Brief Report on R.A. Lafferty’s Russian Translations by Niyaz N. Abdullin
Bright Coins in a Never-Ending Stream - Reprinted Essays
R. A. Lafferty: Effective Arcanum by Don Webb
A Sound of Lafferty by Roman Orszanski
R. A. Lafferty: The Function of Archetype in the Western Mystical Tradition by Dena C. Bain Taylor
Thus We Frustrate Charlemagne by Paul Kincaid
R.A. Lafferty, Sir Thomas More, and the Problems of Utopia by Robert Bee
Introduction to R.A. Lafferty’s The Fall of Rome by Darrell Schweitzer
Introduction to The Devil Is Dead by Charles Platt
In Deepest Pen and Ink - Laffertian Illustration
Hound Dog’s Ear illustrations by Lissanne Lake
Through Other Eyes - Reviews
The Man Who Made Models - Review by Stephen Case
Past Master by R. A. Lafferty by MPorcius
Utopia by Thomas More by MPorcius
R.A. Lafferty — Apocalypses (1977) by Gene McHugh
Club Mentiros - Works inspired by Lafferty
Three Poems by Bill Rogers
DOMOVOI
THE GREEN MORNING
MARTINMAS WEEK
The Lost Children of Boo-Hay World
by Daniel Otto Jack Petersen
Who Was That? by Martin Heavisides
People are Strange by Christopher Blake
Justice by Dan Knight
An Afterword to “Justice” by Gregorio Montejo
Bone Girl by J Simon
Barstone by Stephen R. Case
Correspondence with the Cranky Old Man from Tulsa
Letter from Alan Dean Foster to R. A. Lafferty
R. A. Lafferty’s Reply to Alan Dean Foster
Letter from Alan Dean Foster Nominating Lafferty for the Arrell Gibson Life Achievement Award
Guesting Time - Interview
An Interview with Harlan Ellison by Andrew Mass
The Man With the Aura - Lafferty's own words!
Don’t Just Read Lafferty, Be Lafferty! A Lafferty Mask Template by Anthony Ryan Rhodes
Tell It Funny, Og by R. A. Lafferty
Configuration Of The North Shore by R. A. Lafferty
All the People - Those who contributed
List of Contributors
Laff Mask
Don't just read Lafferty, be Lafferty:
Template for an R. A. Lafferty Halloween Mask
Issue #3 - a Call for Action
The time is upon us to start assembling Feast of Laughter Issue 3.
We already have some amazing stories, essays, artwork, interviews, and reviews lined up. We need YOUR contribution. We need your original stories, your original essays, your original artwork, your original reviews, and your old and ancient and oft reprinted versions of the above. And if you've seen something online about Lafferty that you think ought to be reprinted, by all means suggest it. Try to reach out and get permission from the author to reprint it. The only real guideline is this: Share your love of Lafferty!
Deadlines:
Expression of Interest: Saturday, September 19, 2015
Content complete: Sunday, October 11, 2015
Publication: Saturday, November 7, 2015 (Lafferty's 101st birthday!)
Contact:
Email editor@feastoflaughter.org with all your ideas, submissions, stories, artwork, and daydreams of things you'd love to say about R. A. Lafferty, and even requests.
Share and be published! Join the growing phenomenon that is Feast of Laughter!
Feast of Laughter Volume, #2
Feast of Laughter Issue #2 is here!
This issue has more of everything that made Feast of Laughter Issue #1 great.
Download the free PDF
Buy it on Amazon
Table of Contents
Inventions Bright and New: Original Essays
Working With Ray: My Experiences with R.A. Lafferty by Greg Ketter
Ray’s Recycling Rewards Program by John Owen
Valery’s Really Eyes and the Parade of Creatures by Daniel Otto Jack Petersen
“This Was More Than a Spectacle, More Than an Illusion, It was a Communicating Instrument”: R. A. Lafferty and Hans Urs von Balthasar on the Relational Form of Being by Gregorio Montejo
Through a Glass Darkly by Craig May
Exploring Themes From Catholic Theology in Two Short Stories by R. A. Lafferty by John Ellison
Late Light by Rich Persaud
Lafferty’s Monkey by Clinton Reid Claussen
Lafferty: An Appreciation by Patrick May
Question: Why? Excuse: Because Monsters by Rich Persaud
All the People: International Fandom
Seven-Story Dream on Terschelling by Peter Sijbenga
The Lafferty Centennial In Japan by Kenji Matsuzaki
Continued on Next Book by 7 Japanese Laffertians
Russia Discovers R. A. Lafferty by Sergei Sobolev and Yakov Varganov
Those Who Know Everything: Interviews
An Interview with Nat! by Kevin Cheek
Oh, Whatta Ya Do When The Well Runs Dry: Reprinted Essays
Despair and the Duck Lady by Michael Swanwick
R. A. Lafferty—the secret sci-fi genius more than ready for a comeback by David Barnett
Twice Beheaded: R. A. Lafferty’s Thomas More by Anne Lake Prescott
Excerpt from a Thesis by John Ellison
A Richness of Endings by Dan Knight
Introduction to More than Melchisedech by Robert Whitaker Sirignano
On Sodom and Gomorrah, Texas by Andrew Ferguson
You’re On The Right Track, Kid: Reviews
R. A. Lafferty Spins a Yarn by Keith Purtell
Strange Doings - a review by Stephen R. Case
Oklahoma Gothic by Martin Heavisides
Arrive at Easterwine—a brief review by Kevin Cheek
Task Force Fifty-Eight and a Half by Heywood Reynolds
Iron Tears - a review by Darrell Schweitzer
Iron Tears - a review by Don Webb
The Emperor’s Shoestrings: Works Inspired by R. A. Lafferty
Land of the Great Horses by Peter Sijbenga
The Honking Worm and the Gorilla Cheetah by Bill Rogers
- Gorilla Cheetah artwork here
The Waltz Macabre by Logan Giannini
Fourteenth Chambers by Noah Wareness
A Fisherman’s Tune by Daniel Otto Jack Petersen
What I Wrote for Andronicus by Stephen R. Case
Willow Beeman by Howard Waldrop and Steven Utley
Primary Education: Lafferties
An Interview with R. A. Lafferty by Tom Jackson
Sodom and Gomorrah, Texas by R. A. Lafferty
Feast of Laughter, Issue #1
What great people are saying about Feast of Laughter Issue #1:
"I hit the first link and bought the book." -Neil Gaiman
"The latest, and in many ways the most important, of the Lafferty centennial tributes". -Andrew Ferguson
In celebration of Ray's 100th birthday, November 7, 2014, we (the Ktistec Press) have published the First Edition of Feast of Laughter!
The Magazine
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Interior artwork:
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