Anthologies
Brave New Worlds To Explore and Conquer The astonishingly possible is once again showcased in a breathtaking volume of the best short form SF the past year had to offer. Contributed by some of the most revered and exciting voices in the genre -- and compiled by acclaimed editor and anthologist David G. Hartwell -- these stories of wonder and terror, astounding technologies and miraculous discovery, stretch the imagination into realms and universes never dreamed of before. Each tale is a dazzling gem, rocketing readers across light years and into unknown dimensions -- exploring the intricate cultures of alien races and the strange, secret workings of the human mind. And together they form an unparalleled whole -- a collection of luminous visions that shines more brightly than a newborn sun. New tales from: Nancy Kress Ursula K. Le Guin Greg Egan Bruce Sterling Michael Swanwick Gene Wolfe and many more
In the heart of the new millennium, worlds beyond our imagination have opened up, blurring the line between life and art. Embracing the challenges and possibilities of cyberspace, genetics, the universe, and beyond, the world of science fiction has become a porthole into the realities of tomorrow. In The Year's Best Science Fiction Twenty-third Annual Collection, our very best SF authors explore ideas of a new world with such compelling stories as: "Beyond the Aquila Rift": Critically acclaimed author Alastair Reynolds takes readers to the edge of the universe, where no voyager has dared to travel before---or so we think. "Comber": Our world is an ever-changing one, and award-winning author Gene Wolfe explores the darker side of our planet's fluidity in his own beautiful and inimitable style. "Audubon in Atlantis": In a world not quite like our own, bestselling author Harry Turtledove shows us that there are reasons some species have become extinct. The twenty-nine stories in this collection imaginatively take us far across the universe, into the very core of our beings, to the realm of the gods, and the moment just after now. Included here are the works of masters of the form and of bright new talents, including:Neal Asher, Paolo Bacigalupi, Stephen Baxter, Elizabeth Bear, Chris Beckett, Dominic Green, Daryl Gregory, Joe Haldeman, Gwyneth Jones, James Patrick Kelley, Jay Lake and Ruth Nestvold, Ken MacLeod, Ian McDonald, Vonda N. McIntyre, David Moles, Derryl Murphy, Steven Popkes, Hannu Rajaniemi, Alastair Reynolds, Robert Reed, Chris Roberson, Mary Rosenblum, William Sanders, Bruce Sterling, Michael Swanwick, Harry Turtledove, Peter Watts, Liz Williams, and Gene Wolfe. Supplementing the stories are the editor's insightful summation of the year's events and a lengthy list of honorable mentions, making this book both a valuable resource and the single best place in the universe to find stories that stir the imagination and the heart.
Travel farther than you've ever dreamed Man has mused about the nature of our universe since he first gazed up in wonder at the stars. Now some of the most fertile imaginations in speculative fiction offer bold and breathtaking visions of "what's out there" and "what's next" in the eleventh annual celebration of the very best short SF to appear over the past year. Once again, acclaimed editors and anthologists David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer have compiled an extraordinary collection featuring stunning works from modern masters as well as dazzling gems from brilliant new talents -- tales that carry the reader to the far corners of the galaxy and beyond, into hitherto unexplored regions. Get ready to take glorious flight on a journey to the miraculous.
This is an eclectic collection of all-original science fiction stories from some of the foremost luminaries in the genre. Featuring new tales of far future murder, first contact, love and war from such well-regarded and award winning authors as Peter F. Hamilton, Stephen Baxter, Adam Roberts, Jeffrey Thomas, Eric Brown, Paul Di Filippo, Neal Asher, Jay Lake and Ian Watson, this collection is sure to delight all fans of good science fiction.
