Vorab-RezensentenIan Whates

This is the eighth year of the Best of British Science Fiction anthology series, and once again editor Donna Scott has outdone herself, scouring magazines, anthologies, webzines and obscure genre corners to discover the very best science fiction stories by British and British-based authors published during 2022. Two dozen stories, varying greatly in subject matter and style.

Donna Scott is a director and former chair of the BSFA, as well as being a distinguished poet, writer, and stand-up comedian. Donna is also a free-lance editor who has worked behind the scenes for a number of major publishers over the course of several years.

Contents:

Introduction by Donna Scott

A Moment of Zugzwang – Neil Williamson

A Quickening Tide – Andrew Wilson and A J McIntosh

In the Weave – David Whitmarsh

The Marshalls of Mars – Tim Major

The Amelioration of Existence in Spite of Truth and Reconciliation – EM Faulds

Last Bite at the Klondike – Liam Hogan

For I Shall Consider My Cat J/FRY – Alice Dryden

The FenZone – Ian Whates

Translation – Philip Irving

Long Live the Strawberries of Finsbury Park – Stephen Oram

Eternal Soldier – L.N. Hunter

I Know What You Are – Matt Thompson

Gortcullinane Man – Val Nolan

The Spreads of Space and Endless Devastation – Stewart Baker

Call of the Void – J.K. Fulton

Retirement Options for (Too) Successful Space Entrepreneurs – Brent Baldwin

The Memory Spider – Fiona Moore

Sunrunner – Robert Bagnall

Assets – Keith Brooke and Eric Brown

The Flamingo Maximizer – Dafydd McKimm

Wheel of Fortune – Ida Keogh

Those We Leave Behind – Vaughan Stanger

Junk Hounds – Lavie Tidhar

About the Authors

A disgraced swordsman who has been living off his reputation as a former member of a notorious mercenary band leaves town one step ahead of justice.

In search of employment, he decides to head for the seaport town of Cray, a former haunt where he hasn't yet disgraced himself, unlike so many others. His past, however, soon catches up with him in the form of Julia, a notorious thief and sometimes assassin. He finds himself thrust into an impossible situation, caught in the midst of a bitter feud between the city's two ruling families and forced to embark on what will surely prove to be a suicide mission.

A novella of sword play, betrayal, and derring-do, seen from the perspective of a cynical anti-hero who struggles to live up to expectations but excels at living down to them.

“A cheerfully brutal story of betrayal and skulduggery, vicious fun from start to finish.” – Adrian Tchaikovsky

“A quick, highly readable, swords & sorcery romp… you can see Whates has learned his craft.” – Mark Lawrence

“The Double-Edged Sword is a slice of pure golden-age sword and sorcery action, packed with rogues, betrayals and dubious morals.” – Jen Williams

“Action, deception, a daring heist and lots of twists and turns. Excellent world building and intriguing characters. I really enjoyed it!” – Gail Z. Martin

Burning Brightly: 50 Years of Novacon is an anthology of rare reprints and original fiction from some of the biggest names in British Science Fiction. It includes “The Spheres” by Iain M. Banks, a story that has never been collected or reprinted since it first appeared in 2010 Novacon souvenir booklet, alongside similar rarities by Stephen Baxter, Peter F. Hamilton, Justina Robson, Paul McAuley, Jaine Fenn, Geoff Ryman, Juliet E. McKenna and Anne Nicholls. Also featured are original stories by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Ian R. MacLeod, Eric Brown, Kari Sperring, and Martin Sketchley. One of the longest running science fiction conventions in the world, Novacon is an established feature of the UK genre scene, with an illustrious list of guests stretching back over 50 years. To commemorate the event’s 50th anniversary, members of the convention committee have selected their favourite stories from those that have kindly been written by guests for the convention over the years. Those stories are presented here along with five new stories written for the book by other former guests and attendees. Table of Contents: Burning Brightly: Introduction by Rog Peyton Chiron – Stephen Baxter The Spheres – Iain M. Banks Acts of Defiance – Eric Brown Heatwave – Anne Nicholls Alien TV – Paul McAuley Canary Girls – Kari Sperring Softlight Sins – Peter F. Hamilton Erie Lackawana Song – Justina Robson Through the Veil – Juliet E. McKenna The Coming of Enkidu – Geoff Ryman Red Sky in the Morning – Adrian Tchaikovsky The God of Nothing – Ian R. MacLeod The Ships of Aleph – Jaine Fenn Bloodbirds – Martin Sketchley About the Authors Avialble as a mobi, epub or pdf file.

