There is a galaxy full of science fiction web sites out there. Some are extremely well written featuring excellent reviews, news, interviews and insights. But none, I think, play quite the same role as Collecting Science Fiction Books and its attendant blog SF Bookworm. These sites focus on what Nicholas Basbanes called the "gentle madness of book collecting". In this case, science fiction, fantasy and horror book collecting.

Inevitably, when talking about collecting science fiction, fantasy and horror books many of the subjects are equally applicable to collecting books in general. The two orbits will intersect. However my focus is on SF/F/H so here we’ll be less concerned about the larger field of antiquarian book collecting and more about modern collectibles, limited editions and the rarities of a genre which really only dates back to the beginning of the last century.

That isn't to say that collecting SF/F/H books is any less rewarding, nor that rare genre books are easier to find or command less value, I'm just narrowing my focus. The thrill of the hunt and the pride of ownership are just as fulfilling.

Alan Chudnow has been collecting books for over 30 years. He was first introduced to the extraordinary world of science fiction bibliomania when he started working at A Change of Hobbit bookstore in Los Angeles. He was one of the original partners in Dangerous Visions, a speculative fiction specialty bookstore in Sherman Oaks, California. Both, sadly, have gone the way of most independent bookshops in this country.

He has been, at various times a motion picture and television film editor, theatrical producer and director, writer, actor, web designer and bookstore owner, all while continuing his pursuit of bibliophilism. He lives in Long Beach, California as close to the beach as he can get.