Most Popular Books by Ron Miller

This issue, we have an extended lineup, celebrating our 200th issue—2 novels, 1 novella, and 9 short stories…6 of which are originals! We’re also reducing the price to 99 cents (or the local equivalent) to help share the reading joy. It’s been a fun journey, and it’s all due to the help of our terrific editorial and production team: Acquiring Editors Barb Goffman, Michael Bracken, Paul Di Filippo, Darrell Schweitzer, and Cynthia M. Ward brought in some amazing authors over the years, and the editorial team handling submissions through the submissions portal at blackcatweekly.com (Thomas A. Easton, Ryan Hines, Vicki Erwin, Paula Messina, and Richard Prosch) have added hundreds more stories by writers new and old. We have published everything from first sales to thousand-somethingth sales (and yes, we’re looking at you, Michael Bracken!) Here’s the complete lineup— Cover Art: Ron Miller NOVELS The Four-Fingered Glove, by Nicholas Carter [Nick Carter series] A baffling crime, a strange glove, and a master detective on the trail. The Time Traders, by Andre Norton [Time Traders series] To stop a future war, agents must risk everything by traveling to the distant past. NOVELLA “This Gig Is Murder,” by A.L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents novella] Drummer, singer, sleuth—Cozi never expected murder at the end of her set. SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “A Real Gem,” by Hal Charles Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there! SHORT STORIES “Independence Day,” by R.T. Lawton [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A burglar on jury duty faces a choice: follow the law—or the code of thieves. “Velda and the Naked Milkmaid,” by Ron Miller [Velda, P.I. series] The gallery was quiet—until someone stole the wrong painting! “Second Line,” by donalee Moulton All Taylor wanted was quiet. What she got was a killer at her front door. “Special Delivery,” by James Holding Five grand in a dog’s mouth, two thugs on his tail—Foley’s in deep now! “For Bailey,” by Barb Goffman Fireworks, a terrified dog, and a neighborhood secret explode into crime. “The Day the Clocks All Stopped,” by Steve Lockley The clocks have stopped—and only she knows why they won’t start again… “An Ephemeris for Button,” by William R.D. Wood In a world of monsters, Ben’s mission is simple: keep Button safe. “Over the Top,” by Lester del Rey The Mars mission failed. His air is running out. And something is watching…

For hundreds of years scientists have sought and studied new worlds beyond Earth. Author Ron Miller describes the long, hard trek from the first tentative attempts to fly rocket-powered vehicles, to the first humans to brave traveling beyond Earth’s atmosphere, to the explorers who left their footprints in the soil of the Moon. This history of space exploration will compel you to consider the future of our journey.

Three favorite series highlight this issue: First, Sherlock Holmes—or rather, several Sherlock Holmeses—feature in A.L. Sirois’s “The Matter of Time” (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Then burlesque queen turned private eye Velda returns in Ron Miller’s original tale, “Big Top Velda.” (You will recall several other Velda stories in recent months—and we have more upcoming!). And on the science fiction front, space opera misfit Lancelot Biggs stars in “The Downfall of Lancelot Biggs,” by Nelson Bond. Fun stuff! More highlights: Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has found a real winner in Debra H. Goldstein’s “Harvey and the Redhead.” (I’m a Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Matter of Time” by A.L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents short story, Sherlock Holmes series] sucker for bar stories.) And our mystery novel is by Harold MacGrath. On the science fiction front, we have dark fantasies from British master John S. Glasby (who’s in his 90s and still writing) and Frank Belknap Long, plus space opera from Edmond Hamilton and classic SF from Lester del Rey. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Matter of Time” by A.L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents short story, Sherlock Holmes series] “The Case of the Lost Library” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Harvey and the Redhead” by Debra H. Goldstein [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Big Top Velda” by Ron Miller [short story, Velda series] The Blue Rajah Murder, by Harold MacGrath [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Matter of Time” by A.L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents short story, Sherlock Holmes series] “A Place of Shadows” John S. Glasby [short story] “Evans of the Earth-guard,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story] “The Downfall of Lancelot Biggs,” by Nelson S. Bond [short story, Lancelot Biggs series] “The Cottage” by Frank Belknap Long [short story] “The Life Watch” by Lester del Rey [novella]

For centuries, astronomers have placed a special importance on the other planets of the solar system. But with the advent of spacecraft and the tremendous missions undertaken by the Voyager and Cassini probes, astronomers have discovered that the natural satellites of the planets—the solar system''s moons—are some of the most extraordinary places imaginable. There are moons with towering geysers, erupting volcanoes, and subterranean oceans of warm, mineral-rich water. Some of the highest mountains and deepest canyons can be found on moons. There are moons that have shattered into pieces and then reassembled. There is even a moon where it rains rocket fuel. Recently, scientists have turned to moons for answers in their investigations of the origins of the solar system and the evolution of life on our own planet. Featuring full-color, scientifically accurate illustrations by NASA artist Ron Miller, Natural Satellites: The Book of Moons chronicles these investigations and the questions we have yet to answer in our exploration of the solar system''s moons.

