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After a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks of that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she's a writer. She's always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. Maer was born in the Year of the Dragon and has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she's not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She is a partner in Ellysian Press, a small publishing house. Maer lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her two poodles.
Named 2015 Fantasy Author of the Year by AuthorClassifieds.com, Maer’s books include her recent memoir, The Other Side of Philip K. Dick. She is usually found in the speculative fiction genres, though, with such offerings as Apocalypta Z, Relics, Portals, and Magics in the Modern Magics series. There are four prequel novelettes in the series - “Ghost Memory,” “Unwanted Ghost,” “Ghost Dancer” and “Wedding Ghost.” A recently released box set includes all the novelettes plus a new story, “Lost Ghost.” Maer recently contributed to, compiled and published the charity anthology, The Dark Dozen.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Other Side of Philip K. Dick: A Tale of Two Friends is a non-fiction memoir written by Maer Wilson. Wilson was nineteen years old and happily involved in the second semester of her freshman year at Cal State Fullerton when dramatics major and her friend Merry Lou’s evening embroidered-dressmaking project was interrupted by a knock on the door of Wilson’s apartment. As those were considered safer times, Merry opened the door and let in the two men who were standing there. Wilson recognized one of them as being her neighbor from across the hall, but the other was a stranger. He was older and more formally dressed than most people their age, had graying hair, and one of his arms was in a sling. He asked if the two young women would like to go out for coffee with them. When Wilson declined and glanced down at the dress pattern and scraps of fabric on the ground, saying they were busy, he then suggested a movie some time. He mentioned Clockwork Orange, a new movie showing in Hollywood, and the two young women decided to go for it. An open date was set, and the men left them to their dress-making. That impromptu meeting was the beginning of a deep and enduring friendship between that older man, who was Philip K. Dick, and the author.
Maer Wilson’s non-fiction memoir, The Other Side of Philip K. Dick: A Tale of Two Friends, immerses the reader in the 1970s and 1980s as her story about her college career and her ongoing friendship with science fiction author, Philip K. Dick unfolds. This is a fascinating account that will be especially interesting not only to Dick’s fans, but also those fortunate readers who have discovered and enjoy the works of Tim Powers, who was one of Dick’s closest companions and figures predominantly in this memoir. The Philip K. Dick Wilson describes is indeed mercurial and sometimes manipulative, but above all, he is infinitely human, caring and a stalwart friend. Wilson’s own story is an enthralling one as she makes her way in acting and forms an acting troupe. While Wilson describes herself as a non-writer when she was younger, her writing is smooth, assured and conversational, and reading her memoir is a pleasure. The Other Side of Philip K. Dick: A Tale of Two Friends is most highly recommended.
