The Secret of Black Ship Island

The oldest children of the settlers on Avalon (see THE LEGACY OF HEOROT, called “Outstanding” by Tom Clancy) are now in their late teens and want independence from their parents and guardians. They especially don't want parents around for an initiation ceremony, held on Black Ship Island, for the younger children just reaching their teens. But when previously unknown creatures make their deadly appearance, things go horribly wrong … A novella set before the events that unfold in BEOWULF'S CHILDREN.

on THE LEGACY OF HEOROT: “Outstanding! … The best ever, by the best in the field … the ultimate combination of imagination and realism.”
— Tom Clancy, author of THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and RED STORM RISING

on THE LEGACY OF HEOROT: “THE LEGACY OF HEOROT is well written, action-packed and tension filled … makes ALIENS look like a Disney nature film.”
— The Washington Post

on THE LEGACY OF HEOROT: “Spine-tingling ecological tale of terror … A story as relentless as the Great White Shark of JAWS.”
— Locus Magazine

on BEOWULF'S CHILDREN: «Few writers have a finer pedigree than those here … As one might suspect BEOWULF'S CHILDREN is seamless … absorbing, substantial … masterful novel.”
— Los Angeles Times

on BEOWULF'S CHILDREN: “Panoramic SF adventure at its best.”
— Library Journal

LARRY NIVEN:
Born April 30, 1938 in Los Angeles, California. Attended California Institute of Technology; flunked out after discovering a book store jammed with used science fiction magazines. Graduated Washburn University, Kansas, June 1962: BA in Mathematics with a Minor in Psychology, and later received an honorary doctorate in Letters from Washburn. Interests: Science fiction conventions, role playing games, AAAS meetings and other gatherings of people at the cutting edges of science. Comics. Filk singing. Yoga and other approaches to longevity. Moving mankind into space by any means, but particularly by making space endeavors attractive to commercial interests. Several times we’ve hosted The Citizens Advisory Council for a National Space Policy. I grew up with dogs. I live with a cat, and borrow dogs to hike with. I have passing acquaintance with raccoons and ferrets. Associating with nonhumans has certainly gained me insight into alien intelligences.

JERRY POURNELLE:
Jerry Pournelle is the author of the popular Janissaries and CoDominium series and co-author with Larry Niven of several bestselling science fiction novels, including INFERNO, FOOTFALL, LUCIFER'S HAMMER, OATH OF FEALTY, THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE, THE GRIPPING HAND, THE BURNING CITY, BURNING TOWER and ESCAPE FROM HELL. Dr. Pournelle has advanced degrees in engineering, political science, statistics and psychology. As an aerospace Systems Analyst he participated in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Following a brief tour in academia he was the Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Los Angeles. He was the Science Editor for Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, and is a past president of the Science Fiction Writers of America. He has written columns on political and technology issues for decades, in addition to his career as a fiction writer. His columns for Byte magazine have been an internet staple for many years. Dr. Pournelle has been involved in the development of government policy on space enterprises and defense, and he is active on several committees for the advancement of science and space exploration. He was Chairman of the Reagan “kitchen cabinet” Citizen's Advisory Committee on National Space Policy, and frequently participates in conferences on the future of technology.

STEVEN BARNES:
Steven Barnes has published twenty-three novels and over three million words of science fiction and fantasy. He has been nominated for Hugo, Nebula, and Cable Ace awards. His television work includes Twilight Zone, Stargate and Andromeda; his “A Stitch In Time” episode of The Outer Limits won the Emmy Award.
About the AuthorLARRY NIVEN is the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of the 'Ringworld' series, as well as many other science fiction masterpieces. His Footfall, coauthored with Jerry Pournelle, was a New York Times bestseller. He lives in Chatsworth, California.

JERRY POURNELLE is the author of the popular 'Janissaries' and 'CoDominium' series and the coauthor of several bestselling science fiction novels, including Lucifer's Hammer, The Mote in God's Eye, and the New York Times bestseller Footfall. He has advanced degrees in engineering, political science, statistics, and psychology and, in addition to his career as a fiction writer, has for many years written columns on both politics and technology.

STEVEN BARNES is a prolific author and scriptwriter who has been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, Cable ACE, and Endeavour awards. His work for television includes episodes of The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Stargate SG-1, and Andromeda. A lifelong student of human-performance technologies, he holds black belts in judo and karate, has an instructor certificate in Circular Strength Training, and is a trained hypnotherapist.