New SciFi and Fantasy Magazine Jim Baen's Universe Launches
Jim Baen's Universe launches today, striking a blow for good stories, and against copy protection and Digital Rights Management. "Help save Sci Fi short stories," says editor Eric Flint.
Aurora, IL (PRWEB) June 1, 2006
Winston-Salem, NC (PRWEB) June 1, 2006 -- The first issue of the new electronic science fiction and fantasy magazine, Jim Baen’s Universe, is now available for sale, as of June 1, 2006. A one-year subscription—six issues, published bimonthly— can be purchased for only $30.
To subscribe to the magazine, visit http://www. baens-universe. com (http://www. baens-universe. com)
Universe is available to read online in HTML, and for download in HTML, Microsoft Reader (.lit), Rich Text format (.rtf) Mobi-pocket reader (.prc), Palm Doc (.pdb), Rocket Ebook (.rb) and Postscript Portable Document Format (.pdf).
All of these formats are completely unencrypted, without Digital Rights Management or copy protection schemes. They can be downloaded into a home computer, laptop, palm, blackberry, pocket pc, ebook reader, or almost any other electronic device.
Subscribers can also simply read the magazine without downloading it, on any internet-enabled mobile device. Or, if hardcopy is preferred, the PDF version of the magazine is specifically designed for home printing.
Jim Baen’s Universe will soon offer a CD version for individual issue purchase.
Here is the Table of Contents for the first issue, now on sale:
Science Fiction Stories
Chilling by Alan Dean Foster Bow Shock by Gregory Benford Pimpf by Charlie Stross What Would Sam Spade Do? by Jo Walton Brieanna's Constant by Eric Witchey Bob's Yeti Problem by Lawrence Person Slanted Jack by Mark Van Name Candy-Blossom by Dave Freer The Darkness by David Drake
Fantasy Stories
The Cold Blacksmith by Elizabeth Bear Poga by John Barnes Build-A-Bear by Gene Wolfe The Opposite of Pomegranates by Marissa Lingen ‘Ware the Sleeper by Julie Czerneda The Thief of Stones by Sarah Zettel
Classic
Light of Other Days by Bob Shaw The Facts Concerning The Recent Carnival Of Crime In Connecticut by Mark Twain
Serials - parts and parts
The Ancient Ones Part 1 by David Brin Travails with Momma by John Ringo Fish Story, Episode 1 by Andrew Dennis, Eric Flint and Dave Freer
Introducing: Stories by new authors
Fancy Farmer by Pamela Uphoff The Puzzle of the Peregrinating Coach by George Phillies Astromonkeys! by Tony Frazier Giving it 14 Percent by Ani Fox Local Boy Makes Good by Ray Tabler
NonFiction articles
Gods and Monsters in Hollywood by Gregory Benford Back to the Moon by Travis Taylor
Columns
The Editor’s Page by Eric Flint Salvos Against Big Brother: Why We Oppose DRM by Eric Flint Publisher’s Podium: Why Die? by Jim Baen Singularity Watch: Upload Your Life Now by Mark Van Name The Gutenberg Column by Michael Hart
To subscribe to the magazine, log in at: http://www. baens-universe. com (http://www. baens-universe. com)
Jim Baen’s Universe is giving subscribers a chance to become part of something that's exciting, that's important, and that'll change the way science fiction and fantasy are published. Universe is paying better rates to authors for short stories than any F&SF magazine has in decades. That will give well-known authors—from all publishers, not just Baen Books—a financial incentive to write stories aimed at a popular audience and re-establish the connection that used to exist between the magazines and the novel market.
“In decades past,” says editor Eric Flint, himself a bestselling author, “it was the size and health of the magazines that allowed new writers a place to be published, allowed midlist writers a place to hone their craft, and allowed very popular and well-established writers to move easily from short fiction to novels and back again as they developed their fascinating and imaginative settings. The range of magazine markets also meant that an exceptional story could still be published even if it was beyond the then-boundaries of acceptable SF.”
Publisher Jim Baen concurs. “Today, that's almost completely vanished. The economics of modern paper publishing and distribution have hammered the magazines badly, and the decline of short form SF has hurt the field as a whole. When once science fiction and fantasy was a cheap refuge from reality for bright teenagers, now the ticket to entry is a full-length novel—often enough, at hardcover prices. Instead of getting a peek at the work of half a dozen to a dozen authors, new readers see one—and if that one doesn't suit their taste, well, there's always videogames or TV. The genre is aging, and if something isn’t done about it, SF and fantasy could vanish with the Baby Boomers.”
Jim Baen's Universe will be only the first of many on-line SF and fantasy magazines, paying top rates and focusing on stories rather than media news. “The great editor, John W. Campbell, used to say that the more good SF magazines there were, the healthier the field was,” says assistant editor Paula Goodlett. “We agree with him—but the revolution starts here, with your chance to join a community dedicated to rescuing short form fantasy and SF,” Goodlett continues.
Publisher Baen continues, “Not only can you subscribe to Jim Baen's Universe, you can also join the Universe Club and receive lots of really valuable stuff!”
Universe Club members receive e-books, chances to be tuckerized into new books by famous authors, editorially selected bundled novels (unencrypted e-books!) and lots more. The list of Universe Club swag is at http://www. baens-universe. com (http://www. baens-universe. com).
“So do join us,” Flint says. “Come along as we launch this integral on-line community, and become a part of Jim Baen's Universe.”
Subscribe now at http://www. baens-universe. com (http://www. baens-universe. com)
For more information call Walt Boyes at 630-639-7090.
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