I noticed recently that I write a lot about people being left behind: by technological progress (e.g., “Music of the Spheres”), by faith (e.g., “Single-Bit Error”), by the unnameable yearning for the unexplored (e.g. “Altogether Elsewhere, Vast Herds of Reindeer” and “The People of Pele”). Hmm, not sure why. Something to think about.
The trend continues in “Staying Behind”, now up at Clarkesworld, with a narration by Kate Baker. (By the way, I love the cover art this issue).
The tale is a prequel to “Altogether Elsewhere, Vast Herds of Reindeer,” and happens in the years before everyone went to live in the Data Center. It is also the third in my series of stories on the theme of faith and reason (after “The Algorithms for Love and “Single-Bit Error”).
Lisa really likes this story, and I hope you do too.
I’m grateful that it found a great market in Clarkesworld. Please support them so that they can continue to bring you quality speculative fiction.