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In Memoriam: Science Fiction Editor Jim Baen has died. . .
David Drake's Webpage and The Baen Bar ^ | 6/29/06 | Self

Posted on 06/29/2006 10:42:51 AM PDT by Salgak

Friends, I bear bad news.

SF editor and founder of Baen Books, Jim Baen, died quietly around 5PM yesterday, June 28, 2006.

The source link has his obituary, written by his friend and fellow author and editor, David Drake.

Editor extraordinaire, friend of the fans, patriot.

Jim will be greatly missed. . . .


TOPICS: Books/Literature
KEYWORDS: baen; editor; obituary; scifi; sf
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This is NOT the news I wanted to pass to FR. . .
1 posted on 06/29/2006 10:42:53 AM PDT by Salgak
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To: Salgak

So sad......... :-(


2 posted on 06/29/2006 10:44:13 AM PDT by SeaDragon
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To: Salgak

This is sad. :-(

Jim Baen's company was and is one of the best science fiction publishers in the business, and the conservative viewpoint expressed in the books has done a lot for preserving conservatism in a popular genre. Not to mention, Baen was a supporter of the military.


3 posted on 06/29/2006 10:47:16 AM PDT by coconutt2000 (NO MORE PEACE FOR OIL!!! DOWN WITH TYRANTS, TERRORISTS, AND TIMIDCRATS!!!! (3-T's For World Peace))
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To: Salgak
Oooh that's a bummer. Baen was probably the most open to new and interesting sci-fi of any of the publishing houses; I don't think it's possible for someone equally cool, intelligent, and willing to experiment to take over the business.
4 posted on 06/29/2006 10:48:59 AM PDT by discostu (you must be joking son, where did you get those shoes)
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To: Purple GOPer

Sad panel fodder.


5 posted on 06/29/2006 10:49:57 AM PDT by discostu (you must be joking son, where did you get those shoes)
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To: Salgak

..... A moment of silence .......


6 posted on 06/29/2006 10:56:16 AM PDT by SouthernBoyupNorth ("For my wings are made of Tungsten, my flesh of glass and steel..........")
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To: Salgak

Godspeed Baen. He was a hell of a publisher.


7 posted on 06/29/2006 10:56:57 AM PDT by Centurion2000 (If Christians can go nuclear in a biblical way, would the Israelis go nuclear in a talmudic way?)
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To: Salgak

I'm saddened, Jim really made an impact in bringing back military oriented Science Fiction. I hope the momentum continues.


8 posted on 06/29/2006 10:57:06 AM PDT by Uriah_lost (http://www.wingercomics.com/d/20051205.html)
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To: Salgak
Jim will be greatly missed. . . .

An understatement.

9 posted on 06/29/2006 11:00:02 AM PDT by Celtjew Libertarian
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To: Salgak
Additional detail, from the Baen Bar. Note, this news just broke within the last hour or so. . .

*******************************
Subject: In Memorium - Jim Baen
Author: Arnold Bailey
Date: 29 Jun 2006 01:39 PM

We regret to inform you that publisher Jim Baen passed away on June 28th. He suffered a massive stroke on June 12, 2006 and never woke from it. Jim Baen was a founding partner of Baen Books, one of the largest independent publishers of popular fiction. Since its inception in 1984, Baen evolved to be one of the leading publishers of science fiction and fantasy, and in recent years a leader in electronic publishing and the fight against encrypted books.

Jim Baen started his career in publishing in the complaints department of Ace Books. He moved on to Galaxy magazine in 1973, where his editorial acumen turned the magazine into one of the leading short story venues of the day. He returned to Ace under publisher Tom Doherty to run the science fiction line. When Doherty left to found Tor Books, Jim went with him and established its science fiction line, purchasing its first 170 titles. In 1984 a deal with Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books gave Jim a chance to found his own independent company. S&S has distributed Baen Books ever since. Recently, Baen Books has enjoyed a string of New York Times bestsellers by such authors as David Weber, John Ringo and Eric Flint. Jim also personally worked with Jerry Pournelle, David Drake, Larry Niven, Charles Sheffield, Lois McMaster Bujold and many other authors who shaped the field of modern science fiction. In recent years Jim continued to develop a whole new generation of science fiction writers.

