Charles E. Fritch

Born in Utica, New York, in 1927, Charles E. Fritch built a long career as an American writer and editor whose work crossed science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mystery. He began publishing in the early 1950s, and over the years became known as a dependable presence in pulp and digest magazines as well as in paperback fiction.

Alongside his fiction, he also worked as an editor. He edited Gamma in the 1960s and later served as editor of Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine from 1979 to 1985. One of his best-known stories, "Misfortune Cookie," was adapted for the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone, a good example of how his compact, clever storytelling carried beyond the page.

Fritch died on October 11, 2012, at age 85. He may not be the most famous name of his era, but readers who enjoy classic genre magazines and paperback originals will find a writer with range, craft, and a real feel for offbeat ideas.