Tom Purdom started writing for us in 2011, long before my days as editor, but his writing career began in 1960, when he published his first science-fiction story. While continuing to write stories (many of his novelettes ran in Asimov’s Science Fiction magazine, and he published two book collections), he began working with BSR founding editor Dan Rottenberg during his days at The Welcomat, an alt-weekly precursor to BSR that welcomed essays and opinions on our cultural scene, and Tom segued into music writing in the late 1980s. It was a beat he continued at BSR, working with me until he retired from it in 2021, though he continued to be an active member of our community, joining us for many events. I last saw him at a Center City meetup less than a year ago. He died early this week at the age of 87.
You can still visit him online, read his stories, and order his books, or look back here
at the last year of his BSR music coverage. Tom wasn’t only a colleague. He was a respected friend, and we’re sending our warmest thoughts to those closest to him. We’re glad his work lives on in so many places, including the pages of BSR.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
