Lady Astronaut Universe Series by Mary Robinette Kowal, C.C. Finlay, L.X. Beckett, Rachel Pollack, William Ledbetter, Matthew Hughes, Ashley Blooms, Corey Flintoff, R.S. Benedict, Cassandra Rose Clarke, James Salis, Mary Soon Lee, Charles de Lint, Michelle West, Jerry Oltion, David J. Skal, Paul Di Filippo

This originally appeared in 2013 in The Mad Scientist’s Guide to World Domination, edited John Joseph Adams and is in my Punchcard Punk universe. For those curious types, it takes place prior to “Lady Astronaut of Mars.”

A new short story collection from Hugo Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal, with an introduction by Patrick Rothfuss.Table of Contents* "The Bound Man"* "Chrysalis"* "Rampion"* "At the Edge of Dying"* "Clockwork Chickadee"* "Body Language"* "Waiting for Rain"* "First Flight"* "Evil Robot Monkey"* "The Consciousness Problem"* "For Solo Cello, op... moreA new short story collection from Hugo Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal, with an introduction by Patrick Rothfuss.Table of Contents* "The Bound Man"* "Chrysalis"* "Rampion"* "At the Edge of Dying"* "Clockwork Chickadee"* "Body Language"* "Waiting for Rain"* "First Flight"* "Evil Robot Monkey"* "The Consciousness Problem"* "For Solo Cello, op. 12"* "For Want of a Nail"* "The Shocking Affair of the Dutch steamship Friesland"* "Salt of the Earth"* "American Changeling"* "The White Phoenix Feather"* "We Interrupt This Broadcast"* "Rockets Red" (A brand new story in the Lady Astronaut universe)* "The Lady Astronaut of Mars" less

On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render the earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process... moreOn a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render the earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process.Elma York’s experience as a WASP pilot and mathematician earns her a place in the International Aerospace Coalition’s attempts to put man on the moon, as a calculator. But with so many skilled and experienced women pilots and scientists involved with the program, it doesn’t take long before Elma begins to wonder why they can’t go into space, too.Elma’s drive to become the first Lady Astronaut is so strong that even the most dearly held conventions of society may not stand a chance against her. less

Being a Lady Astronaut means being twice as dedicated, and twice as good as everyone else. And sometimes, handling a test run that has turned deadly serious. Mary Robinette Kowal visits an off-stage incident in her The Calculating Stars series.

The Fated Sky continued the grand sweep of alternate history begun in The Calculating Stars. It is 1961, and the International Aerospace Coalition has established a colony on the moon. Elma York, the noted Lady Astronaut, is working on rotation, flying shuttles on the moon and returning regularly to Earth.But humanity must get a foothold on Mars. The first exploratory mission is being planned, and none of the women astronauts is on the crew list... moreThe Fated Sky continued the grand sweep of alternate history begun in The Calculating Stars. It is 1961, and the International Aerospace Coalition has established a colony on the moon. Elma York, the noted Lady Astronaut, is working on rotation, flying shuttles on the moon and returning regularly to Earth.But humanity must get a foothold on Mars. The first exploratory mission is being planned, and none of the women astronauts is on the crew list. The international Aerospace Coalition has grave reservations about sending their "Lady Astronauts" on such a dangerous mission. The problem with that is the need for midjourney navigation calculations. The new electronic computation machines are not reliable and not easily programmed. It might be okay for a backup, but there will have to be a human computer on board. And all the computers are women. less

Mary Robinette Kowal continues her award-winning Lady Astronaut series, which began with The Calculating Stars and The Fated Sky, with The Relentless Moon.The Earth is coming to the boiling point as the climate disaster of the Meteor strike becomes more and more clear, but the political situation is already overheated. Riots and sabotage plague the space program. The IAC's goal of getting as many people as possible off Earth before it becomes uninhabitable is being threatened... moreMary Robinette Kowal continues her award-winning Lady Astronaut series, which began with The Calculating Stars and The Fated Sky, with The Relentless Moon.The Earth is coming to the boiling point as the climate disaster of the Meteor strike becomes more and more clear, but the political situation is already overheated. Riots and sabotage plague the space program. The IAC's goal of getting as many people as possible off Earth before it becomes uninhabitable is being threatened.Elma York is on her way to Mars, but the Moon colony is still being established. Her friend and fellow Lady Astronaut Nicole Wargin is thrilled to be one of those pioneer settlers, using her considerable flight and political skills to keep the program on track. But she is less happy that her husband, the Governor of Kansas, is considering a run for President. less

The Martian Contingency is back with Elma and Nathaniel on Mars and picks up not long after the end of The Fated Sky as they work with the new colonists to build a home on the planet. With that, you can expect to see frontier town issues on Mars, including prospecting for water, improvised engineering, and when things go wrong... which of course they will because it’s a novel, they only have eight days to try to solve it before the launch window to abort and return to Earth closes

NOVELLAS"Freezing Rain, a Chance of Falling" by L.X. BeckettNOVELETS"Visible Cities" by Rachel Pollack"Broken Wings" by William LedbetterSHORT STORIES"The Phobos Experience" by Mary Robinette Kowal"The Prevaricator" by Matthew Hughes"The Queen of the Peri Takes Her Time" by Corey Flintoff"The Adjunct" by Cassandra Rose Clarke"Bedtime Story" by James Sallis"Morbier" by R.S... moreNOVELLAS"Freezing Rain, a Chance of Falling" by L.X. BeckettNOVELETS"Visible Cities" by Rachel Pollack"Broken Wings" by William LedbetterSHORT STORIES"The Phobos Experience" by Mary Robinette Kowal"The Prevaricator" by Matthew Hughes"The Queen of the Peri Takes Her Time" by Corey Flintoff"The Adjunct" by Cassandra Rose Clarke"Bedtime Story" by James Sallis"Morbier" by R.S. Benedict"Hainted" by Ashley BloomsPOEMS"Red Rising" by Mary Soon LeeDEPARTMENTS"Books to Look For" by Charles de Lint"Musing on Books" by Michelle West"Science: Why Do Kites Fly?" by Jerry Oltion"Films: In the Queue" by David J. Skal"Coming Attractions""Curiosities" by Paul Di FilippoCARTOONSNick Downes, Bill Long, Danny Shanahan,COVER"Big Mars" by Bob Eggleton less

Thirty years ago, Elma York led the expedition that paved the way to life on Mars. For years she's been longing to go back up there, to once more explore the stars. But there are few opportunities for an aging astronaut, even the famous Lady Astronaut of Mars. When her chance finally comes, it may be too late. Elma must decide whether to stay with her sickening husband in what will surely be the final years of his life, or to have her final adventure and plunge deeper into the well of space.