http://cache.io9.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/io9.com.png http://io9.com/tag/mary robinette kowal http://io9.com/tag/mary robinette kowal Metatropolis thrilled us with its near-future shared world and its daring take on urban decay and reinvention. So we're psyched that a second volume is coming out — focusing exclusively on one of the most memorable settings in the first book, the reborn Pacific Northwest known as Cascadia. Edited by Jay Lake, whose "In The Forests Of The Night" brought Cascadia to life, the new volume will once again be written for audio-book and released by Audible.com. Here's the blurb: More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5657396&view=rss&microfeed=true

Summer is the most escapist time of year, with vacations and long voyages. And no escapist jaunt is complete without a visit to other worlds. Here are the best science fiction and fantasy books for this summer's beach reading. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5582419&view=rss&microfeed=true

Campbell Award winner Mary Robinette Kowal's debut novel, the Regency-set Shades Of Milk And Honey, doesn't come out for another month. But you can read the first chapter right now, on her website. [Mary Robinette Kowal via Scalzi] More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5580117&view=rss&microfeed=true

It used to be, everyone who wrote science fiction was a scientist, or full-time scribbler. But now, authors like Audrey Niffenegger, Rudy Rucker and Mary Robinette Kowal also make art. We talked art/SF with them. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5238329&view=rss&microfeed=true The list of Hugo Award finalists, announced yesterday, is a bit less mystifying than the Nebula finalists, which came out a while back - especially in the novel category. All five of the novel finalists are books we enjoyed, and would be delighted to see win. Meanwhile, it's good to see Charles Coleman Finlay's "The Political Prisoner" and Mary Robinette Kowal's "Evil Robot Monkey" getting recognition. (There seems to be a bit of a monkey theme with the short-story finalists.) I also loved Ted Chiang's "Exhalation." And congrats to our pals Chris Garcia and Cheryl Morgan, for the fan-writer nods. Finally, props to Tor for taking three out of five slots in the "best editor, long form" category, and congrats also to Lou Anders. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5176507&view=rss&microfeed=true

Most stories about cybernetically "uplifted" animals tend to portray them as alienated super-soldiers or jolly butlers, but Mary Robinette Kowal probably has the right idea in her story "Evil Robot Monkey," online as an audio. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5158974&view=rss&microfeed=true

Jane Austen has been Hollywood gold for years now, but when did she become science-fiction platinum as well? Her novels are spawning a startling trifecta of bizarre science fiction films, plus a new fantasy novel. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5154815&view=rss&microfeed=true The Guardian took a stab at naming all the science fiction novels you must read to avoid being labeled an uneducated brute. And now Guardian blogger Damien G. Walker has named three younger writers who should have been on that list. Three up-and-coming writers worth paying attention to are this year's Campbell Award winner, Mary Robinette Kowal, plus Joe Hill and Ken Scholes. [Guardian] More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5148585&view=rss&microfeed=true

One of the most interesting panels at this year's Readercon was an exploration of the steampunk design movement, as it emerged into the mainstream with May's New York Times Style article. Writer/puppeteer Mary Robinette Kowal, YA fantasy novelist Holly Black, Tor editor Liz Gorinsky, and speculative fiction writer Sarah Micklem gathered to show off their steampunk creations, discuss steampunk's literary origins, share their favorite steampunk websites ... and, of course, to design a Gibson chair for the fannish masses. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5027021&view=rss&microfeed=true

Want to discover some cool new authors, and feel in-the-know about one of the most important Hugo awards at the same time? It's your lucky day. You have two easy ways to get to know the nominees for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New SF Writer. Arachne Jericho's Spontaneous Derivation blog has a rundown of the Campbell finalists, including what they've written, their website URLs, and a brief writing sample. And finalist Jon Armstrong is interviewing the other finalists on his podcast, If You're Just Joining Us. Find out how Joe Abercrombie feels about bad reviews, or Mary Robinette Kowal's magic formula for elevator pitches, by clicking the links. [Spontaneous Derivation and If You're Just Joining Us] More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5023119&view=rss&microfeed=true