Thirteen stories that look to the future of this diverse, multi-faceted city, London; stories that invite the reader to consider different perspectives. Stories that draw you in to possible tomorrows and suggest what may lie just beyond the city’s ever-changing skyline. Militant A.I.s, virtual realities, augmented realities and alternative realities; a city where murderers stalk the streets, where drug lords rule from the shadows, and where large sections of the population are locked in time stasis, but where tea is still sipped in cafés on the corner and the past still resonates with the future... Neal Asher opens the anthology with a story set in his Polity Universe, Dave Hutchinson gives us a novelette from his Fractured Universe milieu, Jeremy Szal takes us to the world of his debut novel Stormblood, M.R. Carey, Aliette de Bodard, Geoff Ryman, Aliya Whiteley and a cast of equally talented writers transport us to Londons near and far... Contents: 1. Introduction by Ian Whates 2. Skin – Neal Asher 3. The Good Shepherd – Stewart Hotston 4. Infinite Tea in the Demara Café – Ida Keogh 5. War Crimes – M.R. Carey 6. Fog and Pearls at the King’s Cross Junction – Aliya Whiteley 7. Nightingale Floors – Dave Hutchinson 8. Something Went Wrong in Heaven – Geoff Ryman 9. A Visit in Whitechapel – Eugen Bacon 10. Herd Instinct – Fiona Moore 11. Death Aid – Joseph Elliott-Coleman 12. A Dance of Dust and Life – Aliette de Bodard 13. Commute – Andrew Wallace 14. Scream in Blue – Jeremy Szal 15. About the Authors Book is available as Kindle, epub, or pdf.

The concluding volume of the Dark Angels Trilogy, which began with the Amazon UK #1 best seller Pelquin's Comet. The Dark Angels – a notorious band of brigands turned folk heroes who disbanded a decade ago – are all that stands between humanity and disaster. Reunited with their ship, The Ion Raider, Drake, Leesa, Jen and their fellow Angels must prevent a resurrected Elder, last of a long dead alien race from reclaiming the scientific marvels of his people. The resurrected alien, Mudball, has discovered the whereabouts of the ultimate Elder cache, long considered to be a myth. Supported by an outlawed military regiment and a star-spanning criminal organisation, Mudball is intent on using the scientific marvels stored there to establish itself as God over all of humankind. Can one ship of reluctant heroes hope to stop them? The Dark Angels know they have little choice but to try. Available in kindle, e-pub, or pdf formats

An anthology of sinister tales, ghost stories, thrillers and descriptive vignettes that reach from the Victorian era to the current day, all steeped in the essence of London’s urban community, its industrial heritage, the docks, Victoriana, the Blitz and the War. Nine original stories and seven classic reprints that explore the capital’s dark underbelly but also celebrate its character and charm. Contents: 1. Introduction by Ian Whates 2. Hunger – Bryony Pearce 3. A Street – Arthur Morrison 4. A Maze for the Minotaur – Reggie Oliver 5. The Phantom Model (A Wapping Romance) – Hume Nisbet 6. The Ghost of Cock Lane – Rose Biggin 7. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle – Juliet E. McKenna 8. Watercress Girl – Henry Mayhew 9. Queen Rat – David Rix 10. Christopherson – George Gissing 11. From The Casebook of Master Wiggins, Esq. – Paul Di Filippo 12. Albert And The Engine Of Albion – Terry Grimwood 13. In the Tube – E.F. Benson 14. A Romance of the Piccadilly Tube – T.G. Jackson 15. Blood and Bone – Susan Boulton 16. Behind the Shade – Arthur Morrison 17. Southall Tantra – Paul StJohn Mackintosh About the Authors Available as a Kindle, ePub or pdf.

