Jim Baen

[Ed_Laprade]

Jim Baen, owner/publisher of Baen Books, has had a stroke. Family is with him, but his condition is unclear at this time. More information can be gleaned at: http://baen.com/
Prayers and positive thoughts are welcome for the man who (mostly) brought us Elizabeth Moon, John Ringo, David Weber, Eric Flint, et al.

 

[Hypersmurf]

From Baen's Bar:

Okay, people, here's what's going on.

Jim Baen is in the ICU after a stroke, it is serious, Toni and a relative are there with him. Now you know as much as we do about his condition.

Baen Books is functioning under the very detailed emergency plans that Jim has in place.

Please don't send cards or flowers. Please do send whatever prayers are appropriate to your faith.

When we know more, we'll let you know.

Thanks,

Julie

Dear Barflies

I'm sorry to have to announce that Jim Baen suffered a stroke on Monday, and has been in the hospital ever since. His condition is serious, but it's too early for any prognosis as to how he'll fare from here on in.

His family has arrived in NC, and are with him in the hospital. I've been to see him, as have other members of Baen's staff and his friend David Drake. In the meantime, so far as Baen Books is concerned, our plans continue on schedule.

The business is fine, we're all simply very concerned about Jim.

-Hyp.

 

[Rl'Halsinor]

I can't even beging to add up the money I spent over the years on books published by Jim Baen. Anyone know how old he is?

 

[Umbran]

Man, losing this guy would be a sorry thing for science fiction.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Anyone know how old he is?

63ish - born in 1943, per Wikipedia.

-Hyp.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Gods, I think that I buy more SF and fantasy from Baen than the other publishers combined! I hope like hell that he recovers. Baen Books has done more with the internet than any other publisher that I can name too.

My best wishes are with you Mr. Baen.

The Auld Grump

 

[Hypersmurf]

Gods, I think that I buy more SF and fantasy from Baen than the other publishers combined!

Yup.

I remember when I was at university, I used to get a lot of my reading matter from the public library. I'd find myself scanning the spines of the books in the SF/F section, and occasionally stopping and pulling one out (despite not knowing the author)... and frequently, these 'random' picks were really good.

I eventually figured out that I was subconsciously 'randomly' picking the ones that had a similar spine layout to others I'd enjoyed... and that the reason the spine layout was similar was that they were all published by the same company...

I'd have to have a look, but I wouldn't be surprised if my bookshelves are more than 50% Baen now.

-Hyp.