Reader's Guide to Future Chron - Part 1

Image: Bruce Rolff

I recently totaled up the number of books I've published, and the number is 21 short stories (less than 7,500 words), 26 novelettes (over 7,500 but less than 17,500 words), 3 novellas (over 17,500 but less than 40,000), and 15 novels (greater than 40,000 words). In addition, I've collected these 65 stories into another 18 books. Then there are 6 more “special” novels which are actually older editions of novels I have republished. A total of 89 books.

So, here is a reader's introduction to my books which will hopefully help you find one you would like to read. I'll start with my oldest stories in what I call the Future Chron Universe. A universe in this case is a way to organize a series of books that share the same science and technology, same societal background, and sometimes the same characters.

Anti-Science Visionary

Image: Frank R. Paul, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

H.G. Wells is well known for his early science fiction. While providing exciting stories and thought-provoking scenarios the reader may believe that Wells was a science and technology optimist. But upon further reflection they might note that the stories and novels carried an undercurrent of foreboding. They were essentially a warning siren for scientific apocalypse, though he changed his mind later and found a way to use science and technology to enable his utopias, Wells was at the start of his writing career a science and technology pessimist. Looking at the short story Lord of the Dynamos Wells's early attitude towards technology and science can be examined.