Wylie's literary versatility spans multiple genres, including pulp science fiction, social critiques, environmental concerns, and romances. His works often blend fantasy and mystery, while also addressing serious themes like the threat of nuclear holocaust and societal satire, showcasing his ability to engage with both imaginative and pressing real-world issues.
Wilson, who is acknowledged for the consistently high quality of his prose, whether it be fiction, nonfiction, or criticism, has refused to accept the limitations of genre or form, or to be placed in some literary cubbyhole. Clifford P. Bendau here covers Wilson's work, from his first appearance as a literary enfant terrible, to the publication of his landmark novel, The Space Vampyres (1976), regarded by many critics as one of his finest works.