New Stuff: Stories, Updates, News, Nonfiction, Etc.

Steve Miller, best known for the long-running Liaden Universe® series of space opera stories and novels, coauthored with his beloved wife and partner Sharon Lee, died February 20, 2024, in their home in Waterville, Maine. He was 73.

Steve had been fighting heart trouble for several years and, old newspaperman that he was, had prepped his obituary for the trade months before. Steve had worked many jobs before becoming a full time writer, including managing early BBS systems, acting as an internet librarian, owning and managing a science fiction themed used bookstore and art gallery with his wife, and acting as a freelance reporter for many Baltimore area and national publications.

Steve leaves behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped the landscape of science fiction and inspired a generation of new writers. Last year saw the publication of their 100th collaboration together, the national best-selling science fiction novel Salvage Right; Ribbon Dance, also a Liaden novel, is scheduled for release in June 2024, and Sharon intends to continue the series as they had planned.

Steve’s interest in chess was lifelong. He was a member of the University of Maryland Baltimore County Chess League, a U.S. Chess Federation Tournament Director, President of the Owings Mills Chess Club, President of the Waterville Chess Club, and ran numerous tournaments in many venues. He was part of Waterville’s Main Chess League championship team in 1998.

We at Baen honor not only his remarkable literary achievements but also the warmth, kindness, and boundless imagination that defined him as both an author and a friend. “He was one of the good guys,” said his publisher Toni Weisskopf. “A true light shining in the science fiction community.” In this time of sorrow, our thoughts and condolences are with Sharon Lee, and the countless fans whose lives have been touched by Steve’s legacy.

Steve was predeceased by his father, Donald Miller of Madeira Beach, FL, his stepfather, Ronald L. Moore, Sr., and his mother, Helen Moore. Survived by his wife, Sharon Lee, and siblings Donald George Miller (Kim), Craig Edward Miller (Brenda), Cindy Rex (Ron Prietz Sr.), Roland L. Moore, Jr. (Kay) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Finalists exemplify the best of near-future, forward-thinking science fiction. Annual contest marks 16 years of highlighting bright futures and rising talent.

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For the month of March, to celebrate the release of two new novels from two of our rising stars here at Baen Books, we’re offering discounts on all Tim Akers and Patrick Chiles backlist ebooks.


Details here

Patrick Chiles is a graduate of The Citadel, a Marine Corps veteran, and a private pilot. In addition to his novels, he has written for magazines including Smithsonian’s Air & Space Magazine.


Gods Among Men

Patrick Chiles

BEGIN RECORD

SURVEY TEAM REPORT: GU CATALOG NO. X259/Y029/Z049, CLASS G2V STAR

We have successfully made landfall in the northern latitudes of the system’s third planet to observe the native hominids. This marks the fifth distinct culture we have identified on this world. They are located in a coastal region surrounded by jagged cliffs and towering mountains. The natives demonstrate considerable skill in metalwork, woodwork, and agriculture, given their primitive technology.

The hominids of this region have made contact on numerous occasions with neighboring societies to the south and west, employing seagoing ships crafted from the local coniferous trees. While their shipbuilding skill and rudimentary grasp of celestial navigation has enabled the crossing of what are to them great distances, all evidence indicates this advancement has unfortunately been used for plunder. Ships have returned from abroad filled with finely crafted metalworks, livestock, and in some cases captured foreigners who have been pressed into servitude. From the snippets of conversations we have been able to translate, these prisoners refer to their captors as “Norsemen.” They have earned a fearsome reputation among the other hominids of the lower latitudes.

Deployment of observation and listening devices around the Norsemen’s village is complete, and we are continuously collecting data. Next transmission will include a full information packet.

PAUSE RECORD

***

“It’s actually quite beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Hmm?” My companion looked up from his work. “What do you mean?”

I pointed at the sky, where translucent curtains of brilliant green light danced high above our observation base. “The aurora in their magnetosphere,” I said. The glow of charged particles illuminated the snow-covered ground, making the long night almost as bright as if the local star was in view. The lights had been particularly energetic of late, corresponding to a recent coronal mass ejection from the local star.

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Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for over forty years, a war gamer for over fifty, and an avid reader of science fiction for even longer. His experience in nuclear engineering and power systems began as a naval officer. Experience after the USN includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC).

The term “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) was coined by mathematician and computer scientist John McCarthy at a 1956 Dartmouth conference now deemed to be the birthplace of AI as a field of science, but the idea goes back nearly three millennia!

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Baen Books has signed a contract with author Christopher Ruocchio to publish the final two books in his internationally award-winning Sun Eater series, as well as for a first look deal for Ruocchio’s next series.

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We’re happy to announce an easier way to deliver our Ebooks directly from Baen.com to your favorite Ereader. You can now email EPUB files directly to your device from our site—no download necessary!

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Baen to publish new science fiction novels from authors Monalisa Foster and Marisa Wolf

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Lucille Robbins, Eric Flint’s widow and heir, in conjunction with Baen Books would like to announce the forthcoming titles from Eric Flint.

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Baen to publish sword and sorcery series The Chronicles of Hanuvar, with first book in August 2023

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Baen Books formally announced this year’s finalists for the Baen Fantasy Adventure Award earlier this month.

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It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Eric Flint has passed away. We were proud to publish Eric’s first novel, Mother of Demons, in 1997, and to continue publishing his many worlds, including the best-selling Ring of Fire series that started with 1632.

There are several of Eric’s works already delivered and on the schedule. Eric was a tireless collaborator, and readers can also expect more of his works to be released with Eric’s designated collaborators in the future.

We will be celebrating Eric and his works on the Baen Free Radio Hour this week and the following week and encourage all to tune in.

—Toni Weisskopf
Publisher, Baen Books

Lakewood, Colorado author Wil McCarthy has been named the winner of the 2022 Prometheus Award for Best Novel, for his novel Rich Man’s Sky.

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To all of those who expressed interest and support for Baen's Bar in recent weeks, we are happy to announce it is back on-line, though with some changes. Baen is handing the Bar over to its users, and will henceforth be run by SFF Forums, LLC, and may be found at https://www.baensbar.net. Returning users will be able to use the Bar as usual, but new members will have to make a purchase at baen.com before they can log in. (Note: New users will not have to buy a book; there is a Bar tipjar option so they may contribute to the maintenance of the forum).

—Toni Weisskopf for SFF Forums

Innovative Independent Publisher to Bring Author Readings, Q&As, and Convention-Style Programming to Facebook LIVE

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Over 170 titles from Baen Books to be published as audiobooks over the next three years

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