Launched in June 2006 Jim Baen's Universe was conceived as a bimonthly online fantasy and science fiction magazine by the founder and publisher of Baen Books. Baen's sudden death of a stroke on 11 June 2006 meant, however, that he did not live to see the magazine go into publication. The first an only editior, therefore was Eric Flint, himself an author and anthologist. Mike Resnick served as executiev editor. During its four years of publication Jim Baen's Universe featured stories from a number of notable authors, including
Alan Dean Foster, A. Bertram Chandler, Gregory Benford, Esther Friesner, and Cory
Doctorow. Regular columnists included Eric Flint, Mike Resnick, Barry
Malzberg, and Stephen Euin Cobb.
Eeach issue contained around 120,000 to 150,000 words per issue, making it one of the largest science fiction magazines available.
Baen's original intention to nurture new authors was carried out by Flint, who reserved space in each issue for new writers. Amateur writers were encouraged
to submit their work via an online forum, referred to as "e-slush."
Stories submitted to e-slush were reviewed by peers and associate
editors.
In August 2009 Flint announced that the magazine would close
after its April 2010 issue due to insufficient subscriber income.
