Publisher Jim Baen Dies at Age 62
HIGHLANDS, N.J., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Science fiction publishing
visionary 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 & 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
Trinoc*coN in Raleigh, NC, Sunday, July 16 and L.A.con IV, the Worldcon, in
Los Angeles, CA in August. A memorial service will also be held in New York
in late summer.
For a complete obituary please go to author David Drake's website:
http://www.david-drake.com .
Contact:
Corinda Carford
Baen Books
1-732-872-6297
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information,
visit http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE Baen Books
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Related links:
http://www.baen.com
http://www.david-drake.com/
CONTACT:
Corinda Carford of Baen Books,
+1-732-872-6297
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