Earth 2100

28 Captivating Visions of a Sci-Fi Future

by J. Scott Coatsworth

Earth on the Cusp of the Twenty-Second Century

Just think how the world has changed in the last seventy-six years. In 1948, scientists ran the first computer program, and "the Ultimate Car of the Future," the futuristic, three wheeled Davis Divan, debuted. Since then, a succession of inventions—the personal computer, the internet, the World Wide Web, smart phones and social media—have transformed every aspect of our lives.

How might the next seventy-six years change us, in ways we can barely even begin to imagine, as culture, climate change, politics and technology continue to reshape the world? Earth in 2100 will be as unrecognizable to us as today would be to someone from 1948.

Eighteen writers tackled this challenge, creating an amazing array of sci-fi possibilities. From emotional AI's to photosynthetic children, from virtual worlds to a post-urban society, our writers serve up compelling slices of life from an Earth that's just around the corner.

So dive in and and take a wild ride into these amazing visions of our collective future.

Published:
Publisher: Other Worlds Ink (https://www.otherworldsink.com)
Editors:
Jaime Lee Moyer
Cover Artists:
Sleepy Fox Studio
Genres:
action-adventure, cli-fi, dystopian, fiction, gay, lgbtq, M/M, sci-fi
Tags:
artificial intelligence, cyborg, handicapped, virtual reality
Excerpt:

Homecoming

by J. Scott Coatsworth

Spaceman meets wolfman.

When his own world is destroyed, Aldiss and his crew barely manage to escape, leaving friends and lovers behind. What was meant to be an exploratory trip back to the home world becomes a mad dash for survival.

When they awaken from deep sleep on Earth, abandoned by humanity five centuries before, they must quickly learn about their new home. While exploring the region around the ship, Aldiss meets Hari, a human-wolf hybrid, whose people harbor secrets which just might cost the crew their lives.

Will Hari and Aldiss uncover the secrets of the past and find common ground? Or are Aldiss and his team doomed to failure?

Published:
Publisher: Other Worlds Ink (https://www.otherworldsink.com)
Cover Artists:
J. Scott Coatsworth
Genres:
action-adventure, dystopian, fiction, lgbtq, M/M, romance, sci-fi
Tags:
future, gay romance, MM, novella, spaceman, werewolf
Excerpt:
Reviews:Paul on Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words wrote:

“This book clicks on just about every level... a ride worth taking.”

Mike Bode wrote:

"A good read for a long afternoon with an engaging bread crumb trail of clues to lead you to a satisfied ending."

Adele S. on Amazon wrote:

"Once I started this it took me little more than an hour to finish it. The world building was flawless & there was a great pace to the writing. It's a fantastic story through & through. I'd love to read more from this universe. To see if other clans have survived, whether anyone else made it away from Antana & to see how the Earth continues to rebuild."


Cailleadhama

by J. Scott Coatsworth

Colton is a trans man living in a climate-changed world. He plies the canals that used to be city streets, earning a living taking tourists on illicit journeys through San Francisco's flooded edges beneath the imposing bulk of the Wall.

Tris is an elf who comes through the veil to the City by the Bay - the Caille - on a coming of age pilgrimage called the Cailleadhama. He is searching for his brother Laris, who went missing after crossing through the Caille years before.

The two men find they have common cause, and together they set off to find Laris in a world transformed by the twin forces of greed and climate change. And in the end, they find out more than they ever expected, both about the warming world and their own selves.

Published:
Cover Artists:
J. Scott Coatsworth
Narrators:
Drew Bacca
Genres:
action-adventure, cli-fi, dystopian, fantasy, fiction, lgbtq, romance, sci-fi, YA/Adult Crossover, young adult
Tags:
audiobook, elf, gay romance, MM, quest, San Francisco
Excerpt:
Reviews:Jennivie Wirries on Amazon wrote:

This book is like a two for one- part dystopian novel part fantasy. There’s also some action and romance in the mix as well. Colton is a trans man living in the flooded ruins of what used to be San Francisco- on the poor side of the wall built to keep the ocean from swallowing everything as much as it is to keep the lower class citizens out. Tris is an elf who has come through the veil into the human world as part of a coming of age tradition and in search of his missing brother. He finds much more and less than he could have hoped for. As is the case with several of this author’s titles, this beautifully crafted story is unlike anything I have ever read.


Androids and Aliens

by J. Scott Coatsworth

Androids & Aliens is Scott's third short story collection - eight sci fi and sci-fantasy shorts that run the gamut from cyborgs to (comedic) alien invasions:

Rise: The rise in sea levels caused by climate change swallowed Venice beneath the lagoon half a century ago. But what if we could bring it back?

