2027: Outlook in Science Fiction

[Hobbit]

We are now starting to get notice of books that will appear next year.
(The 2026 SF thread is HERE, by the way.)

So: a quick reminder - here you can post any news about SF books due in 2027. Photos would also be nice if you have them. The books can be new, or new reprints of old favourites.

As ever, this is not the place for authors to bring attention to their own work - you are politely pointed towards the Promotion Zone for such matters.

Mark

 

[Fryan]

I can barely keep tabs on what is coming out in our current month, let alone what’ll be hitting the shelves next year!

 

[Hobbit]

I can barely keep tabs on what is coming out in our current month, let alone what’ll be hitting the shelves next year!

We are into busy season now, Fryan: books for Christmas (not that far away!) are reaching publication date, and material is starting to arrive here for next year (which is why i started the thread!) My current 'winner' is a book due out in February 2027, but it's a historical book & non-genre, so I haven't shown it here.

There will be others soon.... .

 

[Fryan]

It’s a bit strange to think we are honing in on the holiday season! I guess I’ve never been up-to-date enough in the genre to stay on top of what is forthcoming, and historically I’ve been a reader who is quite a few years behind with the “current” stuff in the genre. (For example I’m currently reading Ancillary Justice.)

I’m trying to be a bit better about it and cherry pick stuff from various awards shortlists to add to my books to read list, and make sure I request at least one or two from my library so that I give them a go.

I’d be curious to know, how far in advance do reviewers like you tend to get ARCs? Or does it vary by author and publisher?

 

[Hobbit]

I’d be curious to know, how far in advance do reviewers like you tend to get ARCs? Or does it vary by author and publisher?

Well, I do read older stuff as well - recently reviewed a Robert Silverberg from the 1960's, for example. I also don't review everything I read.... but I always have a pile of books to get to - not complaining!

To answer the question, based on my own experience, it does depend in terms of both time and publisher. We have had books appear the week before publication, but usually it's a few weeks. Sometimes it can be months, which helps a lot as I/we can then set schedules, and decide who is reading/reviewing what. I guess the average is 1 - 2 months to give us time to read and cobble something together in a review.

We are also getting more digital e-ARC copies these days - they are cheaper (obviously) and can be with the reviewer in seconds. Must say,though, that we prefer physical copies where possible - we're old-fashioned, and think a physical copy has a certain 'something'.

I do use Kindle epub copies when I'm on the move or late at night, but the formatting of e-ARCs can be rough, and not reflecting the finished copies.

 

[Fryan]

Interesting to hear more about the world of ARCs and all that. Has it ever felt like your reviewing duties get in the way of your reading for pleasure?

 

[Westy]

Merlin's Way by Alastair Reynolds is out Jan 27th.

 

[Westy]

Also expected Jan 27th is These Savage Stars by Kameron Hurley. It's set in the same universe as The Stars Are Legion which I thought was pretty good.

 

[Hobbit]

Interesting to hear more about the world of ARCs and all that. Has it ever felt like your reviewing duties get in the way of your reading for pleasure?

It was my biggest reason for not reviewing, for a long time. I was worried that reading for review would stop my reading for pleasure. Generally, though, it doesn't. As I/we don't review everything we receive, often the books I review are books I would read anyway.

There are a few books I haven't got to that I'd like to: I'm behind with my Tad Williams reading, and I'm still to finish Malazan, for example - but I make sure I build in reading time that is not review-centred.

 

[Hobbit]

That Adrian Tchaikovsky bloke, who rarely has a book out ) has another out in March.



On an island alone in the sea, a monastic community of clones lives in the shadow of a long-wrecked spaceship. There are seven clone lineages in their Retreat, so only seven shared human faces in their world. They know that benevolent ancestors, who landed here in a past age, designed their peaceful lives. But the tide is about to turn.

While serving a punishment detail on the beach, rebellious clone Six-Maijo makes a harrowing discovery. A body with a face belonging to no known lineage has washed ashore. Secretly pursuing the mystery, Maijo learns that some questions are best left unasked. What happened to the missing, submerged section of their wrecked ship? Why is the sea casting up its corpses – and why won’t they stay dead? The Retreat is under threat, and something sinister lies waiting in the depths.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

That Adrian Tchaikovsky bloke, who rarely has a book out ) has another out in March.

View attachment 1086

On an island alone in the sea, a monastic community of clones lives in the shadow of a long-wrecked spaceship. There are seven clone lineages in their Retreat, so only seven shared human faces in their world. They know that benevolent ancestors, who landed here in a past age, designed their peaceful lives. But the tide is about to turn.

While serving a punishment detail on the beach, rebellious clone Six-Maijo makes a harrowing discovery. A body with a face belonging to no known lineage has washed ashore. Secretly pursuing the mystery, Maijo learns that some questions are best left unasked. What happened to the missing, submerged section of their wrecked ship? Why is the sea casting up its corpses – and why won’t they stay dead? The Retreat is under threat, and something sinister lies waiting in the depths.

OK, this one sounds potentially rather good. I may have to add it to my TBR list…