Rich and Strange: "No Vera There" by Dominica Phetteplace

This week I look at a story from the ever-excellent Clarkesworld.

“No Vera There” is one of those stories that simultaneously engages parts of my brain that appreciate very different things: in this case narrative and structure. There’s something supremely satisfying about a story where form follows function before using form to reflect on that function. In this case, Vera is a piece of a human consciousness that’s been uploaded to a cloud and then imperfectly downloaded into a body again, trying to piece her memories and sense of self together through the medium of internet-era quizzes.

Enjoy!

In other news, Tor.com also has a fantastic round-up of its reviewers’ favourite books of the year. I put mine up too! It is, of course, a rolling list of favourites, and will no doubt change as I manage to read some of the other intriguing books being recommended.

Finally, just to cap off the day’s doings — I’m very happy to announce that I’ve sold a short story called “Pockets” to Uncanny magazine. It will appear in their second issue, and will be released online to read and listen to in February of next year. It’s also my second-ever science fiction story, with lab coats and thermodynamics and stuff! And a nod and wink to Edward Carey’s Heap House, which partly inspired it.

 
#SFWApro