Featured New Books
How to Mars
David Ebenbach
Hollywood Reporter’s What to Watch, Play, and Read in 2021
For the lucky scientists selected by the Destination Mars! corporation, a one-way ticket to Mars—in exchange for a lifetime of research—had been an absolute no-brainer. The incredible opportunity was clearly worth even the most absurdly tedious screening process. Perhaps worth following the strange protocols in a nonsensical handbook written by an eccentric billionaire. Possibly worth starring in a heavily-edited ratings-bonanza back on Earth.
Unity
Elly Bangs
“Unity is an astonishing debut, twisty and startling . . . an absorbing, thrilling ride.”
—New York Times
In a desperate escape, Danae and her lover Naoto hire the enigmatic ex-mercenary Alexei to guide them out of the imploding city. But for Danae to reunify, the three new fugitives will have to flee across the otherworldly beauty of the postapocalyptic Southwest. Evoking the gritty cyberpunk of Mad Max and the fluid idealism of Sense8, Unity is a spectacular new re-envisioning of identity. Breakout author Elly Bangs has created an expressive, philosophical, science-fiction thriller that expands upon consciousness itself.
Robot Artists and Black Swans: The Italian Fantascienza Stories
Bruce Sterling
“It’s all here, this time with an Italian flavor: the inventive tech, the meticulously detailed futures, the stylish and sardonic prose, the creative adjectival combinations.”
—Nancy Kress, author of Beggars in Spain
The Godfather of Cyberpunk has emerged in this new collection of Italian-themed fantasy and science fiction stories. Bruce Sterling introduces us to his alter-ego: Bruno Argento, the preeminent writer of fantascienza. Here are their visionary short stories, featuring a programmer who hacks into alternate versions of Italy; an assassin who awaits his destiny in the arms of a two-headed noblewoman, and a wandering robot-wheelchair that spurs wild controversy.
Join Our Newsletter
Get Tachyon’s latest news, special offers, and gratuitous cat pictures!
Forthcoming Books
51
Patrick O'Leary
“[O’Leary’s] voice is fresh and funny.”
—New York Times
The events at Roswell are one of the U.S. government’s best-kept secrets. But what if Area 51 contains something so bizarre that it bears little resemblance to UFOs, aliens, or anything imagined in even the most detailed conspiracy theories? In Patrick O’Leary’s long-awaited, witty, and moving new novel, an unthinkable betrayal is set into motion by real-life friends, not-quite-imaginary friends—and a series of very confused American presidents.
The Peculiarities
David Liss
“David Liss turns a new corner, and at the end of it is a splendid, unique and surprising tale of the supernatural drenched in historical atmosphere and fine characterization.”
—Joe R. Lansdale, author of Hap and Leonard
From popular historical fiction author David Liss (A Conspiracy of Paper) comes the tale of a clueless young man embroiled in a deadly supernatural mystery in Victorian London. Rooted in strange conspiracies and secret societies, this absurdist comedic romp combines strange bedfellows with murderous creatures, resulting in an unexpectedly delightful consequences.
Body Shocks
Ellen Datlow, editor
[STARRED REVIEW] “Hugo Award–winning editor Datlow brings together 29 spine-tingling tales of body horror to terrify even the most seasoned horror reader.”
—Publishers Weekly
Bestselling editor Ellen Datlow (Lovecraft’s Monsters) presents body horror at its most wide-ranging and shocking best. Discover twenty-nine intricate, twisted tales of the human body, soul, and psyche, as told by storytelling legends including Carmen Maria Machado, Richard Kadrey, Seanan McGuire, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Nathan Ballingrud, Tananarive Due, Cassandra Khaw, Christopher Fowler, and many more.
Arch of Bone
Jane Yolen
“Jane Yolen is a phenomenon: a poet and a mythmaker.”
—Neil Gaiman
When a rough sailor called Ishmael turns up on a family’s doorstep, even loyal dog Zeke knows that the news is ruinous. Continuing the story from where Moby Dick left off, this compelling boyhood adventure, penned by beloved author Jane Yolen (Owl Moon), hearkens to timeless coming of age tales of yore. Lovingly illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, the journey of a boy and his dog comes to life on the page, renewing the joy of a classic tale.
The Escapement
Lavie Tidhar
With The Escapement, Tidhar fearlessly crests the wave of the New New-Weird with a wild, decadent hybrid of The Dark Tower and Carnivale.
—Catherynne M. Valente, author of Deathless
In this dazzling new novel evoking Westerns, surrealism, epic fantasy, mythology, and circus extravaganzas, World Fantasy Award winner Lavie Tidhar (Central Station) has created an evocative dreamscape of dark comedy, heartbreak, hope, and adventure. Chronicling a lone man’s quest in parallel worlds, The Escapement offers the archetypal darkness of Stephen King’s The Gunslinger within the dark whimsy of a child’s imagination.
Jillian vs Parasite Planet
Nicole Kornher-Stace
“Fantastic worldbuilding, a hero you can’t help but root for, and the best sidekick this side of the galaxy.”
—Katie Slivensky, author of The Countdown Conspiracy
Eleven-year-old Jillian hates surprises. Even fun ones make her feel all panicky inside. But, she’s always dreamed of joining her space-explorer parents on a mission. It’s Take Your Kid to Work Day, and Jillian finally has her chance to visit an alien world! But can Jillian find her chill and save her family from creepy aliens? Take a deep breath, grab your sidekick, and blast off to Parasite Planet!
Bestsellers
The Freeze-Frame Revolution
Peter Watts
How do you stage a mutiny when you’re only awake one day in a million? How do you engage an enemy that never sleeps, that sees through your eyes and hears through your ears and relentlessly, honestly, only wants what best for you? Sunday Ahzmundin is about to find out.
Falling in Love with Hominids
Nalo Hopkinson
A long-awaited new collection from Nalo Hopkinson (Brown Girl in the Ring) who has been dubbed “one of our most important writers,” (Junot Diaz), with “an imagination that most of us would kill for” (Los Angeles Times), whose work is “stunning,” (New York Times) and “simply triumphant” (Dorothy Allison).
The Emperor’s Soul
Brandon Sanderson
Shai is a Forger who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item with skillful magic. After failing to steal the emperor’s scepter, she is given one opportunity to save her life. Is it possible to create a forgery of a soul so convincing that it improves upon the soul itself? From the bestselling author of the Mistborn series comes an unforgettable tale of magic, intrigue, and ingenuity.
Her Smoke Rose Up Forever
James Tiptree, Jr.
“There is just one great collection of Tiptree’s fiction in print…
Her Smoke Rose Up Forever from Tachyon Publications.
It contains all of her major short stories.”
—New York Times Book Review
Her Smoke Rose Up Forever is the quintessential Tiptree collection. These eighteen brilliant short stories of James Tiptree, Jr., reflect the darkly complex world of its author: exploring the aliens; our perceptions; love, sex, death; and humanity’s place in a vast, cold universe.
The Tangleroot Palace: Stories
Marjorie Liu
[STARRED REVIEW] “Liu’s mastery of so many different subgenres astounds, and her ear for language carries each story forward on gorgeously crafted sentences. This is a must-read.”
—Publishers Weekly
New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu (Monstress) leads you deep into the heart of the tangled woods. In her dark, romantic, and spellbinding short fiction you will find dangerous magic and even more dangerous women: a body-stealing sorceress, a bone collecting apprentice-witch, a princess-turned-actress, and a warrior protecting China from her jealous ex.