BUILD STARSHIPS NOW Some humans may be content staying in one place, but many of us are curious about what’s beyond the next village, the next ocean, the next horizon. Are there others like us out there? How will we reach them? Others are concerned with the survival of the species. It may be that we have to get out of Dodge before the lights go out on Earth. How can we accomplish this? Wonderful questions. Now get ready for some answers. Here is the science behind interstellar propulsion: reports from top tier scientists and engineers on starflight propulsion techniques that use only means and methods that we currently know are scientifically possible. Here are in-depth essays on antimatter containment, solar sails, and fusion propulsion. And the human consequences? Here is speculation by a magnificent array of award-winning SF writers on what an interstellar voyage might look like, might feel like—might be like. It’s an all-star cast abounding with Hugo and Nebula award winners: Ben Bova, Mike Resnick, Jack McDevitt, Michael Bishop, Sarah A. Hoyt, and more. Comprehensive teacher's guide available. About Stellaris: People of the Stars, coedited by Les Johnson: “[A] thought-provoking look at a selection of real-world challenges and speculative fiction solutions. . Readers will enjoy this collection that is as educational as it is entertaining.”—Booklist “This was an enjoyable collection of science fiction dealing with colonizing the stars. In the collection were several gems and the overall quality was high.”—Tangent About Mission to Methone, by Les Johnson: “The spirit of Arthur C. Clarke and his contemporaries is alive and well in Johnson’s old-fashioned first-contact novel, set in 2068. includes plenty of realistic detail and puts fun new spins on familiar alien concepts. There’s a great deal here for fans of early hard SF.”—Publishers Weekly “With equal parts science fiction and international intrigue. an exciting, fast-paced read that you will not want to put down.”—Booklist About Rescue Mode, by Ben Bova and Les Johnson: “. a suspenseful and compelling narrative of the first human spaceflight to Mars.”—Booklist About Jack McDevitt: “The logical heir to Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.”—Stephen King “‘Why read Jack McDevitt?’ The question should be: ‘Who among us is such a slow pony that s/he isn’t reading McDevitt?’”—Harlan Ellison “You should definitely read Jack McDevitt.”—Gregory Benford

NO BATTLE PLAN SURVIVES CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY Everyone has a different war. For some in the UN Peacekeeping mission to Grainne, the struggle is just to survive. For others, it's to remain sane, or keep one's friends and comrades physically and mentally intact. When the rules of engagement are in constant flux, and orders are unclear or based on false information, just getting back inside the fence can be an accomplishment. For the rebels of the Freehold of Grainne, they must form an organized force from the shattered remnants of their military, and from grimly determined, but underequipped and outnumbered insurgents. Their war is for their very way of life. They'll do everything and anything to stop this invasion, using whatever means are available. They mean to make the enemy suffer. Quod vulnera curare potes. “Because physical wounds heal.” Contributors Jamie Ibson Jonathan D. Green Kevin J. Anderson and Kevin Ikenberry Michael Z. Williamson Jessica Schlenker Jaime DiNote Will McCaskey Justin Watson J.F. Holmes and Jason Cordova Christopher DiNote and Philip Wohlrab About Freehold: Resistance: “. . a rousing collection . this anthology will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys military fiction.” —James W. Rawles, New York Times best-selling author and creator of SurvivalBlog Praise for Forged in Blood: “The anthology celebrates soldiers and their tools. Most of all, it celebrates warriors and the stuff that makes them so—the mettle more than the metal.”—Tangent “Fans of combat science fiction will find this collection irresistible . an entertaining and engaging book.”—The Galveston County Daily News About Michael Z. Williamson: “A fast-paced, compulsive read . will appeal to fans of John Ringo, David Drake, Lois McMaster Bujold, and David Weber.”—Kliatt “Williamson's military expertise is impressive.”—SFReviews Novels of Michael Z. Williamson's Freehold Universe: Freehold series Freehold The Weapon The Rogue Contact with Chaos Angeleyes Freehold: Forged in Blood Freehold: Resistance Ripple Creek series Better to Beg Forgiveness . Do Unto Others . When Diplomacy Fails . Standalone A Long Time Until Now

