{"id":4291,"date":"2026-08-17T21:08:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/library.umbc.edu\/specialcollections\/finding-aids\/coll007\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T15:11:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T15:11:09","slug":"coll007","status":"publish","type":"finding_aid","link":"https:\/\/library.umbc.edu\/specialcollections\/finding-aids\/coll007\/","title":{"rendered":"David F. Bischoff papers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Overview<\/h1>\n
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Title:<\/td>\nDavid F. Bischoff papers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Call Number:<\/td>\nColl007<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Creator:<\/td>\nBischoff, David, 1951-<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dates:<\/td>\n1970-1991<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size:<\/td>\n17 boxes (20 linear feet)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Language:<\/td>\nEnglish<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Abstract:<\/td>\nThis collection centers on David Bischoff’s work as a science fiction, fantasy, and horror writer. Over 800 manuscripts are included, along with correspondence and other personal papers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Citation:<\/td>\nDavid F. Bischoff papers, Collection 7, Special Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
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Administrative\/Biographical Note<\/h1>\n

David F. Bischoff was born on December 15, 1951 and earned his B.A. in English and Television, Radio and Film from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1973. As a science fiction\/fantasy author, his works were published in such science fiction periodicals as Omni, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, and Fantastic. He also provided short stories for anthologies, including the Chrysalis and Omni series of science fiction anthologies, and Dead End: City Limits, an anthology of urban horror. He wrote the novelizations for several films – The Blob, War Games, The Manhattan Project, and Some Kind of Wonderful – and he ghost-wrote a large part of the novel Excalibur, attributed to John Jakes.<\/p>\n

Bischoff has published many of his own novels, including The UFO Conspiracy trilogy, The Gaming Magi trilogy, The Star Hounds series, Mandala, Nightworld, Vampires of Nightworld, The Crunch Bunch, Phantom, Personal Demon, Search for Dinosaurs, Star Fall and Star Spring, and Dying to Know. In addition, he co-authored several books with a variety of writers: Tin Woodman with Dennis Russell Bailey, The Seeker with Chris Lampton, The Judas Cross and The Selkie with Charles Sheffield, the Dragonstar trilogy with Thomas Monteleone, and Bill, the Galactic Hero Part 3 with Harry Harrison.<\/p>\n

Bischoff has led writing workshops at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland, worked at NBC Washington, and was the Associate Editor for Amazing Stories and Fantastic (1975-1979). He also served as Editor of Stardate Magazine (1985-1986) and as Associate Editor of SF Eye. He edited the children’s science fiction anthologies Quest, Strange Encounters, and Far Out, and was an active member of the Science Fiction Writers Association, organizing science fiction conventions in the Washington, DC area.<\/p>\n

Bischoff usually wrote under obvious variations of this given name, including David Frederick Bischoff, David F. Bischoff, David Bischoff, and Dave Bischoff. He also used the pseudonyms Frederick Bishop, Jeremy Bishop, Margot Bishop, Franklin W. Dixon, K.M. *D*nn*ll, James Fesler, MacDonald Fesler, Jeff Hammer, Michelle Harvey, Charity Lovelace, Michael F.X. Milhaus, and Oliver Nathaniel. Although he wrote mainly in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres, he also wrote Christian\/inspirational and humorous stories.<\/p>\n

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Scope & Content<\/h1>\n

Arrangement<\/h2>\n

This collection is organized into 7 series.<\/p>\n

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  1. Personal Papers<\/li>\n
  2. Correspondence<\/li>\n
  3. Manuals\/Correspondence for Book & TV Series<\/li>\n
  4. Manuscripts by Bischoff<\/li>\n
  5. Stardate<\/li>\n
  6. Manuscripts by Others<\/li>\n
  7. Oversize Materials<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Provenance Information<\/h1>\n

    Provenance and Acquisition Information<\/h2>\n

    MSS 1991-14; This collection was donated by David F. Bischoff on May 3, 1991.<\/p>\n

    Processing Note<\/h2>\n

    Processed by Jeff Karr.<\/p>\n

    Descriptive Rules Used<\/h2>\n

    Describing Archives: a Content Standard (DACS)<\/p>\n

    Archives Processing Manual: Description (2015)<\/a><\/p>\n

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    Access & Use<\/h1>\n

    Finding Aids<\/h2>\n

    Finding aid available. Container list available in collection folder.<\/p>\n

    Finding Aid: \/specialcollections\/finding-aids\/coll007\/<\/a><\/p>\n

    Access Conditions<\/h2>\n

    No restrictions.<\/p>\n

    Conditions Governing Reproductions and Use<\/h2>\n

    Reproductions allowed for research purposes. Copyright maintained by the creator.<\/p>\n

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    Subject Headings<\/h1>\n

    Creators<\/h2>\n

    Bischoff, David, 1951-<\/p>\n

    Subjects<\/h2>\n

    Bischoff, David, 1951- — Archives<\/p>\n

    Science fiction, American 20th century<\/p>\n

    Fantasy fiction, American 20th century<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    Series Description & Container List<\/h1>\n

    Series I. Personal Papers<\/h2>\n
    Date: <\/strong>1965-1988<\/div>\n
    Extent: <\/strong>93 folders (2.5 linear feet)<\/div>\n