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INTRODUCTION: UNEARTHED

This volume contains twelve stories which, for one reason or another, have lain uncollected after their initial publication, an era spanning the years 1986 to 1999. Additionally, four never-sold stories of roughly the same vintage—pulled from my files, with the oldest dating from 1984—see print here for the first time.

So: some unknown and unclamored-for stories thirty to fifteen years old, back in print? Why these, why now? Why resurrect these tales after letting them lie hidden for two decades or more? A few justifications seem relevant.

I was initially proud of all of them, unsold ones included, even if some second hesitant thoughts led me, when assembling earlier collections, to bypass them. Upon rereading them recently, my pride in the accomplishments of my younger self was reawakened, and I thought they should be honored with a new life. (You’ll learn more about each piece in the individual story introductions.)

Secondly, they represent a certain arc of my career and development, a segment of my writing which, I imagine in my vainglorious folly, might be of interest to some fans of my work—and even to some critics and historians, should I be lucky enough ever to attract such attentions.

Finally, I think they represent some good storytelling which has the potential, like all well-wrought tales, to amuse and entertain and even enlighten the reader.

Thus, for all these reasons, I’ve chosen to “unearth” these stories, the only fitting strategy for a fellow whose first piece of professional fiction appeared in UnEarth magazine!