Synopsis

This anthology features a collection of stories that tackle various themes and sub-genres of science fiction, but with a more intimate touch and queer perspective. No space operas or clinical explorations of the future here.

This is about exploring humanity, even in the non-human. There will be love and connection, loss and grief, fear and despair, doubt and curiosity, the weird and the unexpected, and maybe even a bit of silliness.

If you're looking for something specific or don't know where to start, here is a brief summary of each short story in the collection:

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• A NEW RAISON D'ÊTRE

With no creator left to serve, an advanced automaton has to decide its future.

• FATAL ERROR

A robot has to pay the ultimate price for a crime it does not remember committing.

• THIS VOICE YOU GAVE TO ME

A drunk confrontation with an A.I. idol might prove to be the single worst (or best) mistake of this singer's life.

• YOUR BEST YOU

A woman finds that she no longer has control over her virtual avatars.

• THE MOON BIRD

A formerly disgraced scientist is faced with the moral limits of scientific research.

Entry for May 2020: The Force challenge.

Prompt: 500 words, sci-fi short with a clear fantasy element.

• THE SECRET GARDEN

A genetically engineered human feels trapped in a glass prison.

• SYMBIOSIS

A researcher and her alien colleague go on what was supposed to be a simple data collection mission, but things quickly take a turn for the weird.

• UNTITLED_TRACK_10

A child is gifted a new, shiny robotic piano instructor by her father, and she is not pleased.

• THE POISON WE BREATHE

As this poor dancer soon finds out, the worst poison is the one you take yourself.

• A SHARPIE, A SCRATCHER AND A COLD ONE

So what if the only other person left in the apocalypse isn't exactly sane? Bad company is better than no company, right?

• BINARY IDIOM

Unfortunately for this human, language can be a weapon, and these two advanced AIs have learned how to wield it.

• BAD_c O n N E c t I o N

Stuck in a mental limbo, two people have no choice but to put their differences aside and attempt a connection.

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If you enjoy any of these stories, please vote or write a comment.

Tell me which ones spoke to you, or which ones you'd like to read a full story about. I'd love to know your thoughts 💜