Bewildering Stories Editorial

by Jerry Wright

On The Horizon

And sort of... Beyond this horizon... Coming this fall from Tor:

Yes, indeed, a new Robert Heinlein (actually written by Spider Robinson from an outline Heinlein put together in 1955)! Yes, 1955, when RAH was at the height of his creative powers. I'm really looking forward to this. A blurb from Spider's website:

COMING SOON...(Tor Hardcover, September 2006)
Spider has delivered the final manuscript for ROBERT A. HEINLEIN'S VARIABLE STAR, based on a detailed outline and notes completed by Mr. Heinlein in 1955 and recently rediscovered, to editor Pat LoBrutto at Tor Books for a six-figure sum via Eleanor Wood, agent for both Robinson and the Heinlein estate. Spider pronounces himself "pleased with the results."
"There simply are no words adequate to describe what it's like to be writing with the Grandmaster," he reports. "I can imagine no greater honour, responsibility, challenge or sheer joy. The first book I ever read, Robert’s ROCKETSHIP GALILEO, found me when I was six -- eerily enough, the same year he outlined VARIABLE STAR. Maybe a musician asked to complete an entire album of unreleased John Lennon songs -- from his best period -- would grok how I feel. If, that is, half the proceeds were earmarked to promote one of Johnny's dearest dreams." The VARIABLE STAR project is intended to help the Heinlein Trust (www.heinleinprize.com) continue to fund the annual $500,000 Heinlein Prize for commercial manned spaceflight.

Totally awesome, to corn a phrase...

I read dear Danielle's review of Crystal Dragon. This is a really great book. It is also probably one of the worst introductions one could have to the Liaden Universe. At least, one needs must read Book One, Crystal Soldier. "The Great Migration Dualogy" is very much a backstory of how Liadens and the culture of Liadens came to be, and why clan Korval tends the great Tree at Jelaza Kazone. I do agree with her that Lee and Miller should have included a "what has gone before", because being dropped into Crystal Dragon without any sort of template is rather daunting.

As to C.J. Cherryh being an influence, there is no doubt that she is very much of an influence on many writers, and yet, because of my familiarity with Lee and Miller, and all that they've written, I didn't see the deep influence. Is it there? Probably. Am I blinded by affection for Lee and Miller? Probably. Oh well.

Speaking of Meisha Merlin and the Liadens... Read Partners In Necessity, a compilation of the first three Liaden books for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Other things go on apace. I'd talked to Don about getting an ISSN, which is a number assigned by the Library of Congress for Periodicals. Coming soon... Then, all of our issues will at least be noted in the LOC. Cool stuff.

Bewildering Stories is soon to be a company. Yeah, still a hobby, as it were, but as actual money starts "pouring" in... (yeah, right!) We need to start accounting for it, and expenses. Life is bizarre.