And as expected, my first publication of 2024 is Backdoor in Nature Futures! This story has a special place in my heart because it’s the first fiction piece I ever wrote. The fact that it sold to the first venue I sent it to after putting it together in a single day was surreal (beginner’s luck might be real after all).
It was inspired by several bits and pieces of stories that stayed with me over time, including the opening line of The Gunslinger by Stephen King, as well as Westworld and Blade Runner. It may be too derivative for some, but I’m told all writing is derivative so maybe I’m safe.