Tractor Beam No.2: The Garden

Recently, I was lucky enough to have some worked picked up by a publication called Tractor Beam. As part of their second issue, The Garden, they wanted optimistic soilpunk sci-fi. That meant stories which provide solutions for this dying world as well as emphasizing why this planet is worth saving. It seemed like an interesting challenge, if nothing else a break from my usual pessimism and dark humor. So I started doing some research, and it wasn't long before a story came together. 

Their excellent editorial staff helped me polish the piece some more. Overall, I'm happy with the final result. I especially like the art they commissioned to accentuate the story. The artist is someone named Anna Degnbol. Check out their site, maybe find some art to brighten your own dim hole, or commission something rather than contributing to the growth of AI slop. That shit is theft and killing creatives. But I digress. Anna Degnbol has some amazing art, and her work really adds something inviting to this story I wrote. 

"Growth" is a simple story about trying to pass down a passion. It takes place in a future where humanity has shifted things environmentally for the better, but the next generation is starting to feel like there's no need for them to continue the hard work anymore. In essence, we've reached the tipping point and they don't get that this is a job that never ends. At the same time, this is about how that same effort, for all the good it does, can complicate a person, turning them into someone rough around the edges. 

I don't want to say too much. The story can speak for itself. And it doesn't take terribly long to read. Of course, should you enjoy my offering, but even if you don't, take a minute to peruse the rest of The Garden. There are several splendid stories, each sharing a unique perspective on this optimistic notion. As much as I'm shamelessly self-promoting myself, there's other fabulous folks here to enjoy too. So take a minute to explore Tractor Beam No.2: The Garden.