Stories, stories, and more stories (plus a reminder)

I’ve gotten so wrapped up in the Retrieval Artist–and yes, there will be an update soon–that I’ve forgotten to share the new stuff with you. Lots of fun and different things to share. First, let me apologize for the changing colors in the post. My theme is melting, literally. We’re hurrying on the new design before this thing breaks down entirely. I can no longer control the color using any part of the theme, including trying to code it in. So, sorry about that. Now, onto the important stuff.

I’m thrilled to be part of an anthology called The Book of Silverberg. This anthology celebrates the work of Robert Silverberg, who is one of my favorite writers. My story is based on Bob’s novel Dying Inside, and I have to admit, I was intimidated as hell to take on a classic. But when I relaxed into it, I had a lot of fun with it. Here’s the cover, table of contents, and jacket flap information:

Table of Contents

• Greg Bear—A Tribute
• Barry Malzberg—An Appreciation
• Kage Baker—In Old Pidruid
• Kristine Kathryn Rusch—Voyeuristic Tendencies
• Mike Resnick—Bad News from the Vatican
• Caitlin R.Kiernan—The Jetsam of Disremembered Mechanics
• Connie Willis—Silverberg, Satan, and Me…
• Elizabeth Bear—The Hand is Quicker
• Nancy Kress—Eaters
• James Patrick Kelly—The Chimp of the Popes
• Tobias S. Buckell—Ambassador to the Dinosaurs

For nearly sixty years, Grandmaster Robert Silverberg has been a significant presence in the world of science fiction. As prolific as he is gifted, Silverberg has amassed a body of work unique both in its richness and its variety. That work has influenced generations of other writers and has enriched the lives of untold numbers of devoted readers.

In The Book of Silverberg, editors Gardner Dozois and William Schafer have assembled a tribute anthology fully worthy of the Master himself. The book begins with a pair of affectionate appreciations from Greg Bear and Barry Malzberg, and continues with a series of wonderfully original stories that inhabit and extend some of Silverberg’s most memorable creations. In “In Old Pidruid,” the late Kage Baker turns to the world of Majipoor in a humorous and moving tale of rivalry and reconciliation. Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s “Voyeuristic Tendencies” shows us the world of the 1972 novel Dying Inside from a wholly different perspective. Nancy Kress’s “Eaters” provides a bleak and harrowing conclusion to the classic short story “Sundance.” In “Silverberg, Satan, and Me or Where I Got the Idea for My Silverberg Story for This Anthology,” the incomparable Connie Willis offers what might be the only plausible explanation for the whole Silverberg phenomenon. And elsewhere in the anthology, some of today’s most notable writers—Mike Resnick, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Elizabeth Bear, James Patrick Kelly, and Tobias S. Buckell—ring equally brilliant changes on a number of Silverberg’s signature fictions.

Funny, tragic, provocative, intelligent and always richly imagined, the stories in The Book of Silverberg are all notable accomplishments in themselves. Together, they comprise an exhilarating—and altogether fitting—celebration of one of science fiction’s indisputable masters

The reviews of the volume have been fantastic. In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly said, “This is a real treat for any science fiction reader, and especially for Silverberg’s many fans.” Library Journal added, “These stories will resonate most with readers familiar with Silverberg’s work, often being playful riffs on his famous stories or novels, but the tales can be enjoyed on their own merits as well.” You can order through any bookstore, of course, but I would recommend that you go directly to Subterranean Press and order from them. 

Next, a reprint, but a Hugo-winning one. My story “Millennium Babies” is in the May issue of Galaxy’s Edge Magazine–along with, coincidentally, a Bob Silverberg story. 🙂 Lots of good reading here. You can subscribe, read the entire magazine on the website, or get a standalone copy on various stores, such as Amazon.

And, speaking of other formats, Fiction River: Hex in the City is now available in audio. Many of you liked my story from the volume, “The Scottish Play,” which I put up for Free Fiction Monday last week. You’ll get an audio version of that story, read by me, and other wonderful stories as well. Hex is Fiction River’s bestselling volume so far, and I think you’ll see why if you pick it up, either in print, ebook, and now audio! (And seriously, just subscribe. It’s a really good series.)

Finally, the reminder. The Storybundle is available for two more weeks. You’ll get two of my novels in it, one of which is more fantasy than romance. Even if romance isn’t to your taste, you might want to buy a copy of the bundle as a Mother’s Day gift. You can set your own price, and you’ll be able to give your wife or your mom or your grandmother nine novels. Plus, you last minute folks, you can get it without worrying about gift-wrapping. 🙂