“At NASA, our eyes are not just focused on the stars but also fixated on the sky.” –NASA Administrator Bill Nelson “NASA’s future will continue to be a story of human exploration, technology, and science.... We will continue to try to answer the question, ‘Are we alone?’” –NASA In 1915 the US Congress created the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The committee’s first goal was to support the development of aviation. But in the wake of the space race with the Soviet Union that began in the late 1950s, NACA became NASA—the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. From novel technology to international collaboration to scientific research, NASA has become a global leader in space exploration. It even enabled people to walk on the moon for the first time. But how did NASA get here? What has the agency accomplished along the way? Award-winning science author Ron Miller explains NASA’s rich history through a curious, detailed exploration of its successes and failures. Discover the full story of how NASA came to be and learn about its many accomplishments and the scientists and technology behind them. Then look to the future through NASA’s Artemis program and their next big goal of sending astronauts to Mars.

Could life have previously flourished on Mars? Will humans be able to travel there one day? Can humans one day colonize the red planet? NASA scientists have been interested in answering questions like these for a long time. In November 2011, NASA sent the rover Curiosity to Earth''s nearest planetary neighbor. By gathering information about Mars''s climate and geology, the robot is helping scientists uncover the secrets of the planet and its past. Since its launch, Curiosity has made some amazing discoveries. The rover found an ancient streambed where water once flowed for thousands of years, and rock samples proved that the surface soil on Mars still has water! In addition, from drilling into Martian rock, the rover detected the key chemicals necessary for life—sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and carbon. And Curiosity''s measurement of radiation on Mars shows levels similar to that at the International Space Station. These discoveries suggest that some parts of Mars could have been habitable—and may be again in the future. Learn more about the red planet and see what else Curiosity has uncovered!

Describes how digital art is used in magazines, books, television, movies, games, the history of the art form, and its future.

Extreme Aircraft looks at the first, the biggest, the fastest, and the strangest aircraft, as well as the men and women who built and flew them. From the prophetic flying machines of Leonardo da Vinci to the astral journeys of the space shuttle, these pages tell the story of genius inventors, bullish financiers, ace pilots, brave adventurers, and the visionary technology used in pursuing the dream of flight.

"Your conception of outer space has probably been influenced by...Bonestell''s surrealist paintings of other-planetary scenes, which caused a sensation when Life first published...them....His vivid imaginings...were used as the visual basis for several...science fiction movies....More than 300...works appear....Rediscover this influential artist, whose success has been credited with stoking public support for the U.S. space program.""--Booklist. ""Will appeal to any lover of fine art."" --Fantasy & Science Fiction."

Watching the screen version of a classic mystery novel can be disappointing. By necessity or artistic license (or possibly just ego) changes are often made by the filmmakers--many of them ineffective or even detrimental. This book focuses on the screen adaptations of 65 famous mysteries and examines how the filmmakers either succeeded or failed in the telling of the story. Interviews with several famous mystery writers are included, with their comments on how filmmakers treated their work.

For decades, James Bawden and Ron Miller have established themselves as maestros of provocative interviews, giving fans unmatched insights into the lives of Hollywood A-listers. In their fourth collection, the authors pay tribute to film pioneers who lit up Tinseltown from the 1930s through the 1960s. They Made the Movies features conversations with legendary directors who created many of film''s all-time classics, including Frank Capra (It''s A Wonderful Life, 1946), Richard Fleischer (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, 1954), Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, 1960), Ralph Nelson (Lilies of the Field, 1963), Robert Wise (The Sound of Music, 1965), and Chuck Jones (How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 1966). Tantalizing firsthand details about many acclaimed films are revealed, such as the revelation of Mervyn LeRoy''s first-choice of lead actress for The Wizard of Oz ("Shirley Temple... but Shirley couldn''t sing like Judy [Garland]"), Billy Wilder''s insights on directing ("You have to be a sycophant, a sadist, a nurse, a philosopher"), and how megaproducer Hal B. Wallis purchased an unproduced play titled Everybody Comes to Rick''s and transformed it into Casablanca ("The part [of Sam] almost went to Lena Horne, but I thought she was too beautiful"). The authors also celebrate the contributions of marginalized filmmakers such as Ida Lupino, James Wong Howe, Oscar Micheaux, and Luis Valdez, who prevailed in Hollywood despite the discrimination they faced throughout their careers. They Made the Movies appeals to film and television enthusiasts of all ages.

A rich visual history of real and fictional space stations, illustrating pop culture''s influence on the development of actual space stations and vice versa Space stations represent both the summit of space technology and, possibly, the future of humanity beyond Earth. Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space takes the reader deep into the heart of past, present, and future space stations, both real ones and those dreamed up in popular culture. This lavishly illustrated book explains the development of space stations from the earliest fictional visions through historical and current programs--including Skylab, Mir, and the International Space Station--and on to the dawning possibilities of large-scale space colonization. Engrossing narrative and striking images explore not only the spacecraft themselves but also how humans experience life aboard them, addressing everything from the development of efficient meal preparation methods to experiments in space-based botany. The book examines cutting-edge developments in government and commercial space stations, including NASA''s Deep Space Habitats, the Russian Orbital Technologies Commercial Space Station, and China''s Tiangong program. Throughout, Space Stations also charts the fascinating depiction of space stations in popular culture, whether in the form of children''s toys, comic-book spacecraft, settings in science-fiction novels, or the backdrop to TV series and Hollywood movies. Space Stations is a beautiful and captivating history of the idea and the reality of the space station from the nineteenth century to the present day.