The Shining Cities: An Anthology of Pagan Science Fiction

Edited by Rebecca Buchanan

Price: $14.99 US (paperback); $5.99 (ebook)
Publication Date: 14 September 2012
Place of Publication: Asheville, North Carolina
ISBN: 1479228923 / 9781479228928
Pages: 368 pp
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 5.5″x8.5″

Alternate history. Apocalyptic. Biopunk. Cyberpunk. Dystopia. Ecological. Far future. Feminist. Gaslight. Lost world. Marxist. Military. Parallel world. Planetary romance. Space opera. Space western. Steampunk. Superhero. Time travel. Utopia.

As a genre, science fiction is difficult to define. So, perhaps the best definition is also the broadest: science fiction as a genre deals with imaginary, but plausible and logically constructed, worlds in which the implications and consequences of cultural, environmental, and scientific change and innovation are explored. With its limitless potential for world-building — and real world influence — science fiction is also a genre rich in possibility for Pagan authors and readers alike, but one which has been sadly neglected. With The Shining Cities, we add one more to that short list of works. In these pages you will find tales that run the gamut from humorous to ecological to anthropological to time travel to space fantasy to space opera to steampunk. It is our hope that The Shining Cities will be only the most recent addition to an ever-growing catalogue of Pagan science fiction.

Enjoy!

The Shining Cities is the second in Bibliotheca Alexandrina‘s line of genre fiction anthologies. It can be purchased in paperback format from Amazon and Kindle editions, and through Barnes and Noble.

All of the proceeds from The Shining Cities – as well as many of the other volumes in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina series – will be used to help promote the revival of the worship of the ancient Gods, with a portion of the proceeds given to worthy charitable organizations in their name.  So, not only will you be getting an imaginative collection of tales – but your money will be going to do good work and help the revival of ancient polytheistic religions.

ATTENTION Librarians, Teachers and Retailers: The Shining Cities is also available at reduced cost for academic institutions, lending libraries (public and private) and retailers. Check our online store, or email baeditor@gmail.com with any questions.

We are rebuilding the Library of Alexandria one book at a time!

Table of Contents

Dedication
Introduction by Rebecca Buchanan — viii

Lies, Truth, and the Color of Faith by Gerri Leen — 1
Chicken Abductions: A Fowl Tail by Jordsvin — 18
Explanation by Diotima — 21
S and R Dance On by Eli Effinger-Weintraub — 24
1863 Antinous by P. Sufenas Virius Lupus — 26
The Touch of a God by Joel Zartman — 49
Logos by S.R. Hardy — 60
All I Survey by Jason Ross Inczauskis — 70
Kailash by Michelle Herndon — 104
Datorvita by Ashley Horn — 132
The Lament of the Last Goddess by Jolene Dawe — 138
Alexander’s Heart by Rebecca Buchanan — 150
A Wrecking Bar, a Chocolate Bar, and a Ka Offering for Naneferkaptah by Pell Kenner — 181
Initiate by Inanna Gabriel — 217
No One Is an Enemy to Water by Sandi Leibowitz — 235
Chicken Feet by Lauren C. Teffeau — 247
Yundah by C.S. MacCath — 258
Dumb Supper by Jennifer Lyn Parsons — 273
The Fool by William Kolar — 279
The Scroll of Kali by Quincy J. Allen — 313
Merlin by Lorraine S. Schein — 337

Select Timeline — 339
Select Recommendations — 345
Our Contributors — 349
About Bibliotheca Alexandrina — 357
Current Titles — Forthcoming Titles — 358

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