Fear and Courage: Fourteen Writers Explore Sime~Gen

Sime/Gen #13

by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Jean Lorrah, Zoe Farris

Welcome to the first Sime~Gen Anthology written by the fans. This Anthology is a compilation of stories and poetry written by people who have been influenced by the published works of Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah, in such a powerful way that they felt compelled to explore this universe in their own writing. Here are:

Forewords, by Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah

"Moonlight Sonata," by Mary Lou Mendum

"A Mother’s Choice," by Donna Fernstrom

"Obsession," by Eliza Leahy

"How Far Must I Go?", by William Long

"A Journey Into Demonland," by Mary Lou Mendum and M. Alexis Pakulak

"The Legend of the Creeping Need," by Zoe Farris

"Be Not Afraid," by Marjorie Robbins

"Running on Selyn Alone," by D.H. Aire

"Blood Taint," by Katherine X. Rylien

"More Than Meets the Eye," by R. K. Hageman

"The Box," by Laurie Pollack

"Prelude and Fugue in Four Choices," by Mary Lou Mendum

"Shadows," by Zoe Farris

"Vincent of the Gate," by R. K. Hageman

"Destiny," by N. Eileen O’Neill

"Three Milestones in the Founding of Cordona Territory," by Mary Lou Mendum

"A Short Life," by Eliza ambrov Halwyn

"Controller’s Dilemma," by Marjorie Robbins and K. L. Schaefer

"The Gift of Alauno Light," by Andrea Alton

What is Sime~Gen? For those of you who are reading this book without previous experience of this expansive universe here is a brief introduction:

Sime~Gen is a series of novels written by Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah. It is set in a future where humans have mutated into two subspecies. Simes, who go through a brief but dramatic change at puberty and Gens, whose change, while just as dramatic, is invisible to the naked eye.

The outward sign of the Simes' change is development of tentacles on their forearms, four strong and flexible "handling" tentacles and two smaller tentacles just for selyn transfer, called "laterals." Gens produce life energy called "selyn" which Simes require once a month to live. Unfortunately, the result in obtaining this energy is usually the death of the Gen.

This physical transformation happens just prior to puberty. There is no way of knowing, before that, if a person will be Sime or Gen.

At the chronological beginning of the published novels by Jacqueline, and Jean, a second mutation of Sime emerges. These "channels" are able to keep Simes from Killing Gens, thus saving mankind from self-annihilation. The stories that you find here, and the published books by Jacqueline Lichtenberg and Jean Lorrah, explore the role of these new Simes, and the Gens who live side by side with them as humankind struggles to become one again.

This volume was edited by Zoe Farris and Karen L. MacLeod

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2015

About the author

Jacqueline Lichtenberg is creator of the Sime~Gen Universe, primary author of Star Trek Lives!, founder of the Star Trek Welcommittee, creator of the term Intimate Adventure, winner of the Galaxy Award for Spirituality in Science Fiction and one of the first Romantic Times Awards for Best Science Fiction Novel. Her work is now in e-book form, audio-dramatization and on XM Satellite Radio. She has been sf/f reviewer for The Monthly Aspectarian since 1993.

Reprints and new titles coming from Wildside Press, 2011.

Co-blogs at: http://www.aliendjinnromances.blogspo...

Find currently available titles and free chapters at
http://www.jacquelinelichtenberg.com
With Professor Jean Lorrah, she teaches sf/f writing online via Tarot and Astrology.

Reviews

[Diana]

Fresh stories in a compelling SF universe

I've been a huge fan of the Sime~Gen universe since the early 80s. Now, this book gives me fresh stories by new writers. Many of the stories cry out for continuation at novel length! More Sime~Gen stories, please!

[Janice]

Enjoyed it, though I found some of the stories dark, or sad I really miss the old Ambrov Zeor fanzines, that I lost in my travels over the years.

[Donna Hutt Stapfer Bell]

Collection of tranformative works

This collection reminds me of the Star Trek anthologies Jackie curated back in the day, with one important difference. These are from her created verse, and are as unlike each other as the Trek books carried a sameness to them that was indelible. In approach, focus, culture - different! More IDIC than Trek ever was, refreshing and reassuring.

[Marlene E Lieber]

Good collection

Interesting collection that adds new depth and more dimension to the Sime-Gen universe. Have introduced my grandson to the series and he is loving it!

[Sarah Jackson]

There is something for every Sci-Fi fan in this collection of short stories and poems. Even if you have no knowledge of the Sime-Gen books, writings and world, the foreword to the book provides sufficient background information for you to dive right in. The works in this compendium range from the touching to the kind-of-creepy. Engaging and well-written, with the quality of writing consistent across the pieces.
Please note: I personally know two of the authors in this compendium. I was not asked to complete a review and I purchased the book myself. This is an honest review – Had I thought that the book was rubbish I would not have insulted either of them by pretending that it wasn’t.