June 2007. Cover art by John Allemand, illustrating the story “Alien Archaeology” by Neal Asher. Also in this issue: “News from the Front” by Harry Turtledove ”Three Days of Rain” by Holly Phillips ”Studies in the Field” by R. Neube ”Don't Stop” by James Patrick Kelly ”Tideline” by Elizabeth Bear ”Scrawl Daddy” by Jack Skillingstead ”Marrying In” by Carrie Vaughn plus poetry by Debbie Ouellet, Sandra J. Lindow, and Greg Beatty FEATURES: “Heroes, Unsung” (editorial) by Sheila Williams; “Resurrecting the Quagga” (Reflections) by Robert Silverberg; “RAH” (On the Net) by James Patrick Kelly; “On Books” (reviews) by Peter Heck
Widely regarded as the benchmark anthology for every science fiction fan, The Mammoth Book of Best New SF 21 continues to uphold its standard of excellence with over two dozen stories from the previous year. This years volume includes many bright young talents of science fiction, as well as a host of established masters. It covers every aspect of the genre soft, hard, cyberpunk, cyber noir, anthropological, military and adventure. Also included is a thorough summation of the year and a recommended reading list. PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS EDITIONS Its not often you get a book thats exactly what it says on the spine like this one is. Big, Crammed with the Best. Exactly so. SFX magazine 'Quantity as well as quality every piece is a treasure' The Times 'These 30 stories cover a tremendous amount of ground...the stories themselves are the stars.' 4-star rating! SFX Magazine
Tales of manipulation and subtlety, of misdirection and Neal Asher, Tony Ballantyne, Pat Cadigan, Gary Couzens, Jaine Fenn, Dave Hutchison, Tanith Lee, Steve Longworth, Una McCormack, Juliet McKenna, John Meaney, Nik Ravenscroft, Sarah Singelton, Neil Williamson, Nick Wood
A spaceship hurtles into the unknown carrying humanity's last hope, but does it also carry the seeds of its own doom? The galaxy's ultimate facilitator finds himself pursued by relentless enemies, while, of greater importance, there's a puzzle to be solved. A trivial disagreement between two off-duty super soldiers out for some R&R escalates and escalates, eventually endangering an entire world... Thirteen tales of human striving, of ingenuity, brilliance, desperate action, violence, and resolution. Thirteen tales of Conflict, of Science Fiction at its absolute best. Includes stories by Neal Asher, Eric Brown, Andy Remic, Keith Brooke, Michael Cobley, Chris Beckett, Martin Sketchley, and many more.
War is becoming increasingly 'SF-ized' with remotely controlled attack drones and robot warriors already in development and being tested. Over the past 100 years the technology of war has advanced enormously in destructive power, yet also in sophistication so that we no longer seem to live under the constant threat of all-out global thermonuclear cataclysm. So what will future wars be like? And what will start them: religion, politics, resources, refugees, or advanced weaponry itself? Watson and Whates present a gripping anthology of SF stories which explores the gamut of possible future conflicts, including such themes as nuclear war, psychological and cyberwars, enhanced soldiery, mercenaries, terrorism, intelligent robotic war machines, and war with aliens. All the stories in this collection of remarkable quality and diversity reveals humankind pressed to the limits in every conceivable way. It includes 24 stories with highlights such as: The Pyre of the New Day' - Catherine Asaro. The Rhine's World Incident' - Neal Asher. Caught in the Crossfire' - David Drake. Politics' - Elizabeth Moon. The Traitor' - David Weber. And others from: Dan Abnett, Tony Ballantyne, Fredric Brown, Algis Budrys, Simon R. Green, Joe Haldeman, John Kessel, John Lambshead, Paul McAuley, Andy Remic, Laura Resnick, Mike Resnick & Brad R. Torgersen, Fred Saberhagen, Cordwainer Smith, Allen Steele, William Tenn, Walter Jon Williams, Michael Z. Williamson, Gene Wolfe.
