Laurence James

Laurence James was a British science fiction writer best known for his extensive work on the post-apocalyptic "Deathlands" series. Born on 21 September 1942, he died on 9 or 10 February 2000. Before becoming a writer, James held a variety of jobs, including scaffolder, teacher, bookseller, and short-order cook. He began his writing career in 1972 as a full-time freelance author and journalist, publishing short science fiction stories. His first novel, *Earth Lies Sleeping* (1974), launched a series about galactic secret agent Simon Rack. That same year, under the pseudonym Mick Norman, he wrote a fantasy saga about Hells Angels in early-1990s England and Wales. James was highly prolific, writing dozens of novels under his own name and pen names like James Darke, James McPhee, Jonathan May, and James Axler. His work spanned series such as "Dark Future," "Earth Blood," and "Survival 2000." His greatest success came with the "Deathlands" series, which he began completing in 1986 after Christopher Lowder started it; James wrote 32 novels in the series under the name James Axler, ending with *Eclipse at Noon* in 1995. Forced to leave due to failing health, he wrote one final novel, *Crucible*. James also continued the "Confessions" sex comedy franchise as Jonathan May. His legacy includes a devoted fandom for his post-apocalyptic work.