Phoenix Pick publishes reprints and new works of some of the best known authors in speculative fiction including Robert A. Heinlein, Larry Niven, Joe Haldeman, Robert Silverberg, Sprague L. de Camp, Daniel F. Galouye and many more.
Since 2013, we have also published a bi-monthly magazine, Galaxy's Edge, edited by Mike Resnick. In 2015 Mike Resnick was nominated for a Short Form Editor Hugo Award, and Kary Englishís story "Totaled," (published in Issue #9) was nominated for a Best Short Story Hugo Award. In 2016 Ron Friedman was nominated for the Aurora awards for his short story, "Game Not Over."
Recently Released
TROPE-ING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE FICTION
by Edward M. Lerner
"A must-have for every science-fiction writer. Edward M. Lerner has produced the best-ever guide to putting the science in science fiction, and he's done it with clarity, wit, and panache. A terrific book ó I'm recommending it to all my colleagues, and to all those who hope someday to be professional SF writers."óRobert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Quantum Night
"This is a book which covers a huge number of topics well and provides great scientific and science fictional stimulation."óDave Truesdale, Tangent Online
"I am entertained and enlightened."óLarry Niven, author of Ringworld
"A great source book for SF writers."óBud Sparhawk, author of Distant Seas
"Worth your time, your money, and your consideration, whether you're interested in accessible science, looking tounderstand trends in science fiction, oróoptimallyóboth."óTrevor Quachri, editor of Analog Science Fiction and Fact (excerpted from his guest foreword to the book)
Men have walked on the Moon. Siri and Alexa manageóat least often enough to be helpfulóto make sense of the things we say. Biologists have decoded DNA, and doctors have begun to tailor treatments to suit our individual genetic make-ups. In short: science and tech happen.
But faster-than-light travel? Time travel? Telepathy? A six million dollaróas adjusted, of course, for inflationóman? Starfaring aliens? Super-intelligent computers? Those, surely, are mere fodder for storytelling. Or wild extrapolations. Just so many ìsci fiî tropes.
Sometimes, yes. But not necessarily.
In Trope-ing the Light Fantastic, physicist, computer engineer, science popularizer, and award-winning science-fiction author Edward M. Lerner entertainingly examines these and many other SF tropes. The science behind the fiction.
Each chapter, along with its eminently accessible scientific discussion, surveys science fictionófoundational and modern, in short and long written form, on TV and the big screenóthat illustrates a particular trope. The good, the bad, and occasionally the cringe-worthy. All imparted with wit (and ample references to learn more).
So forget what the Wizard of Oz advised. Letís pull back the curtainÖ
THRESHOLD OF ETERNITY
by John Brunner and Damien Broderick
The legendary John Brunner wrote the original Threshold of Eternity in 1957. Sixty years later Damien Broderick revisits the world Brunner created in that classic, forward-looking story and modernizes it to retell the exciting tale of time travelers, augmented intelligences and aliens.
When Korean war vet Ret. Corporal Lawrence ìRedî Hawkins stumbles across a doctor from the future, he embarks on the most important journey of his lifeÖwith the future of humanity at stake. For he must travel thousands of years into the future to join in a galactic Time War where alien beings are poised to eradicate humanity in a conflict that never ends.
Spearheading the fight against the alien race (known only as the Enemy) is Artesha, a human so advanced, so damaged by a war sheís been fighting across endless time and space, that her physical form has been destroyed; she not only has been uploaded into the Centerís web where she runs humanityís vast communication networkóshe has become it.
While Artesha tries to calculate the best way to victory in a playing field being continuously altered by time surges, it is all that she and her fleet coordinators, Paulo Magwareet and Burma Brahmasutra, can do to keep up with the fallout. For there is also another presence at play whom the humans know as the Being, and the Enemy label the Beast. It will take all of the time travelers, across many different eras of humanity, working together to uncover this mysterious entityís goal, to make right a time torn asunder so they can forge a future for the human race.
In The Works
Phoenix Pick/Galaxy's Pick at Conventions- San Jose Worldcon, 2018
When Keelarah, Lead Interrogator in the Neuropsychsubdivision of the Cartheeli Military Caste, first meets the alien, she is prepared to do her duty. He is a trespasser on her planet, has caused the death of someone dear to her, and it is imperative she find out where heís come from and whether his kind poses a threat to her and her people.
