Last spring I got the honor, and I do mean honor, of writing in a world I have admired for years and years and years. Joan Saberhagen and Bob Vardeman asked me to write a story in Fred Saberhagen’s Mask universe.
Now trust me, if you haven’t read any of Fred’s Mask stories, you are really missing something. And all you have to do to change that is buy this book because Fred’s entire novel Mask of the Sun is in this book, followed by the rest of us writing original work that jumps off of Fred’s novel in one way or another.
How would someone describe this wonderful science fiction world? Well, sort of alternate universe. Or alternate history. The Incas and the Aztecs are the modern super powers. And the two powers fight over control of other time lines by sending people from our time line back in time to other time lines to fight. And the weapon, the best weapon, is the Mask, something that allows the wearer to see parts of the future, sort of, and it also exists in many time lines, sort of. A very special weapon and power no one is sure who controls.
Well, anyway, go read it if you love science fiction. Fred wrote some of the best ever. And now Baen Books is bringing it back out.
I can tell you that my original story in this book has Vietnam vets fighting at the Alamo. With modern weapons. Did I have fun with this idea??? Are you kidding? This was the most fun I had writing something in a long time.
And when Joan sent me a copy of the book, I was fantastically honored to be in with such great company. So for about the tenth time I reread Fred’s wonderful novel, then read everyone’s story. And when I finished, I wanted more. I want to spend more time in this fantastic universe Fred created.
I was very, very lucky to know Fred when he was alive. I am now very lucky that his wonderful wife, Joan, and Bob Vardeman gave me the chance to play in Fred’s Mask world.
Don’t miss this book, folks. If for nothing but to read Fred’s novel. In fact, read it first, then see how the rest of us managed to take that huge world that Fred created and play.
As I have said many, many times here, I am lucky enough to have the best job on the planet. Thanks Joan and Bob for making my job even more fun.
Now the rest of you go find this book and buy it. You will thank me.
GOLDEN REFLECTIONS by Fred Saberhagen, edited by Joan Spicci Saberhagen and Robert E. Vardeman. Baen Books
I’ve got to check this book out. I love Saberhagen’s work, but somehow I missed this one. He was one of two authors I dedicated a novella to recently, the other author being Andrew J. Offutt.
I discovered Fred Saberhagen through his Sword books back in the very early 1980s when I was in junior high, and that series is still one of my favorites. Not too wordy, not overly literary, but written with characters, plot and action in mind.
That’s a universe concept that keeps on giving, and an idea fraught with awesome. I shall make the appropriate arrangements.
I rather like the idea of packaging a novel with a bunch of short stories related to the novel. Is that normal, and, more importantly, can it be the new normal?
If I have anything to say about it, it will.
I’ll definitely pick this one up. I’m a huge fan of Saberhagen. Like Ty, I loved his Swords books. I also credit him with my PBM (Play By Mail) game addiction back in the 80s and early 90s. I can’t remember what book it was, but it had to do with the PBM game called Starweb. I found out it was real and started playing regularly for years after that.
Tom
Mask of the Sun is a great book. Read it many years ago, as a kid, and still remember it as one of my favorites.
I have never heard of this book or author that I can recall, but I do remember seeing the name Bob Vardeman around. There’s so many authors out there it’s hard to keep track at times. This does sound very interesting and like something I would want to read. Thanks for telling us about it, Dean, and congratulations on being invited to take part in the reemergence of it!
Argh! Two weeks ’til it’s published! Now I’ve got to wait for it!
I’m going to have to look for that book too. I have seen “Mask Of The Sun” even though I haven’t bought it. I love his Berserker stories. But on a side point I must be the only one who hasn’t seen his sword books. Someone else talked about them on another site. But I don’t recall ever seeing one. Must have some time though, they are too popular for me not to have seen them. And I’m sure there is an anthology of just his stories out recently
Dean, I can see how you would feel the way you do about being in “Reflections”. Talk about a landmark and you have had a few of them. Congrats on this one.
In a perfect world, I’d sell my novel to Baen — decision pending — then figure out how to get a story into one of the Man-Kzin wars books; writing in Larry Niven’s Known Space would be a dream come true. Absolutely.
Dean, way to go with this!
No ebook version?
Probably coming, Mark. This is just the first release.