This is a collection of the best science fiction stories set on planet Earth published in 2022 by leading authors of the genre, edited by Allan Kaster.
- “After the Storm” by James Bradley—A teenager, planting mangroves to stave off the encroaching sea, struggles with her own personal erosion.
“Pollen and Salt” byOctavia Cade—A scientist grieves for her husband while studying pollen in salt marshes.
“The Talosite” byRebecca Campbell—The daughter of an experimental neurologist reuses the bodies of the dead to send them back into combat in this World War I alternate history.
“Solidity” byGreg Egan—A student tries to navigate back to his family as reality unravels bit by bit.
“When the Tide Rises” by Sarah Gailey—A sea urchin hunter on an underwater kelp farm is trapped on a company-owned farm.
“The Ferryman” bySaad Z. Hossain—A corpse collector finds his way of life threatened in a world where human engineering has made death uncommon.
“Optimist Cleaver’s Last Transmission” byJ. C. Hsyu—A courier puts her perfect delivery record at risk in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles.
“Quandary Aminu vs the Butterfly Man” by Rich Larson—A small-time criminal battles a bioengineered killer with a 24-hour lifespan. This story won the 2023 Eugie Foster Memorial Award for Short Fiction.
“Coyoteland” byEvan Marcroft—A doctor hires a coyote to smuggle her across the badlands of a future dystopian American Southwest.
“The Empty” by Ray Nayler —A remote truck driver investigates a plea for help near the remains of a diner in the desert.
“The Cottage in Omena” by Charles Andrew Oberndorf —A woman returns to her family cottage by a lake where an infectious waterborne pathogen is prevalent.
“The White Leopard” byMichael Swanwick—A retired military drone operator illegally takes a war machine onto state game lands.
“Inheritance” by Hannah Yang—A daughter inherits her mother’s memories and sees herself as her mother saw her.
Genre: Science Fiction
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