Steve Miller, best known for the long-running Liaden Universe® series of space opera stories and novels, coauthored with his beloved wife and partner Sharon Lee, died February 20, 2024, in their home in Waterville, Maine. He was 73.

Steve had been fighting heart trouble for several years and, old newspaperman that he was, had prepped his obituary for the trade months before. Steve had worked many jobs before becoming a full time writer, including managing early BBS systems, acting as an internet librarian, owning and managing a science fiction themed used bookstore and art gallery with his wife, and acting as a freelance reporter for many Baltimore area and national publications.

Steve leaves behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped the landscape of science fiction and inspired a generation of new writers. Last year saw the publication of their 100th collaboration together, the national best-selling science fiction novel Salvage Right; Ribbon Dance, also a Liaden novel, is scheduled for release in June 2024, and Sharon intends to continue the series as they had planned.

Steve’s interest in chess was lifelong. He was a member of the University of Maryland Baltimore County Chess League, a U.S. Chess Federation Tournament Director, President of the Owings Mills Chess Club, President of the Waterville Chess Club, and ran numerous tournaments in many venues. He was part of Waterville’s Main Chess League championship team in 1998.

We at Baen honor not only his remarkable literary achievements but also the warmth, kindness, and boundless imagination that defined him as both an author and a friend. “He was one of the good guys,” said his publisher Toni Weisskopf. “A true light shining in the science fiction community.” In this time of sorrow, our thoughts and condolences are with Sharon Lee, and the countless fans whose lives have been touched by Steve’s legacy.

Steve was predeceased by his father, Donald Miller of Madeira Beach, FL, his stepfather, Ronald L. Moore, Sr., and his mother, Helen Moore. Survived by his wife, Sharon Lee, and siblings Donald George Miller (Kim), Craig Edward Miller (Brenda), Cindy Rex (Ron Prietz Sr.), Roland L. Moore, Jr. (Kay) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Finalists exemplify the best of near-future, forward-thinking science fiction. Annual contest marks 16 years of highlighting bright futures and rising talent.

John Ringo is back with an all-new adventure in Beyond the Ranges! So, this month we’re offering up deals on John Ringo’s backlist. Through the end of May, get John Ringo’s entire back catalog in a special discount bundle. Save over $50 off list price when you purchase the bundle—or get $1 off individual titles to round out your collection.

Zack Be is an award-winning author, obscure songwriter, and Couple and Family Therapist long trapped in the gravity well of the Washington, DC, area. Zack is an emerging SFF writer whose work has appeared regularly in Asimov’s Science Fiction and is forthcoming in Analog Science Fiction and Fact. His story “As Able the Air” was a winning story in Writers of the Future vol. 36, the most prestigious contest for emerging SFF authors in the world. He was previously a finalist for the Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award, in 2023.

Locus of Control

“What do you mean when you say that you ‘belong’ on the lunar frontier?” Captain Braxton asks, free floating in her therapy office in the Sky Pharm’s clinical bay. “You’ve proven yourself time and again. How many more tours do you need, Master Sergeant?”

“The frontier is always going to need people who know what they’re doing,” I reply, picking at the patches on my flight suit. “And frankly, I have nowhere else to go. The front needs someone dedicated who isn’t going to make mistakes.”

“And that’s you?”

“It has to be.”

Braxton nods, keeping her arms held open in a well-practiced zero-G version of a “non-threatening posture.” She may be a therapist now, but we went through the same basic training. If it came to zero-gravity blows, I’m sure we’d have a good spar before I took her out. Of course, if I did that, I would never get put back on active duty. I could even end up Earthbound on a desk.

“You make it sound like you’re the only person with any agency in the whole sector,” she says. “I don’t believe that.”

“I’m sure you don’t believe a lot of what your patients say. But I’m telling you: If I’m not out there and people die, and I could have saved them . . . ”

A chill goes up my spine as I trail off. Every moment I sit here is a waste of my time.

“Orbital life is dangerous, Zeb, and the lunar front? Tenfold. Drone strikes, territorial disputes, piracy, supply shortages, to say nothing of the usual acts of God. It doesn’t have to be your responsibility, especially when you’ve already done your time and command wants you elsewhere. So, who do you owe here?”

Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for over forty years, a war gamer for over fifty, and an avid reader of science fiction for even longer. His experience in nuclear engineering and power systems began as a naval officer. Experience after the USN includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC).

The term “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) was coined by mathematician and computer scientist John McCarthy at a 1956 Dartmouth conference now deemed to be the birthplace of AI as a field of science, but the idea goes back nearly three millennia!

Baen Books has signed a contract with author Christopher Ruocchio to publish the final two books in his internationally award-winning Sun Eater series, as well as for a first look deal for Ruocchio’s next series.

We’re happy to announce an easier way to deliver our Ebooks directly from Baen.com to your favorite Ereader. You can now email EPUB files directly to your device from our site—no download necessary!

Baen to publish new science fiction novels from authors Monalisa Foster and Marisa Wolf

Lucille Robbins, Eric Flint’s widow and heir, in conjunction with Baen Books would like to announce the forthcoming titles from Eric Flint.

Baen to publish sword and sorcery series The Chronicles of Hanuvar, with first book in August 2023

Baen Books formally announced this year’s finalists for the Baen Fantasy Adventure Award earlier this month.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Eric Flint has passed away. We were proud to publish Eric’s first novel, Mother of Demons, in 1997, and to continue publishing his many worlds, including the best-selling Ring of Fire series that started with 1632.

There are several of Eric’s works already delivered and on the schedule. Eric was a tireless collaborator, and readers can also expect more of his works to be released with Eric’s designated collaborators in the future.

We will be celebrating Eric and his works on the Baen Free Radio Hour this week and the following week and encourage all to tune in.

—Toni Weisskopf
Publisher, Baen Books

Lakewood, Colorado author Wil McCarthy has been named the winner of the 2022 Prometheus Award for Best Novel, for his novel Rich Man’s Sky.