After Aurora, Kim Stanley Robinson’s next novel will be “New York 2140” — to be published in hardback and ebook (and audiobook?) by Orbit Books on March 21, 2017! Paperback for February 13, 2018.

That is still a long way away… but to wait, we have the official synopsis:

A new vision of the future of New York City in the 22nd century, a flooded, but vibrant metropolis, from Kim Stanley Robinson, the New York Times bestselling author of science fiction masterworks such as the Mars trilogy, 2312, and Aurora.

The waters rose, submerging New York City.

But the residents adapted and it remained the bustling, vibrant metropolis it had always been. Though changed forever.

Every street became a canal. Every skyscraper an island.

Through the eyes of the varied inhabitants of one building, Kim Stanley Robinson shows us how one of our great cities will change with the rising tides.

And how we too will change.

A Venice-like future New York City, flooded because of climate change, was already featured in 2312. Here it becomes the setting of the entire novel, which will deal with the nuts and bolts of how to address and how to adapt to climate change — technologically, financially, legally, socially — as well as giving us a glimpse into what day to day life will feel like in that future society.

(Image: A future flooded NYC in Syfy’s The Expanse)

Kim Stanley Robinson Wins 2016 Robert A. Heinlein Award

Full press release from the Baltimore Science Fiction Society:

    Kim Stanley Robinson, science fiction author, is the 2016 winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award. The award is bestowed for outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings that inspire the human exploration of space. This award is in recognition of Mr. Robinson’s body of work including 19 novels, including his groundbreaking Mars novels, and over 40 short stories.

    The award will be presented on Friday, May 27, 2016 at opening ceremonies during Balticon 50, the 50th Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention. Balticon and the Robert A. Heinlein Award are both managed and sponsored by The Baltimore Science Fiction Society. A grant from the Heinlein Society funds a third of the costs associated with the award.

    The Robert A. Heinlein Award is a sterling silver medallion bearing the image of Robert A. Heinlein, as depicted by artist Arlin Robbins. The medallion is matched with a red-white-blue lanyard. In addition, the winner receives two lapel pins for use when a large medallion is impractical, and a plaque describing the award, suitable for home or office wall display. 

    The Robert A. Heinlein Award selection committee consists of science fiction writers and was founded by Dr. Yoji Kondo, a long-time friend of Robert and Virginia Heinlein. Members of the original committee were approved by Virginia Heinlein. The current Chairman of the Selection Committee is Michael F. Flynn.

    Virginia Heinlein authorized multiple awards in memory of her husband, including the Heinlein Prize, which is fully funded by Virginia Heinlein’s estate, and a National Space Society award for volunteer projects.

    More information on the Robert A. Heinlein Award, including past winners, can be found at http://www.bsfs.org/bsfsheinlein.htm.

    Kim Stanley Robinson does not maintain an official web page, but more information on his work can be found at https://www.kimstanleyrobinson.info

     Mr. Robinson lives in the state of California, USA.

More information on Balticon can be found at www.balticon.org.

Congratulations to Stan!

As 2015, the year of “AURORA“, closes, Kim Stanley Robinson offers his reader a short story — fully available at Tor.com here.

“Oral Argument” is a transcript of a hearing at the US Supreme Court on patent laws that allows us to get a glimpse of a very green future.

This is one of the few short stories of Robinson’s as of late — he mostly concentrates on novels; see the list of short stories here. This publication is like a 2005 one-page story, “Prometheus Unbound, At Last“, which was published in a magazine (Nature) and not in a “conventional” SF&F magazine or collection.

The image by Wesley Allsbrook used to promote the story, the bronze bull at Manhattan covered in moss, algae and all kinds of growing things, could be seen as a teaser to Kim Stanley Robinson’s next novel coming in 2016! It will take place in a future with severe climate change and sea level rise, in a Venice-like half-submerged Manhattan. Stay tuned for more, and merry post-solstice festivities!