The Official Home Page of
Science Fiction Writer William Tenn

Comments to Laurie Mann

William Tenn, a Self-Portrait by Phil Klass
William Tenn, a self-portrait by Phil Klass

William Tenn is the pen name of Philip Klass. He's written dozens of short stories, many essays, and has three collections in print from NESFA Press. He also taught English at Penn State for many years.

Phil has been ill and has been moved to various facilities. Fruma suggests sending cards and notes to:

Phil Klass
12 Hazel Dr.
Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228-2146

Cards and notes are appreciated.

He was a guest of honor for the 2004 Worldcon.

His collection of essays, Dancing Naked, was a Hugo nominee for Best Non-fiction Work in 2005.

Fruma Klass, Phil's wife, won a Templeton Prize for an essay on her family.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette interview.

She won a second place in 1996 in the Writers of the Future competition.

Fruma Klass
Fruma Klass, photo by Laurie Mann

A few samples from Dancing Naked:

Edited by Laurie D. T. Mann
Jacket art by Bob Eggleton
Jacket design by Kevin Riley

Three of Tenn's books are available to purchase online from NESFA Press:

Immodest Proposals
Immodest Proposals

Fiction collection
Here Comes Civilization
Here Comes Civilization

Fiction collection
Dancing Naked
Dancing Naked

Non-fiction collection
Don't like to order online?  Download an order form and mail or FAX it to NESFA Press.
Cover for Dancing Naked

Noreascon 4 GoH William Tenn, with his Wife Fruma Klass and Two of his Editors, Jim and Laurie Mann
Photo by Adina Klass

Noreascon 4 GoH William Tenn, with his Wife Fruma Klass and Two of his Editors, Jim and Laurie Mann

William Tenn Reads 'On Venus Have We Got a Rabbi' at Capclave 2003
Photo by Laurie Mann

He was the guest of honor at Capclave in 2003.

Harry Harrison, Katherine MacLean, Fruma and Phil Klass (aka William Tenn)
Photo by Laurie Mann

Nebula Toastmaster Harry Harrison and Author Emeritus Katherine MacLean chat with old friends Fruma and Phil Klass (William Tenn) at the 2003 Nebula Awards Weekend in Philadelphia.

More 2003 Nebula Pictures

William Tenn, Former SFWA President Sharon Lee
and her Husband Steve Miller Sign at Boskone 40
Photo by Laurie Mann

William Tenn, Former SFWA President Sharon Lee and her Husband Steve Miller Autograph at Boskone 40

Phil Klass was born in London on May 9, 1920, and immigrated to the United States with his parents, settling in New York. He began writing in 1945 after being discharged from the Army, and his first story, "Alexander the Bait," was published a year later. His stories and articles have been widely anthologized, a number of them in best-of -the-year collections. He is a Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature at The Pennsylvania State University, where he taught, among other things, a popular course on science fiction. In 1999, he was honored as Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America at their annual Nebula Awards Banquet.

Tenn is best-known as a satirist, and by works such as "On Venus Have We Got a Rabbi" and "Of Men and Monsters."

Phil Klass has been married to Fruma since 1957. They live in suburban Pittsburgh. Their daughter, Adina, lives in eastern Pennsylvania.

A stage adaptation of "Winthrop Was Stubborn" was performed during the 2006 Three Rivers Arts Festival. Post-Gazette review.

Contribute to the William Tenn Documentary Project

Fruma Klass on a Panel at Capclave 2003 with Brenda Clough
Photo by Laurie Mann

Fruma Klass on a Panel at Capclave 2003 with Brenda Clough

Fruma Klass and William Tenn at the Millennium Philcon, Worldcon 2001
Photo by Laurie Mann

Fruma Klass and William Tenn at the Millennium Philcon, Worldcon 2001

This Philip Klass is not the same the same person as Philip J. Klass, who debunked UFOs. To add to the confusion, both Philip Klasses were born about the same time. Philip J. Klass was the avionics editor of Aviation Week and Space Technology for many years, and died in Florida on August 9, 2005.

© 2003-2009 by Laurie D. T. Mann.