Book is available as a Kindle, ePub or pdf file. The English language edition of an anthology showcasing the very best steampunk stories from three different countries released by three different publishers in three different languages. From the UK, George Mann (a new Newbury & Hobbes tale), Jonathan Green (a new Pax Brittania tale), and Derry O’Dowd; from Finland, Magdalena Hai (winner of the Atorox Award and the Finnish Literary Export Prize), multiple award-winning Anne Leinonen, and J.S. Meresmaa (whose work has been shortlisted for the Anni Polva, Kuvastaja, and Atorox Awards); and from Portugal, Anton Stark, Diana Pinguicha, and Pedro Cipriano (winner of Fórum Fantástico's Choice of the Year Award). Contents: Introduction by Ian Whates Steampunk UK Seasons of Wither – George Mann Reckless Engineering – Jonathan Green The Athenian Dinner Party – Derry O’Dowd Steampunk Finland Foreword by J.S. Meresmaa The Winged Man Isaac – Magdalena Hai The Cylinder Hat – Anne Leinonen Augustine – J.S. Meresmaa Steampunk Portugal Foreword by Pedro Cipriano Videri Quam Esse – Anton Stark The Desert Spider – Pedro Cipriano Heart of Stone – Diana Pinguicha

Editor Donna Scott has selected the very best short fiction by British authors published during 2016. Twenty-four stories, from established names and rising stars. Contents: Introduction by Donna Scott Joanne Hall - Arrested Development Peter F. Hamilton - Ten Love Songs to Change the World Eric Brown & Keith Brooke - Beyond the Heliopause Gwyneth Jones - The Seventh Gamer Nick Wood - Dream-Hunter Robert Bagnall - Shooting the Messenger Neil Davies - The Lightship Liam Hogan - Ana Jaine Fenn - Liberty Bird Sarah Byrne - Joined Ian Watson - Heinrich Himmler in the Barcelona Hallucination Cell Una McCormack - Taking Flight Den Patrick - People, Places and Things Paul Graham Raven - Staunch Adam Roberts - Between Nine and Eleven Natalia Theodoridou - Ajdenia Sylvia Spruck Wrigley - To Catch a Comet Tricia Sullivan - How to Grow Silence from Seed Tade Thompson - The Apologists Ian Whates - Montpellier Neil Williamson - Foreign Bodies Michael Brookes - The 10 Second War Adam Connors - Possible Side Effects E. J. Swift - Front Row Seat to the End of the World

Sequel to the Amazon UK #1 Best Seller 'Pelquin’s Comet' As Drake receives his most dangerous assignment yet – one which he suspects is a trap but knows he can’t refuse – his former crew, the notorious brigands known as the Dark Angels, are being hunted down one by one and murdered. Determined to find those responsible before they find her, Leesa teams up with Jen, another former Dark Angel, and together they set out to thwart the mysterious organization known as Saflik, little dreaming where that path will lead them. Praise for Pelquin’s Comet: “This novel is a good, unashamed, rip-roaring piece of space opera that hits the spot…” – The Financial Times “Classic space opera at its finest, a satisfying and enjoyable novel in its own right and an intriguing introduction to a story universe I want to visit again. Thoroughly recommended.” – SFcrowsnest “One of the most enjoyable Sci-fi books of the year, fast-moving, full of character, great fun.” – Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award winning author of Children of Time “A natural story-teller, Whates works his material with verve, obvious enjoyment, and an effortlessly breezy prose style.” – The Guardian “Intrigue and action in this high octane collision between Firefly, the Bourne films and Indiana Jones. A two-fisted SF adventure, space opera as it should be written!” – Gavin Smith, author of Veteran “Whates’ space opera hits all the right notes.” – Simon Morden, Philip K Dick Award-winning author “Highly entertaining space opera.” – Bristol Book Log Available in mobi ePub and kindle formats

