Tomorrow Factory

23 stories from one of science fiction’s up-and-coming stars, Rich Larson. A selection of the Science Fiction Book Club. “One of the best new writers to enter science fiction in more than a decade. His stories are always exciting, inventive, evocative, and sometimes profound.”—Gardner Dozois, The Year’s Best Science Fiction

Welcome to the Tomorrow Factory.

On your left, post-human hedonists on a distant space station bring diseases back in fashion, two scavengers find a super-powered parasite under the waves of Sunk Seattle, and a terminally-ill chemist orchestrates an asteroid prison break.

On your right, an alien optometrist spins illusions for irradiated survivors of the apocalypse, a high-tech grifter meets his match in near-future Thailand, and two teens use a black-market personality mod to get into the year’s wickedest, wildest party.

This collection of published and original fiction by award-winning writer Rich Larson will bring you from a Bujumbura cyberpunk junkyard to the icy depths of Europa, from the slick streets of future-noir Chicago to a tropical island of sapient robots. You'll explore a mysterious ghost ship in deep space, meet an android learning to dream, and fend off predatory alien fungi on a combat mission gone wrong.

Twenty-three futures, ranging from grimy cyberpunk to far-flung space opera, are waiting to blow you away.

So step inside the Tomorrow Factory, and mind your head.

Rich Larson was born in West Africa, has studied in Rhode Island and worked in Spain, and now writes from Ottawa, Canada. His award-winning short fiction has been translated into Chinese, Vietnamese, Polish, French, and Italian, and appears in numerous Year's Best anthologies.

*A selection of the Science Fiction Book Club*

“Larson is one of the best new writers to enter science fiction in more than a decade. His stories are always exciting, inventive, evocative, and sometimes profound.”—Gardner Dozois, The Year’s Best Science Fiction

“One of the most exciting and prolific science fiction and fantasy writers working today. His range—and of course his talent—is remarkable.” —John Joseph Adams, The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy

“Every now and then the science fiction field sees the arrival of a startling new talent. Rich Larson is just that. A writer of powerful, perceptive stories that stand with the best. Tomorrow Factory dazzles with smart, sharp, insightful stories, and belongs on your bookshelf. One of the books of the year.”—Jonathan Strahan, The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year

"Rich Larson's stories crackle with energy and imagination and I'm only a little jealous—signed, the 3rd most prolific short fiction author of 2016."—Nebula Award-winning author Sarah Pinsker

“Powerful, thought-provoking, and filled with little moments of humanity that makes his stories resonate, Rich Larson’s debut collection should be required reading for modern science fiction fans.”—Jason Sizemore, editor-in-chief, Apex Magazine

“The most impressive new short fiction writer in science fiction and fantasy over the last few years, bringing to mind writers like Robert Silverberg and Robert Reed. Tomorrow Factory is a first-rate introduction: fast-moving, affecting, driving, and powerful.”—Rich Horton, The Year’s Best Science Fiction & Fantasy"

“Rich Larson writes sharp, ambitious fiction that I can't forget. Tomorrow Factory is a fantastic chance to see him at his best.”—Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Kij Johnson

“Enjoyably twisty SF tales with an ample serving of weird tech (and the way it distorts the people who use it). I’ll be looking out for more from Rich Larson.” —Neal Asher, author of Dark Intelligence and The Soldier

“Twenty-three stories that make a case for [Larson’s] reputation as one of the most promising young writers in genre today.”—B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog

“A remarkable collection of stories by a highly original writer.”—Booklist

“A provocative collection of 23 strange futures . . . [Larson’s] colorful settings create strong backdrops for characters striving for goals small and large. This vibrant collection will give thoughtful readers plenty of entertainment.” —Publishers Weekly

“Stories of growl, attack and bite — sentences muscular with taut language, sinewed with concision and outsider sensibility. Tomorrow Factory is all that SFF is capable of, all that it hopes to be — and more."—Ian McDonald, author of Luna: New Moon

“Larson has honed his talent playing with reality. Frequently, if I’m not too disturbed after reading one of Rich’s tales, I find I’m left, like Finch at the conclusion to ‘An Evening with Severyn Grimes,’ with ‘the ghost of a smile on my face.’ It’s an experience I highly recommend.”—Sheila Williams, Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine

“Tomorrow Factory is sharp, perceptive, and immensely entertaining. Rich Larson is science fiction’s most impressive new voice for short stories.” —Rick Wilber, author of Alien Morning