
So who is Professor Bernice Summerfield? Having started her career in the military, she quickly changed to archeology. And, as most archeologists do, she published several books on the trade. What sets Professor Summerfield apart from all the others is that people actually read her books. She's the layman's archeologist.
Bernice Summerfield is not only an author of great prowess, but she features in several adventure novels. Her tales are collectively called The New Adventures and the first 50 or so also featured a mysterious alien who went by the pseudonym, "The Doctor." There are several scholars who believe that she is the author of these tomes, but most other people think this is impossible - she'd never have the time to write all those books and be an archeologist. Most distressing are the scholars who contend that Professor Summerfield is not only not an archeologist, but that she's merely the invention of British author, Paul Cornell, author of the first novel about Professor Summerfield.
Focus On: encourages its readers to try a sampling of these books to get a real feel for the Professor. A list of these New Adventures and where you can buy them can be found on the next page.
Professor Bernice Summerfield is an enigma. Despite her best selling books,
very little is known about her. So Focus On: decided to answer some
of our reader's questions by interviewing the elusive archeologist.
Reginald Cross, Focus On:'s top reporter, snagged the interview.
This was done over the phone, but he assures us the woman he talked
with is the real Bernice Summerfield.
Reginald Cross: So, Professor Summerfield, what do you think of all the
coverage of your various adventures through time and space. Bernice Summerfield: "Adventures through time and space." Makes me sound
like a superhero or something. Or worse yet, a Time Lord. (Am I
allowed to say that?) RC: I don't know why you wouldn't be allowed to. BS: Well, it's just that my new Publisher doesn't like me acknowledging
some of my former acquaintances. I think they don't believe the old
stories about me. Hell, I don't believe the old stories about me.
But that's when I was still young and impressionable. RC: Oh really? How young? BS: Oh, you know. 30something. Or something. RC: How old are you now, if you don't mind my asking. BS: I don't mind your asking if you don't mind my not telling. Let's just
say that I've grown a little older, a little wiser, and,
unfortunately, a little heavier. But not much. Honest, the rumors
about my girth are greatly exaggerated. RC: Well, I'd imagine that, as an active archeologist, you keep fit. BS: Yes, I do. *chuckles* But I'm sure you didn't call all this way just
to talk about my state of health. RC: No, Professor. We here at Focus On: like to talk about authors and
other illustrious people. And you are certainly one of the most
prolific authors we've talked to. You've now written 7 books, is
that correct? BS: Well, that depends on what you mean by "written." I've written more
books than I care to count, but I've had seven of them published in
one form or another. What frightens me is the number of books that
have been written about me. RC: Why does it frighten you? BS: Oh, you know. It makes me seem more important than I really am. I'm
just an archeologist. Albeit, an archeologist who has traveled
extensively. RC: Is it true that you have ghost-authored some of the books about you? BS: Where have you heard that from? RC: Oh, our readers are quite vocal and there's been a fascinating
discussion on one of our message boards about which books you've
ghost-authored. Several seem to think that Paul Cornell is a
pseudonym. BS: Having met Mr. Cornell, I can swear that he is more than a pseudonym.
As for ghost-authoring the New Adventures - "no comment." RC: Indeed. Well, you realize, I'm sure, that this will probably increase
the debates on our message boards. BS: I'm counting on it, Reggie.
Reginald Cross will continue his interview with Professor Summerfield in
our next issue of Focus On: Authors.
Focus On: will keep its readers updated on Professor Summerfield's
latest and greatest rumors and adventures, so don't forget to visit
here when you can. Our next feature author will be Joachim Bailey,
author of My, But You're Standing In It, a look at podiatry
gone wrong. Join the Time
Grrrl Ring!Publications by Bernice S. Summerfield
Title
Date
Down Among the Dead Men
2593
Devil Gate Drive: The Influence of The Descent of Inanna
on Twentieth Century Popular Culture2594
A Practical Guide to Archaeology for Beginners
2594
An Eye for Wisdom: Repetitive poems of the Early Ikkaban Period
2595
Dead Man Running
2600
Little Archeologists Primer: a story book
2605
The Doctor Who Makes Planet Calls
2606
45 Second Piglet (US comic strip)
Unknown
The Collected Benny Summerfield
2617
Head Invaders
2619
Incredibly Bad Jokes of the Twentieth Century
Unknown
S for Surprise: Memoirs of an Unorthodox Archeologist
3195
posthumouslySome Vital Statistics about Bernice Summerfield
Name Professor Bernice Summerfield
Profession Archeologist
Birthdate 21st June, 2540 (in contention)
Height 5'9" (in contention)
Marital Status Divorced (ex. Jason Kane)
Eye color blue (in contention)
Hair color dark brown
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This page created on September 13, 1997: Last updated on November 3, 1998.