Dear writers: Please be aware of ongoing scams by agent impersonators. Use extra caution with any unsolicited offers from agents. Reputable agents will not ask for upfront fees of any kind. For more information, look at sites such as Writer Beware (https://writerbeware.blog/). Please always check email addresses/spellings. All official emails from Donald Maass Literary Agency will come from an address that ends in @maassagency.com (2 A's, 2 S's in MAASS).

THE EMILIE ADVENTURES by Martha Wells

May 132025
 

Emilie and the Hollow World

Running away from home and stowing away on the wrong ship, Emilie embarks on a fantastic adventure.

Emilie learns that the crew hopes to use an experimental engine to journey to the interior of the planet, but when the ship becomes damaged on arrival and evidence points to sabotage, they encounter the treacherous Lord Ivers, along with a strange new race.

Can Emilie and her new-found friends possibly reach the surface world again?

Emilie and the Sky-World

When Emilie arrives in Silk Harbor, Professor Abindon, an old colleague of her friend Lady Marlende, warns them of something strange and potentially deadly in the sky, a disruption in an upper air aether current. On further investigation they realize it’s a ship from another aetheric plane.

How to determine if it’s a friendly explorer, or something far more sinister? Nothing less than a journey into the dangerous air currents will do.

Join Emilie and she navigates the strange landscapes of the upper air, and the deadly menace that inhabits the Sky World.

2025 Locus Awards Finalists!

May 092025
 

The finalists for the 2025 Locus Award finalists were announced and several DMLA clients made the list!

SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL

  • Rakesfall, Vajra Chandrasekera (Tordotcom)

FANTASY NOVEL

  • The Tainted Cup, Robert Jackson Bennett (Del Rey; Hodderscape UK)
  • Asunder, Kerstin Hall (Tordotcom)
  • The Siege of Burning Grass, Premee Mohamed (Solaris UK)

YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

  • The Feast Makers, H.A. Clarke (Erewhon)
  • Sheine Lende, Darcie Little Badger (Levine Querido)

NOVELLA

  • The Butcher of the Forest, Premee Mohamed (Tordotcom)
  • Countess, Suzan Palumbo (ECW)

NOVELETTE

  • “A Stranger Knocks“, Tananarive Due (Uncanny 9-10/24)
  • “By Salt, By Sea, By Light of Stars“, Premee Mohamed (Strange Horizons 6/9/24)

SHORT STORY

  • “The Night Birds”, Premee Mohamed (Northern Nights)

COLLECTION

  • Jamaica Ginger and Other Concoctions, Nalo Hopkinson (Tachyon)

April Translation Deals

Apr 302025
 

Croatian rights to New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher’s THE AERONAUT’S WINDLASS and THE OLYMPIAN AFFAIR, Books 1 and 2 of The Cinder Spires, to Lumen, by Milena Kaplarević at Prava i Prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Hungarian rights to New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher’s COLD DAYS, Book 14 of The Dresden Files, to Delta Vision, by Nada Popovic at Prava i Prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Hungarian rights to Michael Livingston’s NEVER GREATER SLAUGHTER, to Peko, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Polish rights to Robert McCammon’s THE PROVIDENCE RIDER, to Vesper, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Polish rights to Katherine Addison’s THE GOBLIN EMPEROR, to Nowa Basn, by Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Portuguese rights to New York Times bestselling author Tamsyn Muir’s GIDEON THE NINTH, the first book in the Locked Tomb series, to Infinito Particular, by Elena Rodríguez at International Editors’ Co. in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Ukrainian rights to LJ Andrews’s THE BROKEN KINGDOMS SERIES, to Bookchef, in a three-book deal, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava i Prevodi on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Ukrainian rights to Caitlin Starling’s THE STARVING SAINTS, to Yakaboo, by Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Caitlin McDonald.

2025 Hugo Awards Finalists!

Apr 142025
 

The finalists for the 2025 Hugo Awards Finalists were announced a couple of days ago, and we’re over the moon to see our DMLA authors honored! Congratulations all around!

BEST NOVEL

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett (Del Rey, Hodderscape UK)

BEST NOVELLA

The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed (Tordotcom)

BEST NOVELETTE

“By Salt, By Sea, By Light of Stars” by Premee Mohamed (Strange Horizons, Fund Drive 2024)

LODESTAR AWARD FOR BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK
The Feast Makers by H.A. Clarke (Erewhon)
Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger (Levine Querido)

BEST SEMIPROZINE
Amanda Downum and E. Catherine Tobler for their work on The Deadlands
Premee Mohamed for her work on Escape Pod

Starred Review: THE FOLDED SKY by Elizabeth Bear

Apr 102025
 

The cover of The Folded Sky by Elizabeth Bear with a dramatic outerspace scene.Library Journal: Information exists all over the universe, and Sunya Song’s goal in life is to preserve it. She is an archinformist, a specialist historian who has traveled halfway across the galaxy to save as much as she can of the Baomind, an alien artificial intelligence that is in orbit around a dying red giant. Sunya is surprised—and dismayed—to discover that her academic rival (and ex-lover) Vickee Devine has also arrived, along with Sunya’s alien wife and their two children. When the research station and small fleet of ships come under attack by Freeport pirates, the group must protect themselves as well as the Baomind, which the pirates believe should be destroyed. With danger outside and inside the station, Sunya must find a way to contact help, thousands of light-years away. VERDICT The latest entry in Bear’s “White Space” series following Machine) showcases her smart and introspective command of space opera. Well-developed characters highlight not only the big ideas of artificial intelligence, xenophobia, and data preservation but family dynamics and scientific rivalries.

