Satirica

What's Inside

CONTENTS: 1. Imagine The collection opens with a sublime alternate history by Edward Morris, in which we learn what our world would be like if Ronald Reagan had been assassinated by a disgruntled rock musician whose career he had destroyed. Previously published in Interzone. 2. Some Things Never Change Tomas L. Martin takes us on a surprising journey into an alternate present, in which a young English soldier yearns for a glimpse of true sorcery in the war in Iraq if he can survive the experience. 3. Perfection 'convenient, chewable, indispensable' In the first of two stories, David Thorpe offers up a disturbing and surreal satire filled with social commentary on multiple levels, far beyond its surface theme concerning designer drugs. 4. Aliens Attack! RJ Astruc provides us with a thought provoking examination of the senselessness of war, in which tiny green aliens fall like snow from the skies. But are their intentions peaceful or malevolent? 5. Thank You, Death Robot A soldier returning from war abroad encounters and befriends a death robot. What happens when he discovers that it is responsible for his fiancee¿s murder? Victor Giannini provides us with the startling answers in the first of his stories. Previously published in Silverthought: Ignition, Silverthought Press. 6. The Babies at Nae-long John Parke Davis offers up a dark examination of child soldiers in an Africa in which the Globalista forces have retreated from whence they came. But do those who remain any longer know what they are fighting for? 7. Another Man¿s Terrorist Two young freedom fighters seeking refuge behind the lines arrive upon a space station now in enemy hands. In a true satire for our times, Bill Housley describes a brother and sister¿s struggle to escape from the shadow of their terrorist past. 8. All For One In a quirky satire filled with social commentary, Steven J. Dines takes us on a journey through the future of road rage, and government efforts to quash it...sort of. Previously appeared in Darker Matter. 9. Miss Gohrman¿s Trip Joshua Allen examines Miss Gohrman¿s fate when the representatives of a newly formed police state knock upon her door. But are they any match for a little old lady whose favorite cat has just been killed? 10. The Book of New Man In his first story, Dudgeon examines a world in which a young gang member struggles to understand the unfortunate truth, that religion truly is an 'opiate for the masses.' Previously published by silverthought on-line. 11. Printed Matter In a tale of psychological horror, Gary Cuba examines the unusual life of a bibliophile who is prevented from reading by an extreme form of dyslexia, and the lengths to which he is willing to go to create a book of his own. 12. In Your Box Mike Philbin relates the story of a loner¿s transformation into a pet fetishist, as he searches for meaning in a world where humans have become 'a grid of drug-softened pulp being squeezed out of a factory¿s rectum like societal spaghetti.' 13. Kubla Khan In a fascinating satire of the future of gaming, Kevin Spiess takes us on a surreal journey through designer drugs and virtual reality, in which the line between game and reality blurs to gray. 14. Visitation In a captivating story filled with vivid imagery, Roger Haller examines the nature of crime and punishment in an alien society, where one¿s rehabilitation may take more than one lifetime. Originally published by silverthought on-line. 15. Strings Attached What happens when you awaken with blood on your hands? Jason K. Chapman provides the answers in this dark examination of a new form of cybernetic prostitution, in which a 'Mario' struggles for his life and freedom. 16. Brain Takes A Sick Day Sometimes taking a day off can be the best career move you can possibly make. Dan Kopcow explains in a delightfully funny satire of the corporate world, which is laced with so much irony and coincidence that a m

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Editor's Comment

Satirica, the first of what is intended to be a semi-annual series, is a collection of social science fiction, or social satire, in the tradition of Alduous Huxley's Brave New World, George Orwell's 1984, or Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land, which was compiled by a social scientist with a Ph. D. in anthropology. The stories examine social issues such as terrorism, overpopulation and ecological apocalypse, as well as the potential futures of human society, and is intended to feature primarily new, undiscovered, or semi-pro writers.

I hope you enjoy the array of new talent I have managed to discover!

The first review, by anonymous, is a copy of my own description of its contents, provided by one of the authors involved for your assistance.

Enjoy!

Dudgeon.

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