It’s been more than two years since I last sent out one of these newsletters. I blame that long silence on too much work publishing books, and I really do appreciate your support.

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Though there hasn’t been a newsletter, there has been a lot of Fantastic Books activity: a bunch of books published and republished, wonderful reviews and blurbs, lots of travels and conventions.… And it’s time to communicate with you directly, to let you know about some of the wonderful things you may not yet have noticed, a few that are coming in—literally—days.

 

Starting with the brand-newest, we’ve got one I’m particularly happy about.

 

I’m thrilled to announce that Wandering Through Time—the first collection of my own fiction—is debuting, officially, on December 3, 2024. The stories in this book have all previously been published in anthologies and magazines (such as Analog and Nature), and it’s time to make them available in this less-than-ephemeral, good-looking edition. Thirty-five-time Hugo nominee Stanley Schmidt says the book “displays a delightful diversity of thought-provoking ideas and engaging storytelling.” Analog Editor Trevor Quachri says it is “recommended for your witty friends, history buffs, and time-travel fans.” And True Review actually says “Ian Randal Strock is the Harry Turtledove of short-short SF.” I’m blushing.
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And coming next week, we’re republishing all four volumes in the Future Boston series: Future Boston edited by David Alexander Smith, Vubre the Great by Jon Burrowes, In the Cube by David Alexander Smith, and Slow Lightning by Steven Popkes.

Since that last newsletter, we’ve published (among others) the following brand-new books:

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The Eye of Argon and the Further Adventures of Grignr the Barbarian edited by Michael A. Ventrella. The original cult-classic fantasy adventure story has spawned, well, more. (November 18, 2022)

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If You Shoot the Breeze, Are You Murdering the Weather? by Alan Dean Foster. He’s a classic sf author, but he’s also a regular newspaper columnist, commenting on science, the arts, and travel. This collection is his first 100 columns. (October 20, 2022)

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Conspiracies and Cryptids edited by Charles Barouch, Jerry Wang, and Sylvia Goldin. All those stories of the weird and outlandish? They’re all true. Find out in this anthology. (January 18, 2023)

 

Can Your Heart Stand the Shocking Truth? by Daniel M. Kimmel. The classic film Plan 9 from Outer Space gets a wonderful annotation in the manner it deserves. (March 15, 2023)

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Jewish Futures edited by Michael A. Burstein. We announced the Kickstarter campaign for this in the last newsletter. Since then, Publishers Weekly has said of it “These stories open diverse and challenging vistas for sci-fi fans—Jewish and gentile alike.” (August 7, 2023)

 

Project Solar Sail (21st Century Edition) edited by Arthur C. Clarke, David Brin, and Stephen W. Potts. The classic volume of science and science fiction about solar sailing, updated and with new stories. (May 28, 2024)

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The Architects by Apollo Harrison. Albert Einstein and H.P. Lovecraft travel back in time to battle the minions of Cthulhu. (June 4, 2024)

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Disturbing Stories by Ron Miller. Nebula Award-winner Susan Shwartz said of this book, “If you cross the Twilight Zone with Ray Bradbury and add a dollop of film noir, you may be reading Ron Miller’s Disturbing Stories. Miller has a gift for turning the everyday into the terrifying with one elegantly simple last line that chills, amuses, and shocks. Miller’s style is deceptively simple, which makes his stories even more… well, disturbing. Sit with your back against a wall and the lights on. And DON’T read this at night!” (June 11, 2024)

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In Memoriam by Fred Lerner. The remnant of humanity discovers that their rescue by the alien wyneri may not have been altruism, but may have been an act of contrition. (July 2, 2024)

 

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We’ve also been honored to bring back into print several others, including:

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I Remember the Future by Michael A. Burstein (November 15, 2022)

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Big Stick by Michael A. Ventrella (November 18, 2022)

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Edward M. Lerner’s InterstellarNet trilogy (Origins, New Order, and Enigma) (November 28, 2023)

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Counting Tadpoles by Uncle River (10/9/24)

 

Bloodsuckers by Michael A. Ventrella (October 28, 2024)

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Tales of Fortannis edited by Michael A. Ventrella (November 26, 2024)

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The delay since the last newsletter was because we were working on all these projects, and we’ve got even more scheduled in the next few months! But we’ll try to be better about communicating with you, as well.

 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share this newsletter far and wide.

 

Ian Randal Strock, Publisher