ADVENTURE SET TO THE MUSIC OF TIME! Time waits for no one, but for the residents of 17th-century Europe, the future comes calling—ahead of time! Due to a temporal disturbance known as the Ring of Fire, the 20th-century town of Grantville, West Virginia, finds itself transported through time and space to Central Europe in the year 1632. Massive political and social upheavals take place. But change happens on a smaller, human scale, too. In “The Flight of the Nightingale” down-timer Francesca Caccini is inspired by the arrival of Grantville to seek a different destiny from what would have been her lot in a future without the up-timer intrusion—that is, to die with a reputation as a brilliant composer and performer, but to later be essentially forgotten by all but the cognoscenti. And in “Bach to the Future,” Johann and his brothers commit themselves to preserve, protect, and promote their family’s heritage from the future, even if in this future there will be no Johann Sebastian Bach! Two novels set in Eric Flint’s best-selling Ring of Fire series shine a light on the overlooked corners of the Ring of Fire universe, where small actions can have life-altering consequences. About 1636: The Devil's Opera, by Eric Flint and David Carrico: “Another engaging alternate history from a master of the genre.”— Booklist “. . an old-style police-procedural mystery, set in 17th century Germany. the threads . spin together . to weave an addictively entertaining story. a strong addition to a fun series.”— The Galveston County Daily News

When a tiny space probe hurtled past Pluto in 2015, no one could know that its most amazing discovery would remain hidden for years. Only when a long-lost Soyuz is destroyed in the skies above Siberia does the truth begin to emerge. About to embark on NASA’s first expedition to the outer planets, the crew of the spacecraft Magellan learns someone else has beaten them by a few decades: a top-secret Soviet project codenamed Arkangel. It was a mission that began before most of them were even born, and the Kremlin believes it drove their most trusted crew mad. During their long race to the Kuiper Belt, astronauts Jack Templeton and Traci Keene unwind a decades-old mystery buried in the pages of a dead cosmonaut’s journal. Challenging their own beliefs about the nature of humanity, they will soon confront the question of existence itself. About Farside by Patrick Chiles: "The situations are realistic, the characters interesting, the perils harrowing, and the stakes could not be higher...The story is one of problem solving, adventure, survival, improvisation, and includes one of the most unusual episodes of space combat in all of science fiction. It would make a terrific movie."— John Walker, Ricochet.com "...a fast-paced and exciting story which bounces between the borders of technological thriller and science fiction...Farside is an impressive effort."—Mark Lardas, The Galveston County Daily News

Elves. Leprechauns. Gremlins. Call them what you like. These little dudes may be the stuff of legend, but they're just as real as you and me. Far from the mythical, magical creatures of rumor, they are actually tiny aliens, marooned for centuries on this miserable mudball known as Earth. And they want just one thing: OFF! Now, human technology may finally make a reality of their dreams to leave this pathetic planet behind. NASA has a new rocket and it's Mars-bound. All the gremlins need do is hijack it and set a course for their homeworld of Gremla. The only thing lacking is a hapless human accomplice . . About The Best of Bova Volume III: “Ben Bova is a living legend. .The hallmarks of Bova’s fiction . are believable human characters and complete rationality. He adheres to the philosophy articulated by John W. Campbell, Jr. that the best science fiction involves not just science and technology, but their impact on people. [I]f you care about the history of science fiction, or if you just want to read some good stories, you’ll be happy with this one.”—Analog About the award-winning stories and novels of Ben Bova: “Technically accurate and absorbing. .”—Kirkus “[Bova is] the science fiction author who will have the greatest effect on the world.”—Ray Bradbury “A masterful storyteller”—Vector “Gives a good read while turning your eyes to what might be in the not so distant future, just like Clarke and Asimov used to do so well.”—SFX About Mars, Inc., by Ben Bova: “. .perfectly enjoyable as an SF book (could Bova write anything that wasn’t enjoyable?), Mars, Inc. has that torn-from-the-headline vibe that’s obviously intended for a larger audience. the bottom line? Mars, Inc. has inspiration, excitement, thrills, romance, a dash of satire—and is a good, fun read . .”—Analog “The Hugo winner returns to his most popular subject: the quest for Mars.”—Publishers Weekly “. escapist fantasy for rocket scientists and space engineers, those dreaming of these kinds of missions. Yet Bova’s story is rigorously realistic. a fun read showing you do not need car chases or shootouts to deliver a fast-paced and exciting story."—Daily News of Galveston County Praise for Time Storm by Gordon R. Dickson: "Dickson has done a superb job."—Publishers Weekly "Dickson at his best. One of the notable science fiction novels of the year."—Booklist "One of those rare books that holds your attention constantly. The suspense at some points is almost unbearable, leaving the reader breathless and glad the crisis has passed."—New Orleans Times-Picayune "Science fiction that seduces. A masterful science fiction story told by a masterful science fiction writer."—Milwaukee Journal About Gordon R. Dickson: "Dickson is one of SF's standard-bearers."—Publishers Weekly "Dickson has a true mastery of pacing and fine understanding of human beings."—Seattle Post Intelligencer "A masterful science fiction writer."—Milwaukee Journal "Dickson is among the best storytellers we have ever has...one of the finest makers that our field has ever known."—Poul Anderson