Jim Baen was a personal and vocal champion of unencrypted ebooks. The Baen Books Webscriptions program is a model in the field, and the discussion board at

http://www.baen.com

“Baen’s Bar,” is an active forum and thriving online community. Jim’s piquant wit and incisive commentary will be sorely missed.

Jim is survived by two daughters, Jessica Baen, 29, and Katherine Baen, 14.

The surviving partners of Baen and his heirs intend to continue Jim’s legacy of innovative, independent publishing. Longtime Baen Books executive editor Toni Weisskopf will be acting publisher and direct day-to-day operation of the company. Remembrances of Jim’s life will be held at Tri-noc-Con in Raleigh, NC Saturday, July 22 and Lacon IV, the Worldcon, in Los Angeles, CA in August.

For a complete obituary please go to author David Drake’s website:

http://www.david-drake.com

10 posted on 06/29/2006 11:00:37 AM PDT by Salgak (Acme Lasers presents: The Energizer Border: I dare you to try and cross it. . .)
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To: Salgak

What a shame. Jim Baen published some of the best SF in the business, and wasn't afraid to take on new authors. A real loss to the business (as well, I'm sure, to his family).


11 posted on 06/29/2006 11:13:55 AM PDT by Hetty_Fauxvert (Kelo must GO!! ..... http://sonoma-moderate.blogspot.com/)
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To: Salgak

Haven't read much science fiction since my teens, but, from the sound of this obit, I'd have to say this was a guy who lived a fascinating, exciting, and very fulfilling life. Moreover, for a guy whose enthusiasms stretched to the boundaries of imagination, the Final Adventure would not have been a matter of dread, but rather an opportunity to explore the true breadth of possible experience. IMHO, he should be sent off with a toast, not a tear.


12 posted on 06/29/2006 11:55:18 AM PDT by Jack Hammer
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To: Salgak

He will be missed.


13 posted on 06/29/2006 11:55:53 AM PDT by ibheath (Born again and grateful to God.)
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To: Jack Hammer
Haven't read much science fiction since my teens

And And I haven't STOPPED reading sci-fi since then....I probably have paid for one of his kids college tuition over that time..

I echo your sentiments about his life...so sad.

14 posted on 06/29/2006 11:59:46 AM PDT by lovecraft (Specialization is for insects.)
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To: Jack Hammer

You should read David Drakes "Hammer's Slammers" series if you like Sci-Fi with a hard core military viewpoint.


15 posted on 06/29/2006 12:32:37 PM PDT by E.Allen
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To: Salgak
Sorry to see Jim go, but maybe he'll let us know what's coming....

He was enough of a businessman to have a succession plan in place and I'm sure, if the likes of David Drake are running things, we will continue to enjoy cutting edge literary works and just plain good stories.

I have been a fan of Davids military sci-fi for years. I hope he puts out more Slammer stories, or anthologies like "All the Way to the Gallows"

16 posted on 06/29/2006 12:58:21 PM PDT by ASOC (The phrase "What if" or "If only" are for children.)
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To: E.Allen
You should read David Drakes "Hammer's Slammers" series if you like Sci-Fi with a hard core military viewpoint.

Indeed, pretty good reading there. Though I've only found two books in the series. :(

17 posted on 06/29/2006 1:04:06 PM PDT by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.)
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To: Salgak

Oh hell. Looking at my bookshelf, there's a lot of Baen stuff up there. You'll be missed, Jim.


18 posted on 06/29/2006 1:19:54 PM PDT by Starter
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To: discostu

They also republished many classic, long out of print science fiction authors. Jim Baen was a visionary who will be greatly missed.


19 posted on 06/29/2006 5:04:19 PM PDT by JURB
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To: Salgak

Rest in peace.


20 posted on 06/29/2006 6:14:49 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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