Blog update April 2014

Welcome to this short fiction blog.

The stories here reflect my interests: environmental issues, resource scarcity and also the history, cultures, and landscapes of Tibet and China

The first 6 stories are entries in a short story competition hosted by John Michael Greer (details here), peak oil writer and blogger. They each inhabit a post peak oil world where resources are scarce and industrial society is changing to something different. The top entries will be published a book. Wish me luck!

A previous set of stories was published in 2012 in a book entitled After Oil: SF Visions of a Post-Petroleum World, available from Amazon (Amazon) or in Australia from Fishpond (Fishpond).

 

Each story stands alone but some are linked. Suggested order of reading:

Stories set in China:

Winds of Change –  In 2022 a migrant worker struggles to realise his dreams and fulfil his family obligations.

Outside In – It's 2050, the country and economy have changed. A recycler studies for an exam to improve his prospects, and an indentured servant plans her escape.

Seeds of Time – (Sequel to Outside In). In 2055 rural China prospers again after a period of dramatic changes, then things are complicated by a strange visitor and a hidden object.

 

Stories set in Australia: A North Queensland Trilogy

Robots on Mars – 2025. A space-mad city boy adjusts to life in the country and tries to solve a mystery.    (Note: no actual robots or Martians involved)

Promised Land – (Sequel to Robots on Mars). It’s 2050 and development threatens the rural district. Is it what they really need and if not, how can they stop it?

 

Heart of Glass - (Sequel to Promised Land). The year is 2099, high school graduates prepare to step into adulthood and the community prepares to celebrate the turn of a new century.


[Note: The competition word range is 2500-7500 words. My stories are between 4000 and 7000 words.]



 
Also see: Beijing Private Eyes - A foreign teacher in Beijing meets an unexpected and attractive visitor in need of assistance. He offers to help and things begin to get complicated.

Read Beijing Private Eyes - Part 1  Arrival  here ]


Coming soon....

Tell Him He's Dreaming - An engineer has an environmental epiphany but things don't go quite according to plan.

Trial by Fire - A Tibetan woman self-immolates and two witnesses confront a dangerous dilemma.

Arrested Development - A development consultant in China finds life getting out of control.

My Trip to China - A novice traveller has the adventure of a lifetime.



I welcome constructive comments.