Author: Brian Stableford

Publisher: Borgo Press

Published: 2023-07-12

Total Pages: 327

ISBN-13:

This is one of a series of anthologies of science fiction and mystery stories by Borgo Press writers that are being distributed at cost as both ebooks and print-on-demand volumes. This third volume in the sequence, Once Upon a Future, includes a dozen original and reprint tales by twelve writers. Jean Lorrah’s “Best of Friends” is a key tale in the Sime~Gen sequence, being set just after the implementation of the treaty that allowed Simes and Gens to live together peaceably. In “Best-Laid Plans,” by William Maltese, a pair of professional fighters is selected for a new mission—but not the one they thought! A. R. Morlan’s “Boog’/4 and the Endicaran Kluge” is an interesting psychological tale set on a multi-generational spaceship to the stars. Edward R. Morris can pronounce “Game Over” only when his protagonist escapes the game world in which he’s trapped. Charles Nuetzel’s “The Talisman” demonstrates that “free” is sometimes too high a price to pay for a gift. Patricia Wardon discovers that “Saving Jane Austen” (by Robert Reginald) is not as easy as it sounds. A starving author’s agent discovers a new market for subsidiary rights in Pamela Sargent’s amusing “All Rights.” Darrell Schweitzer’s “The Fire Eggs” just appear one day, everywhere on Earth, but what are they—and what purpose do they serve? “The Skin Trade,” by Brian Stableford, is one of a series of tales that explores the future of biotechnology, particularly as applied to the human form. In “The Space City,” by Doru Tatar, Grig investigates the massacre of a group of androids. E. C. Tubb’s “Agent” only wants to make money peddling his clients’ talents, but the licensees desire something entirely different! George Zebrowski’s “The Water Sculptor” fashions sculptures from ice in his isolated satellite home orbiting Earth. Twelve great stories by a dozen great writers!