Exiled from Liad after bombing a city to save it from The Department of the Interior’s infernal weapons and plans, Clan Korval has gone to ground on the back-water planet Surebleak, whose people are as untamed as its weather. The old Boss-controlled fiefdoms largely fell to Pat Rin yos’Phelium’s influence, but the world is restive, the influx of outworld lawyers, guns, and money a brewpot for armed dissatisfaction. Far beyond the surface of frigid Surebleak Korval’s farflung trade network needs a serious reset to recover from exile. From flagship Dutiful Passage to the experimental—if centuries old—self-aware Bechimo co-captained by the Delm’s blood-sister Theo Waitley, the clan’s ships are prowling space lanes seeking trade. Meanwhile, Old Tech from a failed universe—the ancient but revived Tinsori Light—and the machinations of the mysterious Uncle are coalescing into dangerous opportunity or nefarious trap. And the Department of the Interior is not done with Clan Korval yet. They seek a final fully reckoned revenge, with Surebleak and Korval’s ships and people everywhere in the crosshairs. Praise for The Liaden Universe®: "This series [is] . . the premier place to find good romantic SF adventure. strong characters finding their own way (and, often, each other) in an action-packed galaxy of worlds. Every story stands on its own; readers don’t have to be familiar with the Liaden universe. Those who have had the pleasure, though, will find many connections to existing tales.” —Analog on A Liaden Constellation, Volume 1 "As always, this intelligent space opera focuses on matters of manners, honor, duty, and clever repartee; violence is rarely the solution, and subtlety wins out over overt force. [Neogenesis] provides thoroughly satisfying progression or resolution for multiple threads and will feel comfortably familiar for fans of Korval’s escapades."—Publishers Weekly on Neogenesis “[S]prawling and satisfying. Space opera mixes with social engineering, influenced by Regency-era manners and delicate notions of honor. [I]t’s like spending time with old friends . .”—Publishers Weekly on Dragon in Exile “Compelling and wondrous, as sharp and graceful as Damascus steel, Necessity's Child is a terrific addition to Lee & Miller's addictive series.”—Patricia Briggs on Necessity's Child “Every now and then you come across an author, or in this case, a pair, who write exactly what you want to read, the characters and personalities that make you enjoy meeting them. I rarely rave on and on about stories, but I am devoted to Lee and Miller novels and stories.”—Anne McCaffrey “These authors consistently deliver stories with a rich, textured setting, intricate plotting, and vivid, interesting characters from fully-realized cultures, both human and alien, and each book gets better.”—Elizabeth Moon “[D]elightful stories of adventure and romance set in a far future. .space opera milieu. It’s all a rather heady mix of Gordon R. Dickson, the Forsythe Saga, and Victoria Holt, with Lee and Miller’s own unique touches making it all sparkle and sizzle. Anyone whose taste runs toward SF in the true romantic tradition can’t help but like the Liaden Universe.”—Analog “[T]he many fans of the Liaden universe will welcome the latest…continuing young pilot Theo Waitley’s adventures.”—Booklist on Saltation “[A]ficionados of intelligent space opera will be thoroughly entertained. .[T]he authors' craftsmanship is top-notch.”—Publishers Weekly on Lee and Miller’s popular Liaden Universe® thriller, I Dare

Learn how to create stunning, expressive character illustrations using alcohol markers with this comprehensive how-to-draw guide from artist Lidia Cambón (@msshanh). Using her signature, colourful style, popular artist Lidia Cambón shares the ins-and-outs of illustrating beautiful and unique characters with alcohol markers, a type of permanent marker that allows artists to blend vibrant colours easily with little to no smearing. Through this book's in-depth lessons, example illustrations, and practice pages, learn fundamental character drawing techniques like: - The basics of colour theory, and how it can be used thoughtfully to create unique characters - Techniques for blending and shading with your markers, and how you can avoid streaks and splotches - How to draw hair, facial expressions, and other human characteristics to add realism to your characters - Choosing the right materials to make your illustrations pop - ...and many more drawing techniques Whether you're new to drawing or an experienced illustrator, Cambón's guidance will show you how to make your ideas come to life and create colourful, endearing character illustrations.

In a time before the Emerald City, the Wicked Witch of the North ruled all of Oz. Banished to the southern lands many eons ago and kept at bay by ancient magicks far beyond her control, she languished. Now, with the Witch’s exile finally coming to an end, Dorothy and her friends will witness the return of the true Wicked Witch to the Marvelous Land of OZ! Collects Oz: Return of the Wicked Witch #1-3.