"The Sixth Science Fiction Megapack" presents 25 more mind-bending excursions through time and space, with great stories by such authors as Arthur C. Clarke, Nancy Kress, Lawrence Watt-Evans, George Zebrowski, Philip K. Dick, and many more! Included are: OUT OF ALL THEM BRIGHT STARS, by Nancy Kress THE HANGING STRANGER, by Philip K. Dick WALKING JOHN AND BIRD, by Neal Asher THE SYMPHONIC ABDUCTION, by Hannes Bok THE NINE BILLION NAMES OF GOD, by Arthur C. Clarke HILLARY ORBITS VENUS, by Pamela Sargent MAYBE JUST A LITTLE ONE, by Reginald Bretnor THE ULTROOM ERROR, by Jerry Sohl REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS TO COME, by Lawrence Watt-Evans THE ASTRONAUT FROM WYOMING, by Adam-Troy Castro & Jerry Oltion PRIDE, by Mary A. Turzillo CAT AND MOUSE, by Ralph Williams THE RECORD, by Forrest J Ackerman and Ray Bradbury THE NEW REALITY, by Reginald Bretnor WHAT HATH ME? by Henry Kuttner BRIDGE OF SILENCE, by George Zebrowski SUN’S UP, by A.A. Jackson IV and Howard Waldrop CONSIGNMENT, by Alan E. Nourse THE SYNDIC, by C.M. Kornbluth AFTER BONESTELL, by Jay Lake THE JEWELS OF APTOR, by Samuel R. Delany THE MISSISSIPPI SAUCER, by Frank Belknap Long MEMBERSHIP DRIVE, by Murray F. Yaco CANCER WORLD, by Harry Warner, Jr. EGOCENTRIC ORBIT, by John Cory And don't forget to search this ebook store for more entries in the Megapack series, covering everything from science fiction and fantasy to horror, westerns, pulp fiction, adventure, ghost stories, and much, much more!
Trade Paperback Halloween-themed science fiction anthology. Featuring a mix of classic science fiction reprints where the scary stuff happens in space. THE UNIVERSE MAY NOT BE A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD . . . “The oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown,” the grand master of horror, H.P. Lovecraft, once wrote. And the greatest unknown is the vast universe, shrouded in eternal cosmic night. What things might be on other planets—or in the dark gulfs between the stars? Giving very unsettling answers to that question are such writers as Arthur C. Clarke, George R. R. Martin, Theodore Sturgeon, Tony Daniel, Robert Sheckley, James. H. Schmitz, Clark Ashton Smith, Neal Asher, Sarah A. Hoyt, and more, all equally masters of science fiction and of terror. One might hope that in the void beyond the earth will be found friendly aliens, benevolent and possibly wiser than humanity, but don’t be surprised if other worlds have unpleasant surprises in store for future visitors. And in vacuum, no one will be able to hear your screams—as if it would do any good if they could . . . At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
"Story Behind the Book: Volume 2" collects over 30 non-fiction essays from some of the most exciting authors working today. Chronicling the process of writing and editing speculative fiction, these essays provide a unique glimpse behind the scenes. Contributors include Ellen Ullman, S.M. Wheeler, Laurie Frankel, Paul McAuley, Marcus Sakey, Neal Asher, Ian Tregillis, Edward M. Lerner, Will McIntosh, Madeline Ashby, Nina Allan, Ken Scholes, Keith Brooke, Jasper Kent, Yoon Ha Lee, Ted Kosmatka, Daniel Abraham, Erin Hoffman, Samuel Sattin, Jack Skillingstead, Douglas Nicholas, Paul Tobin, Jill Shultz, Jay Posey, Eric Brown, Samit Basu, Gina X. Grant, Elizabeth Massie, Tom Vater, Django Wexler, Bradley Beaulieu, Jason M. Hough, Lou Morgan and Paul S. Kemp. All proceeds will be donated to Epilepsy Action.
In the new millennium, what secrets lay beyond the far reaches of the universe? What mysteries belie the truths we once held to be self evident? The world of science fiction has long been a porthole into the realities of tomorrow, blurring the line between life and art. Now, in The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-First Annual Collection the very best SF authors explore ideas of a new world in the year's best short stories. This venerable collection brings together award winning authors and masters of the field such as Robert Reed, Alastair Reynolds, Damien Broderick, Elizabeth Bear, Paul McAuley and John Barnes. And with an extensive recommended reading guide and a summation of the year in science fiction, this annual compilation has become the definitive must-read anthology for all science fiction fans and readers interested in breaking into the genre.
