hard science fiction – Sean Monaghan

One of the things I’ve done with the latest Kickstarter is to give away a free ebook story to all followers of the campaign. “Strange Orbit” is a prequel story to Spin Trap the novel that is the focus of the Kickstarter.

The esteemable Keith West has written concise review of “Strange Orbit” on his blog here. Full disclosure, Keith is another writer, and is known to me, though we’ve never met in person. But go read the review. And follow along with the Kickstarter (which is finishing in a few days) and you’ll get a free copy.

Strange Orbit – Blurb

Sean Monaghan’s intense science fiction tales deliver disaster and danger, all with a powerful human touch.

Accomplished tug jockey Deacon Winchler flies the lunar cargo routes. Long hours, Cramped quarters, lousy pay. But he loves the work. He even likes his crewmates. Kind of.

When an unexpected message breaks the routine, Deacon needs to make fast decisions. Clear decisions.

Live or die decisions.

A gripping story of moments gone wrong and improvisation with just the right pinch of humor

From the world of the novel Spin trap, by award-winning writer Sean Monaghan, author of the “Wildest Skies” series.

The Kickstarter finishes in a few days, so grab the story quick. It won’t be out on general release until December.

The Year’s Top Hard Science Fiction Stories 7, edited by Allan Kaster is available for preorder now – out on June 16th. I’m honored to have my novella “Goldie” included in the pages. Talk about amazing company. Look at that contents page! Copied directly from Amazon:

An unabridged collection spotlighting the best hard science fiction stories and novellas published in 2022 by current and emerging masters of the genre, edited by Allan Kaster.

“The Lichens” by Nina Allan — A 22nd century botanist asks a teacher in Scotland, at the time of Culloden, for help with her research.

“Beneath the Surface, a Womb of Ice” by Deborah L. Davitt — A biochemist involved in the search for underground water on Mars finds refuge in the mechanics of science.
“A Stone’s Throw” by Gregory Feeley — Romance burns hot amidst the cold moons of Neptune.
“The Wine-Dark Deep” by Sheila Finch — A cephalopod researcher discovers petroglyphs on the walls of a deep underwater cave.
“Cloudchaser” by Tom Jolly — A collector of rare artifacts hides his valuables on darkworlds.
“The Ploughshare and the Storm” by Gwyneth Jones — Post-humans find a time capsule on Europa.
“Nonstandard Candles” by Yoon Ha Lee — A cartographer and her apprentice map the outer darkness of space.
“Timekeepers’ Symphony” by Ken Liu — The colonization of the cosmos transforms humanity’s sense of time.
“Maryon’s Gift” by Paul McAuley — Set in the author’s Jackaroo series, monks fight to keep a newly discovered pristine world free of humans.
“Goldie” by Sean Monaghan — Scientists learn a lot about themselves while studying the ecosystems of an alien planet.
“The Abacus and the Infinite Vessel” by Vikram Ramakrishnan — A scientist recalls the struggles of her and her mother after immigrating to Mars.
“I Give You the Moon” by Justina Robson — A history student yearns for a dose of reality in an AR-immersed future.
“The Difference Between Love and Time” by Catherynne M. Valente — A woman has a relationship with the space-time continuum that’s a bit different than most of us.
“Critical Mass” — An avant-garde artist, past his prime, discovers his works are being vandalized.
“Communion” — A pilot is caught in a life and death struggle between his ship’s AI and an alien microbe after crash landing on an ice moon.

Talk about imposter syndrome. There are people there I’ve admired and idolized for years. If only I could write like them! This is another ‘knock me down with a feather’ moment.

I can’t wait to get my copy and immerse myself in all these wonderful universes.

Tag: hard science fiction

Great review of “Strange Orbit” – the Spin Trap story given away to followers of the Kickstarter

The Year’s Top Hard Science Fiction Stories 7 – includes my novella “Goldie”