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.
