Cirrus@Austlit

A barman, mechanic, welder and postal worker, Jack Wodhams lived in Caboolture (Queensland) whilst writing some of Australia's best known Sci-Fi short stories. Although his work has appeared in overseas magazines such as Twilight Zone, Amazing, Rigel, Galaxy and Omega, it was the many stories which were published by Analog that helped to consolidate 'his position as one of Australia's leading science fiction writers'. Sold to Analog in 1967, 'There Is a Crooked Man' was the first Wodhams story to appear in this ground-breaking Sci-Fi magazine. In the course of his 'prolific writing career', Wodhams also published widely in Australian Sci-Fi fanzines such as The Brightlight Cafe, and his works appeared in anthologies in Germany and Hungary (Galaktika 1982, 1983).

Receiving 'widespread acclaim' for the short story, 'One Clay Foot', Wodhams is known for his 'dialogue-driven' writing which is 'usually laced with bleak humour'. He has also been praised for his ability to capture the military campaign as a setting. Although he has been described as 'primarily a short story writer whose style does not easily suit novel-length works', Wodhams has published three novels: The Authentic Touch (1971), Looking for Blucher (1980) and Ryn (1982). He has also written on the life and times of Moses: Magus Malefic: A Fresh Analysis of the Life of Moses (1998).

(Sources: Paul Collins (ed.) Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy, 1998; Wodhams, Future War, 1982)