[Ouroboros]

I recently came across the following on John Ringo's website:-

July 4th Announcement

"I had thought to keep this a secret for a while. But given the grieving over Jim's passing, I think it's a good time to announce it.

Shortly after Jim's death, I got a call from Toni on "business matters." To ensure the health of the company, Jim had instructed that "while he was still warm" Baen should get contract agreements from its major authors.

I suggested a couple of contracts but knew in my heart the one that Jim would want me to offer. And then, as I was talking to Toni, I had an epiphany.

Therefore, I would like to announce that I will be signing a contract for three new Mike O'Neal novels.

They will have to wait for the two remaining Cally's Universe novels and one from me set in the pre-Hell's Faire time period. But I now have the issues with the continuing series resolved to my satisfaction. It should run to more than three/four books (possibly as high as nine) and I will get started on them as soon as possible.

It's what Jim would have wanted me to do."



This is good news. The original four Posleen War novels are regarded as probably the best military SF of the past ten years. Now, we have the prospect of anything from three to nine more of them. It also marks Ringo returning to the original mythos which made his name for him, after a string of less-than-successful attempts at duplicating that success with new series.

This led me on to the following: http://www.baen.com/cornerstone.htm

Baen Books Acting Publisher Toni Weisskopf has reached agreements for major new projects and series continuations with authors David Weber, John Ringo, Eric Flint, and Lois McMaster Bujold, four of Baen’s “brand name” authors and series anchors.

Included is a new Honor Harrington novel by David Weber, whose “Honorverse” books total nearly five million in print and regularly hit the New York Times best-seller list. John Ringo has agreed to write three more “Mike O’Neal” books in his extremely popular New York Times best-selling “Posleen War” series. In addition, alternate history master and New York Times best-seller Eric Flint has signed on for three solo novels in his groundbreaking and highly popular “1632” -- another New York Times best-selling series created by Baen Books. Finally, five-time Hugo Award winner Lois McMaster Bujold will deliver a new “Miles Vorkosigan” novel in her mega-hit best-selling science fiction adventure series.

“These are Baen’s ‘tentpole’ writers,” says Weisskopf. “Baen is set to maintain its rock-solid position in the marketplace. Having all of these wonderful writers aboard with new agreements is intensely satisfying and very exciting.”

Founded by Jim Baen in 1983, and known for its story-oriented approach, Baen Books is a dominant presence in the military science fiction and adventure genres, with over fifty million copies in print and over 35 New York Times best-sellers.

Looks like plenty to look forward to!

[Leiali]

Great news. I am a huge fan of the Vorkosigan Saga and never expected another story in the series.
I take it this is as a result of Jim Baen's death though? If so, I don't know enough about Baen or publishing, but I hope that this is something Baen would have wanted.

[FicusFan]

I am glad to hear the Miles will make another appearance (without his doormat wife I hope). The last story (Winterfair Gift) was interesting because it had Miles in it, but it was told from the the POV of one of his Armsmen - a nobody, but it gave an interesting perspective to the setting, characters, and the story. If LMB is running out of fresh ideas she can maybe work with some of his gang of friends. I would love to spend more time on his mother's planet and get more into the Beta Colony culture.

The only thing that might not be good is somewhere I heard the LMB was talking about needing to write the death of Miles' dad. Aral's death would suck big time - I might skip the book if thats whats in store.

I wonder if her fantasy is not selling all that well (though she has won a couple Hugos for it) because I also heard/read something about a brand new series ?

[Leiali]

I don't know if the fantasy is not selling well, but I know there is a new series planned as I looked on her website and have pre ordered it from Amazon. I also think she probably felt that there wasn't much more to write within the last series.

If there is a book about the death of Aral planned, I won't skip it, I shall read on reluctantly. Though you never know, it might be about Ekaterin saving the day and rescuing Miles and Cordelia from sure disaster :)