Richard E. Geis was one of the finest fan writers and fanzine publishers SF fandom ever produced. His own writings, primarily in his schizophrenic "Alter-Ego" editorial role in his numerous fanzines, which were notoriously wont to change their names in mid-publication, are famous in the field, and gained him numerous Hugo Award nominations and many wins.

His fanzines, which became focal point fanzines attracting contributions from the finest writers, professional and fannish, and artists, also gained him many Hugo nominations and wins. His thousands of reviews of current books gave publishers quotes they used in their promotion and advertising efforts. Geis was also a columnist and book reviewer for professional magazines Galaxy and IF.

Geis was a Fan Writer Hugo nominee in 1970 and 1971, and every year from 1973 to 1986, winning Best Fan Writer Hugos in 1982 and 1983. His fanzines were Hugo nominees from 1968 to 1971, and 1974 to 1983. His Science Fiction Review won the Fanzine Hugo in 1969, 1970, 1977 and 1979. The Alien Critic won the Fanzine Hugo in 1974 (tied with Andrew Porter's Algol), and in 1975. Altogether, he received 30 nominations for the Hugo award, winning eight times.

Geis was a legendary recluse, living his early and later life in Portland, Oregon, and in Venice, California, during his period of hyper-activity in the 1960s and 70s. Even when he lived in the Los Angeles area, he did not attend local fan meetings or conventions. Several times, he refused offers to make him a Fan Guest of Honor at conventions.

Geis was also known for his soft-core pornographic novels, of which he claimed authorship of 110, most done as work-for-hire for the major paperback erotic publishers of the day. Many were done under the name Peggy Swenson. He had another four novels published in other genres.