“Storm Constantine is a myth-making Gothic queen, whose lush tales are compulsive reading. Her stories are poetic, involving, delightful and depraved. I wouldn’t swap her for a dozen Anne Rices.” – Neil Gaiman Storm Constantine is one of our finest writers of genre fiction. This new collection, Splinters of Truth, features fifteen stories, four of them original to this volume, that transport the reader to richly imagined realms one moment and shine a light on our own world’s darkest corners the next. A writer of rare passion, Storm delivers here some of her most accomplished work to date. “Storm Constantine… is a daring romantic sensualist, as well as a fine storyteller.” – Poppy Z Brite “Storm Constantine is a literary fantasist of outstanding power and originality. Her work is rich, idiosyncratic and completely engaging. Her themes have much in common with Philip K Dick – the nature of identify, the nature of reality, the creative power of the human imagination – while her sensibility reminds me of Angela Carter at her most inventive.” – Michael Moorcock Available as a mobi, epub, or kindle file.

Available as mobi, ePub, and kindle. David Gemmell passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of memorable characters, epic settings, and thrilling tales. In 2008 a group of fellow writers and friends led by Deborah J Miller and Stan Nicholls founded the David Gemmell Legend Award in his honour. In 2013, NewCon Press released Legends, an anthology of original stories by some of today’s leading fantasy authors in honour of a man whose work has so inspired them. We are now proud to announce Legends II, featuring an all new cast of distinguished authors in a volume that fully lives up to the high standards of its predecessor. As with the first volume, Legends 2 acts as a fundraiser for the David Gemmell Awards. Welcome to the land of Legends… Contents: 1. Introduction – Stan Nicholls 2. The Blessed and the Cursed – Gav Thorpe 3. A Rescue – Mark Lawrence 4. The Lowest Place – Edward Cox 5. The Giant’s Lady – Rowena Cory Daniells 6. An Oath Given – John Gwynne 7. The Singer – Stella Gemmell 8. Sandrunners – Anthony Ryan 9. Smokestack Lightning – Gavin Smith 10. Oak – Lou Morgan 11. An Owl in Moonlight – Freda Warrington 12. Heaven of Animals – John Hornor Jacobs 13. The Iron Wolves: Retribution – Andy Remic 14. About the Authors

In an age of exploration and expansion, the crew of the freetrader Pelquin’s Comet – a rag-tag group of misfits, ex-soldiers and ex-thieves – set out to find a cache of alien technology, intent on making their fortunes; but they are not the only interested party and find themselves in a deadly race against corporate agents and hunted by the authorities. Forced to combat enemies without and within, they strive to overcome the odds under the watchful eye of an unwelcome guest: Drake, agent of the bank funding their expedition, who is far more than he seems and may represent the greatest threat of all. “Intrigue and action in this high octane collision between Firefly, the Bourne films and Indiana Jones. A two-fisted SF adventure, space opera as it should be written!” – Gavin Smith, author of Veteran. Available as pdf, mobi, epub.

A dazzling blend of science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy and horror: a set of stories that traverses genre boundaries, linked only by their common inspiration. Contributors were given just those two words: ‘Dark Currents’ and then asked to let their imaginations run wild… From haunted seascapes to distant starscapes, from reality-hopping soldiers to naval battles in the ether, from the deeply poignant to the breathlessly exciting... immerse yourself in deep Dark Currents. 1. Introduction by Ian Whates 2. The Fall of Lady Sealight – Adrian Tchaikovsky 3. The Age of Entitlement – Adam Nevill 4. Electrify Me – Tricia Sullivan 5. Alternate Currents – Rod Rees 6. The Barricade – Nina Allan 7. Things that Are Here Now – Andrew Hook 8. Loose Connections – Finn Clarke 9. Sleepless in R’lyeh – Lavie Tidhar 10. Damnation Seize my Soul – Jan Edwards 11. Home – Emma Coleman 12. A Change in the Weather – Rebecca J Payne 13. Bells Ringing Under the Sea – Sophia McDougall 14. In Tauris – Una McCormack 15. Lost Sheep – Neil Williamson 16. The Bleeding Man – Aliette de Bodard 17. George – V.C. Linde Winners will be emailed the book in Kindle and ePUB formats. A PDF edition is available on request.