Eighteen stories of strife and mayhem from some of the biggest names in Science Fiction. Tales of humanity pushed to its limits, of striving, ingenuity, brilliance, desperate action, violence, and resolution, . Eighteen tales of Conflict, of Science Fiction at its absolute best. Contents: 1.Introduction – Ian Whates 2.The Wake – Dan Abnett 3.Psi.Copath – Andy Remic 4.Unaccounted – Lauren Beukes 5.The New Ships – Gareth L Powell 6.The Harvest – Kim Lakin-Smith 7.The War Artist – Tony Ballantyne 8.Proper Little Soldier – Martin McGrath 9.The Maker’s Mark – Michael Cobley 10.Brwydr Am Ryddid – Stephen Palmer 11.Occupation – Colin Harvey 12.Sussed – Keith Brooke 13.The Soul of the Machine – Eric Brown 14.Extraordinary Rendition – Steve Longworth 15.The Legend of Sharrock – Philip Palmer 16.The Cuisinart Effect – Neal Asher 17.The Ice Submarine – Adam Roberts 18.War Without End – Una McCormack 19.Welcome Home, Janissary – Tim C Taylor
Neil Clarke, publisher of the award-winning Clarkesworld magazine, presents a collection of thought-provoking and galaxy-spanning array of galactic short science fiction. From E. E. "Doc" Smith’s Lensman, to George Lucas’ Star Wars , the politics and process of Empire have been a major subject of science fiction’s galaxy-spanning fictions. The idiom of the Galactic Empire allows science fiction writers to ask (and answer) questions that are shorn of contemporary political ideologies and allegiances. This simple narrative slight of hand allows readers and writers to see questions and answers from new and different perspectives. The stories in this book do just that. What social, political, and economic issues do the organizing structure of “empire” address? Often the size, shape, and fates of empires are determined not only by individuals, but by geography, natural forces, and technology. As the speed of travel and rates of effective communication increase, so too does the size and reach of an Imperial bureaucracy. Sic itur ad astra —“Thus one journeys to the stars.” At the beginning of the twentieth century, writers such as Kipling and Twain were at the forefront of these kinds of narrative observations, but as the century drew to a close, it was writers like Iain M. Banks who helped make science fiction relevant. That tradition continues today, with award-winning writers like Ann Leckie, whose 2013 debut novel Ancillary Justice hinges upon questions of imperialism and empire. Here then is a diverse collection of stories that asks the questions that science fiction asks best. Empire: How? Why? And to what effect? Table of Contents: - “Winning Peace” by Paul J. McAuley - “Night’s Slow Poison” by Ann Leckie - “All the Painted Stars” by Gwendolyn Clare - “Firstborn” by Brandon Sanderson - “Riding the Crocodile” by Greg Egan - “The Lost Princess Man” by John Barnes - “The Waiting Stars” by Aliette de Bodard - “Alien Archeology” by Neal Asher - “The Muse of Empires Lost” by Paul Berger - “Ghostweight” by Yoon Ha Lee - “A Cold Heart” by Tobias S. Buckell - “The Colonel Returns to the Stars” by Robert Silverberg - “The Impossibles” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch - “Utriusque Cosmi” by Robert Charles Wilson - “Section Seven” by John G. Hemry - “The Invisible Empire of Ascending Light” by Ken Scholes - “The Man with the Golden Balloon” by Robert Reed - “Looking Through Lace” by Ruth Nestvold - “A Letter from the Emperor” by Steve Rasnic Tem - “The Wayfarer’s Advice” by Melinda M. Snodgrass - “Seven Years from Home” by Naomi Novik - “Verthandi’s Ring” by Ian McDonald
This second Infinite Stars science fiction anthology offers 26 space opera short stories set in famous sci-fi series like Wayfarers, Ender, and Lost Fleet. Includes tales from George R.R. Martin, Orson Scott Card, Seanan McGuire, and more! Amongst the infinite stars we find epic sagas of wars, tales of innermost humanity, and the most powerful of desires—our need to create a better world. This second volume of seminal short science fiction features 26 new stories from series such as Wayfarers, Confederation, The Lost Fleet, Waypoint Kangaroo, Ender, Dream Park, the Polity and more. FEATURED AUTHORS • Arthur C. Clarke • Jack Campbell • Becky Chambers • Robert Heinlein • George R.R. Martin • Susan R. Matthews • Orson Scott Card • James Blish • E.E. “Doc” Smith • Tanya Huff • Curtis C. Chen • Seanan McGuire • Sharon Lee and Steve Miller • Larry Niven and Steven Barnes • Gardner Dozois • David Farland • Mike Shepherd • C.L. Moore • Neal Asher • Weston Ochse • Brenda Cooper • Alan Dean Foster • Kristine Kathryn Rusch • Kevin J. Anderson • David Weber • C.J. Cherryh This space opera science fiction anthology brings you the essential work from past, present, and future best-selling authors as well as Grand Masters of science fiction.
