Beginning in the 1960s, Schoenherr created numerous science fiction illustrations, in addition to artwork in other genres. Among the books he illustrated are "The Wolfling" and "Rascal" by Sterling North, the latter a Newbery Honor Book. Under John W. Campbell, Jr. and Ben Bova at "Analog", he also illustrated the first "Dragonriders of Pern" stories by Anne McCaffrey, the 1967/1968 novellas "Weyr Search" and "Dragonrider" (each featured on one "Analog" cover as well) that were subsequently developed as the novel "Dragonflight". Schoenherr's July 1975 cover for "Analog" has been cited as influential in the designs for the "Star Wars" character Chewbacca. He also worked for paperback and hardcover science fiction publishers like Ace Books and Doubleday.