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Magazines : Asimovs Science FictionIn association with Amazon.comRating:  - The best SF is published right hereThis is the magazine for the best stories on the market today. A typical Hugo or Nebula awards list usually has several items from Asimov's (although not this year, they're all from sister publication Analog!) Asimov's tends toward "softer" SF than Analog and some stories are more literary or experimental. But I say this in praise, as most of these stories are well worth the effort. Some really do take you to alien places or senses with their language and structure as well as plot (I'm thinking of some of Charles Stross' new entries). Asimov's is less predictable than Analog as well; other than editor Robert Silverberg's editorial, there are few recurring features, and serialzed novels are rare. So you may get two short stories or five, the rest made up of novella and novellettes. But they will always be well-done, and you'll find yourself looking for those authors' long works after enjoying them in Asimov's. One change in publication not mentioned here: both magazines have gone to 10 issues a year from 11, with 2 "double issues" instead of one per year. The double issue is always a treat but then one must wait 2 months for the next regular issue! Rating:  - The "Go To " Sci Fi MagazineAsimov's science fiction magazine is one of the premier sources of new short story and novella length science fiction. It also has the occasional serialized novel. Having been introduced to science fiction through Isaac Asimov's own short story anthologies back in the 70's I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the return to the short story format after many years of "blockbuster novels". The magazine consistently showcases the best new talent. It also has a stable of veteran, commercially successful, writers that use the magazine as a vehicle to return to their roots. Notables such as Michael Swanwick, James Patrick Kelly, Kage Baker, and Tom Purdom to name a few. Asimov's seems to always have nominees in the yearly Nebula and Hugo awards for science fiction. Most stories are "Social Science Fiction" in which a loose future backdrop is used to tell a character based story with an eventual universal truism revealed. It is rare to find a "Hard Science Fiction" story in which the extrapolation of known science into a future setting plays a critical role in the climax and conclusion of the story. Stories from the early writings of Larry Niven are good examples of such stories. This is a forgivable lapse as most editors would tell you that they would love to see more hard science submissions. The magazine also boasts one of the best editorial sections penned by acclaimed author Robert Silverberg. He covers topics ranging from strict science to historical recollections of the science fiction genre. He has also reintroduced many readers to lost stories and authors such as Cordwainer Smith with great biographical pieces. They also have Poems; no offense Mr. Haldeman. Rating: - Consistently the bestAsimov's science fiction magazine is one of the premier sources of new short story and novella length science fiction. It also has the occasional serialized novel. Having been introduced to science fiction through Isaac Asimov's own short story anthologies back in the 70's I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the return to the short story format after many years of "blockbuster novels". The magazine consistently showcases the best new talent. It also has a stable of veteran, commercially successful, writers that use the magazine as a vehicle to return to their roots. Notables such as Michael Swanwick, James Patrick Kelly, Kage Baker, and Tom Purdom to name a few. It seems to always have nominees in the yearly Nebula and Hugo awards for science fiction. Most stories are "Social Science Fiction" in which a loose future backdrop is used to tell a character based story with an eventual universal truism is revealed. It is rare to find a "hard Science Fiction" story in which the extrapolation of known science into a future setting plays a critical role in the climax and conclusion of the story. Stories from the early writings of Larry Niven are good examples of such stories. This is a forgivable lapse as most editors would tell you that they would love to see more hard science submissions. The magazine also boasts one of the best editorial sections penned by acclaimed author Robert Silverberg. He covers topics ranging from strict science to historical recollections of the science fiction genre. He has also reintroduced many readers to lost stories and authors such as Cordwainer Smith with great biographical pieces. They also have Poems; no offense Mr. Haldemann. Rating: - Asimov's Science Fiction a Link to the Golden Age of SFOnce upon a time in the SF world there were only novels. Then came Editor John Campbell and did he manage a field of great authors! Asimov, Heinlien, Clarke, and many others grew up under him. In our modern era, science fiction has once again fallen prey to 10 novel fantasy series and the (...) EMPIRE of Star Wars and Star Trek books (I hesitate to call them novels). Asimov's Science Fiction is the bright shining light where fabulous SF is being written by writers that haven't sold out to the Motion Picture megabucks. Not that these stories wouldn't make great movies, many would, but editor Gardner Dozois demands excellence and gets it. The writers in ASF write SF the way it should be, with the science of today extrapolated into the future. Way to go and suscribe to this magazine Rating: - Without a doubt the very BEST!!!I have subscribed to Asimov's for 15 years. It is the very best Sci Fi Magazine out there. All the best authors that you have heard of and many that are undiscovered treasures. If you are a fan of short Science Fiction then you will not be disappointed! |
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