Monday 2 June 2014

New Story "Downsizing in the Technopoly" in SF Anthology Tides of Possiblity

I’m appearing in a new anthology out later in the year, Tides of Possibility, formulated from the idea that the rise of the indie author is upon us, that many of those authors write science fiction. This is an anthology to celebrate the success of the new form of 21st Century SF writer, and I’m glad to be a part of it.
 
 
 
A science fiction anthology from the rising stars of indie-publishing in Texas and beyond, edited by K.J. Russell with cover art by David Sidebotham.
 
This is a description of my story: “Downsizing in the Technopoly”, is an intimate look at the tragedy inflicted on one man's life when the coming of generous extra-terrestrials upends the global economy of the planet Jharkhand. One of millions suddenly unemployed, Yusuf McCredie finds no comfort in the utopian technologies meant to uplift his species. He is a corporate man, and if he cannot manage others, how can he be happy? The only intellect that understands his plight — an extra-terrestrial being calling itself a Skin Hitcher — has a proposition for him: "You want to become the biomass/intellect contribution to my micro-farm/eco-genesis?"
 
Here is a list of many of the authors and stories I’ll be appearing along side in the anthology:
 
  • “The Color of Silence” by Mandy Broughton, a terminally ill woman sends her best friend-nanny-android on a mission to answer a question to heal her of her sickness.
  • “Part of a Whole” by Carolina Dolislager, is about life in the Society, a far-future setting where people follow step-by-step instructions to wake up, eat breakfast, and go to work.
  • “House of Tin” by L. Fabry, presents a world where a new law, Ordinance 93, can render unapproved pregnancies illegal.
  • “A Loveable Face” by C Stuart Hardwick, Alain Delacort is proud of his team's success in engineering what he calls Flying Wolves, an adorable winged canine pet.
  • “Reaction” by Kelly Horn, in a space station in the far future a servant of the elite class knows things she shouldn't, like how to read and think.
  • “The Black Prince” by Erin M Kennemer, shows us a future in which there are no stars in the sky above Earth, and people don’t think that's strange.
  • “The Woman Who Wanted to Play Miss Havisham” by Haralambi Markov, the bankrupt nation of Bulgaria has been purchased in its entirety by Britain, and is being renovated into the largest stage in history.
  • “The Commitment” by E.L. Russel, is about an aging woman who is struggling to manage her husband's degenerating health.
  • “A Perfectly Stable Dataglobule” by K.J. Russell, where the meaty brains of fighter pilots are having their dreams crafted artificially by external forces.
  • “Imperfection” by Jay Wilburn, presents a post-cataclysm world wherein organic people don't last very long.
  • “The Reader” by D.L. Young, portrays the deadly negotiations for control of the natgas fields in Texas.