Thirteen stories that look to the future of the diverse, multi-faceted city that is London. Stories that invite the reader to consider different perspectives; stories that draw you into possible tomorrows and suggest what may lie just beyond the city’s ever-changing skyline. Neal Asher opens the anthology with a high-octane tale set in his Polity Universe, Dave Hutchinson gives us a novelette from his Fractured Universe milieu, Jeremy Szal takes us to the world of his debut novel Stormblood, M.R. Carey, Aliette de Bodard, Geoff Ryman, Aliya Whiteley and a cast of equally talented writers transport us to Londons near and far... Militant A.I.s, virtual realities, augmented realities and alternative realities; a city where murderers stalk the streets, where drug lords rule from the shadows, and where large sections of the population are locked in time stasis, but where tea is still sipped in cafés on the corner and the past still resonates with the future... Contents: 1. Introduction by Ian Whates 2. Skin – Neal Asher 3. The Good Shepherd – Stewart Hotston 4. Infinite Tea in the Demara Café – Ida Keogh 5. War Crimes – M.R. Carey 6. Fog and Pearls at the King’s Cross Junction – Aliya Whiteley 7. Nightingale Floors – Dave Hutchinson 8. Something Went Wrong in Heaven – Geoff Ryman 9. A Visit in Whitechapel – Eugen Bacon 10. Herd Instinct – Fiona Moore 11. Death Aid – Joseph Elliott-Coleman 12. A Dance of Dust and Life – Aliette de Bodard 13. Commute – Andrew Wallace 14. Scream in Blue – Jeremy Szal 15. About the Authors
The seventeen stories that make up Volumes Two and Three of the Emmy® award-winning Netflix Original series Love, Death & Robots. Featuring best-selling authors and screenwriters from all over the globe, curated by filmmakers Tim Miller and David Fincher, and Supervising Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson. Stories by Neal Asher, Paolo Bacigalupi, J. G. Ballard, Alan Baxter, Justin Coates, Harlan Ellison, Joachim Heijndermans, Joe Lansdale, Rich Larson, Alberto Miego, Jeff Fowler & Tim Miller, John Scalzi, Bruce Sterling, Michael Swanwick.
Permutations: A Well World Anthology iis a triumphant return to Jack L. Chalker’s groundbreaking universe; a series that captivated readers with its imaginative scope and profound themes. The original novel, Midnight at the Well of Souls , has sold over five million copies worldwide, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of science fiction literature. Set on the Well World—a planet-sized supercomputer created by the ancient Markovians to engineer new species—the series explores transformation, identity, and the complexities of existence through the journey of starship captain Nathan Brazil. This anthology, officially authorized by Chalker’s estate, combines a stellar lineup of contemporary science fiction authors, including Neal Asher, Catherine Asaro, and S.P. Somtow. Each contributor offers a unique perspective, expanding upon the rich tapestry of the Well World and introducing fresh narratives that honor the spirit of the original works. These stories delve into the diverse habitats and species of the Well World, exploring new adventures and philosophical quandaries that will resonate with today’s readers. For long-time fans and newcomers alike, Permutations serves as both an homage and a gateway into the expansive universe Chalker masterfully created. It’s more than a collection of stories, it’s an invitation to re-experience the wonder and complexity of a world that has inspired countless imaginations. Whether revisiting the Well World or exploring it for the first time, this anthology promises to ignite the awe and curiosity that defines great science fiction.