Often ruthless in her techniques, the interrogator uses her telepathic and empathic abilities to assault his mind, to draw out any whisper of information that can give them a better idea of whatówhoóthey are dealing with. But she isnít prepared for the prisoner to defend himself with comparable talents, to disarm her with equally astute observations.
Chief Surveyor Forrest Brown might not be the best example of humanity, but he doesnít have to be to show Keelarah what it is to be humane. As they get to know each other, the line between captor and prisoner blur, which begs the question: is having different origins a more important factor, or the ability to find common ground? What if mutual alienation leads to the most profound bond of all.
What will it mean to be human in the future? How will we evolve in order to reach the stars?
Fifteen short stories collected in this book examine how interstellar flight might change humanity itself. Will we choose to upload our minds into a singularity? Enhance ourselves with alien DNA? Will our bodies remain the same, but our culture and societal norms adapt to accommodate for effects of time dilation, or become subsumed by advanced alien cultures?
Hugo and Nebula award winning authors, bestsellers, and some of the hottest new writers in the field of hard science fiction imagine an array of possible futuresófrom bright to dystopianóand different permutations of what's in store for us as a species.
Includes stories by Robert J. Sawyer, John Varley, Robert Silverberg, Brenda Cooper, Ken Liu, Mike Resnick, Jody Lynn Nye and many more.
WHEN PARALLEL LINES MEET
Mike Resnick with Lezli Robyn and Larry Hodges
ISBN 978-1-61242-307-4, 228 Pages, Trade Paperback 5î x 8î
"This book will be remembered as one of the major collections of the decade."óRobert J. Sawyer
Multiple award-winning authors, Mike Resnick and Lezli Robyn, get to the heart of the matter in Soulmates, which showcases all the words they have penned together over their years as collaborators (with a bonus solo piece by each). Whether a robot, alien, some kind of supernatural being or human, rising above our prejudices and ignorance allows us to make emotional connections that can have a profound effect on our lives.
Each of these stories examine a facet of the simple, yet incredibly complex, concept of companionship. They will make you laugh; will make you cryÖbut most importantly they will make you look at the very basic notion of soul-mates in a different light.
George R. R. Martin visiting the Phoenix Pick/Galaxy's Edge table. He had a crazy schedule being the guest of honor, but still found time to sign 200+ copies of the Galaxy's Edge magazine which featured him (interview plus a story).
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Dinner hosted by Phoenix Pick. From lower left: Joe Haldeman, Lee Emmet, John Varley, Lisa Turteldove, Harry Turtledove, Eric Flynn, Shahid Mahmud Larry Niven, Alex Shvartsman, Gay Haldeman (Kim Stanley Robinson later joined, Lezli Robyn taking the picture).
Phoenix Pick at Conventions- Balticon 2016
THE PHOENIX PICK FREE EBOOK PROGRAM: Phoenix Pick runs one of the most popular newsletter programs in the industry where we reward our readers for their loyalty with a free ebook every month. We have given away a free ebook every month since June, 2010 (with one exception: April 2016). Authors whose books have been offered include Larry Niven, Robert A. Heinlein, Mike Resnick, Robert Silverberg, and many others. Click here to sign up for the news-letter and our specials.
Larry Niven, Mike Resnick and C Stuart Hardwick signing at our table.
David Gerrold (author of the famous Star Trek episode, Trouble With Tribbles, and Worldcon Guest of Honor, 2015).
Robert J. Sawyer and the late David Hartwell relaxing at our table.
Phoenix Pick at Conventions - Worldcon 2015
Phoenix Pick is working with Spectrum Literary Agency and the Heinlein Prize Trust to bring back many of the legendary author's books to market in a number of media-formats including ebooks, hardcovers (select titles) and trade paperbacks.
Expanded Universe Vol I
Expanded Universe Vol II
Podkayne of Mars
Take Back Your Government
Double Star
Time for the Stars
In The Works
Phoenix Pick at Conventions - Boskone 2016
Aliens invading our tables
Shahid Mahmud (publisher) with customers
Phoenix Pick is a division of Arc Manor Publishers, Rockville, MD