Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue #1

by Jody Lynn Nye, SM Stirling, Virginia DeMarce

It’s great to be back! After a one-year hiatus, Eric Flint’s 1632 Universe has a new short-fiction venue (aka magazine). In this world, the small West Virginia town of Grantville is thrown back in time to 1631, landing in war-torn Thuringia, Germany. The town scrambles to ensure that it survives and thrives, and helps others do the same in this fantastic new world, as it forms alliances, spreads unfamiliar technology and ideas far and wide, and faces down powerful enemies. Will their efforts be enough to make the world a better place? Join us in the 1632verse and find out!

We are delighted to share the return of long-term contributors (Iver Cooper, Virginia DeMarce, Garrett W. Vance), relative new-comers (George Grant, Chuck Thompson), and even an old friend from the early days (S.M. Stirling). Our cover story by Jody Lynn Nye is from the upcoming Baen novel she and Eric Flint collaborated on.

Every issue of "Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond" will include 1632 stories and related non-fiction. Many (including this one) will have an Assiti Shards story*. Follow us on Patreon, YouTube, Instagram, and FaceBook!
*Assiti Shards are related but separate universes.

If you enjoy the 1632verse, you'll also love The Emberverse series by S.M. Stirling and the most recent 1632 release from Baen, The Sovereign States by Eric Flint, Gorg Huff, and Paula Goodlett. Buy now to find out what happens next in the 1632verse!

Genres: Alternate History, Time Travel, Fiction, Science Fiction, Anthologies

174 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2023

About the author

Jody Lynn Nye lists her main career activity as ‘spoiling cats.’ When not engaged upon this worthy occupation, she writes fantasy and science fiction books and short stories.

Before breaking away from gainful employment to write full time, Jody worked as a file clerk, book-keeper at a small publishing house, freelance journalist and photographer, accounting assistant and costume maker.

For four years, she was on the technical operations staff of a local Chicago television station, WFBN (WGBO), serving the last year as Technical Operations Manager. During her time at WFBN, she was part of the engineering team that built the station, acted as Technical Director during live sports broadcasts, and worked to produce in-house spots and public service announcements.

Over the last twenty-five or so years, Jody has taught in numerous writing workshops and participated on hundreds of panels covering the subjects of writing and being published at science-fiction conventions. She has also spoken in schools and libraries around the north and northwest suburbs. In 2007 she taught fantasy writing at Columbia College Chicago. She also runs the two-day writers workshop at DragonCon, and is a judge for the Writers of the Future contest, the largest speculative fiction contest in the world.

Jody lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, with her husband Bill Fawcett, a writer, game designer, military historian and book packager, and three feline overlords, Athena, Minx, and Marmalade.

Reviews

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of stories from the Ring of Fire storyline. l only found 2 to be interesting, the rest were dreck. l'll not be continuing.

[Mark Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The escape I needed

I have been a fan of the 1632 universe since the first book came out. I was disappointed it paused when Eric died. I am ecstatic it is back. Regarding this publication, my wife has been in the hospital for two weeks and the prognosis wasn’t good. I needed distraction, after Jim Butcher’s second “Cinderspires” book I couldn’t find anything engaging enough to keep my attention, until I found “1632 and Beyond.” It was I like finding an old friend and just what I needed. I will definitely become a subscriber. And good news, my wife will make a recovery, not a full recovery but a recovery. We should have years left together.

[Kevin K · Rating 4 out of 5]

First issue of the revitalized Grantville Gazettes. As far as anthologies go, it was a "touch" light, I expected more stories similar to the Battletech: Shrapnel issues. Fingers crossed that the quantity of stories increases.

With that being said, I'm so happy to see the 1632 / Assanti Shards stories continue. The stories had good pacing, and I quite enjoyed the old timer jailbreak.

Eagerly awaiting issue 2!

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read 1632 Ring of Fire books for a long time, since about maybe 2010 or so. It is very nice to have the magazine format revived and possible to get in real paper. I prefer paper over electronic, personally. Good stories in this issue and it is nice to visit old friends so to speak. "Ill-Met in the Marshes" is a cliff hanger, unfortunately. Issue two does not have it continued and completed. Issue three will soon be out, so hopefully the story is concluded in issue three. That last comment is my only complaint. Some of these stories, hopefully will be expanded into books/novels in the future-they have the potential. All-in-all if you like the 1632 universe, read this magazine. If you are new to this, then read Eric' Flints 1632 first then follow the advice in the magazine for what to read next. I am very glad the Ring of Fire is a alive and well.

[LinHigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

More pieces of the alt. History, enjoy!

Oh! How I like to dive in the many puzzles of the big what if " Ring of fire". I have read every book I can get my hands on. Hoping for more. The memorial to E. Flint was moving. I dream stories in the ring of fire, to bad I'm over 70 and despair about my poor writing skills, but am a fair to good story teller. My friends hear the silly tails I tell.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting a while to write this. A nice selection of short stories about late 20th century Grantville, WV Americans in 17th century Germany as well as a couple of the usual extras we got used to expecting in the Grantville Gazette. Thank you!

[Joe Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of something good

Eric F. laid a solid foundation in both the stories and the underlying guidelines for the 1632 universe, and for it's future. RIP, Eric. The new history lives on. As for me, I'm trying to form an idea into a story, but it's resisting ...

[Steven T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but Glad

I'm sad for the passing of Eric Flint, but glad that his sharing of the 1632 universe with so many other authors leaves the enterprise still afloat and making the kind of headway exemplified in this enjoyable collection.

[Loren Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Beyond the Grave!

Glad to see 1632 & Beyond (the Grave) resurrecting the Steel to Spark Flint with for all the authors involved!
Keep the Good Old Times Flowing!
Grantville Lives!

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Replaces the Gazette and is a location for short stories to fill in the gaps in the novels or to expand on parts ot the novels.

[Chris Villasana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow up to the Grantville Gazette for Eric Flint's Ring of Fire

[CASPER HILEMAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good continuation of the Grantville Gazette with excellent short stories.

[Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

You should give the reader more info to know which books in the main series They’s short stories connect to

[David L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

different name for Granville Gazzette

Glad I found the replacement for the Granville Gazzette. I am looking forward to more of these magazines.i love the Ring of Fire universe

[Wallace Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keep it going! Love this.

Good to see the continuing interest in this series. I love how so many people enjoy the stories. Even minor tech issues become adventures.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy to see that this series is going to continue. Excellent selection of stories with good information on all the changes that are going on. Looking forward to the monthly stories!