owner Tyler Stewart has them to spare. Here's what he has to say about science fiction and space.
What's the biggest change in space-related SF over the last decade?
It has to be the growth of women's SF writers, particularly in military SF. Bujold's the leader of the pack, but there's a lot of others now. There's a lot more women in the audience now thanks to them. Of course, it's not even near parity yet, but it's getting there.
Who's the best SF publisher right now?
Tor Books. I make deep salaams to Tor.
What space SF books have you really loved over the last year?
. I've also liked Banks's Culture books and Brin's second Uplift trilogy, though they're older.
Who's the best SF author people haven't really heard of yet?
Alexander Jablokov. Stephen Baxter's also good, and he's got a growing audience.
What do you think of the current trends in SF roleplaying games?
There's an innate problem to SF roleplaying. You really need a specific universe to play in -- it's hard to have a good game without a carefully worked-out setting that tells you what is and isn't possible.
Any SF roleplaying games you've particularly liked?
I'm impressed by what I've seen of Blue Planet. Also some of the GURPS books. I wasn't impressed by Trinity, though I really like Aberrant. I haven't really looked at the Last Unicorn Star Trek games.
Do you think there could be a good online SF roleplaying game?
A space-related online RPG might be fun. It has real possibilities, especially for controlling server use and preventing lag. Each world could be a server, and if you wanted to go to a world and it was too crowded you might have to wait for a transport or something.
It has possibilities, but I have a love-hate relationship with the Internet in general. It's a time-sucker -- if I spend too much time with it, it will eat my soul.
As an SF fan, what do you think of the current state of the space program?
I'm distressed by the fact that NASA's blowing up their own
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