Ping: I was a real estate agent by day, and a museum curator in the evening at a sci-fi museum. What I saw one night changed everything.

What the Rain Brings: Miriam struggles to make a living in post-climate-change Vancouver. But her friend Catalina has it even worse in the Arizona desert. So Miri hatches a plan.

High Seven: Zan dreams of making full reals - immersive live virtual reality skins - but his low score may doom him to a life of cheap coding.

Full Real: Dek's given up his life of spying for the city. But one more case awaits him. Will he regret it more if he takes it, or turns it down?

Shit City: The Bay Area is being walloped by a hurricane, and seventeen-year-old Jason Vasquez has been relocated to a refugee city in the Nevada Desert. Will it be temporary shelter, or change his life?

Firedrake: Kerry has always wondered about his deadly powers. But a mysterious bunch of violet roses starts him on the path to discovery - even if he's not sure he's going to like what he finds.

The Last Human Heart: I'm one of the Remainers, the few cyborg humans still living on this busted planet. But if my still-human heart finally gives out, I may not live to find out the truth about who I am.

This is the first time all of these stories have all been collected in one place, and the first publication of the Pacific Climate Tryptich - What the Rain Brings, High Seven, and Full Real - in any form.

Published:
Publisher: Other Worlds Ink (https://www.otherworldsink.com)
Editors:
Allison Behrens
Cover Artists:
J. Scott Coatsworth, Sleepy Fox Studio
Genres:
cli-fi, dystopian, fiction, lgbtq, romance, sci-fi
Tags:
future, gay romance, lesbian, second chance
Excerpt:
Reviews:Mike on Amazon wrote:

I'm having a hard time finding good sci-fi to read after finishing most of the old and modern classics, so I'm glad I stumbled onto this book. These stories remind me of stuff I used to read in magazines like Analog and Asimov. The worlds this book creates are compelling enough that some of these stories made me angry that they aren't full length novels or even series. I've never quite understood the magic formula that makes really good short stories impactful and complete despite their length and yet make you yearn for more at the same time. Whatever it is, Coatsworth nails it.

Wallace Rinkelhaus on Amazon wrote:

I love Scott Coatsworth's latest collection of "eight sci fi and sci-fantasy shorts that run the gamut from cyborgs to (comedic) alien invasions" (back cover). I laughed and I cried, for broken and missing hearts, for hearts recovered, and love found and lost. I loved the golden threat of hope here, even if bad things happen. Thanks to climate change, hurricanes devastate the Bay area, and EF6 tornadoes completely an Idaho town. The US implodes.

In "Firedrake," Kerry, one of the Changed, has to deal his powers of fire-making. Then he receives violet roses--from who and why? And he begins a journey of self-discovery. "What the Rain Brings," Miriam is doing her best to survive, and help those who need it, in "post-climate change Vancouver' (backcover). But her friend, Catalina, is caught in a nightmare in Arizona. Can she help her? These are love stories, queer love stories, that celebrate the human spirit, and offer hope.

These stories are a tonic for the soul. Recommended.


Ever: Forged into Midnight

by Sen Taylor
Stories of war raised young Saya. In her nation of Sagittarius, little girls were molded into dutiful Sagittarian wives and mothers. But Saya wanted nothing more than to become a brave and honorable Sagittarian soldier, fighting against Scorpio, just like her father. She knew in her heart she was a boy, and nothing felt heavier than the expectations her nation imposed upon its children who had bodies like Saya's. That is, until the day she discovered what the weight of unspeakable tragedy felt like. Suddenly, with sword in hand, a quiver full of arrows, and a new name, Sai is thrust into an unprecedented life. He finally got what he had always wanted... but at what cost?
Published:
Genres:
action-adventure, dystopian, fiction, lgbtq, YA/Adult Crossover
Tags:
series, transgender
Reviews:Nicolas Dolern on Independent Book Review wrote:

"An epic post-apocalyptic tale of nationalism, gender, and war.... Forged is rich in character psychology.... A read for entertainment and imagination."

on Kirkus Reviews:

"Ruminative, queer dystopian fable... The writing is engrossing and punchy...and the action is energetic... A vigorous yarn that mixes stout swashbuckling with moody reflection."

ALS on Amazon wrote:

When I tell you this book is **Fantastic**, show me the lie. In the first chapter, you're immediately drawn into the character's stories, and the world they live in. The details of the scenes, and the life journey of the main character, Sai, gives you all the feels. The parallels of today's society is chilling. It's giving, movie franchise. Totally invested in the journey of these characters and the rest of the series. The only critique that I have, is that the author should have already released the rest of the series so I can binge read them already. If you want a book to make you feel totally immersed, you're wasting time reading this. Go BUy tHe BoOK!!!!