DIVINER’S BOW by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Apr 012025
 

A world divided cannot stand.

A people divided cannot thrive.

The Oracle has Seen the end of Civilization, and the end of the Haosa, too. Reactions to this are—mixed.

On the one hand, foresight is a notoriously erratic Gift. On the other, can Civilization—or the Haosa—afford to assume that the prophecy is an error?

And if the Oracle has Seen truly—is it possible to alter the future?

While well-meaning people struggle to implement change that might, at least, mitigate a disaster, others are looking toward the profit they can make from the end of the world.

In the meantime, the Tree-and-Dragon Trade Team has concluded its whole port inventory, and is about to propose Colemeno as a trade-hub and anchor to a brand-new route. Padi yos’Galan is preparing to step into new roles, personally, and in trade.

And the lives of two small children may be the thread that binds the future—or unravels it.

March Translation Deals

Mar 312025
 

Bulgarian rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ NETWORK EFFECT and FUGITIVE TELEMETRY, the fifth and sixth books in The Murderbot Diaries, plus “Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory,” to Studio of A, by Milena Kaplarević at Prava i prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Finnish rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ FUGITIVE TELEMETRY, the fifth installment in The Murderbot Diaries series, to Hertta Kustannus Oy, by Vere Bank at Sebes & Bisseling Literary Agency in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

French rights to USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Khaw’s THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE, to Eilean Books, in an auction, by Sarah Dray at Anna Jarota Agency in association with Michael Curry.

German rights to K Webster’s CINDERELLA SERIES and DECEPTION DUET, to Digital Publishers, in a five-book deal, by Sarah Knofius at Thomas Schlueck Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Hungarian rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ ALL SYSTEMS RED, ARTIFICIAL CONDITION, ROGUE PROTOCOL, EXIT STRATEGY, and NETWORK EFFECT, the first five books in The Murderbot Diaries, to Fumax, by Milena Kaplarević at Prava i prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Polish rights to Kel Kade’s KNIGHT OF SHADOWS, to Fabryka Slow, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Ukranian rights to Sue Burke’s SEMIOSIS, to Lobster, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Jennie Goloboy.

2024 Nebula Award Nominations

Mar 142025
 

The nominations for the 2024 Nebula Awards were announced, and we’re thrilled to see the following DMLA authors on the list! Congratulations all around!

Best Novel

  • Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera, published by Tordotcom
  • Asunder by Kerstin Hall, published by Tordotcom

Best Novella

Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction

Best Game Writing

  • A Death in Hyperspace for which Kate Heartfield is one of the writers, published by Infomancy.net

Sharon Lee Wins 2025 Robert A. Heinlein Award

Mar 102025
 

Sharon Lee, novelist, is the 2025 winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award. The award is bestowed for outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings that inspire the human exploration of space. This award is in recognition of Ms. Lee’s body of work of over 38 novels and short stories. A majority of her space themed work is in the Liaden Universe, written with her late husband Steve Miller, and features merchant families trading across the galaxy. The next Liaden Universe novel, Diviner’s Bow, is forthcoming from Baen Books in April 2025.

The award will be formally presented during opening ceremonies on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM for Balticon 59, the 59th Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention. Balticon will take place at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore Maryland. Ms. Lee will participate in the Balticon program across Memorial Day Weekend.

Balticon and the Robert A. Heinlein Award are both managed and sponsored by The Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc. BSFS thanks The Heinlein Society and the family of Dr. Yoji Kondo for providing funding for this award.

The Robert A. Heinlein Award is a sterling silver medallion bearing the image of Robert A. Heinlein, as depicted by artist Arlin Robins. The medallion is matched with a red-white-blue lanyard. In addition, the winner receives two lapel pins for use when a large medallion is impractical, and a plaque describing the award for home or office wall display.

The Robert A. Heinlein Award selection committee consists of science fiction writers and was founded by Dr. Yoji Kondo, a long-time friend of Robert and Virginia Heinlein. Members of the original committee were approved by Virginia Heinlein.

Virginia Heinlein authorized multiple awards in memory of her husband. Other awards include the Heinlein Prize, which is fully funded by Virginia Heinlein’s estate, and a National Space Society award for volunteer projects.

Murderbot Sci-Fi series premieres 5.16.2025!

Mar 072025
 

cover of murderbot diaries volume 1 with apple+ stickerCongratulations to Martha Wells as MURDERBOT has been picked up and made into new sci-fi series! It will make its global debut on Apple TV+ on May 16, 2025! For fans of Wells’s work, don’t forget to tune-in to experience this world through a new lens!

Starring Emmy Award winner Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession,” “Big Little Lies”), who also serves as executive producer, the 10-episode sci-fi series drops the first two episodes on Friday, May 16, 2025 followed by new episodes every Friday through July 11.

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