Science Fiction Updates!

A majority of recent postings have to do with either our dire political landscape or else updates on many aspects of science that show how wondrous it is to be part of a real civilization, looking ahead to the future.

Which of course is always pioneered by science fiction!  And so, with the Seattle World Science Fiction Convention looming in August... and COMICON even sooner (!)... let's dive into that pioneering realm. Starting with this acceptance speech by deservedly installed SFWA Grand Master Nicola Griffith, in which she relates how SF -- always more enlightened in any decade than other genres of a given time -- persuaded her that ancient injustices can be overcome. 

... And leading off the same recording, Nebulas MC Erin Roberts amazed with perspectives that were passionate, amusing, unpolemical and insightful. She's the real deal that's needed now, more than ever. 

Though speaking of the real deal, amazing rising star Martha Wells will be Author Guest of Honor at the Seattle Worldcon. A genuine Kwizats Haderach... in the best interpretation of the term.

...though maybe I shouldn't apply DUNE references so blithely! Because wow. Damien Walter offers a fantastic video exploring implications and messages of DUNE. And how Frank Herbert’s message - against dark age feudalism - got buried under Frank’s spectacular mastery of point-of-view, resulting in millions actually yearning for one of the most oppressive and nasty societies ever depicted in a human mythology. This is one of the best pod-videos I've seen all year and hugely important for our time.

Though maybe I am biased.

And now we veer into my own corner....

     == News from the Briniverse ==

Long-awaited! My 1st novel -SUNDIVER - never had a hardcover edition, till now!

Phantasia Press has issued a special, limited edition, finely-bound with interiors and gorgeous cover, all by the epic artist Jim Burns! Not cheap. But if you want a lovely edition with quality to survive several geological epochs...;-) 

And more terrific sci fi news!  A Thrilling new Time-Travel Adventure from Amazing Selects - an imprint of Amazing Stories…  Boondoggle by Tom Easton and Torion Oey.

The year 2340 was looking pretty good—by 2346, not so much. Saboteurs are running wild on a distant space station, threatening a fragile interstellar alliance. To stop them, Project Hourglass reaches back through time to assemble an unlikely team of problem solvers.

Meet 14-year-old Artie Conan Doyle, snatched from 1879 before he ever dreams up Sherlock Holmes. Irene Kennealy, pulled from 2025 in the middle of her science fair project. Twins Siondra and Tony Pantala, yanked from 2029—along with, by accident, three teenage roughnecks and a fearless beagle pup named Tuffy. Their mission? Uncover the truth behind the sabotage, navigate whispers of alien conspiracies, and survive as members of their team start disappearing. Can a band of time-traveling teens (and one scrappy dog) prevent an all-out war?

The game is afoot, and the future is at stake!  

And soon MORE Out of Time novels for teen readers... or those who held onto their inner teen!  Like Raising The Roof, by R. James Doyle (teens plus a smart octopus explore and save the day, deep under the ice of a Europa-type ocean moon!) 

     

And Snowdance by the legendary Allen Steele and newcomer Robin Orm Hansen (youths from across space and especially TIME must save an Earthling colony that's been hit hard by unexpected winter plus raids by mysterious beings. 

With two more in queue - bringing us to nine books - you have your full meal of thoughtful adventures and cool characters from both past and future!

== More sci fi news! ==

Of course this movie ‘trailer for STARTIDE RISING is amateurish, but still way-fun.

We already made (much more impressive and fun) 'trailers' for EXISTENCE, Glory Season, Heart of the Comet, Life Eaters, Otherness and others. These could be given AI animation and voices pretty easily. See them on my website. Now? Working with my agent etc. on animated storyboards for KILN PEOPLE and 'The Tumbledowns'!

The gorgeous collector's hardcover of DUNE, by Earthling Publications, features my - well - perspicacious introduction.

And a new, special hardcover edition of the 1959 classic novel about nuclear aftermath ALAS BABYLON has been published by Centipede Press, with a new introduction by yours truly. Only 50 of 500 copies remain.

And Centipede will soon publish a magnificent edition of GOD EMPEROR OF DUNE, also with an extensive introduction by yours, truly.

From The Portalist: The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the 1990s. "The '90s were a special time for speculative fiction."  Earth made the list, along with Snowcrash, The Difference Engine and Doomsday Book. 

== And more news? ==

One some of you cited THE UPLIFT WAR, in sending in this news!  Field workers had long reported on chimps seeking and sharing slightly fermented/alcoholic fruit in the wild. Lubricating social interactions with a slight buzz. Anyone recall my character Fiben and the dance-party scene in The Uplift War? ;-) Which BTW is a Hugo winner.

We just watched on Netflix an animated miniseries by my brilliant colleague Ken Liu – Pantheon.  It posits that AI – the current fad – will be superseded by UI – Uploaded human minds. Good writing and layered. With some of the nuance about uploading that are in Robin Hanson’s nonfiction (sort of) book THE AGE OF EM.

Astronomer Andrew Fraknoi penned an interesting and well-written story about asteroid miners encountering a ‘lurker’ alien probe in the Belt.  If you’d like a cool scenario totally consistent with my novel EXISTENCE.  

OH! If you missed my serialized sci fi comedy novel entitled THE ANCIENT ONES… here’s a link to the first 8 or so chapters with lovely illustrations. Come by for light puns, or despicable ones!  Or just to smile.

And finally... the best for last... see inteviewed one of the finest young scholars of sci fi, having resurrected from obscurity one of the greatest technology storyists of the 1880s, for everyone to enjoy once more.