The last couple of weeks has seen two new stories by me published in anthologies. First up is “Blue Shift, Passing By” in the Best of British Science Fiction 2023, edited by the very wonderful Donna Scott and published by Newcon Press. My story (originally published in Andomeda Spaceways Magazine) is in august company with the likes of Alastair Reynolds, Stephen Baxter and Adrian Tchaikovsky (amongst many other stellar names) all contributing stories. I was thrilled to be included – my second appearance in the anthology series! I also took part in the online launch party (where much cheese and wine was consumed) and that was great fun too. It really is a great anthology and a fine mix of stories – well worth checking out. Last year’s anthology won the BSFA award for best collection so it’s great to see the anthology series getting the recognition it deserves.

Second up is Twigged: Offshoots of Humanity, published by Third Flatiron. As you may know, this is a long-running anthology series and can always be relied on for some gem-of-a-story contents across a range of sub-genres, playing on variations of the anthology theme. This time the theme was on speculative future directions for humanity. My story “What Remains of the Rainbow” explores a conflict at the boundary of human / post-human development against a backdrop of early interstellar travel. I had a lot of fun exploring a particular solution to the time-dilation problem, given the impossibility of faster-than-light travel. With friends and family ageing by decades back home while you’re off travelling at near-light speeds, how can you avoid the inevitable separation and loss?

I’m working my way through the other stories in the anthology and enjoying them immensely. Plus a shout out to my old writing buddy Wulf Moon and his creative writing cohort who have come up with some humdingers!