Beth Krippel's blog

 I had the privilege of reading Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobb recently, due to be published in August 2014.

Novelist, poet, essayist, editor, agent – Frederik Pohl (November 26, 1919 – September 2, 2013) was a pioneer and champion of science fiction.  Not only did he create worlds for which he won many awards, including six Hugos as well as a Grand Master from the Science Fiction Writers of America, but he also guided and encouraged other writers.  With 75 years of influence in the genre, here are a few items worth checking out.  You can also look at the extensive summary on Frederik Pohl on the Internet Speculative Fiction Database.

The progression of Steampunk from fringe subgenre to mainstream has taken a few decades.  You could say it has taken a little over a century if you want to throw in H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, and we really should.  While those two authors are often relegated to the “classics” section of the library, their incorporation of the bizarre, anachronistic engineering, and influence from the possibilities of science put many of their stories clearly in the Steampunk category.

Another of the great SF authors has passed away.  Ray Bradbury (August 22, 1920 — June 5, 2012) is the author of SF classics such as Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, and