For questions about the author R. A. Lafferty. For questions about his works use the applicable work tag instead.
R. A. Lafferty (1914-2002) was an American writer of science fiction novels and stories such as Space Chantey and "The Six Fingers of Time", also noted for historical novels such as Okla Hannali and The Fall of Rome. In his own words (from Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, February 1986, p. 88):
I'm the fellow who, for more than a quarter of a century, has faithfully maintained the thesis that all writers should be funny-looking and all stories should be funny. Almost all of the evil in the world is brought about by handsome writers doing pompous pieces. But sometimes readers tell me that such a story of mine is not funny at all. "Wait, wait," I tell them. "You're holding it upside-down. Now try it." And sure enough, it is funny if they get ahold of it right. This caution is especially applicable to the story "Junkyard Thoughts." Be sure you're not holding it upside-down or it will be merely bewildering.