James Gunn's Center for the Study of Science Fiction at Kansas University has always been a locus of awesomeness in the consideration of the genre we all love. Among other things, the Center hosts the John W. Campbell Memorial Award every year, celebrating "the best science-fiction novel of the year."


And now, Gunn and the Center are starting a new online magazine, Ad Astra, which will add to our understanding of science fiction while also publishing some. Here's the press release:

The Center for the Study of Science Fiction (CSSF), in association with the University of Kansas, announces the launch of James Gunn's Ad Astra, an online resource for authors, scholars and all those who are interested in speculative fiction at http://adastra.ku.edu/. CSSF is known for its resources, links, reading lists, workshops and online courses. James Gunn's Ad Astra is excited to expand these offerings to a wider audience through creative short fiction and poetry, featured reviews, and scholarly articles. Its ambitious goals include building a creative community that will deepen the conversation within the genre. It hopes to inspire new authors and new readers by publishing original works and promoting them at CSSF's annual Campbell Conference. The first issue of James Gunn's Ad Astra will be released, online, in conjunction with the Campbell Conference in June of 2012. Together, they will explore this year's theme of Communication and Information. Throughout this year, Ad Astra will discuss how communication and the information age have influenced both every day life and speculative literature. James E. Gunn – founder of CSSF and Patron Saint of Ad Astra – has said that speculative fiction can help encourage the future by preparing minds today. Ad Astra wants to take its place among visionary publishers such as John W. Campbell and harness modern platforms to shape the future of the genre.


[via SFRA]